Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-29

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] No confirmation of deal between Athens, institutions in Brussels

[02] Greece gives priority in completing hydrocarbon exploration tenders

[03] Non-performing loans issue ripe for final settlement

[04] Imam arrested for weapons found in Xanthi mosque released; investigation pending

[01] No confirmation of deal between Athens, institutions in Brussels

"We saw the media reports on this; I cannot confirm," Breidthardt said during the regular press briefing when questioned about the report, which claimed a deal had been struck on pensions and labour market rules.

"There is no deal yet," another European official told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).

According to another Eurozone source, however, there appears to be some movement in the last hours, while pointing out that "nothing ïs agreed until everything is agreed. In order to have time to reach a staff-level agreement (SLA) before the Eurogroup on April 7, the source explained, it was necessary to have an agreement in principle at Thursday's Eurogroup Working Group meeting.

"In other words, we must have something today or tomorrow morning," the source noted, saying this will allow the mission chiefs from the institutions to return to Athens and give sufficient time before the Eurogroup to wrap up the final details of the SLA.

Quoting unnamed sources, Reuters reported that Greece had reached an agreement with its lenders on key labor reforms, spending cuts and energy issues, moving closer to clinching a deal before a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on April 7.

[02] Greece gives priority in completing hydrocarbon exploration tenders

Addressing a seminar organized by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Stathakis said the two large European companies participate in a contract on hydrocarbon exploration in the sea region 2, northwest of Corfu, along with Hellenic Petroleum. The contract was signed recently and will become a model on the new round of contracts to follow soon. He noted that after completion of the contract on sea region 2, talks will begin with Hellenic Petroleum on hydrocarbon explorations in the Gulf of Kyparissia.

Stathakis said completion of hydrocarbon exploration tenders is a priority for the ministry and noted that the most mature project was that of Katakolo, followed by Ioannina and Patraikos -where explorations were currently underway. He said that other priorities was to define other available regions with the aim to attract new interest and to complete a regulatory framework, upgrading the role of a Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company and environment protection.

Giannis Basias, president of the Company announced a series of new seismic research round in a region south of Crete and in the region between Crete and Peloponese.

Addressing the seminar, Costis Hatzidakis, New Democracy vice-president, expressed the hope that delays in hydrocarbon explorations would be overcome and noted that contracts were signed 2.5 years after the launch of a tender while in Cyprus this process takes only 10 months. He said that the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company should be independent and have a stable five-year term.

Greece must exploit the shipping and heavy metals industry beyond being a hydrocarbon producer and a regional energy hub, Giannis Maniatis, PASOK deputy and former Energy minister said in his address and noted that state proceeds from the contract in Patraikos Gulf were expected to reach 150 million US dollars annually.

Constantinos Mihalos, president of the Athens Chamber said exploitation of hydrocarbons is the biggest opportunity for Greece in the years ahead.

[03] Non-performing loans issue ripe for final settlement

The Greek banker said that Piraeus Bank Group's business loans surpassed 2.0 billion euros in the 2015-2016 period, on an annual basis, and said that the aim was progress made in the bank to be channeled to its customers.

Handjinicolaou said the country needed to adopt a new growth model, based on healthy business activity and operating strictly on private finance criteria to highlight the country's comparative advantages, creating value and wealth and employment, social cohesion and prosperity. Referring to Piraeus Bank, he said the bank has made significant steps towards strengthening corporate governance and transparency. "Today, the bank has one of the best bank boards in Europe in terms of experience, know-how, talent and ability," he said. He added that a personal and collective goal was to climb higher together with customers.

"I acknowledge the work of Greek businessman, which might be the most difficult and most demanding in Europe," Christos Megalou, CEO in Piraeus Bank said in his address. Megalou referred to the main problem of the country's banking system and of the Greek economy, non-performing loans and said that the issue was now ripe for final settlement.

"Learning from mistakes made in the past, we proceed to a restructuring of the business landscape which will be based on economic recovery," Megalou said, adding that "only economic recovery will bring enterprises back into a profitable orbit. In this process, Piraeus Bank will play a leading role again," he noted.

[04] Imam arrested for weapons found in Xanthi mosque released; investigation pending

According to sources, the imam in his testimony claimed that he knew nothing about the two guns found in the mosque, noting that the mosque is open throughout the day and is accessible to everyone. Regarding the rifle found in his house, he said that he bought it 23 years ago when a licence was not necessary.

The public prosecutor has decided to refer the case for a preliminary inquiry and, on the basis of its findings, make a decision on whether to prosecute.

Police raided the imam's home and the mosque in the village of Iliopetra accompanied by a prosecutor and found a .22 pistol, a 38 pistol with a silencer, a Flobert hunting rifle and 30 cartridges. All the findings were sent to the Forensic Service's laboratories in Athens.

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