Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-12-06

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] 2017 budget to be submitted to parliament plenary

[02] Eurogroup decision on short-term measures is a decisive step to stabilize the economy, gov't spokesman says

[03] FM Kotzias in Brussels for NATO summit

[04] 300 mln euro EU funds to be allocated in tourism

[05] Debt relief is welcome but not enough, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[06] Journalists to hold 24-hour strike on Wednesday

[01] 2017 budget to be submitted to parliament plenary

The prospects of the Greek economy and the negotiations with the institutions will dominate the meeting.

[02] Eurogroup decision on short-term measures is a decisive step to stabilize the economy, gov't spokesman says

He underlined that the Greek government will continue the effort for a comprehensive agreement if possible by the end of the month. "We explicitly state that the IMF should understand that by no means will we accept measures after the end of the programme ... We insist on our position that Greece cannot be the exception as far as it regards labour relations."

Tzanakopoulos announced that the government and the prime minister will take initiatives to conclude the programme review without new measures and with the restoration of the labour model. As he said, the prime minister will contact EU officials in order to explain the Greek positions on open issues of the negotiation.

[03] FM Kotzias in Brussels for NATO summit

The summit will focus on the cooperation of NATO with the EU and particularly as regards the implementation of provisions of the Joint Declaration of the NATO-EU relations, signed on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July.

It concerns crucial issues, such as the areas where further cooperation between the two organizations, particularly in the Mediterranean, as well as the cooperation in the field of cyber defense, the organization of parallel and coordinated exercises and capacity building in third countries-partners of both organizations in the fields of defense and security. The relevant meeting of the North Atlantic Council will be attended by foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden, and the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.

Then, members of the North Atlantic Council will focus on the Alliance's efforts to Projecting Stability and strengthening security in the Southern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans.

[04] 300 mln euro EU funds to be allocated in tourism

Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura expressed her satisfaction over the performance of tourism in the current year. As she said, 1.5 million additional tourists came to Greece this year compared to the previous one.

Despite the increase in tourists, revenues may be marginally lower, she said adding this must be examined after the collection of all data. Based on recent data, she said, tourists of higher income visited Greece while our country is not included in the list of "cheap" destinations to justify the drop in revenues.

Kountoura also noted that tourist season was extended from April to November, while September and October were the best months of all time with occupancy rates reaching 100 pct in Athens and Thessaloniki.

[05] Debt relief is welcome but not enough, ND leader Mitsotakis says

"Today more than ever the country needs a national development plan. A plan that will boost Greek productivity. A plan that will attract investments and create well paid job positions," he underlined.

[06] Journalists to hold 24-hour strike on Wednesday

Journalists are participating in the general strike called by the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) on Thursday, but following a request to cover the event, the labour action in the media has been transferred a day before.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article