Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-11-25

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Reforms and structural changes are top priorities, PM Samaras tells German conference

[02] 'I want Greece's success as much as you do,' Merkel tells PM Samaras

[03] German Finmin expresses respect for Greek efforts

[04] Samaras-Merkel meeting confirms austerity policy will continue, SYRIZA charges

[05] KKE comments on Samaras-Merkel meeting

[06] Greece's fiscal adjustment unprecedented, but new, targeted measures needed, IMF's Thomsen says

[07] Greek debt relief 'inevitable,' German party says

[08] EPP's Daul optimistic on Greek EU presidency

[09] Education minister presents second stage of university administration overhaul

[10] Education minister meets with Thessaly University rector

[11] NTUA Senate urges suspension of labour reserve measure for university admin. staff

[12] SYRIZA accuses the government of taking the public service apart

[13] SYRIZA marginally leads ND, Antonis Samaras most suitable for PM, opinion poll shows

[14] Gov't, parties attend event for 71st anniversary of Gorgopotamos Bridge destruction

[15] Deputy foreign minister inaugurates new Alexandria Patriarchate museums

[16] KKE leader addresses event in Halkida

[17] Parliament president Meimarakis proposes fully scratching tax allowance for MPs

[18] EOPYY doctors announce rolling strikes until Wednesday

[19] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[20] Heavy rain on Rhodes island leaves two dead, one missing

[21] Aftershock activity recorded after Sunday morning's mild tremors on Crete island

[22] Two mild tremors in sea region south of Crete

[23] Man injured in Exarhia shooting, dies in hospital

[24] Elderly man killed by police van

[25] Traffic on Pireos str. back to normal

[26] Super League results

[27] Rain and storms on Monday

[28] The Sunday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] Reforms and structural changes are top priorities, PM Samaras tells German conference

Addressing an economic conference organized here by Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily, visiting Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Saturday that reforms and structural changes were Greece's top priorities, adding that the first steps have already been made, but the country still has a long way to go.

The Greek Prime Minister stressed that more structural changes and fewer fiscal adjustments should have been made in Greece in recent years, noting that reforms are the government's priority.

Samaras reiterated that the Greek government's current focus was to conclude negotiations with the country's troika of international lenders (EC/ECB/IMF) within December. He added that Greece would not need a new support programme, as - following the confirmation of a primary surplus- the European Union has pledged (Eurogroup 2012), to take Greek debt relief measures.

Asked whether his government will remain in power, Samaras said that the government was stable and both parties -the New Democracy and PASOK, which in the past were political enemies- are now allies in the country's European course.

Reforms, stressed the Greek premier, are much more than just a word: they are central to the functioning of the political universe. There is no perfect recipe for successful reforms, he added, and listed four basic rules:

- a strategy which is followed step by step, and is not a mechanical but a political process as it relates to people.

- reforms can only be made by the full support of the people, never against their will.

- reforms in each step must create their own people's alliance and social dynamics.

- one has to be bold and careful at the same time. The thing is that the enemies of reforms react immediately, and reforms are being resisted right away, while support comes gradually. "You ought to tell people the truth about the (reform) goals. The message of the reform strategy is trust, honesty, hope."

Samaras spoke of the Greek experience, emphasising that in recent years the country achieved the largest fiscal adjustment that has ever been made, by cutting the deficit by 12 pct while at the same time loosing 25 pct of GDP, which is a world record, and reducing total debt by 68 pct of GDP.

He added that at the same time, Greece managed to wipe out its competitiveness shortage by reducing the unit labor costs. In addition, Samaras cited an OECD report in which Greece is given top place in reform implementation.

The Greek government, he stressed, "fixed the structural imbalances, introduced new legislation on investments, deregulated the so-called "closed professions," and is still pushing ahead with tax reforms."

Replying to a question on about whether he requested more time from Angela Merkel to implement the program, Samaras said that "Greece did its best to honour its signature," and even though acknowledging certain setbacks in negotiations with the troika, he underlined that the government's intension was to compete talks by the end of the year and move rapidly to the next stage.

[02] 'I want Greece's success as much as you do,' Merkel tells PM Samaras

The above scene, showing Merkel walking in the Chancellery corridors accompanying Samaras to the press room was part of a video posted on Merkel's website as part of "The Chancellor's Week".

The same video includes scenes from the working lunch the two leaders had, as well as from Samaras' reception at the entrance, with the words "Welcome! German winter!"

[03] German Finmin expresses respect for Greek efforts

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on Saturday expressed his respect for the problems that Greece had to go through in the reform process, while referring to 'results beyond targets' in some areas.

Addressing the "Leaders Meeting" organised in Berlin by Sueddeutsche Zeitung, and shortly after his meeting with visiting Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Schaeuble also referred to Greece's smaller deficit and the falling spreads.

"Greece had to deal with the biggest problems. And it fared better than the targets. We have every respect for that. Seeing what they had to face also in the domestic front, one should be fair," the German minister added, with the Greek premier being among his audience.

"We are on the right path," he said, stressing however that Greece must keep up the efforts.

He also appeared optimistic on the prospects of the euro and reassured that Europe had nothing to fear about the stance of Germany, where a new government remains to be formed.

"Germany will remain a reliable partner in Europe. No one need to worry," he said.

[04] Samaras-Merkel meeting confirms austerity policy will continue, SYRIZA charges

According to SYRIZA, what Samaras did in Berlin was "to proudly present the most pro-growth and antisocial budget, and win Chancellor (Merkel's) expected support to keeping up with the same austerity policy."

A press release by the party added that the essence of what it called the "Samaras-style negotiation" was to get good marks from creditors for condemning Greek people to poverty and misery.

[05] KKE comments on Samaras-Merkel meeting

KKE added that "stopping the anti-popular measures and an exit from the crisis that would be beneficial for the people require the organisation of a counter-attack by the people."

[06] Greece's fiscal adjustment unprecedented, but new, targeted measures needed, IMF's Thomsen says

"Greece has made tremendous progress toward restoring fiscal sustainability. This year, we expect that there will be a primary surplus, which is an important milestone. Against all international comparisons, Greece' s fiscal adjustment is unprecedented," Thomsen says.

He adds that "we understand that the new fiscal measures are very tough, both politically and socially. And we agree with the government that horizontal measures should be avoided; instead measures should focus on areas of wastage or overspending, and be carefully targeted to protect the most vulnerable social groups."

Thomsen insists on layoffs in the public sector saying "it surprises me that in a country with about 60 pct of unemployment among young people and where public services are often poor, the political system is so unwilling to accept that unproductive civil servants should be replaced by young, educated people who are anxious about getting a chance. Well, yes, I think that flexibility in implementing compulsory redundancies when necessary is a critical aspect of the programme, not only in economic terms, but also in terms of social justice."

The IMF official also insists on allowing collective layoffs in the private sector.

As far as home auctions are concerned, Thomsen refers in detail to the need to lift the ban on auctions stressing that many people who do have money take advantage of the existing legislation to avoid repaying their mortgage. In addition, he urged the government to take measures to support those truly unable to pay off their home loans.

"We believe that it is necessary for the stability of the banking system to end the ban on (home) auctions, while at the same time a system should be put in place to protect the in debt and weak. In political and technical terms, this is one of the most difficult challenges we face in the current evaluation of the programme," Thomsen underlines.

He also calls on the eurozone to observe its commitment with regard to Greek debt relief.

"There is a framework, agreed by the Eurogroup last year, to reduce Greece's debt, with the first tranche being paid out in mid-2014, provided that Greece will remain on track with the economic programme. We expect the Eurogroup to reaffirm this framework."

[07] Greek debt relief 'inevitable,' German party says

Bernd Lucke, spokesman for Germany's euro-critical party Alternative for Germany, said here on Saturday that a Greek debt relief is "inevitable," and if the country continued to be a member of the eurozone, this would be "a drop in the ocean." He described Greece's primary surplus as nonexistent.

Commenting on Friday's visit to Berlin by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Lucke said that the primary surplus that Athens claims to have achieved "is actually nonexistent and is simply the result of the already famous Greek practice of creative accounting."

He further argued that unless a debt relief was associated with Greece's exit from the Eurozone -to allow for a devaluation of its currency- the country could not enjoy a restoration of its competitiveness and an economic future.

"Even though creditors would have to write off a large part of their assistance, this would still be much better than indefinitely wasting endless funds in a hopeless case," Lucke concluded.

[08] EPP's Daul optimistic on Greek EU presidency

In statements made just a while before arriving in Athens for talks with the Greek government on its EU presidency priorities, Daul welcomed the priorities already announced, focusing on four areas: employment , growth and cohesion in the further EU and Eurozone unification, migration-borders-mobility and maritime policies.

He added that during the presentation of the Greek presidency's programme, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that the presidency's work will be guided by the principle of supporting citizens and the civil society's participation in the EU, through policies and initiatives designed to provide answers to Europeans' everyday problems, concerns and insecurities.

Daul also praised the Greek people's efforts during the economic crisis and underlined the significance of European unity.

On Monday, the presidium of the EPP parliamentary group is due on an official visit to Greece, and meetings are scheduled with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, government vice-president and Foreign minister Evangelos Venizelos, Finance minister Yannis Stournaras, Development minister Costis Hatzidakis, Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Public Order minister Nikos Dendias and deputy Foreign minister in charge of European affairs Dimitris Kourkoulas.

[09] Education minister presents second stage of university administration overhaul

The so-called university mobility scheme would start immediately, Arvanitopoulos explained, provided that higher education institutions will be open (i.e. not disrupted by industrial action), so as to allow for the rehiring of 650 administrative staff out of the 1165 recently placed under the suspension scheme.

The minister reiterated that the management of the redundant administrative staff had been completed, while in the next few days the Special Three-Member Committee would examine all the appeals expected to be filed in order to correct any abuses resulting from incorrect statements of details reported by staff during the registering process.

Arvanitopoulos underlined that 454 university and technical education institution educators were hired in 2013, while another 400 would be hired in 2014, which were related to "hiring new scientists" that were pending in the past five-year period, and which would contribute to upgrading tertiary education teaching and research potential, while at the same time putting a barrier to the country's "scientific resources" migrating to other countries.

[10] Education minister meets with Thessaly University rector

However, no statements were issued after the end of the meeting.

Arvanitopoulos on Monday concludes a round of meetings with university rectors as part of the government's efforts to put an end to lengthy industrial action by tertiary education administrative staff protesting the so-called suspension scheme.

Arvanitopoulos' last meeting on Monday will be with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki rector Yiannis Mylopoulos.

[11] NTUA Senate urges suspension of labour reserve measure for university admin. staff

A resolution issued after the senate meeting noted that the implementation of the measure for 399 of the university administrative staff, especially through the publication of lists of staff to be suspended whose validity was disputed, would prevent the university from functioning and that the Senate was unable to reorganise its administrative functions under such conditions.

A meeting on the same issue will be held on Monday by the Athens University Senate, to be followed by a press conference.

[12] SYRIZA accuses the government of taking the public service apart

SYRIZA added in a press release that it believes that closing down and or merging state organisations and laying off workers cannot be seen as any king of public sector "reform" or "rationalisation," but as simply reflecting a destructive rationale that first of all targets the public goods, education, health and welfare services.

In contrast to the government's plan to take the state apart, SYRIZA stresses, the reorganisation and reorientation of the public sector could turn it into an important development tool to restart the economy, protect the vulnerable groups, and be a vehicle for a socially just exit from the crisis.

[13] SYRIZA marginally leads ND, Antonis Samaras most suitable for PM, opinion poll shows

Based on the results of the poll, 29.9 percent of voters said they would cast their vote for SYRIZA and 29.2 percent for ND. In the third place is the ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) party with 10.0 pct, followed by PASOK, a minor partner in the coalition government, with 6.0 pct, Independent Greeks (ANEL) with 5.9 pct, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.9 pct, Democratic Left (DIMAR) 3.7 pct, Eco-Greens 2.6 pct, ANTARSYA 1.8 pct, LAOS (Popular Orthodox Coalition) 1.45 pct and "other party" 3.6 pct.

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister and ND leader Antonis Samaras was preferred by 33 pct of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 16 pct, while "no-one" was preferred by 36 pct.

An overwhelming 82 percent of those asked said they regarded the real estate tax as unfair, while 56 pct believe that the public service has deteriorated.

[14] Gov't, parties attend event for 71st anniversary of Gorgopotamos Bridge destruction

Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras and Ind. Greeks Parliamentary spokesman Notis Marias were among those attending, as well as local MPs.

Staikouras referred to the timeless message encapsulated in the blowing up of the Gorgopotamos rail bridge, noting that it was the result of a unifying effort "that bridged dividing lines, opposition, passions and fanaticism".

Tsipras noted that "an economic war has been declared on us. The country is living through a major humanitarian crisis," adding that "our obligation is to overcome dividing lines and build a new unity to save the people from hunger and disaster."

The central speaker at the event was former resistance fighter Vassilis Priovolos (Capetan Ermis), 95. He referred to the historic events of that day and individual fighters that paid with their lives during subsequent Nazi reprisals, urging the president of the Republic and the parties to expel the far-right Golden Dawn from Parliament.

[15] Deputy foreign minister inaugurates new Alexandria Patriarchate museums

The two museums included a Greco-Roman Museum in the underground ancient water system discovered some decades earlier during renovation work at the Patriarchate and a Sacristy on the first floor of the Library.

The underground water system dating from the Greco-Roman era has been converted into a museum for artifacts dating from the time of the pharaohs, the Hellenistic era, the Roman years and the Islamic era in Egypt.

The Patriarchal Sacristy, meanwhile, is situated so that one has to pass through it in order to reach the manuscripts' hall and displays all stages in the history of the Patriarchate over the years.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out jointly by Gerontopoulos and Alexandria's governor Tarek Mahdy Abdel Towab, in the presence of Egyptian officials and the Greek and Cyprus envoys in Cairo and Alexandria.

[16] KKE leader addresses event in Halkida

Addressing an event in Halkida, Evia, on the occasion of the 95th anniversary since the KKE's foundation, Koutsoumbas said that the his party "has not governed, has not participated in a government, exactly because the working class and its allies have not taken part in it. When the working class and the popular strata get ready and decide to direct their struggle against the real enemy which is the bourgoisie, the monopolies, their system, then the KKE not only will continue to be at the head of this struggle but will assume the government's responsibilities in this popular power of the workers."

Referring to the party's 95-year-old history, the KKE leader said that all achievements of the people's struggles bear the seal of the Communist party, adding that in crucial times the KKE was always present.

Earlier in the day, Koutsoumbas had met with workers' unions who briefed him on the "tragic" situation prevailing in work places in the region, where, as they said "industries are being turned into artisanships".

[17] Parliament president Meimarakis proposes fully scratching tax allowance for MPs

"The remuneration of a member of parliament is associated with that of the head of the Judicial authority in order to reflect equality among authorities, and a minister-MP receives the same amount of remuneration," Meimarakis said, adding that for this reason "there can be no cut in the remuneration (of MPs), not even as a symbolic move."

He further stressed that the 16 salaries that members of parliament used to receive in the past are no longer applicable, while MPs receive no reimbursement for their travelling expenses.

Meimarakis proposed that an accounting book of income-expenditure be introduced for MPs, so that their expenses can be taken into account in calculating their annual taxes.

[18] EOPYY doctors announce rolling strikes until Wednesday

Those reliant on EOPYY health services will be served by a skeleton staff on the days of strike action, which EOPYY doctors said might be extended indefinitely if the health ministry insists on the mobility-labour reserve measures and layoffs.

In addition to doctors, other staff at EOPYY had decided to hold a 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday and take part in a protest rally to be held outside the health ministry on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m.

The strike has the support of the National Medical Association, which said that the firing of EOPYY doctors will lead to greater hardship for millions insured with EOPYY and mean they are unable to have access to services they need, while many will be forced to discontinue treatment for their ailments, increasing the severity of the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Financial News

[19] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.372

Pound sterling 0.846

Danish kroner 7.570

Swedish kroner 9.028

Japanese yen 138.79

Swiss franc 1.248

Norwegian kroner 8.329

Canadian dollar 1.446

Australian dollar 1.496

General News

[20] Heavy rain on Rhodes island leaves two dead, one missing

Authorities are still making efforts to locate a 50-year-old man, an English teacher, who was on the same car and is still missing, after heavy rainfall created chaos in the area.

Meanwhile, another middle-aged woman was found dead near a bridge in the same area late Friday evening. The woman has not yet been identified.

[21] Aftershock activity recorded after Sunday morning's mild tremors on Crete island

The first of them occurred at 13:05 and registered 3.8 points on the Richter scale, at a distance of 136 km south of Ierapetra, while the second one occurred at 13:12 and measured 3.3 on the Richter scale. The latter's epicenter was estimated 121 km south of Ierapetra, according to the National Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute.

The main quake early in the morning occurred at 05:28 and measured 4.3 on the Richter scale, while its epicenter was estimated 139 km south of Ierapetra.

[22] Two mild tremors in sea region south of Crete

The first one occurred at 05:28 and measured 4.3 on the Richter scale, according the initial estimate of the Geodynamic Institute of the National Athens Observatory. Its epicenter was estimated 139 km south of the town of Ieraperta.

A second tremor followed at 06:05, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter estimated 125 km south of Ierapetra.

[23] Man injured in Exarhia shooting, dies in hospital

The man was rushed to nearby 'Elpis' Hospital in an ambulance after fatal injuries sustained during a shooting that occurred on the corner of Themistokleous and Koletti Streets at 19:50 on Sunday.

According to authorities, the victim is a foreign national, possibly of Albanian origin, and was shot by an unidentified individual on a motorbike. The shooter was armed with a Kalashnikov combat rifle and fired on his victims six times in the chest before driving away.

A Kalashnikov believed to be the murder weapon was found on the scene, while the victim was armed with two handguns, a pistol and a revolver, which he did not have a chance to use.

According to police conducting an investigation, the shooting is most likely a settling of accounts. The case has been assigned to the Attica Security crimes against life department and a manhunt has been launched to find and arrest the shooter.

[24] Elderly man killed by police van

Eye-witnesses said that the specific man had initially thrown himself in front of a car, whose driver managed to avoid him, only to be mowed down by the police van a few minutes later.

He was taken to Livadia Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

[25] Traffic on Pireos str. back to normal

Traffic police said that the side road of Kifissos Ave. (Athens-Lamia motorway) at the height of Iera Odos str. has also been opened to traffic.

Soccer

[26] Super League results

In other action:

Apollon Smyrnis (Athens)-OFI Crete 0-1

Atromitos Athens-Veria 1-0

Panathinaikos-PAS Yiannena 3-1

Ergotelis (Crete)-Asteras Tripoli 0-1

Xanthi-Panetolikos 3-1

Kalloni Mytilini-Platanias Crete 1-0

PAOK Thessaloniki-Aris Thessaloniki 3-1

Levadiakos-Panionios Athens (25/11/2013)

Standings after 12 weeks of play:

1. Olympiakos 34

2. PAOK 28

3. Atromitos Athens 21

4. Panathinaikos 20

5. Asteras Tripoli 18

6. Kalloni Mytilini 18

7. PAS Yiannena 17

8. Ergotelis 17

9. Xanthi 17

10. Panetolikos 17

11. Panionios Athens (11 matches played) 15

12. Panthrakikos Xanthi 1 14

13. OFI Crete 12

14. Platanias Crete 11

15. Levadiakos (11 matches played) 11

16. Apollon Smyrnis 8

17. Aris Thessaloniki 8

18. Veria 7

Weather forecast

[27] Rain and storms on Monday

[28] The Sunday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance

ELEFTHERI ORA TIS KYRIAKIS: "SYRIZA wants the national team penalised"

KYRIAKATIKI ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Troika's success story: In Greece until 2047"

KYRIAKATIKI DIMOKRATIA: "26 'corpses' on Venizelos'...bed"

LOGOS: "Tax evasion and uninsured labour orgy"

VRADYNI TIS KYRIAKIS: "When and why its best to retire"

AVGI: "Conflict with society instead of rift with troika"

EPOCHI: "Virtual budget, gloomy reality"

KATHIMERINI: "Thomsen: No horizontal measures, but insistence on structural ones"

KYRIAKATIKOS RIZOSPASTIS: "One more ring in the anti-popular attack"

PROTO THEMA: "...Honouring my kind, irrespective of wasting a semester (in tertiary education)"

ARTHRO: "How the government cultivates lawlessness"

VIMA: "Where layoffs will be made in the public service"

PARON TIS KYRIAKIS: "We bound ourselves hand and foot"

TYPOS TIS KYRIAKIS: "The amount of superannuation cuts in the public service"

REALNEWS: "An 'Angel's' support, a devil's austerity..."

FREE SUNDAY: "New options and hardships"

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article