ELEFTHEROTYPIA
 


12 drowned and the minister couldn’t care less

International outcry over Farmakonisi coast guard stance

The immigrants who survived the fatal Farmakonisi shipwreck have made serious accusations and there has been an international outcry over the stance taken by coast guard authorities, and the minister himself, over the tragedy at sea that claimed the lives of 12 women and children from Afghanistan and Syria off the island of Farmakonisi in the Dodecanese. The survivors allege that the coast guard attempted through violence and threats to push them back to Turkish territorial waters. The Shipping Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis covered for the coast guard, Pasok called his statements ‘unfortunate’ prompting Mr Varvitsiotis to attack Pasok, Syriza and the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks for attempting to create a political problem in Greece.  Amnesty International has asked for there to be an independent investigation into the Farmakonisi incident. 

KATHIMERINI
 


Tough negotiations over reforms

The troika wants the adoption of the entirety of the OECD’s proposals – the government disagrees

The OECD’s (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) proposals are becoming a point of contention in the negotiations with Greece’s lenders over the liberalisation of the Greek economy to improve competition. The negotiations are expected to be particularly tough as the troika wants the adoption of the entirety of the Organisation’s recommendations at a time when within the government objections are being raised to a series of these.

The troika sent a letter to the Development Minister Kostas Chatzidakis noting the benefits the measures would bring for the economy, and stressing that implementation of the proposals “would send an important message over the willingness and ability of the government to successfully implement structural reforms crucial for growth”. Additionally it links the proposed reforms with the progress of the ongoing evaluation of the Greek programme.

The issue will be the subject of a meeting today between the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Deputy PM Evangelos Venizelos, as Pasok has expressed disagreement regarding the measure for non-prescription drugs [allowing these to be sold outside of pharmacies]. Additionally friction has been created between Mr Chatzidakis and other ministers over other issues such as that of milk sell-by dates.

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON
 


Twelve months a slave

An unprecedented proposal from the Center of Planning and Economic Research

‘Work for free for one year to reduce unemployment,’ the Center of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) is telling under-24s. In complete harmony with the groundbreaking proposals of international economic institutions, the KEPE is recommending the abolition of the minimum monthly wage of 511 euros for individuals 15-24 years old.

NAFTEMPORIKI
 


Budget: Troika disputes targets

Disputing the budgetary targets for 2014 the troika is asking the Finance Ministry for additional “guaranteed performance’ measures – which could reach 2 billion euros – in order for representatives to return to Athens to resume negotiations. The spokesperson for the IMF William Murray stated that for the Fund’s representatives to return, differences would have to be resolved regarding the budget and structural reforms as well as issues relating to the financial sector.

IMERISIA
 


JP Morgan to stock investors:

“Put a lot of Greece in your portfolios”

The firm believes that Greek stocks are the best option in Europe
Regarding the economy JP Morgan believes that the troika’s report will be positive and that the delay in negotiations is not significant

Yet another positive report for the Greek stock market from JP Morgan. It unreservedly recommends investments in Greek stocks.

The three stocks recommended by JP Morgan:

  • Piraeus Bank (+18.96% since 31/12/2013)
  • Alpha Bank (+7.29% since 31/12/2013)
  • OTE (+10.85% since 31/12/2013)