The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-03-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] G20 Finance Ministers Meet in Britain

The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors making up the G20 are meeting Friday in Britain to prepare their 2 April Summit. Meaning to shape their agenda, the G20 also want to convey the message that the key-nations of world economy have joint forces to tackle the worst economic downturn since the "Great Depression." The reforming of the credit system and the enhancement of liquidity will also be at the focus. However, the USA and Europe do not seem to be on the same page on how to tackle the crisis.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Thursday in Berlin French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the framework of the 11th French-Germany ministerial council aiming at further developing the economic cooperation between the two nations.

The two leaders have distanced themselves from Washington, which has called for bigger funding and tougher regulations to avert a further worsening.

Merkel said they would take a joint stand to Washington and try to make it clear that there would be regulations and transparency in banks, further adding that they ought to do anything in their power lest a similar crisis should be repeated.

France and Germany would speak as one and demonstrate the same determinations, commented Nicolas Sarkozy.

US President Barack Obama argued that state aid should not quell creativity and entrepreneurism. There would be a series of several complex matters with regard to the market monitoring, added Obama.

Shifting his attention to banks, the US President underlined that his administration would step up measures to guarantee banks have enough money to operate.

However, here lies another conflict with the USA regarding the amount of funds each government should spend to survive the crisis, with Europe appearing unwilling to spend more money.

Europe has spent enough money on recovery, noted Sarkozy.

News item: 20078

[02] Setting up Body against Crime

Commenting on the rise in crime, LAOS (Popullar Orthodox Rally) President Giorgos Karatzaferis said:

"Criminality has gone out of proportion, and the government is also responsible for this. Five years now, the Karamanlis administration has been welcoming all illegal immigrants. The issue is not being addressed with the necessary seriousness. Crime rates are increasing day in day out. This is something that must signal changes in the government's behaviour."

Touching on Markogiannakis' call for a dialogue meant to start soon, the Socialist spokesman noted that it was the government that rejected a few weeks ago a proposal on the setting up of a bipartisan committee on police.

News item: 20070

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