Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek 'road map' for solution discussed with Merkel, Hollande and Juncker, sources say

[02] Greece's FinMin Tsakalotos says 'political will for a new start' exists

[03] PM Tsipras to speak at European Parliament on Wednesday

[04] Eurogroup chief Dijsselbloem announces teleconference for Wednesday

[05] Eurogroup expects new proposals from Greece, says Dijsselbloem

[06] Eurogroup's Dijsselbloem says Greece will submit new aid request to ESM

[07] Eurogroup was not intended to take decisions but to prepare Summit, government sources say

[08] Tsipras call to Obama presented situation, not specific proposals, sources say

[09] European Commission working towards solution for Greece, says Juncker

[10] No one wants Grexit, Eurozone finance ministers say; stress that Greek proposals are key

[11] President Pavlopoulos' letter to Donald Tusk

[12] Covering, sufficiently, the financial needs of the country

[13] Greece must present a credible strategy to exit the crisis, EU Commission vice president says

[14] EU Commission president Juncker does not see an agreement on Tuesday

[15] A Grexit should be avoided, EU Commission president Juncker says

[16] French President Hollande says leaders will work on responsibility, solidarity and speed

[17] EU Commissioner Moscovici: Grexit would be a terrible failure

[18] Italian PM says Greece crisis linked to 'what kind of Europe we want'

[19] Finland's Stubb says 'door for negotiations remains open'

[20] The proposals of both sides need to reconcile, EU Parliament president Schulz says

[21] French PM Valls sees basis for an agreement

[22] Irish FinMIn Noonan says debt restructuring 'part of negotiations with Greece'

[23] Government sources deny that Greece went to Eurogroup 'without proposals'

[24] Main opposition's political council meeting expresses need for Tsipras to secure deal

[25] State Department spokesperson stresses the need for growth and debt sustainability in Greece

[26] Japan Econ Min Amari calls on Greece, EU to agree win-win situation-Reuters

[27] New Democracy: Tsipras must bring a deal keeping Greece in the eurozone

[28] SYRIZA MEP Papadimoulis says all sides need to contribute with proposals on Greek crisis

[29] US Treasury Secretary Lew speaks on the phone with PM Tsipras and FinMin Tsakalotos

[30] The banking system will gradually normalize, Alternate FinMin Mardas says

[31] Greek gov't has not discussed possibility of haircut on bank deposits, finance ministry says

[32] Wages, pensions to be paid normally next week, Economy minister Stathakis tells CNBC

[33] Greek insurance market grew in Jan-May

[34] Athens Stock Exchange to remain closed until July 8

[35] Passenger traffic up 21.9 pct in Athens airport in June

[36] Greek coast guard reports rescue of 518 irregular migrants since Monday morning

[37] Greek, Turkish coast guard rescue 21 migrants in Aegean sailboat sinking

[38] Free transport means measure in Athens extended

[39] Mostly fair on Wednesday

[40] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Greek 'road map' for solution discussed with Merkel, Hollande and Juncker, sources say

At the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker held before the eurozone leaders' summit started in Brussels late on Tuesday, Tsipras presented a 'road map' toward reaching a result, the sources said.

The Greek proposals envisages a settlement by the end of the month, without ruling out other short-term proposals so that a "grand sustainable agreement" can be prepared in the meantime.

[02] Greece's FinMin Tsakalotos says 'political will for a new start' exists

Greece's new finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos left the European Council building late on Tuesday night with an upbeat message, commenting that "there is the political will for a new start."

[03] PM Tsipras to speak at European Parliament on Wednesday

European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will participate in the discussion, which will start at 09.30 local time, while European Parliament President Martin Schulz will preside over the session.

The announcement also said Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel will present and discuss the priorities of the incoming Council presidency at 08.30 local time.

[04] Eurogroup chief Dijsselbloem announces teleconference for Wednesday

Eurogroup will convene on Wednesday through a teleconference, during which Greek proposals will be examined, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Tuesday after the completion of the meeting of Eurozone finance ministers.

He said Greek proposals submitted today were not specific and they are expected to be tabled tomorrow, while the country is expected to submit a formal request for aid from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

The EU official added that Greece needs credible reforms and that time is limited.

[05] Eurogroup expects new proposals from Greece, says Dijsselbloem

After the 'no' vote in the referendum, we have to see today how we will find solutions, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said upon his arrival to the eurozone Finance ministers' meeting.

He added that he will meet in private before the Eurogroup meeting with the new Greek Finance Minister, Euclid Tsakalotos, to discuss the proposals of the Greek government. "We will take it step by step," he said. If the Greek people rejected the old proposals, he said, the Eurogroup expects new, that can be regarded as credible, noting that he hopes a solution to be found. Finally, he said that the eurozone is ready to do whatever is necessary to preserve its stability and therefore there can be no outcome that will doubt the credibility of the eurozone.

[06] Eurogroup's Dijsselbloem says Greece will submit new aid request to ESM

Greece will submit a new request for aid from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem revealed on Tuesday after the meeting of Eurozone finance ministers.

He said that as soon as the request is submitted, which he hoped would be on Wednesday, he would ask the institutions to examine Greece's funding needs and its debt sustainability. The restart of the negotiations will depend on the report which will be issued by the institutions.

[07] Eurogroup was not intended to take decisions but to prepare Summit, government sources say

The same sources also said these proposals contain reforms, funding, an investment programme and a debt restructuring. Greece's proposals will be discussed today and on Wednesday so that a mutually beneficial agreement can be agreed upon, following the result of the referendum.

They said the deal must also restore liquidity in the Greek banking system.

[08] Tsipras call to Obama presented situation, not specific proposals, sources say

Earlier reports on the phone conversation said that Tsipras had briefed Obama on the Greek government proposals.

Obama apparently expressed Washington's "strong desire for a successful outcome" in the negotiations during the call.

[09] European Commission working towards solution for Greece, says Juncker

The European Commission is continuing to work towards a solution to Greece's problems, its president, Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday, according to the Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva who posted his statement on Twitter.

"JunckerEU at EuroSummit: 'We are continuing to work to find a solution. Will depend on what atsipras will tell us,'" the tweet said.

[10] No one wants Grexit, Eurozone finance ministers say; stress that Greek proposals are key

Several of the 19 eurozone finance ministers arriving for Tuesday's Eurogroup referred to the need to strive for a solution that will keep Greece in the euro, while stressing that alot depended on what the Greek side is actually proposing.

Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan expressed hope that a "constructive spirit" will prevail and said he was waiting to hear what commitments Greece was prepared to make in exchange for a new programme.

Similarly, Spain's Finance's Minister Luis de Guindos said that the ball is in Greece's court and that he was waiting to hear the Greek finance minister's proposals.

"We are in the last seconds of this crisis - I don't think Grexit is a solution which anyone wants," he added, noting that the issue of debt relief was not urgent at the moment.

Maltese Finance Minister Edward Scicluna was more downbeat, saying it would be hard to discuss debt relief at present because there was a lack of trust in the Greek side. He said that Greece would first have to show good will and predicted that the chances of a Grexit were 50-50, noting that the eurozone must start to prepare.

The finance ministers expected "greater clarity" from the Greek finance minister in order to be able to continue, according to Latvia's FinMin Rimantas Sadzuis. He stressed that eurozone finance ministers do not consider Grexit and option but that Greece needs to carry out reforms.

"In politics there is always room for compromise," he added.

[11] President Pavlopoulos' letter to Donald Tusk

"I would like to inform you that following a request by the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Alexis Tsipras, I called a meeting yesterday of the political leaders of the Parties of the Greek Parliament, in which a common declaration was adopted by all Parties except the Communist Party of Greece stating the following:

The recent vote of the Greek people in the referendum does not constitute a mandate to break away from the Euro zone, but a mandate to continue and strengthen the effort for attaining a socially just and economically viable agreement. The Government will assume the responsibility of continuing negotiations, and every political leader will contribute to this effort on the basis of their institutional and political role.

The common goal, in this context, is the pursuit of a solution that will ensure:

[12] Covering, sufficiently, the financial needs of the country

A strong, front-loaded developmental program, primarily oriented to confronting unemployment and encouraging entrepreneurship

A commitment to beginning a substantial discussion on confronting the problem of the viability of Greek public debt

The Political Leaders also underlined that the restoration of liquidity in the Greek banking system, in coordination with the ECB, constitutes an immediate priority

The aforementioned consensual decision of most Greek Parliamentary parties constitutes a crucial opportunity for all euro zone partners to reach an economically and politically viable agreement."

[13] Greece must present a credible strategy to exit the crisis, EU Commission vice president says

It is clear that Greece faces huge and immediate challenges and unfortunately the recovery recorded last year has been lost, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said ahead of the Eurogroup meeting.

He added that what we need now is "a clear and credible strategy of how Greece will exit the crisis, how it will regain financial stability and will return to growth."

Dombrovskis said that much will depend on the Greek reform proposals, whether Greeks will present a credible and comprehensive package, stressing the need to restore the confidence between the 19 republics. Asked whether a Grexit will be discussed, he said that this is not the intention nor the goal but if there is not a credible reform package in order to recover confidence, "nothing can be ruled out."

[14] EU Commission president Juncker does not see an agreement on Tuesday

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday said that he sees an agreement with Greece, within "acceptable time limits" but not today.

Speaking at the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg, the European Commission president said that "negotiations in Europe continue until the last second" and added: "We have to sit again around a table and find a solution."

"The solution will not be found today, because if it was found today, it would be a simplistic solution. We must open the door for discussions and through understanding and acceptance of each other to correct the situation," he explained and added: "In the temple of European democracy, I do not accept the Greek government to call the representatives of the institutions terrorists. These things are unacceptable in Europe. We have all tried to avoid the situation we are right now."

"This afternoon, we will meet again and will try through negotiations to make progress and to end up to an agreed solution," he underlined.

Juncker reiterated that the ball is clearly in Greece's court. "They must explain to us their views and how we will get out of this complicated situation," he said.

"On behalf of the European Commission, the president is willing to do whatever is possible in order to reach an agreement within acceptable time limits," Juncker underlined.

[15] A Grexit should be avoided, EU Commission president Juncker says

He also made clear that himself and the European Commission will contribute to finding a solution and reaching an agreement.

"We should avoid a Grexit. I am against the exit of Greece from the euro," he reiterated and added: "No one wants Greece out of Europe. We need to understand what the referendum in Greece means. The Greek people voted overwhelmingly not, but on a text that does not exist."

He also noted that he would ask the Prime Minister to explain the vote of the Greek people, however, stressing that "we must show respect for the popular verdict."

[16] French President Hollande says leaders will work on responsibility, solidarity and speed

Arriving for the Summit meeting in Luxembourg, French President Francois Hollande said Greece must show responsibility and submit credible proposals, while speed is necessary because decisions must be taken by everyone within the week. He also noted that Europe should show solidarity because the stakes are high for Europe.

The French official also said the Greek side submitted proposals at the Eurogroup which have to be specified and added.

He continued to say that leaders will discuss about a short-term programme to deal with Greece's immediate needs and a medium-term programme because "we cannot discuss about Greece every three months." Both programmes will be subject to conditionality, he added.

[17] EU Commissioner Moscovici: Grexit would be a terrible failure

Tuesday's Eurogroup meeting is very important, European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici said upon his arrival to the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, "because we must decide if the negotiations for a new support package to Greece will restart."

"We will examine if it can be done," said Moscovici adding that the Eurogroup expects from the Greek side to present complete, specific and credible proposals in order the deliberations for a new programme to restart.

"Grexit would be a terrible failure," said the French Commissioner and noted that the Greek authorities must explain how they want to act to avoid the worst scenario, which the Commission does not want.

He also underlined that "There are more that one reasons for an agreement" and called all sides to put aside the political games for the benefit of Greece and the benefit of the eurozone. As he said, there are possible technical solutions, but the ball is in the Greek court and Greece should tell us what it wants. On top of everything the proposals of the new Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos must be specific and efficient."

[18] Italian PM says Greece crisis linked to 'what kind of Europe we want'

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi once again referred to the need to resolve the Greek economic crisis on Tuesday, while noting that the problem was bigger than the emergency situation in Greece.

"I am preparing to go to Brussels for yet another discussion regarding Europe. There is, however, a problem that is even greater than the state of emergency in Greece. The problem is related to what kind of Europe we want for the future," Renzi said while speaking at CERN in Geneva.

The Italian prime minister said that all sides needed to employ the utmost ingenuity in order to build a "political and not just economic Europe".

[19] Finland's Stubb says 'door for negotiations remains open'

Finnish Finance Minister Alexander Stubb also stressed that the finance ministers "are not looking at Grexit". He said the Eurogroup respected the result of Greece's referendum and that the door for negotiations remains open but the time until July 20 was short.

He stressed that any financial assistance to Greece will be accompanied by terms and conditionalities and ruled out any negotiation on Greece's debt, noting that this was done in 2012.

Pointing out that Finland is providing 2.5 pct of its GDP in loans to Greece, Stubb stressed that he was coming to the Eurogroup with clear instructions from his national parliament.

Finland's finance minister said he was waiting to hear Greece's positions and proposals, adding that he expected a change of stance from Greece, cooperation and a commitment to terms and conditions in order to move forward.

[20] The proposals of both sides need to reconcile, EU Parliament president Schulz says

We are waiting for Greek government's proposals. The ball is on the other side, he said and added: I presume that the Greek government will table proposals and we will have to negotiate with Greece. In any case a Grexit is unacceptable.

[21] French PM Valls sees basis for an agreement

He added that the debt restructuring is not a "taboo issue."

France, he said, "is convinced" that we cannot "take the risk of a Greek exit from the eurozone for both economic, undoubtedly, reasons ... but mainly for political reasons."

[22] Irish FinMIn Noonan says debt restructuring 'part of negotiations with Greece'

Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan, in a doorstep statement as he arrived for Tuesday's Eurogroup meeting on Greece, said that Ireland considers debt restructuring a part of the negotiations with Greece.

He noted that Ireland has never adopted a tough approach to the issue of Greece and expressed hope that the proposal that Greece will present on Tuesday will be a formal application for a new programme, "which is a sustainable approach".

"We want Greece to remain in the eurozone with a sustainable and medium-term programme," he said.

At the same time, he didn't think decisions would be reached on Tuesday.

"There is a lot to do in a very short period of time, so I don't think we're looking at a conclusion today. But I hope there's proper engagement," he said.

[23] Government sources deny that Greece went to Eurogroup 'without proposals'

"Is [the problem] that we don't have proposals or that they don't like our proposals," the sources commented, noting that the same criticism was levelled at Greece before.

"Just as we didn't have the 47 pages [of proposals], it was the same the Monday before last, the same today," they pointed out bitterly.

[24] Main opposition's political council meeting expresses need for Tsipras to secure deal

"We reiterated that the prime minister must immediately bring an agreement because he doesn't have a mandate to cause a rift, but to find a viable solution, in accordance with the joint statement of political leaders," the council said in a statement.

It also noted banks must open soon to stop the suffering of the Greek people and especially of pensioners, and to ensure bank deposits, as the government has pledged.

The council also recognized the great contribution of former party leader Antonis Samaras and expressed its trust for current president Vangelis Meimarakis.

New Democracy's parliamentary group will convene on Wednesday at 12.00.

[25] State Department spokesperson stresses the need for growth and debt sustainability in Greece

What the US Secretary of State John Kerry wants "is to find a way, a constructive way that will allow Greece to continue the reforms needed and restore growth rates while achieving a level of debt sustainability," Kirby underlined.

"We respect the democratic process in Greece," he said regarding the referendum and added: "Now this is over, and as you heard, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that the position of Greece is in the eurozone and Europe, and expressed the desire to return to the negotiating table immediately."

"We look forward, as we have said from the beginning, to the resumption of talks for a constructive outcome," he said.

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and high-ranking officials of the Finance Ministry and the White House still have close contacts with several partners about the situation in Greece, including officials from Greece, the EU and the IMF, the State Department spokesman added.

"The focus is now on the economic situation in Greece," he stressed.

"Of course we are aware of the position of Greece in Europe geopolitically", he underlined, noting that no one ignores it, but "the focus now is to ensure that all sides in these talks find a constructive way to proceed. This is indeed the best solution for a more stable future for Greece and Europe."

[26] Japan Econ Min Amari calls on Greece, EU to agree win-win situation-Reuters

"Greece and the EU should also take steps to limit the economic impact from the turmoil which has jolted financial markets," Amari said.

The minister spoke after Greek voters' rejection of austerity measures.

"Greece has already done a lot to restore fiscal discipline, such as cutting pensions and wages," Amari told reporters.

"I understand why the Greek people are venting their frustration. Fiscal consolidation is not making progress. They are in deflation. The world expects Greece and the EU to cooperate on a final bail out plan," he added.

[27] New Democracy: Tsipras must bring a deal keeping Greece in the eurozone

Commenting on developments in the ongoing negotiations with Greece's lenders, spokesman Costas Karagounis pointed to the joint decision of the political leader's council meeting on Monday and the pledge by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to find a solution within the Eurozone.

"The government has the responsibility for the negotiations and Mr. Tsipras must bring, as he promised, an agreement which will keep the country in the Eurozone," he added.

[28] SYRIZA MEP Papadimoulis says all sides need to contribute with proposals on Greek crisis

"There won't be a permanent solution today. What is needed now is for every side to contribute positive proposals to the table on how we can be led to a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial solution," Papadimoulis told private radio station SKAI.

The MEP said the Greek side will bring to the table a package of measures which secures fiscal consolidation, reforms in the state, public administration and tax system, less bureaucracy and corruption, in return for a debt write-down and funding for the next 2-3 years, until the country can return to the markets.

"And because this solution requires time to prepare it, we need a bridge agreement which would allow talks for the solution to continue in a more stable and normal environment," Papadimoulis told the station.

"Because if we let things rush towards the cliff, we won't find a solution," he added.

[29] US Treasury Secretary Lew speaks on the phone with PM Tsipras and FinMin Tsakalotos

Lew voiced hope such an outcome "will allow Greece to make difficult but necessary fiscal and structural reforms, return to growth, and achieve debt sustainability within the euro zone," the Treasury statement said, according to Reuters.

Financial News

[30] The banking system will gradually normalize, Alternate FinMin Mardas says

Speaking at Parapolitika radio, Mardas said: "I am not aware of something like that and what banks and the EU have in their minds."

Asked when banks could open, he noted: "We worked yesterday on this. We planned to issue a new legislative act, but because of the developments we felt it appropriate to extend the old regime. On Thursday, a new legislative act will be issued, according to which banks will provide new services. The system will gradually normalize. Not from one day to another. The simplest thing we can say is that the situation is difficult and unprecedented."

[31] Greek gov't has not discussed possibility of haircut on bank deposits, finance ministry says

"No government body has ever discussed the possibility of a haircut on bank deposits. Therefore, any other interpretation of comments made by Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas is arbitrary," the finance ministry said in a statement.

[32] Wages, pensions to be paid normally next week, Economy minister Stathakis tells CNBC

"Greece economy minister Stathakis tells CNBC wages and pensions payments can be made next week with or without a deal," she tweeted, adding that the full interview will be broadcasted at 01.00 am Greek time.

In the interview, Stathakis noted that SYRIZA was voted with a mandate to keep the country in the Eurozone and expressed hope the summit meeting underway in Brussels will conclude with a positive message towards the ECB so that it can increase ELA on Wednesday.

[33] Greek insurance market grew in Jan-May

Alexandros Sarrigeorgiou, president of the Association of Insurance Companies, said that a recent imposition of capital controls in the banking sector puts strong hurdles in the promotion of unit linked programs, and not only, which positively contributed to the growth of premium production in the country. Sarrigeorgiou noted that domestic economic activity cannot operate while banks are closed and urged for a solution to the problem urgently.

[34] Athens Stock Exchange to remain closed until July 8

The regulated market and the Multilateral Trading Facility of "EN.A" (Alternative Market) of the Athens Exchange will continue to remain closed

The Electronic Secondary Market "HDAT" for bonds, of the Bank of Greece will continue to remain closed

Redemption of mutual funds' units will continue to be suspended

The clearing of securities traded on the Greek market and the Multilateral Trading Facility "EN.A", effected by the ATHEXClear, will continue to be suspended and

The cash settlement of securities traded on the Greek markets, effected by the Hellenic Central Securities Depository, will continue to be suspended

[35] Passenger traffic up 21.9 pct in Athens airport in June

Domestic traffic totaled 660,759 passengers in June, from 531,704 in the same month last year, while international traffic totaled 1.2 million passengers, from 1.0 million last year. Greek travelers grew 10 pct while foreign passengers rose by 29 pct.

In the six-month period from January to June, passenger traffic totaled around 8.0 million passengers, up 23 pct from the same period last year. Domestic traffic totaled 2,886,832 passengers in the first half, up 27 pct, while international traffic totaled 5,086,256, up 21 pct. Greek travelers grew 18 pct while foreign visitors rose 28 pct in the first half.

The number of flights in the Athens International Airport rose 18.2 pct in June to 18,000, with domestic flights rising 18.7 pct and international flights rising 17.8 pct (7,840 and 10,169 respectively).

In the first half, the number of flights totaled 80,000, up 17.4 pct from the same period last year. Domestic flights rose 13.9 pct and international flights rose 20.1 pct.

General News

[36] Greek coast guard reports rescue of 518 irregular migrants since Monday morning

It said the incidents occurred near the islands of Samothrace, Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Kos.

[37] Greek, Turkish coast guard rescue 21 migrants in Aegean sailboat sinking

Greek authorities have rescued 6 people, while Turkish rescue teams, which are also participating in the operation, have picked up 13 migrants, raising the total number to 21.

Both countries are continuing their efforts to find survivors.

[38] Free transport means measure in Athens extended

The measure is applied in Athens where transport means are public as part of government's solidarity effort to support the citizens.

Weather forecast

[39] Mostly fair on Wednesday

[40] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: Neck or nothing

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The 'no' of the people, the 'yes' of the leaders

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Agreement or Grexit

ESTIA: Realism to dominate

ETHNOS: End of time for a solution before the disaster

IMERISSIA: Final effort - Crucial day for an agreement

KATHIMERINI: The summit that judges the Grexit

NAFTEMPORIKI: The consensus delayed

RIZOSPASTIS: The people has not given a mandate for signing a new memorandum

TA NEA: The background of Yanis Varoufakis' escape

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