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Venizelos: Next Two Months Expected Very Tough

How could privatizations proceed while the Greek exchange is in free fall? What was the reason for the agreement with Finland on collaterals? Why VAT in food services jumped to 23%? Is the medium-term fiscal package on track? Will there be new measures?
These were the most indicative question raised by government MPs to Evangelos Venizelos during a long meeting of an intraparty parliamentary committee, which convened on Wednesday, at the minister’s initiative, to brief PASOK MPs on recent developments.
Venizelos appeared cautiously optimistic and called the next two months “very tough”, because of the continuing recession, which requires renegotiations of objectives and deadlines between the government and the troika.
The minister briefed MPs on the letter he intends to send to his European counterparts, asking them to press for the immediate passing of the EU agreement on July 21, while he said that the corresponding process in Greece is scheduled in the second half of October.
As expected, he defended the handling of Finnish issue of collateral and called immoral the criticism of the main opposition party ND.
Regarding privatizations, Venizelos, also Deputy Prime Minister, did not hide his concern about the sharp decline of the stock market. He argued, however, that “there are thoughts and plans” to address the problem, but he declined to elaborate. He reportedly cited speeding up the privatization of companies that are not listed.
As for VAT rates, he reiterated his promised to review them along with the preparation of the new tax bill.
But, seasoned MP Vasso Papandreou was particularly critical on the delays in the implementation of the fiscal pan. “Spending is not reduced, and we continue to hit the stipendiary employees”, she said. She also wondered whether the EU decisions would pass, while large economies such as Italy now borrow at a rates of 7%.
(source: capital)

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