Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-07-11

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

Monday July 11, 2016

CONTENTS

[01] Obama sends strong message of support on debt, refugee issue, in meeting with Tsipras

[02] Only the issuing of a Eurobond could resolve debt crisis, says President Pavlopoulos

[03] Gov't VP: 'The scaremongering scenarios on labour laws are not confirmed'

[04] Greece's international role is upgraded, say government sources

[05] ND leader meets Israeli President in Tel Aviv

[06] Greek pole-vaulter Stefanidi wins gold in European Championships

[07] Large wildfire in Parnonas mountain burning forest

[08] Israeli tourist who called 112 for help found swimming at water park

[09] Summer sales start on Monday; tips to consumers Politics

[01] Obama sends strong message of support on debt, refugee issue, in meeting with Tsipras

The meeting, which was held in a very positive climate, was scheduled on the request of the U.S. President and reaffirmed the good cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

Concerning the debt, the prime minister noted the need to resolve the issue as the country needs investments and growth to exit austerity and the crisis. He also mentioned the positive contribution of the US on the issue and asked for the tight cooperation with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to be continued. Commenting on the International Monetary Fund, Tsipras said the European Union accepts its proposals for more measures but rejects those on debt relief.

The second issue raised, was the refugee crisis, with the prime minister describing the situation created by the presence of almost 60,000 refugees in the country, as well as the efforts made by Greece and the Greek people. He also stressed the important role played by NATO in managing the issue and the importance of continuing in the same direction. On the same topic, Tsipras pointed to the war in the region as the main reason behind the refugee flows and the need to end it.

The third topic discussed was the Cyprus issue, with the Greek leader saying that both communities on the island could find a fair and viable solution on the basis of the UN decisions, adding that occupying forces must withdraw and guaranties must be abolished.

Moreover, Tsipras referred to the important reform initiatives of the government as well as his willingness to fight decisively the problem of corruption and vested economic and political interests. To this end he asked for the support and cooperation of the US. On his side, Obama said he understands the Greek position on debt relief adding that the Treasury Secretary will visit the country for talks on the issue.

On the refugee issue, the U.S. President hailed Greece's stance and role in tackling the problem and urged Tsipras to continue in the same direction, while he also mentioned the country's strategic importance as a regional power and country that maintains a dialog with all the powers in the wider region.

Commenting on Cyprus, Obama said his country will use its influence in every direction to achieve a solution.

According to information, the U.S. President also commented on Tsipras' meetings with the Russian and Chinese Presidents, in an indication of the country's upgraded role, as Athens sees it. He also mentioned the excellent bilateral cooperation in defence and proposed a meeting of the two relevant ministers.

The two sides also discussed Greece's active diplomatic role as a force of cooperation that maintains constructive relations with all the countries of the wider region.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Defence Minister Panos Kammenos.

Speaking earlier in a meeting titled "Projecting Stability", Tsipras spoke of the unprecedented refugee and migrant flows which have affected Greece and Europe, as well as other allied counties, as well as on the measures taken in the previous period to effectively address the issue within European law and in particular in the context of the EU-Turkey deal and of the strengthening of Greek-Turkish cooperation.

The joint Greek-Turkish-German initiative on NATO action in the Aegean was held in this spirit and, alongside the considerable efforts made by the Greek, Turkish and European authorities, has contributed decisively to the reduction of flows and fatalities in the Aegean, the prime minister said and thanked the Allies for contributing ships for this activity.

He then said the dwindling number of refugee arrivals could be reversed and stressed the need to maintain this reduction. For this, he asked NATO to extend its activity to all the sea areas that serve as migrant routes and use the helicopters aboard the vessels that operate in the Aegean.

Regarding the topic of the meeting, he said that the logic of "projecting stability" cannot be done with the logic of "power expansion" in the region, but should be based and meet the expressed needs of our partners in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Tsipras also noted that the situation in North Africa and the Middle East worries Greece and directly affects the country, and indeed all Allies regardless of geography.

[02] Only the issuing of a Eurobond could resolve debt crisis, says President Pavlopoulos

"Only the issuing of some form of Eurobond could tackle the acute debt crisis in the Eurozone," Pavlopoulos said in a speech in which he analysed the limits of the European Central Bank's bond purchase program, following the recent rulings of the European Court of Justice and Germany's Federal Constitutional Court.

He said the limited range of quantitative easing is poles apart from even a rudimentary form of Eurobonds which seems increasingly necessary to defend the euro zone ahead of major challenges which threaten it.

"In simple terms, it is obvious to the naked eye that it is unrealistic to expect that in this form, QE is able to effectively address the existing and constantly increasing debt crisis within the Eurozone and its multiple negative implications.

[03] Gov't VP: 'The scaremongering scenarios on labour laws are not confirmed'

Government Vice-President Giannis Dragasakis said in an interview with "Efimeritha ton Syntakton", published on Saturday.

"The crucial issue is the timely implementation of the measures legislated and this is exclusively our responsibility," Dragasakis was quoted as saying, adding that the measures that remain to be taken concern mainly changes to the institutional and regulatory framework and have no direct financial implications.

Commenting on the state revenues and the possibility of activating the contingency mechanism, the VP said the provision of a mechanism does not imply its activation.

[04] Greece's international role is upgraded, say government sources

These meetings show Greece's upgraded international role as well as its emergence as a pillar of stability in the wider region, the sources said, adding that the prime minister's visits to Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Palestine and Iran are part of the same policy.

The relations of friendship and cooperation built by Greece with a series of countries contribute to the creation of a pillar of peace and stability, particularly necessary at a time of intensification of regional tensions and conflicts. The prime minister likens Greece with "a tree that has its roots in the West, but spreads its branches towards the East, South and North".

The same sources said the country's upgraded regional role is explicitly recognized in the joint statements that followed the official meetings with Russian and Chinese leaders. On his side, Obama emphasized the country's role and noted he is fully informed about the upgraded relations with Russia and China.

[05] ND leader meets Israeli President in Tel Aviv

Mitsotakis said Israel is a strategic partner for Greece and expressed his satisfaction for the political rapprochement between the two countries which was adopted by all the Greek governments in the last few years.

"We discussed particularly the economic cooperation between Greece and Israel. A cooperation which can lead to significant investments from Israel to Greece, at a time when our country needs to attract foreign investment," Mitsotakis said, adding that tourism is a sector which can benefit from bilateral cooperation.

General News

[06] Greek pole-vaulter Stefanidi wins gold in European Championships

Stefanidi cleared 4.55, 4.65 and 4.70 meters on the first attempt, ignored the 4.75 meters and jumped 4.81 meters in the third attempt win gold, her second medal in the European Championships after winning the silver in Zurich, in 2014.

"I'm ecstatic that I was able to win the gold and improve the record of [Yelena] Isinbayeva. I think this is a great thing. I was ready to jump even higher but the weather conditions were not good. I thought that 4.45 meters would win a medal and with 4.70 meters I was sure I would win, but this was not enough and I wanted the record," she said after the competition.

President Prokopis Pavlopoulos congratulated the athlete saying her performance made Greeks proud. "Your top European performance, which is added to your many great successes, honours Greece and your generation and makes us feel especially proud, both for your abilities as for your future prospects," Pavlopoulos said in a statement. "Our warmest congratulations and wishes for strength, particularly ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio," he added.

Stefanidi received congratulatory messages from Parliament President Nikos Voutsis, Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis, New Democracy, PASOK and Potami.

[07] Large wildfire in Parnonas mountain burning forest

The blaze broke out at 14:00 in the area between the villages of Aghios Ioannis and Meligos in the region of Kynouria, however the nearby villages and the Monastery of Panagia Malevis are not threatened.

More than 40 firemen with 20 vehicles and several land units that arrived from regions of the Peloponnese to help are battling the flames, assisted by four PZL aircraft and four Canadair.

The operation is coordinated by the prefect of the Peloponnese fire department, Haralambos Hionis.

[08] Israeli tourist who called 112 for help found swimming at water park

The 18-year-old woman lost her orientation while hiking on Saturday afternoon, but later found her way back. However she forgot to alert the authorities who kept searching for her until they found her swimming at the pool.

[09] Summer sales start on Monday; tips to consumers

According to the body, consumers must adopt a prudent shopping behavior by being aware of their economic situation and budget, check products carefully to avoid flaws and compare prices, avoid fake sales and offers by making sure products have the "before" and "after" price on them, know the difference between offers and sales, know their rights and claim them.

Sales will last until August 31.

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