Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-10-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras marks 72nd anniversary of Athens' liberation from German troops

[02] Draft bill on asylum seekers submitted for public consultation

[03] New arbitration mechanism for business debts planned, involving public sector

[01] Tsipras marks 72nd anniversary of Athens' liberation from German troops

"For many decades, Greece was the only country that didn't celebrate the end of the Second World War and its liberation from the Nazis. The reason is obvious. Liberation was followed by events that marked our modern history and culminated with the Civil War. Anyone who spoke about the liberation would have to speak about those issues too," Tsipras said in a statement.

"Today, October 12 is celebrated openly. We remember the day Athens was freed from its invaders. The day the Greek people won again their place in the pantheon of those who are fighting against enemies superior in size and equipment, but are injust. Those who were sacrificed for freedom and democracy," he continued.

"We're not afraid to talk about the past and about the struggles that this past commands today. For the modern fight against fascism and so that the world never forgets the overwhelming experience of the Holocaust. And so that refugees do not become the new object of racist propaganda," he said.

[02] Draft bill on asylum seekers submitted for public consultation

An important point of the bill is that it expressly states that unaccompanied minors, regardless of whether they have applied for asylum, must be protected by the state. Therefore, the bill widens the scope of protection for unaccompanied children. It also defines the authorities and agencies involved in the receipt and examination of applications for international protection, as well as with the reception, hospitality and protection of unaccompanied minors.

The deadline for comments expires on October 21, at 14:00. The bill has been uploaded for public consultation on the website: http://www.opengov.gr/ypes/?p=4683

[03] New arbitration mechanism for business debts planned, involving public sector

With government Vice-President Yiannis Dragasakis in the chair, the meeting approved the economy ministry's proposal for a draft law creating an out-of-court arbitration mechanism to restructure the debts of businesses to both private creditors and state agencies. In addition to its normal members, the council was also attended by Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos and Labour Minister George Katrougalos.

If the law is adopted, it will be the first time that the public sector, banks and social insurance funds participate equally in debt relief for over-indebted but viable businesses. The government expects the law to be well received by the social partners and to be more functional than its predecessor, which was adopted by the ND-PASOK coalition government two years ago.

The new legislation extends to all types of business and entrepreneurs, including one-person companies and freelance workers, and covers all and any type of debt, such as those to banks, public sector entities, social insurance funds and private creditors. Proposed debt relief measures can include extending repayment periods, debt haircuts and any other means of settling or restructuring debt. It also stipulates that the new out-of-court mechanism will be in force for a specific period of time.

Businesses or entrepreneurs that want to apply for debt settlement can submit an electronic application via the Special Secretariat for Management of Private Debt website, where they will be informed of any supporting documents that need to be supplied electronically.

A coordinator from the justice ministry's Arbitrators' Register will then take charge of the application, organising structured negotiations between the business and all its creditors, which will include representatives of the business's staff and suppliers, where appropriate.

The viability of smaller businesses will be estimated on the basis of an automated analysis system, while that of larger businesses will be assessed by an independent evaluator.

If the process arrives at an agreement with the creditors that corresponds to at least 60 pct of the total debt, the case will be referred to a judge for ratification, with a court decision to force compliance by all parties.

According to the economy ministry, the mechanism will be designed so as to exclude strategic bad debtors and focus on saving businesses that are otherwise viable, using all available information about the owner's assets.

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