"We are not finished with Brussels as regards the deregulation of professions…"

Transport and Infrastructure minister Yannis Ragousis expressed his belief that the issue of deregulating taxi licenses will have been resolved by early September before the IFT, though - he said - Greece has still got a long way to go in the matter of deregulating professions, even those that are already adjusted.

Speaking to journalists, he cited the letter of the European Commission that requests an explanation from the finance ministry regarding the last-minute restrictions in the deregulation of the legal profession, and specifically the limit in establishing law firms. He added that "if the Commission seeks explanations as to the imperative need that led us to impose restrictions on the deregulation of the legal profession, you can imagine what will happen if we apply restrictions to the deregulation of a taxis."

It should be noted that these restrictions were introduced at the last minute by then-finance minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou who, in his attempt to satisfy the PASOK MPs, considered it appropriate to fool the EU.

He added that the plan for the deregulation of the profession is ready and will be announced in the near future. "This plan will have the full support of society. Taxi owners are at a disadvantage because they began their protests without knowing our positions."

Finally, the minister sent a message in every direction, saying that "after the new rescue package, the leeway has vanished…".

It should be noted that Ragousis was quite cheerful despite the fact that at yesterday's meeting of the parliamentary sector of transport, he received harsh criticism from PASOK MPs. This is probably explained by the fact that he has the full support of the PM and the broader society, which seems to take his side in the conflict with the taxi owners.