Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-10-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Commissioner Kuneva on electricity prices in Europe

[02] PASOK spokesman on ND abstention from Parliamentary discussion

[03] Parliament ratifies bill on loan holder protection

[01] EU Commissioner Kuneva on electricity prices in Europe

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference held in Thessaloniki by the European Commission's Greek Representation in Greece, the European Parliament Office and Cedefop, the Commissioner responsible for consumer protection issues said that "we want to bring prices down and we shall succeed, if there is competition. Our aim is for the bond between the network owner and the electric power distributor to be cut so that the consumer will be able to choose better suppliers. The tool for this is the 3rd legislative package for energy."

Among other things, the Commission will be placing "under a microscope" electricity markets in the EU and taking measures if big differences in prices are ascertained between neighbouring countries, following close observation.

"If energy is much more expensive or much more cheaper in a certain country we must find out how and why this is taking place," she clarified.

The EU will also aim at, from this year already, putting the consumers themselves in the "game" of claiming better prices, activating the complaints and reports apparatus to enable pressures to be exerted on supplier companies.

The beginning for the consumers' more systematic activation will be taking place in London on October 27-28, where the Citizens' Energy Forum will be convening. The aim is to have the Forum participating actively in the shaping of legislation in the sector.

[02] PASOK spokesman on ND abstention from Parliamentary discussion

Papaconstantinou said that the Vatopedi issue was a "reality show" and added that "they (the government) are irresponsible, fatal and dangerous," while speaking of an "institutional deviation with which the ND is annuling Parliament in practice in order to achieve a writeoff."

Referring to Wednesday's discussion in Parliament, the spokesman said that the "citizens judged in listening to the president and the cadres of PASOK speaking of the need for us to turn to the problems of the citizen and for us to leave the scandals without, however, anybody remaining unpunished for actions he has committed."

[03] Parliament ratifies bill on loan holder protection

On the occasion of the tabling of the bill on "the strengthening of the fluidity of the economy to handle the repercussions of the international monetary crisis," Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis said that with the government's plan "the participation of the Greek state in bank capital with privileged shares is anticipated for up to five billion, that will have a guaranteed 10 percent yield."

Alogoskoufis said that these privileged shares will be valid for five years and will give the Greek state the right to appoint a member of the Administrative Council at the boards of the banks that will be participating in this programme.

He also said that it will give the Greek state the right to appoint a representative at its Administrative Council, who will have the right to veto with regard to the distribution of their profits, while he should also have to agree with the policy concerning remuneration for the senior members of banks.

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