Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece will accept a solution that guarantees its access to markets

[02] Kotzias, Stier discuss bilateral relations, EU prospects for Balkan countries

[03] Thousands attend Constantine Mitsotakis' funeral service in Athens

[01] Greece will accept a solution that guarantees its access to markets

Greece will accept a solution on the debt that guarantees its immediate access to the markets on sustainable terms, he added, noting that the country's creditors - including the European Central Bank - must now assume their responsibilities.

"They have a moral and legal obligation to do this," he added.

The prime minister also called on the healthy forces in the country to assist in an exit from the crisis and the memorandums, urging the start of a dialogue marked by mutual respect, on the basis of the principles of democracy, "in spite of our known disagreements and views".

"The future of the economy for many decades will be judged at this time. We must be united before a goal of national importance," Tsipras said.

The demand for sustainable growth and a national plan for radical changes had yet to be fulfilled, he said, while the years of crisis had amply demonstrated that the previous production model had failed. This model would have to be redesigned in order for Greece to exit the crisis and the country was now asking its creditors to meet their own commitments, enabling Greece to access the markets on its own merits.

"A clear solution for the Greek side is one that does not generate insecurity for investors. At this time, both Greece and Europe have the capability to provide such a solution," the Greek premier noted.

Tsipras said the government was currently working hard so that differences with all the lenders might be bridged and everyone arrive at a positive sustainability analysis for Greece's debt. He also pointed to current heightened interest displayed by investors, who he said were waiting for a clear signal that the third Greek programme will be successfully concluded.

He stressed, however, that any solution put forward must be commensurate to the sacrifices of the Greek people.

[02] Kotzias, Stier discuss bilateral relations, EU prospects for Balkan countries

Replying to questions, Kotzias said that he had spoken with the new prime minister in Skopje several times and informed him of his intention, as soon as the new FYROM government receives a vote of confidence in the country's parliament.

Greece cared about preserving FYROM's unity, integrity and stability and ensuring it has a better future, Kotzias said. A solution of the name dispute with Greece in a creative and democratic way will assist and facilitate FYROM's future course, he added.

"I always say that history must be a school and not a prison. We want to spring our northern neighbour from the prison it has locked itself into and want FYROM to understand that political consensus and compromises are elements of European culture, both in domestic political life and in our neighbourhood," Kotzias noted.

The foreign minister expressed hope that it would be possible to solve the problems, implement confidence-building measures and find other areas of cooperation.

On his side, Stier said there are plenty of projects, mainly in economy, on which the two countries could cooperate on and welcomed the planned meeting of the Greek and Croatian Chambers of Commerce next autumn in Zagreb where they will discuss the promotion of joint projects in tourism, infrastructure and energy.

The foreign minister also hailed Greece's role in the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, to which Croatia "places great importance".

"The common interests of Greece and Croatia for the support of stability and the European prospect of all the countries in the region who are candidates for EU accession, or who may become candidate countries, is something that requires good coordination from us and I believe today a very positive step was made towards this direction," he said.

Stier also said he's pleased with the agreement signed earlier for cooperation in the fields of culture, science and education.

Asked about the situation in FYROM, Stier said it is important that Greece and Croatia support FYROM's European prospect and that they both hope "the new government will be focused on issues of European reforms", adding the two countries have the necessary experience to offer their assistance.

Commenting on a separate question about a flare-up of nationalism in the Balkans, the Croatian minister noted it is important for the European Union to keep its doors open for all those who are willing to become members and fulfill the criteria.

"The notion of a complete, free and peaceful Europe without artificial divisions finds us in agreement, is something we suppor; we want peace, stability and prosperity for the whole continent," he said, while expressing his disagreement with "those who want to create or re-create spheres of influence".

"We want the European spirit, the European prospect. The spirit of the Thessaloniki Summit should be alive and, as far as Croatia is concerned, we will work closely with Greece on this," he added.

[03] Thousands attend Constantine Mitsotakis' funeral service in Athens

A former prime minister, minister and the honorary leader of the New Democracy party for several decades, Mitsotakis was given a funeral with the honours of a serving prime minister at the Athens Metropolitican Cathedral, where his body had lain in state throughout the morning.

First to arrive were members of the family, including his daughter Dora Bakoyannis, an MP, his daughter Alexandra Mitsotakis Gourdain, his daughter Katerina Mitsotaki and his son and main opposition ND leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as well as his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Among those attending the funeral were President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and several former Greek premiers, Parliament President Nikos Voutsis and Government Vice-President Yiannis Dragasakis, as well as government ministers, the leaders of Greek political parties, main opposition New Democracy's Parliamentary group and former ministers and MPs in his cabinet.

The funeral service, read by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, started shortly after 15:00 with a salute by honour guards from each of the three branches of the armed forces and music by an Athens Guard military band.

Funeral orations were read out by President Pavlopoulos, who praised the late statesman's dedication to democracy and especially parliamentary democracy above all.

"He was a true European leader," Pavlopoulos said, noting that the certainty of Greece's European course was among the legacies that he had left, as well as that of unity and harmony in the country.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said that Greeks were mourning the passing of a great politician that had left his mark on Greek history, known for his bravery and his smile. Mitsotakis had stood up against populism and led efforts for reconciliation, he said, overlooking political cost for the good of Greece.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was especially moved when his turn came to speak, saying his father had chosen to return to his beloved Crete as his final resting place "in a small cemetery at Agoulide, where anyone passing by chance would never imagine that a great politician is going to be there."

"You were the last of a generation that passed through the Symplegades but also felt deeply the potential of our country and believed in it...Your political legacy was ever relevant, to respect the truth, to seek unity, to not forget that Greece's future is in the heart of Europe," Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. It was now the turn of the current generation to stand up to populism, envy and division, he added.

After the funeral service, Mitsotakis' body was taken to Elefsina airport and flown to Crete in a C-130 military transport aircraft.

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