Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece's 'eviction' from Schengen wasn't raised or discussed, Commissioner Avramopoulos says

[02] Greek bank deposits up in Dec.; down 23% in 2015‏

[03] Fairfax's Prem Watsa cites significant opportunities 'if Greece sticks with reforms'

[04] Russia a priority market for Greece, tourism minister stresses

[05] ND spokesman sharply attacks gov't over handling of refugee crisis

[06] Farmers in N. Greece threaten to continue, step up protests next week

[01] Greece's 'eviction' from Schengen wasn't raised or discussed, Commissioner Avramopoulos says

He pointed out that there was actually no provision for such a course, though obviously all Schengen members had an obligation to implement the requirements of the border code.

"We all share responsibility for our safe free movement in the Schengen zone," he said.

Regarding Greece, his home country, Avramopoulos said Greece's external borders are the common European external borders and all have a joint obligation to assist Athens in the massive task of guarding them. For this reason, he added, the European Union had proposed the creation of a European border and coast guard.

"Greece has only one road ahead of it, that of Europe. This is and remains a historic choice, with a historic perspective," he said.

Referring to the negative Schengen assessment report conducted in November, Avramopoulos said this had found a number of faults that needed to be remedied.

"Greek authorities are aware and are already proceeding with the necessary action. Guarding borders does not mean closing borders. It means conducting all the security checks and registering the incoming migrants," he said. Greek authorities had picked up the pace and made a commitment to complete everything within the final deadlines, he added.

"Nobody wants to get to May and have controls on Europe's 'internal borders' continue, as is already happening between Austria and Germany and elsewhere," Avramopoulos said, pointing out that both the symbolic and economic cost were high.

[02] Greek bank deposits up in Dec.; down 23% in 2015‏

The central bank, in a monthly report, said that bank deposits amounted to 160.3 billion euros in December 2014, losing 23 pct in 12 months.

The Bank of Greece also said that in December 2015, the annual growth rate of total credit extended to the domestic private sector stood at -2.0 pct from -2.2 pct in the previous month. The monthly net flow of total credit to the domestic private sector was positive at 210 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 458 million in the previous month. In December 2015, the monthly net flow of credit to corporations was positive at 355 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 176 million in the previous month, while the annual growth rate of credit stood at -0.9 pct, against -1.4 pct in the previous month. In December 2015, the monthly net flow of credit to individuals and private non-profit institutions was negative at 98 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 256 million in the previous month, and its annual growth rate stood at -3.1 pct, from -3.2 pct in the previous month.

[03] Fairfax's Prem Watsa cites significant opportunities 'if Greece sticks with reforms'

"We expressed our optimism for the long term role of Greece within the eurozone and we reconfirmed our support for the prospects of the country," Watsa said, noting that the meeting had focused on the Greek economy and the challenges it faces in going forward.

He said Fairfax was a "long-term investor" that had strong faith in the Greek economy's potential and the abilities of the country's human capital.

He announced that Fairfax will continue expanding its investments in Greece, not only through Eurobank - where it recently increased its stake through the recapitalisation of Greek banks - and its investment in Grivalia Properties, Praktiker and others, but also through the recent acquisition of the Eurolife Insurance, thus entering a sector "in which we have extensive experience and see great prospects."

[04] Russia a priority market for Greece, tourism minister stresses

One of Greece's strongest comparative advantages as a destination, which could attract a larger number of visitors from the Russian market, was the almost inexhaustible variety offered by the country to visitors with different preferences, demands and financial means, Kountoura said. She noted that Greece constituted a very attractive choice for Russians in terms of the price-to-quality ratio, while it was a quick and easily accessible destination that was ideal for repeat visitors.

The full interview in Greek is available on the ANA-MPA subscriber website.

[05] ND spokesman sharply attacks gov't over handling of refugee crisis

On the refugees issue, he expressed his deep sorrow over the situation in the Aegean. "It is inconceivable for the Aegean to turn into a huge cemetery and the country into a huge camp of trapped refugees and migrants," he said, adding that despite the fact that Alternate Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas said that he will prevent the closing of borders, he did not exclude the possibility.

Moreover, he said ND leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis will undertake a series of actions aimed to support the country's interests and safeguard Greece's postion in the Schengen Pact area, noting that the opposite would have extremely negative repercussions for the country as well as for the European project. He also said that on Wednesday Mitsotakis will visit Lesvos in order to be briefed on the prevailing conditions on the eastern Aegean island, adding that ND leader has invited the ambassadors of 18 EU member-states accredited to Greece to accompany him. The initiative aims to point out the dimensions of the problem and to present the Greek positions. Two days later at a European People's Party (EPP) meeting Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet with top European officials, including Jean-Claude Juncker and Pierre Moscovici. He also added that the matter is mostly humanitarian, but also a matter of security.

"Greece is the border of Europe, and for this reason it has assumed an important responsibility during a period of crisis. It expects support and solidarity from its partners," he concluded.

Finally, he sternly accused the current Greek government of "obsession", embarrassment and inertia, charging that it has accepted huge responsibilities based on the Oct. 25 agreement.

Referring to the operation of the independent authorities, ND spokesman accused the government that in the last year is consistently trying to wound them.

On the competitiveness committee, he said that the government's stance "confirms the government's will to dissolve the independent authorities."

[06] Farmers in N. Greece threaten to continue, step up protests next week

With the exception of the farmers at the Malgara tolls and the Niseli junction, who followed the line decided at Tempi to close roads from noon to 18:00, most other rallying points held only symbolic road closures on Friday. Most farmers intend to take part in rallies taking place on February 4.

The road block for trucks at the Promachonas customs on the border crossing with Bulgaria will continue in the same way until Tuesday, allowing access to private cars and coaches.

The 800 tractors at the Malgara tolls said they will continue to block the road after noon and until 18:00, though they did allow coaches carrying school children to go through to Larisa. They ruled out allowing vehicles heading toward the 'Agrotica' trade fair in Thessaloniki, however.

The road block at the Kerdyllia junction on the Egnatia highway is also continuing, with more than 800 tractors in play, while farmers are also closing side roads and access roads for symbolic half-hour periods in that area.

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