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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-05-24Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Give us time for the changesPrime minister George Papandreou ruled out the prospect of renegotiation of the country's debt, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, adding that Greece was doing everything that needs to be done, and is only asking for time to make the necessary changes. He also stressed that it is a matter of credibility for the country to repay the loans it has received."It is a matter of credibility for the country to return the money it has borrowed," Papandreou said. The premier reiterated that the economic measures being taken by his government are tough but necessary, adding that the reason the measures are so painful is because Greece must prove to the international community that it is prepared for sacrifices. He also put blame on the preceding government for the situation, due to bad management, as well as on extensive tax evasion and corruption. Papandreou further noted the role played by speculators, stressing that the international community had not reacted promptly, and pointed out that what happened in Greece could have happened in any other country. "Give us time to make the changes that need to be made," the premier said. Stressing that Greece has done all that needed to be done, he addressed himself to Greece's EU partners and called on them to contribute to Greece's development which, he added, will benefit Europe as well. [02] ND discussing with all political forcesMain opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras said that ND is now discussing with the entire spectrum of political forces while, on the in-party front, he stressed that the party cadres will be evaluated on a daily basis, in comments during a newspaper interview.Speaking in an interview with the Sunday newspaper Eleftherotypia and referring to his meeting with leaders of the Left, said that "New Democracy now speaks with the entire spectrum of political forces, a privilege that PASOK exclusively had until now." Samaras explained in his interview why he voted against the economic measures taken by the government, saying that he applies his policy on the criterion of tomorrow and "is giving the Greek economy an alternative option, outside the vicious circle of recession" and "an alternative solution to political life, so that it will have something to hold on to and to hope for." Asked about the possibility of participation in coalition governments, he replied that "the country needs the implementation of a totally different programme and not fine balances in the framework of a fragile government". To another question, Samaras referred to the party's Evaluation Committee, adding that the Committee will deal every day with the evaluation and renewal of the ND cadres, and not only before elections. [03] Makrinitsa, the 'balcony' of Mt. PelionThe first references to the community of Makrinitsa on Mt Pelion, Magnesia Prefecture in central Greece, date back to 1204 and since then it has played a major role in the regionās history as well as in the local economic and social life. It is located roughly 18 km from Volos, the capital city of the prefecture, and is among the most traditional settlements in Greece with exceptional architectural characteristics.Visitors to the picturesque village of Makrinitsa, also called the "balcony of Mt Pelion" for the panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf, can see numerous mansions, two Towers, churches and unique fortified houses dating back to late 17th and early 18th century, cobbled paths, traditional stone-built fountains, stone-built arched bridges and beautiful squares. The village is a major tourist destination and the main occupations of the local population are farming and woodcutting, while there are also many builders specializing in stone-carving and the maintenance and construction of stone-built traditional houses. Makrinitsa also features the Pelion Folk Art and History Museum, an Environmental Education Center, as well as a traditional coffee house decorated with an original large fresco by folk painter Theofilos. It is an all-year-round tourist destination located close to the Hania ski resort and the beaches at the foothills of southeastern Pelion. [04] Greece in IMEX trade showDeputy culture and tourism minister George Nikitiadis and tourism secretary general George Poussaios are due in Germany on Wednesday for a series of meetings in Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart.In Frankfurt, Nikitiadis will visit the Greek pavilion at the IMEX international trade show for conference tourism, the most important fair of its kind in the world. Nikitiadis will hold talks with conference tourism officials and tour operators. In Munich and Stuttgart, he will hold talks with local culture and tourism officials, while Poussaios will visit Hamburg in tandem for meetings with tourism officials. [05] Deficit down 41.5% in Jan-AprGreeceās state budget deficit dropped 41.5 pct in the January-April period to 6.313 billion euros, down from 10.791 billion euros in the corresponding period last year, the finance ministry announced.In a report, the ministry attributed the fiscal deficit in the first four months of the year to lower spending and higher revenues, despite the fact that figures did not fully reflect additional cost-cutting measures announced in March and May. Net budget revenues grew 10 pct in the January-April period, down from a budget target for an annual growth rate of 11.7 pct, budget spending fell 7.9 pct (budget target of 4.8 pct), primary spending fell 8.6 pct (budget target of 4.4 pct) and interest spending fell 4.6 pct ( budget target of 5.1 pct). The Public Investments Programmeās spending dropped 39.1 pct, while revenues were down 39.8 pct in the four month period. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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