Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-12-10
CONTENTS
[01] Tsakalotos: Second programme review can be concluded in December
[02] Seamen's union strike suspended
[01] Tsakalotos: Second programme review can be concluded in December
The conclusion of the second programme review within December is
feasible, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Saturday said in an
interview with Agora newspaper.
"I think that the conclusion of the second programme review is still
feasible and I have repeatedly said that most of the people involved seek
a solution. We have made clear our position regarding the importance of
collective contracts. The working people have suffered the most from
the crisis. If Europe does not ensure the conditions so that they can
participate in the recovery phase, then it has no future. We have also
made clear that taking additional measures after the end of the programme
is not justified on political or economic grounds," Tsakalotos underlined.
Regarding the developments on the latest Eurogroup meeting, he said
that this is what is happening with all negotiations, officials do not
express their views until the very last moment.
However, he expressed his optimism over Greece's participation in ECB
quantitative easing programme as all institutions and member states are
well aware of its importance.
He added that the government aims at reducing primary surpluses to
2.5 pct as soon as possible. Asked on the role of Eurogroup president
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, he said that he may be strict sometimes, but he
is a man that honours his word. "He believes that the Greeks meet their
commitments and the Eurogroup must do the same," he stressed.
[02] Seamen's union strike suspended
The seamen's union federation PNO decided to suspend its strike on
Saturday morning. This means that all ships will operate normally.
"Reason has prevailed," Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroublis said in
statements earlier in the day.
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