Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-25 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Telecoms and informatics should become the engine of new growth, says Digital Minister Pappas [02] Alt. FM Katrougalos: Promotion of social and democratic character of EU economic governance [03] The contingent mechanism will not be activated, Alternate Min Fotiou says [04] Optimism over congress tourism in Thessaloniki --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Telecoms and informatics should become the engine of new growth, says Digital Minister Pappas Informatics and telecoms should become the engine of the new growth in the country and a strategic vision is necessary for Greece to become a digital hub, said Digital Policy, Telecoms and Information Minister Nikos Pappas during his meeting with the rector of Western Macedonia University Antonis Tourlidakis and the dean of the technological institute Nikos Assimopoulos on Wednesday in Kozani. Pappas who is paying a two-day visit to western Macedonia will have a series of meeting with the mayor of Kozani Lefteris Ioannidis, the regional governor Theodoros Karypidis and representatives of local agencies. [02] Alt. FM Katrougalos: Promotion of social and democratic character of EU economic governance Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos stressed the need of immediate measures that will promote the social and democratic character of EU economic governance, at his intervention at the informal General Affairs Council meeting in Valetta in which was discussed Malta's EU presidency plan and the future of Europe. Katrougalos said that Europe is before an existential moment and oughts to address the responsibilities of wrong policies that led to the current crisis. The reactions and anti European forces are rising because Europe's structure was not able to face the economic crisis, the citizens' fears and the uncertainty for the future but it implemented austerity policies that destroy the social state, shrink the middle class and widen the inequalities. Katrougalos also referred to the refugees problem as an issue of top priority and underlined that "the decisions must be implemented as well as binding rules of solidarity." [03] The contingent mechanism will not be activated, Alternate Min Fotiou says "The contingent mechanism will not be activated nor will additional measures be taken," Alternate Minister for Social Solidarity on Wednesday said in an interview with SKAI TV. She attributed the delay in the conclusion of the second review to disagreements between the creditors. She also said that the people trust the government and estimated that there will be no early elections. Fotiou said that unemployment will be reduced from 27 percent to 22 percent. [04] Optimism over congress tourism in Thessaloniki The year 2017 will be an excellent year for congress tourism in Thessaloniki, the general manager of Thessaloniki Convention Bureau Efi Koudeli said in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency's radio station 104.9 FM. "It will be a good year," for tourism in general, Koudeli estimated, as Greece is affected by the international developments which seem to be favourable for Greece. As regards congress tourism, she explained, profit per visitor is high because when the participants visit a place "they always stay some additional days."