Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-11-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras, Davutoglu announce measures to tackle refugee, migrant flows

[02] Bank recapitalization dominates meeting between gov't Dep. PM, bankers

[03] Binding bids for port of Piraeus expected by Dec. 15 at latest, sources state

[01] Tsipras, Davutoglu announce measures to tackle refugee, migrant flows

In joint statements after their meeting in Ankara, they also announced that the 4th Greek-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) will be held in Turkey in February.

Tsipras noted that there were "open issues" in bilateral relations between the two countries, while emphasising that the refugee problem could not be solved without a political solution in Syria. "Unless a political solution to the problem in Syria is found, we will not be able to tackle the [refugee] issue, whatever we do," he said.

Tsipras said the Greek side took a positive view of opening new chapters in EU accession talks with Turkey, provided that these did not then "close easily and on the hoof.

"They can open and the terms must then be met," he added.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Tsipras said he will encourage the two communities on the island to reach a viable agreement.

Davutoglu said his talks with Tsipras on Wednesday focused on four areas for developing relations between Greece and Turkey.

The first was to set up a positive agenda for developing relations in tourism, trade, energy and investments. Secondly, he said the two sides must tackle issues relating to minorities, the Aegean and the Cyprus issue. He also referred to the need for a "common Greek-Turkish stance on the future of Europe" and lastly, he called for cooperation on regional and international issues, such as the Balkans and the Middle East.

Regarding the issue of illegal migration, the Turkish prime minister said that the burden should not fall exclusively on Turkey and Greece and that they had agreed on cooperation on "technical issues" to tackle the refugee crisis.

[02] Bank recapitalization dominates meeting between gov't Dep. PM, bankers

The meeting focused on draft legislation promoted by the government for resolving the NPLs issue for Greek households and protecting primary residences, along with developments in the recapitalization process.

Dragasakis said the maximum implementation of the new legislation will depend on financial institutions' stance on the issue. In this framework, Dragasakis noted that the government aimed at offering full protection to vulnerable households, significantly reducing servicing costs and reducing the value of loans under article 15 of the draft law tabled in Parliament.

[03] Binding bids for port of Piraeus expected by Dec. 15 at latest, sources state

The official said a revised contract - currently under consultation - was accessible on a special web page to all official candidate investors (Cosco, APM Terminas and ICTS) who are able to submit their observations ahead of an anticipated purchase of a majority stake in the port authority, which manages Greece's largest and most profitable port.

According to sources, submission of binding offers by the three candidates are expected to have been completed by Dec. 15 at the latest, while Cosco and APM Terminals are reportedly still showing a strong interest in the concession.

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