Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Agreement on final package to be reached soon, Eurogroup chief Dijsselbloem says

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis: We are determined to protect the institutions

[03] Commission supports Greek efforts to return to growth, Avramopoulos says

[04] Arrivals of migrants and refugees on Aegean islands remained low in the last 24h

[01] Agreement on final package to be reached soon, Eurogroup chief Dijsselbloem says

On his part European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici noted that "Greece can turn page but it must be supported".

Dijsselbloem estimated that the agreement on the final package will be reached soon and recognised that the 10-year period for 3.5 percent primary surplus should be reduced.

Moscovici praised the improvement in the Greek economy noting that it resisted to 2015 pressures and underlined that the 2016 primary surplus is at 4.2 percent, nine times up from the 0.5 percent target.

He called on all the involving parts to keep a constructive stance aiming at the rapid conclusion of the second review. He also referred to the zero impact of the 2019 measures provided that the economy will meet its targets and expressed the certainty that this will be succeeded.

Moscovici asked for realistic primary surplus targets after the end of the programme. Concluding his address, he referred to a "fair compromise" for which the European Commission and the Eurogroup are working .

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis: We are determined to protect the institutions

The leader of the main opposition spoke about the degradation of parliamentary procedures, the refusal of ministers to respond to parliamentary audit and the government's responsibility for bad lawmaking.

He also handed over a letter describing the situation which, as he said, has deteriorated compared to June 2016.

"It is obvious that the current government has no intention to safeguard the prestige of the Hellenic Parliament. The data are once again revealing," Mitsotakis said and cited a list of illegal parliamentary procedures.

Finaly, he stressed his deterination to protect the institutions.

[03] Commission supports Greek efforts to return to growth, Avramopoulos says

The conference is co-organized by the European Commission (DG Internal Market, Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises and Enterprise Community - DG GROW) and the Ministry of Economy and Development.

Avramopoulos welcomed the signing of agreements between two Greek banks (Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank) with the European Investment Fund to finance 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises with 420 million euros.

"It is the third time in a year that I represent the European Commission in the signing of agreements for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises", which constitute the "driving force of the Greek economy," he said adding and praised European Commission Jean Claude Junker's initiative in which Greece actively participates.

The Juncker Plan, he added, has so far contributed to the mobilization of 3 billion euro investments in Greece, offering, in difficult times, "financing potential to over 3,000 businesses". These agreements are translated into "jobs, development, production and creation."

Finally, the Commissioner stressed the need for Greece to exit as soon as possible the economic instability and recession," adding that in this effort it has the full support of the European Union, which will continue to show their support "every day, and in every possible way."

[04] Arrivals of migrants and refugees on Aegean islands remained low in the last 24h

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