The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Samaras Attack against Government & Karatzaferis

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ND party leader A. Samaras, following his visit to to shops in Ermu St, the main shopping street in Athens, appealed to the government to admit its mistaken economic policy. Mr samaras said that the depth of recession is clear at the real heart of the economy where one notes the dissolution of the market. In response to LAOS president G. Karatzaferis position urging him to submit request for setting up of a Parliament Inquiry Committee to investigate the signing of the memorandum, which Mr. Karatzaferis will back, Mr. Samaras said he only makes serious proposals and not political fireworks.

Mr. Samaras invited the Prime-minister to come and see the impact of recession in the shops on Ermu St. which are hardly hit by the financial crisis. He underlined that the measures taken by the government are unfair because there is a better solution for exit from the financial crisis.

Karatzaferis: Inquiry Committee on Memorandum

LAOS president supported the setting up of Inquiry Committee on Memorandum and announced that he will make a proposal on Monday and call the ND party to sign it now.

"Why wait. It is a huge problem and I agree with Mr. Samaras. We must investigate why the country had to resort to the memorandum. But will we examine PASOK 7 month delay or with the 5.5 years of K.Karamanlis ruling who added 130 billion euros to state debt. Maybe Mr. Samaras wants to destroy Mr. Karamanlis, in this case I understand his proposal" said G. Karatzaferis in an interview with radio station "9.89".

Mr. Karatzaferis described as nonsense ND party accusations of LAOS being PASOK supporter, and wondered how it could be true when LAOS supported over 50 ND candidates for post of mayor and only one PASOK party candidate.

Finally, he described as non serious Mr. Samaras statement about zeroing state debt in a year, underlining that there isn't an economist who believes it.

Commenting on Mr. Samaras proposal for the setting up of Parliament Inquiry Committee, government spokesman George Petalotis in an interview with radio station "Real FM" said: "Due to the huge loss of our country's credibility we reach the point to be unable to borrow. And the ND instead of saying let's from this point go ahead, it says that it can zero the state deficit without the sacrifices of the Greek people. First it has to convince that its story is serious and then threaten us. This annihilation of common sense". News item: 41232

[02] PM Satisfied at Outcome of his Visit to US

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Prime-minister George Papandreou expressed satisfaction at the positive outcome of his visits to NY and Washington. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Papandreou underlined that its was "full" trip with many contacts and meetings as well as results. "We brought up top priority issues regarding our country, embarking from the economic issue", adding that all sides have recognized our efforts in the economic sector. Early in the morning (Greek local time), Mr. Papandreou had a short vis a vis meeting with US president Barrack Obama during a reception he hosted in honor of state leaders. The US President told Greek Prime-minister he had a difficult task but he is doing well. He added indeed that himself had a difficult task to carry out in the US.

Barrack Obama: "Difficult task, but you are doing well"

The Greek Prime-minister congratulated the American President for his intervention in the Middle East issue, citing "we should all contribute to reaching a solution".

He conveyed his wife's greetings to Mrs. Obama and extended an invitation for Barrack Obama and his family to officially visit Greece.

Qatar Agreement Described as Confidence Vote

In a press interview after the conclusion of his contacts in the US, Mr. Papandreou referred to the positive impressions and results from his visit to NY and Washington. He said that the government's efforts and significant moves have been recognized by all sides.

Prime-minister George Papandreou described the signing of Greece-Qatar memorandum on economic cooperation as a confidence vote to our country. The agreement includes investments mounting to $5 billion in the fields of energy, transport, infrastructure and tourism.

He also stressed that all projects- in the fields of high standard tourism, renewable sources of energy and development of regions that will offer quality of life to cities, will observe mutual interest.

On FYROM name issue, he said he briefed Balkan state leaders on Greece's positions and expressed hope for willingness on their part.

Referring to Cyprus issue, Mr. Papandreou repeated his close cooperation with Cyprus President Dimitris Hristofias. On Greek-Turkish relations he spoke o an effort to further improve bilateral relations.

He also described as positive development Turkish President reference to the necessity for implementation of international law.

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA -ΜPA

Σχετικές ειδήσεις: Γ. Παπανδρέου: «Δεν θα αυξήσουμε τον ΦΠΑ»

News item: 41207

[03] Truckers Decided to Continue Mobilizations

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Commercial truck and tanker truck owners, during a general meeting on Friday, decided to continue mobilizations citing that the government's commitments referred in the letter sent by Infrastructure and Transport Minister D. Reppas do not cover them. Truck drivers, who tried to hamper trucks carrying products, to remain in the Piraeus port.

D. Reppas Letter Do Not Convince

Truckers decided to continue mobilizations despite Transport and Infrastructure Minister D. Reppas assurances in written about their three basic demands regarding development incentives, pension and taxation.

During the national meeting, held in Athens, truckers with a 60-40 majority decided to continue mobilizations, assessing that Transport Minister's commitments do not meet their demands. Climate was tense at the meeting as a significant number of truckers asked for suspension of mobilizations but hardcore ones prevailed saying "we have lost everything, we have nothing else to lose".

Truck drivers, who had a legal advisor, maintained that Mr. Reppas commitments did not cover them as they were not clear.

The form of mobilizations was not announced although reports say that truck drivers will place emphasis on Piraeus port to hamper trucks to islands where shortages are already apparent.

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA/ΜPA

News item: 41228

[04] FinMin Briefed Parliament on Closure of Taxation Cases

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Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou briefed the standing Parliament Committee on Economic Affairs on the closing of pending taxation cases and presented the basic axes of the regulation as well as reviews to be carried out by the economic staff.

Mr. Papakonstantinou left open possibility for reduction in advance payment and increase in number of installments. He also spoke of a generous regulation, which is not a grace card, but in combination with measures to be taken will completely change the taxation system and put an end to third world history of β¬30bl taxation cases still pending at courts.

Several deputies both of the ruling PASOK and opposition parties reacted to closure of taxation cases underlining that the government's effort to cover shortfall in revenues applauds tax defaulters. Among the ruling party deputies cdoubting the effectiveness of the regulation are George Floridis, Kostas Geitonas and Kostas Kartalis. But they agreed to support it as a necessary measure.

Opposition political parties objected to the draft-bill with ND deputy N. Legas saying it is admission of failure of the taxation policy. GCP deputy Vera Nikolaidou said it is a measure tailored on the wants of ones who want to make money at the expense of others while LAOS deputy Kostas Aivalitiotis wondered whether there was a measure to praise honest taxpayers.

The draft-bill will be tabled to the Parliament as urgent on Tuesday.

No Act of Grace

Government spokesman G. Petalotis said:

Closure of pending tax cases is not included in "talks about measures" but in a general framework of big reforms that put an end to an uncontrollable situation regarding collection of tax revenues and impunity. We do not praise tax default but we do exactly the opposite. The government has proved with cross-examinations, inspections and penalties, that there is a different concept and political willingness to combat tax evasion while it has referred two Tax Department officers to justice. The government is creating a new legal framework to combat tax evasion and put an end to tax defaulters hiding behind endless procedures of pending judicial cases.

Democratic Renewal announcement says: "We said no to taxation cases closure and we see PASOK deputies also agreeing. "Legal patches" can not praise tax evasion".

National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce

The National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) in a letter to the Finance Ministry says: "We agree with one more closure, but the last closure. Under the present circumstances in the market, seeking of cash on the part of businesses is apparently prohibitive".

The National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce has proposed improvement of closure procedures in the following points:

1) Least possible taxation burden.

2) Form of payment to facilitate businesses to meet their obligations.

3) Lower tax scale for honest taxpayers .

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA News item: 41229

[05] Greece-Qatar Agreement

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Prime-minister George Papandreou labeled the signing of Greece-Qatar economic agreement as a confidence vote to our country. The agreement will be materialized through the Qatar Investment Authority and includes investments mounting to 5 billion dollars in real estate, tourism, transport, projects in ports and airports, banking sector, financial services, energy and other fields.

Investments Mounting $5Bl

The cooperation memorandum was signed in NY by State Minister, responsible on investments Haris Pabukis and the chief executive of Qatar Investment Authority Ahmad Al Sayet in the presence of Mr. Papandreou and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The memorandum says that both sides are interested in boosting their economic cooperation in the field of investments.

According to the agreement , Qatar Investment Authority affirms its intention to invest $5 billion in Greece even through its subsidiaries.

Greek sources say that the cooperation memorandum is the first most significant step to be followed by deliberations on the form of investments. A joint committee is expected to hold rotating meetings in Athens and Doha, capital of Qatar.

Source: ΑNA-ΜPA News item: 41217

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