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Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | ||
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-08-21Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Dendias reports 'positive climate' and German willingness to help after Berlin visitANA/MPA---Development and Competitiveness Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday reported strong satisfaction with the results of his visit to Berlin and his meetings there over the last few days, in exclusive statements to ANA-MPA. The minister said that German officials had displayed "realism" and expressed an overall positive assessment of Greece's progress, as well as a willingness to help by providing expertise and by directly financing of small and medium-sized Greek businesses."We are at a phase where growth is starting, when what is needed is to intensify the effort and deal with the problems of the past," he said. Dendias arrived in Berlin late on Monday to attend a dinner given by the German investment bank KfW, which has put up capital for the Greek investment bank Institution for Growth (IfG). According to the minister, KfW was "delighted" with its participation and he emphasised the fact that the German bank was investing money in a foreign market experiencing conditions of crisis. He said the development ministry's aim was for the German side to also participate in a second "sub-fund" so that this might also be activated as soon as possible. "Emerging from the crisis, Greek businesses will not only need working capital and loan capital but also participation in their own capital in order to grow. And this is exceptionally important, provided it is achieved," he said. Dendias reported an equally positive climate during his meeting with the Federation of German Industries (BDI) regarding both the performance of the Greek economy and the future opportunities it might present. According to the minister, BDI understands the geopolitical role played by Germany and its economy, including the fact that Germany needs other countries to be able to import its products in order to continue being a net exporter. "It is necessary, therefore, for investments to be made [in other countries] and for employment to rise there, as well. In addition, these economies in their turn must be able to carry out exports to Germany," he pointed out. Among the results of the visit was an agreement for a business delegation to visit Greece in March, with the participation of German Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel. The Greek side hopes that this cooperation will yield the desired results, Dendias added, noting that a similar attempt in 2011 had stumbled because Greece's economy was entering a period of rapid recession, whereas it was now entering a phase of growth when a foreign investor "can feel safer entering a market that is growing and hope for surplus value and profits in the future." [02] Defence Minister to meet with US counterpart on ThursdayDefence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos is paying an official visit to the US after an invitation by his American counterpart Chuck Hagel.The two top officials will meet on Thursday and according to information, they will discuss Greek Armed Forces participation in peacemaking missions based on Greece's recognised stability role in the wider area. According to the same sources, the two officials will probably discuss matters that refer to the upgrading of the bilateral cooperation of Greece and USA in the defence and military sector. On Tuesday, Avramopoulos received United States Ambassador to Greece David D. Pearce at the ministry and they discussed mutual strategic and defence issues. [03] Two 18 year-old men arrested for the twin murder in ManiANA/MPA---Kalamata police on Thursday announced that two 18-year-old men were arrested for the double crime in Mani.One of the suspects was brought in for questioning on Wednesday and has been arrested after confessing the crime. He said the the motive of murders was financial and is related to anabolics. The other suspect appeared voluntarily late Wednesday to Kalamata police admitting his participation in the crime and was arrested. The bodies of two men that had been missing since Monday night were discovered in a gorge in Western Mani on Wednesday morning. Both had been shot dead with a shotgun. The investigation into the twin homicide is being carried out by the Kalamata Security Police, in collaboration with a team of the Prosecution of Crimes Against Life and Property department of the Attica Police headquarters. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |