Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-06-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] The government does not accept ultimatums, Gov't Vice president says

[02] Greek government confirms it has not received draft agreement from the institutions

[03] People should be asked if a decent and advancing compromise is not reached, Labour Min says

[04] Alt. Admistration Reform Minister: Markets a "Financial Frankenstein"

[01] The government does not accept ultimatums, Gov't Vice president says

"For us, the troika ended with the vote of the Greek people, which we respect. We have a clear mandate to move to a new post-memorandum era. We will respect that mandate and we are not concerned in 'blind' rifts or ultimatums or the troika's return. The government does not send or accepts ultimatums. It is not blackmailed and it does not blackmail anyone. We are ready to make compromises, make proposals, we do not accept ultimatums," he underlined.

He added that the Greek economy and society cannot tolerate any more austerity. The government's aim is not only the interest of the Greek people, but the interest of all Europe. Dragasakis also stressed that with common political will, the debt can be restructured without the slightest burden on the European tax payers

[02] Greek government confirms it has not received draft agreement from the institutions

Foreign reports, mainly from the German media, said that a draft agreement has been sent to Athens claiming that it is a final proposal, which was not confirmed by the Greek government.

[03] People should be asked if a decent and advancing compromise is not reached, Labour Min says

According to skai.gr, Skourletis underlined that the Greek people should be asked to approve such a deal before we sign it.

The Greek government has made the "maximum of concessions" in the negotiations and there is no room for further concessions, he said and noted that "the other sides act like governors".

Regarding party discipline, he stated: "Before we start talking abour party discipline, we will have to look into the agreement, there can be no 'directives' on this matter, party discipline in this case is not helpful."

[04] Alt. Admistration Reform Minister: Markets a "Financial Frankenstein"

Katrougalos, who represented the Greek government, underlined that "the weakness of democratic control and the lack of appropriate regulation of international markets are the main cause of the recent global economic crisis."

According to the Greek minister, the critical challenge is now that "the political market control is a prerequisite for the maintenance of democracy itself", adding that "this is why the Greek elections in January is an historic moment, not only for Greece but for the whole Europe. Greece has become the mirror of the continent's future. For our country, because this is the first time that the left is in power, but also for Europe, because the austerity policies that have destroyed our society and economy are the same policies that lead the Union to deflation and economic stagnation."

Katrougalos said that "with the rise of inequality and poverty, Europe will be faced with a lost generation. Thus, there are two different perspectives: the first is the continuation of austerity policies, the exacerbation of inequalities and poverty. The second one is the vision of a social Europe, a Europe of freedoms and social rights."

Katrougalos also expressed his optimism that the government will implement its programme, which has been approved by the Greek people, despite the creditors' unwillingness, while he termed the negotiations for a viable and decent compromise as rather "strident".

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