Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin Tsakalotos to meet French FinMin Sapin on Wednesday

[02] Mitsotakis: Solution on Cyprus without occupation forces and outdated reasonable guarantees

[03] Tsipras meets PASOK leader Gennimata on Cyprus issue

[04] Greek exports showed signs of fatigue in Jan-Oct

[05] Greek economic sentiment index up in Dec

[01] FinMin Tsakalotos to meet French FinMin Sapin on Wednesday

The meeting, that will take place at 17.00 Paris time, is part of the contacts for the second programme review.

[02] Mitsotakis: Solution on Cyprus without occupation forces and outdated reasonable guarantees

"Our position is well known," Mitsotakis stated and added: "A solution is needed as the illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus continues for 43 years. Important progress has been made so far. However, serious unresolved issues and differences still remain."

"Greece and Cyprus want a solution," he said and underlined: "However, any solution cannot be made acceptable. There are clear terms and conditions. A solution that will resist in time is needed. An efficient and viable solution consistent with the international law and the European acquis. In line with the European principles and values," Mitsotakis noted.

"A solution of stability and peace in the European Union so that Greek and Turkish Cypriots enjoy the fruits of European participation without occupation forces and outdated reasonable guarantees and rights of intervention. Such logic cannot exist in a reunited Cyprus, member - state of the European Union."

[03] Tsipras meets PASOK leader Gennimata on Cyprus issue

On her part, Gennimata stressed that "it is positive that the negotiations resume after the failure from the Turkey side."

The prime minister stated that it depends on the stance of the other side and stressed that the President Nicos Anastasiades and we "want a solution that will be consistent with the international law and that will ensure a viable perspective."

[04] Greek exports showed signs of fatigue in Jan-Oct

Eurobank's analysts said that in the 10-month period, exports of goods and services totaled 42.4 billion euros, in current prices. The goods sector contributed 47.5 pct or 20.1 billion euros and the services sector contributed 52.5 pct or 22.3 billion.

In the goods sector, cargos except fuel and vessels totaled 74.6 pct or 15 billion euros, fuel totaled 24.7 pct or 5.0 billion and vessels 0.7 pct or 100 million euros. In the services sector, travel accounted for 57.5 pct or 12.8 billion euros, transport 28.6 pct or 6.4 billion and other services accounted for 13.9 pct or 3.1 billion.

In comparison with the January-October 2015 period, exports of goods and services fell 8.3 pct or by 3.8 billion euros (85.2 pct from the services sector and 14.8 pct from the goods sector). Exports of services fell 12.8 pct or 3.3 billion euros and exports of goods fell 2.7 pct or 600 million euros.

The trend of Greek export of goods and services was volatile in the 10-month period in 2016, with a strong shrinking of exports in services (transport) recorded in the first two quarters, followed by the goods category (mostly fuel in the first half and goods -excluding fuel and vessels- in the second quarter). In the third quarter, excluding travel, all export categories showed a positive peformance, helped by a recovery in fuel prices, shipping rates and a further easing in capital controls.

[05] Greek economic sentiment index up in Dec

In a monthly report, IOBE said this positive trend followed a wider improvement of economic climate in the Eurozone and the EU-28 and it is the highest reading in the last 15 months. IOBE said the Greek economy stabilized in 2016 despite strong tax pressures on enterprises and households and a continuing uncertainty in relations with the country's creditors. Greek enterprises seemed to adjust on a new balance point on demand seeking to find a new position in the domestic and international environment, while consumers were less pessimistic over unemployment trends in the next 12 months. The economic sentiment index is currently moving within estimates for a GDP recovery in 2017. However, the improvement of expectations and of the economy was not yet robust and will depend on a number of factors in 2017, mainly on the consistency and credibility of an implemented economic policy, particularly on structural reforms and new production.

More analytically, business expectations in the manufacturing sector showed a weakening of positive predictions over production in the next few months, while the balance in estimates on inventories de-escalated and negative estimates on new orders and demand remained almost unchanged.

In the services sector, estimates over the current condition of enterprises changed negatively, along with those on current demand and short-term developments.

In the retail commerce sector, positive estimates on current sales eased slightly, while estimates over short-term development improved and inventories rose.

In the construction sector, pessimistic estimates over work program eased markedly, but grew stronger on employment estimates.

The consumer confidence index improved as Greek households were less pessimistic over their estimates for their own finances and the county's finances for the next 12 months.

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