Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Defence Min. Kammenos: Gov't will not step back on its claims for the German war reparation and occupation loan

[02] Ministers to meet with European Commission VP over 2-bln-euro programme against humanitarian crisis

[03] State Property Fund's revenues to be used for social policy and social security system, Alternate FinMin says

[01] Defence Min. Kammenos: Gov't will not step back on its claims for the German war reparation and occupation loan

He said that he received a personal attack from the European Parliament president Martin Schulz and from German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel underlining that it was the third time that Mr.Schulz attacks him personally.

He clarified that the first time he refrained from answering adding that we was always very careful before the German people with whom there are no differences. He also noted that it is the German government that believes it can give orders as if Greece was a subordinate country and not a partner country.

Regarding the bribery cases of Greek officials by German armament companies, he said that they are in the hands of justice and of the prosecutors against transparency adding that the Defence Ministry will hand over whatever material is asked. He also claimed that the German politicians support the German companies involved in the case and protect a number of persons.

Referring to the German war reparations and the occupation loan, Kammenos clarified that the government will not make any step back.

Kammenos underlined that "Greece remains in the eurozone because it wants to" adding that the country fully implements the 20 February agreement adding that those that do not follow it are the European Central Bank (ECB) and the German government. He also accused ECB chief Mario Draghi of spreading false information regarding the Greek banks.

Finally, Kammenos said that the Greek government and himself defend the country's national sovereignty.

Independent Greeks is the junior party that participates in SYRIZA government.

[02] Ministers to meet with European Commission VP over 2-bln-euro programme against humanitarian crisis

The meeting is a result of an agreement between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the government said, relating to a special Commission plan totalling 2 billion euros for 2015.

The funds will be allocated to the humanitarian crisis, unemployment and the revival of the economy.

[03] State Property Fund's revenues to be used for social policy and social security system, Alternate FinMin says

More specifically, Valavani announced the end of TAIPED as a Fund that was promoting the privatisations of public assets and submitted the revenues to the account for servicing the public debt within ten days.

An amendment included in the bill on the settlement of arrears to 100 installments that will be submitted to the Parliament on Tuesday provides for the dissolution of the Attic Coastal Front Company and the absorption of Public Property Company (ETAD) in TAIPED. Following this absorption, a State Property Fund will be created and its revenues will be used to finance the government social policy and support the social security system.

On his part the new president of TAIPED Asterios Pitsiorlas said that privatisations that have already started will be completed. "We will not touch issues that have been completed," he stated.

He also said that "it goes without saying that sea shores and beaches are not for sale." As for the former Elliniko airport, he cleared out that its development or not will depend on how it is planned to be done. The course so far is wrong, he said, and does not serve the public interest, adding that the existing development plan is problematic and will be reviewed.

On the occasion of the debate in parliament on the privatisation of regional airports, parliament president Zoi Konstantopoulou intervened saying that both the government and the deputies have been elected for a specific pre-election programme which is not negotiable with any board of directors. She also asked for and received the Minister and TAIPED's commitment to submit any government decisions to the parliament plenary.

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