Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Chancellor Merkel reassures Tsipras she is working for a solution at Eurogroup

[02] Pavlopoulos: It is our national obligation to support kids suffering malnutrition

[03] ELA borrowing ceiling for Greek banks unchanged

[04] Greek unemployment rate unchanged at 23.5 pct in January

[05] SETE: Tourism is the only sector strengthened during crisis

[01] Chancellor Merkel reassures Tsipras she is working for a solution at Eurogroup

Following the visit of European Council president Donald Tusk in Athens, the German Chancellor asked to speak with her counterpart, sources said.

During the phone contact, Merkel said she was committed to the direction of finding a solution.

[02] Pavlopoulos: It is our national obligation to support kids suffering malnutrition

"It is not only the poverty and hunger that become a nightmare for a lot of kids. It is also the anxiety and the sadness that deprive these children the most important weapon for the proper formation of their personality at this tender age: Optimism," he underlined.

Pavlopoulos stressed that in this national drama, nobody can remain indifferent adding that expressing sympathy and compassion is not enough. "Everyone must assume his responsibilities as this is a real national obligation," he stated.

[03] ELA borrowing ceiling for Greek banks unchanged

The Governing Council of the ECB, in a meeting on 5 April 2017, did not object to an ELA-ceiling for Greek banks of 46.6 billion euros, up to and including Thursday, 27 April 2017, following a request by the Bank of Greece.

The unchanged ceiling reflects developments in the liquidity situation of Greek banks, taking into account private sector deposits flows.

[04] Greek unemployment rate unchanged at 23.5 pct in January

The statistics service, in a monthly report, said the number of unemployed people totaled 1,116,790 in January, down 47,836 from January last year (a decline of 4.1 pct) and down by 2,085 people or 0.2 pct compared with December 2016. The report showed a rising trend in unemployment rate in the 55-64 age group and in the Aegean islands.

The number of employed people totaled 3,639,126 in January, up 7,325 compared with January last year (up 0.2 pct), but fell by 5,597 or 0.2 pct compared with December 2016. The number of economically non-active part of the population was 3,271,488, up 0.1 pct from January last year and up 0.2 pct from December 2016.

The unemployment rate remained higher among women (27.9 pct in January, 28.6 pct in January 2016) compared with men (19.9 pct and 20.8 pct, respectively).

The unemployment rate in the 15-24 age group eased to 48 pct in January from 50.9 pct in January 2016, in the 25-34 age group fell to 29.5 pct from 30.7 pct, in the 35-44 age group fell to 20.4 pct from 21.2 pct, in the 55-64 age group it rose to 20.2 pct from 19.2 pct, in the 45-54 age group fell to 18.7 pct from 20.2 pct and in the 65-74 age group fell to 13.9 pct from 18.1 pct.

Among the country's regions, Epirus-Western Macedonia (27.4 pct in Jan 2017 from 28.3 pct in Jan 2016) recorded the highest unemployment rate, followed by Macedonia-Thrace (unchanged at 24.6 pct), Thessaly-Central Greece (24.3 pct from 29.2 pct), Peloponese-Western Greece-Ionian Islands (24.1 pct from 24.2 pct), Attica (22.7 pct from 23.6 pct), Crete (22.7 pct from 25.5 pct) and Aegean (19.6 pct from 14.8 pct).

[05] SETE: Tourism is the only sector strengthened during crisis

2017 tourist season presents a unique chance for Greece that must not be lost, SETE underlined. Provided that the agreement with the creditors is immediately concluded and the regional issues remain stable, the increase in arrivals and revenues will contribute one point to GDP, they said adding that this is important for the creation of new jobs and the achievement of fiscal targets.

Moreover, SETE will take initiatives with other social partners and the Economic and Social Council of Greece to further strengthen cooperation in the primary sector, commerce, construction and industry. The aim is to exit the crisis and render Greece a leading country in the provision of high standard services.

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