The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 11-01-09

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin: "Greece Is Not Discussing Debt Restructuring"

Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou, in an interview with Reuters, ruled out any discussions about debt restructuring , underlining that Greece would deal with state debt crisis through privatizations mounting t 7 billion euros. Greece is not holding talks with state bonds holders on extension of period for the payment of debt. "This would not help Greece, neither Greece's economy, nor Greek banks, nor Greek citizens or the Euroean problem", he said characteristically.

"Greece will attempt to access bond markets in 2011"

Mr. Papakonstantinou expressed optimism that Greece would achieve its targets and get the next tranche of Troika loan in March. He stressed that the government has significantly reduced the state deficit promoting tough reforms and attempts to access bond markets in 2011.

Furthermore, he expressed conviction that the EU would reach an agreement on Eurobonds issue in the near future and take the right decisions for exit from the crisis.

The Finance Minister also referred that talks with China on the purchase of Greek state bonds , as agreed during the Chinese Prime-minister's visit to Athens in October, are in progress.

Plaskovitis Statements about Netting ���

Regional Development undersecretary, Panagiotis Rigas statements about netting VAT refund with debts to the state has created confusion. He, however, spoke of "wrong wording".

Government sources said that there was no infrastructure for further netting to ones agreed in exceptional cases, adding that the next taxation draft-bill would extend the relevant procedure.

In an interview with private television channel MEGA, Finance Ministry general secretary Helias Plaskovitis said that the Finance Ministry is only considering netting VAT in the state's transactions with companies.

On the contrary, he stressed that the Finance Ministry does not favour netting of state debts for supplies with due VAT to be rebated to companies.

Sources: ��� 105.8 - �NA - �PA

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