Subscribe to our Personal NewsPaper-Online (Free Custom News Service) 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 Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-23

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

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] Mitsotakis: Between ecumenical gov't and early elections I prefer latter
  • [02] Tsipras phone contact with Dutch PM Rutte over refugee crisis
  • [03] Protesting farmers close customs posts on border with Bulgaria
  • [04] Commission, Dutch presidency refer to 'European approach' to refugee crisis

  • [01] Mitsotakis: Between ecumenical gov't and early elections I prefer latter

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his concern over NATO's involvement in patrols in the eastern Aegean aimed at cracking down on migrant smuggling, speaking during a television interview Monday evening.

    "We said 'yes' from the beginning, but we have also said this: specify from the beginning the operational details, who goes where...," he said, charging that those forecasting that Greece's borders will be closed as pessimists.

    "I went to Brussels and did not criticise the Greek government's delays over the last six months. I said the government is trying while Europe has not done what it should have. I did my job and kept a responsible stance," he said, noting that "we are sitting on a bomb. It is imperative to consider alternative scenarios."

    Regarding his relations with President of Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, whom he did not back during a parliament vote to elect a new president last year, Mitsotakis said he does not regret for his decision, while adding that Pavlopoulos is a good president.

    He sternly rejected speculation that he was pressured by members of the European People's Party and during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, noting that on the refugee crisis, in particular, the German Chancellor backed Greek positions.

    On the economy, Mitsotakis stressed that a Grexit would be a disaster for the country.

    Referring to the broadcast TV licences, he said the relevant law will not be applied and will have huge constitutional problems, while he wondered why the government is allocating only four TV licences. He also accused the government of trying to control the media sector.

    On the possibility of early elections, Mitsotakis said that "between an ecumenical government and early elections I prefer elections. Our economy can withstand another round of elections."

    "I will not provoke them and I do not want them," he said and rejected the possibility of a coalition government with another prime minister.

    Asked if he was what is known in Greece as a "neoliberal", Mitsotakis said he is a central-right neo-liberal" adding that the central-right can enunciate social policy better that the so-called left. "The most important social policy is the creation of jobs," he said, adding that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' programme lacks social awareness.

    Regarding the so-called "Borjans list" of Greek depositors abroad, Mitsotakis claimed that the names of Greek depositors were included in early 2015 and quoted Borjans' statements.

    [02] Tsipras phone contact with Dutch PM Rutte over refugee crisis

    Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday expressed his displeasure to Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte over EU's weakness to ensure implementation of a unanimous decision regarding the refugees crisis, which was reached at the recent European Council meeting. Tsipras spoke to Rutte by phone on Tuesday.

    In referring to Wednesday's meeting of the Interior and Foreign Ministers of Austria with the ministers of the countries of the western Balkans, Tsipras underlined the need the decisions on the management of the refugee flow to be taken collectively and without exclusions.

    The Netherlands currently holds the EU presidency.

    [03] Protesting farmers close customs posts on border with Bulgaria

    Protesting farmers in the eastern Macedonia district on Tuesday announced that they would block off the Promachonas border post on the Greek-Bulgarian frontier indefinitely.

    The decision was taken at a meeting held in the early afternoon, where participating farmers said they decided to initially close the border post only to trucks.

    At the Exochi border post, the farmers will hold a meeting later in the afternoon, while reports state that the Greek-Bulgarian border will close on Tuesday evening.

    [04] Commission, Dutch presidency refer to 'European approach' to refugee crisis

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA / C. Vasilaki) – The European Commission and the Dutch EU presidency issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing their determination to pursue a "European approach" to the ongoing refugee crisis.

    "We understand the pressure the different countries concerned are facing. We are concerned about the developments along the Balkan route and the humanitarian crisis that might unfold in certain countries especially in Greece," the statement by Dutch Minister for Migration Klaas Dijkhoff and European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, reads.

    The Dutch Presidency of the Council and the Commission are in constant contact with all relevant actors and countries along the Western Balkans and are closely following the developments in the region and on the ground at the border crossings, they said, adding however, that all countries involved have a responsibility and obligation to respect the European rules and put an end to the 'wave through' approach.

    "While doing so, governments should take into account the effects in neighbouring countries," the two officials added, while prompting all countries and actors along the route to "prepare the necessary contingency planning to be able to address humanitarian needs, including reception capacities". In parallel, they said, the Commission is coordinating a contingency planning effort, to offer support in case of a humanitarian crisis both outside and within the EU, as well as to further coordinate border management.

    "All Member States should act in a joint spirit of solidarity and responsibility, especially in times when unity and common solutions are needed," the statement concludes, noting that the Commission and the Presidency, as well as the EU as a whole stand ready to assist.


    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 Tuesday, 23 February 2016 - 15:38:07 UTC