The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek PM Contacts in Washington

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Prime-minister G. Papandreou is continuing his contacts in the US. Special weight is placed on his Tuesday meeting with US vice-president Joe Biden at the White House. Earlier, George Papandreou, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, expressed the conviction that Greece would come out stronger from the financial crisis. Later today the Greek Prime-minister will have talks with the presidents of the US Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Finance John Kerry and Max Baucus respectively while he will chair a conference of the Socialist International.

"The Country Will Exit from Financial Crisis"

Greek Prime-minister George Papandreou, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, expressed the conviction that Greece would come out stronger from the financial crisis

Mr. Papandreou outlined the framework of reforms in Greece, which he said would lead to a more transparent ruling, more effective institutions and more competitive economy.

He stressed that in our interdependent world there is no problem that could be deal in isolation while he added that all countries with no exemptions have suffered losses in job positions, environmental damage, pandemics and irregularities of financial markets.

Continuing his speech, Mr. Papandreou placed emphasis on the necessity for cooperation with social partners, non-government organizations and private sector. Furthermore, he maintained that the world community had the resources to wipe out poverty, illiteracy and pandemics and support women and children.

Imposition of Tax on Environmental Pollution

Mr. Papandreou proposed the imposition of taxes in the form of "green bonds" on economic transactions and environmental pollution cases that could be used for the financing of education, health, green infrastructure and technology in developing countries.

" We would remain vulnerable to new crisis unless we join forces to deal with future challenges", the Greek Prime-minister said

To Attract Investments

During his visit to NY Stock Market, Mr. Papandreou met with Wall Street president and executives and presented Greece's developmental and investment program.

He underlined that Greece has changed and has regained the market's confidence. Speaking of reforms, he placed emphasis on the opening of product, services and labour market which would lead to a 5%-6% increase in production. He also spoke of privatizations and use of state assets whose value equals the country's debt.

Papandreou - Ahmadinejad Meeting in Good Climate

Mr. Papandreou meeting on Monday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was held in a very good climate. During their 40 minute meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral interest, the Middle East and Iran's nuclear program. The Iranian leader notified of his country's decision to restart negotiations with the international community.

The Greek prime-minister briefed the Iranian President about Greece's support to the ME peace procedures and suggested Iran to play a stabilizing role in the region.

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Σχετικές ειδήσεις: Γ. Παπανδρέου: «Οι πιο φιλόδοξες μεταρρυθμίσεις»

News item: 41084

[02] Deliberation on Closing of Taxation Cases Plan

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With the aim to raise at least 2 billion euros, the Finance Ministry released to production forces its plan for the closing of taxation cases on Tuesday. The plan refers to pending taxation cases for the last decade but excludes businesses with over 20 million euros annual turn out and businesses that have to pay Large Property Tax. Discussion on the plan will be held on Wednesday so the draft-bill could be immediately tabled to the Parliament for voting. In the meantime, Greece issued 3-month state bonds on Tuesday to raise 400 million euros.

Basic Principals of Draft-bill

On Tuesday, the Finance Ministry held a deliberation on the basic principals of draft-bill on settlement of pending taxation cases.

The drat-bill to be tabled in the next days will include regulations providing for the closing of pending taxation cases till 31.12.2009. As clarified voluntary closing of pending taxation cases covers:

Cases that have not undergone inspection with exemption big businesses with over 20 million euros annual turn out and businesses that have to pay large property tax.

Cases pending at administrative courts, provided they have not been discussed at court of exchequer chamber.

Due debts to State

Settlement of uninspected taxation cases is achieved under the following terms:

Assessment of tax in addition to tax already confirmed

Obligatory settlement of first uninspected case and the following uninspected cases provided they are included in the regulations of the bill.

Settlement o uninspected tax income cases bring obligatory settlement of pending taxation cases.

The interested party agrees to pay the total debt deriving from calculation on the grounds of math formula.

The sum deriving from calculation is paid to the State

News item: 41104

[03] Second Wave of Mergers

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Deputy premier Theodoros Pagalos and Interior Minister Yiannis Ragusis announced second package of mergers and abolitions of State organizations and sectors during a meeting of the competent committee on Tuesday. At the opening of the meeting, the Interior Minister, who is responsible for the draft-bill said that this was the first stage and the interministerial committee will continue its work. In response to a relevant question, Mr. Ragusis said that a new draft-bill will provide for a second stage of mergers and abolitions of state organizations and sectors.

"Tidying up State Finances"

Deputy premier Theodoros Pagalos, during the briefing of the competent parliament Committee in view of submission of relevant Interior Ministry draft-bill, described first stage of mergers and abolitions of state organizations and services as the first step to tidy up state finances.

Mr. Pagalos admitted that he received strong pressure, particularly on AGROGI so not to expose colleagues but he refused to be part in complicity. ND deputy and former Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos appealed for the maintenance of job positions after mergers and abolitions of state organizations.

Mr. Pagalos said all political parties even the small left parties, that have not ruled but control local administration, are responsible for the expansion of the civil sector.

On his part, Interior Minister Yiannis Ragusis assured that all job positions in mergers remain except for AGROGI because transparency rules were not met in hiring of personnel.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA News item: 41103

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