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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-30Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek government, institutions continuing talks on SundayFollowing a short break in the middle of the day, the Greek government and the heads of the institutions' mission in Athens resumed negotiations on completing the second review on Sunday afternoon.Talks resumed on all issues that are still outstanding, the most important of which are fiscal policy, pensions, labour law, privatisations and bad loans. It was not made clear whether the talks are expected to end tonight or early on Monday, or whether they will continue in the coming days. The two sides had resumed talks at 10:30 on Sunday morning, while their talks on Saturday ran until after midnight. In a statement made shortly after 1:00, in the early hours of Sunday morning, a senior government official reported that the negotiation was "generally going well" and that "none of the institutions has come with the intention of causing a delay." During the talks on Sunday, which focused on the recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to deregulate Sunday opening for shops, among others, finance ministry sources stressed that the issue was still under negotiation and would be settled when there was overall agreement on the second review. The talks on Saturday had focused on privatisations, with agreement still pending on one issues relating to privatisations and one issue relating to the new privatisations fund. The two sides agreed fully on issues regarding taxation, with a compromised reached on the writing off of older cases given that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) puts emphasis on inspections in new cases. There was also a discussion on the 3rd OECD toolkit, where there was agreement, while one issue relating to fiscal policy is still pending. [02] Finance ministry mulling ways to stop 'fiddling' of cash register recordsThe finance ministry is currently scouting out mechanisms that will prevent aspiring tax evaders from erasing records of sales from their cash registers at the end of the day, Deputy Finance Minister Katerina Papanatsiou revealed on Sunday. This was the aim of Papanatsiou's recent visit to the German state of Brandenburg, whose government has developed a mechanism that does precisely that, and her agreement with Brandenburg authorities to send the technical specifications of the mechanism to Greece.The device is attached to cash registers and records all transactions, preventing all forms of tampering. Brandenburg state developed the system to combat high rates of tax evasion among freelance professionals, such as doctors and lawyers - a problem also shared by Greece. The finance ministry's next step will be to link all wholesale trade transactions with the TAXIS system as well. The aim is to resolve issues concerning the technical specifications of the software to be used in the link-up within the next few months. The finance ministry's aim is to implement the measure in 2018 and they expect it will give tax authorities a picture of all wholesale transactions between businesses in real time. This will allow extensive cross-checking of such transactions, thus tracing undeclared revenue and unpaid VAT. Following this, the finance ministry plans to abolish the requirement that businesses supply tax authorities with comprehensive lists of the suppliers and clients, since this will be generated by the link-up with the TAXIS system. Once this system is in place, the finance ministry intends to introduce a similar system linking cash registers in retail outlets directly with the TAXIS system, so that it can monitor all retail transactions in real time. [03] Mid-season spring sales to be held on May 1-15 in most areas of GreeceThe mid-season spring sales begin in Greece on May 1 and end on May 15, with shops allowed to stay open for one Sunday during that time, during the recommended opening times of 11:00-20:00. The precise dates may vary according to region, as per a list given below, while some areas may choose to hold interim sales in different months.During the sales, shops are allowed to display the new price and the old price, as well as to advertise and display the percentage discount given on items. In most areas, including Attica and Achaia, mid-season spring sales will be held on May 1-15 and shops have the option to stay open on Sunday, May 7. In other areas, the date of the mid-season spring sales differs as follows: May 1-15 with optional operation on Sunday, May 14 - Paionia Municipality in Kilkis May 1-13 and May 26-28 with optional operation on Sunday, May 7 - Drama May 1-10 with optional operation on Sunday, May 7 - Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area - Halkidiki - Larisa - Trikala - Magnisia - Arta - Kilkis May 2-11 with optional opening on Sunday, May 7 - Karditsa September 1-15 and September 18 - October 2 - Aitoloakarnania March 4-18 and September 1-15 - Evros March 17-31 and September 1-15 - Xanthi March 14-28 and September 1-15 - Rodopi March 1-15 and September 1-15 - Dodecanese - Iraklio, Crete non-tourist regions April 18-28 and October 11-31 - Iraklio tourist areas [04] Labour Day strike action to disrupt public transport services on May 1Public transport in Greece will be affected by strikes marking the May 1 Labour Day holiday on Monday, with reduced bus services in Athens and no trains or boats operating throughout the country.Athens trolley buses will not be running throughout the day, while the city's other buses will only be running between the hours of 9:00-21:00. Tram and metro services will be running normally throughout the day, apart from trains to the Athens airport, which will be forced to stop at Doukissis Plakentias station due to a strike on the Proastiakos suburban railway. Workers on the Proastiakos railway, which operates the line between Doukissis Plakentias and the airport, will join a 24-hour strike by all Greek railway workers on Monday. No ferries will set sail throughout the day, due to a 24-hour seamen's strike, while Thessaloniki buses will be operating with a skeleton staff. [05] Zakynthos fire abating after burning through the nightA forest fire near the village of Maries on the island of Zakythos was gradually receding on Sunday, after blazing through the night. The fire had started late on Saturday afternoon.Fire-fighting forces battled the flames during the night in an effort to protect the village and its residents. Canadair water-bombing aircraft came to their aid after dawn, helping to get the fire under control. A strong fire-fighting force now remains on the scene, however, in case the fire is rekindled by strong winds expected later on Sunday. Sixty fire men from Zakynthos and nearby regions took part in the fire-fighting effort, along with 20 fire engines, four Zakynthos municipality water trucks and private water trucks that supplied fire engines through the night. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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