Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras: After seven years of recession, Greece has returned to positive growth rates

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis: Delays have had a large impact on the Greek economy

[03] FM Kotzias to participate in Foreign Affairs Council

[04] 8,888 identified migrants and refugees on the northen Aegean islands

[01] PM Tsipras: After seven years of recession, Greece has returned to positive growth rates

He added that this dire reality forces us to plan the next day, because the next day is already here.

Referring to the technical staff level negotiation, he said that the economy has resisted and has recovered adding that the real challenge is not at technical level staff but in the grounds of real economy.

"We must open the consultation on the next day of the economy and that is the purpose of the current cabinet meeting," said Tsipras noting that the return to the model of the past is can't be our selection.

"Our goal should be the comparison with the developed economies," he underlined.

He said, for example, that the deregulation of mass layoffs is a counter-reform and such reforms are only included in the agenda of main opposition New Democracy. For us, social welfare is the fair redistribution of wealth, everyone's right for a decent and stable job and a sustainable social state, he stated.

The Greek prime minister underlined that despite the crisis, Greece remained in the hard core of Europe and is still an oasis of security and stability.

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis: Delays have had a large impact on the Greek economy

"The celebrations of February 20 have been proven false. The delays have had a large impact on the Greek economy," he said.

"Deposits flee, deterioration of economic climate and uncertainty. The cost of Mr Tsipras' lack of abilities is too high. The government's inefficiency to implement a reform programme has reduced Greece's credibility. All these have resulted into additional harsh measures after the conclusion of the third programme. Each day that passes Greece's effort to borrow from the markets in order to secure its financing needs is becoming more and more difficult. If this is not achieved, we will be led to a fourth memorandum from the back door without even safeguarding additional funding.

[03] FM Kotzias to participate in Foreign Affairs Council

On the Greek side, however, the current Council is particularly important because it will focus on the EU-Egypt relations and the situation in the Western Balkans, issues that deeply affect the special geopolitical environment of Greece.

It is a very important step, which confirms the good efforts of the Greek diplomacy and the persistence of Greek Foreign Minister on the need to support Egypt and on the strengthening of the Euro-Egyptian relations.

Kotzias is expected to highlight Greece's stabilizing role in this unstable environment.

[04] 8,888 identified migrants and refugees on the northen Aegean islands

Police said that on Monday 8,888 persons that have sought asylum in Greece and their request has been not examined yet remained stranded on the Aegean islands.

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