Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU-IMF inspectors in Athens for review

[02] President stern at celebration for democracy

[03] Man wanted on international warrant arrested in Thessaloniki

[04] High temperatures send Greeks to beaches in droves

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] EU-IMF inspectors in Athens for review

The troika, which begins work on Monday, will draw up a report on the basis of which a second tranche of the economic aid package for the Greek economy will be disbursed.

The problematic DEKO (public utilities and organisations), state hospitals' debts, social security funds, tax revenues and local government finances will be under the inspectors' microscope.

The agenda of discussions with the Greek authorities include liberalisation of the energy market, the opening up of the so-called 'closed' professions, acceleration of absorption of NSRF (National Strategic Reference Framework) funds, local government and hospital expenditures and restructuring of the banking system.

An interim report in mid-July by the IMF found the Greek stability program to be "broadly on track", with the Greek authorities having made considerable progress in putting the public finances on a sustainable path and having implemented major reforms ahead of schedule.

A team of inspectors of the European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) "troika" have arrived in Athens later for the first full review of the country's economic stability program since the activation of the support mechanism for the Greek economy. The troika, which begins work on Monday, will draw up a report on the basis of which a second tranche of the economic aid package for Greece will be disbursed.

[02] President stern at celebration for democracy

"The disapproval that is today levelled against the political system is often crude in its generalisation but justified at its core," Papoulias underlined.

The president was speaking at a reception held at the presidential mansion on Saturday morning to mark the 36th anniversary since the restoration of democracy, after the fall of the military junta that then ruled Greece in July 1974.

No less severe was his disapproval of those that displayed "trade union autism" in their protests while disregarding the interests of society as a whole.

The president's speech outlined the chronic problems in the country and stressed that the State had to first give an example, while he underlined the need to give prospects to the younger generations "that are shouldering the greatest burden in the crisis". At another point in his speech, he said that the demolition of the European social model was a "panic reaction" while he appeared confident that the EU would weather the storm because "the common interests of its people are strong".

In light of the economic crisis, this year's reception followed the simpler and less ostentatious pattern adopted in 2009, without a buffet in the presidential gardens or a live orchestra.

The event was attended by Greece's entire state and political leadership, including Prime Minister George Papandreou, main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras and all the political party leaders except Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga. There were also representatives of the clergy, MPs, MEPs and several academics, in addition to other officials.

At the centre of attention once again were resistance fighters against the dictatorship and also 12 students and young scientists that had distinguished themselves in their respective fields, including this year's top-scoring candidate in the nationwide university entrance examinations, disabled highschool student Rafael Papadopoulos.

[03] Man wanted on international warrant arrested in Thessaloniki

According to police, a 29-year-old man was arrested on an international warrant, who is wanted by the Albanian authorities for attempted homicide, causing bodily harm and perjury.

A 22-year-old woman was also arrested, on charges of perjury and harboring a criminal.

[04] High temperatures send Greeks to beaches in droves

Temperatures reached up to 42 degrees Centigrade in many parts of the country throughout the weekend.

The weather is expected to cool of on Monday throughout the country, while some cloud is expected, with the possibility of local showers or even brief storms, in central and eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

(Photo: ANA-MPA/V. Paschali)

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The Greek banks' passing of the Europe-wide stress tests and the arrival of the European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) 'troika' inspectors were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Sunday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The Americans deceived me - Explosive revelation by Dimitrios Ioannidis (military leader involved in the 1967-1974 dictatorship, who is serving a life sentence at Korydallos prison) - Light shed on the dramatic behind-the-scenes of July 1974".

APOGEVMATINI: "Campaign on pensions - The government goes on vacation and Samaras (main opposition ND leader) launches counter-attack".

AVGHI: "Government giving 'earth and water'."

AVRIANI: "Gangs of extortionists and agents behind the blogs".

CHORA: "Maximos (government headquarters) Investment Group - Papandreou (prime minister wants to have full control over business activity".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The troika inspectors bringing new measures - They're coming tomorrow and will revise the deficit upwards..."

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Seven changes to taxes, receipts - Plans for higher VAT in restaurants, bars and cafes".

ETHNOS: "Double bomb by Zorbas for Alogoskoufis and 'blue' (referring to ND) funds".

KATHIMERINI: "2011 more painful, after the recovery - The chief of the troika inspectors Servaas Deroose (European Commission Deputy Director General for economic and financial affairs) calls for more responsible opposition".

LOGOS: "The success in the 'stress tests' reinforces confidence in the banking system".

NIKI: "High interest rates, higher yields - How to increase your money with time deposits".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Insubordination to the salary reductions - The government legislating prohibition of salary increases in the private sector".

TO VIMA: "The secrets of the 'Sect' (Revolutionaries' Sect terrorist group) - The ELAS (Greek Police) secret investigation before the murder of the blogger (journalist Socrates Giolias)".

VRADYNI: "Pensions: When is the most appropriate time to retire with full remuneration - Analytical charts".

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