Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Deal on program review opens way for exit from memoranda in 2018, says Dragasakis

[02] Pavlopoulos congratulates Macron on French election win

[03] Political, economic developments in Greece, EU discussed in Mitsotakis-Söder meeting

[01] Deal on program review opens way for exit from memoranda in 2018, says Dragasakis

Dragasakis defended the government's law on settling NPLs saying "you cannot speak of recovery with an indebted society".

Commenting on the program review, he said: "The agreement on the second review, if it is concluded as expected with measures for the debt, creates the conditions for the country's participation in the ECB's quantitative easing program and a foray into the markets in 2017. It unlocks, that is, the procedures for the final end of the memoranda and the supervision in the summer of 2018."

Asked about the relations between the government and bankers, he said "banks cannot exist without having a good relationship with the [any] government, but we do not begin with the concern who likes who."

"This government does not have its own bankers and doesn't want to have any," he added.

[02] Pavlopoulos congratulates Macron on French election win

"I would like to express my sincere and warmest congratulations on your election to the Presidency of the French Republic. During a period marked by the economic, refugee, migratory and general humanitarian crisis, as well as by the great security challenges in the world, your election demonstrates the French people's strong decision to continue on its pro-European course," he said in a message.

"Based on the excellent relations between our two countries, I am confident that our cooperation, both at bilateral, European and international level, will prove fruitful and extremely beneficial to our two nations," he added.

[03] Political, economic developments in Greece, EU discussed in Mitsotakis-Söder meeting

He also expressed optimism that the wave of populism gripping Europe is showing signs of retreat. The two officials discussed the challenges facing the EU such the refugee issue and Brexit, with Mitsotakis noting the need to continue implementing the EU-Turkey agreement to control refugee flows. He then stressed his concern over Turkey's repeated provocations in the Aegean and noted the need to keep the channels of communication open between the Union and Turkey.

On his side, Söder informed the ND leader on the latest political developments in Germany ahead of the elections in September.

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