Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] 2005 year of changes and reforms, PM tells Federation of Greek Industries general assembly

[01] 2005 year of changes and reforms, PM tells Federation of Greek Industries general assembly

Karamanlis said ''organised interests cannot stand in the way'' and stressed with emphasis that ''grey propaganda, doubting and levelling will not succeed, they will fail and discredit those who inspired them,'' while stressing that the government is in conflict with accumulated problems.

The prime minister presented the main elements of the new economic policy being applied by the government, which include fiscal restructuring, which is a condition for the economy's survival, the deregulation of markets and an end to state monopolies with a new generation of privatisations, joint ventures in the private and public sectors and a speedup in the completion of major investment plans which have remained inert in past years.

Commenting on the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF), Karamanlis said that it will be directed entirely to the regions, while underlining that infrastructure projects in the energy sector are rendering the country an energy centre in the region, referring to the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline and the natural gas pipelines between Greece-Turkey and Greece-Italy.

Making a brief account of the government's work over the past 14 months, Karamanlis referred to the new tax and development law, the simplification of licensing procedures for processing companies, the joining of trade to European Union financing and the arrangement on working hours for department stores, due to be tabled in Parliament soon, which will benefit businesses, consumers and working people.

The prime minister hailed the agreement reached between the administration of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and employees, saying that both sides showed maturity and responsibility and that it was proved that there can be consensus in the economy.

Lastly, he stressed that the government is seeking reforms in labour relations, as well as a solution to problems concerning the social security issue.

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