Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-04 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Euro Working Group welcomes preliminary deal between Greece and lenders [02] ND leader discusses Greek-US relations, Turkey with US diplomat [03] Former defence minister convicted of money laundering released from jail --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Euro Working Group welcomes preliminary deal between Greece and lenders BRUSSELS (ANA/C. Vasilaki) – The Euro Working Group (EWG) welcomed on Thursday the preliminary agreement reached between the institutions and Greek authorities on a policy package basis for concluding the second program review, an EU official said. The EWG met to take stock of the developments in the review. Following the implementation of the prior actions by Greece, the Eurogroup could endorse the policy package and the terms of the next disbursement and address the sustainability of Greek debt in the near future, on the basis of May 2016 agreement, the official added. [02] ND leader discusses Greek-US relations, Turkey with US diplomat Greek-U.S. relations, attracting investments in Greece and Turkey's provocations were the main topics discussed in a meeting between New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Jonathan Cohen, on Thursday. According to party sources, the two sides discussed the possibility of strengthening defence cooperation in light of Greece's geostrategic importance and its role as a pillar of stability in the region. Mitsotakis noted his concern over Turkey's continuing provocations in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean and the situation in the western Balkans, while the two officials also discussed the latest developments in Cyprus. He also briefed Cohen on the political and economic developments in Greece. [03] Former defence minister convicted of money laundering released from jail Former defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who had been handed a 20-year sentence for money laundering, was released from prison on Thursday, after serving five years. The former PASOK heavyweight was convicted for bribes he accepted in return for agreeing on the purchase of TOR-M1 missiles and submarines in the period between 1997 and 2001. The appeals court agreed last month with a slim majority of 3 to 2 to accept the minister's fifth request for release, imposing strict conditions including a 200,000-euro bail and a ban on leaving the country. Tsohatzopoulos underwent a triple bypass surgery in April but had to return to prison because he couldn't raise the bail money.