Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-07-13

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Decisions of historic importance

[02] Papoulias visit to Palestinian territories

[03] Samaras on early elections

[04] FinMin on selective default

[05] British tourist fatally stabbed

[06] Illegal migrants deportation

[07] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM: Decisions of historic importance

He also announced his intention to take continuous initiatives for a final and viable solution to be given to the country's debt problem, in the interest of Greece and Europe.

He stressed that Greece must constantly be on the alert and consistently meet the obligations it has taken on.ana-mpa

The Greek government had warned from the start that the crisis was not confined to Greece and had proposed specific ways in which Europe might intervene that had not been heard by the conservative majority, Papandreou noted. Now, he added, more and more people were coming to realise what was happening.ana-mpa

In the period when Greece was trying to convince about the extent of the problem, the profiteers were acting unobstructed and the credit rating firms were exceeding, as is the case today as well, the jurisdictions and the authoriuty of national parliaments, the prime minister also pointed out.ana-mpa

Papandreou further reminded that he had said from the beginning that an overall European solution is necessary, placing as first issue the managing of the debt, secondly the need for restructuring and of the participation of the banking and monetary system in the solving of the crisis and thirdly there should be a wide European growth programme.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[02] Papoulias visit to Palestinian territories

Moreover, he said the Arab peace initiative remains a significant tool for the international community towards this goal.

Papoulias nevertheless expressed his concern over the current impasse in direct negotiations, while saying he is satisfied with the programme to boost state institutions and efforts by Abbas towards internal Palestinian rapprochement and the unity of the Palestinian people. ana-mpa

On his part, Abbas referred to Papoulias as a "great visitor and friend", while thanking him for Athens' efforts to solve the Mideast problem on every level.ana-mpa

The Palestinian leader also called for the lifting of a naval blockade against the Gaza Strip, "so that people can live a normal live; so that the area can be rebuilt and for economic prosperity to occur."

Caption:Visiting Greek president Karolos Papoulias (R) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) walk during a welcoming ceremony in the West bank town of Ramallah on 12 July 2011. Papoulias is on a state visit to the Palestinian territories.ANA-MPA/ EPA/ATEF SAFADI

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[03] Samaras on early elections

"We called for and we want the elections, they can take place at any moment, for this reason I extend a battle alert for all. There are no vacations this year," Samaras said. He added that "I shall not allow inertia and personal strategies. We are all together with society, by the side of the people. Our aim is to approach every citizen, whatever he had been voting until today and convince him. The moments are not usual nor the struggle alert I am extending." ana-mpa

Samaras appeared optimistic and certain that he will win the elections and said that "we shall rule to make a break with the past and correct the mistakes of the past. Greece possesses inexhaustible wealth, human and natural resources. It is not condemned to fail. Their policies failed, not Greece. Our views are finding recognition and international support. In the struggle alert there is no enemy except for our bad selves."ana-mpa

He criticised the government, accusing it that its predictions failed: "Instead of the deficit decreasing by 4 percent which they had predicted for the first six months, it registered an increase of 28 percent and if they did not curb the public investments programme it would be increased by 70 percent."

Samaras clarified once again that he would vote for the new loan contract only if it is combined with a change in economic policy in the direction of growth and insisted on renegotiating again, for the development of the Greek economy to be achieved.ana-mpa

Lastly, he said that he is in favour of the utilisation of public property and not a sellout and that for this reason ND is participating in the Privatisations Committee.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[04] FinMin on selective default

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister stressed that the government was "open" to all issues within this framework. Venizelos underlined that the term "selective default" should not scare people.

"It is not a real bankruptcy, not a real financial event. It is an evaluation of three credit rating agencies on state bonds. If we are calm, prudent and we implement our plan, we can take advantage of everything to our benefit. The term guarantees included in an official statement issued by the Eurogroup does not refer to Greece but the assault on the euro currency," the minister said, adding "if we face any issue of guarantee mechanisms, we must do it, on the precondition that there will be a cut in interest rates, longer debt repayment and bond repurchase."

Venizelos stressed that Greece wants a "crystal clear" and strong message combined with a full coverage of the country's financial system either from the European Central Bank, other EU member-states or the EFSF.

Commenting on the country's banking system, the Finance minister said that a stress test will have a positive impact on the banking system and will help to the stabilization of the market.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[05] British tourist fatally stabbed

The deceased man was fatally stabbed when he and four friends of his squabbled with a taxi driver and a friend, also a taxi driver, outside the club at about 4:30 a.m.

The perpetrator was arrested by police three hours later at his home, and has confessed to the stabbing. The second taxi driver was also arrested for complicity.ana-mpa

The perpetrator said he threw the knife into the sea after the incident, indicating the spot to police, who have recovered the weapon.ana-mpa

According to first reports, the cab driver told police the tourists had been eating at a fast food restaurant across the street from the club and were harassing them with lasers, and he and his friend got initially involved in a heated verbal argument with them before he took the knife from his taxi.

The dead man was tentatively identified as Robert James Sevvage, from Basingstoke, south central England.

Initial reports said that he suffered a stab wound to the heart. The other four Britons, who are not in serious condition, also suffered stab wounds in the back and other parts of the body.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[06] Illegal migrants deportation

According to a relevant circular by Interior Minister Haris Kastanidis, a harmonised procedure is being enacted, at the level of EU member-states, for the return of a citizen from a third country staying illegally, to end his illegal stay.

"Illegal residence" is the characterisation for the presence in Greek territory of every citizen of a third country who "does not fullfill or no longer fulfills entry preconditions, as determined in article 5 of the Schengen's Border Code, or the rest of the preconditions for entry, residence or stay, of the existing legislation."

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

[07] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Fears of the crisis debt spreading in the eurozone, the extraordinary EU Summit on Friday and the drop in university base entry grades, dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Interior Ministry speeds up deportations".

AVRIANI: "They cannot save Greece because all of Europe is sinking".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Dive in university base entry grades".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Selective bankruptcy on the table".

ESTIA: "State revenues collapsing".

IMERISSIA: "Extraordinary Summit on Friday - Now they're 'running' for the debt".

KATHIMERINI: "Selective bankruptcy on the table".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Extraordinary Summit with all scenarios open".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Knives unsheathed in EU over the debt".

TA NEA: "Base entry grades in most-wanted university Schools collapse".

VRADYNI: "Panic over Europe's irresolution".

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article