The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-05-13

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Measures to Contain Deficit - Debt

IMF representatives, who are in Athens to collect data to hammer out their annual report on Greece reiterated that salary rises should be contained and changes implemented in labour relations and the Social Security System. Their proposals triggered GSEE's (Confederation of Greek Workers) intense disagreement, while Finance Minister Giannis Papathanasiou described the next three years difficult, appearing however optimistic that the deficit would drop below 3%. Meanwhile, OECD's report indicates that taxes have increased for households in Greece, with PASOK (Socialists) blaming the government and promising fewer taxes when it comes into power.

IMP officials will continue their contacts with Finance Ministry cadres.

The European Central Bank appears to be examining to extend its programme for the purchase of bonds, while Germany approved the creation of a "bad" Bank that will absorb toxic credits of commercial banks.

Meanwhile, Mr Papathanasiou reiterated the basic axes of the financial policy that will lead Greece out of the crisis with the fewer repercussions, stressing that the gradual reduction of the deficit and debt, the support of low brackets constitute the main axes that will tackle the crisis.

The Finance minister stressed that although the Greek Economy is decelerating, it appears to be enduring more than other eurozone countries the crisis. The packet of measures that aims at reducing the deficit below 3% by the end of 2010 is in progress.

The measures aim at limiting salary rises, subsidies and pensions in the public sector, while non-necessary expenses in all ministries will be limited by 10%.

Strict checks will be implemented on OTA (Local Self-Government Organisation), Hospitals and Social Security Funds. New salary scales will be introduced for newly-hired employees in the Public Sector as of 2010, after a dialogue with ADEDY.

As per OECD the annual tax a four-member family in Greece pays covers 42.7% of the total labour cost. Greece comes second after Hungary 43.9%. France pays42.1%, Belgium 40.8% and Sweden 38.9%.

Sources: ΝΕΤ,ΝΕΤ 105.8

News item: 22280

[02] Construction of South Stream to be Signed Friday

The agreement on the construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline between Gazprom and those participating in the project will be signed in Sotsi, Black Sea next Friday, announced Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis today after his meeting with Russian Ambassador Vladimir Chkhikvishvili. DESFA (Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator) will be signing the agreement from the Greek side. The Development minister referred to the importance of the agreement. "With my presence we wish to stress Greece's interest in the policy of pipelines and in general of course our cooperation with Russia," he pointed out.

The Russian Ambassador reported that the signing of the agreement proves the two countries' good cooperation in total in specifically in the energy sector.

Messrs Hatzidakis and Chkhikvishvili reported that as per the timetables announced the pipeline will be in operation in 2015.

Mr Hatzidakis also pointed out that the fact that we are founding a company proves that all parts participating in the programme are determined to make the steps demanded. As for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, everything is proceeding smoothly.

South Stream pipeline will transport natural gas from the Black Sea to Bulgaria's coast and from there to north through Serbia and to the south through Greece to Western Europe. Participating in the company that will construct the Greek part of the pipeline will be Gazprom and DESFA with 50 - 50 %.

News item: 22259

[03] Austria

Austria

Official Name: Republic of Austria (Republik Γsterreich)

Head of state: President Heinz Fischer

EU accession: January 1st, 1995

EU elections date: June 7

Population: 8.327.200

Area: 83.860 km².

Population density: 97,9.

Capital: Vienne

Three largest cities: Graz, Linz, Salzburg.

Currency: β¬.

Number of current MEPs: 18.

Number of MEPs to be elected: 17.

GDP per capital: 31.600.

Life expectancy: Men: 76,4 - Women: 82,1.

News item: eyroekloges-2009-6.htm

[04] Flout Indifference in European Elections

"Vote in the European Elections. Flout Indifference", is the central message of the Interior Ministry's campaign for the 7 June European Elections, presented by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos at Zappeion Mansion today. The advertising campaign will commence on 15 May and conclude on the eve of the European Elections. Mr Pavlopoulos pointed out that the ministry is on full alert, calling on the citizens to vote taking under consideration the seriousness of the situation due to the global crisis. Several new procedures will be implemented for the first time in this year's European Elections, so that citizens are informed quickly and fast where they will vote.

"In only five minutes we decide for the next five years by electing the European Parliament that will affect through its vote the everyday life and quality of life of the EU citizens," stated the Interior Minister.

As Mr Pavlpoulos said the campaign aims at sensitizing the public so that Greece has the greatest possible participation, "as our democratic tradition and culture demand." He also pointed out that Greece is one of the countries with the biggest percentage of participation in the European Elections, about 70% at a time when the European average hardly exceeds 50%.

As per data of the electoral catalogues, the electoral body in the coming elections amounts to 9,866,913. Out of these, 4,727,782 are men and 5,053,866 women. The new voters included in the catalogues from the First revision number 110,562.

Emphasis is given to citizens to find out easily and fast where they will vote. They can either call 1500 or visit the Interior Ministry's site: www.ypes.gr or www.ermins.gov.gr. More telephone numbers will be released in the coming days, providing information and illustrations on the participation procedure in the European Elections.

Innovations

In these elections for the first time the printing of the electoral catalogues will take place per polling station. On the section "Find out where you vote" of the Interior Ministry's site, one can see roadmaps leading to the polling stations of the most capitals of the Prefectures and the biggest cities in Greece in terms of population.

Moreover, electoral results will be transmitted by judicial representatives through their mobile phones for the first time of Thessaloniki's second contingency.

"The Interior Ministry with all its services and close cooperation with the Self Government is on alert. The biggest part of the actions required have already been completed much earlier than expected, given that the relevant preparation has already begun since last September. We believe that we shall organize even better European Elections this year, as our Democracy demands," concluded Mr Pavlopoulos.

News item: eyroekloges-2009.htm

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article