Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-10 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Energy minister says government will take measures if oil prices rises drastically [02] Schools to remain closed in Athens on Tuesday due to snowfall --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Energy minister says government will take measures if oil prices rises drastically If the price of oil drastically increases the government will take the necessary measures, Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis said on Monday, speaking to Real FM radio, responding to questions relating to the rise in international oil prices and the increase of the excise duty imposed on heating oil. "The conjuncture facilitated the price rationalization done last year and helped to stabilize the situation, so we start from a more stable situation," he said, adding that the government is bound by fiscal limitations which required an increase in revenues. "We refused to increase the VAT in electricity; we considered it to be against society, so we brought a balance which is fairer. If we chose other measures, these would have been more extreme socially," he added. [02] Schools to remain closed in Athens on Tuesday due to snowfall Schools and kindergartens in the Greek capital will remain closed on Tuesday due to the heavy snowfall in recent hours and the frost forecast for the early morning hours, the municipality announced on Monday might. It also urged Athenians to limit their movements to avoid accidents and being trapped in snow. "The municipality is ready to protect homeless citizens while crews are throwing salt on the streets to ensure access to hospitals," it added in a press release.