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Tuesday, 26 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-04-30Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Intensive consultations on new measuresPrime minister George Papandreou was holding on Friday consecutive consultations with his top ministers on the progress in the negotiations with a visiting delegation of the so-called "troika" of the European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new package of harsh economic measures expected to be announced in the coming days, while in Brussels Commisioner for economic and monetary affairs Olli Rehn's spokesman said that completion of the intensive negotations in Athens on the conditions of the EU support package to Greece was "visible".[02] Samaras: Urgent meeting of political leadersMain opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras on Friday called on President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias to convene an urgent meeting of the Council of Political Leaders to discuss Greece's economic crisis, during an extraordinary meeting with the President at the ND leader's request.Samaras told reporters after the meeting that "these are hours of responsibility for everyone", adding that the country "is faced with decisions that will decide the country's present and future". The ND leader earlier Friday asked for an urgent meeting with Papoulias "due to the gravity of the developments" and, speaking to reporters before going into the meeting, stressed that "we are going through critical moments that demand critical decisions for the present and future and for the social cohesion", adding that he wanted to set out his ideas to the President. Papoulias, in turn, stated before the meeting that the situation is indeed tough and critical, noting that the battle must be waged by everyone. "We must all acknowledge our mistakes, without exception, including myself, because I was also a member of many (past) governments," Papoulias stressed, and called for sensitivity towards the weak who are now called on to pay the cost. Papoulias further said he was pleased with the "example of Portugal, where the prime minister and main opposition leader sat down together at the same table to find a solution to the economic crisis". [03] PM: Phone briefing of President on econ developmentsPrime minister George Papandreou briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on developments in the economy on Friday morning, ahead of the President's meeting with main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras.According to a release by the prime minister's press office, Papandreou, in a follow-up to a telephone discussion a few days earlier, briefed the President on the developments and stated his intention to call on the President personally immediately after completion of the government's negotiations with the "troika" of European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials, who are currently in Athens, on the activation of the EU support mechanism for the Greek economy. The press release added that Papandreou asked the President to convene, after their own meeting, a meeting of the parliamentary political party leaders for a detailed briefing and discussion on the outcome of the negotiations for the activation of the support mechanism. [04] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe economy and new package of tough measures sought by the EU and IMF for activation of the support mechanism for the Greek economy dominated the front pages of Athens' newspapers on Friday.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The measures will be even harsher - The mammoth EU-IMF loan to begin being activated on Monday". APOGEVMATINI: "This must be a nightmare, it can't be real...Shock over the measures agreed by the government and the 'troika' (European Commission, European Central Bank-ECB and International Monetary Fund-IMF)". AVGHI: "Salaries, pensions, collective labor agreements and youth before the firing squad". AVRIANI: "George (prime minister Papandreou) surrendered the prime ministership to the troika". ELEFTHERI ORA: "In just six months, from a government with a broad popular mandate to a government of the lenders." ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "They're abolishing the 13th and 14th salary (Christmas full-salary bonus and Easter and summer holiday half-salary bonuses) for civil servants and all pensioners - 23 shock measures the heavy price for bailout by the IMF". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "EU and IMF adamant on shock measures in order to give us the loan". ESTIA: "The culprits of the impasse - They persist in undermining the economy". ETHNOS: "Nightmare on IMF Street". IMERISSIA: "Shock-therapy with 30 measures - Dramatic upheavals in salaries and pensions". KATHIMERINI: "Cutbacks in 13th and 14th salaries in private sector". LOGOS: "Shock and awe, and poverty". NAFTEMPORIKI: "The painful cost of the rescue". NIKI: "Shame on you - Unconditional surrender of the country". RIZOSPASTIS: "May 1, 2010 - Class unity - Counter-attack - Alliance of workers, farmers, self-employed". TA NEA: "The heavy price - They're giving (lending) 120 billion euros, but also demanding..." TO VIMA: "Devaluation of salaries and pensions - Unprecedented sacrifices imposed by Merkel (German chancellor) and IMF". VRADYNI: "MAYDAY (May 1 labor day and also distress signal) for the workers". Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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