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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-01-16Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] FinMin interview on economy(ANA-MPA) -- The solutions put forward, such as the euro-bond, help but do not aim at postponement of today's difficult decisions, finance minister George Papaconstantinou stressed in a newspaper interview appearing on Sunday, adding that the fundamental rule for achieving fiscal adjustment in Greece is succeeding with the deep and tough changes and radical reforms in the state in the next three years.On objections to the issue of a euro-bond, Papaconstantinou observed in his interview appearing in the Sunday edition of Kathimerini newspaper that the voices openly in favor, or at least of examining the matter, have increased, compared with the few voices just a few months ago. (ANA-MPA) Regarding Monday's eurogroup meeting and the prospect of a decision being taken for extending the repayment period for Greece 110 billion euro EU/IMF support loan, the minister explained that this will require procedures that cannot be completed, nor even decided, in just one day. (ANA-MPA) The finance minister further denied press reports that Greece has proposed a "mild restructuring" of its debt and, commenting on negative forecasts by analysts and markets, he said that the forecasts are not "divine law" and explained that, in the real economy, the human decisions reverse the facts and conditions and can radically alter the prospects. (ANA-MPA) Regarding the rating houses and Fitch's recent announcement on Greece, Papaconstantinou cited the positive quarterly assessment of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, and noted that the decisions of the rating firms should be determined by real facts rather than forecasts for the future, which are based on many predictions that frequently are unfounded. (ANA-MPA) On the fight against tax evasion, Papaconstantinou acknowledged that "we have not reached our targets on the matter of punishment of the tax dodgers", adding that the next target will be the creation of an effective and convincing system of penalties for tax evasion. (ANA-MPA) Regarding the country's return to positive growth rates, the minister said he is more optimistic than he was a few months ago. (ANA-MPA) Papaconstantinou further assured that the actions contained in the Memorandum "are not law, but contractual commitments and, in their overwhelming majority, are subject to parliamentary approval". (ANA-MPA) More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [02] Antiquities seized in cafeA 60-year-old man has been arrested in Thessaloniki by the security police's antiquities division, charged with violation of the law on protection of antiquities and cultural heritage, after a trove of antiquities were found hidden in a cafe owned by his wife, police announced on Sunday.The antiquities were discovered, and seized, during an early morning search on Saturday of the cafe premises in the Hortiatis district. The oldest of the artifacts date back to the prehistoric era, according to the archaeologist who examined them. The finds include a post-Byzantine icon of the Virgin, pottery and fragments, a part of a marble stele and other items. The man will be taken before a Thessaloniki prosecutor. Caption: Police hand-out photo of part of antiquities found hidden in cafe in Thessaloniki. (ANA/MPA) More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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