Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek and German Presidents inaugurate Documenta 14

[02] An overall agreement on debt is necessary, French FinMin Sapin says

[03] International Roma Day celebrated on April 8

[01] Greek and German Presidents inaugurate Documenta 14

The director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art Katerina Koskina addressed the event followed by Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou who praised the importance of that exhibition held in the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which is a "jewel of civilisation" in a country that resists the economic crisis in terms of culture.

"Based on its extravagant spirit and lack of conservatism, Documenta unites, while the art bridges and raises critical problems of the human civilisation," she stressed.

The artistic director of Documenta 14 Adam Szymczyk explained his proposal for Kassel and Athens to co-host the exhibition: The proposal reviews the idea of the institution reversing the usual hitherto role of the host with the organization of an exhibition in which it will be the guest with the prospect of a mutual lesson from Athens.

Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos stressed the importance of the exhibition adding that the Greek spirit is meeting with the German spirit in order to defend their natural position in the European Cultural Heritage.

On his part, the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that although the title "Learning from Athens" seems reasonable as this is the cradle of Democracy, the exhibition focuses on the present and the political and economic problems that we need to overcome.

[02] An overall agreement on debt is necessary, French FinMin Sapin says

"If there is no agreement on the sustainability of the Greek debt, markets will not regain their confidence in Greece and the country's return to the markets will not be possible," Sapin said adding that an overall agreement with the IMF on the debt issue must be reached and prepare Greece for returning to the markets in mid-2018.

Moreover, he said that the in principle agreement reached on Friday at the Eurogroup is a significant step.

He also said that Greece will meet the 3.5 pct of GDP surplus target in 2018 and the following years, however, restrictive measures must be taken both in 2019 and 2020. Provided that Greece meets its fiscal targets, Sapin said, it will be in a position to implement targeted social measures along with the restrictive ones.

[03] International Roma Day celebrated on April 8

It was established in honour of the first major international meeting of Romani representatives, on April 7–12, 1971, in London, according to a statement of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity.

"I hope that our joint vision becomes a joint project to improve the living conditions of Roma, to eliminate the dividing lines and to confirm that a better, brighter world is possible," the special secretary for the Social Integration of Roma Katerina Giantsiou said and added: "The Special Secretariat for the Social Integration of Roma, in the Labor Ministry, all the ministries and government organisations, regions and municipalities, are called to show in practice that our hopes can take form and political commitments be met."

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