Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras: 'Austerity is not a founding rule of Europe'

[02] Russian President invites PM Tsipras to visit Moscow

[03] ND leader expresses concern over government's first moves

[01] PM Tsipras: 'Austerity is not a founding rule of Europe'

Greece will no longer take orders and will have its own voice and negotiating strength, he added, pointing out that in just one week the government had succeeded in changing the agenda of the talks talking place in Europe.

Austerity, he stressed, is not a founding rule of the European Union.

Tsipras also underlined that it was the government's obligation not to allow the citizens to be deceived again, repeating that the agreement with the people will be upheld.

[02] Russian President invites PM Tsipras to visit Moscow

Putin invited Tsipras to visit Moscow on May 9 when celebrations will take place, commemorating the peoples' victory over fascism. On his part, the Greek prime minister underlined the importance he attributes to the fight against Nazism, expressing his intention to accept the invitation.

The Russian leader's top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Putin congratulated Tsipras on his victory in last month's general elections and on the assumption of his duties as the new prime minister of Greece.

The discussion was very warm and constructive, he said, noting that President Putin invited Tsipras to Russia. He also said that the will for a more active development of bilateral relations was reaffirmed.

The Russian ministers of foreign affairs and defence have already invited their Greek counterparts to visit Moscow.

[03] ND leader expresses concern over government's first moves

"What government ministers say is either a preparation for a confrontation with the European Union or a preparation for a change of stance," Samaras said and underlined: "If the government chooses to continue our policy in its own way, we will support it. If it implements what it has promised, there will be difficult times for Greece. We have already warned and these warnings apply in full."

"If the government chooses to 'steer the ship onto the rocks', then we will oppose to it. If they try to destroy scheduled reforms, then we will also oppose it," he added.

Samaras referred to the ECB's decision, saying that it caused concern, as European Parliament President Martin Schulz said that the country is in danger of default if it does not abide by its commitments, adding that the country is in the most critical moment of its recent history. "We are always a party of national responsibility. From the position of the main opposition, we will support what is right and criticise what is wrong. We will not hesitate to vote for something that is right, or to vote against something that is wrong," he said.

"The government of New Democracy has successfully dealt with Greece's recovery. We took over chaos and handed over a state; we got the country out of the crisis, although this has not been recognised by some [that are] petty-minded," Samaras noted.

In an assessment of the election result in relation to the difficulties his government had to deal with, Samaras said: "New Democracy lost the elections, but stood on its feet... it suffered a small loss compared to the percentage it got in 2012."

Finally, during the meeting of New Democracy's parliamentary group, Yiannis Plakiotakis was elected new secretary of the party.

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