Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres calls on Europe to increase humanitarian help

[02] We can exit the memoranda with faith and vision, ND leader Meimarakis says

[01] UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres calls on Europe to increase humanitarian help

"It is the appropriate time for an appeal to the European Union that must finally cooperate in order give an answer to this crisis. Because this crisis is not only a problem of Lesvos, it is not only a problem of Greece, it is European problem," he underlined.

According to Guterres, "Europe must increase humanitarian assistance in Syria but also in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Turkey, Iraq that host many refugees. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees stressed that "the European Union must show solidarity with Greece. It should help the asylum procedures and allocate these people fairly to all countries, to all Member States. But it must help Greece to create the mechanisms that will help people not entitled to asylum to return to their countries always in respect to their dignity and human rights."

Guterres underlined that "this is a moment of truth for the European Union."

Asked by the Athens - Macedonian News Agency on the further actions of the UN High Commissioner for refugees in regions affected by refugee and migration flows, Guterres claimed that "the resources and capabilities of UNHCR are unfortunately limited but what can be done, apart from the assistance that will continue to be provided, are actions and initiatives to highlight this problem in Europe and to redistribute the burden in all countries of the European Union. Do not let Greece and the island of Lesvos alone to manage this crisis."

Guterres expressed "gratitude for the generosity, hospitality and solidarity expressed by the people and the authorities of Lesvos." As he said "Lesvos is a small island and since the beginning of the year has received more than 250,000 refugees and migrants. "For this reason," noted Guterres, "the international community owes gratitude to the people of this island."

[02] We can exit the memoranda with faith and vision, ND leader Meimarakis says

Meimarakis also accused the government of taking decisions with painful measures that lead to recession. "We feel sorry for them, we do not support them, we look to the future and move forward," he underlined.

Asked on whether New Democracy will vote for the prior actions, Meimarakis replied: "New Democracy, in principle, will support anything it considers positive, constructive, restructuring and will condemn any measure that is recessionary, such as cuts and taxes, just to maintain an inefficient large state. Therefore, we will decide when the bill is tabled in Parliament and after we will have read it."

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