Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-11 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] EU Commissioner Moscovici confirms Greece's return to growth in 2017 [02] Everything is ready for TV licences tender, Digital Policy Min Pappas says [03] I believe in Greek entrepreneurs' ability to rise from their ashes, says Alt. FM Katrougalos [04] Tourism Minister Kountoura meets with French senators --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] EU Commissioner Moscovici confirms Greece's return to growth in 2017 BRUSSELS (ANA/ Ch.Vassilaki) - European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici expressed the hope that the agreement to be reached at the next Eurogroup will be as "broad" as possible and will include the issue of the Greek debt. "I hope and I am waiting that an agreement will be reached at the Eurogroup on May 22. We have spent a lot of energy on this and the climate has changed," he said. Moscovici welcomed the staff level agreement reached during the institutions' visit to Athens and called on for the conclusion of the second programme review. "I hope that the agreement will be a comprehensive one and will include the Greek debt issue, which is an importart prerequisite for the IMF. The climate is positive and the Commission will do its best for a positive and ambitious compromise," he underlined. [02] Everything is ready for TV licences tender, Digital Policy Min Pappas says "Everything is ready in order to start the competition for the licensing of TV channels," Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Information Minister Nikos Pappas said on Thursday. "There is no room for excuses," he added. He also warned the members of the National Broadcasting Council that if they do not meet their obligations, and respect the laws and the Constitution, they will be held responsible to disciplinary civil and criminal liabilities. In reply to a timely question raised by SYRIZA deputy Panos Skouroliakos, who spoke of important delays in the tender for the TV licencing, he said that the ministry has completed all the necessary procedures and is ready to carry out the tender. [03] I believe in Greek entrepreneurs' ability to rise from their ashes, says Alt. FM Katrougalos Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos expressed his confidence in the Greek entrepreneurship and ability to rise from their ashes. Katrougalos was addressing an official dinner before the opening of the 2nd Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region that is currently underway in the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina. Katrougalos said that "a new period opens after the conclusion of the agreement during which we must do our best in terms of entrepreneurship and political economic system. He also noted that the forum is a very interesting and productive meeting for the wider region of the Balkans and the Adriatic. In statements to the Athens Macedonian Agency, Katrougalos stressed that the meeting is a landmark for two parallel events. "We are very close to the recovery of the Greek economy and I believe that this is also becoming a fact in Europe. That these deadlock austerity policies cannot continue because they destroy the societies and the European economy's perspective." [04] Tourism Minister Kountoura meets with French senators Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura met on Thursday with French senators and representatives of the France-Greece Friendship Group of the French Senate Didier Marie, Catherine Morin-Dessailly and Simon Sutour. The close relation in the tourism sector between Greece and France, the plan on the attraction of foreign tourist investments and the positive growth prospects of the Greek tourism sector dominated the meeting. Kountoura briefed the French senators on the national tourism policy for the promotion of Greece as tourist destination throughout the year and made a special reference on the new potential on the development of thematic tourism within the context of the implementation of relevant investments. The contribution of tourism to the economy was also discussed as well as infrastructure issues related to tourism and cruise.