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Monday, 23 December 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-02-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM reaffirms volition to implement pension reformsPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis reaffirmed his determination to carry on with reforms, regardless of the cost, speaking in Parliament on Friday during an off-the-agenda discussion on reform of the country's creaky social security system, a debate that was called by the premier himself.At the same time, he announced that funding of a newly instituted "social security solidarity account" would come from 10 percent of the total annual revenues from the privatisation of public utilities and various state-owned enterprises and organisations (known by the Greek acronym "DEKO"), 4 percent of the annual VAT revenues, and 10 percent of monies collected by social security agencies from social resources. Stressing that the above funding would be forthcoming from social resources and not social security funds' reserves, Karamanlis said "it is the minimum contribution to the weaker members of the (social security) system and the young generation", and "a fundamental expression of social solidarity". Outlining the government's proposals for resolving problems faced by Greece's social security system, Karamanlis said relevant decisions "exceed the boundaries of the governmental term in office", and that the goal of the bill on reforming the system that will be tabled in parliament is to set immediately into motion the necessary and urgent changes. "It is our obligation to not allow the conservatism of the few to become a dam to the interests of the many," Karamanlis said, adding that his government's choice was to build an increasingly just system that will not be at risk of collapse, that will not impose on some others in the near future to cut back benefits from the many, nor to detract services from the young generation. "The strategy of reforms cannot be disrupted, suspended or stopped," he said. Karamanlis said the reform strategy, for his government, was non-negotiable, and that he would not compromise with the reactionism of the few and "accommodated", nor would he allow the interest of the many to be sacrificed to petty-partisan or guild-mentality expediencies. "We will not overlook the risks that young people will be called on to face in a few years' time, if we do not take measures immediately," he stressed. Criticising the opposition and certain social agencies, Karamanlis said the deliberate downgrading of existing problems was a "hypocritical attitude", that inertia was, in essence, shirking one's responsibility, and that reaction to necessary reforms was a choice of social indifference, stressing that "we will not become party to that". He further stressed that no transient political cost could take precedence over or outweigh the cost that society will pay if weaknesses of the social security system are not tackled immediately. "I am determined to carry on, at any cost necessary, on the road that guarantees security and certainty for the many; on the road that leads to a more cohesive and more just society, the road that the youth deserve, the road that we agreed on with the citizens," Karamanlis said, adding that reform was an imperative obligation and need arising from the reality of the past and the forecasts on the demographic challenges. The prime minister further said a fundamental priority of his government was the responsible confrontation of the multi-fragmented state of the social security system, with its 155 social security funds, overseen by five different ministries. "In a healthy, redistributed system, the ratio of working people and pensioners will be 4:1, against the current ratio of 1.75:1," he explained. Karamanlis also assured that the primary parameters of the social security system would not be changed "The general retirement ages are not being increased. Contributions will not increase. Pensions will not be reduced. Matured pension rights will not be touched in any instance. Most of the changes will commence after long transition periods, to be completed gradually over a lengthy period of time". "It is our duty to dare, to agree, to carry out the reforms, in a moderate and just manner, for the interests of the many," the prime minister said, stressing that the social security reforms were society's demand but also the obligation of all the political forces and agencies, "a duty to the many, to the financially weaker, to the youth and, in the bottom line, to the country". Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek PM Costas Karamanlis. [02] Mass transports, power grid returning to normalMass transit in Athens was gradually returning to normal late Monday morning following heavy snowfall over the weekend, which blanketed the Greek capital and much of the country. According to the transport ministry, the Athens metro, the suburban rail lines and half of the electric rail line were operating without problems, while Athens' tram network and the nationwide railway service were also running on schedule. Continued low visibility at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport caused the cancellation of scores of flights on Monday. A total of 151 of the 461 scheduled flights were cancelled, while less than 20 flights had taken off since the morning. Only the OA flights from Johannesburg and New York managed to land in Athens. Even if the weather improves, long delays are expected to continue due to the interrupted flight schedule. Meanwhile, power outrages continued to mostly affecting Aegean islands and Crete. According to the Public Power Corp. (PPC), 24 mountainous villages on Crete were without electricity. Power outages continued on the Cyclades islands of Andros and Tinos and in parts of Syros, Kythnos and Milos. Similar problems plagued parts of large Evia island, as well as a handful of outlying districts around the greater Athens area.Caption: A snow-covered Acropolis Hill appears in the sunny background on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in a west by northwest view from the historic Areospagus Hill. The Acropolis archaeological site was closed on Monday due to the snow and ice on most of its surfaces. ANA-MPA / SIMELA PANTZARTZI. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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