Ta Nea: Olli Rehn to table extra measures in Greece

Athens. EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn will pay a visit to Greece to present new, extra measures on decreasing the budget deficit, Greek Ta Nea newspaper writes.

The extra measures, insisted by the European Commission and the European Central Bank, will probably include decrease in salaries in the state sector by 7% (which means the so-called 14th salary, which includes allowances for Easter and summer holiday, will not be given) and decreasing of the allowances by over 10%, as it was announced.

There is possibility the freezing of the salaries in the state sector to remain over the next two years. The extra measures will probably include rising of the value added tax (VAT) by 2% - to 21% as well as rising the excise on fuels, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.

The measures will be outlined at the meeting between Olli Rehn and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and will be probably announced on Thursday.

The newspaper reads further Greece will not take the extra measures if it does not get guarantees from Brussels for the type of the help it will receive as well as for the conditions under which it will be given.
Martin Schulz to hold talks with Greek PM

Leader of the Party of European Socialist Martin Schulz is paying a visit to Greece, Greek Naftemporiki online edition reported.

Schulz agenda envisages meeting with Greek Minister of Finance Giorgos Papakonstantinou and Prime Minister George Papandreou.