Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-11
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
CONTENTS
[01] Stathakis: Gov't wants to close all pending issues at next Eurogroup;
     plan for new DESFA tender
[02] Kotzias in Washington D.C. next week for meeting with Secretary of
     State Tillerson
[03] Monastiraki metro station reopens after end of protest rally
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[01] Stathakis: Gov't wants to close all pending issues at next Eurogroup;
plan for new DESFA tender

The government aims to close all pending issues in Greece's second
program review at the next Eurogroup, Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis
said in an interview with newspaper "Alithines Edeseis" on Saturday,
adding he is in favour of a package agreement.

He said if the measures agreed with the country's creditors are "socially
neutral" the government will be able to pass them through parliament.

Asked about the remaining issues which concerns the opening of the energy
market, the minister said the solution being promoted is to reduce power
utility PPC's market share below 50 percent by 2020.

So far, the two sides have agreed on a mechanism which will reduce
the stake and discussions are being held on proposals submitted by the
company. If these proposals fail, "it has been agreed that a clause from
the initial deal will be activated which requires the sale of units,"
he said.

"We believe PPC will not have stake over 50 percent in 2020, so it
doesn't need to sell any units. The 17 percent stake [in PPC] it is a
given it will involve [the privatization agency] TAIPED in the future
and the superfund [new privatization fund]. But PPC's value today is at
a low level and at the same time we believe the State must maintain a
strong presence in the company," he was quoted as saying.

Asked about the timeframe for the sale of a stake in gas grid operator
DESFA, Stathakis said the ministry plans a new tender which will take
about 12 months to hold, including the approvals from the EU.


[02] Kotzias in Washington D.C. next week for meeting with Secretary of
State Tillerson

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will be in Washington, D.C. on Monday
and Tuesday (March 13-14), for a series of meetings with U.S. Secretary
of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor Lieutenant General
H. R. McMaster, representatives of the U.S. administration, members of
Congress, representatives of the academic community and Greek-American
organizations.


[03] Monastiraki metro station reopens after end of protest rally

The metro station Monastiraki reopened on Saturday afternoon, after a
protest rally organized by various groups which oppose the installation
of the new ticket barriers concluded.

The stations "Anthoupoli" and "Egaleo" will remain closed over the
weekend to allow for the installation of the electronic ticket machines.