Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras: All sides must respect Greek people and their sacrifices

[02] Eurobank chairman outlines conditions in Greek banking system at Capital Link forum

[03] Ski resort on Falakro to open on Friday

[01] Tsipras: All sides must respect Greek people and their sacrifices

"Everything we do is fully in line with the agreement," he said, adding: "Greece is tackling a series of European crisis and this reality must be respected by everyone. We invite our partners to respond to their commitments."

"It is not irrational to hear the same arguments from the extreme circles of our creditors. But it is irrational to hear the same arguments from the [Greek] opposition. This is not opposition – it is concurrence with the IMF," he said.

Commenting on his meeting with local mayors, he said they discussed extending the program of school meals to 30,000 students and 151 primary schools in western Thessaloniki. It is an initiative to alleviate the dropout phenomenon and help families facing unemployment, he explained.

[02] Eurobank chairman outlines conditions in Greek banking system at Capital Link forum

He underlined that in 2016 Greek banks returned to profitability after six years of losses and that progress has been achieved in improving liquidity, in the number of non-performing loans and in cost rationalisation.

Referring to the challenges they face, he focused on the slow rate of deposits recovery and on the reduction of the reserve of non-performing exposures (NPEs) which total 106 billion euros and require, as he claimed, an effective management of the inventory provisions and guarantees by offering to clients sustainable long-term solutions.

Karamouzis also said that the banks' full access to the markets, the significant recovery of deposits and a speedy return to normality are linked, in general, with the improvement of the macroeconomic and political environment and of course with the full restoration of market confidence and the credibility of economic policies - factors that can't be controlled by the banks.

[03] Ski resort on Falakro to open on Friday

"Our wish is to snow because snow is vital for the operation of the ski resort. We have beautiful and high quality hotel units in our villages, like in Volakas, Granitis and other places. But they cannot be preserved if the snow isn't enough for the ski resort to operate. Due to the climate change we see less snow every winter," said Giannopoulos.

The resort will open with a series of events scheduled on 16, 17 and 18 of December. "There have been improvements on the roads, pistes and on the infrastructure which offer high safety conditions and the resort is ready to welcome the first visitors," said Nevrokopi mayor.

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