Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-21

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Inner cabinet approves revisions of municipal code

[02] Greece supports Serbia's EU aspirations, Deputy FM says

[03] Jordan's Abdallah II in Greece for 2-day working visit this week

[04] PASOK leader predicts 'year of victory' in 2006

[05] Public order ministry awaits conclusion of investigation into alleged Pakistani kidnappings

[06] Synaspismos party slams CoE draft resolution on totalitarian regimes

[07] Shadowy terror cell claims responsibility for Syntagma square bomb

[08] New missile boat commissioned

[09] Bill on ratification of NATO memorandum tabled in Parliament

[10] Greek opposition to Turkey's EU accession grows

[11] Appeals court rejects motion terming terror group's crimes as 'political'

[12] Greek author's best-seller reportedly slapped with 'insulting Turkishness' charge,

[13] Government announces start of dialogue on TV licenses, Sunday shopping

[14] Main opposition slams gov't over collective agreement negotiations

[15] FinMin Alogoskoufis tells Parliament that PASOK 'remains stuck to its past'

[16] Gov't spokesman Roussopoulos on SEB proposal for wages to freeze

[17] ND's deputy Manolis calls on gov't to re-examine its taxation policy for businesses

[18] Labor ministers release figures on registered unemployment

[19] Black Sea Bank in giant energy project in Bulgaria

[20] Section of Egnatia Odos to be inaugurated on Wednesday

[21] Main opposition leader meets with young farmers

[22] Works for extension of natural gas pipeline to Corinth begin

[23] OSE president optimistic about organization's future

[24] Per capita GNP of Greece increases to 82 per cent in 2004

[25] Greek current accounts deficit jumped 40.6 pct in Jan-Oct, yr/yr

[26] Import prices up 7.9 pct in October, yr/yr

[27] Hellenic Stock Markets absorbs subsidiaries

[28] Greek stocks ease on profit taking

[29] Israel donates copies of Einstein's letters to Greek mathematician

[30] Athens mayor presents municipality program for homeless

[31] SAE President issues holiday message

[32] UNICEF sphere to be unveiled on Wednesday

[33] Cypriot President Papadopoulos reaffirms commitment to federal solution

[34] FM Iacovou says UN ready to face Turkish provocations at Ledra Street

[35] Iacovou says government does not recognize institutions in pseudostate

[01] Inner cabinet approves revisions of municipal code

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Among the most radical changes introduced by the bill is the election of mayors and municipal councilors with over 42 percent of the vote during the first round of municipal elections in areas with over 5,000 registered voters.

In addition, Municipal Council presidents must henceforth come from the minority faction.

It also converts communities with more than 4,000 residents to municipalities and abolishes the disciplinary penalty of losing one's seat for elected local government officials, retaining only the penalty of being placed on suspension, while allowing the Municipal Council to call a local referendum for major issues concerning issues that fall within the municipality's area of responsibility with a two-thirds majority.

Other aspects of the bill set down the duties and responsibilities of municipal authorities and communities in detail, allow the minority faction to monitor the actions of the elected majority and give citizens the right to lodge queries and reports to the Municipal Council.

It also makes a bid for the reform of local government enterprises, which will henceforth be either non-profit companies that undertake specific social or welfare activities or "societe anonyme" (AE) companies taking three specific forms.

These can be either the usual type of AE company where the municipality is the majority shareholder, AE companies for developmental activities, in which both local government and state bodies participate, and single-share AE companies owned entirely by the municipality or community.

All these local authority enterprises will have one year in which to adjust to the new regime or else face liquidation.

The bill will be tabled in Parliament in January, following discussion with the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE).

[02] Greece supports Serbia's EU aspirations, Deputy FM says

BELGRADE, 21/12/2005 (ANA/MPA/N. Pelpas)

Stylianides said that Serbia is Greece's strategic ally in the Balkans.

He explained that since the administration of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis took office, it reviewed its foreign policy and placed emphasis on economic diplomacy and international cooperation and aid as key components of its strategy.

Referring to economics and trade, Stylianides underscored the fact that 3,500 Greek businesses are active in the Balkans, creating 200,000 jobs and investing more than ¬ 8 billion in the region.

The deputy minister accused the previous PASOK government of Costas Simitis for a three-year delay in implementing the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans (HIPERB) and said that Karamanlis, upon taking office in 2004, decided to implement it considering it of great importance to Greece.

Looking ahead, Stylianides said that in 2006 the priority will be the construction of Axis 10 and announced that Greece, after securing funds from the European Investment Bank, will be co-funding the project by 50%. The remaining 50% will be funded by HIPERB.

Asked to comment on the Kosovo issue, the deputy minister reiterated Greece's position that all involved parties must participate in the negotiation process and stressed that the final solution must be acceptable to all and founded on European principles and respectful of minority rights and the region's cultural wealth.

Regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and its EU candidacy, Stylianidis said that the only pending issue is the name dispute, stressing that the basic principle during talks between the EU and Skopje should be the avoidance of confusing the geographic term "Macedonia" with the historical and cultural sense of the word "Macedonia."

[03] Jordan's Abdallah II in Greece for 2-day working visit this week

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Following a meeting with Papoulias, the Jordanian monarch will lead his country's delegation at a signing ceremony for two agreements, one centering on tourism cooperation and the other for protection of investments.

According to a tentative itinerary, Papoulias will host a working breakfast for the Jordanian royal couple on Wednesday, whereas Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis will bestow on Abdallah the municipality's Gold Medallion of the City of Athens in the afternoon.

Additionally, an agreement between the municipalities of Athens and Amman will be signed.

Jordan's monarch will meet on Thursday with Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki as well as with the president of the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB), Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, and other Greek entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will receive the Jordanian head of state on Thursday, with separate meetings scheduled afterwards with main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) general secretary Aleka Papariga.

[04] PASOK leader predicts 'year of victory' in 2006

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

He said this concerned both the municipal and prefectural elections and "anything else that may arise", seen as a reference to possible early elections.

Papandreou again criticized the government for "adopting minimum effort tactics" at the recent European summit in Brussels, instead of trying to form alliances with other countries to achieve better results.

He accused the government of waxing triumphant about the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF), which lay in an uncertain future, when it was widely seen as having "messed up" in its handling of the 3rd CSF.

Papandreou stressed that in agriculture, Greece had received less than countries without a developed agricultural sector, such as Sweden.

PASOK's leader also strenuously rejected the government's arguments that it lacked positions, saying that his party had positions that were "progressive and radical" and proposals that "value the past, and the work we are proud of, but also proposals that look to the future".

Gov't spokesman responds to PASOK leader's criticism on EU Summit: Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday criticized main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou on his quick 'about-face', in response to the latter's criticism on the outcome of the European Union Summit as it applies to Greece.

"Greek citizens saw, judged and evaluated" Papandreou's switch within 24 hours, calling a "failure" what he had previously called a benchmark of success regarding negotiations in Brussels, Roussopoulos said.

"As for the tone and phraseology used by Mr. Papandreou today (Tuesday), it has nothing to do with the 'new ethos' in politics," Roussopoulos concluded.

Earlier on Tuesday, Papandreou had again criticized the government for "adopting minimum effort tactics" at the recent European summit which focused on the EU budget for the 2007-2013 period, instead of trying to form alliances with other countries to achieve better results.

[05] Public order ministry awaits conclusion of investigation into alleged Pakistani kidnappings

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Voulgarakis said that no comments can be made before the prosecutor's office completes its investigation and which will answer all questions that have arisen in connection to the allegations.

[06] Synaspismos party slams CoE draft resolution on totalitarian regimes

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

An announcement by the party noted the timing of the resolution - 15 years after the end of the Cold War and on the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Fascist forces during World War II - and the fact that it indirectly but clearly questions the legality of Communist parties in countries throughout the world.

Synaspismos said the draft resolution was attempting to turn the CoE into an ideological court, noting that this was unacceptable for an organization that had offered so much to democracy and human rights, and said that the proposal should not be allowed to come before the body for discussion in January.

[07] Shadowy terror cell claims responsibility for Syntagma square bomb

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

A letter, dubbed a "proclamation", was reportedly sent Monday evening to a satirical weekly in Athens citing reasons for the terrorist strike. According to reports, the document was subsequently turned over to authorities by editors at the "Pontiki" weekly.

Initial investigations had pointed to "revolutionary struggle", as experts cited the modus operandi of the culprits and a detonating device used in the Syntagma square strike. The ultra-left urban terrorist organization has been responsible for five strikes since it first appeared in 2003.

[08] New missile boat commissioned

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Additionally, an under-construction missile boat at the Elefsina shipyard was christened as the "Grigoropoulos" by 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the 20km walk and reserve naval officer Athanasia Tsoumeleka. The vessel is named after Lt. Grigoropoulos, a high-ranking officer on the WWII destroyer "Queen Olga" (D-15), who died in action on Sept. 26, 1943.

Deputy Defense Minister Vassilis Michaloliakos represented the government at the ceremonies.

[09] Bill on ratification of NATO memorandum tabled in Parliament

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The memorandum concerns the host country's support during NATO operations and exercises conducted within its borders.

[10] Greek opposition to Turkey's EU accession grows

BRUSSELS, 21/12/2005 (ANA/MPA/V. Demiris)

Opposition has not grown only in Greece but across the EU to 55% from 52% previously, the survey - conducted throughout the 25-nation bloc from October 10-November 5 - found.

Greece ranks third in its opposition to Turkey's EU accession, after Austria and the Cyprus Republic, in first and second place, respectively.

In not EU-member countries the highest percentages in favor of Turkey joining the Union are in Turkey (75%), Romania (63%) and Croatia (62%).

Turkish Cypriots are also in favor, with 86% supporting Turkey's EU membership.

Greeks also do not view Albania's EU accession favorably, with 61% (vs. 58% in the last Eurobarometer survey) opposed to it.

The majority of EU citizens agree with 50% against Albania joining the EU and 33% in favor.

[11] Appeals court rejects motion terming terror group's crimes as 'political'

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The ruling, more-or-less expected, echoes a similar rejection during the first instance trial of nearly a score of N17 defendants.

The appeals court also ruled that a specially enacted anti-terrorism law, under which all but a handful of current defendants were later convicted, is constitutional.

Meanwhile, Alexandros Giotopoulos, who was sentenced to multiple life terms for his role in the terrorist gang and who authorities said was the ultra-leftist group's co-founders and leaders, announced in court that he will not participate at the ongoing trial.

Among others, the self-described translator of French works who lived under an assumed identity for more than 25 years, said he would not "lend legitimization to a pre-determined conviction" with his presence at the appeals trial. Nevertheless, he said he was not abandoning any legal means at his disposal and will continue to "struggle until this conspiracy against me collapses."

The 63-year-old one-time student activist in Paris during the 1960s was arrested in 2002 on the remote eastern Aegean isle of Lipsos, where he vacationed during most of the summer months, as he was about to board a hydrofoil.

[12] Greek author's best-seller reportedly slapped with 'insulting Turkishness' charge,

SMYRNA, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

According to the mass daily "Milliyet", which quoted the independent Turkish news agency Anka, the prosecutor's office in Izmir --- the eponymous port city of the book, pre-1922 Smyrna -- filed criminal charges against the book based on notorious Article 301 of Turkey's criminal code. The entire case, in fact, was reportedly conveyed to the prosecutor's office in Istanbul.

Reached on Tuesday, Meimaridi said she was unaware of the charges and will make a statement once she's been briefed over the matter.

Conversely, the head of the publishing house "Literatür", which released the best-selling novel in Turkish, Kenan Kocatürk, was quoted as saying, "We do not wish to influence the course of a lawsuit that was legally filed, however, this novel is a type of fiction that relies on 'magical realism', similar to the writings of (Gabriel Garcia) Marquez.

"We published this book without censorship, and we do not believe that it insults 'Turkishness'; nor does the writer convey this ... Some of the characters (in the novel) are Turks, who are singled-out and praised," Kocatürk said.

He added that the work's Turkish-language edition has sold roughly 50,000 copies in Turkey, while a television series based on the novel is pending. A made-for-TV series of "Witches of Smyrna" is currently airing every week in Greece.

According to reports, the excerpts deemed as insulting by the Izmir prosecutor's office include subjective references about the social mores of the era, the peoples and location in which the novel is set -- the thriving eastern Aegean port city of Smyrna in late 19th century and early 20th century. Unflattering remarks uttered by the book's characters about late Ottoman-era soldiers' dental hygiene and predominately Turkophone districts of Smyrna, among others, apparently drew the ire of Izmir's prosecutors.

The development comes only days after the closely watched trial of acclaimed Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, who faces the same charge, was suspended on various legal grounds. The well-known Turkish author will have to wait and see if the high-profile case against him resumes next month or is dropped. He could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Pamuk is probably the best-known defendant out of the more than 60 writers and publishers on trial on similar charges in EU hopeful Turkey.

[13] Government announces start of dialogue on TV licenses, Sunday shopping

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, who holds the portfolio for press and media issues, noted that the media sector was largely unregulated for the past two decades with numerous TV and radio stations outside Attica operating without a license.

He said the government's goal was to clean up the field and issue licenses within 2006.

"Public dialogue begins tomorrow and the aim is to achieve participation and consensus by all the bodies involved," Roussopoulos said.

The dialogue will take place at the Zappeion building in central Athens and will be broadcast over the Internet, so that all interested parties and even the general public will be able to take part and submit proposals through a special website. The process will end on February 16.

Roussopoulos also commented on Monday's proposal by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas to allow shops to open on seven Sundays throughout the year, who had also announced the start of public dialogue.

The spokesman noted that the proposal was made in the framework of a "major effort in the area of development" begun by Sioufas.

He denied that the measure would cause problems for small businesses that would not be able to meet the additional cost of Sunday opening, noting that many small businesses have recently started to thrive.

Regarding the government's developmental effort in general, Roussopoulos said that the developmental law had borne fruit and brought about a reduction in unemployment, which several millions had been handed out to small businesses, which had been helped as a result.

[14] Main opposition slams gov't over collective agreement negotiations

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Athanassakis said that with its policy, the New Democracy government is sending a message to employers to make even greater claims.

Asked about PASOK's stance regarding Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas' proposal that stores should operate seven Sundays a year, Athanassakis said the issue seemed 'beside the point', reiterating the party's disagreement with the government's recent decision to extend store hours.

[15] FinMin Alogoskoufis tells Parliament that PASOK 'remains stuck to its past'

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou argued that "the government views the budget as a map exercise," resulting in it "lacking credibility."

Finally, the PASOK deputy referred to her party's program, promising the combatting of tax evasion with the aid of technology, evaluation of the handling of all public funds and the decentralization of competencies and resources to the benefit of local government.

In reply to Papandreou's speech, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis noted that the PASOK deputy "did not utter a word about the downhill which the PASOK governments led, on the explosion of the deficits and of the public debt, the shrinking of competitiveness and unemployment."

Alogoskoufis added:" Your past does not guarantee anything for the future. You continue to remain stuck to your past, but this past has been condemned by the Greek people."

Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis said "the government is paving with sincerity the country's development course and is implementing it with conscientious-ness."

He said "it is a budget which serves the needs of the Greek citizens and gives prospects to the country." Liapis added that "the government kept its pre-election commitments and made great steps with reforms, crumbling down sick mentalities of the past and promoting a society of law and transparency."

[16] Gov't spokesman Roussopoulos on SEB proposal for wages to freeze

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

He added: "We respect the dialogue of the agencies as well as the labor and social rights. However, all employees and employers must take into account the economy and society in all the decisions which are being taken."

On his part, SEB President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos said "from the negotiation which began yesterday (Monday) with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), one basis factor is lacking:'the unemployed'."

Kyriakopoulos added that "one in four young people and one in five young women are unemployed, while only one in ten unemployed had an offer of employment in the past three-month period."

Concluding, the SEB president said:"The higher we raise the bar, the more obstacles we place to these people to find work. We cannot overlook this factor."

[17] ND's deputy Manolis calls on gov't to re-examine its taxation policy for businesses

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Speaking during the debate in Parliament on the 2006 budget, ND's Argolida deputy Manolis said that the government had taken measures for an increase in employment "with a cost for itself" and that the working people have shown in practice solidarity towards the unemployed.

"Following this, one would expect enterprises to make investments. They owe it to society and to the young people. And suddenly yesterday (Monday) they speak of a reduction in labor cost, for reduced wages, where there is high unemployment. Do they want to earn more? Is what they have already taken during the last period not enough?"

Manolis proposed that "the government re-examine the matter of taxation policy in businesses and to link it with regions which have unemployment, but with taxation motivations to those who make investments and take on unemployed, and not to take young unemployed and to get rid of the older ones from the other door."

[18] Labor ministers release figures on registered unemployment

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Labor Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos and Deputy Labor Minister Gerassimos Yiakoumatos said in a statement that in November 2005 the registered unemployed came to 457,204 against 528,912 in November 2004, marking a 13.5 per cent drop. The ministers underlined that as a rule, unemployment increases every November in comparison to October, due to the end of seasonal contracts.

This year's increase, they added, was very slight, given that from October 2003 to November 2003, there was an increase in the number of registered unemployed by 8.15 per cent, from October 2004 to November 2004 by 4.1 per cent, while this year's corresponding increase (from October to November) was just 1.3 per cent.

"The development of the registered unemployed of OAED (OAED data), in combination with the data of ESYE (3rd quarter of 2005, that is, July-September 2005 the national percentage of unemployment at 9.7 per cent from 11.3 per cent which the New Democracy received from PASOK) confirms that the policy of the government of (Prime Minister Costas) Karamanlis is moving in the right direction and leads to the strengthening of employment and the gradual shrinking of unemployment," Panayiotopoulos and Yiakoumatos said in their joint statement.

[19] Black Sea Bank in giant energy project in Bulgaria

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The Thessaloniki-based bank, along with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Calyon (a member of Credit Agricole), ING and BNP Paribas participate in a consortium of banks that will raise 430.5 million euros for funding of the project.

The project's total budget reaches 1.1 billion euros and it is the biggest new investment in the energy sector of Bulgaria. The Black Sea Bank has funded 12 projects in Bulgaria, worth 117 million US dollars.

Construction works are expected to begin in early 2006. US investors have pledged to fund the project with the remaining 1.042 billion euros.

The Black Sea Bank is an international financial organization founded by the 11 member-states of the Black Sea Cooperation Organization.

[20] Section of Egnatia Odos to be inaugurated on Wednesday

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The 8.5km-long section, which includes two bridges and five tunnels, was one of the most difficult of the Egnatia Odos to build and cost ¬ 295 million.

[21] Main opposition leader meets with young farmers

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou praised them for their initiative to establish the union, saying that "it is a ray of hope for the agricultural sector, at a time when insecurity and oftentimes pessimism prevail regarding the future of Greek farmers."

The main opposition leader expressed his support for young farmers' efforts and stressed that "Greece cannot compete by producing cheap and low-quality products."

He also expressed confidence that the country's regions have the ability to spearhead a new development course, "in contrast with many who believe that regions are on the decline and do not have a future."

Papandreou promised both as the main opposition party "and as the ruling party in the future" to lean on young farmers for significant reforms in agriculture.

He also vowed to make the most of the opportunities provided by the European Union.

[22] Works for extension of natural gas pipeline to Corinth begin

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

This project, according to DEPA, will constitute the start for the future of the tranfer of natural gas to the Peloponnese.

The new pipeline which is expected to be operational by October 2006, will extend the existing central pipeline up to Corinth and will initially supply the refinery of Motor Oil and in particular the hydrogen production plant.

Natural gas to replace boilers in schools, public buildings: Deputy Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Athanassios Nakos gave the go-ahead on Tuesday for the construction of projects that will replace boilers in schools and public buildings with natural gas.

The contracts signed by the minister amount to a total of ¬ 6 million and will replace boilers in 1,100 buildings in Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly.

"With the completion of these projects, consumers will be able to save on energy costs and municipalities will also be burdened less by extra costs," he said, citing also the environmental benefits of using natural gas through the reduction in gas emissions and greater energy conservation.

Use of natural gas up 6.0 pct in Jan-Nov, yr/yr: Use of natural gas by domestic household and industrial consumers is rapidly growing in Greece, with consumption of natural gas rising by 14.2 percent in the January-November period compared with the same period in 2003. Consumption was up 6.0 percent compared with the corresponding period in 2004.

Household consumption jumped 39.3 percent in the January-November period, compared with the same period last year, while consumption by industrial users rose 20.6 percent over the same period.

The number of new connections with the natural gas grid totalled 57,000 in the first 11 months of the year, for an increase of 230 percent over the last two years.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, presenting a report, told reporters that the government's energy policy was focusing on further promoting the use of natural gas in the country and stressed that the ministry was supporting and strengthening natural gas infrastructure.

The ministry recently announced the offering of 12.4 million euros in subsidy to DEPA, the Natural Gas Enterprise, to fund a series of co-funded projects such as a Greek-Turkish gas pipeline, a gas station for buses in Attica, and upgrading facilities in Revithousa LNG terminal station.

[23] OSE president optimistic about organization's future

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Asked about the organization's problems, Baltas admitted that OSE needs to work on its communication strategy, which is currently rooted in an old-fashioned type of mentality, prevalent at many state enterprises.

Baltas said that he expects things to change for the better in the near future.

On the financial side, Baltas predicted that the company will soon become a profit-making enterprise, from a loss-making organization currently.

According to Baltas, OSE recorded a loss of ¬ 576 million in 2004 - a loss of ¬ 103 million more than in 2003 - mainly due to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Of the total amount, 70% or roughly ¬ 400 million, concerns infrastructure projects; ¬ 140 million concerns OSE's 'social projects', while the remaining ¬ 36 million is due to low ticket prices that have been kept at the same levels for approximately five years, he said.

According to OSE's president, the organization has seen a 25% increase in revenues compared with last year, due primarily to increased passenger traffic.

Baltas attributed the increased number of passengers choosing to travel by train to improvements that have significantly reduced travel time on certain routes.

In response to other questions, Baltas said that OSE's property, valued at ¬ 4.2 billion, will soon be capitalized upon; 270 new employees will be hired; and that the organization will be broken down into one parent company and four subsidiaries.

On his part, OSE Chairman Costas Giannakos announced that the organization's Executive Board will have appointed the executive boards of the new subsidiary companies before the end of the year and that there are no plans for a voluntary retirement plan to be implemented for the organization's 8,000 employees.

Giannakos declined to comment on information claiming changes of OSE's executives.

He also said that he has excellent relations with Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis.

[24] Per capita GNP of Greece increases to 82 per cent in 2004

BRUSSELS, 21/12/2005 (ANA/V. Demiris)

In the "25", the highest per capita GNP, expressed in units of purchasing power, is Luxembourg with 227 per cent of the average EU per capita. Luxembourg if followed by Ireland with 138 per cent, The Netherlands with 125 per cent, while the lowest positions are found in Lithuania with 48 per cent and Latvia with 43 per cent. In Turkey, the per capita GNP is 29 per cent of the EU average.

[25] Greek current accounts deficit jumped 40.6 pct in Jan-Oct, yr/yr

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The central bank, in its regular report, said the worsening mainly reflected increased spending on fuel imports, with the fuel deficit widening by 36 percent over the same period.

The trade deficit rose by 1.587 billion euros in the January-October period, up 7.7 pct from last year. Excluding fuel and vessels, the trade deficit fell by 637 million euros over the same period.

The services' surplus rose by 363 million euros in the January-October period, reflecting increased net receipts from travel and transport services. Net receipts from travel services rose by 550 million euros in the 10-month period, while gross receipts from transport services rose by 578 million euros, or 5.3 pct and net receipts were up 233 million euros.

The incomes deficit rose by 885 million euros, due to higher net payments for interest, dividends and transfer profits in the January-October period.

Foreign direct investments recorded a net outflow of 920 million euros in the first 10 months of 2005, after a net inflow of 613 million euros last year. Portfolio investments reported a net inflow of 7.1 billion euros, reflecting increased interest by foreign institutional investors in Greek state securities and Greek-listed shares (totalling 23.2 billion euros).

[26] Import prices up 7.9 pct in October, yr/yr

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Import prices were up 0.7 percent in October from September, NSS said in its monthly report.

[27] Hellenic Stock Markets absorbs subsidiaries

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

Under the plan, Hellenic Stock Markets aims to further cut its operating costs and achieve speedier decision taking and to promoting a single corporate culture.

[28] Greek stocks ease on profit taking

ATHENS, 21/12/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 0.38 percent to end at 3,612.99 points with turnover a heavy 286.9 million euros.

Sector indices ended mixed, with the IT Solutions (4.94 pct), IT (2.76 pct), Holdings (2.28 pct) and Constructions (1.61 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Refineries (1.73 pct), Banks (1.20 pct), Textiles (0.85 pct) and Insurance (0.73 pct), suffered the heaviest losses.

The Blue Chip index fell 0.65 pct, the Mid Cap index rose 1.41 pct and the Small Cap index ended 0.65 pct higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 140 to 118 with another 65 issues unchanged.

Equity Index Futures: