Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] "Parallel programme" passes in Greek Parliament

[02] PM Tsipras puts an end to scenarios over Greece's exit from Schengen

[03] Labour Min Katrougalos optimistic first program review to be completed by March 27

[01] "Parallel programme" passes in Greek Parliament

The bill was withdrawn in December after pressure from Greece's creditors.

The Syriza-ANEL coalition government voted in favour of the programme. Opposition New Democracy, Golden Dawn and Union of Centrists parties voted against the programme, while the Democratic Coalition, the communist KKE party and To Potami voted "present".

[02] PM Tsipras puts an end to scenarios over Greece's exit from Schengen

Speaking in Parliament, the prime minister said that any provocation or attack against the country will not remain unanswered, and harshly criticised the main opposition on the refugee issue and the economic policy.

He also accused New Democracy of protecting fraudsters and underlined that all cases under investigation, such as the Siemens case, will reach to the end.

On the refugee issue, he stressed the Greece reflects the EU human side, adding that our country is at the forefront, despite the difficulties and against the existing xenophobic and extreme ideas, which makes us proud of.

Tsipras reassured that scenarios over Greece's exit from the Schengen zone were dismissed in the recent EU summit. On the closure of borders, he said that unilateral actions will not be made acceptable.

Regarding the role of NATO, he said that the country's sovereign rights are protected.

Finally, he ruled out the possibility of early elections.

[03] Labour Min Katrougalos optimistic first program review to be completed by March 27

Katrougalos, who participated in a conference on the prospects for cooperation on employment organized in Erfurt by the Prime Minister of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow (Die Linke), in collaboration with the president of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament Thomas Handel (Die Linke), he stressed that there is great interest from both sides in transferring know-how from Germany, particularly as regards educational technical training programmes.

Asked about the negotiations with the creditors on pension reforms, he said that the technical staff is expected to arrive soon in Athens and added that progress has been made. "The negotiation is harsh," he admitted but there is agreement - at least with the Europeans - on the basic issues. And the IMF, he added, has not raised questions as regards the structural elements of the reform.

Katrougalos reiterated the European Commission's estimates that the first program review will have been completed by March 27 and the Catholic Easter and therefore the law will pass in Parliament. "Once the partners return, I believe that we are close to a deal. The bill will be immediately submitted to Parliament," he added.

The minister also expressed optimism over the outcome of the meeting between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the representatives of farmers on Monday.

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