Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras calls for drastic solutions to combat unemployment

[02] COSCO, shipping ministry sign memorandum on Pier III

[03] All bank deposits up to 100,000 euros fully guaranteed, finance ministry says

[01] PM Samaras calls for drastic solutions to combat unemployment

"The biggest challenge facing Europe is unemployment, mainly youth unemployment," the prime minister stated, adding that "in countries like Greece, unemployment has skyrocketed causing huge social cohesion problems. We should think creatively and try to find solutions and adopt drastic measures that can be implemented immediately."

High youth unemployment is expected to dominate the meeting of European leaders, as well as action to restore liquidity in the Europe's economy.

Shortly before the summit officially begins, European leaders met European trade union organisations and employer unions for a briefing on action planned to boost youth employment. Unions and employers will present an action plan giving priority to training and the transitional period between school and the first professional experience in work and enterprise.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is demanding a plan for growth and employment financed by around 1-2 pct of the European Union's GDP, as well as an end to austerity policies. Employers, on their part, are demanding structural reforms and easier financing of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Based on the draft summit conclusions, the 27 EU member-states are encouraging a re-programming of any unallocated funds in EU structural funds, which are to be redirected toward vocational training and employment programmes targeting young people.

[02] COSCO, shipping ministry sign memorandum on Pier III

The agreement was signed by COSCO Piraeus Container Terminal, Piraeus Port Organisation (OLP) and Greece's privatisations agency Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) in order to allow the extension of the west side of Pier III at Ikonio, Piraeus.

Capt. Wei noted that a Chinese fund has already expressed interest in the old Athens airport site at Elliniko, pointing to the recent construction of an artificial hotel-island in Dubai as an example, and expressed confidence in the Greek government and Greek enterprise.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the support given to COSCO since 2002 by successive Greek governments and OLP Chairman Giorgos Anomeritis.

Varvitsiotis underlined that the container terminal was a major investment for Greece and Piraeus and described Capt. Wei as a "great friend of Greece" who had been inspired to carry out today's investments in Piraeus port from the start.

"Today the foundations are laid so that we can continue what we saw inaugurated on Wednesday, which began in 2002 with the first discussion until the agreement reached in 2008 and its finalisation in 2009," he said.

Under the agreement signed on Thursday, COSCO PCT will undertake to construct the west part of Pier III and, in the same spot, will construct a new petroleum products station that will be paid off by the Greek state over 15 years. As an offset benefit, a tourist port will be constructed in Perama in collaboration with the Perama municipality.

[03] All bank deposits up to 100,000 euros fully guaranteed, finance ministry says

It added that in Greece, where banks have already received funds of 50 billion euros, deposits are fully secured in their entirety.

Any rumors to the contrary appearing in the mass media are absolutely incorrect, the press release said.

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