Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] The agreement under negotiation does not include new measures, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

[02] All sides working hard for progress on Greek review ahead of Feb. 20 Eurogroup, Breidthardt says

[03] Greece, Cyprus and Israel signed agreement to cooperate in tourism

[01] The agreement under negotiation does not include new measures, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says

He also cleared out the agreement under negotiation does not include new measures at all.

Earlier, Tzanakopoulos accused the main opposition that instead of helping Greece's efforts, its leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis is accusing the government of the delays (in the programme review).

"The Greek governments are not appointed by the creditors, but they are elected by the Greek people," he stressed.

[02] All sides working hard for progress on Greek review ahead of Feb. 20 Eurogroup, Breidthardt says

The spokeswoman for European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici also referred to his upcoming visit to Greece on Wednesday, clarifying that this was of a "political nature" and not linked to the institutions' mission to Athens.

Breidthardt, citing Moscovici's statements during a press conference on Monday, stressed that this was a critical moment when "we must choose whether to build on progress or undermine it.

For the moment, she added, work was continuing from the base of the institutions and there was no precise date for their return to Athens.

According to a Community source, meanwhile, Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem is in close communication with Greek authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss the details of the outline agreement discussed during Friday's meeting, in order to satisfy all sides. A number of scenarios are being discussed in this context, such as the legislation of the measures in two "installments" and the inclusion of "positive" measures in the case that Greece once again exceeds its targets. According to the source, the aim is to achieve the maximum possible progress before the Eurogroup meeting on Monday and that there was "broad consensus" for this reason.

Moscovici's visit to Athens will include a meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, as well as talks with main opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Breidthardt said. He will also be awarded a medal by President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos and be named an honorary doctorate from the University of Athens.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos will meet on Wednesday with EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici, at 08.45

There will be no statements.

[03] Greece, Cyprus and Israel signed agreement to cooperate in tourism

The first phase of talks on the new organisation entitled EMTTAAS (East Mediterranean Travel and Tourist Agents Associations Synergies) has been concluded. This is an initiative of the Federation of Associations of Travel & Tourism Agencies Greece, FedHATTA.

The organisation will create an effective network of synergies between the tourist offices of the three signatory countries for enhancing tourism in the region of the eastern Mediterranean. These countries, together with Greece, will form the core of the initiative to "unite" touristally the wider region of SE Mediterranean.

The aim is to boost tourism between the countries, increase cruise and ferry connections, but also to attract compatriots living in the US, Canada, Australia and Africa so as to expand their holiday when they return home.

The new organisation will be present in third markets, a "mega destination" of three continents through joint presence in fairs, roadshows and B2B meetings, in cooperation with Aegean Airlines and the airlines of member countries.

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