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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-08Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] We are discussing an overall agreement, says gov't spokesman TzanakopoulosWe are very close to an agreement at technical level until 2018, underlined government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos speaking to SKAI TV on Wednesday. He noted that government's aim is the review to be concluded in the best possible way and have a comprehensive agreement that will solve the problem of the Greek economy."We are discussing an overall agreement. If we repeat the practice to postpone the discussion for sixth months we will not gain anything. The most important thing for the Greek economy is stability and trust," said Tzanakopoulos. He claimed that the climate of uncertainty results from the IMF's stance which started the negotiation for the second review with a series of irrational demands and on main opposition New Democracy's stance which he accused that "instead of a constructive criticism on how the review should be concluded it opted for a scaremongering policy." Referring to the negotiations, Tzanakopoulos noted that both sides made compromises. The Greek side accepted to change the fiscal policy mix and on the other side the IMF took a step back on the offset measures and underlined that if the 3.5 primary surplus target is met in 2018, there will be no need for additional measures. [02] Government and institutions very close to an agreement, Alternate FM Katrougalos tells ANAThe government and the institutions are very close to an agreement, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos on Wednesday said in an interview with the Athens Macedonian News Agency's radio station Praktoreio 104.9 FM. Katrougalos who is currently in Brussels stated that "The fact that the institutions have remained in Athens means that we are close to an agreement," he underlined adding that the climate is the same in Brussels.As he explained, the agreement was reached at the February 20 Eurogroup when the Greek side said that it would proceed to a compromise without the irrational demands of the IMF to legislate 2 pct of GDP measures for the period after 2018. "It was determined to have measures and offset measures and what we are looking now is how to find a balance between the Europeans and the IMF for the financial gap in 2018, as the Fund insists that the targets are not met [...] however it seems that IMF is leaving behind the irrational demands of the past," the minister estimated. He said that the government's work to achieve growth through austerity is a feat. Moreover, Katrougalos stressed the importance of having an agreement as soon as possible for the country and its people. On the Turkish stance and the constant provocations, he said: "The arrivals of migrants and refugees from Turkey have been reduced by half, however, Greece must be on alert and firm on its position that "we are not seeking anything, but we are ready to safeguard our rights." Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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