Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras: 'This is the first time Greece will utilize information on tax evasion'

[02] President Pavlopoulos heads to Berlin on Mon. for meetings with Merkel, Draghi

[03] Walter-Borjans to ANA-MPA: 'Tsipras really wants to fight tax evasion'

[04] Ferry routes resume in Athens ports after winds subside, snow covers Greece's northwest

[01] Tsipras: 'This is the first time Greece will utilize information on tax evasion'

Greece received recently a list of Greek depositors with large accounts in UBS from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, known as the "Borjans list", after its finance minister who delivered it.

Welcoming Walter-Borjans at Maximos Mansion, Tsipras thanked him for his help in the fight against tax evasion and described as "important" the information received. "It's not the first time that Greece has received information and lists, but it is the first time that Greece has information on tax evasion and is utilizing it," the prime minister said. "After the 'Lagarde list' we have the 'Borjans list'. You're famous in Greece," he added.

On his side, Walter-Borjans discussed the experience accumulated by North Rhine-Westphalia during the 2008-2009 crisis and how such lists were utilized to increase revenues.

"It would be advisable to utilize such lists and not just to cut expenses," the German official said when he heard Tsipras say that the Greek government is discussing with the institutions about the revenues which could derive from tackling tax evasion.

"Many people have lost their sleep because of the government's efforts to fight tax evasion," Tsipras commented.

[02] President Pavlopoulos heads to Berlin on Mon. for meetings with Merkel, Draghi

According to a German government spokesperson, Pavlopoulos and Merkel will discuss the refugee crisis "which burdens particularly Greece and Germany" and the course of economic reforms of Greece's third aid program.

The Greek President will then visit Frankfurt for a meeting with the head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi.

[03] Walter-Borjans to ANA-MPA: 'Tsipras really wants to fight tax evasion'

Asked by the news agency if the German official got the impression the prime minister really wants to tackle the problem, he said: "Yes, one may certainly have that impression, if one sees what has been done so far for the utilization of this data, the fact that Greece acted immediately and that we have reached a cooperation agreement, which we signed."

He also said that the two sides didn't just talk about the issue, but did something about it. "It's a good base for the strengthening of trust between Greece and its European partners," he noted, adding it is "a very good sign."

Commenting on his meetings with Alternate Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis and Alternate Minister for Corruption Issues Dimitris Papangelopoulos, Walter-Borjans said he "could not have imagined a more consistent cooperation."

[04] Ferry routes resume in Athens ports after winds subside, snow covers Greece's northwest

However port officials advise travellers to contact the relevant authorities and travel agencies in advance to learn of any change in services.

On Saturday night, Athens' fire department received 164 calls for large objects and streets that fell and blocked numerous streets, with more problems recorded in the city's northern suburbs.

Around Greece, a bridge collapsed near the city of Kalabaka, central Greece, after the river Pinios overflowed, but no injuries were reported. In the mountainous region of Epirus, northwestern Greece, dozens of villages including Konitsa, Zagori, Tzoumerka and Metsovo have been cut off due to the overnight snowstorm and snow clearing machines have been sent to open the roads.

Further south, farmlands in the plains of Arta and Filiata have flooded, while rocks fell in the roads surrounding the region.

The weather is forecast to bring rain and snow today and on Monday, while a gradual improvement is expected in the evening.

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