"Racist statements against Greece"

On the sidelines of the meeting with eleven representatives of social institutions with whom he met today, Tuesday, in view of the TIF, prime minister Yorgos Papandreou expressed his strong dissatisfaction with the statements of the Czech President that Greeks "are having a good time without working".

He characterized these statements as unacceptable and even racist, while stressing that there can be no such atmosphere in the EU.

Meanwhile, the picture presented by representatives of social bodies during the meeting at Maximos Mansion was quite gloomy, and they stressed that the recession is deepening. They also expressed their strong reservations about the manner in which the process for the deregulation of professions is moving, and asked Papandreou and his cabinet to make political decisions quickly in order to clarify the political and economic atmosphere.

They expressed their positive reaction about the Alpha-Eurobank merger, and once again disagreed with the VAT tax increase on catering, an issue on which the finance minister did not seem to be backing off.

Papandreou explained the problems that exist in Europe, and especially about the European associations affecting their resolution.

Finally Panagopoulos, the president of GESEE, announced its first protest on September 10 in Thessaloniki, where the PM will also be present.