Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-12-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eurogroup chief says talks on short-term debt relief measures for Greece to resume in January

[02] Government vindicated, say gov't sources to ANA

[03] Alexis Tsipras: Merry Christmas with solidarity, democracy and dignity

[04] Islands' decongestion to start in April, says Migration Min. Mouzalas

[05] Ski on artificial snow in most Greek resorts

[06] There are political forces in Europe that don't feel good with the current government, says gov't spox Tzanakopoulos

[01] Eurogroup chief says talks on short-term debt relief measures for Greece to resume in January

Dijsselbloem stated that Greece's creditors agreed to resume the negotiations after he received a letter from Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos in which he reaffirmed his commitment to Greece's reform program.

"I'm happy to conclude that we have cleared the way ... to go ahead with the decision-making procedures for the short term debt measures, which will be conducted in January," Dijsselbloem said.

[02] Government vindicated, say gov't sources to ANA

The only one who is not happy is main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis who rushed to indentify and in the Greek parliament with the most punitive wings of the lenders, added the same sources

[03] Alexis Tsipras: Merry Christmas with solidarity, democracy and dignity

The Music school of Athens and the Philarmonic of the municipality of Amphilohia sang Christmas carols to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the Maximos mansion earlier on Saturday(Christmas Eve.

[04] Islands' decongestion to start in April, says Migration Min. Mouzalas

He also said that in parallel will start the implementation of the plan that foresees 2,000 to 2,500 relocations to EU countries every month noting that the Greek government is responsible for the integration of 20,000 to 25,000 refugees that will remain in Greece.

Mouzalas expressed his certainty that until January 15 no refugee or migrant will live in tents but in organised centers with heating, medical care and food.

He admitted that the condition on the islands is very difficult and that a quality change in the arrivals has been recorded recently because in their majority refer to economic migrants without prospect for asylum or possibility to continue their trip to Europe. The condition gets worse because the migrants that arrive in the last days use the asylum trick in order to avoid their readmission to Turkey without wanting to remain in Greece and seek illegal ways to get into other European countries.

These impasses trigger tension and delinquency and create an explosive blend, said Mouzalas. The Ministry aims to create small detention centers for persons with delinquent behaviour and new premises that will house the asylum services that examine the refugees and migrants' requests.

[05] Ski on artificial snow in most Greek resorts

In the ski resort of Kaimaktsalan (Voras) in Pella the artificial snow cannons are working incessantly in order skiers to be able to enjoy their favourite sport on the slopes of Voras Mountain. Moreover, the ski resort staff has formed special areas for young visitors who want to play or go sledding.

In 3-5 Pigadia in Naoussa all 20 cannons are operating with aim all pistes to open on Christmas Day while night skiing has been scheduled for the weekend.

[06] There are political forces in Europe that don't feel good with the current government, says gov't spox Tzanakopoulos

There are political forces in Europe that do not feel good with the current government in Greece. It is an obstacle in their plan for the consolidation of a continuous austerity policy in Europe, estimated Tzanakopoulos adding that "the Greek people decide who will govern them".

The least the country wants now is elections, he noted adding that the scenarios of an ecumenical government or a government of technocrats "refer and serve those who spread the rumours" he said and clarified "New Democracy (main opposition) is the only one that wants elections because it wrongly believes that it will win and wants to provoke the interruption of the negotiations and to impose a harsh austerity programme and charge it to SYRIZA. It is a very dangerous tactic for the country".

Government spokesman appeared optimistic over the conclusion of the second review and ruled out the possibility of additional measures after 2018. "I believe that in the next period we will have achieved to find a point of balance and to reach a positive decision that will not include measures after 2018", he said.

He also underlined that the labour deregulation which was the result of the former governments (New Democracy and PASOK) decisions in the period 2010-2014 can't continue. "IMF must understand that Greece belongs to Europe and can't be excluded from the European social model and this is also the position of the European Commission" he stressed.

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