The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] G. Papandreou-A. Samaras in Brussels

Prime-minister George Papandreou is flying to Brussels on Wednesday afternoon to participate in the EU Summit meeting held on Thursday. He will attend European Socialist parties works in the afternoon followed later by a working luncheon. EU Summit talks will focus on recent economic developments in all EU member states , where new austerity measures are being introduced as Mr. Papandreou said.

The Prime-minister underlined EU member states overdebt and borrowing problems should not be dealt with austerity measures but attraction of investments or investments based on the increase of own resources.

Own resources will be the center of talks. In any case, Mr. Papandreou stressed solution was neither cheap labour nor downgrading or abolition of social conquests.

ND party leader Antonis Samaras is also flying to Brussels today to attend European People's Party Summit meeting.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8- ÁNA - ÌPA News item: 37715

[02] Mantelis Best-man Banned from Leaving the Country

Chief Prosecutor I. Sakelakos has issued order to ban exit from the country of businessman George Tsougranis, former Transport Minister Tasos Mantelis best-man. The sum of 450.000 marcs- with final recipient Tasos Mantelis- had been deposited in his bank account.

Mr. Tsougranis faces charges of money laundering. He admitted- during interrogation by the Parliament Inquiry Committee on Siemens- he had opened an account in a Swiss Bank, in 1998 under the name "A. ROCOS" to facilitate his best-man T. Mantelis. The sum of 200.000 marcs was deposited in 1998 and 250.000 marcs in 2000.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 37713

[03] Scorching Hot Temperatures across Greece

Temperatures will remain scorching hot across Greece, while northern winds are expected to grow slightly stronger. Temperature will range between 25 and 39 degrees Celsius in Athens and between 22 and 36 in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. Due to the high temperatures, the Health Ministry advises citizens to:

remain indoors unless there is an emergency

opt for comfortable and colourful clothe

suse hats and sunglasses

choose shady places and avoid working outdoors

consume enough water and avoid alcohol

be particularly careful with babies, the elderly and patients.

News item: 37735

[04] No Metro Services on Thursday

The Attiko Metro Union is staging a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in protest against the company's refusal to renew temporary employees work contracts. Metro employees have announced a new strike on Thursday, June, 17. On Thursday, employees in all means of mass transport have announced 5-hour work stoppage (11:00-16:00) in protest against salary cuts, reforms in social security. GSEE and ADEDY are staging a protest demonstration at 19:00, in Klafthmonos Square.

Metro Work Stoppages

Metro employees have decided to continue mobilizations in support of some 285 temporary contract colleagues whose contracts would not be renewed as the General Public Administration Inspector ruled them illegal as they were hired during the pre-election campaign.

In response to the company's decision, Metro employees Unions have decided successive work stoppages and at different times which literally means no metro service on Thursday.

Metro employees under temporary contracts occupied the Metro Operation Offices on Wednesday morning and are determined to remain there till late afternoon.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Related News: No Metro Service on Werdnesday-Thursday

News item: 37711

[05] ERT: No News Updating from 08:00-12:00

Within the framework of ESHEA mobilizations, Journalists employed by ERT are staging a 4-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, June, 16 from 08:00-12:00 demanding a solution to temporary contract journalists and signing of collective labour contract. ERTonline, participates in mobilizations and there will not be news updating from 08:00-12:00.

News item: 37706

[06] Stuffy Atmosphere as Mercury Soars

Combination of high temperatures and dust coming from Africa has made a stuffy and stifling atmosphere. Temperature rose to 39 C with possibility of hitting 40C in central and south continental parts of the country. Winds changeable, force 4. In Attica, temperature will range from 25C to 39C and in Thessaloniki from 24C to 36C.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37687

[07] Last Meetings on Pension System

The Finance Ministry held Wednesday an unscheduled meeting on the pension reforms. As per information, the meeting focused on the retirement age for men and women in the public sector. The Employment Minister will discuss Thursday the technical details of the pension reforms with the troika's experts, since the Employment Ministry wishes to submit the bill to Parliament by the end of June. In the meantime, unionists are holding Wednesday evening a street protest against the pension reforms.

Meeting with Troika

Employment Minister Andreas Loverdos is meeting Thursday with the reps of the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission.

The advanced reforms in the pension system and the labour affairs, as well as the finances of the pension funds, are to run high on the agenda of the talks. The troika experts will see whether the changes underway are in line with the agreement's content and give their estimates on the figures on the drug expenditure to be presented by the Employment Ministry.

The Ministry wants to submit the pension reforms to Parliament by the end of June. News item: 37717

[08] Crucial Meeting on Eurozone Economy

The Greek Prime Minister is due in Brussels to attend the European Council Summit and the meeting of the European Socialist leaders. The European Council Summit is expected to look over the latest developments, as well as matters pertaining to financial policy and financial governance. The EU leaders will also take a look at a proposal for the introduction of a new tax on lenders, whereby lenders should be responsible for their bailout cost in case of a new emergency situation in the future. Main opposition New Democracy President Antonis Samaras is also flying to Brussels to take part in the sitting of the European People's Party.

Financial Governance and Stricter Rules for the Stability Pact

The meetings of the European People's Party and the Party of the European Socialists scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening serve as a prelude to the EU Summit on Thursday.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will attend the session of the Party of the European Socialists and ND head Antonis Samaras will take part in the session of the European People's Party.

The EU leaders will discuss ways to address discrepancies in the competitiveness of the EU economies, as well as the need or a better coordination of the financial policies.

The possibility of sanctioning countries that keep violating the Stability Pact, as well as the introduction of incentives for countries who fully comply with the Stability Pact, will also be discussed.

The 27 EU leaders will then focus on the setting up of a new European strategy for employment and growth, placing emphasis on education, social integration and poverty.

Inflation in Eurozone Stands at 1.6% in May

In the meantime, the European Union statisticians said that inflation is accelerating in the eurozone, standing at 1.6 for the first time since December 2008.

However, inflation in the eurozone remains at a lower level than the goal set by the European Central Bank.

Retail prices started going up in November 2009 following a five-month drop.

The lowest annual rate was observed in Latvia at -2.4 per cent, while the highest was in Greece at 5.3 per cent.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 37716

[09] Greek Opposition Leader at the EPP Meeting

Main opposition New Democracy President Antonis Samaras arrived in Brussels to attend the meeting of the European People's Party. Antonis Samaras said that Europe has to be shielded against speculators, further highlighting the need for an European assessment house. He also stressed that the EU, by assessing each nation's financial efforts, should take into account of differences, like Greece which spends too much money on defence and border keeping.

The ND head held Wednesday noon a meeting with the EPP chief Wilfried Martens.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 37731

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