The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-17

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Delegation Satisfied Deal Achieved in Brussels

Sources: ÁNA-ÍÅÔ

The two-day tough talks in Brussels among the 25 EU leaders reached a dramatic climax in the early hours of Saturday. The EU leaders, who had been vying to broker a deal on the EU budget for 2007-2013, finally agreed on the last revised British proposal, which resulted from a string of proposals submitted by the UK Presidency. The compromise plan tabled by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the EU Summit provides for a seven-year budget amounting to 862.3 billion euros, increasing its previous proposal by 13.2 billion euros. Furthermore, the European Union is called on to publish in 2008/9 "a full and large-scale review covering all the EUs spending," including the farm subsidies and the British rebate. As for the U rebate, Britain is directed at cutting a total of 10.5 billion euros from the British rebate by 2013. Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis spoke of a highly significant day for Europe and of a deal, which both sends a crystal clear message that the EU can surmount any difficulties encountered and bears economic fruit to all. Referring to the Greek objectives, he voiced his full satisfaction. "We (Greece) met all our goals. We entered the talks fully prepared and fought a battle lest we should lose a single euro," argued the Greek Prime Minister. He then went on to refer to the aspects of the plan relating to Greece and stated that the Greek delegation won 20.101 billion euros from the 4th Community Support Framework. He also said that the review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will not come into force earlier than 2014. As for the regional development programmes, Mr Karamanlis underlined that they are to be part-financed by 85% by the EU and by 15% by national funds.

Karamanlis: "We Passed through the 'Clashing Rocks'"

"We passed through the Clashing Rocks and secured our interests," said Mr Karamanlis. "Many more countries were seeking a piece from the lesser pie," he stated referring to the budget, which is less than the one proposed last June, when the talks had proved fruitless. "However, the Government moved systematically, was prepared, formed alliances, took up initiatives and had political an technical arguments," stated the Prime Minister.

Referring to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Mr Karamanlis said that the wording of the document is a product of compromise but reassured the issue will not be touched upon until 2013: "Such a decision requires the agreement of all, and there are many countries that do not agree on the changes, before that date. Since the beginning we had said that we would not accept a review of CAP before 2013 and we comply to all agreed by the Council of Brussels in 2002. We did not back down. Until 2013, CAP will remain as is. Discussions and preparations can be made afterwards but no more until then."

Small cuts of funds for the growth of rural areas emerged from the correction in the plan but Mr Karamanlis noted that they will be covered by a national developmental programme.

The bet, underlined Mr Karamanlis, is the increased absorbance and the countrys development and noted "Greece continues to hold one of the highest development rates, regardless of the rumours predicting a drop after the Olympic Games. We are decided to continue towards this direction."

"It was a very long and difficult night but we are very satisfied with the result," he concluded.

Questioned on George Papandreous criticism, that he had put the bar low, the Prime Minister answered that he does not comment on such issues, mainly over consistent unfortunate comments, abroad.

Marathon Talks

Talks proved rather tough and intense, since Germany, France and the newcomers led by Poland and Hungary, kept applying pressure for rise in the budget, cuts in the British rebate without posing a threat to the farm subsidies.

British Premier Tony Blair was vying to avoid a second failure during the UK Presidency and at the same time to safeguard as much British money as possible. Marathon talks followed witnessing on the one hand Tony Blair staging several meetings with his European counterparts in an ultimate effort to overcome the objections, and on the other hand the British delegation submitting new revised proposals.

The final British proposal was submitted to the 25 leaders at 02:00 (Greek local time). The compromise plan provides for a seven-year budget amounting to 862.3 billion euros, increasing its previous proposal by 13.2 billion euros. With regard to the British rebate, London agreed to further cut the rebate by 2.5 billion euros to stand at 10.5 billion euros compared to the 8 billion euros of the previous proposal.

On the issue of the Common Agricultural Policy, the review is not expected to come into force earlier than 2013, although the dialogue among the Member-States is to commence earlier than that. However, any decisions should be taken unanimously.

Regarding the regional development aid to the new Member-States, it is to be reinstated to 5.3 billion euros. Yet, the issue of implementing a lower VAT on several services has not been determined. Ecofin is to decide on the issue next January.

"The issue of the EU budget was extraordinarily complicated. However, we reached an agreement that allows Europe to move forward," commented the British Premier shortly after the successful outcome of the Summit.

Angela Merkel and Jacques Chirac spoke of a good compromise for Europes future. "This deal is to the benefit of the European Union. A big cloud has been lifted from Europe," argued the German Chancellor. On his part, the French President congratulated Tony Blair on displaying political bravery during the talks.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also expressed his satisfaction that the enlarged and modern European Union succeeded in sending a correct message and breaking the deadlock.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Green Light to FYROM

New British Proposal

[02] Showed by the 25 at the EU Summit Green Light to FYROM

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Following the successful outcome of the EU Summit in Brussels, FYROM is to be granted formal candidate status. The 25 EU leaders agreed to give the green light to the neighbouring country claiming that further steps are to be examined during the discussion on the enlargement strategy. Referring to this development, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis expressed his satisfaction about the results text on FYROM, for it contains the Greek stance on the issue of a mutually accepted name. Referring to the development on the issue, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stated that Greece favours FYROMs European prospect and therefore he agreed that the country be granted formal candidate status. As for the name of the neighbouring country, Mr Karamanlis noted that Greece has made sure that FYROMs cooperation on settling the issue by finding a mutually accepted solution will be FYROMs obligation towards the EU. It was also decided that in the in-between time, FYROMs official name will remain as it is, namely Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Awaiting French Consent

On Friday evening, the political leadership of the country held a meeting chaired by President Branko Crevenkovski to discuss the latest developments and their impact on the countrys European future. The key stumbling bloc was the stance adopted by France, which had openly voiced its reservations over the timetable of the EUs further enlargement.

Without referring to it in public, Paris seemed to have directly associated FYROMs European future with the brokering of a solution on the EU budget for 2007-2013. France implies that should the 25 EU leaders reach a deal on the fiscal prospects, it will withdraw its objections to FYROM accession course.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] By the Opposition Parties Fierce Reactions

Sources: NET

The opposition parties referred to the results of the Summit Meeting and the funds ensured by our country. "The Government should not be satisfied by the Summits results," stated PASOK MP Anna Diamantopoulou, while KKE in an announcement stated that the EU funds that the ND Government claims it ensured are not directed at satisfying peoples needs, but for the reinforcement of the capital. Further on, the announcement reads that the real character of the EU was revealed once again, and its strategic attack to peoples rights, as well as "the fights and bargains exclusively concerning which rich country will get the most." As per KKE, "the farmers will receive new blows, all EU anti-populist policies were ratified, as well as agreements on the context of terrorism and especially the electronic filing of citizens."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] At Agious Anargyrous Fire in Super Market

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

As per initial indications, the fire that broke out early on Saturday morning at a super market in Agious Anargyrous is due to arson. The residents reported that masked men threw gas canisters at the super market and the fire spread quickly due to flammable materials. The Fire Service managed to control the fire, which threatened the five-story building.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Fire in Varvakios Market

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

Early this morning, a fire broke out in Varvakios Market in Athens and resulted in the historic restaurant "Papandreou" burning down. The fire threatened the area of the market but was set under control due to the immediate intervention of the Fire Service. The Minister of Development, the Mayor of Athens, as well as a PASOK panel arrived in Varvakios Market.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Without Casualties or Damage 6.2 Quake Jolts Japan

By Anna Kourti

Sources: AFP

A strong quake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale took place in northwest Japan on Saturday morning, without casualties or damage. As per the Japanese Meteorological Service, the quake was recorded in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Miyagi province. A tsunami warning was not issued. Thousands of strong quakes are recorded in Japan every year, since its coastal areas are located in the intersection of tectonic plates.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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