Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras: 'We are striving for better solutions on the debt'

[02] Attica region invites public to visit documenta14 on May 26 for free

[01] Tsipras: 'We are striving for better solutions on the debt'

"The strategic target is for the country to be able, after the end of the 3rd memorandum in August of 2018, to borrow from the markets at stable interests rates and something of this kind is near," he told reporters during a press conference at the environment and energy ministry.

This goal was within reach irrespective of the solution adopted for the debt agreement, he added, whether this was the less optimistic proposal made by the German finance minister, which did not correspond to the sacrifices of the Greek people and was turned down by the government on Monday, or a better solution that the government was currently negotiating to achieve.

Tsipras noted that investments in Greece were no longer high risk and that the country had managed to remain within the inner core of the Eurozone, in spite of all the difficulties it had faced. "It is a country that does not have deficits, that has improved its finances and is creating the conditions for a very good comeback," he added.

He also referred to an opinion polls in the German press indicating a shift in German public opinion regarding Greeks, away from the view that they were "lazy spendthrifts" paid for by the Germans.

"After June 15 we will be here and we will see repeated good news regarding investment in Greece," Tsipras said.

During the press conference, the prime minister also presented the main directions of the country's energy policy, saying that Greece must take advantage of its geostrategic position. He announced future reductions to power bills but did not specify their extent, which he said was the job of the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

He did reveal, however, that the policies planned over the coming period aim to greatly reduce if not eradicate the additional charges for public utility services attached to power bills.

"We are treating the issue of the charges, the unexpected charges on PPC bills, seriously and the company will give households the option for a settlement scheme," Tsipras said.

Asked about the statements made by the Public Power Corporation head, who disagreed with the agreement reached between the government and the lenders concerning the power utility, the prime minister commented that "everyone has their part to play".

"His role as the head of the PPC is to present his own thoughts and proposals on the issues that the PPC must handle but he is not the one negotiating with the institutions nor generating policy," Tsipras said. He suggested that the PPC head "reconcile himself with reality" since the government had done the best possible in the negotiations.

"We managed to avoid the 'small PPC' plan that was once again raised by the lenders and New Democracy. In this case, this would have included not only the lignite units but also the water. It is a very important development and if this was not the case, the PPC would be in a very difficult position," he said.

Referring to Hellenic Petroleum, one of the companies that will be signing an agreement to drill for hydrocarbons on Thursday, he praised its management and said that it had multiplied the company's profits in the last two years.

[02] Attica region invites public to visit documenta14 on May 26 for free

The prominent exhibition will be open from 11:00-21:00. The initiative is part of the Union-wide information campaign "Europe in my region", which aims to familiarize citizens with projects implemented in their area by the European Union.

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