Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-01-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Agriculture Min. on mobilisations

[02] Talks on illegal migration

[03] Diamandouros re-elected

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Agriculture Min. on mobilisations

Protesting farmers have proceeded with road blockades in the country and closures of border crossings in northern Greece.

Speaking to reporters after an informal cabinet meeting, Batzeli said "we understand the farmers' problems that were accumulated by the previous bad management, but what we do not understand is the manner through which they are trying to solve them."

"The government and the citizens understand the difficult situation which should be dealt with logical arguments," she added.

[02] Talks on illegal migration

Chryssohoidis and Besson addressed a joint letter to the European Union's Spanish presidency in which they call for the inclusion of the issue of illegal immigration in the next interministerial meeting's agenda.

Among other things, they mention in their letter that priority must be given to the situation in the Mediterranean, the eastern borders of the EU must not be ignored and special attention should be paid to prospects of cooperation with third countries of tramsit, particularly Libya and Turkey.

The two ministers concluded their letter by saying that "we desire that the informal meeting of European ministers on immigration issues that will take place in Toledo on January 21 conclude with the production of an accurate road map for the implementation of the decisions of the European Council on the basis of proposals made by the European Commission."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis

[03] Diamandouros re-elected

Diamandouros received 340 votes out of 678, while the other two candidates, Belgium's Pierre-Yves Monette and Italy's Vittorio Bottoli, received 289 and 19 votes, respectively.

Diamandouros was first elected to the post on April 1, 2003. He served as Greece's Ombudsman in the period 1998-2003.

The European Ombudsman's office investigates mismanagement complaints against EU bodies and agencies.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The escalation of protesting farmers' roadblocks, contribution evasion and changes in the taxation system, the problems faced by social security funds, the changes in university entry exams, Greek-Turkish relations and the government's next steps following the EU's initial approval of the Stability and Growth plan, dominated the headlines on Thursday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Six changes in university entry exams".

APOGEVMATINI: "Depositors withdrew 3.3 billion euros from banks (in October and November 2009)

AVGHI: "Farmers, do not protest: The country is in danger!".

AVRIANI: "Twenty-nine Turkish general had attempted to set up a war scenario with Greece to topple Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan".

CHORA: "Employment Minister Andreas Loverdos accuses public sector of contribution evasion".

ELEFTHEROS: "Turkish generals were planning a provocation in the Aegean and Thrace!".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "150,000 civil servants will lose a month's salary - Cutbacks in benefits and retroactive taxation".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Pressure from the EU, profiteering on the markets, and the government announces the second package ahead of the ... first package (of measures)".

ESTIA: "Government anticipates revenues that are dubious".

ETHNOS: "Taxes and civil servants' income regulations will be effective from Jan.1".

IMERISSIA: "Pressures escalate - Spread at 302 - 3.39 plunge on Athens Stock Exchange".

KATHIMERINI: "Shocking report on the 'hidden' debt - Independent committee ascertains that dozens of billions of euros from debts and guarantees are not included in the official reports".

LOGOS: "Prosecutors 'block' farmers - Bulgaria demands ten million euros in compensation!"

NAFTEMPORIKI: "2009 debt 'sealed in' at 12.8 percent".

NIKI: " The 'gravediggers' of the social security system ".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Farmers' roadblock in Nikaia calls on the roadblocks throughout the rest of the country for a united coordinated action in demand of the farmers' just rights".

TA NEA: "Up to 400 euros reduction in civil servants' salaries".

TO VIMA: "Retroactive austerity including cutbacks in salaries and tax hikes in effect from Jan. 1, 2010".

VRADYNI: "The country's administration officially passes into the hands of EU auditors".

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