Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin Varoufakis 'tables' alternative Quantitative Easing proposal

[02] Alternate Culture Minister: We are searching for historic truths not for famous dead

[01] FinMin Varoufakis 'tables' alternative Quantitative Easing proposal

Varoufakis explained that "in this way the problems of the European Central Bank would be solved because it would buy only one paper with triple A evaluation, without being interested on the other countries' bonds and "the problems that the quantitative easing programme faced in other occasions and will continue to face more and more in Europe would be avoided because the investments sector is overrated and the efforts for the restart of the investments fails... This kind of Quantitative Easing in cooperation with the European Investments Bank would offer direct support to the investments".

He also said that he would like this proposed Quantitative Easing to be named "Merkel programme".

In his speech Varoufakis also noted "Loans were given to countries that have debts, as my country, under special procedures. The final result was the transition, in terms of losses, from the banks' audit books to the European tax payers. In this way, the whole burden of the crisis fell on the countries that were facing the biggest difficulties. The result was apparent in markets for approximately two years. Mario Draghi faced the condition in the summer of 2012 with great courage. Unfortunately, this successful intervention, even if it had calmed the markets, it fuelled the crisis that extended to the real economy. With an asymmetrical attack against the investments, at a period that a crisis of trust was developing with deflating forces throughout Europe. In this occasion Mario Draghi intervened via the Quantitative Easing. The crisis culminated in Europe and Europe lost its credibility in the eyes of its citizens as well as a large part of its credibility before the rest of the planet. Theoretically, Europe wanted a larger unity and stability but in essence its most serious problems were re-nationalised.

The Greek Finance Minister noted "An existential crisis which is completely irrelevant to Greece exists. A crisis which worsens and does not get better according to many evaluations. It is a challenge for all of us. Neither the tax 'virtuous' attitude, nor the Keynesian motives can solve the problem. To remain stuck to discussions of the past on the reduction or increase of the deficit, on Rome or Paris' budget are only sterile debates. We need something else, a new rationale. We must escape from the trap of the false dilemmas and the false selections between stability and growth. Such a dilemma should not exist".

[02] Alternate Culture Minister: We are searching for historic truths not for famous dead

"This monument is already very important. It does not matter who is the dead. It is a dead person, a rich man, a leader but archaeology and today's situation lead us to think and develop all those that we have in our hands".

Xydakis underlined that the excavation has been completed and the study and conservation of the finds have started.

At an ANA-MPA question if the Ministry is going to proceed to the identification of the grave and its possible connection with Alexander the Great, Xydakis said "the scientists will always try to identify their finds, not only with persons but mostly with historic periods with evidence and facts of economic and political history. Some things remain unidentified, here in Amphipolis Museum some artifacts remain unidentified and this does not limit their beauty and their scientific and cultural value".

On a possible connection between the monument and Alexander the Great, the minister noted "Is it so important, will it change something for Macedonia if we say that in this tomb is his third grandson? Macedonia is what it is; the people that live here will continue to be the same. We have many historic and archaeological finds to have a very wealthy, heavy and very creative historic identity. We do not need to continuously confirm it."

Xydakis also said to ANA-MPA that the "excavation has received huge financial support. There are not many excavations in Greece that have been so largely funded. Additional financial support is not necessary at this moment" adding "Ancient Amphipolis is an area with huge archaeological interest and with special natural beauty. It is a paradise".

On her part Deputy Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Maria Kollia-Tharouha that accompanied Xydakis stated "Alternate Culture Minister's visit to Amphipolis shows the serious way the government approaches culture issues. These monuments belong to our dead and we are obliged to follow the scientists which are doing their work and we will leave them to do it undistracted. We will not follow the examples of the past".

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