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Mitsotakis: Greece needs cuts in taxes, public spending, restoration of bank liquidity

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined on Tuesday his party’s main proposals to help Greece exit the economic crisis during a speech at the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

He said the first is a new fiscal policy mix that will emphasize the gradual reduction of tax rates in combination with a targeted reduction of public spending. The second is restoring the liquidity of the Greek banking system and the third is a comprehensive reform plan which will aim at facilitating entrepreneurship and attracting investments. 
“We will have to invest in Greece’s comparative advantages,” he told the Chamber, adding that it is also necessary to “release public education from the bondages of statism” while placing an emphasis on research and innovation.  
On foreign affairs issues, Mitsotakis said Greece seeks friendly relations and a close cooperation with Turkey. “But Turkey should have the same objective. It must want stable and friendly relations of mutual benefit with Greece. The fundamental basis for such a relationship is respect for international law, international treaties and good neighborly relations. The repeated statements recently unfortunately do no move in this direction. This is of particular concern,” he said. 
He also reiterated his party’s firm support for Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and his efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.