Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras' meeting with farmers on Monday ;Thessaly farmers call nationwide meeting on Sunday

[02] Greek current account deficit shrank by 3.8 bln euros in 2015

[03] Teleconference at technical level to be held on Friday afternoon

[04] Fisherman rescues large number of migrants off Alexandroupolis

[01] PM Tsipras' meeting with farmers on Monday ;Thessaly farmers call nationwide meeting on Sunday

"Almost all the farmers' coordination committees have been informed and most of them have responded positively. We are expecting from the other committees to appoint their representatives," Rural Development Minister Evangelos Apostolou said adding "we are open to dialogue."

Thessaly farmers of the block of Nikaia, the largest in Greece, called a nationwide meeting on Sunday.

Nikaia block farmers stated their determination to remain adamant on their position and further escalate their mobilisations.

On their part, Tempi Valley block farmers are waiting Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' invitation for dialogue. Tempi Valley on the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway are closed for an indefinite period.

[02] Greek current account deficit shrank by 3.8 bln euros in 2015

The central bank, in a report, attributed this development to the improved balance of goods and services, which recorded a deficit of 235 million euros, compared with a deficit of 4.0 billion in 2014. Overall, the value of exports of goods and services fell by 8.8 pct, but the value of imports decreased at a faster pace of 14.3 pct.

In 2015, the deficit of the balance of goods registered a considerable fall of 5.0 billion euros, due to an amelioration in all sub-accounts. More specifically, the oil balance improved significantly, on account of lower international oil prices. In addition, transactions concerning purchases and sales of ships were also significantly reduced, largely due to the fact that they are conducted outside the Greek banking system as a result of capital controls. Finally, it should be noted that exports of goods excluding oil and ships rose by 4.6 pct, while the corresponding imports declined by 1.5 pct.

The surplus of the services balance shrank in 2015, as net transport receipts registered a decline, which is also largely attributable to capital controls.

[03] Teleconference at technical level to be held on Friday afternoon

According to sources, the two sides have been in close contact lately so that the technical staff and afterwards the heads of the institutions return to Athens and the program review is completed.

Economy Minister George Stathakis on Thursday said that the institutions will return to Athens in two weeks.

[04] Fisherman rescues large number of migrants off Alexandroupolis

The fisherman said while he was fishing he heard cries for help and spotted the dinghy with the refugees.

He took them on his boat and transferred them safely to Alexandroupolis port where they were received by the local authorities.

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