Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Debate on draft law on measures and offset measures begins in Parliament

[02] This summer may become a turning point for the Greek economy, US envoy Pyatt says

[03] ND's aim is to render Greece a strong brand in Europe, says Mitsotakis

[04] ECB lowers borrowing ceiling for Greek banks

[05] FM Kotzias in Nicosia for Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

[01] Debate on draft law on measures and offset measures begins in Parliament

The speeches of the political leaders are expected to start at 18.00. The voting procedure will be held at 24.00.

[02] This summer may become a turning point for the Greek economy, US envoy Pyatt says

Addressing a congress on investment opportunities and challenges in the energy sector, he stated that this summer could become a turning point for the Greek economy, after the conclusion of the review, in attracting investments mostly in the energy sector. "It is the government's matter to take advantage of the timing and to make the changes that will prove that Greece is a good place for investments," said the ambassador.

He urged that pending privatisations must proceed and announced that next June he will attend, along with Greek Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou, a conference in New York where he will reiterate his confidence in the prospects of the Greek economy.

Referring to energy developments in the region, he reiterated the stable US strategy to support the strenghtening of Europe's energy safety. He expressed his support on the promotion of the TAP pipelines, the liquified natural gas plants in Revythoussa and Alexandroupolis and the pipeline that will link the natural gas systems from Greece to Ukraine. Howerver, he noted that these infrastructures should not transfer Russian natural gas but will change the equation and will not allow Russia to use the energy as a weapon. He clarified that US is against the North Stream 2 and the ITGI pipelines that do not support the Greek and the European interests.

Pyatt said that there are huge prospects for investments in the energy sector in Greece (TAP is only the tip of the iceberg) as Greece has the advantage of its geographic position that links Asia and the eastern Mediterrenean with the Balkans and Europe.

Finally, he expressed his support to the US-owned company which has bid to buy National Insurance stating that if it was selected it would bring millions of US dollars in investments and open new job positions.

[03] ND's aim is to render Greece a strong brand in Europe, says Mitsotakis

"We see the great cost of three lost years for the economy and society, as well as significant additional burdens for all Greeks and especially the weaker ones," he said, adding that these measures are the result of government's choices.

He underlined that there is another way for the country to exit the crisis, a way based on investments and restructuring with a different blend of fiscal policy and fewer taxes.

The aim of New Democracy in the tourism sector is to render Greece a strong brand in Europe, Mitsotakis stated and stressed the importance of a clear plan on tourism development based on attracting investments.

"Our aim is to promote tourism as a driver of growth that will push the economy forward," he said.

[04] ECB lowers borrowing ceiling for Greek banks

The central bank said that this reduction in the borrowing ceiling reflected positive developments in the liquidity of Greek banks, particularly positive deposit flows by the private sector.

[05] FM Kotzias in Nicosia for Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Cyprus' six month presidency in the Committee of the Ministers culminates with the organisation of the ministers' meeting of the organisation that will focus on the human rights and the democratic freedoms as well as the rule of law. In parallel the meeting will also examine ways to confront the modern challenges as terrorism, racism and the management of the mixed migration flows and the ongoing arguments in Europe.

After the end of the meeting, Cyprus will hand over the presidency to the Czech Republic which will hold it for the next six months.

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