French President Francois Holland will pay an official visit to Athens on October 22nd and 23rd 2015, to seal the close relationship between the two countries. But also to explore investment opportunities… well… not exactly… almost.
According to Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper, France has great interest in participating in the privatization of Greece’s assets with focus on Greek Railways TRAIONSE and the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO/ADMIE).
“Sources familiar with the issue argue that the French side has suffered a significant defeat in the battle for the privatization of the 14 regional airports won by the German Fraport.
In this context the interest of French EDF for IPTSO and of Alstom for TRAINOSE will be intense and the Greek government will have to take important decisions so to respect sensitive balances.” (TO VIMA)
The newspaper notes that Hollande’s visit has also a clear political agenda. “It seems clear that the French president, as a socialist, allegedly operated behind the scenes for an approach of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with the European Socialists.”
However the way for SYRIZA to be accepted by the European Socialists is long as they (Schulz, Pitela) raised objections about the left-wing (or should I say: “the Greek Socialists“?) to have decided to govern Greece together with the nationalists Independent Greeks.
huh? that’s the wrong photo. sorry.
I believe it is inappropriate for a foreign politician to “explore investment opportunities”. What kind of business does he have investing in Greece?
First Francois Holland was a part of the negotiations that requested Greek state property to be privatized. Now he is championing the interests of French companies that could benefit. It does not pass the smell test in my book… The two roles should be clearly separated.
All politicians do that: they engage so that companies in their countries do business in other countries. check by next foreign visit of your PM how many businessmen climb on the airplane.
In this moment votes are being counted in Portugal.
Still rulling coalition will miss the absolute majority.
Just like in Greece non-voters majority of 43%, hands-giving between Greece and Portugal over the European map
Most likely he is to scared to go home !
he is not fit for stripease
I cannot believe this – Trainose, which was said to be losing 1 million euros a day,years ago, is now an investment opportunity for the French?? Ha ha. We tried to sell it to the Russians and the Chinese, to my knowledge and they declined- wonder why. I recall, many years ago, a former Minister of transport, famously saying, that anytime some one wanted to take a train trip, to call him and he would pay for a taxi instead because it would save money!! Regretfully, I cannot recall his name but he had his head screwed on right!
What about COSCO’s plan for high velocity tracks for “freight trains” from Piraeus to Belgrade?
Also the Peleponnes should be aware and on high alert of the possibility that some arseholes will destroy the mountains to abuse the small track route from Conrinth to Kalamata to travel in 30 minutes for 300 Euros cheap tickets with special cameras to rent for another 50 for posting the trip on travelporntube.