Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] SYRIZA will not agree on an agreement cancelling basic aspects of the programme, Alt. Social Insurance Minister says

[02] No double currency solution, says FinMin Varoufakis

[01] SYRIZA will not agree on an agreement cancelling basic aspects of the programme, Alt. Social Insurance Minister says

"Manoeuvres are always done, certain retreats are always made, this is legitimate, but not canceling the backbone of your policy statements; such an agreement can't and will not be reached," he added.

Asked whether the single VAT rate and the maintenance of ENFIA (Uniform Real Estate Tax) cancel the government's red lines, Stratoulis said: "My estimate is that the agreement has not closed yet. I also believe that our policy statements on VAT and ENFIA need to be respected. Some days are left to negotiate and ensure an agreement that does not lead us into humiliating submission, but will open promising paths, at least it will offer some positive way out for the people and the country."

On the occasion of Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis' statement that the country would face a cash crunch within two weeks if an agreement is not reached, he said: "Our country has many alternative solutions ... and this was also proved this week."

Asked whether BRICS is an alternative solution, Stratoulis replied: "Even that. If we need to ask for funding and give it to us with favourable terms, without memoranda and unconditional subordination of our country and lend us money as a normal country, why should we rule it out? This is an option that is also on the table."

[02] No double currency solution, says FinMin Varoufakis

Thomas Mayer is former macroeconomics chief of Deutsche Bank.

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