Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-02 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] The programme review would have been concluded if it wasn't for the IMF, says Alternate FM Katrougalos --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] The programme review would have been concluded if it wasn't for the IMF, says Alternate FM Katrougalos Europe is facing existential issues (...) its citizens consider that the European Union has been delegitimised and has lost its values, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos on Thursday said in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency's radio station Praktoreio 104.9 FM. Asked on the Greek programme review and the IMF insistence of labour issues, he said: "The negotiation would have been concluded if we only had to negotiate with the Europeans, but it is the IMF that does not allow it. What we are asking for on the labour issues is what it is provided for in the EU acquis." Moreover, he said that he cannot estimate when the programme review will be concluded if we are not aware of the IMF intentions and added that that the issue has to do with political choices.