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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-06-29Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] EU leaders: There is no 'Plan B'BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA) -- The only way to avoid an immediate default is for Greece's Parliament to approve a revised economic programme, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said here on Tuesday.In a written statement issued in Brussels, the Commissioner stressed that: "This week Greece faces a critical juncture. Both the future of the country and financial stability in Europe are at stake. I fully respect the prerogatives and the sovereignty of the Greek Parliament in the ongoing debate. And I trust that the Greek political leaders are fully aware of the responsibility that lies on their shoulders to avoid default. "The only way to avoid immediate default is for Parliament to endorse the revised economic programme. The programme includes both the medium-term fiscal strategy and the privatisation programme. They must be approved if the next tranche of financial assistance is to be released. (ANA-MPA) "To those who speculate about other options, let me say this clearly: there is no Plan B to avoid default. On their part, European Council President Herman van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also appealed to Greece's political leadership, MPs in particular, to vote for the medium-term fiscal strategy in Parliament. Both underlined that "there is no other way" and that those, who misleadingly maintain that there is, should assume their responsibility for likely "grave consequences". (ANA-MPA) Speaking before the European Parliament here, they stated that in case of a negative vote, the consequences will be heavy not only on the Greek and the European economy but on the global economy as well. Barroso underlined that the Greek economy should regain its lost credibility, adding that the lack of it is apparent considering the mass transfers of Greek capital to banks abroad. He said that the process is painful, adding that there is no magic solution and pointed out that there is no other way than the materialization of the programme agreed between Greece, the EU and the IMF. He stressed that for years, Greece had lived beyond its means and that today the EU is willing to help it correct the imbalances provided that Greece wants to be helped. He expressed the wish that the Greek MPs, whose opinion he will respect, will opt for the one and only correct path there is. European Council President van Rompuy praised the Greek government's determination to implement the necessary measures despite the social tension, adding that he is fully aware of how difficult a task this can be from the time he served as the finance minister of Belgium. (ANA-MPA) © 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 [02] Samaras: 'No' vote to impassesANA-MPA/Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, speaking in Parliament on Tuesday during the debate on the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy Framework said his party will vote against it in its entirety and in a coordinated fashion, "as every serious political organisation must do, because its assessments are untenable, its predictions are conflicting and it is economically ineffective and counter-productive."ana-mpaSamaras also criticised Prime Minister George Papandreou, accusing him that with his policy "he achieved both socialism and barbarism." The ND leader called on deputies to reject the "false dilemmas and to vote against the government's impasses" and accused the ruling PASOK party of "having a talent in blackmailing the people." Samaras pointed out that "Mr. Papandreou lately invokes patriotism when he is about to take painful measures. But patriotism means a collective effort so as to make our country better. PASOK remembers patriotism when it is going to blackmail for even worse woes. For us patriotism has a meaning when it speaks the language of freedom, not coercion, and when it opens paths of prospect and hope." The main opposition leader counter-proposed to the medium-term programme a "creative shock" in the Greek economy combined with balancing social cohesion measures, highlighting the rejection of the medium-term programme by ND as an example of its seriousness and courage to oppose a mistaken policy, both inside the country and in the EU. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [03] FM to participate in SEECP summit in MontenegroANA-MPA/Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis will pay a two-day visit to Montenegro on Wednesday and Thursday, representing Greece at the ministerial session and summit of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) that will be held in the city of Bundva.The representatives of the countries of southeastern Europe will discuss the situation in southeastern Europe and the proposal by the General Secretary of the Regional Cooperation Council on cooperation in southeastern Europe 2010-2011. Apart from the Process' sessions, the new Greek foreign minister will have the opportunity of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the region. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [04] Crucial vote on Mid-Term programmeThe Greek parliament votes on Wednesday on a crucial Medium-Term fiscal programme, amidst a general labor strike and severe criticism by the opposition, but also bickering within the government and ruling party themselves.The vote on the "Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy Framework 2012-2015", is scheduled at 14:00 on Wednesday in the parliament plenary, at the end of a heated three-day debate, while vote on the fiscal programme's Implementation Law is due at noon on Thursday. Ratification of the Medium-Term fiscal programme and its Implementation Law has been set out by the EU as a condition for the smooth financing of Greece. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [05] 15 arrests in Athens violenceANA-MPA/A total of 15 people were arrested and 22 others were taken in for questioning late Tuesday night during violence outside parliament in central Syntagma Square between riot police and protestors.Also, 38 police officers were injured in the incidents, according to police sources. The incidents broke out as the parliamentary plenary was discussing the Medium-Term fiscal programme that will bring another round of tough austerity measures, which is due to be voted on at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.ana-mpa The violence broke out as hundreds of black-hooded individuals marred an otherwise peaceful mass demonstration, throwing stones and other objects at MAT riot police, who responded with tear gas, turning the atmosphere in the Greek capital's main square stifling. Striking workers earlier staged protest rallies, then marched to Syntagma where they joined the Greek Indignants' protestors, who on Wednesday embark on their 6th week of demonstrations outside parliament. A 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday was called by the country's two main umbrella federations, GSEE and ADEDY, representing the private and public sectors respectively. Debate on the government's Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy Framework 2012-2015 concludes in the parliament plenary at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by a vote in the 300-member unicameral House, while the vote on the fiscal programme's Implementation Law will be held at noon on Thursday. Ratification of the Medium-Term fiscal programme and its Implementation Law has been set out by the EU as a condition for the smooth financing of Greece. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [06] Papoulias in RomaniaBucharest (ANA-MPA/F. Karavviti) -- Greek President Karolos Papoulias, on a state visit to Romania, expressed optimism that Greece will win the battle of the economic crisis, but "not with a leveling recipe", during a dinner in his honor hosted by Romanian President Traian Basescu on Tuesday night.Papoulias also stressed the need for the weaker strata of society, the low salary and pension earners and unemployed, to be protected. The President also outlined Greece's policy on the Balkans, and Athens' backing of the European prospect of the Western Balkans countries.ana-mpa On FYROM in particular, Papoulias underlined that "Greece aspires to a solution that will reflect the reality of the region. A definitive name for all uses (erga omnes)". "Unfortunately, however, the Skopje government continues to feed the frenzy of nationalism," Papoulias said, warning that "one does not acquire a historic past by putting up statues", referring to a giant statue of Alexander the Great put up last week in the FYROM capital. On the Cyprus issue, the Greek president reiterated the pressing need for an end to be put to the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island republic and for a viable, functional and European solution to be reached. Basescu, in turn, voiced understanding and full support for the "tough measures that Greece is obliged to take", adding that Romania is ready to enhance bilateral cooperation to the benefit of both peoples. He also thanked Papoulias once again for Greece's support to Romania's Euro-Atlantic orientation, and for its stance on the issue of Romania joining the Schengen zone. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [07] Metro running normally(ANA-MPA) -- The Athens Metro will operate as normal on Wednesday, following the decision taken by the metro rail operators' union to suspend their industrial actions.Consequently, the metro will operate normally over the next two days, while the same union proposes that, provided volunteers are found, its operation to continue during Tuesday night to Wednesday June 29, for continuous service to be provided for whatever demonstrators head to central Athens to protest. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [08] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe vote on the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy Framework in parliament under Europe's pressure, and the ongoing strikes and rallies, dominated the headlines on Wednesday ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Athens again a hell!" AVGHI: "In Syntagma Square, the people vote". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Ruling PASOK deputies condemn the Mid-term programme, but they will vote for it". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Vote with the people's tears". ESTIA: "Greece once again the top headline". ETHNOS: "Brussels places terror dilemmas". IMERISSIA: "Fever in banks - July's crucial decisions will act as a catalyst in the sector". KATHIMERINI: "EU's ultimata and promises". NAFTEMPORIKI: "European 'ultimatum' for the crucial vote". RIZOSPASTIS: "PAME's (Communist Party of Greece affiliated Labour organisation) rallies and the strikes were a major success". TA NEA: "Emergency vote". VRADYNI: "The para-state struck again". More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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