Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Development law to be tabled in Parliament next week, Economy Min Stathakis says

[02] The return of the Parthenon Marbles is a matter of cultural morality

[01] Development law to be tabled in Parliament next week, Economy Min Stathakis says

He underlined that the government does not accept to sell bad loans guaranteed by the Greek State to funds adding that these loans amount to approximately 1.5 billion euros. Regarding the concession of the former international airport at Elliniko, he reassured that the process will have been completed by the end of June.

He also cleared out that the government will proceed with the concession or privatisation of the water company EYDAP, the Public Power Corporation (PPC) and the urban transport.

Referring to the Eurogroup agreement, the Economy Minister expressed his content over the 7.5 billion euro tranche, but acknowledged that this loan tranche does not provide a "cushion". He argued, however, that with this money the government will have paid off all state obligations to individuals by the end of October.

On the capital controls, he said that a discussion on a roadmap that will lead to their final lifting is underway and rejected estimations that Greek banks will need new recapitalization.

[02] The return of the Parthenon Marbles is a matter of cultural morality

"Great monuments have their own rights. The rights of their own integrity. Great monuments cannot be fragmented," he underlined.

When asked on the return of the Marbles, he said: "There are many factors that play a decisive role on the issue. At the level of museums things are less difficult, but the issue has been transferred to a political level and even at a level of international politics, so things are getting more difficult. On the one hand, globalization can help, on the other hand it can block many things and it is also the political power that plays a significant role."

"What is important is the constant struggle, the constant vigilance and keeping the issue constantly alive. And the issue is kept alive, to be realistic. I am optimistic. But it is also a matter of time," he underlined.

Asked if he believed that the British Museum could return the sculptures, he replied: "Yes, but it is not so simple. They are not going to tell us 'take them back.' We should negotiate; we should give them something in exchange. For example, the idea of periodic exhibitions of Greek works to the British Museum is not bad. Good ideas exist, but it takes time to implement them. This proposal is under discussion because it is also in their own interest," Pantermalis stated.

Asked whether the new Acropolis Museum differs from the British Museum in the display of the marbles, he noted: "The Acropolis Museum is by far better because the marbles are displayed in their original place, as they were in the original building ... They are illuminated in the same way and parallel to the monument. Thus, the visitor can see the monument from one side and the original architecture on the other side."

The full interview is available in Greek to "Praktorio" free press.

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