Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-30

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Negotiations between Greece and institutions continue, EU Commission spoekeswoman says

[02] Greece to expand cooperation with EIB, Charitsis says

[03] Greece drafts new legislation on fishing

[04] 24 persons arrested for their involvement in criminal ring that provided residency and working licences to foreign women

[01] Negotiations between Greece and institutions continue, EU Commission spoekeswoman says

European Commission spokeswoman Annika Breidthardt said that progress has been made over the last weeks and added that the negotiations continue.

"It remains on all sides to act responsibly for the conclusion of the second programme review as soon as possible," she said.

According to a European source, there is optimism ahead of the meeting of eurozone's Finance ministries officials. The same source said that so far there has been no agreement. "Everyone is working hard and we may have something by the evening," the same source said.

[02] Greece to expand cooperation with EIB, Charitsis says

Responding to a question by ANA on comments made by European Commission vice-president Vladis Dombrovskis that Greece was one of the four European states that received the largest per capita support from the European Fund of Strategic Investments in 2016, Charitsis said: "The basic element of our strategy was to develop a fundamental partnership with the European Investment Bank and this reflected in numbers. We proceed to a common planning with EIB for specific projects that need funding but we cannot fund through regular programs".

He said that these projects were the line 4 of the Athens metro, expanding natural gas network in northern Greece, central Macedonia and easter Macedonia-Thrace and a linking of electricity grid between Crete with the country's inland electricity grid.

Charitsis underlined that cooperation was expanding in other projects, such as a Holdings Fund, a project offering the ability to Greek small- and medium-sized enterprises to raise capital from foreign investments. EIB will also offer funds to suport the relaunch of "Saving" fund, expected to begin in the second quarter of 2017, aimed to support the construction sector.

[03] Greece drafts new legislation on fishing

Apostolou noted that fishing was an asset factor for Mediterranean countries, while particularly in Greece a social link and part of the country's island and shore cultural heritage.

"Today, more than ever, we need to act to be able to ensure sustainability of fish reservoirs and of sensitive habitats," the Greek minister said, adding "we must ensure that coming generations will continue to live through fishing, to support small off shore fishing, to combat illegal fishing and smuggling and to protect habitats. We must invest further in research and innovation, in best practices and renewable energy sources".

He said the a survey must be conducted on the consequences of incoming fish species in the Mediterranean Sea.

[04] 24 persons arrested for their involvement in criminal ring that provided residency and working licences to foreign women

A police top official said to Athens Macedonian News Agency that 24 people have been arrested so far, among them 3 civil servants, 2 notaries, a lawyer and a police officer while one more lawyer is alleged to be involved in the criminal group.

Over 200 cases of false recognition, false paternity, illegal adoption and prostitution have been already recorded. "This case is a labyrinth and we need time to fully solve it," said the same officer to ANA.

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