Greek FINMIN in Brussels

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The explosion of the unemployment rate in the European Union is the biggest social problem facing EU member-states, Economy and Finance Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou said on Tuesday, adding that employment in Greece remained at better levels compared with other EU states. Speaking an Economy and Financial Affairs Council meeting, the Greek minister said the government was determined to combating unemployment with specific measures, such as programs for the construction sector.  Papathanasiou said the Council meeting also discussed changes in the taxation of tobacco products. “Our interest is to support Greek production, the Greek tobacco industry and job positions,” he said, adding that the Council leaned towards a compromise proposal in favour of Greek interests, although it failed to reach a decision. An increasing number of EU member states entering into excessive deficit procedures facilitates Greece task in requesting a one year extension to 2011, if necessary, to bring the deficit down to 3%. Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Latvia and Rumania join the list of countries with excessive deficits (France, Greece, Spain, Ireland, UK) as of today, while another 9 countries including Italy and Germany are to join the list in November.  Greek News Agenda: Tax Package to Curb Budget Deficit

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Greece: Unemployment Rate Down

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Greece’s unemployment rate fell to 7.7% in April from 8.4% in the same month last year, boosted by an increase in the number of women joining the work force. According to the National Statistics Service, the number of jobless in April fell to 380,775 compared to 415,047 last year. Unemployment rates continue to be highest in the 15 to 24 age group and in Ionian island and southern Aegean regions. Kathimerini daily: Jobless rate drops to 7.7%