Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsakalotos: Second programme review can be concluded in December

[02] Seamen's union strike suspended

[01] Tsakalotos: Second programme review can be concluded in December

"I think that the conclusion of the second programme review is still feasible and I have repeatedly said that most of the people involved seek a solution. We have made clear our position regarding the importance of collective contracts. The working people have suffered the most from the crisis. If Europe does not ensure the conditions so that they can participate in the recovery phase, then it has no future. We have also made clear that taking additional measures after the end of the programme is not justified on political or economic grounds," Tsakalotos underlined.

Regarding the developments on the latest Eurogroup meeting, he said that this is what is happening with all negotiations, officials do not express their views until the very last moment.

However, he expressed his optimism over Greece's participation in ECB quantitative easing programme as all institutions and member states are well aware of its importance.

He added that the government aims at reducing primary surpluses to 2.5 pct as soon as possible. Asked on the role of Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem, he said that he may be strict sometimes, but he is a man that honours his word. "He believes that the Greeks meet their commitments and the Eurogroup must do the same," he stressed.

[02] Seamen's union strike suspended

"Reason has prevailed," Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroublis said in statements earlier in the day.

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