Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Negotiating team received MoU, MEFP from creditors and will respond tonight, says government official

[02] Turkish fighter jets violated Greek national airspace 71 times-HNDGS

[03] Two Chiots arrested for transporting migrants from Chios to Psara

[01] Negotiating team received MoU, MEFP from creditors and will respond tonight, says government official

According to the official, who spoke after the end of the meeting, differences remain on two to three points which are important for the Greek side, noting as an example how the state will affect the general policy on public utilities through the Public Holding Company (EDIS), the fund's arm that will manage utilities. He said there could be a planning office which will define the policy of, for example, ports.

He said the government will examine tonight the MoU and MEFPs and present its observations back to the creditors. The technical teams will attempt to bridge the differences and pending issues will be referred to a top-level meeting between ministers and mission chiefs. He also added there are no differences between the MoU and the MEFP, except that the latter stresses some issues.

Concerning the inclusion of public utilities in the new fund, the government official said the government want to exclude some of them and that the list, which has been approved by the government economic policy council, will be discussed with the institutions and the new list that will emerge will receive a new approval by the council.

Asked about developments on the private investment in Hellinikon, he said "it is progressing", adding the forest service is examining the issue and then it will require the approval of the archaeology service.

Earlier, Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis said "only small differences remain" on talks with lenders which will be overcome by Friday.

The two sides discussed opening up the electricity market in combination with the sale of lignite-powered units and the power utility PPC's lignite and hydroelectric auctions.

[02] Turkish fighter jets violated Greek national airspace 71 times-HNDGS

Four Turkish F-16, two CN-235 aircraft and a helicopter entered Athens' FIR without submitting a flight plan, HNDGS said, adding it recorded four violations of air traffic rules which developed into 71 violations of national airspace in several parts of the Aegean.

The aircraft flew between Chios and Lesvos and exited Athens' FIR south of Samos, committing 31 violations of national airspace. The two CN-235 entered Athens' FIR without submitting a flight plan, the first flying between Lemnos and Lesvos and the second south of Rhodes, committing 19 and 21 violations of airspace respectively.

In all incidents, the Turkish Air Force aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek fighter jets which took off from Skyros. Two of the Turkish aircraft were armed.

[03] Two Chiots arrested for transporting migrants from Chios to Psara

The incident was revealed when police spotted the eight migrants at the port of Psara, waiting to board the "Blue Star 1" ferry serving the route Mytilene-Chios-Inouses-Psara-Piraeus. They eight were sent back too Chios where they recognized the two individuals who transported them the 81 km distance between the two islands.

According to authorities Chiots told them checks in Psara were more lax and were paid 200 euros each for the sea trip. Authorities are investigating whether the two suspects had done this before and if others are involved in the transport.

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