Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Neither Greece nor Europe can tolerate a new phase of uncertainty, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

[02] President Pavlopoulos congratulates newly elected German President Steinmeier

[03] Greek state arrears to private sector down significantly in 2016

[01] Neither Greece nor Europe can tolerate a new phase of uncertainty, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

"The Greek government participates in the negotiations with the creditors with clear positions," he underlined and added that Greece has repeatedly said it would not accept irrational demands from the creditors, and especially the IMF.

"We have not retreated one iota from this position," Tzanakopoulos said, adding that the government's strongest argument in the negotiations was reality itself and the performance of the Greek economy.

Moreover, he suggested that the IMF should set aside the delays and the blame game for the sake of Greece and Europe, and immediately decide whether it will participate or not in the Greek programme.

The IMF and its constant ambivalence and indecision were "exclusively responsible" for the delay, Tzanakopoulos said, expressing his conviction that there will not be a rekindling of an "artificial crisis," in spite of the German finance minister's "best efforts in this direction." He noted that Wolfgang Schaeuble was now "politically isolated, both in his own country and in Europe."

Referring to the ruling SYRIZA's party Parliamentary group, Tzanakopoulos noted that this was "solid and unified and fully supports the efforts of the negotiating team and the government for a socially viable agreement, without backing down to the IMF's irrational demands." He ruled out scenarios of an all-party government or the passing of measures with an enhanced majority in Parliament and said the government's only focus was the conclusion of the second review.

[02] President Pavlopoulos congratulates newly elected German President Steinmeier

"Let me congratulate you for your election as the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, something that you deserved, as it is also proved by the overwhelming majority of the electoral college that trusted you," Pavlopoulos said and added: "The election marks the progress of a truly brilliant political career, at international level, during which you have already significantly contributed not only to your country but also to the European Union towards its final consolidation. You have several times proved you are a top European politician."

"I wish to assure you that my country, and I personally, are always ready to move together ... with aim the defence of the fundamental principles and values of our common European project," concluded Pavlopoulos.

[03] Greek state arrears to private sector down significantly in 2016

The report said that the ministry disbursed a sum of 3.066 billion euros for the repayment of state arrears to the private sector in 2016, with credit offered for this purpose in November totaled 991.6 million euros and in December 88.7 million euros. Total payment from state agencies to the private sector was 2.748 billion euros in 2016. Social insurance organizations, which have the largest part of arrears to the private sector, paid 922.3 million euros in debt repayment last year, cutting their debt to 2.024 billion euros.

State hospitals repaid debt worth 1.035 billion euros in 2016, while liabilities from tax returns fell to 1.225 billion euros in December, from 1.439 billion a month earlier.

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