Angela Merkel faces a defining moment in her political career as chorus of voices push for Greek debt relief.
Germany is at last bowing to pressure as a chorus of countries and key institutions demand debt relief for Greece, a shift that could break the five-month stalemate and avert a potentially disastrous rupture of monetary union at this Sunday’s last-ditch summit.
In a highly significant move, the European Council has called on both sides to make major concessions, insisting that the creditor powers must do their part as the radical Syriza government puts forward a new raft of proposals on economic reforms before a deadline expires tonight.
“The realistic proposal from Greece will have to be matched by an equally realistic proposal on debt sustainability from the creditors,” said Donald Tusk, the European Council president.
This is the first time Europe’s institutions have acknowledged clearly that Greece’s public debt – 180pc of GDP – can never be repaid and that no lasting solution can be found until the boil is lanced.
Any such deal would give Greek premier Alexis Tspiras a prize to take back to the Greek people after they voted by 61pc to 39pc to reject austerity demands in a landslide referendum last weekend.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “a classic haircut” is out of the question, but tacitly opened the door to other forms debt restructuring, conceding that it had already been done in 2012 by stretching out maturities.
The contours of a deal on Sunday are starting to emerge.
Syriza has requested a three-year package of loans from the eurozone bail-out fund (ESM) – perhaps worth as much as €60bn – and is reportedly ready give ground on tax rises and pension cuts.
Germany’s subtle shift in position comes as the United States, France, and Italy joined in a united call for debt relief, buttressed by a crescendo of emphatic statements by Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund.
“Greece is clearly in a situation of acute crisis, which needs to be addressed seriously and promptly. We remain fully engaged in order to find a solution to restore stability, growth and debt sustainability,” said Ms Lagarde.
A report by the IMF said a debt haircut of 30pc of GDP “would be required” to meet the original debt targets agreed in 2012. This could be achieved be stretching out the maturities of bonds to forty years and lowering the interest rate, sparing EMU governments the political pain of having to crystalize direct losses for their taxpayers.
The US has clearly lost patience with the Europeans is now bringing its huge diplomatic power to bear, fearing that mistakes in Greece could lead to a geostrategic fiasco and serious damage to the Nato alliance.
“Greece’s debt is not sustainable,” said Jacob Lew, the US Treasury Secretary. “I think it’s a mistake for the European economy, the global economy, to take the risks that are involved with an uncontrolled crisis in Greece,” he said.
Mr Lew said the two sides were only €2bn a part when talks broke down, yet potentially hundreds of billions are at stake if the crisis spins out of control. He deemed it a bizarre form of risk management.
For Berlin, the Greek crisis threatens to mushroom into a much bigger crisis in international diplomacy and Franco-German relations as Paris digs in its heels.
“France refuses to allow Greece’s exit from the euro,” said Manuel Valls, the French prime minister.
“Keeping Greece in the euro and therefore in the heart of Europe and the EU is something of the utmost geostrategic and geopolitical importance. Allowing Greece to leave would be an admission of impotence,” he said.
Yet even if Europe’s leaders to agree to a comprehensive package for Greece on Sunday, any bail-out still has to be ratified by the German Bundestag as well as by the parliaments of Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, and Estonia.
Up to a hundred MPs from Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrat family (CDU/CSU) have already threatened to vote against fresh money for Greece.
This is quickly turning into a make-or-break moment for her own political career.
Ας παραδεχτούμε ότι η ελληνική «σπαζοκεφαλιά» είναι αποτέλεσμα κοινής ευθύνης. Βρισκόμαστε σε αυτό το χάλι διότι οι Έλληνες δεν έκαναν ποτέ ένα πραγματικό μεταρρυθμιστικό πακέτο ή δεν έκαναν ποτέ τη ρήξη με τα λάθη του παρελθόντος. Αλλά επίσης διότι η Ευρώπη ακολούθησε εσφαλμένες πολιτικές – πολιτικές που συνοψίζονται στην εφαρμογή κοινής λογιστικής, η οποία αργά και σταθερά έπνιξε την ελληνική οικονομία.
Όλοι μπορούν να κάνουν εσφαλμένες πολιτικές επιλογές, αλλά εμείς έχουμε κολλήσει σε τέτοιες επιλογές για υπερβολικά μεγάλο χρονικό διάστημα. Το ίδιο το Διεθνές Νομισματικό Ταμείο έχει καταστήσει σαφές ότι η σημερινή στρατηγική δεν θα μπορούσε ποτέ να δώσει μία μακροπρόθεσμη λύση. Αντί να κάνουμε σαν παιδιά στην παιδική χαρά, πρέπει όλοι να αναλάβουμε την ευθύνη των αποτυχιών μας.
Η μόνη διέξοδος από την κρίση αυτή μπορεί να προκύψει από μία τελείως νέα και συνολική προσέγγιση η οποία θα δίνει λύσεις στην Ελλάδα, αλλά επίσης στην υπόλοιπη Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, έτσι ώστε να μην μπορούν να ξαναεμφανιστούν αυτές οι δραχμές. Οι ευρωπαϊκοί λαοί, τόσο στο Βορρά όσο και στο Νότο, αξίζουν καλύτερη μεταχείριση από αυτό που έχουμε δει μέχρι σήμερα. Αξίζουν μία σταθερή ευρωζώνη:
Για να εργάζονται, για να επενδύουν, για να ζουν. Αυτό που δεν τους αξίζει είναι καβγατζήδες πολιτικοί σε μία παραλυτική πολιτική αναμέτρηση. Δεν τους αξίζουν ιστορίες πανικού από υψηλόβαθμους Γερμανούς πολιτικούς για την εγκατάσταση «κυβέρνησης τεχνοκρατών» στην Ελλάδα, ή για ένα Grexit που θα συνοδεύεται από την επανεισαγωγή της δραχμής. Τέτοιοι κινδυνολόγοι πρέπει να έχουν επίγνωση ότι βλάπτουν τις οικονομίες μας και πρέπει να το σκέφτονται δύο φορές πριν ανοίξουν το στόμα τους.
Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση χρειάζεται τώρα να σχεδιάσει πώς θα εφαρμόσει βαθιές και διαρθρωτικές μεταρρυθμίσεις. Πώς θα διασφαλίσει ότι όλοι πληρώνουν δίκαια το μερίδιο που τους αντιστοιχεί σε φόρους. Πώς θα απαλλάξουν τις υπηρεσίες υγείας από τη διαφθορά. Πώς θα τελειώσει το πελατειακό σύστημα και την πολιτική νομενκλατούρα που ελέγχει το σύστημα αυτό. Πώς να ανοίξει την αγορά εργασίας και θα δώσει τους νέους Έλληνες δικαίωμα στη δουλειά. Πώς θα κάνει δραστικές περικοπές στο δημόσιο τομέα και θα περιορίσει το βάρος των κρατικών τραπεζών.
Κοντολογίς, πρέπει να δείξουν στην υπόλοιπη Ευρώπη ότι θα εγκαθιδρύσουν το κράτος δικαίου στην Ελλάδα. Μπορεί η Ελλάδα να είναι το λίκνο της δημοκρατίας, αλλά αυτό δεν σημαίνει καθόλου ότι είναι το κέντρο της χρηστής διακυβέρνησης σήμερα. Οι διαρθρωτικές μεταρρυθμίσεις στην Ελλάδα δεν είναι ακριβώς αυτό που διαβάσαμε στις περισσότερες από τις προτάσεις των τελευταίων λίγων εβδομάδων:
Περισσότεροι φόροι για τα νοικοκυριά και τις επιχειρήσεις. Αυτές οι προτάσεις ήταν εργασιοκτόνες, δεν δημιουργούν θέσεις εργασίας. Ο Τσίπρας οφείλει να ανοίξει τις αγορές και να ιδιωτικοποιήσει τις διεφθαρμένες κρατικές επιχειρήσεις. Σε αντάλλαγμα, πρέπει να του δώσουμε ρευστότητα για να κινήσει και πάλι την ελληνική οικονομία. Αυτό πρέπει να είναι το κύριο μέλημα της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας. Σε αντιστάθμισμα, πρέπει επίσης να δώσουμε μία μακροχρόνια λύση για το ελληνικό χρέος.
Επειδή η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση πρέπει να γίνει ένας υπεύθυνος εταίρος. Ισχυριζόμαστε ότι σώσαμε την Ελλάδα με τη χορήγηση ενός πακέτου διάσωσης ύψους πολλών δισεκατομμυρίων ευρώ. Στην πραγματικότητα, φορτώσαμε τη χώρα με πολύ μη βιώσιμο χρέος. Πρέπει να χρησιμοποιήσουμε αυτήν την κρίση για να δημιουργήσουμε μία διαρθρωτική λύση, μία λύση που εξαφανίζει το ρίσκο που διαβρώνει την ευρωπαϊκή μας οικονομία μέρα τη μέρα. Αυτό μπορεί να το κάνει ένα ταμείο εξαγοράς χρέους:
Προωθεί τις ανάγκες αναχρηματοδότηςη των 18 ευρω-οικονομιών μας, με αντάλλαγμα μεταρρυθμίσεις που προωθούν την ανάπτυξη. Εδραιώνει την αρχή των μεταρρυθμίσεων στην ευρωζώνη και μειώνει ταυτόχρονα, δραστικά, το κόστος εξυπηρέτησης του δημόσιου χρέους μας. «Win-Win» αντί για «Lose-Lose».
Μαζί με ένα τέτοιο ταμείο εξαγοράς χρέους, χρειαζόμαστε να εισαγάγουμε τους επονομαζόμενους «αυτόματους σταθεροποιητές» σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο. Όλες οι ανεπτυγμένες οικονομίες τους έχουν: Ενεργοποιούνται από τη στιγμή που πλήττεται η οικονομία και αμβλύνουν τις χειρότερες συνέπειες μίας κρίσης, βοηθώντας στο ξεπέρασμα των σοβαρότερων συνεπειών.
Και φυσικά, χρειαζόμαστε περαιτέρω ολοκλήρωση της οικονομικής πολιτικής σε επίπεδο Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Μία κανονική διακυβέρνηση της ευρωζώνης, ή ακόμα καλύτερα, μία κανονική κυβέρνηση του ευρώ, σαν αυτήν που έχουν πίσω τους το δολάριο, το γεν και η λίρα.
Συνοψίζοντας, χρειαζόμαστε μία δραστικά νέα προσέγγιση για τις διαπραγματευτικές ομάδες, τόσο την ελληνική όσο και την ευρωπαϊκή. Μία προσέγγιση που να αναγνωρίζει ότι έχουμε ανάγκη από μία αλλαγή μοντέλου: Πραγματική μεταρρύθμιση στην Ελλάδα για πραγματικά ευρωπαϊκή συνεργασία. Ένα συνολικό πακέτο που λειτουργεί πέρα από τα όρια της σημερινής κρίσης, αλλά δημιουργεί ανάπτυξη και ευημερία για τα χρόνια που έρχονται.
* Άρθρο γνώμης του Γκι Φερχόφστατ, ηγέτη των Φιλελεύθερων και Δημοκρατών για την Ευρώπη στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, πρώην πρωθυπουργού του Βελγίου (1999-2008), στο Politico.
WASHINGTON — President Obama urged the leaders of Greece and Germany to strike a deal on the Greek debt crisis that can benefit the global economy as a whole, officials said Tuesday.
“It’s necessary for an agreement to be reached,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
Earnest confirmed that Obama spoke by phone Tuesday with Greece Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key figure in debt talks.
Obama received an update on Greece’s financial situation during the phone call with Tsipras, the White House said in a statement.
For his part, the president “reiterated that it is in everyone’s interest that Greece and its creditors reach a mutually-acceptable agreement,” the statement said.
As for the call with Merkel, the White House said she and Obama cited the need for “a durable agreement that will allow Greece to resume reforms, return to growth, and achieve debt sustainability within the Eurozone. The leaders noted that their economic teams are monitoring the situation in Greece and remain in close contact.”
For days, Obama has urged Greece and the European Union to reach a settlement on Greek’s debt. Obama has also been in contact with European leaders, such as Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.
An agreement should include “a package of reforms and financing that puts Greece back on a path toward economic growth and debt sustainability,” Earnest said.
Reaching a financial agreement “is quite complicated,” Earnest said, but it is in the world’s best interest.
“We continue to take heart in the fact that everyone who is sitting around that table acknowledges that it’s in their collective interest for this to be resolved,” Earnest said. “We’re going to continue to encourage all sides to participate constructively in those conversations.”
Lambton Jaffas FC vs.Hamilton Olympic FC
Sat 11 July 2:30 PM
Arthur Edden Oval
#JAFvOLY
In the Match of the Round for Round 13 of the Northern NSW PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues (PS4 NPL), the Lambton Jaffas host Hamilton Olympic in yet another crucial top four clash.
The 2014 Grand Final winners Lambton sit in third place on 24 points, following seven wins, three draws and just two losses.
They enter the final third of the competition on the back of five straight wins, crucial form going into a match with a team as successful as Olympic have been this year.
The side in blue and white occupied the top spot for a number of weeks, only to lose it last weekend in their first loss of the year, going down 3-1 to Edgeworth. Alongside seven wins and four draws Hamilton are a place and a point ahead of the Jaffas on 25, trailing Edgeworth by two.
Jaffas coach David Tanchevski is happy with his side’s success this season and is excited about the final six games of the competition.
‘We are in a much better position than this time last year and when you look at the games we have lost, we should have got at least a point out of them,’ he said.
‘The win on the weekend (against Weston) has given us a lot of confidence going into the match against Hamilton’.
‘We are confident, and we should be, we haven’t lost to Olympic since we came up (from NEWFM 1st Division to NPL) in 2013’.
These two heavyweights met back in a rescheduled Round 4 match on May 20, playing out a 1-1 draw. Jobe Wheelhouse opened the scoring in the first half, but a second half header from Olympic striker Kane Goodchild salvaged a point.
Since then the Jaffas have scored 17 points in eight games, and Hamilton have picked up 19, making them the two form teams of 2015 alongside leaders Edgeworth.
Hamilton will be searching for an improved performance after a flat Round 12 match against the Eagles, whereas Lambton will be looking to tighten up in their defence after conceding three in one half against Weston, so this match will have a more competitive edge to it than usual.
As usual the Match of the Round will be broadcast live on Bar TV, however the best spot to view the action come Saturday will be on the hill or in the grandstand at Arthur Edden Oval, as two of the seasons biggest sides go head to head.
Weston Workers FCvs.Newcastle Jets Youth
Sat 11 July 2:30 PM
Rockwell Automation Park
#WWBvNEW
The second of two Saturday PS4 NPL matches this weekend will see the Weston Workers welcome the Jets Youth to Rockwell Automation Park as they look to put a horror Round 12 performance behind them.
The Bears went out all guns blazing against the Jaffas last Saturday, as first half goals to Garry McDermott, Wilson Edwards and Nathan Morris were cancelled out be a second half double to Jobe Wheelhouse which was split by a Luke Remington strike. The Jaffas completed their comeback as John Majurovski scored in the dying moments of the game.
It was just the fourth loss for the Bears this year, and combined with seven wins and a sole draw they are fourth on 22 points.
The loss against the Jaffas was further soured a day later when Broadmeadow defeated Maitland, closing the gap between the two sides (Magic and Weston) to two points.
The Jets won their first game in seven matches last weekend, beating South Cardiff 2-1, the score which they led by at half time.
In 2015 the Jets have surprisingly lost seven matches. Four wins and a draw have left them on 13 points in seventh spot.
These two clubs share a strong rivalry, with two thrilling matches being contested in 2014. In Round 7 the Bears were thumped 5-2 at home by the Youth side; their sole home PS4 NPL loss in over a year.
In the final round of the season Weston again hosted the Jets Youth with the Bears requiring a win to be crowned Premiers. In an enthralling match the score finished 1-1, the Jets scoring late to come from behind to win the Premiership.
This year they took part in the only Round 4 match to be played on schedule this season, and it was quite the opposite to their 2014 matches. The match played in pouring rain was locked at 0-0 at half time, then a scrappy Tom Waller goal in the second half won the Jets the three points.
The return of Braedyn Crowley has been a huge boost for the Jets Youth. Crowley missed the majority of the season so far due to injury, but since his return has scored two of the side’s four goals in the past three matches. He will need to play an instrumental role this weekend against a Bears defence looking for redemption.
Weston and the Jets Youth always put on a great match for the fans who travel to Rockwell Automation Park. The atmosphere at the ground is always intense, and this weekend will be no different as one of the strongest sides in the PS4 NPL go head to head with some of the finest youth in the region.
South Cardiff FC vs.Charlestown City Blues FC
Sun 12 July 2:30 PM
Ulinga Oval
#SCGvCCB
Whilst Saturday’s match between Lambton and Olympic is the Match of the Round, most eyes will be fixed on Sunday’s encounter which sees South Cardiff host Charlestown at Ulinga Oval.
The Gunners are currently sitting in last position on the PS4 NPL ladder on five points, following just one win, two draws and nine losses this season.
The Blues are just one place ahead of the Gunners on nine points, after three wins and nine losses in 2015.
As the competition’s final third begins this weekend this match becomes a must-win for both of these two struggling sides, and will shape the relegation battle with five matches remaining following Sunday’s full time whistle.
Last year Lake Macquarie were relegated with twelve points, and with Charlestown on nine a win can get them to that mark with five games remaining, ultimately putting them seven points ahead of the Gunners.
This would virtually put them out of the Gunners’ reach, however the side from Ulinga Oval will be determined not to allow this to happen.
Gunners coach Greg Asquith is looking forward to the match, suggesting it will be one of their biggest challenges of the year.
“Obviously there is no denying it’s a must win game for us,’ he said.
‘We need to maintain closeness with Charlestown, and they will be confident after beating Adamstown’.
‘It is really important that we get a result’.
Asquith has been boosted in recent weeks with several injured players returning to action. One of their two visa players Lee Ashton played a full game of Under 22’s last weekend, then backed up for 15 minutes of first grade as he continues his return from injury which is a good sign for the club.
The last time these two sides met was a rescheduled Match of the Round in Round 4 which the Gunners comfortably won 3-1.
Since then they have not recorded a point, losing eight in a row. The Blues have scored six points thanks to wins over Broadmeadow and Adamstown since then, giving them slightly better form heading into this match.
Both sides will know the importance of three points in this match, which sets up a highly anticipated affair. The two teams will both give their all for a win, so plenty of goals can be expected from the match, as well as a real competitive atmosphere.
Maitland FC vs.Edgeworth FC
Sun 12 July 2:30 PM
Cook Square Park
#MFCvEFC
The second of two Sunday afternoon matches in Round 13 will see league leaders Edgeworth travel to Cook Square Park, looking to maintain their top spot.
They moved into number one last weekend, inflicting Hamilton with their first loss of the season. It was the Eagles ninth win, and alongside three losses they are on 27 points.
Maitland lost their eighth match of the year last weekend remaining in eighth position following their three wins and a draw.
Maitland’s two game winning streak was ended last weekend in a 3-0 loss to Broadmeadow Magic in disappointing circumstances. They conceded a silly penalty just before half time, and then conceded two after Magic went to ten men in the second half.
They will look to return to winning ways this weekend by making it three from four, but they have a tricky assignment in the firing Eagles.
Since their 1-0 loss away to Weston in early June Edgeworth have not been beaten, instead defeating all before them. They have qualified for the FFA Cup Round of 32, and shot to the top of the ladder.
Their goals for 2015 were to qualify for the Round of 32 and the PS4 NPL Finals. They have already achieved one, and are almost guaranteed the latter, so 2015 has already been a success for Coach Damien Zane.
He and his side will now be focused on the final six matches, more specifically, pushing on in the top spot and finishing there at the end of the season.
One player they will need to be wary of from the Maitland side this weekend is new signing Ryan Clarke. Clarke played in his first match last weekend in the loss to Broadmeadow, but impressed Coach Reece Thompson, and will only improve as he familiarises himself with the league and his team.
Maitland’s passion and desire is another danger point for the Eagles. The Magpies sat last for a long stretch of the season, but were determined to get off the bottom of the ladder, and achieved that with several important wins. They will be desperate for another over the league leaders this Sunday.
One of Edgeworth’s more significant wins this season came back in Round 4 at the hands of Maitland, beating them 4-1 in a rescheduled match in May.
Both sides play quality attacking football, moving the ball forward quick in transition, so this match should be a fast paced, exciting match up between two sides full of talented young players.
Adamstown Rosebud FC vs.Broadmeadow Magic FC
Sun 12 July 2:30 PM
Adamstown Oval
#BUDvMGC
The final match of Round 13 of the PS4 Northern New South Wales National Premier League is the local derby between the Adamstown Rosebud and Broadmeadow Magic.
The Buds’ 2015 resurgence came to a disappointing stop last weekend as a twelfth minute Scott Smith goal saw Charlestown defeat them 1-0.
This year Adamstown have recorded four wins, draws and losses. They are six points outside the top four, on 16 points, in sixth place.
Magic edged closer to the top four last weekend following a 3-0 defeat of Maitland. They are now just two behind Weston, but trail leaders Edgeworth by seven.
Their six wins and two draws this season see them sitting on 20 points.
A big talking point of last weekend’s win over Maitland for Broadmeadow is the sending off of left back Luke Virgili. Maitland’s Joel Wood was free on goal until John Griffiths fouled the striker, however Virgili was sent off in a case of apparent mistaken identity.
Magic coach Rob Virgili was unsure if Luke would be available for this weekend’s match, but suggested the club is appealing, and said he has left the matter in their hands.
In timely fashion for Broadmeadow’s defence veteran Josh Piddington will make his return from suspension for the away side, ‘a huge boost’ according to Virgili.
Magic are no strangers to controversy, in fact the last time these two sides met back in Round 4 a goal five minutes into stoppage time separated the sides.
Guy Bates and Matt Paul sent the Buds into the break ahead 2-0, then a Dino Fajkovic screamer and a Scott Petit header made the score 2-2. The game looked set to end a draw, however Chris Berlin scored deep into stoppage time to complete the comeback for the Magic.
These two sides have everything to play for this weekend. Broadmeadow have the chance to go into the top four, whilst the Rosebud have the chance to move even closer to the finals positions.
Those present at the match can expect a hard fought match between two sides that play extremely attractive football, who will both feel as though they deserve to be sitting higher up the table this season, and who will use this weekend’s match to prove that.
Ο Κύπριος πρόσφυγας και προσωρινός κάτοικος Αυστραλίας Ντίνος Τουμάζος, αναλαμβάνει πρωτοβουλία απεύθυνσης σε επιχειρηματίες ελληνικής καταγωγής σε όλο τον κόσμο να συνεισφέρουν έστω και κατά το ελάχιστο σε μια προσπάθεια συμβολής και βοήθειας στην επίλυση των οικονομικών και άλλων δυσκολιών που αντιμετωπίζει η Ελλάδα και ο λαός της.
Σε σχετική επιστολή του προς τον πρεσβευτή της Ελλάδας στην Καμπέρα, κ. Χαράλαμπο Δαφαράνο, ο Ντίνος Τουμάζος αναφέρει τα ακόλουθα:
«Θα ήθελα να εκφράσω τα θερμά μου συγχαρητήρια για τη χθεσινή νίκη της δημοκρατίας στην πατρίδα μας και να ευχηθώ σύνεση στη διαχείριση της δύσκολης πορείας του τόπου και του λαού μας αλλά και της ανθρωπότητας στο σύνολό της.
Παράλληλα, σας γνωστοποιώ την προσωπική μου επιθυμία να καταθέσω τον ελάχιστο οβολό των χιλίων δολαρίων για τις άμεσες ανάγκες της αιμάσσουσας κοινωνίας της μητροπολιτικής Ελλάδας, διερμηνεύοντας παράλληλα την επιθυμία πολλών Ελλήνων της Διασποράς να συμβάλουν στην ανακούφιση του χειμαζόμενου από την κρίση Ελληνικού λαού.
Για την υλοποίηση της πρόθεσης αυτής θα σας παρακαλούσα να με ενημερώσετε για το τυπικό – διαδικαστικό μέρος μιας τέτοιας προσπάθειας, ώστε να απευθύνουμε ανοικτή πρόσκληση προς όλους τους ανά την υφήλιο επιχειρηματίες Ελληνικής καταγωγής καθώς και όσους μπορούν να συνεισφέρουν έστω και κατά το ελάχιστον, προκειμένου να συμβάλουμε όλοι στην υπέρβαση των δυσκολιών».
Ο πρέσβης κ. Χ. Δαφαράνος, από την πλευρά του, με απαντητική του επιστολή προς τον κ. Τουμάζο, τον ευχαριστεί για την σκέψη και την πρωτοβουλία του και τον διαβεβαιώνει ότι θα ενημερώσει σχετικά την Αθήνα και θα πληροφορηθεί εάν υπάρχει δυνατότητα να αξιοποιηθούν παρόμοιες ευγενικές προσφορές Ελλήνων του εξωτερικού.
Ο κ. Παπαστεργιάδης και μέλος του Δ.Σ. της Ελληνικής Κοινότητας κάνοντας δηλώσεις στο “Πρωινό” πρόγραμμα του κρατικού δικτύου
Προς τον Ομοσπονδιακό Θησαυροφύλακα, κ. Joe Hockey, για συμβολή ΔΝΤ και Παγκόσμιας Τράπεζας στην ελάφρυνση του ελληνικού χρέους.
Η Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μελβούρνης (GCM) απηύθυνε έκκληση για μια νέα προσπάθεια εξασφάλισης μιας δίκαιης συμφωνίας για τον ελληνικό λαό, στηρίζοντας τις προσπάθειες που γίνονται και ιδιαίτερα μετά το αποτέλεσμα του δημοψηφίσματος.
Ο πρόεδρος της Κοινότητας, κ. Βασίλης Παπαστεργιάδης, δήλωσε ότι το δημοψήφισμα ενδυνάμωσε τη διαπραγματευτική θέση της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης και διέψευσε κάποιους αναλυτές που ισχυρίζονταν ότι επιθυμία των Ελλήνων είναι να εγκαταλείψει την Ευρώπη και να σταματήσει τη χρήση του ευρώ.
Ο κ. Παπαστεργιάδης αναφέρθηκε επίσης και στη σημασία που έχει το αποτέλεσμα του δημοψηφίσματος:
«Παρά το ΟΧΙ στο δημοψήφισμα, η θέση της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης και του ελληνικού λαού όσον αφορά στην παραμονή στην Ευρώπη και στο Ευρώ είναι ένα κατηγορηματικό ΝΑΙ,» είπε.
Ο διευθυντής του Ελληνικού Κέντρου, κ. Γιώργος Μενίδης, επανέλαβε την έκκληση προς τον Ομοσπονδιακό Θησαυροφύλακα, κ. Joe Hockey, να συμβάλει πιο αποτελεσματικά μέσω του ΔΝΤ και της Παγκόσμιας Τράπεζας στην επίτευξη μιας λύσης που θα προβλέπει ελάφρυνση του χρέους για το ελληνικό κράτος.
«Σε σχετική έκθεσή του το ΔΝΤ την περασμένη εβδομάδα υπογράμμισε την ανάγκη ελάφρυνσης του χρέους
για να επιτρέψει στο ελληνικό κράτος να βρεθεί εκ νέου στο δρόμο της ανάπτυξης» δήλωσε ο κ. Μενίδης.
«Πρέπει να αναζητηθούν λύσεις έτσι ώστε να σταματήσει η φυγή των νέων, των μορφωμένων και του έμπειρου εργατικού δυναμικού ως αποτέλεσμα των ασφυκτικών μέτρων που αντιμετωπίζει ο μέσος Έλληνας πολίτης».
Για πρώτη φορά ίσως ο σκληρός Βόλφγκανγκ Σόιμπλε παραδέχεται πως το ελληνικό χρέος δεν είναι βιώσιμο χωρίς κούρεμα, όμως κάτι τέτοιο δεν θα μπορούσε να γίνει καθώς θα παραβίαζε τους κανόνες της Ε.Ε. Άφησε όμως ανοιχτό το ενδεχόμενο το ζήτημα να εξεταστεί. Από το βήμα της Bundestag, ο Σόιμπλε ήταν ιδιαίτερα αποκαλυπτικός καθώς είπε πως δεν ήθελε ο ίδιος το ΔΝΤ στο πρόγραμμα αλλά ήταν επιθυμία της Άνγκελα Μέρκελ. Μεταξύ άλλων επεσήμανε πως ο νέος Υπουργός Οικονομικών, Ευκλείδης Τσακαλώτος είναι πιο συμβατικός, όμως οι εταίροι αναμένουν προτάσεις.
«Πρέπει να εξετάσουμε το οξύ πρόβλημα των capital controls στην Ελλάδα. Κανείς δεν γνωρίζει πότε θα ανοίξουν οι ελληνικές τράπεζες και θα λήξει η τραπεζική αργία. Αν οι Έλληνες επιθυμούν να ανακτήσουν την εμπιστοσύνη, πρέπει να εφαρμόσουν μεταρρυθμίσεις. Δεν έχουμε δει ακόμη τις προτάσεις από την Ελλάδα», υπογράμμισε ο Γερμανός υπουργός Οικονομικών.
Αναλυτικότερα, ο κ. Σόιμπλε δήλωσε ότι «πιο συμβατικός και συνεργάσιμος από τον προκάτοχό του ο νέος υπουργός Οικονομικών της Ελλάδας, ο κ.Τσακαλώτος. Είπα στον Τσακαλώτο ότι το μόνο που έχει να κάνει η Ελλάδα είναι να εφαρμόσει μεταρρυθμίσεις. Η Ευρώπη σημείωσε πρόοδο σε εποχές κρίσεων, έτσι δεν ανησυχούμε όπως άλλοι. Χωρίς κούρεμα το χρέος της Ελλάδας δεν μπορεί να καταστεί βιώσιμο. Είναι σωστή η παραδοχή του ΔΝΤ στο ζήτημα αυτό. To ΔΝΤ με προειδοποίησε να μην είμαι τόσο γεναιόδωρος με την Ελλάδα. Δεν ήθελα το ΔΝΤ στο πρόγραμμα, αλλά η Μέρκελ με παρέκαμψε».
Χαρακτηριστικό είναι το παρασκήνιο που αποκαλύπτει το πρακτορείο ΜΝΙ, που δείχνει μια ενόχληση για την εμπλοκή των ΗΠΑ. Όπως αναφέρεται, ο Β. Σόιμπλε είπε στον Αμερικανό ΥΠΟΙΚ, Τζακ Λιου να σώσει η Γερμανία το Πουέρτο Ρίκο και να σώσουν οι ΗΠΑ την Ελλάδα…
Η Ευρωζώνη έχει την ικανότητα να αντιμετωπίζει κάθε κίνδυνο και να απορροφά κάθε σοκ, υπογράμμισε ο υπουργός Οικονομικών της Γαλλίας, Μισέλ Σαπέν, κατά τη διάρκεια ομιλίας του στο γερμανικό κοινοβούλιο.
«Έχουμε την ικανότητα να αντιμετωπίζουμε αποτελεσματικά κάθε σοκ» υποστήριξε ο Γάλλος υπουργός, προσθέτοντας ότι η Ευρώπη έχει καταφέρει να «χτίσει» ένα κοινό εργαλείο απορρόφησης των κινδύνων. Όσον αφορά την Ευρωπαϊκή Κεντρική Τράπεζα, ο κ. Σαπέν τόνισε ότι έχει λάβει τις σωστές αποφάσεις προκειμένου να διασφαλίσει τη χρηματοπιστωτική σταθερότητα. Η σημερινή κρίση, κατέληξε, συνιστά απόρροια της έλλειψης μίας κοινής προσέγγισης των προβλημάτων που ταλανίζουν την Ευρωζώνη.
Την ελληνική πρόταση για τις προαπαιτούμενες ενέργειες που κατατέθηκαν για έγκριση στους θεσμούς έδωσε στη δημοσιότητητα το Μαξίμου. Η πρόταση τίθεται με τη διαδικασία του κατεπείγοντος, επί τάπητος σήμερα στην ελληνική Βουλή, ώστε να δοθεί εξουσιοδότηση στον Αλέξη Τσίπρα, τον Γιάννη Δραγασάκη και τον Ευκλείδη Τσακαλώτο να διαπραγματευτούν στη βάση του κειμένου.
Η κυβέρνηση ζητά 46 δισ. ευρώ για την αναχρηματοδότηση των δανείων ως τα μέσα του 2018 αλλά και 7,5 δισ. ευρώ που κατέβαλε για να καλύψει τις υποχρεώσεις των τελευταίων μηνών.
Η ελληνική πρόταση που κατατέθηκε προς τον Ευρωπαϊκό Μηχανισμό Σταθερότητας [ESM] αφορά τη χρηματοδότηση των δανειακών αναγκών της χώρας από την 01/07/2015 έως τις 30/06/2018, για τρία δηλαδή χρόνια. Και περιλαμβάνει ακόμα την ρύθμιση του χρέους καθώς και εμπροσθοβαρές αναπτυξιακό πακέτο ύψους 35 δισ., αναφέρουν κυβερνητικοί κύκλοι.
Οι ίδιες πηγές επισημαίνουν ότι στην πρόταση της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης οι στόχοι πρωτογενούς πλεονάσματος [1%, 2% και 3% του ΑΕΠ] θα επανεξεταστούν, καθώς τα δεδομένα έχουν μεταβληθεί.
Σημειώνουν δε τα εξής σε ότι αφορά πιο συγκεκριμένα τους βασικούς άξονες της ελληνικής πρότασης:
-Τα βασικά τρόφιμα και ο ΦΠΑ στα ξενοδοχεία είναι στο 13%. Διατηρείται η έκπτωση του ΦΠΑ στα νησιά μέχρι το τέλος του 2016, εκτός από τα πλουσιότερα και πιο τουριστικά. Η κατάργηση της έκπτωσης στα απομακρυσμένα νησιά θα γίνει στο τέλος του 2016 και όταν θα έχει δημιουργηθεί μηχανισμός αποζημίωσης των μόνιμων κατοίκων. Οι συντελεστές ΦΠΑ θα επανεξεταστούν στο τέλος του 2016.
– Το ΕΚΑΣ θα χορηγείται μέχρι τον Ιανουάριο του 2020, οπότε και θα έχει δημιουργηθεί ένα νέο πλαίσιο κοινωνικής πρόνοιας.
– Αναστολή της ρήτρας μηδενικού ελλείμματος μέχρι τον Οκτώβριο του 2015, που θα έρθει προς ψήφιση νέα νομοθεσία.
-Σταδιακή κατάργηση της ειδικής φορολογικής μεταχείρισης για τους αγρότες με ομαλή αποκλιμάκωση της επιδότησης πετρελαίου που θα απορροφηθεί από την πτώση των διεθνών τιμών.
-Αύξηση του εταιρικού φόρου από 26% στο 28%.
-Νέα πρόταση για ολοκληρωμένο σχέδιο καταπολέμησης της φοροδιαφυγής με:
** έλεγχο των αδήλωτων καταθέσεων μέσω διασταύρωσης των τραπεζικών συναλλαγών στην Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό,
** εισαγωγή προγράμματος εθελοντικής δήλωσης με τις κατάλληλες ποινές, κίνητρα και διαδικασίες βεβαίωσης σύμφωνα με τις καλύτερες διεθνείς πρακτικές,
** αίτηση στις χώρες μέλη της ΕΕ για παροχή δεδομένων σχετικά με την ιδιοκτησία Ελλήνων και την προέλευσή της
-Θέσπιση περιουσιολογίου.
-Ο νέος νόμος για τις συλλογικές διαπραγματεύσεις θα είναι έτοιμος το τελευταίο τρίμηνο του 2015.
-Στις αγορές προϊόντων, η κυβέρνηση:
** Θα διατηρήσει το σημερινό καθεστώς για τα ΜΗΣΥΦΑ [Μη Συνταγογραφούμενα Φάρμακα], ψωμί, γάλα, Κυριακές.
** Θα μειώσει τη γραφειοκρατία με τη δημιουργία «one stop shop» για τις επιχειρήσεις.
-Μείωση συντελεστή σε φάρμακα, βιβλία, εισιτήρια θεάτρου σε 6% από 6,5%.
-Βελτίωση του ποινικού δικαίου για τη φοροδιαφυγή.
-Αύξηση φόρου ναυτιλιακών επιχειρήσεων και κατάργηση προνομίων εφοπλιστών.
-Αύξηση φόρου πολυτελείας και εφαρμογή του και στα σκάφη αναψυχής.
-Άμεση εφαρμογή του φόρου τηλεοπτικών διαφημίσεων.
-Εισαγωγή σε συνεργασία με τον ΟΟΣΑ νέων μεταρρυθμίσεων για το σπάσιμο των καρτέλ σε χονδρικό εμπόριο, κατασκευές, ηλεκτρονικό εμπόριο, μέσα ενημέρωσης.
Στη λίστα των μέτρων περιλαμβάνονται ακόμη:
– Μείωση αμυντικών δαπανών κατά 100 εκατ. φέτος και κατά 200 εκατ. το 2016, με μείωση του προσωπικού.
– Επέκταση του φόρου επί ακαθάριστων εσόδων του ΟΠΑΠ ΟΠΑΠ -2,13% ύψους 30% και στα VLTs
– Αύξηση της συμμετοχής των συνταξιούχων στις δαπάνες υγείας στο 6% από 4%
– Σε περίπτωση που υπάρξει απόκλιση στους στόχους θα εξετασθούν μέτρα όπως:
*η αύξηση του συντελεστή φορολόγησης ενοικίων, την αύξηση του συντελεστή για εισοδήματα κάτω των 12.000 ευρώ στο 15% από 11% με πρόσθετα έσοδα 160 εκατ., για εισοδήματα άνω των 12% στο 35% από 33% με πρόσθετα έσοδα 40 εκατ. ευρώ.
*η περαιτέρω αύξηση της φορολόγησης επιχειρήσεων στο 29% από 28% που θα οδηγήσει σε έσοδα 130 εκατ. ευρώ.
Yanis Varoufakis returned to Parliament on Thursday as an MP rather than a minister and in a brief discussion with journalists expressed frustration about his time in charge of negotiations with lenders.
Varoufakis claimed that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has a plan to push Greece out of the eurozone and that he has a strong influence over his counterparts in the Eurogroup, apart from France’s Michel Sapin.
Varoufakis refused to be drawn on the possible outcome of the current negotiations, for which his successor Euclid Tsakalotos is responsible.
The government has submitted to the institutions and Parliament its proposals for reaching an agreement on a third bailout.
The proposals are due to be debated by MPs on Friday.
Policy Commitments and Actions to be taken in consultation with EC/ECB/IMF staff: 1. 2015 supplementary budget and 2016-19 MTFS1 Adopt effective as of July 1, 2015 a supplementary 2015 budget and a 2016–19 medium-term fiscal strategy, supported by asizable and credible package of measures. The new fiscal path is premised on a primary surplus target of (1, 2, 3), and 3.5 percent of GDP in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The package includes VAT reforms (¶2), other tax policy measures (¶3), pension reforms (¶4), public administration reforms (¶5), reforms addressing shortfalls in tax collection enforcement (¶6), and other parametric measures as specified below. 2. VAT reform Adopt legislation to reform the VAT system that will be effective as of July 1, 2015. The reform will target a net revenue gain of 1 percent of GDP on an annual basis from parametric changes. The new VAT system will: (i) unify the rates at a standard 23 percent rate, which will include restaurants and catering, and a reduced 13 percent rate for basic food, energy, hotels, and water (excluding sewage), and a super-reduced rate of 6 percent for pharmaceuticals, books, and theater; (ii) streamline exemptions to broaden the base and raise the tax on insurance; and (iii) Eliminate discounts on islands, starting with the islands with higher incomes and which are the most popular tourist destinations, except the most remote ones. This will be completed by end-2016, as appropriate and targeted fiscally neutral measures to compensate those inhabitants that are most in need are determined. The new VAT rates on hotels and islands will be implemented from October 2015. The increase of the VAT rate described above may be reviewed at the end of 2016, provided that equivalent additional revenues are collected through measures taken against tax evasion and to improve collectability of VAT. Any decision to review and revise shall take place in consultation with the institutions. 1 The fiscal path to reach the medium term primary surplus target of 3.5% will be discussed with the institutions, in light of recent economic developments. 3. Fiscal structural measures Adopt legislation to: • close possibilities for income tax avoidance (e.g., tighten the definition of farmers), take measures to increase the corporate income tax in 2015 and require 100 percent advance payments for corporate income and gradually for individual business income tax by 2017; phase out the preferential tax treatment of farmers in the income tax code by 2017; raise the solidarity surcharge; • abolish subsidies for excise on diesel oil for farmers and better target eligibility to halve heating oil subsidies expenditure in the budget 2016; • in view of any revision of the zonal property values, adjust the property tax rates if necessary to safeguard the 2015 and 2016 property tax revenues at €2.65 billion and adjust the alternative minimum personal income taxation. • eliminate the cross-border withholding tax introduced by the installments act (law XXXX/2015) and reverse the recent amendments to the ITC in the public administration act (law XXXX/2015), including the special treatment of agricultural income. • adopt outstanding reforms on the codes on income tax, and tax procedures: introduce a new Criminal Law on Tax Evasion and Fraud to amend the Special Penal Law 2523/1997 and any other relevant legislation, and replace Article 55, ¶s 1 and 2, of the TPC, with a view, inter alia, to modernize and broaden the definition of tax fraud and evasion to all taxes; abolish all Code of Book and Records fines, including those levied under law 2523/1997 develop the tax framework for collective investment vehicles and their participants consistently with the ITC and in line with best practices in the EU. • adopt legislation to upgrade the organic budget law to: (i) introduce a framework for independent agencies; (ii) phase out ex-ante audits of the Hellenic Court of Auditors and account officers (ypologos); (iii) give GDFSs exclusive financial service capacity and GAO powers to oversee public sector finances; and (iv) phase out fiscal audit offices by January 2017. • increase the rate of the tonnage tax and phase out special tax treatments of the shipping industry. By September 2015, (i) simplify the personal income tax credit schedule; (ii) re-design and integrate into the ITC the solidarity surcharge for income of 2016 to more effectively achieve progressivity in the income tax system; (iii) issue a circular on fines to ensure the comprehensive and consistent application of the TPC; (iv) and other remaining reforms as specified in ¶9 of the IMF Country Report No. 14/151. On health care, effective as of July 1, 2015, (i) re-establish full INN prescription, without exceptions, (ii) reduce as a first step the price of all off-patent drugs to 50 percent and all generics to 32.5 percent of the patent price, by repealing the grandfathering clause for medicines already in the market in 2012, and (iii)) review and limit the prices of diagnostic tests to bring structural spending in line with claw back targets; and (iv) collect in the full the 2014 clawback for private clinics, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, and extend their 2015 clawback ceilings to 2016. Launch the Social Welfare Review under the agreed terms of reference with the technical assistance of the World Bank to target savings of ½ percent of GDP which can help finance a fiscally neutral gradual roll-out of the GMI in January 2016. Adopt legislation to: • reduce the expenditure ceiling for military spending by €100 million in 2015 and by €200 million in 2016 with a targeted set of actions, including a reduction in headcount and procurement; • introduce reform of the income tax code, [inter alia covering capital taxation], investment vehicles, farmers and the self- employed, etc.; • raise the corporate tax rate from 26% to 28%; • introduce tax on television advertisements; • announce international public tender for the acquisition of television licenses and usage related fees of relevant frequencies; and • extend implementation of luxury tax on recreational vessels in excess of 5 meters and increase the rate from 10% to 13%, coming into effect from the collection of 2014 income taxes and beyond; • extend Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) taxation of 30% on VLT games expected to be installed at second half of 2015 and 2016; • generate revenues through the issuance of 4G and 5G licenses. We will consider some compensating measures, in case of fiscal shortfalls: (i) Increase the tax rate to income for rents, for annual incomes below €12,000 to 15% (from 11%) with an additional revenue of €160 million and for annual incomes above €12,000 to 35% (from 33%) with an additional revenue of €40 million; (ii) the corporate income tax will increase by an additional percentage point (i.e. from 28% to 29%) that will result in additional revenues of €130 million. 4. Pension reform The Authorities recognise that the pension system is unsustainable and needs fundamental reforms. This is why they will implement in full the 2010 pension reform law (3863/2010), and implement in full or replace/adjust the sustainability factors for supplementary and lump-sum pensions from the 2012 reform as a part of the new pension reform in October 2015 to achieve equivalent savings and take further steps to improve the pension system. Effective from July 1, 2015 the authorities will phase-in reforms that would deliver estimated permanent savings of ¼-½ percent of GDP in 2015 and 1 percent of GDP on a full year basis in 2016 and thereafter by adopting legislation to: • create strong disincentives to early retirement, including the adjustment of early retirement penalties, and through a gradual elimination of grandfathering to statutory retirement age and early retirement pathways progressively adapting to the limit of statutory retirement age of 67 years, or 62 and 40 years of contributions by 2022, applicable for all those retiring (except arduous professions, and mothers with children with disability) with immediate application; • adopt legislation so that withdrawals from the Social Insurance Fund will incur an annual penalty, for those affected by the extension of the retirement age period, equivalent to 10 percent on top of the current penalty of 6 percent; • integrate into ETEA all supplementary pension funds and ensure that, starting January 1, 2015, all supplementary pension funds are only financed by own contributions; • better target social pensions by increasing OGA uninsured pension; • Gradually phase out the solidarity grant (EKAS) for all pensioners by end-December 2019. This shall be legislated immediately and shall start as regards the top 20% of beneficiaries in March 2016 with the modalities of the phase out to be agreed with the institutions; • freeze monthly guaranteed contributory pension limits in nominal terms until 2021; • provide to people retiring after 30 June 2015 the basic, guaranteed contributory, and means tested pensions only at the attainment of the statutory normal retirement age of currently 67 years; • increase the health contributions for pensioners from 4% to 6% on average and extend it to supplementary pensions; • phase out all state-financed exemptions and harmonize contribution rules for all pension funds with the structure of contributions to IKA from 1 July 2015; Moreover, in order to restore the sustainability of the pension system, the authorities will by 31 October 2015, legislate further reforms to take effect from 1 January 2016; (i) specific design and parametric improvements to establish a closer link between contributions and benefits; (ii) broaden and modernize the contribution and pension base for all self-employed, including by switching from notional to actual income, subject to minimum required contribution rules; (iii) revise and rationalize all different systems of basic, guaranteed contributory and means tested pension components, taking into account incentives to work and contribute; (iv) the main elements of a comprehensive SSFs consolidation, including any remaining harmonization of contribution and benefit payment rules and procedures across all funds; (v) abolish all nuisance charges financing pensions and offset by reducing benefits or increasing contributions in specific funds to take effect from 31 October 2015; and (vi) harmonize pension benefit rules of the agricultural fund (OGA) with the rest of the pension system in a pro rata manner, unless OGA is merged into other funds. The consolidation of social insurance funds will take place by end 2017. In 2015, the process will be activated through legislation to consolidate the social insurance funds under a single entity and the operational consolidation will have been completed by 31 December 2016. Further reductions in the operating costs and a more effective management of fund resources including improved balancing of needs between better-off and poorer-off funds will be actively encouraged. The authorities will adopt legislation to fully offset the fiscal effects of the implementation of court rulings on the 2012 pension reform. In parallel to the reform of the pension system, a Social Welfare Review will be carried out to ensure fairness of the various reforms. The institutions are prepared to take into account other parametric measures within the pension system of equivalent effect to replace some of the measures mentioned above, taking into account their impact on growth, and provided that such measures are presented to the institutions during the design phase and are sufficiently concrete and quantifiable, and in the absence of this the default option is what is specified above. 5. Public Administration, Justice and Anti Corruption Adopt legislation to: • reform the unified wage grid, effective 1 January, 2016, setting the key parameters in a fiscally neutral manner and consistent with the agreed wage bill targets and with comprehensive application across the public sector, including decompressing the wage distribution across the wage spectrumin connection with the skill, performance and responsibility of staff. (The authorities will also adopt legislation to rationalise the specialised wage grids, by end-November 2015); • align non-wage benefits such as leave arrangements, per diems, travel allowances and perks, with best practices in the EU, effective 1 January 2016; • establish within the new MTFS ceilings for the wage bill and the level of public employment consistent with achieving the fiscal targets and ensuring a declining path of the wage bill relative to GDP until 2019; • hire managers and assess performance of all employees (with the aim to complete the hiring of new managers by 31 December 2015 subsequent to a review process) • introduce a new permanent mobility scheme applied by Q4 2015. The scheme will promote the use of job description and will be linked with an online database that will include all current vacancies. Final decision on employee mobility will be taken by each service concerned. This will rationalize the allocation of resources as well as the staffing across the General Government. • reform the Civil Procedure Code, in line with previous agreements; introduce measures to reduce the backlog of cases in administrative courts; work closely with European institutions and technical assistance on e-justice, mediation and judicial statistics • strengthen the governance of ELSTAT. It shall cover (i) the role and structure of the Advisory bodies of the Hellenic Statistical System, including the recasting of the Council of ELSS to an advisory Committee of the ELSS, and the role of the Good Practice Advisory Committee (GPAC); (ii) the recruitment procedure for the President of ELSTAT, to ensure that a President of the highest professional calibre is recruited, following transparent procedures and selection criteria; (iii)the involvement of ELSTAT as appropriate in any legislative or other legal proposal pertaining to any statistical matter; (iv) other issues that impact the independence of ELSTAT, including financial autonomy, the empowerment of ELSTAT to reallocate existing permanent posts and to hire staff where it is needed and to hire specialised scientific personnel, and the classification of the institution as a fiscal policy body in the recent law 4270/2014; role and powers of Bank of Greece in statistics in line with European legislation. • Publish a revised Strategic Plan against Corruption by 31 July 2015. Amend and implement the legal framework for the declaration of assets and financing of the political parties and adopt legislation insulating financial crime and anti-corruption investigations from political intervention in individual cases. Moreover, in collaboration with the OECD, the Authorities will: • Strengthen controls in public entities and especially SOEs. Empower the Line Ministries to perform robust audit and control inspections to supervised entities including SOEs. • Strengthen controls and internal audit processes in high spending Local Government Institutions and their supervised legal entities. • Strengthen controls in public and private investment cases funded either by national or co-funded by other sources, public works and public procurement (e.g. in health sector, SDIT). • Strengthen transparency and control processes and skills in tax and customs authorities. • Assess major risks in the public procurement cycle, taking in consideration the recent developments (Central Purchasing and e-Procurement: KHMDHS and ESHDHS) and the need to have a clear governance framework. Develop strategy according to the assessment(Q4 2015) • Implement strategy to mitigate public procurement risks.(Q1 2016) • Assess 2 specific sectors, Health and Public Works in order to understand the existing constrains related to corruption and waste risks and propose measures to address them. Develop and implement strategy. (Q4 2015) 6. Tax administration Take the following actions to: • Adopt legislation to establish an autonomous revenue agency, that specifies: (i) the agency’s legal form, organization, status, and scope; (ii) the powers and functions of the CEO and the independent Board of Governors; (iii) the relationship to the Minister of Finance and other government entities; (iv) the agency’s human resource flexibility and relationship to the civil service; (v) budget autonomy, with own GDFS and a new funding formula to align incentives with revenue collection and guarantee budget predictability and flexibility; (vi) reporting to the government and parliament; and (vii) the immediate transfer of all tax- and customs-related capacities and duties and all tax- and customs-related staff in SDOE and other entities to the agency. • on garnishments, adopt legislation to eliminate the 25 percent ceiling on wages and pensions and lower all thresholds of €1,500 while ensuring in all cases reasonable living conditions; accelerate procurement of IT infrastructure to automatize e-garnishment; improve tax debt write-off rules; remove tax officers’ personal liabilities for not pursuing old debt; remove restrictions on conducting audits of tax returns from 2012 subject to the external tax certificate scheme; and enforce if legally possible upfront payment collection in tax disputes. • amend (i) the 2014–15 tax and SSC debt instalment schemes to exclude those who fail to pay current obligations and introduce a requirement for the tax and social security administrations to shorten the duration for those with the capacity to pay earlier and introduce market-based interest rates; the LDU and KEAO will assess by September 2015 the large debtors with tax and SSC debt exceeding €1 million (e.g. verify their capacity to pay and take corrective action) and (ii) the basic instalment scheme/TPC to adjust the market-based interest rates and suspend until end-2017 third-party verification and bank guarantee requirements. • adopt legislation to accelerate de-registration procedures and limit VAT re-registration to protect VAT revenues and accelerate procurement of network analysis software; and provide the Presidential Decree needed for the significantly strengthening the reorganisation of the VAT enforcement section in order to strengthen VAT enforcement and combat VAT carousel fraud. The authorities will submit an application to the EU VAT Committee and prepare an assessment of the implication of an increase in the VAT threshold to €25.000. • combat fuel smuggling, via legislative measures for locating storage tanks (fixed or mobile); • Produce a comprehensive plan with technical assistance for combating tax evasion which includes (i) identification of undeclared deposits by checking bank transactions in banking institutions in Greece or abroad, (ii) introduction of a voluntary disclosure program with appropriate sanctions, incentives and verification procedures, consistent with international best practice, and without any amnesty provisions (iii) request from EU member states to provide data on asset ownership and acquisition by Greek citizens, (iv) renew the request for technical assistance in tax administration and make full use of the resource in capacity building, (v) establish a wealth registry to improve monitoring. • develop a costed plan for the promotion of the use of electronic payments, making use of the EU Structural and Investment Fund; • Create a time series database to monitor the balance sheets of parent-subsisdiary companies to improve risk analysis criteria for transfer pricing 7. Financial sector Adopt: (i) amendments to the corporate and household insolvency laws including to cover all debtors and bring the corporate insolvency law in line with the OCW law; (ii) amendments to the household insolvency law to introduce a mechanism to separate strategic defaulters from good faith debtors as well as simplify and strengthen the procedures and introduce measures to address the large backlog of cases; (iii) amendments to improve immediately the judicial framework for corporate and household insolvency matters; (iv) legislation to establish a regulated profession of insolvency administrators, not restricted to any specific profession and in line with good cross-country experience; (v) a comprehensive strategy for the financial system: this strategy will build on the strategy document from 2013, taking into account the new environment and conditions of the financial system and with a view of returning the banks in private ownership by attracting international strategic investors and to achieve a sustainable funding model over the medium term; and (vi) a holistic NPL resolution strategy, prepared with the help of a strategic consultant. 8. Labour market Launch a consultation process to review the whole range of existing labour market arrangements, taking into account best practices elsewhere in Europe. Further input to the consultation process described above will be provided by international organisations, including the ILO. The organization and timelines shall be drawn up in consultation with the institutions. In this context, legislation on a new system of collective bargaining should be ready by Q4 2015. The authorities will take actions to fight undeclared work in order to strengthen the competitiveness of legal companies and protect workers as well as tax and social security revenues. 9. Product market Adopt legislation to: • implement all pending recommendations of the OECD competition toolkit I, except OTC pharmaceutical products, starting with: tourist buses, truck licenses, code of conduct for traditional foodstuff, eurocodes on building materials, and all the OECD toolkit II recommendations on beverages and petroleum products; • In order to foster competition and increase consumer welfare immediately launch a new competition assessment, in collaboration and with the technical support of the OECD, on wholesale trade, construction, e-commerce and media. The assessment will be concluded by Q1 2016.The recommendations will be adopted by Q2 2016. • open the restricted professions of engineers, notaries, actuaries, and bailiffs and liberalize the market for tourist rentals ; • eliminate non-reciprocal nuisance charges and align the reciprocal nuisance charges to the services provided; • reduce red tape, including on horizontal licensing requirements of investments and on low-risk activities as recommended by the World Bank, and administrative burden of companies based on the OECD recommendations, and (ii) establish a committee for the inter-ministerial preparation of legislation. Technical assistance of the World Bank will be sought to implement the easing of licensing requirements. • design electronic one-stop shops for businesses through analysing information obligations businesses have to comply with, structuring them accordingly and helping to design a project on developing the necessary ICT tools and infrastructure (Q3 2015). Setting up the institutional & co-ordination structure, identification of the business life events to be included, identification and mapping of information obligations & administrative procedures and training of officials (Q4 2015). Launch (Q1 2016) • adopt the reform of the gas market and its specific roadmap, and implementation should follow suit. • take irreversible steps (including announcement of date for submission of binding offers) to privatize the electricity transmission company, ADMIE, or provide by October 2015 an alternative scheme, with equivalent results in terms of competition, in line with the best European practices to provide full ownership unbundling from PPC, while ensuring independence. On electricity markets, the authorities will reform the capacity payments system and other electricity market rules to avoid that some plants are forced to operate below their variable cost, and to prevent the netting of the arrears between PPC and marketoperator; set PPC tariffs based on costs, including replacement of the 20% discount for HV users with cost based tariffs; and notify NOME products to the European Commission. The authorities will also continue the implementation of the roadmap to the EU target model prepare a new framework for the support of renewable energies and for the implementation of energy efficiency and review energy taxation; the authorities will strengthen the electricity regulator’s financial and operational independence; 10. Privatization • The Board of Directors of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund will approve its Asset Development Plan which will include for privatisation all the assets under HRDAF as of 31/12/2014; and the Cabinet will endorse the plan. • To facilitate the completion of the tenders, the authorities will complete all government pending actions including those needed for the regional airports, TRAINOSE, Egnatia, the ports of Pireaus and Thessaloniki and Hellinikon (precise list in Technical Memorandum). This list of actions is updated regularly and the Government will ensure that all pending actions are timely implemented. • The government and HRADF will announce binding bid dates for Piraeus and Thessaloniki ports of no later than end-October 2015, and for TRAINOSE ROSCO, with no material changes in the terms of the tenders. • The government will transfer the state’s shares in OTE to the HRADF. • Take irreversible steps for the sale of the regional airports at the current terms with the winning bidder already selected.
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 