Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] OECD: Greek economy to grow by 1.1 pct in 2017, 2.5 pct in 2018

[02] Defending Europe's interests helps US interests, former US Vice President Biden says

[03] Greek exports to Qatar totaled 41.7 mln euros in 2016

[04] 53 refugees arrive on Lesvos; no arrivals reported on Samos and Chios

[01] OECD: Greek economy to grow by 1.1 pct in 2017, 2.5 pct in 2018

Referring to Greece, the Paris-based organization said the country's primary fiscal surplus will fall from 3.8 pct of GDP in 2016, but will remain at high levels, above 2.5 pct of GDP this year and in 2018.

OECD said the country's public debt has stabilized but remained very high and demanded "additional debt relief to ensure a medium- long-term fiscal sustainability".

"Debt relief, including maturity extension of loans and additional grant periods would reduce vulnerability, raise growth and strengthened the country's ability to manage its debt burden. Debt relief would pave the way for participating in ECB's bond-buy program and combined with a further progress in structural reforms and tax improvement, would allow a reduction of tax rates and greater public spending on high-quality investment programs," the OECD noted.

The Greek labour market is improving, the report said, adding that higher demand from abroad boosted exports. The unemployment rate is projected to fall to 22.2 pct this year, from 23.5 pct in 2016 and to 20.1 pct in 2018, while investments are expected to increase further.

OECD said the inflation rate in Greece was expected to rise further boosted by recent increases in energy prices, although structural inflation will remain subdued reflecting low productive capacity.

"A further progress in combating tax evasion, expanding income tax base and controlling pension spending are very significant factors to expand significant fiscal achievements of the last few years and to liberalize funds for the necessary social assistance programs," OECD added.

[02] Defending Europe's interests helps US interests, former US Vice President Biden says

Biden praised the role of the European Union and the participation of Greece and expressed his pleasure for visiting our country.

"It is an honour for me to be here," Biden said.

The former US Vice President stressed that "strong Greece is connected with a strong Europe", adding that a strong Europe is necessary for America as Truman had envisioned and implemented in 1947 with his doctrine.

"What Truman said in 1947 is still valid today," said Biden, also stressing that "free citizens of the world expect us to support peace in the world."

"Truman," added Biden, "said we need a strong Greece because this helps Greece's cooperation with the US. And that is true today."

He underlined that both he and President Obama have worked hard to convince Europe to help Greece in the economic crisis and underlined that he is in favour of Greece's economic recovery and this calls for a debt write-off.

Moreover, Biden referred to the terrorism that plagues the world and Europe and thanked the Greeks who received "a lot of of refugees" in their country.

Concluding, the former US Vice President reiterated that "history has shown that defending Europe's interests helps America's interests."

[03] Greek exports to Qatar totaled 41.7 mln euros in 2016

Qatar is Greece's 67th export destination and the 61st importer. Greece's top export product are marbles, followed by ropes, books, processed oil, lifts and jewelry, sea cruise ships, aluminum rods and electric bulbs. On the other hand, a 62 pct of imports from Qatar is oil.

Qatar is one of the smallest members of OPEC, with a production capacity of around 600,000 barrels of oil per day, but it is the top supplier of LNG in the world with nine billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. However, Greece's main LNG importer is Algeria, with Qatar offer LNG quantities only in peak seasons, like this year's winter.

A total of 180 Greek, large or smaller, enterprises have established activities in Qatar, mainly on large infrastructure projects and energy, while shipping companies have signed large contracts. Additionally, several Greek doctors, engineers and other professionals have established activities in the country.

[04] 53 refugees arrive on Lesvos; no arrivals reported on Samos and Chios

Police said on Wednesday that 9,128 ( 3,195 on Lesvos, 3,985 on Chios and 1,948 on Samos) migrants and refugees that have sought for asylum in Greece and their request has been not examined yet remained stranded on the northern Aegean islands.

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