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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-16Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Parliament to present audit committee of public debt on TuesdayANA/MPA---The Parliament on Tuesday will present the initiative of the Audit Committee of public debt and the promotion of the Parliament's international cooperation with the European Parliament, the parliaments of other countries and other international organizations on debt issues.The Committee will be presented in a press conference, at 12.00. During the presentation the president of the Parliament Zoi Konstantopoulou, European Parliament member Sofia Sakorafa and Eric Toussaint, specialised in issues of high debt will give speeches. The aim of this initiative, Konstantopoulou said, is that the debt audit Committee be a very powerful negotiating tool of society, the people, and overall, the European peoples and societies. [02] Greek central gov't cash balance shows a deficit in Jan-FebANA/MPA---Greece's central government cash balance showed a deficit of 684 million euros in the January-February period this year, compared to a surplus of 139 million in the same period in 2014, the Bank of Greece said on Monday.In a report, the central bank said that during this period, ordinary budget revenue amounted to 6.735 billion euros, compared to 7.950 billion in the corresponding period of last year. Revenue of 55 million euros regarding Securities Markets Programme (SMP) income transfers from the Bank of Greece was excluded. Ordinary budget expenditure amounted to 7.677 billion euros, from 8.630 billion in January-February 2014. [03] Greece needs to implement structural reforms, IMF head saysANA/MPA---Greece needs to implement structural reforms, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Monday, echoing other international creditors who have urged Athens to implement reforms to secure urgently needed funds, Reuters news agency reported.Lagarde, who is on a two-day visit to India, said that she felt strongly for taxpayers, but added the country needed to reduce the fiscal deficit. "I know how hard it has been for the Greek population particularly the people who pay their tax, particularly the people who are transparent," she said. "Equally, I really strongly feel that economy needs to be transformed, that structural reforms need to take place, that pension schemes need to be stabilised and properly funded because you cannot borrow in future constantly," she added. According to Lagarde, there is no alternative to fiscal reforms. "Ultimately, you reduce the fiscal deficit that has not been reduced...you have to deal with it," she said. "But you deal (with) it in such a way that it becomes sustainable in the medium to long term and the country can stand on its feet, borrow in the international market," she noted. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |