Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Papandreou addresses IIF conference in Vienna

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM Papandreou addresses IIF conference in Vienna

"Who knows, maybe Greece will lead a wider European reforms agenda, being the first (to enter them due to the crisis) and being the first to exit (from the crisis)," he said.

Papandreou stressed that Greece is trying to recover its economy and underlined that "we are requesting the necessary respect and calm to enable us to do our work under better conditions so that our citizens will not be terrorised every day with rumours about the loss of their money, on the return to the drachma and on the exit from the eurozone."

The prime minister went on to say that "this is nonsense and at the same time they are dangerous (practices) since they undermine our efforts to promote the changes in our country," pointing out that the government took measures, it is going ahead with changes and with the support mechanism it is exercising a policy so that "we will avoid bankruptcy and rule out an exit from the eurozone."

Papandreou further said that theories about bankruptcy and an exit from the eurozone show a considerable lack of historical perspective and understanding of the basic rules of European policy and economy.

"The challenge is common for all, our institutions are still weak for us to be able to use our great potential to tackle the speedy global changes," he added.

Papandreou stressed that he feels proud for all that his government has achieved over this period and that he sees the future with greater optimism.

He stressed that the first signs of a turn are visible and reiteraterd the government's aim of reducing the deficit below 3 percent in 2014 and decreasing the debt as of 2013 and noted that the deficit will drop in 2010 by 5.5 points from 13.6 percent of GDP to 8.1 percent.

"My goal is the complete reorientation of the Greek economy," he underlined.

Papandreou explained that "the past eight months were an ordeal for Greece and for Europe," adding that "for sure we could have reacted earlier, but if you said four months ago that Europe would create a support mechanism and Greece would enter the path of monetary stability, few would believe you."

The prime minister also said that "what is important is that Europe has reacted, we must work now for a permanent support fund, for a European Monetary Fund."

Earlier, Papandreou had a working luncheon with Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Papandreou is accompanied on his visit by Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, Minister of State Haris Pamboukis and Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou.

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Urgent prosecutor probe on uncontrolled rumours".

APOGEVMATINI: "Nationwide exams up in air".

AVGHI: "De-insurance."

AVRIANI: "Big guy...anxious over money".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "High price heatwave as of July 1".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Crash test with 5.3 billion 'hole'".

ESTIA: "Ministers improvising".

ETHNOS: "Everything changing for civil servants".

IMERISSIA: "Optimism returning".

KATHIMERINI: "Important decision on non-writeoff".

LOGOS: "Incorporation of 13th-14th salary raised by...employer groups".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Agreement on new social security issue 'locked'".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Growth for people means confrontation with profits".

TA NEA: "Cheap euro-When and to what extent to our benefit".

TO VIMA: "Transfers-express for 80,000 employees".

VRADYNI: "Auxiliary pensions to be abolished".

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