Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] IMF urges Greece to adopt more 'flexibility' in labour market, open restricted professions

[02] 'I will never rule alongside Tsipras,' ND leader Mitsotakis tells Deutsche Welle

[03] No Greek delays in implementing prior actions, only 'challenges', says Eurozone official

[04] Art TV knocked out of TV licence tender after failing to pay mandatory deposit

[01] IMF urges Greece to adopt more 'flexibility' in labour market, open restricted professions

The IMF warns that reforms achieved in the labour market must not be changed, especially those that concern the minimum wage, which it says is the highest among the EU countries compared to GDP per capita. The Fund also advocates legislative changes to harmonize the framework for mass layoffs with that of the EU.

In a separate point, the report notes that Greece must open restricted professions, with priority given to civil engineers, lawyers and cargo handlers.

It also requests that the Greek government implements the OECD recommendations on reducing barriers to competition in the wholesale trade, construction and electronic commerce, and is in favor of reforming the licensing system in the food and beverage industries, as well as tourism.

[02] 'I will never rule alongside Tsipras,' ND leader Mitsotakis tells Deutsche Welle

During the interview, which took place during Mitsotakis' visit to Frankfurt on Wednesday, Mitsotakis also repeated his demand for early elections.

"The cost of a pre-election period will be much smaller than the benefit for Greece. The reply to populism is not more populism," he said, though noting that he could not force elections.

He also pointed out that an ND-SYRIZA government would automatically make far-right Golden Dawn the country's main opposition, with all that entailed.

ND's leader also referred to the claims made by U.S. economist James Galbraith about a 'Plan B' drafted under former minister Yanis Varoufakis in the case that Greece left the euro, noting that this had the hallmarks of a coup and once again calling for an inquiry into the issue by Parliament.

Talking about his programme for economic growth in Greece, Mitsotakis said he had proven that he was not a populist and was not afraid of the political cost of necessary measures. "We voted for a framework that will include structural changes that we support, not because this was imposed by the Germans or Brussels but because they are right for the country," he said.

Expressing his disagreement with the government's policies, ND's leader pointed out that Greece had the highest taxation rates of most countries in Europe and that this overtaxation was not bringing in revenues but achieving the precise opposite. Not only were the high taxes crushing businesses and driving away investors, they were also pushing workers into the black economy and decimating tax compliance rates.

Mitsotakis noted the need to reduce the primary surplus target from 3.5 pct to 2 pct, combined with an agressive structural reforms programme that will "break the vicious cycle" for the Greek economy and privatisations to attract investors.

"I am building a climate of confidence. I want [our] European partners to know that they can have faith in me. I am not the kind of person that calls referendums and then changes no to yes. I want them to know that the next government will be a government that is permanently divorced from populism," he added.

[03] No Greek delays in implementing prior actions, only 'challenges', says Eurozone official

Asked to comment on Greek press reports that claim there are significant delays in the implementation of the measures, the official said it is too early for one to be able to say that and that there is still time to unlock the next sub-tranche in September. However, he added that issues like the establishment of the new privatization fund, must be speeded up, noting it is not enough to, but must also form its management and supervisory board. "There are no delays, but challenges that must be dealt with," the official said.

According to the official, Greece is not among the agenda issues in the Eurogroup of August 11 which will be held in Brussels. "We do not plan to discuss the issue of Greece before September," he said.

Instead, Eurozone finance ministers will discuss the fiscal situation in Spain and Portugal and the general economic situation in the Eurozone. They will also examine the prospects for growth and the situation in the markets following the vote to leave the EU in Britain.

[04] Art TV knocked out of TV licence tender after failing to pay mandatory deposit

According to the Media and Communication General Secretary Lefteris Kretsou, the channel's application did not include a mandatory deposit of 30,000 euros required to participate in the tender process.

Karatzaferis is a journalist that was also a former MP, MEP and is currently leader of the National Unity party, as well as the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party that is part of National Unity.

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