Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dragasakis: Government wants to conclude bailout program in 2018; end austerity

[02] Mountainous areas see first snowfall as Greece braces for cold spell

[01] Dragasakis: Government wants to conclude bailout program in 2018; end austerity

"Nobody believes there will be a fourth program. This was reiterated by both Mr. [EU Commissioner for Finance Pierre] Moscovici and Mr. [ECB Executive Board member Benoit] Coeure and they have also been stated by Europe. I think this fact is very important because it answers to questions and concerns which are partly justified," Dragasakis said in a speech at the 27th Annual "Greek Economy" conference, organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

Important foreign officials and representatives of European institutions noted they want the successful completion of the third program, which they said will be the last, the government vice-president said.

A second aim, he continued, is to "heal the wounds" caused by austerity and set the new basis for post-bailout Greece. To create, that is, the economic and social preconditions to overcome not just the bailout program but also the crisis and the bankrupt model of the past which led to the crisis.

Dragasakis also said the target for the primary surplus has been achieved for 2016 and that the only uncertain factor is whether the International Monetary Fund will agree to participate in the Greek program.

"The conditions to complete the program are in place and the only source of uncertainty is the unspecified stance of the IMF," he said.

Dragasakis also noted that Greece has the opportunity to create wider partnerships and alliances to present and resolve its problems but the first precondition is "for the country to participate in Europe with its own voice and view".

[02] Mountainous areas see first snowfall as Greece braces for cold spell

Snow has been falling in Florina and Kozani in western Macedonia since this morning, as well as around Thessaloniki, without causing significant problems and even Parnitha Mountain, north of Athens, saw its first snow in the afternoon.

In Crete, several crops were damaged after intense hail storm that fell earlier in the day in Heraklion.

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