Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] SEV sees business blossoming in Greece‏, under right conditions

[02] ArtAthina art fair returns with rich parallel programme on May 26-29

[03] Used to human care, orphaned bear returns to wildlife refuge after one month in nature

[01] SEV sees business blossoming in Greece‏, under right conditions

The head of Greece's largest employers and industry association, speaking to reporters during a news conference, said that investments will come from the private sector and foreign investors as Greece had no funds and there was obviously no more money to borrow. He noted, however, that the economy did not resemble a coiled spring ready to be released so much as a gear that required all sides "to work together for growth".

"If someone is placing more burdens or putting hurdles before a country that is ready to run, this is a significant and political issue but not one that we can resolve. Policy is the responsibility of politicians," Fessas said, responding to reporters' questions over the need for political consensus. He added that SEV was striving for political consensus and referred to the Federation's action to find a common ground between all parties involved with economic growth (business unions, workers and the state).

Fessas reiterated that SEV was not supporting changes in legislation for mass lay-offs, nor changes in laws on lock outs and noted that SEV was not raising any issue about payrolls. He added, however, that negotiations between social partners and a collective labour agreement were limited to pay and benefit issues based on a tight union horizon and stressed that employers and workers should expand discussions to a variety of issues.

He said that the Federation did not recommend any cuts in the public sector workforce, or pay cuts in the public sector and underlined the need for growth countermeasures, such as combating tax evasion. He noted that any state enterprise that was privatised became much more efficient and helped boost state revenues.

[02] ArtAthina art fair returns with rich parallel programme on May 26-29

Aside from the artwork put on sale by 49 galleries from 13 countries, visitors will also have a chance to view the collection of the Municipal Art Gallery of Athens, a tribute to the historic "Kochlias Gallery" in the city of Thessaloniki, the Platform Projects@ArtAthina installation, a tribute to the work of the noted late sculptor George Lappas, the 'Cut the Fence' art initiative Swiss artists Copa & Sordes and the art space BBLACKBOXX in Basle, the 'Time Matters' exhibition featuring prisoner art and other activities.

The 'Cut the Fence' initiative, in particular, will invite participants to cut 20 metres of a 657-metre fabric "fence" printed on African damask - a copy of the actual fence surrounding a camp and deportation centre situated near BBLACKBOXX in Basle - as a symbolic "destruction" of fences built to prevent refugees from entering other countries. The sections of the fence will be cut in exchange for a donation that will be given to the aid organisation "Medecins du Monde Greece".

Art-Athina 2016 is the 21st edition of the art fair launched by the Hellenic Art Galleries Association in 1993, making it one of the longest lasting contemporary art fairs in Europe and the largest annual visual arts event in Greece. Last year the art fair received 39,000 visitors, while this year the organisers aim to increase this to 42,000. The full programme is available at the website artathina.gr

[03] Used to human care, orphaned bear returns to wildlife refuge after one month in nature

Patrick, as the cub was named, was rescued in the region's mountains in March 2015 when he was just a few weeks old and was cared by Arktouros for a year. He lived under the close supervision of his carers who provided food and shelter but also training on how to survive in nature.

Patrick was eventually released in April, but after roaming free for a month, he was sighted at a section of the refuge not open to visitors. When he was identified by his electronic tag, Arktouros' emergency team recaptured the bear to avoid contact with humans and led him back into the centre.

"Scientists believe that despite every effort to give Patrick a second chance in the wild as a free bear, the fact that he was captured just a few weeks old ... resulted in him becoming very accustomed to human presence and cannot survive by himself," Akrtouros spokesman Panos Stefanou told ANA-MPA.

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