Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-06-02 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Greek GDP revised upwards to +0.4 pct in Q1 [02] PM Tsipras and Cyprus President Anastasiades exchange views ahead of tripartite meeting [03] Schaeuble should stop blaming the Greek side, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says [04] Former Athens airport evacuated; Migrants and refugees transferred to Thebes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Greek GDP revised upwards to +0.4 pct in Q1 Greece on Friday revised upwards its GDP figures for the first quarter, to an increase of 0.4 pct after a 0.5 pct decline initially recorded. Hellenic Statistical Authority, in a report, said that based on provisional data, the country's GDP grew 0.4 pct in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, after a 0.1 pct decline announced in May 15. The statistics service attributed this upward revision of GDP data to the integration of figures not available during the first estimate (monthly such as March balance of payments or quarterly such as turnover in the services sector and workforce survey). Household consumption grew 17 pct in the first quarter (from a 0.7 pct decline in the same period last year), while general government consumption grew 1.0 pct (down 3.5 pct in 2016). Exports of goods and services rose 4.8 pct (after a 10.4 pct fall in the first quarter of 2016) and imports of goods and services rose 10.9 pct (down 10.1 pct in 2016). Based on non seasonally-adjusted figures, the Greek GDP grew 0.8 pct in the January-March period this year compared with the same period in 2016, after a 0.3 pct decline earlier announced. [02] PM Tsipras and Cyprus President Anastasiades exchange views ahead of tripartite meeting The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. According to the Cypriot government spokesman, Nikos Christodoulides, the two leaders exchanged views in view of the tripartite meeting of the president with Mustafa Akinci at the UN headquarters in New York, at the invitation of the General Secretary of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. Anastasiades has called a National Council for information and exchange of views with the political leaders on Friday afternoon. [03] Schaeuble should stop blaming the Greek side, gov't spokesman Tzanakopoulos says Government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos in statements to the Athens Macedonian News Agency's radio station on Friday called on German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to stop blaming the Greek side and start working towards a constructive discussion. "Schaeuble is doing his job, is doing what he thinks that serves the interests of his country. From now on, I think it would be better for him to stop blaming the Greek side. It is already known who bears the responsibility for not having an agreement in the previous Eurogroup meeting and he himself should work on the direction of a constructive discussion so that a solution is found." [04] Former Athens airport evacuated; Migrants and refugees transferred to Thebes The evacuation of Athens' former Helliniko airport from migrants and refugees was concluded on Friday. 168 people are currently in the four buses that will transfer them to Thebes. Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas observed the procedure and afterwards he will go to Thebes. The evacuation process continues at the hockey and baseball venues. Medecines sans Frontieres responsible for communication Rebecca Murray said to the Athens Macedonian News Agency that in the last year the organisation has offered medical assistance to the refugees and expressed concern because "this evacuation procedure does not help us to continue offering our medical services." In statements to the Athens Macedonian News Agency, the head of the United Movement against Racism and Fascist Threat KEERFA said that around 25 families living in the former aiport opposed last night to their transfer to Thebes.