The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Ruled out New Measures

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"Alert has not ended. Next year 2011 is the second crucial half for Greece's reform", stressed Prime-minister G. Papandreou during his speech to PASOK Parliamentary Group. The Prime-minister reassured that there would not be any new measures and expressed optimism that the government would achieve its targets for this year despite Eurostat upward revision.

PM Criticizes ND

"We are on a good path, but alert has not ended and we must continue so 2011 is the last year of recession", stressed the Prime-minister during his speech to PASOK Parliamentary Group.

Mr. Papandreou praised Greek people for the country's rescue because they made the effort and they should be supported.

But the Prime-minister launched a strong attack against ND speaking of criminal policies.

"Ones who brought Greece to the exit from the eurozone should be called to account and not the ones who admitted the Economy into the euro", Mr. Papandreou said also underlining that lies, intransparency and corruption prevailed during ND party ruling.

The Prime-minister went on saying that even at present circumstances they call us to deceive markets and hide, the government, however, has opened a new road of credibility and the world recognizes its effort.

Mr. Papandreou spoke of a revolution of the self-evident in reference to the" Kallikratis" plan which brings big reforms in local administration, interventions in the Education system, people's security, reforms in the social security system while he committed himself for real economic growth.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

Related News:Eurostat to Revise Upwards Greece's Deficit

News item: 41645

[02] Education Min. Continues Contacts

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Education Minister, Anna Diamantopoulou, during her meeting with the presidents of LAOS, SYN and Democratic Renewal parties G. Karatzaferis, Alexis Tsipras and Fotis Kouvelis respectively, called for cooperation of opposition parties in order to accelerate dialogue on reforms in tertiary education without confrontations which could work against students. Mrs. Diamantopoulou is to meet with the leader or representative of ND party.

Mrs. Diamantopoulou described as highly important participation of all political parties represented in the Parliament to strengthen conviction of political system that we need big consent for reforms in Education.

SYRIZA would not participate in the intraparty committee on education said the president of the Parliamentary Group Alexis Tsipras, adding that it would submit its proposals for changes in institutional bodies.

Presidents of Democratic Renewal and LAOS parties Fotis Kouvelis and G.

Karatzaferis respectively said YES to participation in the dialogue.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 41663

[03] Greek Economy Positive Growth Forecast for 2012

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In its semi-annual report, International Monetary Fund forecast return of Greece economy to positive growth at +1% pace in 2012. It estimates recession in 2010 and 2011 to drop to -4% and -2.6% respectively. It predicts unemployment rate to rise to 11,8% in 2010 and 14,6% in 2011. IMF report also predicts inflation rate to range about 4.6% in 2010 and drop to 1% in 2012.

World Economy

The same report forecast 4.8% growth of world economy and shrinkage to 4.2% in 2011.

Specifically it foresees 2.6% growth in US economy for 2010 lower than 3.3% prediction in its July report. On the other hand, growth prospects in Euro region seem improved to 1.7% compared against 1% forecast in IMF July report.

China with 10.5% growth and Brazil with 7.5% growth top the list of the most rapidly developing economies according to IMF report.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 41661

[04] ADEDY Mobilizations in Athens &Thessaloniki

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Reports bring to 67% participation in ADEDY(Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants) strike, on Thursday 07/10 while demonstrations were staged in Athens and Thessaloniki. ADEDY representatives and presidents of trade unions handed a list with demands to the Speaker of the House Filippos Petsalnikos.

ADEDY announcement says: "ADEDY staged a 24-hour strike today. Participation is estimated over 67% while demonstrations in Athens and interventions in other cities gave a dynamic response to the escalating policy of abstraction of salaries, labour and social security rights, depreciation of public services and civil servants, commercialization and privatization of public goods. The message, for continuation of fighting forms of action against escalation of austerity policy, unemployment, rise in indirect taxation and public utility bills, was massive and clear.

The strike did not have an impact on means of mass transport, only some flights were rescheduled du to a 4-hour work stoppage of air traffic controllers. State Hospitals and ambulances operate with skeleton staff till the end of the 24-hour strike.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA News item: 41657

[05] Settlement of Due Debts Expire 29/10

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New favourable regulation providing for state debtors to settle their debts expire on October, 29, 2010. The regulation regards debts that have expired till 30/09/2010. Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou decision provides for 100% reduction in fines in the case of payment of total debt sum and 50% reduction in amount of fines in the case that debt sum is paid in up to 45 installments.

The same ministerial decision allows state debtors to be included in the favourable settlement after the expiration date provided they pay all installments for due debts from October, 29 till the date they submit the application for the regulation they have selected.

The Finance Ministry says that penal suit and suspension of shops and businesses operation do not apply for debtors who have submitted application for the favourable settlement:

Penal suit, suspension of shops and businesses operation and procedures for obligatory auction of real estate are suspended for state debtors who apply to enter into the Finance Ministry regulation.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 41656

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