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Sunday, 24 November 2024 | ||
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-06-29Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Jean-Claude Juncker: I feel betrayedANA/MPA---"I am in favour of a Europe that patiently seeks the common interest rather than the confrontation of national interests and the rivalry of national egos. It is not a poker game during which someone wins and someone loses. Everyone wins, everyone loses. I am not happy with what happened in Europe last week. I feel betrayed," European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said in a speech on Monday.Juncker urged Greeks to vote 'yes' in the upcoming referendum, while announcing that the European Commission has no new proposals to present at the moment. He underlined that a 'no' in the referendum would mean that Greece "distances itself from Europe." Juncker repeated that the institutions had been "once again determined" to prepare a deal on Friday when the process was abruptly broken off by the Greek government's decision to call a referendum and to camapaign in favour of a 'no' vote. "To set one democracy against 18. This does not help any European citizen and no Greek citizen. The Greeks must, however, know clearly what is at stake next Sunday." The Commission's president insisted that he had done everything possible to reach an agreement and that the institutions "had really moved mountains" in the effort to strike a deal that for the good of the Greek people, while at the same time creating the conditions for unanimous agreement from the other 18 countries. He denied that the Greek side had been presented with ultimatums, saying the institutions approach was always to set up a fair agreement, and that the institutions had adapted their working methods to what the Greek government wanted, showing determination and persistence for the Greek proposals. [02] Chancellor Merkel ready to talk to Greek PM if he wishes, spokesman saysANA/MPA---German Chancellor Angela Merkel is willing to hold talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras "if he would like to," the chancellor's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters on Monday. Berlin's aim will always be to keep Greece in the eurozone, the spokesman added.The goal was a strong eurozone, Seibert said and noted that the events were triggered by the Greek side by calling the referendum. At the same time, he said that a government's decision to call a referendum was legitimate in Berlin's view and, not knowing the exact question that will be put to referendum, did not wish to adopt a position. [03] Means of transport in Athens free from June 29 to July 6ANA/MPA---Means of transport in Athens will be free from June 29 to July 6, Alternate Minister for Transport Christos Spirtzis said on Monday.The decision is expected to be announced in the day so as to facilitate citizens and will concern the metro, buses, trains and electric train, but not the suburban train. The decision does not apply to the city of Thessaloniki and other cities where means of transport are run by private companies. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |