Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-21 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] IMF asks main opposition to give reassurances after 2019, French FinMin Sapin says [02] Stathakis presents six axes of energy strategy --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] IMF asks main opposition to give reassurances after 2019, French FinMin Sapin says BRUSSELS (ANA/Ch.Vassilaki) - What it seems strange regarding the IMF stance is that it is asking the main opposition (New Democracy) to give reaassurances on its positions after 2019, that is the period the term of the current government ends, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin on Tuesday said in a press conference held on the sidelines of the ECOFIN. The French minister called on the IMF to assume its responsibilities regarding the Greek programme as any delays may have a great impact on Greece. Sapin explained that he has never considered the IMF participation to the Greek programme necessary. However, he said that a solution with the IMF must be found. He also said that the persistence of the IMF on labour issues is an obsession and this does not only apply to Greece but other countries too. "The same also applies for the fiscal system and mainly the pensions," he said. "We have to be politically sensible," he underlined. Asked on further debt relief demanded by the IMF, he replied that the first priority is the conclusion of the programme review in order to ensure the recovery and the investments. Then the fiscal targets for the period after 2018 and the debt will be set. Finally, he said that the 3.5 percent primary surplus target for a decade is "not serious." [02] Stathakis presents six axes of energy strategy Raising the participation of renewable energy sources along with safeguarding energy security and strengthening competition to the benefit of the end consumer, is the core of the Greek government's strategy for the transition to a new energy mix in the country. The strategy was presented by Environment and Energy Minister George Stathakis at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2017, organized by the German government in Berlin. Stathakis presented the six axes of the plan, including: -completing a stsable and transparent regulatory framework to allow a further development of renewables, -establishing Greece as a key country for the transport of natural gas in Southeastern Europe, -introducing environmental-friendly technologies in lignite production, -improving energy efficiency of buildings, -creating opportunities for the participation of citizens and groups in the energy market through a new draft bill on energy cooperatives, -exploiting the dynamism of non-connected islands to introduce innovation in the renewable energy market. Stathakis said the government was in talks with the European Commission to adopt a new energy model in Greek islands. The "Energy Islands" initiative will begin during the Maltese EU presidency and the first forum will be held in Crete in June.