Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Pavlopoulos meets Luxembourg's Labour Min Schmit

[02] There is no problem with the government majority, Interior Min Kouroumblis says

[03] The banks' recapitalisation is probably the biggest robbery in the Greek history, Popular Unity leader Lafazanis says

[04] Work stoppages to disrupt public transport in Athens on Dec. 3

[05] The banks' recapitalisation is probably the biggest robbery in the Greek history, Popular Unity leader Lafazanis says

[01] President Pavlopoulos meets Luxembourg's Labour Min Schmit

Pavlopoulos stressed the importance of supporting labour rights amid a period of high unemployment in Greece as well as in other EU countries, saying that the international labour contracts regarding labour rights constitute an integral part of the European Institutional Acquis, which we must respect and fully implement.

"In Greece we respect the commitments that we have made, but your support is also needed, so that with the implementation of the social state, social cohesion in Greece is supported, given that the Greek people have suffered a lot all these years," Pavlopoulos underlined.

He made special reference to the need to support the social state, adding that it constitutes the main pillar of the EU structure.

On his part, Schmit underlined the need to support the Greeks based on the EU solidarity and referred to the recent difficulties in Greece. He made special reference to the refugee issue and highlighted the Greek efforts to reduce migration flows. "We ought to support Greece, we owe a lot to Greece and we will continue to do so at this critical juncture for Europe," he stated.

[02] There is no problem with the government majority, Interior Min Kouroumblis says

Regarding the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' stance, he underlined: "The fact that a leader understands his responsibility towards the people and seeks consensus in major issues, proves his responsibility towards his country and the society."

On the possibility of other political forces participating in the government, Kouroumblis said that when someone seeks consensus, it does not mean that other parties will participate in the government.

[03] The banks' recapitalisation is probably the biggest robbery in the Greek history, Popular Unity leader Lafazanis says

The only solution for exiting the crisis is nationalising the banks and exiting the eurozone.

"The way the recapitalisation of the banks was carried out, it constituted a big robbery, perhaps the biggest robbery in the country's history, because more than 40 billion euros have disappeared from the public sector, while bondholders, social security funds and small investors lost a lot of money," he said.

Asked whether the identification with the drachma harmed Popular Unity, Lafazanis stated that Greek citizens have been "brainwashed" with the euro, "it is the hardest kind of dictatorship". However, he noted that the "euro terrorism weakens in the society."

He also accused the media that they do not present the position of the party deliberately as it is the only political force with an alternative solution to the memorandum looting.

[04] Work stoppages to disrupt public transport in Athens on Dec. 3

Employees in the metro, tram, bus, trolley and electric railway will walk off the job from the start of the shift until 09.00 (local time) and from 21.00 until the end of the shift.

All railway services will be cancelled while the metro service from Doukissa Plakendias station until the airport will be halted throughout the day.

Their unions have warned of further labour action in early December and a symbolic occupation of the offices of the country's privatization agency on Dec. 15, when companies are expected to submit binding offers for a stake in Piraeus port (OLP).

[05] The banks' recapitalisation is probably the biggest robbery in the Greek history, Popular Unity leader Lafazanis says

The only solution for exiting the crisis is nationalising the banks and exiting the eurozone.

"The way the recapitalisation of the banks was carried out, it constituted a big robbery, perhaps the biggest robbery in the country's history, because more than 40 billion euros have disappeared from the public sector, while bondholders, social security funds and small investors lost a lot of money," he said.

Asked whether the identification with the drachma harmed Popular Unity, Lafazanis stated that Greek citizens have been "brainwashed" with the euro, "it is the hardest kind of dictatorship". However, he noted that the "euro terrorism weakens in the society."

He also accused the media that they do not present the position of the party deliberately as it is the only political force with an alternative solution to the memorandum looting.

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