Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras: National elections in June 2016

[02] European Parliament head Schulz calls for urgent EU action to prevent Greece, Italy and Spain falling back under the markets' pressure

[03] Greece will not return to the past, government spokeswoman tells La Repubblica

[04] FinMin Hardouvelis: The biggest problem for the Greek economy is the political climate and the uncertainty

[05] Agreement with troika on bad loans expected in mid November, Development min Dendias estimates

[06] SYRIZA leader calls the political forces to clarify their position over the presidential elections

[07] Gov't spokeswoman: Tsipras appeared more contradictory than ever

[08] SYRIZA parliamentary group sec: The country needs change of strategy

[09] A progressive overturning is the only way for the rescue of the country, SYRIZA's Lafazanis says

[10] SYRIZA's Central Committee votes for Political Secretariat's policy proposal

[11] Venizelos: Five years of sacrifices can be lost in five days

[12] DIMAR leader: Easy and magic solutions do not exist

[13] Alternate Health Minister: We are prepared to face an Ebola incident

[14] Hellenic National Defence General Staff on Turkish corvette entering Greek territorial waters

[15] SYRIZA leads 3.9 pct over ND, says opinion poll

[16] SYRIZA's strong lead over ND, shows Macedonia University's poll

[17] Former FinMin Papaconstantinou and his relatives appear before Judicial Council for clarifications on Lagarde list case

[18] Environment ministry introduces reduced natural gas tariffs for entities offering social services

[19] Rescue operation to locate missing undocumented migrant

[20] Super League results

[21] Fair weather on Monday

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

[01] PM Samaras: National elections in June 2016

Samaras said that Athens continues successfully its course to exit from the international support programme noting that he sees one option as a credit line that Athens could tap post-bailout should it fall prey to future market turmoil adding that Greece would ride out market doubts about whether it can survive without international support.

Samaras also reiterated that Athens was talking with its lenders about what should happen if Greece succeeds in leaving its bailout programme by the end of December, a year ahead of schedule.

However, a three-day sell-off in the markets has again pushed Greece's 10-year bond yields past 9 percent and sent shares tumbling to their lowest since July last year calls into question whether Athens will be able to implement its programme and to leave from the support programme at the beginning of 2015

[02] European Parliament head Schulz calls for urgent EU action to prevent Greece, Italy and Spain falling back under the markets' pressure

"We urgently need to act if we want to prevent countries, such as Greece, Spain and Italy, falling back under the pressure of capital markets. The developments in the stock markets are a warning sign," the president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz told Der Tagesspiegel in an interview.

He noted that "now we must quickly supplement the unilateral policy of cuts with a policy of investments and growth."

"For this reason, the president of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is planning a 300 billion euro package, which the European Union will have to prepare, in order to create growth and jobs," he added."

[03] Greece will not return to the past, government spokeswoman tells La Repubblica

"We will have no more deficits and we will not go back to the past. The Greek people have made big sacrifices. The economy is on recovery, the primary surplus amounted to 2.7 billion euros in July and the unemployment rate has started falling," she said.

"Greece will exit the memorandum only after an agreement of the three institutional partners. It will continue following intently the programme," she said noting that SYRIZA's continuous demand for elections gave a message of instability to the markets, which threatened to hurt the country.

[04] FinMin Hardouvelis: The biggest problem for the Greek economy is the political climate and the uncertainty

Hardouvelis underlined that "the political climate and the uncertainty is the biggest problem for the Greek economy and for the negotiation. I can't believe that political forces that deliberately do not want us to finish with the memorandum exist".

On the early elections issue, Hardouvelis stressed "We are at a very fragile point of balance. The dynamic that is developing in the economic field demands political stability. It is not difficult, if we make the wrong choices, to lose in a few months what we have gained in the last years".

He called his relationship with Samaras effective and exceptional while regarding his relationship with Stournaras he called it "stable and long lasting "I respect his efforts to avoid the country's economic derailment. Now we have to work all together in order to meet the fiscal targets and even more. To upgrade the Greek people's standard of living.

On the spreads' increase he opined that "they increased everywhere and even more than in Greece. The reasons are not only Greek but also European. Greece is one step before the end of the financial adjustment programme and this is a source of uncertainty on what will follow, which will be our relation with, our up to now, official lenders. This uncertainty was expressed. The market will recover when the reasons for the uncertainty will no longer exist".

Referring to Greece's relation with the IMF, Hardouvelis said that there was "a change in our relationship. It is not a divorce. IMF will be there for us but as an observer without any supervising authority.

[05] Agreement with troika on bad loans expected in mid November, Development min Dendias estimates

In an interview with Mega TV, Dendias said: "Troika asked for some clarifications on the bad loans and I think those will be sent by Monday or Tuesday. They were mainly cross-checking of data. We have also sent the main principles of understanding on bankruptcy law for individuals to the troika so as to agree on the framework and as far as the Greek government is concerned we can be ready even before December."

On the banks, he said that according to the provisions of the law, they will be obliged to follow a specific procedure of debt write-off and settlement of the rest of the amount in many installments, the number of which has not yet been agreed with the troika. There is one precondition, Dendias noted, that the business must be a viable one.

Referring to the height of the "haircut" and whether this would be 40 percent, he said that the government's initial proposal was an even bigger percentage.

He clarified that the regulations being promoted aim at supporting the country's productive structure which suffered losses from the crisis so as to be able to continue producing and creating demand in the market and mainly to maintain and increase the number of jobs.

"Right now we are doing two different things. We are trying to deal with the consequences from the crisis that hopefully is over. We are evaluating which businesses are viable," he said.

"Demand has now started rising. Therefore, a larger circle of businesses seem to be viable and we can support them so as to move forward. We have also recapitalized the banks. We could not have done much without it," he noted.

[06] SYRIZA leader calls the political forces to clarify their position over the presidential elections

He charged the government and prime minister (Antonis Samaras) for "humiliation of the parliamentary institutions and scaremongering" and reassured that SYRIZA will not follow this path.

He stated that his party is at this moment the most powerful and organised political force of the country, that it is a political force that secures the stability".

Ahead of the start of the procedures for the election of President of Republic, Tsipras called all the political forces as well as the independent MPs to state their position clearly.

Despite the fact that he did not rule out the possibility of rapid political developments he underlined "we can say with certainty that the presidential elections will be a landmark for the country" because as he said "the government has not the parliamentary majority to elect the new president which would allow it to continue its disastrous course".

Tsipras said that SYRIZA should not be trapped in the so-called ideological clarity adding that authority means "the ability to create a majority with axis our programme" and pledged that he will insist on the need of a wide political, social and national agreement.

He said that the government has dried along with its success story's bubble and charged Samaras and Venizelos that " in order to undermine SYRIZA, they do not hesitate to undermine the country's stability" adding that the prime minister did not have the boldness to demand what the programme he co-signed foresees: that after the achievement of a primary surplus he will start the discussion for the debt's sustainability".

The main opposition leader predicted that "probably the markets will be hostile towards Greece for a long period" adding that the markets are playing their own games and opined that only after a substantial debt relief they will stop being hostile".

Referring to the developments in the Balkans and in the Middle East, Tsipras charged Turkey's stance on Cyprus Republic's EEZ saying that "it consists a despicable violation of Cyprus Republic's rights enshrined by the international law. He also expressed his concern over the recent developments in Dervitsani, Albania, noting the need for immediate action against the nationalist tension in the Balkans that is against the efforts for cooperation and solution to the problems of the area.

[07] Gov't spokeswoman: Tsipras appeared more contradictory than ever

Voultepsi also noted that the main opposition leader ?has hidden his inter-party contradictions regarding on whether they will proceed in unilateral actions for the debt. He played the lion tamer of the markets and send again the message for early elections and abolition of the laws" adding that "he once again mixed up the debt's sustainability with the unilateral actions that he preannounced which consist a threat for the Greek economy and the country's position in Europe".

"Tsipras appeared more mixed up and contradictory than ever" she said.

[08] SYRIZA parliamentary group sec: The country needs change of strategy

Moreover, Voutsis noted that "we clearly want to say that stability is guaranteed by the people, the society and the political forces that open the door to a new page for the country".

Regarding the scenarios referring to a 'national solution for dealing with the crisis', Voutsis underlined "A change of strategy is necessary right now". He reiterated that the "only ground of real consensus and agreement is the one that is constructed every day on the only existing and appropriate line which is the non-sustainability of the Greek debt, the haircut of the largest part and on the sense of development in order for the country to be able to exit from the impasses of the current strategy and the painful political repercussions. This is the only ground on which anyone can proceed to the public debate."

[09] A progressive overturning is the only way for the rescue of the country, SYRIZA's Lafazanis says

He lashed out on the prime minister, blaming his for last week's tension in the markets. He said "the markets' turmoil in our country was most severe as a result of the erratic policy of the (Antonis) Samaras' government." He added that Samaras "fell into the pre-election trap he had set for SYRIZA, which will have a heavy price for the country."

The recent turmoil in the markets is a result of the new adverse economic developments, he said adding that the economic crisis was getting worse with particular intensity in the Eurozone and was accompanied by a deep political crisis.

Referring to SYRIZA's stance, he said the message of the recent overreaction of the markets for the Left is that a great policy was needed. There is also a need, he said, for a more substantial preparation and a more processed plan to deal with the pressures and the blackmails of the markets and the established European centres, with the aim of ensuring the consistent implementation of its programme.

Referring to the party's policy on cooperations, he said that SYRIZA, aiming to secure parliamentary majority, has always been positive to cooperation. "Our firm objective should first of all be the cooperation with the forces of the Left," he noted.

[10] SYRIZA's Central Committee votes for Political Secretariat's policy proposal

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, in an address shortly before the end of the Central Committee's deliberations, underlined the need for collective action and cooperation between officials and members from all sides. Referring to cooperations and ballot tickets, he assured that "everything will be done timely" and in line with the decisions of the collective bodies of the party.

[11] Venizelos: Five years of sacrifices can be lost in five days

"What we experience in the last days" he said referring to the markets' reaction "is the danger for our country" he said and wondered what will happen if a new president of Republic is not elected and we have early elections and a SYRIZA-Independent Greeks government is formed "The best case scenario will be proved a political scam, but the scenarios of absolute disaster and annulment of the people's sacrifices all exist because it is not very hard for the system to collapse?.

Referring to the negotiation that SYRIZA says it will do if it forms a government, Venizelos noted "Some have the impression that the Europeans are afraid of them. That they will persuade and hypnotise with their charm our European partners and will bow and accept solutions, something they do not do to us (the government). He clarified that the country's exit from the memorandums will be held in accordance with the EU, the exit from the crisis will exist with the European support and referred to a reform plan clarifying that the country can turn page and the government is knows what it want and knows when to ask it.

Venizelos likened the country's problems to a hydra "We have to struggle with a hydra. Every day new problems emerge" he said.

Regarding his party he said that many people charge it with "treason of principles and values" but they do not understand the huge work PASOK has offered to the country and admitted that his party fuelled for years the perception of statism and the clientele relations but on the other hand how can we forget PASOK governments' achievements as the National Health System,

[12] DIMAR leader: Easy and magic solutions do not exist

"The disengagement from the memorandum can't exist with an alleged 'easy' recourse to the markets. The disengagement from the memorandum can't exist through its abolition by a law" he said adding that "easy and magic solutions do not exist, only just and efficient solution. The need for a substantial re-negotiation with our partners exists along with the potential for different reforms in the fields of the interior policy that will reduce the inequalities and will modernise the country" he underlined.

Referring to the political stability, Kouvelis said that "political stability means that we leave behind the old habits of the clientelism State'.

On the presidential elections he said that "the presidential elections procedure should not turn into a tool of petty politics planning" underlined Kouvelis.

[13] Alternate Health Minister: We are prepared to face an Ebola incident

Let's hope not to have such an incident but in any case we will be ready" he said.

He refused to answer which hospital in Thessaloniki is getting prepared for the same role and reassured that there is a special area in Thessaloniki airport to put in quarantine an Ebola virus case.

[14] Hellenic National Defence General Staff on Turkish corvette entering Greek territorial waters

The Turkish corvette exited the Greek territorial waters at 03.00 on October 19.

Greek Navy vessels have been monitoring the course of the Turkish vessel throughout its trip.

[15] SYRIZA leads 3.9 pct over ND, says opinion poll

According to the poll results, SYRIZA leads among those questioned with 27.4 percent, followed by New Democracy (ND) with 23.5 percent, Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 6.4 percent, PASOK with 5.8 percent, To Potami with 5.6 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 5.3 percent and Independent Greeks with 3.8 percent.

At a question who is more suitable for prime minister, ND leader and current prime minister Antonis Samaras leads with 42.5 followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 36.1 percent.

50.8 percent of those questioned said that they preferred the new President of Republic to be elected by the current parliament while 42.3 percent said they want early elections and the new parliament to elect the president.

Moreover, 52.4 percent of the respondents said that early elections would have a negative effect to the country's economy and to the Greek society.

[16] SYRIZA's strong lead over ND, shows Macedonia University's poll

According to the poll results, SYRIZA leads with 27.5 pct followed by ND with 20 pct, To Potami with 7.5 pct, Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 6.5 pct, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 5.5 pct, ELIA with 4 pct, Independent Greeks with 2.5 pct and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 0.5 pct.

The results of the opinion poll were presented on Sunday in Kathimerini newspaper.

[17] Former FinMin Papaconstantinou and his relatives appear before Judicial Council for clarifications on Lagarde list case

According to sources, Papaconstantinou and his co-defendants, who requested themselves to appear before the Judicial Council, reiterated what they have so far claimed, without adding anything new and said that they were not involved in the offenses they are accused of.

The Judicial Council within the next month is expected to rule whether Papaconstantinou and his relatives should be indicted to the Special Court for their involvement in the Lagarde list case concerning the handling of an electronic file with the names of Greeks with sizeable accounts at a Geneva bank. Papaconstantinou is facing charges for breach of trust and document forgery and a misdemeanor charge for violation of duty.

Financial News

[18] Environment ministry introduces reduced natural gas tariffs for entities offering social services

Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis sent a letter on the issue to the Gas Supply Companies of Attica, Thessaloniki and Thessaly which estimate that a total of 181 entities offering social services with a total annual consumption of 15,092 MWh can make use of the reduced tariffs.

"Social cohesion and solidarity, as well as the protection of vulnerable social groups is our primary objective in the crisis conditions we are experiencing nowadays," Maniatis noted.

General News

[19] Rescue operation to locate missing undocumented migrant

All the other migrants are safe.

At a separate incident, 34 undocumented migrants that were on a dinghy were rescued by a Coast Guard patrol vessel 1.5 nautical miles off Samothrace island.

The undocumented migrants were transferred to Kamariotissa port, Samothrace.

Sports

[20] Super League results

Niki Volou-Panthrakikos 1-0

Asteras Tripolis-Panetolikos 1-1

Ergotelis-Olympiakos 2-3

Panathinaikos-OFI Crete 1-2

Veria-Levadiakos 2-1

Kalloni Mytilini-Kerkyra 1-0

Platanias-Xanthi 1-0

PAOK-Atromitos Athens 2-1

Panionios-PAS Yiannena 20/10 (19:30)

Standings after 6 weeks of play:

1. PAOK 16

2. Veria 15

. Olympiakos 13

. Kalloni Mytilini 13

5. Atromitos 10

. Panathinaikos 10

. Kerkyra 10

. Asteras Tripolis 10

9. OFI Crete 9

10. Panionios 7 (5 matches)

11. Platanias 6

. Xanthi 6

13. PAS Yiannena 5 (5 matches)

. Panthrakikos 5

14. Ergotelis 4

. Panetolikos 4

17. Niki Volou 3

18. Levadiakos 2

Weather forecast

[21] Fair weather on Monday

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

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: The conditions of the agreement for IMF's exit and 'security net'.

EPOCHI: Samaras'(Antonis, prime minister) apology to the markets.

ETHNOS: Breather-law for debts to Tax Bureau and social security funds.

KATHIMERINI: 120 days between crash and survival.

KYRIAKATIKI ELEFTHEROTYPIA: USA: And now SYRIZA (main opposition).

KYRIAKATIKOS RIZOSPASTIS: November 1: Time for our voice to be heard.

LOGOS: Chaos in prisons.

PROTO THEMA: In the years of cholera with Ebola.

Realnews: After the markets' storm comes...Brussels' umbrella.

TO ARTHRO: Open cards to the citizens.

TO PARON: Freeze of bank accounts illegal.

TO VIMA: After the shock they (government) run for a 'light memorandum'.

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