Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] MEP Elmar Brok: Germany will stand by Greece

[01] MEP Elmar Brok: Germany will stand by Greece

Brok said that the troika of Greece's lenders - "who made mistakes but there was no crisis solution handbook," therefore "he who is without sin should cast the first stone" - will pass through many audits at Europarliament. He also noted that the difficulty lies in creating a balance "among reforms, economic activity and political burden".

Brok stated that he supports the idea of an extension of the favourable-interest period to facilitate the sustainability of the Greek debt. He also underlined that the Europarliament is planning to organise a hearing on the maritime law, before the euroelections.

On the Greek crisis, Brok noted that the "exit from the tunnel will be so bright that the Greek citizens will see it," pointing indirectly at those political leaders who chose not to attend the events for the assumption of Greece's EU presidency and chose instead to isolate themselves.

Regarding the migration issue within EU and speculations over restrictions on European citizens' movement, Brok clarified his previous statements, saying that he does not agree with the opinion that the borders must be shut down. "Borders in Europe have opened and this is a new situation," he said.

On his part, Venizelos noted that "in 2009 the Greek government was before a dilemma: either of the course towards a disorderly default or of a conditional cooperation with the EU" adding that "the selection was difficult". But, as he said, it "was taken by the Greek people, who with a clear majority indicated a specific strategy, which is difficult and painful but safer than the other choice. The end of the story will vindicate the people's selection".

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