PM: Structural reforms must begin by mid-January - The Best from Greece

All structural reforms must be underway or either completed by mid-January, ahead of the signing of the country’s new loan agreement, the prime minister underlined on Thursday during a Cabinet meeting, according to government sources.

 

The sources said that Lucas Papademos has contacted all ministers in order to pinpoint all necessary structural reforms, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome in an effort to meet the timetable that he has set.

 

Environment-related issues dominated the agenda, with the cabinet hearing the need to the incorporation into Greek law of two EU directives on the protection of the environment and the waste management.

 

Calling for a clear delineation in the environmental responsibilities of national, regional and local government, Papademos said that "laws are not enough. They constitute a necessary first step, however more must follow to guarantee their implementation."

 

The cabinet also agreed that the issue of deregulating the truck transportation sector and the licensing of law firms will be settled within the framework of the omnibus draft law sponsored by the finance ministry.

 

Ministers also agreed to a 9.2 percent in electricity prices.

 

The cabinet also touched on the issue of the pay of journalists employed in the wider public sector, agreeing that the pay scale and wages will be determined by joint ministerial decisions reached through negotiations with the journalists’ unions. (AMNA, Athens News)