Greek PM denies plans to leave Eurozone

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, Reuters photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/178739.html

The Greek prime minister says his country has no intention to leave the Eurozone after reports from Germany revealed Greece might leave the common currency.

"These scenarios reach the borderline of criminality, just like yesterday when some again irresponsibly worked to spread fear for various reasons, perhaps also for reasons of speculation," Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Saturday in response to a report by an online news magazine Der Spiegel, Reuters stated.

Papandreou added that no such scenario for Athens to quit the Eurozone has even been discussed.

The Greek prime minister also called on the EU to leave his troubled country alone. On Friday, finance ministers from several Eurozone countries met in Luxembourg to discuss Greece's debt crisis.

This was while Greece and senior EU officials have denied any prospect for Athens to leave the 17-member Eurozone. The news of the country possibly leaving or being kicked out of the Eurozone has led to a sharp fall of the euro against the dollar.

Greek media reported that the EU finance ministers have discussed giving more time to Athens to repay its EUR 110 billion EU-IMF bailout, as well as offering it more lenient deficit reduction measures.

Greece has so far not been able to meet its deficit reduction targets stipulated in the bailout agreement.

Some economists think the country cannot overcome its debt, which stands at more than EUR 340 billion.

Hungarians protest new media law

Hungarian protesters tape their mouths in protest against the new media law

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160222.html


Thousands of people in Hungary have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to the country's controversial new media law.

Hungarians are actively protesting in the second series of demonstrations in recent weeks against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's new media law.

According to the legislation, a new authority has the right to impose major fines on media outlets.

The legislation also has the right to require journalists to reveal their sources on national security issues.

The protests have been especially vehement among media and rights groups in Budapest.

Other European governments have criticized the legislation as well, claiming that it limits freedom of press.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept to victory in the April parliamentary elections, winning two-thirds of the vote, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

Hungary takes over EU presidency

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158241.html


Hungary has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union amid criticisms against Budapest over adoption of a new law, which is said to restrict freedom of press.

"A transformation of incredible speed and depth is happening throughout the world; Europe must be able to stand in a much stronger global competition than ever before," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday.

Most important of all, Hungary will oversee talks about EU budget for 2014-2020 amid the blocs' worsening debt crisis, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Parliament and countries such as Germany have criticized Budapest for enforcing a law, which they say, threatens the freedom of press in the country.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept victory in the parliamentary elections in April and won two-third of the votes, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

The body will have the right to inspect media equipment and documents and to force journalists to reveal sources on matters concerning national security.