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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-06-10Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM Papandreou calls for 'transcending party walls'Prime Minister George Papandreou on Friday evening invited political parties to "transcend walls", while addressing the nation in a televised speech made at the Maximos Mansion on the Mid-term fiscal restructuring programme for 2012-2015 which was ratified by the cabinet on Thursday and tabled in Parliament the same day.Papandreou said Greece's position will be stronger "if we go to the EU summit on June 23 and 24 with common positions" and called for proposals by all for the measures announced to become fairer and more effective. He also said he is prepared to place in crucial crucial sectors people of common acceptance, while appearing optimistic over the country's exit from the crisis and the recession, emphasising that the political world's common stance will make the effort even more effective. Underlining that "transcending party walls symbolises the necessary mood for change," Papandreou said that it constitutes proof of the country's seriousness towards its partners-creditors as well as towards its own effort. Appealing once again for national consensus, Papandreou pointed out that "our decisions can have greater duration, can break resistance emanating from small or big interests that do not want us together. That do not want change." "At the Ministerial Council yesterday (Thursay) we took a unanimous decision on the Mid-term Fiscal Strategy Programme. For the first time we have a systematic and detailed timetable for our economic policy," Papandreou said. "And to this programme our plan comes to be added on, in which great changes are included. An integrated plan for our future. This plan is not the product of a bureaucratic process. It took place following systematic consultation and understanding processes with other parties, with the Parliamentary Group of (ruling) PASOK, with social partners. And it includes great changes everywhere," he added. Papandreou further said the changes include changes in the political system, education, the functioning of public administration "so that we can build a workable state. In the welfare system, supporting the most vulnerable, the weaker, the unemployed. In growth, for the reform of our production model. The liberation of the healthy forces of our homeland." The prime minister also said "for this reason I call once again on all, and until the vote, as well as after, during the implementation of this programme, to submit every useful proposal of theirs. Every fair proposal that will distribute even better the burdens of this crisis or whatever fruits of growth." Papandreou went on to say that "we have before us a new, difficult, tough negotiation in the European Union. At the upcoming summit, at the end of June, I shall do my duty as always. For the best possible result." He stressed that "I am fully aware of the difficulties, the anxiety that the Greek family is experiencing daily. The concern and insecurity. I also know that it is up to us to exit from the crisis." Papandreou added that "we must make it the greatest opportunity for serious changes in our country. And we shall not abandon the struggle in the middle of the course. We shall exit from the crisis and we shall exit quicker and we shall enter growth more effectively as long as we work together, all the Greeks. Because I am well aware that we can succeed together. Fot the benefit of Greece. To guarantee the future of our children." © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |