Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Hollande in Athens: 'France stands by Greece'

[02] President Hollande in Athens: 'France stands by Greece'

[03] Public and private sector strike called for Wednesday

[01] President Hollande in Athens: 'France stands by Greece'

In statements to Ta Nea daily, Hollande said "I am here to offer France's support to Greece," and expressed confidence that French businesses would invest in Greece. "Both countries enjoy a long history of friendship during which each supported one another," Hollande noted. "The French people feel solidarity with the Greek people in the hardships they are experiencing. The meaning of my visit is to express France's support so that Greece succeeds as part of Europe's future."

Greece's sacrifices "have been more painful than those of any other country," the French president said, and pointed out that although making the state budget healthier is necessary, it is not enough; what is needed is measures supporting development. "I am coming to Athens to express France's availability in contributing to this through the cooperation of our administrative mechanism, the commitment of French businesses, and the mobilisation of European funds. I reject a Europe that would condemn countries to an austerity with no end in sight," Hollande pointed out. He said France could contribute in the sectors it excelled in, such as energy and water resources.

Referring to Greece's efforts to restore its credit abroad, Hollande said "Trust has returned," adding, "I have no doubt that our large businesses will participate in future tenders" for projects.amna

Hollande is meeting with President Karolos Papoulias at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, to be also attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, prior to attending a Greek-French business forum at the Hilton Hotel that starts at 3:45 p.m.

The forum, which Samaras will also attend, is organised by the French Embassy and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and will include the signing of an agreement between SEV and the corresponding French MEDEF for the establishment of a Greece-France Business Council.

Leading Greek and French entrepreneurs will hear speeches by Samaras, Hollande, SEV President Dimitris Daskalopoulos, SEV's Business Council for International Actions President Thanassis Lavidas and French Ambassador to Athens Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge.

Daskalopoulos said that "the Europeans of the south expect of France to lead the effort for more insightful and decisive initiatives that will reverse the European ordeal, because we have to care for our societies as much as we have to tidy up our finances. Unilateral austerity tears down the social network and social cohesion. Our peoples want the revival of a European vision based on economic growth, solidarity and national pluralism."amna

Speaking to AMNA, Lavidas noted the presence of President Hollande in the business forum constitutes "a recognition of the pioneering role entrepreneurship can play in this period of crisis," adding that the French leader's presence is also "an invitation to Greek and French business collaboration of which Greece can benefit greatly, considering France's advanced technology."

There is "great interest in French investments in Greece and in Greek exports to France," Lavidas said, "as well as in the establishment of joint ventures that can be active in the greater Balkan region and the Middle East" that could focus on sectors such as energy, construction, infrastructure, transport, tourism and health.

At the present, France is among the largest foreign investors in Greece, with 150 French-interest companies employing roughly 30,000 people.

The forum at the Hilton will be attended by the formal delegation accompanying the French president, the MEDEF International president, senior executives of French companies active in Greece, and Greek businessmen in France, as well as Greek entrepreneurs interested in Greek-French business collaboration.amna

[02] President Hollande in Athens: 'France stands by Greece'

In statements to Ta Nea daily, Hollande said "I am here to offer France's support to Greece," and expressed confidence that French businesses would invest in Greece. "Both countries enjoy a long history of friendship during which each supported one another," Hollande noted. "The French people feel solidarity with the Greek people in the hardships they are experiencing. The meaning of my visit is to express France's support so that Greece succeeds as part of Europe's future."

Greece's sacrifices "have been more painful than those of any other country," the French president said, and pointed out that although making the state budget healthier is necessary, it is not enough; what is needed is measures supporting development. "I am coming to Athens to express France's availability in contributing to this through the cooperation of our administrative mechanism, the commitment of French businesses, and the mobilisation of European funds. I reject a Europe that would condemn countries to an austerity with no end in sight," Hollande pointed out. He said France could contribute in the sectors it excelled in, such as energy and water resources.

Referring to Greece's efforts to restore its credit abroad, Hollande said "Trust has returned," adding, "I have no doubt that our large businesses will participate in future tenders" for projects.amna

Hollande is meeting with President Karolos Papoulias at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, to be also attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, prior to attending a Greek-French business forum at the Hilton Hotel that starts at 3:45 p.m.

The forum, which Samaras will also attend, is organised by the French Embassy and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and will include the signing of an agreement between SEV and the corresponding French MEDEF for the establishment of a Greece-France Business Council.

Leading Greek and French entrepreneurs will hear speeches by Samaras, Hollande, SEV President Dimitris Daskalopoulos, SEV's Business Council for International Actions President Thanassis Lavidas and French Ambassador to Athens Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge.

Daskalopoulos said that "the Europeans of the south expect of France to lead the effort for more insightful and decisive initiatives that will reverse the European ordeal, because we have to care for our societies as much as we have to tidy up our finances. Unilateral austerity tears down the social network and social cohesion. Our peoples want the revival of a European vision based on economic growth, solidarity and national pluralism."amna

Speaking to AMNA, Lavidas noted the presence of President Hollande in the business forum constitutes "a recognition of the pioneering role entrepreneurship can play in this period of crisis," adding that the French leader's presence is also "an invitation to Greek and French business collaboration of which Greece can benefit greatly, considering France's advanced technology."

There is "great interest in French investments in Greece and in Greek exports to France," Lavidas said, "as well as in the establishment of joint ventures that can be active in the greater Balkan region and the Middle East" that could focus on sectors such as energy, construction, infrastructure, transport, tourism and health.

At the present, France is among the largest foreign investors in Greece, with 150 French-interest companies employing roughly 30,000 people.

The forum at the Hilton will be attended by the formal delegation accompanying the French president, the MEDEF International president, senior executives of French companies active in Greece, and Greek businessmen in France, as well as Greek entrepreneurs interested in Greek-French business collaboration.amna

[03] Public and private sector strike called for Wednesday

The strike by the two umbrella unions of the public and private sectors respectively will also affect doctors, lawyers, teachers, tax service employees, port employees and seamen.

Transportation means have declared separate schedules for either work stoppages or strikes. On Tuesday, trolleys will hold a work stoppage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., while on Wednesday the Hellenic Railways (OSE) and urban rail lines (proastiakos) will be on a 24-hr strike. Buses in Athens will run only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Journalists, press photographers and staff, who held three work stoppages on Monday, will go on a 24-hr strike on Tuesday. Because of the strike, AMNA will not be updating its site from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, while the English-French Bulletin will not be published on Wednesday.amna

Newspaper distributors will be striking from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

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