Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government to continue the multidimensional and peaceful foreign policy, gov't spokesman says

[02] We will set the road tolls issue in spring 2017, says Infrastructure Min Spirtzis

[03] Tourism Min Kountoura inaugurates Greek pavilion at World Travel Market

[04] The conclusion of the second programme review is government 's first priority, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

[01] Government to continue the multidimensional and peaceful foreign policy, gov't spokesman says

"Greece has now ceased to be a pariah and now represents one of the key players in the broader geopolitical scenery," he said.

Referring to the imminent visit of US President Barack Obama, he said that it is another message-step of support to the country's effort to get out of the crisis and to continue playing an important stabilizing role in a broader destabilized region.

The government's efforts, in the interior and the foreign affairs, will not stop despite main opposition New Democracy's doomsday, Tzanakopoulos noted adding that New Democracy's plan is extremely dangerous not for the government but for the country itself.

Its programme includes, he added, horizontal cuts in pensions, mass layoffs in the private sector, layoffs in the wider public sector, sale off of public assets and perpetuation of tolerance to intertwined interests.

Tzanakopoulos stressed that the conclusion of the second programme review is the first priority of the government.

The second priority is the beginning of the debate on the final measures for debt settlement. The third priority is boosting investment activity in the Greek economy. The fourth priority is the constant preoccupation and orientation of government in everyday issues of citizens.

Moreover, he said that yesterday's Eurogroup "is giving us one more reason to be optimistic" adding that "it is now commonplace that the effective settlement of the debt issue is a priority for the eurozone but also for the international community."

[02] We will set the road tolls issue in spring 2017, says Infrastructure Min Spirtzis

We believe that now it is not the right time to set the issue because there will be a problem with the construction works, noted Spirtzis adding that after the end of March we will discuss with the joint ventures to see the contracts because indeed the tolls are expensive.

Spirtzis also said that in early 2017 the first part of line 4 of the metro estimated at 1 bln euros will be put up for tender and we seek funding for the second part estimated at 2.5 bln euros.

Referring to the works in Kastelli airport (Heraklio, Crete)and the container hub in Thriassio, he said that they will proceed normally if the offer is financial and technically sufficient.

[03] Tourism Min Kountoura inaugurates Greek pavilion at World Travel Market

Kountoura referred to the positive course of Greek tourism in 2016 and the increase of tourist arrivals from Britain. She also presented the actions for the promotion of Greece in 2017 throughout the year adding that high value investments have been carried out in the tourism sector.

Kountoura held a series of meetings with officials of the British and international tourism industry, tour operators and airlines to promote new partnerships in 2017. She also met with representatives of TUI, ThomasCook and OlympicHolidays, which confirmed the positive signals from the British market for Greek tourism, next year.

[04] The conclusion of the second programme review is government 's first priority, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

The second priority is the beginning of the debate on the final measures for debt settlement. The third priority is boosting investment activity in the Greek economy. The fourth priority is the constant preoccupation and orientation of government in everyday issues of citizens.

Moreover, he said that yesterday's Eurogroup "is giving us one more reason to be optimistic" adding that "it is now commonplace that the effective settlement of the debt issue is a priority for the eurozone but also for the international community."

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