Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] TV licences tender is part of the memorandum, says European Commission spokesman

[02] We try to understand and help, says Czech FM Zaorálek

[03] Defence Minister Kammenos on NATO's involvement in refugee crisis

[01] TV licences tender is part of the memorandum, says European Commission spokesman

Asked on the Greek government's decision to proceed with an international tender for the tender of four TV licences, Schinas replied that the memorandum engages the Greek government to launch an international tender for the selling of TV licences noting that the revenues will be used for the fulfilment of the fiscal targets. "The tender must be conducted with respect to the European law and taking into account that no proposal has been tabled yet, the issue has not been discussed with the instititutions," he added.

However, Schinas underlined that "the member staes decide on the TV licencing procedure provided that the legislation has not been yet harmonised at European level.'

[02] We try to understand and help, says Czech FM Zaorálek

"The protection of the Schengen's borders is of great national importance and constitutes one of the greatest challenges for Europe aiming at reducing the inflow of undocumented migrants," he underlined.

For this reason, he said, he started his tour from Izmir, then he went to Skopje and Athens and it will be completed in Mytilini, in order to better understand the situation and assist in the protection of EU's external borders. For this reason, they also discussed Czech police's potential contribution with fingerprint machines.

"The Czech Republic feels obliged to help countries in difficult situation and try to find a way to work together on this," he stated.

He denied that his country had a tough stance on the refugee issue and added: "It is absolutely right that the problem is a European one and we must solve it together. We are trying to share this burden and give our help," concluded the Czech Foreign Minister.

[03] Defence Minister Kammenos on NATO's involvement in refugee crisis

Kammenos noted that Greece in cooperation with Germany as well as other members of the NATO managed to reach an agreement that "will finally solve that migration issue."

"Greece has paid an extremely heavy price for the migration and in the midst of an economic crisis disproportianetly with the other state members of EU and NATO," stated Kammenos.

He also said that today's decision safeguards that NATO forces operating in the Aegean will ensure that the migrants to be arrested will directly return to Turkey.

The second very important fact is according to the Greek Defence Minister that "it is totally clear that in the forces that will participate in the NATO group, Turkey will only operate inside its territorial waters and airspace and Greece accordingly."

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