The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-03-17

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Barroso Offers His Backing to Greek Government

European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso offered his backing to the Greek government's efforts, following his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

Barroso expressed his conviction that the measures announced by the Greek government would succeed and that Greece would manage to bring its deficit down to 4%. After terming the Greek government's achievement as remarkable, Barroso addressed the Greek people and told that the decisions taken by the government were correct. The eurozone is not here to create problems but to offer its aid, added he.

Greek Prime Minister, on his part, stressed he had a really constructive dialogue with Barroso. He thanked the European Commission President for acknowledging the progress made. "I briefed the Commission on the progress of our actions. We are ahead of the timeline. Key provisions, including the pension system, have been advanced. We took tough measures amounting to 2% of GDP in order to have the deficit trimmed by 3% by the end of 2010. The decisions are tough for the people of Greece, yet they are meant to give a boost to our country so as to safeguard a prosperous, viable and competitive economy in the future. Never has Greece asked for financial aid. Greece has called for support which was clearly given by the eurozone representatives," added he.

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 34443

[02] Samaras Travels to Brussels Anew

Greek opposition leader Antonis Samaras is due to visit Brussels anew in the coming week to unveil his proposals at the Congress of the European People's Party, as requested by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In the meantime, the letters sent by former Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis to ND head Antonis Samaras and his predecessor and former Prime Minister Kostas Samaras have caused sensation. In his letters, Alogoskoufis claimed that ND officials did not offer their backing to his work.

To Samaras and Karamanlis

Former Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis sent a rather lengthy letter to ND President Antonis Samaras and former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. Alogoskoufis requested ND back the work done by the previous government and dropped hints at Conservative lawmakers, claiming they did not back his work.

"Self-criticism is one thing and nihilism is another," said he, further stressing that were the climate of nihilism with regard to the responsibilities of the previous government to be established, the recovery of ND would be even harsher.

The ND spokesman avoided commenting the letters. He then argued that no one can question Kostas Karamanlis' contribution, noting that the former Prime Minister was the first to claim responsibility for the mistakes and omissions made during his premiership.

A.Samaras at the EPP Congress

Touching on ND President's contacts in Brussels, the party's spokesman underlined that Mr Samaras unveiled his proposals on the Greek problem, requesting the eurozone Finance Ministers tackle the problem within the EU.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA News item: 34427

[03] Strike Wave Grips Greece

An ongoing strike wave has gripped Greece, since employees are escalating their reactions to the new financial and pension measures taken by the government.

Doctors' Night Shifts

There will be no night shifts in several public hospitals, since the meeting held between the Health Minister and the public hospital doctors fell flat. Hospital doctors are withholding their labour, although Ms Xenogiannakopoulou pledged to pay December's night shift wages.

Taxi drivers will hold a 24-hour strike on Thursday, protesting the new tax system the government wants to subject them to.

Petrol stations will also remain closed on Thursday, with the petrol station owners threatening to stage industrial actions during the Holy Week unless the government withdraws a relevant draft-bill.

Petrol stations owners in the prefecture of Thessaloniki, Grevena and Crete decided to abstain from the 24-hour strike to be held Thursday throughout Greece.

ADEDY

ADEDY, the umbrella union of civil servants' union, is planning to stage yet another demonstration in the coming week, protesting the wage cuts in the public sector and the imminent changes in the pension system.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 34401

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