Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou on econ policy, foreign policy goals

[02] LA.OS leader tours Evia

[01] Papandreou on econ policy, foreign policy goals

Papandreou underlined that major decisions needed to be taken to deal with the ongoing economic crisis, which is part of a wider crisis the country is undergoing in its social state, education, health, the environment, and an ineffective state mechanism, as he said.

The PASOK leader said he was confident that a collective effort by citizens, wage-earners, the business world and all creative forces of the country could lead the nation out of this crisis and return to growth, creating new wealth.

"A wealth equally distributed, because today two different policy views are clashing. A view calling for cutbacks and another calling for investments; a view calling for shrinkage and another for investments. PASOK knows that Greece is a country of countless possibilities, and it has proven that it knows how to take advantage of them," he said.

Press conference on Sunday

A day later, Papandreou gave a wide-ranging press interview on the TIF premises, which covered the gamut of domestic and foreign affairs, and even delved into internal party issues.

Among others, the former foreign minister was again asked over the funding for his announced programmes and investments, to which he replied that a drastic cut in wasteful state spending and the abolition of favorable tax regimes, referring specifically to banks, will generate the necessary funds.

Foreign policy

Asked about foreign policy issues, Papandreou repeated that there are distinct "red lines" as far as the thorny "name issue" with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) is concerned.

More importantly, Papandreou said he has not "given up the right" of veto when asked about neighbouring Turkey's European prospects and the crucial European Council meeting in December. He said his decision will be taken after an evaluation of the steps made by Ankara vis-?-vis the Cyprus issue and bilateral relations.

In continuing on relations involving EU-Turkey and Greek-Turkish relations, Papandreou stated that he believes the Helsinki agreement is still in force, with the veto option still on the table for Athens, an option he charged was abandoned by ruling ND.

Finally, he emphasised that a re-negotiation for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project is necessary, terming the contract for the project as too generous for third parties and not in favor of the Greek side. "PASOK started the project and PASOK will conclude it," he said.

[02] LA.OS leader tours Evia

Karatzaferis inspected damage caused by the inclement weather and attended a special municipal council session in the municipality of Vassiliko, saying that "this plight that has begun 30 years ago cannot continue, we are burning in August and drowning in September."

According to a LA.OS announcement, Karatzaferis offered a party donation of 30,000 euros to the municipality.

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