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Thessaloniki, September 9 (M.P.A.)
In a press conference themed after unemployment, leader of main opposition New Democracy, Miltiadis Evert, stated that exchanging votes for jobs would consititute an insult to the country's jobless and their families. Mr. Evert stated that the ever-increasing phenomenon of unemployment is not only Greek but, rather, has struck all of Europe and if the appropriate measures are not enforced soon enough, it could reach explosive dimensions, perhaps reaching the astounding rate of 15 percent by the end of the century. The N.D. leader itemized the leading factors of unemployment as being primarily due to the downsizing trend in the farming industry, to the crisis noted in the middle-sized businesses and to the increased flow of immigrants, not taking into account the Greeks from Pontus or those from northern Epirus. As part of his proposed measures, Mr. Evert promised support to farmers and middle-sized businesses, aimed at stabilizing the going rate of unemployment. Yet, the core of his proposal in facing unemployment, according to Mr. Evert, is to boost the rate of the Gross National Product development, which must reach 4-5% within the next few years, coupled by the timely and correct absorption of European Union funds. "This is the only way to bring forth investments which will result in job increases," Mr. Evert stated. The main opposition leader also advised that the country must review the convergence plan that has been submitted to the EU, according to which, the country's development rate will be set at a 2.2 per cent figure. In closing today's press conference, Mr. Evert did not miss the opportunity to challenge the Premier to three televised debates.
MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER ON UNEMPLOYMENT Thessaloniki, September 9 (M.P.A.)
In a press conference themed after unemployment, leader of main opposition New Democracy, Miltiadis Evert, stated that exchanging votes for jobs would consititute an insult to the country's jobless and their families. Mr. Evert stated that the ever-increasing phenomenon of unemployment is not only Greek but, rather, has struck all of Europe and if the appropriate measures are not enforced soon enough, it could reach explosive dimensions, perhaps reaching the astounding rate of 15 percent by the end of the century. The N.D. leader itemized the leading factors of unemployment as being primarily due to the downsizing trend in the farming industry, to the crisis noted in the middle-sized businesses and to the increased flow of immigrants, not taking into account the Greeks from Pontus or those from northern Epirus. As part of his proposed measures, Mr. Evert promised support to farmers and middle-sized businesses, aimed at stabilizing the going rate of unemployment. Yet, the core of his proposal in facing unemployment, according to Mr. Evert, is to boost the rate of the Gross National Product development, which must reach 4-5% within the next few years, coupled by the timely and correct absorption of European Union funds. "This is the only way to bring forth investments which will result in job increases," Mr. Evert stated. The main opposition leader also advised that the country must review the convergence plan that has been submitted to the EU, according to which, the country's development rate will be set at a 2.2 per cent figure. In closing today's press conference, Mr. Evert did not miss the opportunity to challenge the Premier to three televised debates.
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© 1996 Macedonian Press Agency