Browse through our Interesting Nodes about Greek Art & Culture Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-06

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] Berlin - Papandreou - Merkel meeting

  • [01] Berlin - Papandreou - Merkel meeting

    BERLIN (ANA-MPA) â Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou was received here on Friday afternoon by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a highly anticipated meeting focusing on the latest developments in Greeceâs bid to dramatically improve its finances and the latterâs effects on the all-important eurozone â an issue that has garnered intense scrutiny over the recent period.

    According to reports, during the meeting â held in a very positive political climate â Papandreou referred to the possibility of Greeceâs seeking recourse to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as it attempts to slash its double-digit budget deficit in tandem with borrowing at reasonable rates in order to refinance a close to 300 billion euros worth of public debt.

    Merkel, who cited Thursdayâs oversubscribed and successful five-billion-euro 10-year bond sale by Athens, reportedly did not comment on such a prospect, although she emphasized that markets expressed their confidence in Greece and predicted an even more positive outlook for the countryâs credit-worthiness once structural changes are implemented.

    Turning to the issue of money market speculators, which generated significance concern and annoyance to Greek officials during the past month or so, Merkel said both countries will bring the issue to the EU Commissionâs agenda, whereas Berlin is ready to broach the issue at a G-20 summit as well. Furthermore, both sides reiterated that Athens has not requested any form of bailout, contrary to widespread press speculation.

    Merkel flatly denounced speculation that Greece was in danger of defaulting on its sovereign debt, while on his part, Papandreou repeated that Greece wants political solidarity from its EU and eurozone partners.

    Asked by reporters, Papandreou and Merkel merely dismissed a handful of mostly populist quips in the German press recommending that Greece should sell-off some of its islands in order to bolster the state treasury.

    (More)


    Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ana2html v2.01 run on Saturday, 6 March 2010 - 11:30:25 UTC