Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Progrees continues in negotiations on second review; new meeting at 14:00 on Thursday

[02] Labour relations the only pending issue, says Economy Min Stathakis

[03] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos and Maltese Min of Home Affairs Abela to visit Mytilene on March 16

[01] Progrees continues in negotiations on second review; new meeting at 14:00 on Thursday

A new meeting with the institutions is scheduled for Thursday at 14:00.

According to the same official "there were discussions on the offset measures and there is an agreement on almost the whole package of positive measures.

On labour issues there are still problems with the IMF while the issue of the tax free limit has not been touched yet.

The extrajudicial compromise on the non-performing business loans has been completed and the VAT will be 'cut' in extreme occasions but the insurance contributions will be not affected.

A Euro Working Group teleconference will be held at 21:00 (Athens time) on Thursday

[02] Labour relations the only pending issue, says Economy Min Stathakis

He noted that "the package of the agreement will include the measures and the offset measures".

He claimed that the programme will end in 2018 and afterwards the package of measures and offset measures will have zero fiscal and social impact.

Asked if the 3.5 pct primary surpluses can be achieved, he said that it depends on the growth, something that today appears to be feasible.

On the agreement for the out-of-court compromise reached on Wednesday night, he noted that the workers' contributions to social security funds were excluded and includes 85 percent of the all taxes and bank loans. He clarified that almost all enterprises will have access to the programme if they can become sustainable.

Stathakis also said that the reduction of the VAT on energy was set on the negotiations table.

[03] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos and Maltese Min of Home Affairs Abela to visit Mytilene on March 16

The decision for the visit was taken on Wednesday in Brussels during Commissioner Avramopoulos and Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas' meeting. The two officials discussed ways to accelerate the relocation rate and the commitments of other European countries within the context of the common action plan adopted by the European Council.

Meanwhile, Deputy Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Balafas is visiting the island of Samos to examine the progress of the works for the installation of containers that will replace the tents in the island's hotspot.

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