Auctions: Chance of a unilateral regulation

The issue of the Defence industries was at the heart of the governmental meeting under Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.

 
Exiting the presidential mansion, Avramopoulos confirmed that the governmental meeting addressed the issue of Defence Systems and that it was a useful general discussion.

 
Stournaras said the Greek side insists on maintaining the export orientation and stated there will be a downsizing of the defense industries by voluntary withdrawals. He added that the government is making great efforts to reach an agreement. Regarding the issue of auctions he said that there should be a legislative intervention otherwise the protection scheme will be lifted at the end of the year thus leaving an open window for a unilateral regulation.

 
Greek government officials noted that the government's goal is to close the deal until the end of the year, because the Greek side wants to have no open issues during its EU Presidency starting January 2014.
 

Lastly, Evangelos Venizelos referred to his speech at the American-Hellenic Chamber, considered that common sense will prevail while regarding the auctions he said that it is wrong to discuss these issues. He added that the government’s aim is to protect the poor and middle households and not the systematic bad payers.