Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-13
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
CONTENTS
[01] Kotzias-Tillerson discuss Greece's role in region, stability,
     energy projects
[02] Mitsotakis says Greece needs 'fiscal room'; reiterates pledge to
     reduce taxes
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[01] Kotzias-Tillerson discuss Greece's role in region, stability,
energy projects

Greece's role in the stability and security in Southeast Europe and
Turkey's "nervousness" were discussed in a meeting between Foreign
Minister Nikos Kotzias and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in
Washington D.C. on Monday.

Asked by journalists after the meeting, Kotzias said Tillerson "wanted
our analysis on how there can be stability and security in the region,
which forces are active and how."

Concerning Turkey, the minister said he discussed "Turkish nervousness"
and explained Greece's position on the importance of security and
stability in the Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

The two sides also discussed ongoing energy projects in Greece with
Kotzias noting the importance Greeks place in turning the country into
a regional energy hub. He then mentioned other infrastructure projects
such as roads and railway networks. "The energy, railway and university
networks are for us, above all, networks of stability and then [networks]
that produce economic profit," he told journalists.

Kotzias said the Cyprus and Macedonia issues were not discussed, but he
spoke generally about the instability in Greece's northern neighbours and
Greece's efforts to stabilize them. Cyprus will be discussed in a later
meeting with National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, he added.

Asked about the recent tension between the Netherlands and Turkey, the
minister said "these things happen because Turkey is trying to transfer
its nervousness to third countries."

The minister is on a two-day visit to the U.S. capital for meetings with
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.


[02] Mitsotakis says Greece needs 'fiscal room'; reiterates pledge to
reduce taxes

Greece needs some "fiscal room" that will allow the economy to recover,
New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday during a
speech at "Astoria" theatre in Heraklion, Crete.

"Because we always say the same things everywhere, we clarified to our
partners that Greece needs fiscal room, that we will need a new agreement
with surpluses around 2 percent. To get it, we will have to implement a
wide-ranging program of changes and reforms in the state and society,"
he told attendees. "We have that plan and we're ready to implement it
from the first day of our electoral win."

He said his party is ready to "govern well", focusing on lowering taxes
for businesses and households.

Mitsotakis also shifted some of the blame for Greece's economic
depression to its creditors. "The country must get back on track. This
is our duty. But it is also our creditors' duty who also share part of
the blame. They are responsible for tolerating over-taxation instead of
cost cuts. They are responsible for agreeing to [former Labour minister
George] Katrougalos' monstrosity of a social security law. They share
responsibility for the high surpluses that bind the country for many
years," he said.

Mitsotakis then reiterated his request for elections to "allow the
country to breathe".

"The sooner this happens, the better for Greece," he said.