Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras on Istanbul terror attack: Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey

[02] Stathakis to ANA: Government decides on top issues; will continue policy of redistribution

[01] Tsipras on Istanbul terror attack: Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey

"Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Istanbul. The Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey in these difficult times. We must increase our cooperation so that 2017 is a year of peace and security," he tweeted.

Earlier, the prime minister had expressed his condolences to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece, Yaşar Çevik, though his diplomatic office.

[02] Stathakis to ANA: Government decides on top issues; will continue policy of redistribution

Commenting on the recent clash with the institutions over the pension bonus and the suspension of the VAT for some islands, the minister said the government never violated any agreement with its lenders and cited the unblocking of Greece's debt relief measures by EU bodies.

"It is certainly useful to have a climate of mutual cooperation and trust but in the core of it it's the government itself which takes decisions for issues it considers of top priority," he said.

Asked whether the government is considering distributing again a pension bonus in 2017, Stathakis responded positively. "The government has clarified that overachieving fiscal targets implies redistribution in favor of the weaker social groups. And it will continue to do so. If everything goes well, we'll continue in the same framework," he said.

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