Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] The government's exclusive target is to exit the system of surveillance, gov't VP Dragasakis says

[02] We appreciate Greece's progress, I believe an agreement is close, says FinMin of Luxebourg Gramegna

[03] Social and labour acquis to be respected in EU

[04] Spring ski a marvellous experience; Greek ski resorts open at Easter

[05] Coast Guard rescues 15 refugees in the sea region of Farmakonissi

[01] The government's exclusive target is to exit the system of surveillance, gov't VP Dragasakis says

"Otherwise we will not be able to implement the radical changes that the country needs," he added.

Referring to the Eurogroup's decision, he said that it is step towards the conclusion of the programme review. "The fact that the negotiations in Brussels continue by Thursday gives the opportunity to solve political and technical issues," he said.

The Greek government puts pressure to speed up negotiations so that a solution is found on pending issues.

Dragasakis stressed that the agreement can and must be concluded after meeting the target for the end of the programme in 2018.

"The Greek side has delivered its promises. It lies with the creditors to do the same. The IMF and Germany must take their decisions," Dragasakis underlined.

Regarding the delays in the conclusion of the second programme review, the government vice president said that "any delays are exclusively due to o divergent and conflicting goals among the lenders."

[02] We appreciate Greece's progress, I believe an agreement is close, says FinMin of Luxebourg Gramegna

He added that the "programme is on track and important measures have been implemented by the Greek government in the last weeks, as it should have been done. We appreciate it and I believe that an agreement on the second review is close", he said.

[03] Social and labour acquis to be respected in EU

They underlined that the European Union needs to seek its roots in that critical time for the future of the common structure adding that this new vision must focus on a European strategy based on growth and solidarity.

According to the same sources, the Greek government and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will seek to include a paragraph on the European social and employment acquis in the joint declaration.

A government spokesman on Monday proposed to include the phrase "the EU social and labour acquis needs to be made acceptable by all member states." This is rather important taking into consideration that this issue is the main problem of the current negotiations between Athens and the institutions due to the IMF insistence to doubt the specific acquis.

[04] Spring ski a marvellous experience; Greek ski resorts open at Easter

Representatives of ski resorts expressed their pleasure over the prospects of spring ski, adding that the winter ski period was 'medium to good' in terms of visitors.

The chief of the Greek Ski Resorts Iraklis Lefoussis speaking to the Athens Macedonian News Agency's radio Praktoreio 104.9 FM estimated that the slopes will be covered with snow until Easter due to the high altitude.

"Most of the ski resorts are in full operation. The snow that fell early in March has been preserved," said Lefoussis.

The snow of the so-called 'spring ski' is of best quality for the skier. The high temperatures, the sun and the marvellous landscapes constitute a special advantage for ski tourism.

The height of fresh snow reaches 60cm in most ski resorts of northern Greece as Seli, Vasilitsa and Kaimaktsalan and Pigadia.

[05] Coast Guard rescues 15 refugees in the sea region of Farmakonissi

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