Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-06-11 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] "The return to the market is a tool. The aim is fair growth" [02] We will get Greece out of the crisis, State Min Vernadakis tells ANA [03] Moscovici: It is the creditors' time to meet their own commitments --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] "The return to the market is a tool. The aim is fair growth" "The return to the market is just a tool. The aim is fair growth," Minister for Digital Policy and Telecommunications Nikos Pappas said on Sunday in an interview with the Athens Macedonian News Agency (ANA). Pappas reiterated the government's proposal of linking debt repayment to growth: "Growth and job creation are a priority, and debt must not be a hindrance to growth," he underlined adding that the return to the markets is just a tool to achieve fair growth. The Greek minister said it would not be a surprise to him if the solution is found at the EU summit on June 22. As he explained it would not be the first time that the Eurogroup cannot solve problems. Pappas underlined that one of the government's assets is its international coalitions. Asked whether the negotiations are related to the German elections, he said that "a state, a partner cannot wait for the conclusion of a multi-long electoral procedure in another EU member state. Let alone, it cannot accept the export of a political crisis." [02] We will get Greece out of the crisis, State Min Vernadakis tells ANA "We will take the country out of the crisis, that's for sure," State Minister Christophoros Vernadakis said on Sunday in an interview with the Athens Macedonian News Agency (ANA). He explained that his optimism is based on the government's plan for "a great mobilization of the productive and developmental forces as well as the resources of the country." On the negotiations, he said that "a comprehensive solution is at a very mature stage." He underlined that Greece has met all its commitments and dismissed reports comparing the current period with the summer 2015. It remains to be seen however, he said, if the creditors have confidence in Greece. Regarding the government, Vernadakis who is also coordinator of the government work, he said that the prime minister is planning a visit to the Health ministry over the next few days adding that at legislative level, the draft law on higher education is first priority for the government. [03] Moscovici: It is the creditors' time to meet their own commitments "Greece has met all its commitments, including the most difficult reforms on social security, tax and labour systems. Now, it is the creditors' time to meet their own commitments, European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici said on Sunday in an interview with "Nea Selida" newspaper. Moscovici pointed out that "we have come very close to an agreement in the last Eurogroup and the work done provides a good basis for reaching an agreement on Thursday. If all sides take a last step and make decisions in the general interest - Greece and the whole of the Eurozone - then there is no reason not to reach an agreement. We must close this long and difficult chapter. But I am convinced that we will succeed."