Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] SYRIZA MPs briefed on progress in negotiations for 2nd review

[02] Energean Oil & Gas signs 19-mln-euro exploration-production deal for hydrocarbons in Montenegro

[03] Prosecutor orders self-proclaimed billionaire Sorras and associates to respond to possible fraud charges

[01] SYRIZA MPs briefed on progress in negotiations for 2nd review

The roughly two-hour briefing was held at SYRIZA's offices on the second floor of the Greek Parliament and focused on the progress of negotiations with the institutions to conclude the second review of the Greek programme and the issues that remain open.

Many of the MPs taking part expressed concern and said efforts to protect the more vulnerable sections of society must continue.

The briefing was held ahead of the Eurogroup on March 20, with the aim of reaching a staff-level agreement and proceeding with negotiations on the debt. Tsakalotos and Achtsioglou repeated that there will be simultaneous legislation of the reforms and the positive measures to offset them and that both will be implemented at the same time.

The mood within SYRIZA's Parliamentary group was described as "troubled," however, with MPs worried about whether it will be possible to balance the redistribution of fiscal policy and have a sustainable plan for growth. At the same time, they said it was positive that reforms and positive measures were planned together for the first time.

[02] Energean Oil & Gas signs 19-mln-euro exploration-production deal for hydrocarbons in Montenegro

The concession contract concerns Blocks 4219-26 and 4218-30 and includes a new 3D seismic survey, the preparation of geophysical and geological studies and the drilling of one well. The two blocks are at a depth of 50-100 meters near the coast of Bar.

Energean says it plans to begin the seismic survey in the first quarter of 2018.

The deal was signed by Montenegro Minister of Economy Dragica Sekulic and Energean President and CEO Mathios Rigas in Podgorica. The Montenegrin parliament has already approved the agreement.

Commenting after the deal, Rigas said: "I am delighted to sign this Concession Contract, which marks a significant day for Energean and our continued growth, as we enter the highly promising Adriatic region. Whilst a number of major oil and gas companies left the area during the period of sustained low oil prices, Energean remained committed to pursuing the development of the region, and is now extremely well placed to take advantage of this commitment and focus."

'We believe the geology to be similar to that in Western Greece, where we have been exploring since 2014 (onshore Ioannina), have a Field Development Plan in progress offshore West Katakolo, and are ready to sign a new contract for a further block (onshore Aitoloakarnania)," he added.

[03] Prosecutor orders self-proclaimed billionaire Sorras and associates to respond to possible fraud charges

Prosecutor Evgenia Avlidou is investigating Sorras and his associates for the crimes of fraud, setting up and heading a criminal gang and instigating violence. Avlidou examined several pending criminal cases against Sorras including files from the Peloponnese, where numerous citizens submitted to tax offices and social security funds fraudulent payment authorizations provided by the "Assembly of Greeks".

The prosecutor also examined a law suit filed by journalist Alexandros Stefanopoulos, who described Sorras as a case of "blatant defrauding of citizens" and accused the state of lacking "the basic self-defense of an organized state."

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