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Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | ||
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-03-27Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Finmin rules out Cyprus-style 'haircut' in troubled EU economiesAMNA--Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras on Tuesday ruled out the prospect of a Cyprus-style "haircut" of deposits by other troubled European economies in the future, following his meeting with Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias concerning the Cyprus bailout.Stournaras seemed positive that the Cyprus bailout would not be used as a template for countries other than Cyprus, replying to fears originally sparked by the head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem in his original statements about the EU plan.amna Under a barrage of questions, the finance minister said that he had briefed the president on the two crucial meetings between Eurozone finance ministers concerning the bailout, stressing that the "Eurozone is not insecure" and that the meeting had stressed that the specific solution will be used in Cyprus. Asked whether there might be a haircut of deposits if "circumstances demanded", the finance minister ruled out such a possibility and repeated that the proposed plan "was discussed only for Cyprus, whose banking system is unique case". [02] PM Samaras holds meeting with IIF head DallaraAMNA--Prime Minister Antonis Samaras held a 45-minute meeting at the Maximos Mansion on Tuesday afternoon with the head of the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Charles Dallara. No statements were made after the meeting.Earlier a decision was taken on immediate measures, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at the Maximos Mansion with the participation of Justice Minister Antonis Roupakiotis and Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias. Such measures may include enforcement of heavier guarding of prisons to prevent access by criminals to spaces outside prisons, as well as establishing a high security prison where serious crime convicts will be transferred.amna Roupakiotis said that there are plans for hiring 500 penitentiary employees in the coming period, while another 200 employees will be added as a result to the mobility programme in the public sector. As regards the escape at Trikala prison, the Justice minister said that an investigation is under way, while another inquiry is also taking place following reports on inmate beatings.amna Dendias said the Greek Police (ELAS) will provide heavy equipment for the external prison guards and will also help with the presence of special EKAM forces in search tactics in the cells of long-term convicts. [03] Invest in Greece survey confirms quality of servicesAMNA--The agency "Invest in Greece" will soon be in a position to offer even more services, such as the "Investor's Ombudsman," envisaged to speed up all kinds of investments in Greece above two million euros, as Stephanos Issaias, head of the body, stressed in a statement on the occasion of a Client Satisfaction Survey. Invest in Greece has been qualified with ISO-9001:2008 for its quality management system.The survey was conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2012, and recorded a high level of satisfaction and especially positive responses with regard to services rendered, confirming the quality and professionalism in all of the agency's activities. amna The survey was conducted through 265 questionnaires sent to clients-recipients of services offered by Invest in Greece, including investors, diplomats, institutional partners, citizens and journalists, who contacted the agency's professionals and required information and/or guidance with regard to their business activities. amna The agency said that the improvement in services recorded in this year's assessment is of special importance considering that in 2012 Invest in Greece operated under tough conditions characterized by the economic crisis, uncertainty and negative publicity for Greece. [04] TAP pipeline engineering design completedAMNA--The natural gas Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has reached another significant milestone in the project development by completing the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, in view of the submission of the Decision Support Package by TAP to the Shah Deniz Consortium on March 31.The specific design finalises some key technical parameters for the planned pipeline, such as the optimal routing onshore and offshore, specification of the pipeline material and design of valves, crossings, and compressor stations. amna The documentation also includes the logistical effort required for the TAP construction including resources, machinery, time and infrastructure necessary to build the over 800 km long pipeline across Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea with a landfall in southern Italy. amna The next steps in the development of the pipeline are now the detailed engineering, start of tendering for steel pipes and construction services. The Shah Deniz Consortium is expected to make a decision on the preferred gas transportation route by June. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |