Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Putin receives Greek President Pavlopoulos in Moscow

[02] Greek budget revenues surpass targets by 1.918 bln euros in 2015‏

[03] PM Tsipras and Athens mayor discuss 'solutions for Athens'

[01] Putin receives Greek President Pavlopoulos in Moscow

"The challenges are not only economic, but they also have to do with the people and democracy," Pavlopoulos said, adding that "whatever differences between Russia and EU will be solved as soon as possible according to the institutional procedures."

The President of the Greek Republic underlined that his visit to Moscow inaugurates the Greece-Russia 2016 year and invited President Putin to visit Greece in 2016.

The Russian president expressed his satisfaction over Pavlopoulos' visit to Moscow and stressed that 37 events will be held in both countries within the framework of the Greece-Russia 2016 framework. Putin also noted that Greece is a country with which Russia has exceptional historical ties.

On his part, Pavlopoulos said events for the 2016 Year of Greece and Russia can and should bring the two countries and the two peoples even closer.

[02] Greek budget revenues surpass targets by 1.918 bln euros in 2015‏

The figures also boosted government hopes of presenting a primary surplus in 2015. Finance ministry sources said that this development was strengthening the government's negotiating position as it offered room for manoeuvre in achieving fiscal goals set for the period 2016-2018.

The state budget reported a primary surplus of 2.267 billion euros on a cash basis in 2015, from a primary surplus of 1.872 billion 2014, down from a revised budget target for a surplus of 3.257 billion euros. The general government's deficit was 3.533 billion last year, from a shortfall of 3.697 billion in 2014 and a revised budget target for a deficit of 2.573 billion.

State budget net revenue was 51.418 billion euros in 2015, down 3.2 pct from targets, reflecting non-collection of ANFA's and SMP's (3.591 billion euros). Net regular budget revenue was 46.586 billion euros in 2015, down 4.2 pct from budget targets.

Public Investment Programme revenue amounted to 4.832 billion euros, up 359 million from targets.

[03] PM Tsipras and Athens mayor discuss 'solutions for Athens'

"We must find solutions for Athens because it is not only a mirror of the country but also plays a crucial role in the country's progress," Tsipras said, acknowledging the need for changes in the legal framework so that municipal governments could manage the resources, as well as the problems.

Kaminis noted the necessity for Athens to become "emancipated" and have the necessary powers to do its job, calling for an end to the phenomenon of overlapping authorities and responsibilities. A comprehensive reform of public administration would be impossible without local government acting as its main lever, he added.

The mayor afterwards described his meeting with Tsipras as "productive" and said he had briefed the prime minister on both the problems and prospects for the city.

He said their discussion had covered planned reforms to reinforce the role of local government and adopt modern trends, as well as aspects of the refugees crisis.

"Basically, we talked about Athens. About Athens' great problems but also our city's great prospects. Essentially we covered all the major issues, and talked about the refugee crisis, we talked about issues of social policy in Athens and the city's prospects for growth," Kaminis said.

On the refugees, the mayor said that he briefed the prime minister about very specific issues that Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas was already aware of and highlighted the need to involve the local authorities at the highest possible level.

"I explained to him how important is the role of Athens and local authorities generally in this matter. We must go to local communities and convince them that they also stand to gain by using European funds. The refugee crisis is not just a problem. There are also aspects of growth for the country," Kaminis said.

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