Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-17 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] There will be a package agreement at the Eurogroup, EU Parliament VP Papadimoulis says [02] Greece ranks second in the world on 2017 Blue Flag [03] FCAO awards FM Kotzias for his support to Cyprus solution [04] Greece, Qatar to enhance bilateral economic relations --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] There will be a package agreement at the Eurogroup, EU Parliament VP Papadimoulis says There will be a package agreement at the Eurogroup on May 22, European Parliament Vice President Dimitris Papadimoulis said on Wednesday in statements to the Athens Macedonian News Agency's radio station Praktoreio 104.9 FM. As he said, it is apparent that we will have a package agreement that will include the debt. "It is taken for granted that the programme review will conclude at the Eurogroup on Monday and the medium term measures on debt will be defined," he underlined. Papadimoulis explained that the agreement will strengthen the confidence in the Greek economy and pave the way for Greece's participation in ECB's quantitative easing programme. He also referred to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's statement that Greece has made significant progress. In a tweet earlier in the day, Papadimoulis said: "Junker replied to my question: ิhe Commission wants Greece out of the high deficit procedure. There is great progress." [02] Greece ranks second in the world on 2017 Blue Flag A total of 486 beaches and 12 marinas were awarded with the "Blue Flag" in Greece for 2017 compared to 430 Greek beaches and nine marinas last year. Greece ranked second in the world on the 2017 Blue Flag quality award list for beaches and marinas, among 47 countries, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature announced. The Chalkidiki peninsula was the top destination with most flags in Greece as 71 of its beaches were honored. The "Blue Flag" is a voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches across the world and is run by the independent, non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education based in Copenhagen. The EEPF is the program's coordinator for Greece. [03] FCAO awards FM Kotzias for his support to Cyprus solution The Federation of Cypriots American Organisations (FCAO) awarded Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias for his stance on the issue of Cyprus. The board of FCAO in a letter informed Kotzias about its decision to award him for his "huge support to the national effort for a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue as well as for his contribution to the crucial moments of the negotiations." The award ceremony will take place in New York on September 21. [04] Greece, Qatar to enhance bilateral economic relations Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos stressed the need on Wednesday to adopt policies that strengthen wage labour and the social state. Katrougalos was speaking at the 17th International Doha Forum in Qatar. "Taking into account the increase in the world population and the declining oil and commodity prices, it is obvious that we need to adopt policies that strengthen wage labour and the welfare state, promote diversification of sources of income over the medium and long term, reform the public finances and increase the sources of income from investments in infrastructure, as well as the skilled and trained workforce," Katrougalos underlined. He stated that inequalities between states is the greater challenge of our time adding that they enhance poverty and deprive millions of people of a decent life. During the Doha Forum on Development, Stability and Reflection, the Alternate Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with Qatar's Culture and Economy Ministers and the Alternate Foreign Minister, as well as with representatives of large companies interested in investments in Greece and the promotion of bilateral economic relations.