The government on Wednesday was again called on to comment on the ongoing developments with state-owned Olympic Airways (OA), as the government spokesman noted that more than one party is interested in the national carrier.

Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the government has an ongoing relationship with its international privatization consultant, Lazard, whereas the US-based York Capital remains a "preferential interlocutor", given that a memorandum of cooperation exists between the government and the investment scheme.

"Therefore, we first talk with them (York/Olympic Investors), with discussions possibly continuing with other potential (OA) buyers," he said.

In unrelated development, Roussopoulos again pointed to recent comments by Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias regarding the state-run water and sewerage utility for greater Athens and Piraeus (EYDAP), namely, that the utility's public sector structure will not be altered, and also, that there is no issue of an early retirement plan being proposed.

Nevertheless, the spokesman added that every major state-run enterprise "is a separate case".

Greek Communist party underlines opposition to OA privatization: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) called for a stop to all efforts for the privatization of the national carrier Olympic Airlines, formerly Olympic Airways, and said that no part of the airline should be sold or closed down, in an announcement on Wednesday.

KKE slammed both the government and main opposition PASOK for presenting privatization as the only possible solution, urging OA's workforce to "close their ears to extortionist dilemmas and struggle with determination for their rights".

Source: Athens News Agency

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