Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Today's Eurogroup crucial for the Greek economy, says Alt. Economy Min. Charitsis

[02] The opportunity to close second review should not be missed today, Europarliament VP Papadimoulis tells ANA

[03] ND leader Mitsotakis pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust

[04] South Aegean awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2019

[05] Rescue operation to locate refugees in danger off the coasts of Lakonia underway

[01] Today's Eurogroup crucial for the Greek economy, says Alt. Economy Min. Charitsis

"We have gone through very crucial paths in the last year but today's Eurogroup will give us a picture on the progress towards the completion of the second review of the Greek programme," he noted.

It is important that this issue closes and the Greek economy breathes after seven years of recession, said Charitsis adding that the way this issue will close is also important for the government. "It has nothing to do with our obsessions as the main opposition accuses us of but with the way we will return to the European acquis, how the labour relations will be restored and the primary surpluses after 2018," said Charitsis.

Referring to the funds that have been created for the real economy, he noted that three of them will assist the enterprises, the construction sector and the start-up businesses so as to have access to liquidity through loans.

Charitsis also announced that significant capitals will be offered to very small enterprises.

Asked on Poul Thomsen's estimates for the unemployment in Greece, he said: "Fortunately, Mr.Thomsen's estimations have been proved wrong in the past."

[02] The opportunity to close second review should not be missed today, Europarliament VP Papadimoulis tells ANA

"It is in nobody's interest Greece, which is a pylon of stability in southeastern Europe and bears a huge part of the burden of the refugees' crisis, to experience again the crisis of the summer 2015," he added.

He also accused PASOK and Potami parties that they adopt a nihilistic rhetoric against SYRIZA.

Moreover, he said that, as Vice President, will send immediately a letter to the new President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, asking him to make amends for the "unhistorical" statements he made about FYROM, a few months before assuming the office of the President.

[03] ND leader Mitsotakis pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust

It is an unimaginable brutality that led to the mass extermination of the Jewish population of Europe and the decimation of the once thriving, Greek Jewish community, he said.

"Never again!" he stressed and added: "It is a day of reflection and prayer as the ghost of populism - which is expressed through a a racist, xenophobic rhetoric - is threatening once again our world."

"The multilevel crisis, that we all experience, is not confined to the economic and political system. But it extends to our values. Several people across the world - and I am not only referring to the Western world - tend to listen to divisive rhetoric, oversimplifications and "quick fixes" and are looking for new scapegoats. I hope that this day will give everyone the opportunity to seriously and responsibly consider what kind of world we want for ourselves and our children," he concluded.

[04] South Aegean awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2019

South Aegean received the 2019 title for its commitment to food and cultural diversity. A special ceremony took place at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens.

The Master of Ceremonies was the acclaimed food journalist Geoge Papachristos, who gave the floor to the Governor of the South Aegean, George Hatzimarkos, who welcomed everyone to the event hosted by the region.

The European Region of Gastronomy Platform and Award aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating gastronomic innovation.

IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism) organises the award with the support of European institutions.

[05] Rescue operation to locate refugees in danger off the coasts of Lakonia underway

According to coast guard, a passenger called 112 asking for help. A freighter, a fishing boat and two coast guard patrol vessels are rushing to the spot.

In the area are blowing northeastern winds reaching 7 on the Beaufort scale.

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