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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-04-05Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Tsakalotos: 'We want to complete program review by April 10-12'The Greek government wants to complete the ongoing review of its third program by April 10-12 in order for the economy to turn a new page, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said in an interview with news website news247 on Tuesday."We want to conclude the negotiation by April 10-12, then go to the IMF's spring meeting, then to the Eurogroup on April 22 and I hope we'll have a package on this. If the international community marks with this package a new page [for Greece], then I think the light at the end of the tunnel will shine brighter," the minister was quoted as saying. He then said that if the program review completes by the end of April and Greece gets something on debt relief, then the worst part of this crisis will have passed. "After that, we can return to growth. I believe that," he added. Asked about developments after the Wikileaks affair, Tsakalotos said that the government concluded from the reply of IMF chief Christine Lagarde that the Fund wants the same thing as Greece: the completion of the program review soon. "Now they have to prove it," he added. [02] Political, economic stability key in allowing banks to support economy-head of banking bodyPolitical and economic stability as well as the effective management of non-performing loans (NPLs) are two of the five main preconditions that would allow the domestic banking system contribute effectively to Greece's growth and provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses, the head of the Hellenic Bank Association, Louka Katseli, said on Tuesday.Katseli, who is also the governor of the National Bank of Greece (NBG), was speaking at an event organized by Greek-German Business Forum and the Economist Conferences on Greek innovation and the role of start-ups in the economy's return to growth. The NBG governor said the first precondition is to complete the country's program review to achieve political and economic stability in the country so that banks can help the real economy. "The banking system, not only in Greece but also internationally, is not isolated from the wider economic and political environment. The successful completion of the first review of the Greek program is the first key parameter in building confidence and reducing uncertainty," she said. The second precondition is ensuring a climate of stability to the financial system that would allow the return of bank deposits. The third is the effective management of NPLs and specifically of business portfolios held by banks. The fourth element is creating innovative funding tools to attract investments, by limiting the cost of money, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as improving corporate governance in the banking system. Katseli said the last precondition is to have a comprehensive rebranding of the Greek financial system. [03] Planes to be grounded on April 7 due to air traffic controllers' strikeFlights to and from all Greek airports scheduled for April 7 have been cancelled due to the participation of air traffic controllers and civil aviation employees to a 24-hour strike called by public sector union ADEDY, their union said on Tuesday.ADEDY is protesting against planned reforms in the social security and pension system. According to the air traffic controllers' union, the strike will start at 00:01 after midnight, on early Thursday morning and will end on midnight on Thursday. Exceptions to the decision will include air force flights, humanitarian aid, search and rescue and health emergency flights, as well as those transporting heads of state. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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