Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras and President Erdogan's meeting focuses on refugee issue

[02] Trade unions, IMF confirm gap in views on labour issues

[01] PM Tsipras and President Erdogan's meeting focuses on refugee issue

The Turkish President said the agreement also depends on the relationship between the two countries, while the same sources said that the Greek side "welcomes it."

They also referred to Turkey's efforts to reduce refugee flows as last year there were 5,000-7,000 arrivals every day and now refugee flows have been reduced to 150.

Greece still supports Turkey on the issue of visas, provided - as indeed for any other similar issue - that the criteria set by the European Union are followed, while it supports the EU accession process of Turkey, always provided that Turkey meets those provided in the roadmap.

Moreover, Greece supports the assistance to Turkey to address the refugees in its territory.

The two leaders confirmed that at this stage it is extremely useful all the issues to be solved through dialogue and understanding.

Erdogan also referred to the eight military officers who have sought asylum in Greece. Tsipras said that Greece had initially made clear that the issue is dealt with on the basis of those provided by international law.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Tsipras raised the issue of security, saying that the aim is to form a solution which, according to the firm positions expressed by Greece and which the prime minister reiterated the issue of security of all Cypriots will be examined provided that the Turkish forces will withdraw from the island.

According to government sources, Erdogan did not reply to issues concerning the Cyprus problem, adding that the overall response was to continue with cooperation and closer talks to address all open issues.

[02] Trade unions, IMF confirm gap in views on labour issues

The meeting between IMF representative Delia Velculescu and representatives of GSEE -Greece's largest trade union umbrella- headed by president Yiannis Panagopoulos, lasted one-a-half hour and was in the framework of the annual report drafted by the IMF on the Greek economy.

The meeting was held after a request by the IMF representative.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Panagopoulos said that the IMF representative offered no answers to the issues put on the agenda and that there was no point of convergence. However, Mrs Velculescu agreed on the classist nature of measures implemented in the country. "She was forced to admit that the program was classist hitting mostly workers and pensioners. But she did not say what will happen with the other market forces that enjoy wealth and prosperity at the expense of workers and pensioners. She also admitted that because of the measures implemented, a recession and high unemployment it was not possible for the Greek economy to produce primary surpluses for a long period of time," Panagopoulos said.

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