Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Obama's visit reflects the multidimensional foreign policy of Greece

[02] State budget revenue surpassed targets in Sept

[01] Obama's visit reflects the multidimensional foreign policy of Greece

The same sources said that Greece's role is strengthened as a result of regional developments and increased instability.

Moreover, the sources said, that the decision of the US President to visit Athens first on November 15-16 and then Berlin before the end of his tenure at the White House attaches great importance to this visit. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew recently said that the US aimed at the settlement of Greek debt by the end of Obama's term.

They added that this visit is the result of a multi-dimensional foreign policy which includes cooperation and contacts with important regional and global "players" from Israel and Palestine to Egypt and Iran. From China and Russia to the traditional European powers and the US. With respect, however, to the necessary balance and universal recognition of the role of Greece as a pole of stability in Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. It is also a recognition of the enhanced role and effective and multi-dimensional foreign policy of Greece, and the unprecedented number of Alexis Tsipras' contacts with world leaders.

Obama will meet with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The two government delegations will have extended discussions. Among the issues to be discussed will be the Greek debt relief, the progress of the economic programme, the Cyprus issue and the refugee crisis.

According to a White House's statement, Obama will meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and reiterate "his support for ongoing efforts to place the Greek economy on a path to sustainability and renewed prosperity."

With the intercommunal talks entering a critical phase and Greece having a say in safety issues and guarantees, Cyprus will also be a key issue in the talks with the American President, stated the government sources.

In addition, the refugee crisis remains a hot issue worldwide triggering developments with huge impact on the international system and the EU. The US has repeatedly expressed its support for and recognition of Greece's humane and effective management of refugee flows. Obama's visit is expected to be another sign of the US support to the Greek efforts.

Moreover, the agenda will include US investments in Greece (the US President will be accompanied by numerous businessmen) and the issue of Democracy. "The international position of Greece is enhanced," the same sources stressed.

[02] State budget revenue surpassed targets in Sept

Budget revenue (pre-returns) totaled 5.6 billion euros in September, up from a provisional estimate of 5.512 billion.

Budget revenue (pre-returns) for the January-September period surpassed budget targets by 4.03 pct, up from a provision estimate for an increase of 3.79 pct. Net revenue for the nine-month period surpassed targets by 4.34 pct, up from a 3.15 pct increase according to provisional figures.

Budget net revenue in September surpassed targets by 23.31 pct, up from a provisional estimate for an increase of 19.33 pct.

"These figures offer a documented response to all those who spoke of a derailing in public revenue," the General Secretariat said in an announcement.

Net revenue in September totaled 5.273 billion euros, up from 3.519 billion in the same month in 2015, an increase of 49.84 pct. Net revenue in the January-September period totaled 34.914 billion euros, from 32.128 billion euros in the same period last year, for an increase of 8.67 pct. In September, income tax revenue grew 32.86 pct, while property tax revenues soared 2,497.56 pct. Tax returns grew 30.71 pct in September and grew by 21.89 pct in the nine-month period.

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