Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] IMF's withdrawal from Greek programme does not mean new memorandum, say gov't sources

[02] EU Commission works for the participation of IMF in Greek programme based on ESM Treaty

[03] President Anastasiades: As long as the dialogue continues there is hope

[04] Prolonged second review procedure weakens Greece's negotiation position, ND's Koumoutsakos says

[05] Ten people readmitted to Turkey

[01] IMF's withdrawal from Greek programme does not mean new memorandum, say gov't sources

According to the same sources, "the possibility of the continuation of the programme without the participation of IMF or its participation without funding and consequently without main role, is a development that may be a way out of the structural disagreement between the institutions, which constitutes a continuous obstacle for the conclusion of the second review without additional measures and the successful conclusion of the Greek programme.

"The view that Europe has an institutional support framework is not new. It steadily gains ground in the European institutions and it is welcomed by Greece provided the initiatives and decision are taken quickly," the same sources said.

[02] EU Commission works for the participation of IMF in Greek programme based on ESM Treaty

Asked to comment on the statements of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on the possibility of a new programme with the ESM if the IMF decides not to participate in this programme, Winterstein noted that the role of the IMF in support programmes is included in the ESM Treaty and that the Commission continues to work with the IMF in this context.

"The IMF has reaffirmed its intention to recommend to its board of directors the signing of a new programme with Greece as soon as an agreement is reached at staff level agreement. We are working in this framework. We will not proceed with speculations based on scenarios," he concluded.

[03] President Anastasiades: As long as the dialogue continues there is hope

"It is known that I took a decision on December 1 to meet two targets: to make the intentions of the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish side apparent as regards territorial and security issues," Anastasiades said and added: "For the first time since 1974 the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a map with significant return of territories, although the map does not meet our expectations. The map is the basis for negotiation."

Anastasiades pointed out that for the first time a five-party conference on the Cyprus issue was convened with the participation of EU during which Turkey discussed for the first time the issue of guarantees and occupation troops.

On the issue of security and guarantees, Anastasiades said that the dialogue in Geneva is the beginning of a procedure to find a solution that meets the expectations of the people of Cyprus. He added that the only comprehensive solution submitted to the conference was that submitted by us.

Anastasiades thanked Greece for the support and excellent cooperation. Asked on his relation with the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, he said that "we have a good cooperation and understanding."

Concluding the President of Cyprus expressed his pleasure over the outcome of the conference. "However, it remains to be seen how the other side will respond," he said and added: "A dialogue on guarantees and security started. We submitted a comprehensive proposal on all issues - security (internal and external) and the protection of constitutional order after the solution. There is no deadline. It is the beginning of a dialogue that just started. We are in constant dialogue. And as long as the dialogue continues, there is hope."

[04] Prolonged second review procedure weakens Greece's negotiation position, ND's Koumoutsakos says

"Government's obsessive tactic does not protect its negotiation position" said Koumoutsakos.

Finally, referring to the operation of the refugees hosting centers in the last days with the bad weather conditions he stressed "government's sensitivity and effectiveness was proved to be deep frozen."

[05] Ten people readmitted to Turkey

Six of them were Pakistani nationals, one from Iraq, one from Iran, one from Algeria and one from Egypt. Nine of them were men and a woman. Frontex was responsible for the readmission procedure.

Another migrant from Egypt who was initially included in the readmission list is on a hunger strike in protest of the rejection of his asylum request claiming that he is persecuted by Egypt's regime.

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