Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Govt't to present national development plan next month, EconMin says

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for different policy mix to get the country out of the crisis

[03] Deputy FM Amanatidis: Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO

[04] Turkish FM calls unacceptable Greek FM statement on Koran reading in Hagia Sophia

[01] Govt't to present national development plan next month, EconMin says

"Beyond this agreement, beyond these three pylons, the stability of the Greek economy creates a macro-economic environment which focuses on something else. The recovery of the Greek economy. This growth should be fair and democratic, to distribute benefits in a fair way to social groups. This goal is adopted by a development plan currently drafted and which is expected to be unveiled next month. The plan's goal is to lay out the strategy to exit the crisis, the framework and priorities, extroversion of the economy, the dynamic sectors with an international competitive environment. To determine through a dialogue with social partners, the strategy to exit the crisis," the Greek minister said.

[02] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for different policy mix to get the country out of the crisis

Mitsotakis, who was speaking at a conference organised by Naftemporiki newspaper, accused the government that it sinks the Greek economy into recession if it sticks on the same policy.

He explained that the conclusion of the negotiation will not bring growth as the government's policy mix is not recessionary. "It puts emphasis on higher taxes and reduced expenses," he said adding that public expenditure can be reduced by easing tax rates.

"We have proposed measures to reduce expenditure assuming the political cost. The government's policy will hit consumption and enterprises. These measures will boost tax evasion. This is already happening," he stated.

[03] Deputy FM Amanatidis: Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO

He clarified that Greece's adamant position on the issue is the recourse to international organisations adding that Athens expects the world community's actions via UNESCO.

"The specific action does not comply with Turkey's European course, with the European acquis, the respect to the diversity and the religious freedom," said Amanatidis adding that Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO.

[04] Turkish FM calls unacceptable Greek FM statement on Koran reading in Hagia Sophia

In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, it noted: "We call on Greece to show prudence in its statements as it has not allowed the construction of a mosque in Athens and constantly interferes in the religious freedoms of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and confuses the opposition to Islam with modernization."

"Among the values of modern, democratic and secular societies, there is also respect towards other religions and cults," the Turkish Foreign ministry added.

The Greek Foreign ministry had condemned as regressive the Turkish authorities' announcement on the scheduling of a Koran reading in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, on the occasion of Ramadan.

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