Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-10-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] White House: Barack Obama to visit Greece on Nov. 15

[02] France will back a swift solution for Greece's debt in the EU, Ayrault says

[01] White House: Barack Obama to visit Greece on Nov. 15

"President Obama will travel to Greece, Germany, and Peru November 14-21, 2016. This trip will highlight the President's commitment to trans-Atlantic solidarity, a strong and integrated Europe, and to cooperation with our Asia Pacific partners. The President's schedule will underscore the linkages between our security interests and our economic agenda, our efforts to promote balanced, sustainable, and strong global economic growth, and our support for trade liberalization and economic reforms that reduce inequality and deliver opportunities for the middle class around the world as well as regional economic institutions that foster private sector growth.

The President on November 15 will arrive in Greece, where he will see President Pavlopoulos, meet with Prime Minister Tsipras, and reaffirm our support for ongoing efforts to place the Greek economy on a path to sustainability and renewed prosperity. In the birthplace of democracy, the President will also reaffirm the resilience of democratic values, which have done so much to deliver peace and prosperity to Europe and the wider world. Additionally, the President will make clear our appreciation for the remarkable generosity shown by the Greek Government and people to refugees and migrants."

[02] France will back a swift solution for Greece's debt in the EU, Ayrault says

"A swift settlement on the issue of Greece's debt is something important for Greece and Greek authorities, because it is a precondition for Greece's return to the markets," Ayrault said. The European Central Bank (ECB) had expressed a similar position, he pointed out, warning that all sides had to be "especially careful".

"There is still work to be done," the French minister said, while adding that "France wants all commitments to be honoured." Ayrault also assured Greeks of France's "solidarity with their efforts to effect Greece's recovery," noting that the early results of this effort were very encouraging.

He promised French support for the Greek authorities "determination to very quickly conclude the second review of the Greek programme in the next weeks." He praised Greece's efforts and said it must be helped to succeed, warning that there should be no delays. "We must consolidate all we have achieved so far," he said.

Kotzias said that all sides in Europe must honour their commitments. "There is no agreement that concerns only one country, such as Greece. The agreement concerns everyone and the implementation of the agreement that concerns everyone must take into account historical examples. Greece should not receive harsher treatment than that which the victorious allies in 1953 in London had dealt to a country that had caused the Second World War and owed two loans from the 1920s," he commented.

Ayrault also underlined the importance of implementing joint EU decisions, such as those for the refugee issue. "We mustn't only talk. We must decide and then act. It is on this that trust is based and the EU must provide specific answers to European citizens so that they are not tempted by euroscepticism," he said. France and Greece shared a common vision of Europe that acted to protect European citizens, encouraged prosperity and opened up paths and prospects for young people, he said.

"France and Greece together will contribute to creating such a Europe," Ayrault added.

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