Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Commissioner Oettinger praises Tsipras' reform efforts

[02] We are getting closer to a solution, Interior Min Skourletis tells ANA

[03] New Democracy will not vote for new measures, its spokesman Kikilias says

[04] Early elections if the government cannot conclude the programme review, ND's Dendias says

[05] The conclusion of programme review will increase Greece's credibility, Parliamentary Budget Office Coordinator says

[01] EU Commissioner Oettinger praises Tsipras' reform efforts

No bank would ever lend Greece money if it wasn't for the solidarity of the EU member states, he added on the sidelines of the Munich conference.

"Greeks may have not met all their commitments, but Tsipras' government has made most reforms than ever on budget issues, the labour market and the pensions," he underlined.

The German politician sent the message of no more austerity measures on Greece saying that a lot of people in Greece are already on the verge of poverty.

Asked on the increasing opposition of Greek politicians to austerity, Oettinger replied: "We persuade more and more citizens everyday that the changes in structures and the economy may be very difficult and harsh, but they have positive results."

[02] We are getting closer to a solution, Interior Min Skourletis tells ANA

He also said that an agreement that will stop the development course of the country, an agreement that will not offer Greece the hope of exiting austerity is an impasse.

Skourletis also lashed out at New Democracy that insists on the issue of early elections without having specific proposals.

On the issue of contractual staff, he said that he is favour of a solution based on the Greek Constitution, the EU Law and the reality. Moreover, he called on all parties to cooperate in order to give an end to that situation.

[03] New Democracy will not vote for new measures, its spokesman Kikilias says

Commenting on the negotiation for the programme review, he said: "The country is collapsing as a result of the SYRIZA-ANEL government that does not care about the Greeks but solely how they will stay in power."

The spokesman of the main opposition underlined that "elections are the only solution."

Referring to the meetings of ND leader in Berlin, he said that Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of the sacrifices of the Greek people amid the crisis that should not be ignored.

As for the prime minister, he said that his basic problem is that the vast majority of the Greek people disapprove him.

[04] Early elections if the government cannot conclude the programme review, ND's Dendias says

The current situation cannot be further extended, ND parliamentary spokesman stated adding that a different handling would have better results. The participation in the ECB quantitative easing programme would have offered a liquidity breather to the real economy.

He also accused the government that it managed to unite the creditors as regards their demands from Greece.

[05] The conclusion of programme review will increase Greece's credibility, Parliamentary Budget Office Coordinator says

He stated that the participation of the country in the ECB quantitative easing programme will mean cheaper and easier financing of the economy that will lead to a gradual abolition of capital controls and Greece's return to the markets.

Regarding the delays in the negotiations, Liargovas sent a message to the institutions that the big sacrifices of the Greek people cannot be ignored with the pretext of figures.

However, he admitted that the conclusion of the second programme review will offer a breather, but it will not mean the end of the difficult road.

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