The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Less and More Expensive Loans

The rising cost of bank loans combined with the delayed debts has raised interest rates in loans and credit cards. The Finance Minister will try to put a brake to the banks' practices by imposing a ceiling on loans and credit cards and prohibiting compound interests. Seeking liquidity in the Greek market, the banks have already started offering luring interest rates in term accounts.

In the meantime, with a view to cementing transparency in banking transactions, the Finance Ministry is working on an act that will put an end to the details of the contracts that weigh down customers with secret costs.

Source: NET News item: 33306

[02] Deadly Incidents in Central Athens

A deadly incident was reported Sunday morning in central Athens, when an Albanian national, 27, was shot. He succumbed to his wounds while being transferred to the hospital.

In another incidence also in central Athens, three foreigners of Asian descent clashed. Two of them were stabbed and were transferred to the hospital. The wife of one of the injured men put the blame on the third Asian, who was arrested.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA

News item: 33294

[03] Clarifications and Inspections

The Finance Minister is working on interventions aiming to address the blanks and injustice found on the receipt programme.

To achieve the tax relief linked to the receipts, taxpayers should collect receipts corresponding to 30% of incomes above 12,000 euros and 10% for incomes ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 euros. Taxpayers whose income does not exceed 6,000 euros will be excluded from the measure.

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 33292

[04] Crucial Talks Ahead

The agenda of the Eurogoup and EcoFin meetings on Monday and Tuesday includes crucial talks on the Greek economy and the euro zone economies in general. The first fortnight of March is viewed as extremely important, since it will yield the first assessment of the measures announced by the Greek government. Both the European Union and the International Monetary Fund will ask for additional measures in case they are not satisfied with the results expected to be yielded.

Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou underlined that Greece, assisted by the entire society, will overcome the obstacles. On Monday, Papandreou is due in Moscow, accepting an invitation by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He will also hold talks with the Russian President, as well.

"Help under Conditions"

Eurogroup will assist Greece provided the latter commit itself to its pledge to get its budget under control, said Eurogroup Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker in his interview with Le Temps paper.

"The Greek government had to understand it was its job to bring its budget into order but if Athens did everything it could, Europeans would stand by in an act of solidarity. I cannot today name an exact instrument... We have many instruments ready and will use them if necessary," said Juncker.

Opinion Poll

An ALKO survey carried out on behalf of Proto Thema Sunday paper had interesting findings.

The majority of the respondent (65%) termed the measures taken by the government as necessary, about 24.9% gave them a negative rating, while 10.1% refused to answer. Furthermore, six out of ten citizens approved of the Prime Minister's initiatives, 27.6% of those surveyed branded them as wrong, while 11.9% did not offer an answer.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA News item: 33289

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