Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-28 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] PM Tsipras welcomes visiting Georgian PM Kvirikashvili [02] FM Kotzias to conclude his visit to Nicosia [03] Our aim is to have the negotiation concluded by April 7, Defence Min Kammenos says --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] PM Tsipras welcomes visiting Georgian PM Kvirikashvili Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras referred to the historic bonds between Greece and Georgia while welcoming Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili at the Maximos Mansion on Tuesday. The Georgian Prime Minister said that Greece is a "cradle of culture" and expressed his gratitude for Greece's support to his country adding that his visit to Athens is of "historic value". Tsipras said that the free visa to EU for Georgian citizens is a first step adding that this measure could be extended to other countries. [02] FM Kotzias to conclude his visit to Nicosia NICOSIA (ANA/ A. Viketos) - Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Tuesday is expected to conclude his visit to Nicosia with a speech for March 25, 1821 Greek revolution and April 1, 1955, the first day of the Greek Cypriots' liberation struggle against English colonialism. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Archbishop Chrysostomos will address the event. On Monday, Kotzias met with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and his counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides as well as the president of the House of Representatives and party leaders. Anastasiades said that he shares the same views with Kotzias on the Cyprus issue and Kotzias stressed that Greece fully supports Cyprus' policy. [03] Our aim is to have the negotiation concluded by April 7, Defence Min Kammenos says Our aim is to have the negotiation concluded by April 7 and the agreement voted before Easter, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos on Tuesday said in an interview with ANT1 TV. Kammenos said that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and Director of the IMF's European Department Poul Thomsen are responsible for the delays in the conclusion of the review. He underlined that the negotiation is well on track and estimated that the positive measures will counterbalance the lower tax free threshold. Kammenos reaffirmed that the government struggles so that there is no impact on low incomers. The Greek minister also said that the measures to be agreed concern the period 2019-2020 and there will be no need to be implemented as the economy can improve and the GDP rise. He also reassured that there will be no elections. Kammenos stressed that there are good prospects due to Greece's geostrategic position and cooperation with countries such as Israel, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Cyprus on the energy sector. "Greece can be at the centre of the world," he stated adding that during his trip to the US he discussed energy issues. He did not rule out the possibility of help from the US, even Russia. "Only the US can help us," Kammenos stressed adding that US President Donald Trump's statements are not random. The US want to strengthen their relations with Greece, he said adding that there can be serious energy cooperation and investments. "A large Greek-US fund is interested in investing in Ethniki Asfalistiki and investments have been planned in large hotel units as Greece is the sole stable country in the region. All these will happen in the next two years," he noted.