The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-08-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] New Administrative Division Published in Government Gazette

Attica region is "divided" in 8 prefectures and a deputy prefect is elected in each one. Three ministerial decisions already posted in the Government Gazette provide for the new local administration division of the country within the framework of the "Kallikratis" plan.

Attica Region Divided in 8 Prefectures

Attica region is "divided" in 8 prefectures and a deputy prefect is elected in each one.

Attica region with a population of 3.761.810 people is divided in the following 8 prefectures:

North Section of Athens (12 municialities)

West Section of Athens (7 municialities)

Central Section of Athens (8 municialities)

South Section of Athens (8 municialities)

East Attica ( 13 municialities)

West Attica (5 municialities)

Piraeus (5 municialities )

Islands ( 8 municialities)

Source: ÍÅÔ News item: 39610

[02] Briefings on ME Issue

Greek Prime-minister George Papandreou had telephone contacts with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, the Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to brief them on developments in the Middle East issue.

Briefings included the exchange of views during his meetings with Israeli Prime-minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Athens as well as during Mr. Papandreou visit to Israel. Other issues discussed include: Greek and European economies with Mr. Rompuy, imminent initiation of ME peace talks with Mr. Abbas and the situation in the Balkans and Cyprus with US Secretary of State.

Reports say that the Quartet in the ME issue ( US, EU, Russia, UN) have agreed to invite the Israeli and the Palestinians to start immediate talks, on September, 2, in Washington in the presence of US President Barrac Obama.

It should be noted that the "thorn" is the Israeli settlement program. Furthermore, the Palestinians insist on a reference to the Quartet's official invitation (to be officially announced today) and the Israeli stress they will not agree to any term before the talks.

Sources: ÁNA

News item: 39602

[03] ND Writes off H. Markoyiannakis

ND party Deontology Committee, chaired by its president Ioannis Tragakis, unanimously decided on Thursday to write off Hristos Markoyiannakis. The committee agreed with the party's leader A. Samaras skepticism that Mr. Markoyiannakis stance and behavior place himself out of the party. On his part, Mr. Markoyiannakis spoke of "funny and anti-democratic procedures that run against the party's chart and practices dating back many years ago".

In a letter to the Speaker of the House, ND party leader A. Samaras excluded Hania deputy H. Markoyiannakis from the ND party Parliamentary Group while the party's Deontology committee on Thursday unanimously decided to write him off from the party.

Mr. Markoyiannakis decision to run as independent deputy for the region of Crete in the local administration elections, in November appears to be the reason of his exclusion from the ND party. In his statements a few days ago he had left open the possibility to run against the ND party official candidate Yiannis Plakiotakis, whose candidacy he criticized.

Earlier, in an interview with state radio 105.8, Hristos Markoyiannakis had revealed he might run as independent candidate with the support of Dora Bakoyiannis.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8,ÁNA/ÌPA

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News item: 39598

[04] High Risk of Fires

The Fire Department and Civil Protection Secretariat have warned of high risk of fires due to forecast for force 6 northerly winds during the weekend which could spread fires rapidly. In the meantime a big fire is raging in Theologos burning a pine forest but it is not threatening inhabited areas. Strong firefighting forces and water bomber aircrafts are in the region battling against flames.

Two people were referred to justice on charges of arson. One of them a Bulgarian national was detained. He admitted having lit more than 14 fires in several parts in Messinia in the last months. A Greek citizen, 38 years old is charged of having ignited 3 fires on the island of Zakynthos, but he has denied all charges so far. News item: 39617

[05] Moscow a «gas chamber»

The atmosphere continues to be stifling in Moscow, despite the restrained optimism that prevails, as for the first time since the fires broke out, more blazes were extinguished than those which were ignited. The authorities have given assurances that there is no danger for the Sarov nuclear station, and all radioactive material has been removed. However, Moscow has been transformed into a virtual «gas chamber», with carbon monoxide 3.1 times exceeding the normal levels.

Source: NET 105.8, Ria Novosti News item: 39268

[06] EU Gives Green Light for Rescue Package 2nd Installment

The EU has given the "green light" for the allocation of the second installment of the rescue package assessing that Athens has met the necessary terms. However, the final approval will come at the Eurogroup and ECOFIN meeting, on September, 7. EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said Greece has made a big progress in the purging of state finances and structural reforms. But he underlined the need for further cuts in expenses as well as guarantee of sufficient liquidity and financial stability in the banking sector. He also called for acceleration of structural reforms program mainly centered on the opening of closed professions, privatizations re-organization of state companies and market liberation.

The EU Warns of Dangers and Challenges

The EU has given the green light for the allocation of the 2 nd installment ( 9 billion euros) of the rescue package, citing that Greece has achieved to an impressive extent purging in state finances and made rapid progress in big structural reforms.

However, the EU warns of the following:

*Accumulation of expired debts

*Low financial status of local administration organizations and insurance funds

*Drop in expenses in the second half of the year

Ïthe bigger challenges according EU officials are :

*ensuring sufficient liquidity and financial stability in the banking sector

*Acceleration of structural reforms centered on the opening of closed professions, privatizations, reorganization of state companies and liberation of energy market

G.Papandreou: "We have Chieved the First Targets"

"We have achieved the first targets", stressed the Prime-minister in his meeting with the governor of the Bank of Greece and the Finance Minister. He added that the next targets were the creation of a feeling of security, certainty, social justice and boosting growth.

"Initiatives for structural reforms will bear fruit" said Mr. Provopoulos

In the meantime, the economic staff believe that the 800 million euros " black hole" in revenues will be closed till the end of the year.

It is also said that 100 million euros will be allocated for social support package from the Solidarity Fund.

Reactions

"The government did not manage to avert the impacts of the referendum with developmental measures and it is leading the country into deeper recession", said the ND

The GCP spoke of fabricated optimism of the government, the capital and the EU.

LAOS spoke of tough time for people and numbers despite improvement of climate compared to the first half of the year .

SYN party asked for a new developmental policy with a social aspect.

In the meantime, state debt reached 317 billion at the end of June, 6.57 billion more compared against March last year while signs of recovery in domestic industry emerged in June.

Source: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8

Related News: ÓPrime-minister Meets with FinMin and Bank of Greece Governor

News item: 39604

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