Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-01

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, lenders, discuss government's proposals on measures and counter-measures

[02] Juncker: 'I'm the most popular European politician in Greece'

[03] Mitsotakis: Government is bringing the fourth bailout

[01] Greece, lenders, discuss government's proposals on measures and counter-measures

The source said the institutions thought some of these measures were "on the right path", others need technical clarifications and disagreed with others. The issue has been referred to the technical level staff who will clarify the measures.

The same source said the fiscal gap for the period 2018-2019 is very important as the IMF hasn't incorporated in its report on Greece (Article IV) the data after November 2016, which show public revenues beat targets. The new data will be discussed on a technical level and at a ministerial level at the end of the week.

[02] Juncker: 'I'm the most popular European politician in Greece'

Asked by a journalist why he does not comment on France's domestic politics where presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has announced a referendum for an exit from the EU if elected, when he had intervened dynamically against the position of Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras when he announced a referendum in 2015, Juncker replied:

"You're the only person in Europe who believes I was among those who criticized the Greek prime minister. The Greek prime minister loves me deeply, and so do Greeks. I'm the most popular European politician in Greece. You should have known that, if you have seen by relationship with the Greek prime minister, who I greatly value. Just as I have deep sympathy or even love for the Greek people."

He then pointed at Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas and said he is briefed by him on daily developments in Greece. Concerning Le Pen, Juncker said he doesn't want to become part of her propaganda.

[03] Mitsotakis: Government is bringing the fourth bailout

"By voting for new measures, it is bringing the fourth bailout. They are committing the country beyond the current memorandum. This is a new memorandum," he said, adding his party will vote down the measures in parliament.

Mitsotakis said the government should have closed the program review a year ago saying the country has a very "tight scope" and risks losing its inclusion in the European central Bank's (ECB) quantitative easing program.

"The government cannot lead the country out of the crisis. This is why we are asking for elections. I disconnect them from the review," he added, saying the new measures will add an extra economic weight on the people.

Asked about the criticism leveled against him by the government about his contacts in Berlin, he said he "wears the shirt of the national team" abroad and added: "I rejected any talk on Grexit; I clarified that this issue cannot be brought up every now and then, I requested that we are included into quantitative easing," he said and acknowledged that creditors' demand for Greece to maintain high primary surpluses for a decade is extreme.

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