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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-22Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Moscovici: Eurogroup asked for 'truly balanced' package of reforms and growth measures for GreeceBRUSSELS (ANA/C. Vasilaki) The Eurogroup's conclusions on Monday asked the European Commission to design a truly balanced package of reforms and positive growth-enhancing measures for Greece, European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici said on Wednesday. Moscovici was replying to questions about Greece during a press conference to present the European semester winter package."The good news is that the Eurogroup allowed the return of the institutions to Athens very soon to design a balanced package," he said, noting that this package will include the efforts for reform that must continue on the one hand but also a series of positive measures to support growth. Moscovici declined to go into details, saying that these will be discussed by the missions in Athens where "a lot of work" remains to be done but emphasised that the package will be "truly balanced". He also confirmed that the European Commission was ready to step in to support a programme of active labour policies in Greece, as part of this balanced package of reforms and positive measures. Monday's Eurogroup decision included instructions to the EC to explore ways to finance such an effort, he said. "As has been said, it could be a loan from the World Bank or other resources, something less expensive," the Commissioner added, while noting that an overall positive message of progress had emerged from the Eurogroup for the conclusion of the second review of Greece's programme. "Our teams will be there with precisely this perspective, a clear mandate and in a positive spirit," he said. [02] President Pavlopoulos' visit to Saudi Arabia concludedThe official visit of the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos in Saudi Arabia for a series of meetings with top officials including King Salman was concluded on Wednesday.The President met with the Secretary of the Cooperation Council of the Gulf countries with whom he discussed issues concerning the relations between the Gulf countries and Europe and particularly Greece. The meeting was attended also by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who invited the Secretary of the Council of the Gulf countries in Rhodes, where an intercultural conference will take place. Then he visited the National Museum of Riyadh where he was welcomed by Tourism Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud. On Tuesday Pavlopoulos met with the King of Saudi Arabia Salman. The meeting took place in a very good climate, and then Pavlopoulos attended a dinner given in his honor by King Salman. He also met with the Crown Prince and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, which controls the oil sector, with the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Investments, and Transport Minister. [03] Hellenic Petroleum to report record-high resultsHellenic Petroleum are expected to report all-time record results in 2016 on Thursday. According to information, EBITDA are expected to surpass 800 million euros, while production and exports are expected to record new all-time records in 2016. The improving results of the Group are related with the implementation of a new strategy by Hellenic Petroleum Group, under chairman Stathis Tsotsoros and Chief Executive Grigoris Stergioulis, including -among others- borrowing cost reduction combined with a gradual debt repayment and a new supply policy focusing on direct producers and limiting the role of traders.Direct supplies of crude oil from companies such as Rosneft from Russia, NIOC from Iran and Somo from Iraq, cover more than 50 pct of the group's needs, resulting to significant benefits from a lower purchase cost and a differentiation of supply sources. Hellenic Petroleum sources said exports accounted for 60 pct of total production, counterbalancing the losses recorded in the domestic market in the last few years in fuel consumption because of the crisis. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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