Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-29 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Papadimoulis: The defeat of far right Lepen is a priority for all democratic forces in Europe [02] Labour Min: Agreement on labour issues puts a halt to creditors' irrational demands --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Papadimoulis: The defeat of far right Lepen is a priority for all democratic forces in Europe "The defeat of far right Lepen is a priority for all democratic forces in Europe," the vice-president of the European Parliament Dimitris Papadimoulis on Saturday said in an interview with Avghi newspaper. "All progressive forces must ward off and politically degrade the extreme right, reiterating its constant relationship with Nazism," Papadimoulis underlined and added: "On the second round of the French elections, a democratic massive response must be given that will avert the emergence of fascism, the extreme-right and the hate rhetoric in France. The defeat of Lepen is a priority for all the democratic forces of Europe." Regarding the Greek programme review, he estimated that there is no room for further delays. He explained that the 4 pct surplus in 2014 together with the general progress of the Greek economy will strengthen the Greek government's negotiating position in order to decide upon the medium-term measures on the debt, set more realistic primary surplus targets for the years after 2018, allow the participation in the ECB's quantitative easing programme and boost investments. "The final exit from the supervision is the main bet of the Greek government and SYRIZA party" so that the country returns to normality and unemployment is reduced, Papadimoulis stressed. [02] Labour Min: Agreement on labour issues puts a halt to creditors' irrational demands Despite the IMF demand for additional austerity measures of 4.5 billion euros, the Greek government achieved a zero fiscal impact for the period 2019-2020, Labour Minister Efi Achtsioglou on Saturday said in an interview with RealNews newspaper. Achtsioglou underlined that the agreement will also include positive measures. The agreement on the labour issues puts a halt to the irrational demands of the IMF and paves the way for the return to institutional normality. The Labour Minister added that the unemployment is being slowly but steadily reduced through targeted interventions.