Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis points to competitiveness as key to economic growth

[02] FinMin cites safeguards for funds' assets

[01] Karamanlis points to competitiveness as key to economic growth

Addressing the 33rd congress of the Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) on Friday, Karamanlis referred to the "role and reason" of trade unions in this policy, setting as a target "economic growth and progress, the attraction of new investments, the creation of new jobs, the broadening of workers' rights and securing a fairer and viable social insurance system."

The prime minister noted that the new era requires "targeted reforms", underling that "there cannot be continuity in policies of timidity, which led unemployment to nightmarish levels."

Commenting on developments in education, he spoke of "obstacles and ideological rhetoric of a past era, which leave our youth and university graduates helpless against the specter of unemployment."

Meanwhile, in an opinion conducted by the "Paron" weekly newspaper on who is to blame for the recent disruptive student rallies in central Athens, 52.9 per cent said self-styled anarchist youth, 22.7 per cent said the government, 7.1 per cent opposition parties and 6.7 per cent blamed police.

Questioned as to who is responsible for problems that have arisen in the education system, 53.9 percent attributed blame on the government, 14.2 per cent on the parties of the left and 10.6 per cent on professors.

[02] FinMin cites safeguards for funds' assets

Alogoskoufis made the statement in an interview published on Sunday by the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", and in the wake of mounting opposition criticism related to the case and charges of lack of transparency and high commissions.

He dismissed heated criticism, however, that the specific bond was issue was "hidden", while announcing that a set of institutional measures to better safeguard funds' investments will be unveiled this week.

Furthermore, the high-ranking minister said reforms in Greece's cavernous public sector is a major goal and challenge for the next four-year government term, saying that lack of meritocracy, which is fuelled by petty partisan interests, is the public sector's greatest plague.

He also said that discussion on social security reform should commence in the first year of any new government term.

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