After lengthy consultations between the two sides in recent days, Athens tabled a letter requesting the extension of the loan agreement instead of respecting the bailout program as creditors had asked.
The ruling SYRIZA party was elected in January this year on an anti-bailout agenda and Greek ministers said on Thursday that the text does not move away from the Greek position, the government did not ask for an extension to the bailout memorandum.
According to Greek media reports about the content of the proposal, the government insisted on the implementation of measures to "heal the deep wounds" caused to Greek society by harsh austerity as a priority.
However, opposition parties and political analysts in Athens saw that under the lenders' pressure there had been a "softening" of previous rhetoric over unilateral actions to reverse bailout policies and a shift from the party's pre-election promises.
Conservative main opposition New Democracy (ND) party spokesman Kostas Karagounis accused the government of playing with words, noting that in the end it chose the wording that was used by the ND-led government as well.
The request for the extension of the "Master Financial Assistance Facility Agreement" was nothing less than the request for the extension of the memorandum and the program together, Evangelos Venizelos, the socialist former deputy prime minister added.
According to information on the content of the Greek proposal, Athens promised to meet financial obligations to creditors and agreed to the supervision of the Greek economy by the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund until it negotiates a final contract with creditors on the sustainability of the Greek debt burden.
However, the wording of Thursday's text seemed not to satisfy all counterparts.
In first reactions, the European Commission (EC) commented that the Greek request was a "first positive sign," but the German finance ministry stressed that the Greek letter "was not a proposal for a substantial solution."
Berlin and other counterparts insist that Athens stick to the fiscal adjustment and reform path in exchange for further aid. Without a deal, the country faces the danger of bankruptcy and exit from the euro zone.
- Greek Deputy Minister Yiannis Dragassakis expressed optimism for the result speaking to Greek media on Thursday, stressing that "in case of a rejection, everybody should assume their share of responsibility."
20/2/15
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Greek President calls for closer Greece-China cooperation ...
ReplyDeleteGreek President Karolos Papoulias on Thursday called for strengthening bilateral ties between Greece and China and urged further cooperation between navies of the two countries.
When meeting with Zhang chuanshu, commander of the 18th escort fleet of the Chinese navy and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the South China Sea fleet, Papoulias congratulated the Chinese fleet on the successful completion of the escort mission.
The President said the fleet had contributed to ensuring the safety and freedom of dangerous sea routes, adding that increased exchange between the two navies should be encouraged.
Papoulias also gave Zhang and his accompanying officials greetings for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Thursday.
China's recent growth was admirable, Papoulias said. He commended China's advocacy for peace, harmony and a multi-polarized world, saying he appreciated the important role China has played in maintaining world peace.
Papoulis pointed out that China's shipping giant COSCO is currently developing the port of Piraeus into the largest port in the Mediterranean area, an objective that would benefit not only Greece but also all other countries in the area. Papoulias stressed that great potential lies in Sino-Hellenic cooperation in the area of shipping and looked forward to further strengthening cooperation for the benefit of both peoples in the coming year.
The meeting was also attended by the Chinese ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli.
The 18th Chinese naval escort fleet arrived in the Greek port of Piraeus on Monday, commencing a four-day goodwill visit. The fleet is scheduled to depart for China on Friday.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/908329.shtml
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday praised bilateral cooperation between his country and China and sent best wishes to Chinese people for the Chinese Lunar New Year...
ReplyDelete"We will seek new ways of cooperation between the Greek state and the Chinese side," Tsipras said in a speech delivered at a reception hosted by the 18th escort fleet of the Chinese navy at Piraeus port.
Tsipras said his government will support China's shipping conglomerate COSCO's investment at Piraeus port, as well as Chinese investments in other sectors across Greece.
He expressed confidence that Piraeus port, as a key gateway for the delivery of Chinese products to Europe, can become a leading trade hub on a European and international level.
Tsipras added that there was great potential for bilateral cooperation in transports, railways, as well as in the tourism and culture fields.
The Prime Minister hailed the historical strong Sino-Greek ties, noting that cooperation, in particular in the maritime sector, was a solid basis for strengthening collaboration in other sectors in recent years.
Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli, Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Zhang Chuanshu and other Chinese officials welcomed the Greek leader and other dignitaries in the reception to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Thursday.
Thursday's event was attended among others by Alternate Greek Shipping Minister Theodoris Dritsas, Defense Minister Panos Kammenos and Piraeus Port Authority chief Yorgos Anomeritis.
Addressing the ceremony, Rear Admiral Zhang referred to Greece's help in the evacuation operation of thousands of Chinese nationals from war-torn Libya by Greek ships in recent years.
"Greece will always stand by the side of Chinese people when needed," Tsipras said, underlining the significance of bilateral collaboration in such operations in Libya and in Albania in the past.
Speaking to Xinhua, Greece's Defense Minister Panos Kammenos highlighted the significance of the cooperation of the two countries in the defensive sector.
"The visit of the 18th escort fleet of the Chinese navy is a great honor. It proves that good cooperation between the two nations can continue, and apart from the business sector, it can be extended in the defense industry," he told Xinhua..................http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/908331.shtml
20/2/15
Eurozone set for crucial talks on Greek request...
ReplyDeleteEurozone finance ministers will meet in emergency session in Brussels today to assess a formal request from Greece for an extension to its loan agreements.
Greece has pledged to successfully conclude the terms of its existing bailout, although it is seeking further flexibility.
However, despite a positive reaction from the European Commission and others, Germany is expected to push for further commitments from Athens.
Greece could run out of funds within weeks unless a loan extension is agreed with its international creditors.
Greece and the eurozone have one final chance to strike a deal on the country's debt to avoid a potential default and, just as possible, a Greek exit from the euro.
Athens has submitted what is essentially a take-it-or-leave it request, although the letter sent yesterday to the chair of the eurogroup of finance ministers is a significant climbdown from its earlier position.
Greece says it will honour all of its debt obligations, will cooperate closely with EU institutions and the IMF, and that it will not take any unilateral decisions that would push its fiscal targets off course.
However, the letter also says that the terms of the new arrangement should be "mutually acceptable".
It is understood that Germany sees in that phrase sufficient ambiguity to raise objections.................http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0220/681552-greece/
20/2/15
Valls: maintenir la Grèce dans la zone euro...
ReplyDeleteLes dernières déclarations des autorités grecques permettent d'espérer que la Grèce restera dans la zone euro.
La France agit et agira jusqu'au bout pour que la conserve toute sa place dans cette Europe et dans la zone euro, a déclaré aujourd'hui le premier ministre français Manuel Valls.
Selon lui, les dernières déclarations grecques sont un "signe encourageant qu'une solution est possible et très rapidement". "La France agit et agira jusqu'au bout pour que la Grèce conserve toute sa place dans cette Europe et dans la zone euro", a souligné le premier ministre français.
De son côté, l'ex-président français Valéry Giscard d'Estaing a déclaré aujourd'hui que la Grèce devrait sortir de la zone euro, cas le cours élevé de la monnaie unique ne permettra pas au gouvernement d'accomplir toutes les réformes prévues...........http://fr.sputniknews.com/international/20150220/1014817944.html#ixzz3SH4FR8v8
20/2/15
EUA pressionam UE e Grécia para chegarem a acordo...
ReplyDeleteOs EUA pressionaram a União Europeia para que seja alcançado um acordo sobre o financiamento da Grécia, prevenindo para "um aumento da incerteza" na Zona Euro em caso de fracasso, segundo um dirigente do Departamento do Tesouro.
"É importante para a Europa e para a economia mundial que se alcance um acordo", indicou este responsável, acrescentando que isso implicaria um "vigoroso" esforço "de compromisso" dos dois lados.
O dirigente do Governo de Barack Obama, a coberto do anonimato, vincou que "os europeus têm a capacidade de gerir estes desafios".
"Se as negociações falharem, a Grécia vai sentir os efeitos económicos imediatamente" e a Zona Euro conhecer "um aumento de incerteza, tal como a economia no seu conjunto", acrescentou.
A mesma fonte insistiu que "isto vai acontecer no momento em que a economia da Zona Euro está fraca e enfrenta pressões deflacionistas".
Quando Washington diz que segue a situação de forma "empenhada", o secretário do Tesouro dos EUA, Jacob Lew, falou hoje com o presidente do Eurogrupo, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, o ministro das Finanças grego, Yanis Varoufakis, e o seu homólogo francês, Michel Sapin, informou fonte do Tesouro......................http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Economia/Interior.aspx?content_id=4410641&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JN-ULTIMAS+%28JN+-+Ultimas%29&page=-1
20/2/15
Grecia, oggi Eurogruppo decisivo. Colloquio Renzi-Merkel...
ReplyDeleteIl Presidente del Consiglio Matteo Renzi ha avuto un colloquio telefonico con la Cancelliera tedesca Angela Merkel. Al centro del colloquio la situazione greca in vista dell'Eurogruppo di oggi e un giro d'orizzonte sulla Libia e l'Ucraina.
http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2015/02/20/news/grecia_oggi_europgruppo_decisivo_colloquio_renzi-merkel-107753138/?rss
20/2/15
Greek bank deposit outflows accelerated to over 1 billion euros over the past two days, returning to some of the highest daily levels seen this year, two senior banking sources told Reuters on Friday...
ReplyDeleteOutflows topped 500 million euros over Wednesday and Thursday with Greeks nervous ahead of a three-day weekend, given memories of capital controls imposed on Cyprus in 2013 over a long weekend, one senior banker said.
Monday is a public holiday marking the start of Greek Orthodox Lent season. Fears of capital controls have risen in recent days as Athens struggles to reach a deal with the euro zone for continued funding. The government denies any plans for such controls.
"Depositors have connected the three-day weekend with the capital controls that happened in Cyprus," the banker said, noting that the Cypriot situation was different since it was triggered by the collapse of a bank.
A second banking source with knowledge of the outflows confirmed the level of deposit outflows over the two days.
The bleeding from banks put outflow levels close to the worst seen in January - when an estimated 12 billion euros left the system over the whole month - before slowing somewhat in February, bankers said.
Reuters
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/international/greek-bank-deposit-outflo/1670492.html
20/2/15