Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-02-24 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Measures agreed as part of bailout don't have to conform to EU acquis, Juncker tells MEPs [02] German tour operators see an increase in Greek bookings [03] German authorities open new kickbacks case involving German firms in Greece --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Measures agreed as part of bailout don't have to conform to EU acquis, Juncker tells MEPs BRUSSELS (ANA/M. Aroni) – The measures agreed as part of an adjustment program do not necessarily have to abide by the European acquis, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said in a letter responding to two MEPs who requested the restoration of collective agreements in Greece, seen by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. In the letter, Juncker says the European Court has confirmed that bailout programs are implemented by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and are outside the EU's legal order. In other words, when national measures are agreed upon as part of an adjustment program, Greece is not implementing European legislation and therefore the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights does not apply as such in the Greek measures. Juncker notes that the Commission understands its duty and is committed to the common values and principles enshrined in the Charter. "Our aim is to ensure that as part of the Greek government's proposals for reforms in the labour market, collective agreements will emerge as a strong and effective tool that will help Greece promote intelligently sustainable growth, quality jobs, prosperity and social cohesion," he is quoted as saying. [02] German tour operators see an increase in Greek bookings Germany's tour operators say current bookings show an increased demand for Greece this summer and countries of the Western Mediterranean, according to a report by Deutsche Welle on Thursday. The country's biggest tour operator, TUI, recorded a four percent increase in bookings for Greece in the current winter period and the coming summer, compared with the previous year. The second largest in turnover, Thomas Cook, said there is an increased demand for Greece which overcompensates for the drop in reservations for Turkey. All Tours said demand for Greece is "very good" for the summer and "good" for Spain. At the same time, the operator noted a decline in reservations for Turkey. The same is true for DER Touristik, which said bookings for Greece have doubled compared to 2016, with a simultaneous rise in demand for countries of the Western Mediterranean. It also said demand for Egypt returned for the upcoming season. [03] German authorities open new kickbacks case involving German firms in Greece Bremen prosecuting authorities have charged four Germans and one Greek as suspects for bribing Greek officials for defence contracts, according to a Deutsche Welle report on Thursday. The story was broken by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), citing sources. According to the paper, the five former associates of the defence industry firm Rheinmetall Defense Electronics paid kickbacks to Greek officials between 1998 and 2011 in order to secure a contract for the delivery of the Asrad air defence system, as well as the sale of a firing system for Leopard 2 tanks delivered by the German company Krauss-Maffei-Wegman. The newspaper said the case was considered particulary serious, involving bribes of about 3.3 million euros.