Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-10-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] SYRIZA's Tsipras meets with armed forces political and military leadership

[02] Commissioner-elect Avramopoulos on Strasbourg visit; hosts farewell lunch for EU, NATO ambassadors in Athens

[03] Farmers' to launch protests on November 1

[01] SYRIZA's Tsipras meets with armed forces political and military leadership

Firstly, he met with Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and then with Alternate Defence Minister Fofi Gennimata and the military leadership of the armed forces.

In his statements, Tsipras noted that Turkey's decision to conduct exploration with the participation of two naval vessels in the area of the continental shelf and the EEZ of Cyprus constitutes an unacceptable violation of the sovereign rights of the Cyprus Republic, as defined by the international law. We consider, he added, that this challenge aims at thwarting the dialogue process for the solution of the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN and undermines the already volatile situation in the region.

Referring to the "criminal political management of the unprecedented economic crisis" the country is facing, SYRIZA leader assured that its deterrent capability remains strong and this is due to the selfless stance of the personnel. At the same time, he stressed the need for the restitution of the injustices that military personnel have suffered. All court decisions must be implemented, he underlined.

Tsipras also reassured the leadership of the armed forces that they are surrounded with confidence.

Replying to a question, Tsipras stated that the deterrent capability is not associated with the arms procurement but the structure of the defence, among others.

The major weaknesses of the army, he added, are not related to the present crisis, but with the scandalous arms procurement programmes of the past.

Tsipras also stressed the need to refrain from the model of arms procurement programmes of the past and set a new basis, taking into account the management of the economic crisis, while pointing out the relative positions of the main opposition party.

[02] Commissioner-elect Avramopoulos on Strasbourg visit; hosts farewell lunch for EU, NATO ambassadors in Athens

The new European Commissioners will assume their duties on November 1.

At noon on Tuesday, Avramopoulos, who will assume his duties in the European Commission as the Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner, hosted a farewell lunch in honor of the EU and NATO ambassadors to Athens.

[03] Farmers' to launch protests on November 1

The relevant decisions were made by representatives of farmers throughout the country, who attended a meeting in Larissa, central Greece, on Sunday.

Farmers from Larissa, Karditsa and Lamia, who represented the farmers nationwide, said in the press conference their sector faces acute problems expected to intensify with the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy, which will result in a reduction of subsidies they receive today of up to 40 pct, while placing new restrictions on cultivations.

They underlined that the heavy taxation on farmers as of this year, the extraordinary surtaxes and the Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax (ENFIA), the production cost increase and the very low prices of basic products, drastically reduced farmers' incomes and led thousands of them to poverty.

The farmers announced their decision to participate in the PAME protest rally in Athens followed by protests outside branches of Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organisation (ELGA), Agricultural Insurance Organisation (OGA) and bank branches nationwide, including tax bureaus. In mid January they will assess their actions and decide on the future course of their mobilisations.

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