Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-06-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Samaras won't attend EU Summit following eye operation

[02] Troika members' arrival in Athens may be postponed

[03] Framework agreement of 3-party coalition government unveiled

[04] Party reactions on coalition gov't agreement framework

[05] FinMin-designate's health condition improving

[06] Clinton congratulates Greek FM

[07] Government on need to boost growth

[08] Large cache of explosives found on Lesvos, one arrest

[09] Elderly woman fatally struck by train

[10] Security guard dies after fatal assault

[11] One missing, another injured after boat overturns

[12] Wildfire reported near Nafplio

[13] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[01] Samaras won't attend EU Summit following eye operation

The country will be represented by Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who will head up the Greek delegation, as well as outgoing Finance Minister George Zannis and at least two other recently sworn-in ministers. A medical bulletin issued at the west Athens hospital where Samaras successfully underwent an operation to reattach the partially detached retina in his left eye, emphasised that the medical team judged that the Greek premier should avoid travel in the coming week, while recommending a week of rest.

In basing his medical opinion for the prime minister to rest and not travel, attending ophthamologist P. Theodosiadis said he told Samaras that other patients have had the same surgery, "flown when recently operated on and lost their sight ... if he travels by air or car, his intraocular pressure will increase, something that could cause even blocking of the eye's artery, with the result being a possible irreversible damage to the optic nerve."

[02] Troika members' arrival in Athens may be postponed

Government officials estimate that the members of the troika will postpone their visit to Athens.

[03] Framework agreement of 3-party coalition government unveiled

The agreement foresees a full term (four years) and focuses on five points, namely, a renegotiation of the memorandum and the loan agreements.

Additionally, an emphasis will be given to social protection and policies linked with the memorandum. along with immediate economic priorities, a reference to immediately jump-starting growth.

The three parties cite the need for changes in the country's political system and the public administration sector, along with measures for the citizens' safety, combating illegal migration and foreign policy issues.

Regarding review of the loan and bailout agreements, the main aim is for an extension of the fiscal adjustment period for two years at least, re-institution of the labour collective contracts and restoration of injustices against low pensioners.

In parallel, the agreement foresees relief measures for debt-swamped taxpayers, extension of the unemployment benefit for a second year and a gradual increase of the taxable income ceiling. The agreement also refers to a change in the tax property measure with another uniform tax, with efforts to convince creditors that no more lay-offs are needed in the public sector.

Regarding economic priorities, the three parties foresee a new taxation system, abolition and merging of state organisations and entities without layoffs as well as privatisations and greater efforts to combat corruption and waste.

Finally, declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone in Greek waters is among the top priorities of the three-party agreement.

[04] Party reactions on coalition gov't agreement framework

"The agreement framework certifies the memorandum orientation of the new government," the announcement states.

On its part, the Independent Greeks party attacked the leaders of the three parties, saying that despite the fact that they gave promises and expressed intent, they are under the total control of the troika, "which arrives on Monday in Athens to give new orders".

The Communist party of Greece (KKE) said the renegotiation of the memorandum and the loan agreement, which the coalition government says will relieve the people, is a forced adjustment indicated by the intensifying crisis in Greece and in the eurozone.

[05] FinMin-designate's health condition improving

Rapanos collapsed on Friday and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to a medical bulletin, he underwent a full check up, with results judged as satisfactory. He's scheduled to depart the hospital on Monday.

[06] Clinton congratulates Greek FM

The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and international developments.

Financial News

[07] Government on need to boost growth

The minister also said that boosting growth necessitates liquidity and the support of entrepreneurship.

On his part, the president of Central Union of Chamber of Commerce, Constantinos Mihalos, said the country needs radical reforms in order for funds not to be wasted.

General News

[08] Large cache of explosives found on Lesvos, one arrest

On Wednesday, police located a carton containing 380 makeshift rounds of ammunition, each with a delay fuse, in a truck about to board a ferry in the port of Mytilene. Police remained at the scene and waited the recipient to appear. On Friday a suspect who tried to retrieve the carton was arrested.

A search of the suspect's car revealed, among others, nine wire and wireless remote control detonation devices, 11 metal launchers and nine recently used electricity-based explosives.

A search of the man's residence, with the assistance of a sniffer dog, revealed a large number of properly stored and active explosives.

[09] Elderly woman fatally struck by train

According to eye-witnesses the woman attempted to cross the tracks in order to reach a railroad station. The train engineer spotted the victim and performed an emergency braking procedure, which reduced speed but failed to stop the train.

The engineer was briefly detained, as per the relevant law on traffic fatalities, however, after a preliminary investigation he was released.

[10] Security guard dies after fatal assault

The victim was attacked by one or more individuals and was hit on the chest by sharp object, resulting to his fatal injury.

Police found the victim covered with blood in the courtyard of the company he patrolled.

No motive was given.

[11] One missing, another injured after boat overturns

The injured man, 49, was tranferred from Samothrace to a hospital in Alexandroupolis with a militarty helicopter.

An rescue operation was underway with the assistance of military aircraft to locate the missing man.

According to two fishermen who were in the same area and had visual contact with the inflatable craft, the two men were trying to switch on the boat's engine, which switched on abruptly, resulting in its overturning.

[12] Wildfire reported near Nafplio

Eight fire engines and firefighters as well as four fire-fighting aircraft are battling the blaze.

[13] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVRIANI: "PM Antonis Samaras' strict orders to ministers: Give money to market".

AVGHI: "Euro is collapsing and government is ... idle".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Samaras first sixty-days plan".

EPOCHI: "Troika imposes troika".

ETHNOS: "Red lines in Brussels' negotiations - What they demand and what they offer to new Greek government".

KATHIMERINI: "What Athens asks for, what EU and IMF offer".

NIKI: "Amnesty to those that will bring back their money to the Greek banks".

PROTO THEMA: "Five measures for the change of climate".

REAL NEWS: "Berlin Wall in negotiation! German Chancellor Angela Merker appears implacable despite the people's verdict".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Co-governace propels anti-popular way out of crisis".

TO PARON: "What Samaras is planning - Everything again on the table".

VIMA: "Problem with Finance Minister-designate Vassilis Rapanos ".

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