Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-08

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras: Minsk Agreement for peace in Ukraine should be implemented

[02] Lagarde says IMF recognizes the sacrifices of the Greek people but insists on reforms

[03] Completing program review is the government's priority, says spox

[04] Katrougalos meets with Timmermans in efforts to overturn visa decision for Turkish tourists

[01] Tsipras: Minsk Agreement for peace in Ukraine should be implemented

"Concerning regional developments, we watch with concern the resurgence of tensions. Greece always supports the need for peace in Ukraine," he told journalists.

"We are at a new transitional phase for global developments and our countries must strengthen dialog to ensure peace in the wider region. The Minsk Agreement for peace in Ukraine must be implemented," he added.

The two leaders discussed at a private meeting earlier bilateral relations and international developments, as well as economic cooperation. "I want to note that Greece has a particular interest on the wider Black Sea area, with which it is connected through ties […] More than 100,000 Ukrainian citizens of Greek origin live in Ukraine and speak the Greek language," he said.

Concerning economic cooperation, Tsipras said the two sides decided to hold an interministerial meeting in the near future.

On his side, Groysman thanked the Greek premier for his first visit to Ukraine saying the two countries have a wide range for cooperation. "There is ample room for economic cooperation. We discussed security issues and bilateral relations for the cooperation between the two countries," he said.

[02] Lagarde says IMF recognizes the sacrifices of the Greek people but insists on reforms

Lagarde insisted however in the need for reforms in taxation and pensions which she described as "absolutely necessary", according to the website of journalist Michalis Ignatiou (mignatiou.com).

"We recognized that some reforms have been made. But other reforms have not been completed yet and they must be implemented to free the economy's potential. The reforms are absolutely necessary," she said. "Greece must widen its tax base in income tax to allow a fairer distribution of tax burdens," she said, noting that "very few people carry the burden of taxation today".

Asked about the Greek government's reaction to the IMF report published on Monday, Lagarde said the Fund wanted to be honest about the state of the Greek economy and the progress made. "Greek authorities didn't like some of the things we said," she added.

[03] Completing program review is the government's priority, says spox

Asked about the review, he said negotiations are ongoing noting that there are disagreements within Europe which affect somewhat the Greek program. He declined to give a date for an agreement but said February 20th could be the timeframe.

Tzanakopoulos also reiterated that the government's "stated primary aim" is to include the country in the European Central Bank's quantitative easing program, noting that such development would bring liquidity to the market and "will push Greek bond [yields] down and send a message abroad".

[04] Katrougalos meets with Timmermans in efforts to overturn visa decision for Turkish tourists

The pilot visa program, which started in 2012 and expired on October 30, 2016, had been approved by the European Commission and was crucial for the islands which rely on tourism to counter the effects of the refugee crisis. It constituted an exception from the Schengen rules.

Katrougalos also thanked Timmermans for his stable position and solidarity concerning migration and according to the minister the two sides converged on the issues of the Common European Asylum System and the revision of the Dublin Regulation.

The minister also briefed Greek MEPs on the country's priorities during the first half of the year and mainly the future of Europe and migration.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article