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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-02-23Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Venizelos: Greece closely watching developments in UkraineANA-MPA -- Government vice-president and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Sunday referred to developments in Ukraine before departing for Budapest to attend the Visegrad+3 Ministerial Meeting on Monday."We are watching closely the rapid developments in Ukraine in cooperation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton," he said, adding that "now more than ever, it is necessary for Ukrainian officials to realise their historical responsibility and adopt consensus, democratic solutions that will safeguard their country's national unity and integrity". "We welcome the release of Yulia Tymoshenko and express hope that this development will contribute to a return to normalcy and to a restoration of the state of law," he said, noting that everybody should realise that democratic dialogue and not violence is the only way out of the crisis. [02] Tsipras: SYRIZA wants to become new democratic party of the LeftANA-MPA -- In an interview with 'Vima' newspaper on Sunday, main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras spoke about the government he intends to form if his party wins the national elections, his positions on crucial issues and the negotiation in Europe on the "Greek issue". He expressed certainty that national elections will be held soon after the European elections and pledged that his government will also include personalities that do not belong to SYRIZA."SYRIZA aspires to become the new democratic party of the Left," Tsipras said, adding that his party "attracts conservative citizens as well, because PASOK and ND do not express the middle class anymore". He said that if elected, he will launch a negotiation and will call for an EU summit meeting on the debt issue, focusing on "collective, solidarity-based handling of the public debt crisis" which will be "the starting point of a well-planned, cool-headed and, at the same time, tough and assertive negotiation". "We will not make unilateral moves. But we will not hesitate to make them if it is necessary to protect national interest," Tsipras said, underlining that "everybody knows that an intolerance toward Greece could 'wake up' many dormant 'debt volcanoes' in Europe". Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou responded to Tsipras' interview, underlining that "Mr. Tsipras threatens to unilaterally suspend debt repayment spending, thus leading the country to bankruptcy and out of the eurozone". "The systematic defamation of our country by Mr. Tsipras and political absurdity have limits," Kedikoglou added. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |