PASOK leader meets with SBBE presidium

[Ellinas]

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou met on Tuesday with the presidium of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (SBBE), after which Papandreou said that his party wanted a "lasting cooperation" with SBBE in order to move from "generalizations and strategic directions" to "practical solutions" so that it will be "prepared from day one, for the governance of the country".

Papandreou said that that the country was "sailing without a plan", adding that "in an era of creativity and innovation, the state's role is to equip the citizens".

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the PASOK leader said that the country needed to move ahead with new forms of development, which included construction, new technologies and the food industry, while he also endorses "simple rules in taxation and steadfast laws that promote investments".

The discussion also focused on combating corruption, with Papandreou reiterating a recent proposal in that direction recently put forward by PASOK.

The main opposition leader further placed emphasis on the matter of decentralization, criticizing the government of having a "concentration" rationale "because it wants to control".

On Greece's potential, Papandreou said that "we proved that we can organize Olympic Games, why can't we do better in Education and Health?"

He also said that "the businessmen are in despair, they hear PASOK's views with great interest, and await answers from PASOK at the Thessaloniki International Fair" next week, where the prime minister traditionally unveils economic policy for the following year and the opposition party leaders also present their own economic platforms.

Also speaking after the meeting, which was held at the PASOK headquarters in downtown Athens, SBBE president George Mylonas called for agreement between government and opposition on the serious and important issues so that results may be forthcoming, and so that the various issues would not be used "as opposition weapons".

Citing tourism as an example, Mylonas said that spatial planning issues needed to be solved quickly to enable infrastructures designed to attract tourism, particularly in border regions.

"Is it commonly agreed that industry is an inalienable element of Greece and must be supported, or do we take it off the map and say that Greece will proceed only with services or something else?" Mylonas questioned.

He said that the industrialists desire a shared view by government and opposition on such issues as the development of Thrace and western Macedonia, in which "the issues are not only economic ones".

"If PASOK and the government want the issues to be solved, they can solve them. We want one step forward every day," he added.

Mylonas said that SBBE wants PASOK's backing, too, on the development of the innovation zone in Thessaloniki, the TIF, and on the universities.

To a question on his abduction earlier in the summer, and his release for ransom after 13 days of captivity, Mylonas said that he had a heart-to-heart discussion with Papandreou.

To a question regarding dismissals, Mylonas said that "everyone puts the business in the corner and hits on them, but they should not forget that it that create jobs, and if the businessmen feel insecure or that they are at an impasse and stop creating working positions, then the difference will be evident".

Flexible working hours does not mean injustice, but that a business is competitive on the international markets and does not disregard what is taking place in his neighborhood and what is the rule of thumb in the economies with which he is competing, Mylonas explained.

"No one is speaking at the expense of the working people. There is no clash," Mylonas said in reply to other questions, adding "Today, we have our sleeves rolled up and our heads bent and work, employers and employees alike".

If the employers and employees do not agree to move forward, everything else is 'political talk' that is not founded on reality, he continued, adding that the struggle was a common one, and "the talk about unfeeling businessmen is a big mistake". "They all want to offer better incomes and better conditions to the employees, but the issue is, can they? »

During the meeting, the SBBE presidium noted that the market was not going well, and that the desire for creation has been, while businessmen feel tired because the various issues are not being solved, but only patched up.

Mylonas said that the industrialists believe that the state has lost its credibility, and call on the opposition to help in reversing the climate, while he also charged the government of carrying "collection pogroms" and passing on to the businessmen its own management ineptness.

Among the topics discussed were Thrace and the lack of a long-term policy for the development of the region, the development of industry in northern Greece, the promotion of Greek products, taxation issues, and the development of innovation zones, while SBBE said it was awaiting specific proposals from PASOK, particularly on cutting back on bureaucracy.

ANA