Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-02 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Legality is Greece's weapon in the international arena, FM Kotzias says [02] The government is ahead of its targets, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Legality is Greece's weapon in the international arena, FM Kotzias says "We defend the international and European law and we reiterate that legality is Greece's weapon in the international arena," said Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Thursday in his address at a pie cutting ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry. "Greece is a country that believes in peaceful coexistence, in cooperation with its neighbors internationally and globally, it is a country that does not want unnecessary disagreements with anyone nor will it retreat to anyone's pressure," stressed the Foreign Minister and added: "Greece is a country that believes in international law, international institutions, international procedures, and it defends them along with the protection of human rights. Greece is a country that promotes good relations with its neighbors." [02] The government is ahead of its targets, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says The government is ahead of its targets, State Minister and government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos on Thursday said in an interview with Real 97.8 FM. Tzanakopoulos replied to a question about a recent Bloomberg report claiming that Greece hasn't completed 2/3 of the prior actions. He also said that the IMF's extreme demands are the reason why the conclusion of the Greek programme review has been delayed. The government spokesman stressed that the IMF;s demand that Greece legislate in advance for measures amounting tp 4.5 billion euros after the end of the programme is absurd and is not justified, politically or financially. He also acknowledged the negative impact of uncertainty but, as he said, it is a result of the IMF stance. He promised, however, that the government will do its best to conclude the review as soon as possible.