The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] G. Papandreou: Building Confidence

Prime-minister G. Papandreou interview with radio station Bloomberg was influenced by Greece's victory over Nigeria. He said "The Greek Football Team won because the players indicated a team spirit, also necessary for Greece to overcome the financial crisis".

"Concentrating" on clearly financial issues, Mr. Papandreou stressed "the government has taken all necessary measures to regain markets' confidence and has achieved to significantly reduce state deficit through cuts in expenditures and boost of revenues through tax increases. Markets will in time come to be convinced, they want to see results of our efforts.

Continuing the Prime-minister said:

"This government assumed a situation far beyond our anticipations. I would say that we had to change planning but not targets. Our targets remain the same because analysis of the country's problems is the same with the present analysis, it is not different. We said that the management of funds was bad to extremely bad while anomy and impunity created a feeling of irresponsibility among Greek people, because one would certainly say "why should I pay when the ones ruling the country are not punished and there is no transparency".

Mr. Papandreou went on to say: 'This was a very negative climate and we are trying to consolidate a felling of justice, transparency, eunomy, attribution of responsibilities. It is a difficult but operational procedure for the political system which would result in more reliability and confidence towards the state itself with combat of corruption and tax evasion. The measures we have taken have already brought the first positive results regarding reduction of state deficit. Two days before elections, the previous government's data to the EU was about 6% deficit and we found an over 12% deficit. This data alone was more than enough to lead to collapse of Greece's credibility. We had to rebuild the country's credibility and we are rebuilding the country's credibility step by step with hard efforts and pain. It is difficult to build credibility and easy to bring it down".

Mr. Papandreou also referred to reforms in the public and social security sectors as well as the EU -ECB rescue program which has allowed the necessary time for the government to complete its reforms' program. He ruled out restructuring of Greece's debt saying "some measures are unfair, I understand the people's distress but the measures are necessary for the country's salvation, Greek people understand it, the financial crisis could prove an opportunity to change for the best".

Meetings on Sidelines of UN Council

On the sidelines of the UN Council, George Papandreou met with foreign leaders and heads of world organizations, among them UN Sec. Gen Ban- Ki -moon and discussed Cyprus and FYROM issues.

On Sunday, the Greek Prime-minister gave an interview to omogeneia press. He said that the sacrifices of the Greek people are bearing fruit and there are already indications for recovery. He spoke of a prospect to issue state bond for Hellenism of the diaspora so they can contribute to overcome the crisis. In response to a relevant question, Mr. Papandreou said Greece's reference to justice or not against American banks would depend on results of the Inquiry Committee on economy.

Mr. Papandreou attended a working dinner for the Socialist International Presidium on Sunday evening and chaired Socialist International council held at the UN headquarters in NY. The SI will focus on world economy, global warming and disarmament.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA News item: 37880

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