Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-03-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Experts submit proposals for telecoms privacy to

[02] Bakoyannis says a 'new momentum' for Cyprus issue

[03] Transitional period for Haiti ends, FM says

[04] Parliament president addresses Euro Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly

[05] Deputy FM to visit Armenia on Tuesday

[06] Deputy foreign minister visits Samos

[07] Interior minister signs decision on foreigners' voting rights in Greece

[08] Moslem minority equal before the law, government stresses

[09] Public order minister meets Chinese deputy security minister

[10] General Staff chief meets with Russian counterpart

[11] U.S. Ambassador visits Democritus research centre

[12] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national air space

[13] "We won't back down on reforms," FinMin says

[14] Government guarantees existing rights of bank employees, employment minister says

[15] Synaspismos leader meets PNO representatives in Piraeus

[16] Greek, Chinese travel agents seek closer cooperation

[17] New road project in northern Greece budgeted at 52 million euros

[18] Bill to boost spa tourism in the pipeline

[19] Aegean Airlines in code-sharing agreement with

[20] Greek-Italian chamber sets 2006 priorities

[21] Promahon to open cargo centers in Balkans

[22] Shipping foreign exchange inflows at 1.154 bln euros in January

[23] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

[24] Mass media and culture conference continues in Patra

[25] Ministerial council agrees on European driving licence

[26] WHO European meeting on mental health to take place in Hania

[27] Hellenic Railways Organization to begin 'Give priority to train' campaign

[28] MEP Varvitsiotis publishes book on 'Immigration Policy of Europe'

[29] Police arrest four women involved in illegal naturalization scam

[30] State broadcaster to organize radio/telethon for children's charity

[31] Hellas Sat satellite to broadcast eclipse of the sun on Wednesday

[32] Soccer: Greek soccer results

[33] Slovenian President urges Turkey to fulfill its EU obligations

[34] Spokesman says preparation of Cyprus talks only through substance

[35] House President: Erdogan's statements on Ankara Protocol provocative

[01] Experts submit proposals for telecoms privacy to PM

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Members of the committee, headed by professor Dimitris Tsatsos, called on the premier on Monday and submitted the memorandum, in which they recommend that the powers and "general cooperation" of the independent Authority for the Protection of Communications Privacy (ADAE) be further clarified.

Tsatsos told reporters after the meeting that the memorandum outlined the status quo abroad, the types of electronic crime, and the legal status in effect in Greece, among other subjects.

Asked whether it would be necessary to increase ADAE's powers, Tsatsos stressed that the report called for "clarification of authorities and general cooperation".

He also advised against turning the issue into a "subject of gossip", stressing that it was a matter of national importance that concerned protecting democracy and the rights of citizens.

Noting that other sides, too, could contribute to this effort with their own proposals, Tsatsos stressed that the bottom line was that "the all-powerful legislator (parliament) will decide".

The ADAE representative on the committee, Christos Kapsalis, said in a reply to other press questions that the issue of Vodafone was not discussed during Monday's meeting with the prime minister, and that a system of checks was proposed for private telecoms centers.

Also present at the meeting were justice minister Anastasis Papaligouras. Transport and communications minister Michalis Liapis, who was present at the committee's first meeting with the premier on February 13, was absent from Monday's session as he is in Brussels.

Afterward, Papaligouras announced that a committee will be set up at the justice ministry to prepare draft legislation that uses the experts' proposals and views and the reports of ADAE and the National Committee of Telecommunications and Post Offices (EETT).

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos also referred at length to the contents of the memorandum, which was released in full later on Monday.

The experts make four main observations:

1) That most European countries have tougher penalties, depending on the body that carries out the illegal phone-tapping

2) That legislators must constantly monitor and keep step with technological advances and the dangers that arise from them, in order to adapt existing legislation,

3) That there is a need for greater coordination between independent authorities,

4) They advise the immediate start of national dialogue on freedom and communications security, noting that independent authorities could play a role in coordinating such initiatives.

Among their recommendations are to include "security of public communications networks and communications data" in ADAE's goals and to give ADAE powers to check the security of a network and of bodies possessing internal networks in the wake of a signed complaint of privacy violation.

Roussopoulos also pointed to the experts conclusion that no legislation could provide protection if the bodies that can prevent the "trapping" of communications systems and the violation of their users privacy are not strengthened.

At another point, the memorandum notes that "consultative" initiatives cannot fully protect the public since even the most thorough preventative check provides a static image and thus does not provide full protection.

Strengthening institutions and raising the public's awareness are "vital factors for limiting if not eradicating phenomena that offend the democratic consciousness of us all," it adds.

Roussopoulos said that separate reports by ADAE and EETT had also been submitted along with the experts reports and that their views would be taken into account by a special committee set up to prepare a draft law on communications privacy protection.

He denied that the government was considering fast-tracking a parliamentary investigation on the issue, while noting that prosecuting authorities will "no doubt" look into press reports that a second phone-tapping network had been discovered.

The expert committee was set up by the premier to look into institutions for protecting communications privacy after the government revealed that it had been among the victims of high-technology phone-taps operating through the mobile phone provider Vodafone.

The phone-tapping plot was revealed by the government in February, after a nearly year-long covert investigation by the authorities had failed to find those responsible. It said the roughly 100 phones that were tapped included those of ministers, high-ranking police and armed forces personnel, activists, journalists, business people and even Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

National Communications Committee issues report on telecommunications confidentiality: The safeguarding of telecommunications confidentiality is not guaranteed since mobile telephony networks are "commercial networks" and by definition they do not provide (maximum) security.

This was ascertained by the National Telecommunications and Post Offices Committee (EETT) in a report for Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who requested the authority's assessments and proposals on safeguarding the confidentiality of telecommunications.

The report also notes institutional overlapping of duties between independent authorities which can create vagueness as regards the allocation of certain real responsibilities concerning communications security.

Overlapping also exists between independent authorities and police and judicial authorities, which might create difficulties in the timely and reliable recording, analyzing and solving of cases of electronic network security violations.

It is noteworthy that three independent authorities are involved in safeguarding the confidentiality of electronic communications, apart from judicial, police and other state authorities.

[02] Bakoyannis says a 'new momentum' for Cyprus issue

UNITED NATIONS, 28/3/2006 (ANA-MPA/P.Panayiotou)

Bakoyannis made the following statement after her 30 minutes-long meeting with Annan: "My meeting with the Secretary General focused on the Cyprus issue. There is a new momentum in the Cyprus problem after (the Paris) meeting between the UN secretary general and (Cyprus President Tassos) Mr. Papadopoulos. A new effort is beginning based on meetings focusing on technical issues. These meetings should lead to a properly prepared new initiative, for the finding of a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem. It is time for the two sides to agree on this effort and proceed. As I have declared before, we cannot bare a new failure. A well prepared new effort, without new tight timetables, without decisions taken in advance, would be the best possible solution."

The Greek foreign minister said that her talks with Annan also covered the situation in the West Balkans and the Kosovo issue, as well as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name issue, on which Bakoyannis reiterated the Greek positions.

Earlier statements: Earlier in the day, Bakoyannis told reporters referring to her upcoming meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan the Cyprus issue would 'of course' be discussed.

Bakoyannis and Annan would discuss Cyprus "particularly due to the momentum created after the UN Secretary General's meeting with [Cypriot President Tassos] Mr. Papadopoulos in Paris and we hope that a new initiative will be launched regarding the Cyprus issue," she had said.

Asked how Greece will respond if Turkey fails to fulfill its obligations towards the EU, the Greek minister replied that "Turkey, as you know, has commitments which it must fulfill in regards to its European prospects. I hope that it will fulfill its obligations."

On the issue of Thrace and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's recent statements, Bakoyannis said that "Greece is a modern, democratic country, where there is equality and respect for human rights."

UN spokesman on Cyprus issue: The UN Undersecretary General Ibrahim Gambari sent a letter to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat detailing what happened at the Paris meeting between UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, upon the request of Kofi Annan, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters here on Monday.

Asked why Gambari sent the letter and not Annan himself, Faq said he could not provide an answer.

The UN Deputy Spokesman declined to comment on whether the Turkish side had responded and also refused to comment on when the technical committees would begin working.

A joint statement issued after the meeting in Paris on February 28, 2006 between UNSG Kofi Annan and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said that "the leaders of both communities (in Cyprus) have agreed that bicommunal discussions on a series of issues, agreement on which is needed for the benefit of all Cypriots, will be undertaken at the technical level".

[03] Transitional period for Haiti ends, FM says

NEW YORK, 28/3/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The people of Haiti can look forward to a new government, a new legislative body and new local authorities, she noted.

Most importantly, however, they can look to the future with renewed hope, Bakoyannis said.

She also stressed that Greece will continue aiding Haiti on a bilateral level, aside from the aid it contributes as an EU member, and announced that Greece will contribute an additional ¬ 100,000 - bringing the total to ¬ 200,000 - for 2006.

The Greek minister thanked her 'distinguished peers' and said that she was honored to be participating in Monday's session given that Haiti was the first country to recognize Greece's independence.

Referring to the challenges that lie ahead for Haiti, Bakoyannis stressed the need for the second round of the country's general elections to be carried out smoothly and called on the peace-keeping force MINUSTAH and on Haiti's local authorities to remain alert.

She called on all involved parties to continue actively participating in the process and to respect the election results.

Bakoyannis also stressed the need for Haiti and its people to move away from the mentality and practices of the transitional phase and while she said that Haiti's future depends on its people, she acknowledged that the country still requires help from the international community in order to achieve economic development.

She called on donor countries to not only ensure a steady flow of funding but also to ensure its timely disbursement

Regarding the country's economic development, Bakoyannis called on the EU, international financial organizations and other agencies to ensure that economic development be promoted through sustainable programs that will help create jobs and will provide basic social services.

Finally, the Greek minister congratulated the UN General Secretariat's special representative in Haiti Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes for his work to date and thanked all countries staffing the peace-keeping mission in Haiti.

[04] Parliament president addresses Euro Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly

BRUSSELS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Our target is, and must be, rapprochement between the sides of the Mediterranean and not the demolition of the existing valuable communication bridges," she said.

Psarouda also referred to the consolidation of a state of law and the combating of terrorism, xenophobia, racism and the lack of tolerance in Mediterranean basin countries.

She further said that considerable steps have been taken in this direction over the past decade, underlining the importance of coordinating the action of Mediterranean countries against terrorism and of the adoption of a five-year labor program for promoting the partnership relation between the members of the Euro Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.

[05] Deputy FM to visit Armenia on Tuesday

28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

To this end, the 4th Greek-Armenian Interministerial Committee will convene to discuss cooperation in the agricultural, commercial, tourism, bank, energy, transport, cultural, educational and seismological sectors.

Cooperation between the municipal authorities of Athens and Yerevan will also be discussed.

After the interministerial committee meeting, the two sides will sign a protocol of bilateral economic cooperation.

During his two-day visit, Stylianidis will be meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and other government officials.

Stylianidis will also be meeting with Patriarch of Armenia Karekin II and members of the Greek community.

[06] Deputy foreign minister visits Samos

28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He also stressed that the country's foreign policy was that decided by the prime minister in response to questions about the visit to the United States by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and whether this was accompanied by a new "political line" at the ministry.

Commenting on Turkey's European prospects, he reiterated that "the Turks must understand where their interests lie and adapt their behavior accordingly, because this is a good time, while Greece is disposed to peace."

Kassimis also underlined that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must consent to negotiate on the issue of the republic's name if it wishes to join the EU.

[07] Interior minister signs decision on foreigners' voting rights in Greece

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In order to be registered in the special voting lists, EU citizens must visit the municipal or community authorities in the place they are staying, bringing with them proof of their identity (a police identity card or a passport) so as to be able to fill in a relevant application.

The time limit for registering in the special municipal or community voting lists in view of the upcoming local elections will end on June 30, 2006. EU citizens will vote together with the rest of the voters at polling stations to be announced. EU citizens will not participate in the prefecture elections.

It is reminded that citizens of the 10 new EU member-states will participate in the local elections, exercising the right of voting and standing for election with the same preconditions and with the same procedure applying for the rest of the EU voters.

[08] Moslem minority equal before the law, government stresses

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The spokesman was responding to recent statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who raised an issue of "respecting the rights of the Moslem minority in Thrace".

[09] Public order minister meets Chinese deputy security minister

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Chinese minister was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Greece Tian Xuejun, while the meeting was also attended by National Intelligence Service chief Ioannis Korantis and the head of the Greek Police Anastasios Dimoschakis.

The two sides also referred to the traditionally good relations between Greece and China and a recent visit to China paid by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Polydoras noted that the Athens Olympics were the first held after the terrorist strikes of September 11, 2001 and guaranteed the quality of his ministry's security services, while he also expressed his conviction that the Beijing Games will be a success and asked the Chinese side to provide an exhaustive list describing its security needs.

"At this moment we have the accumulated experience of the Olympic Games of 2004, the best Olympic Games from every aspect and especially the one that interests us - the security of the Olympic Games," he said.

Deputy FM meets with China's ambassador in Athens: Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis met with China's Ambassador to Greece Tian Xuejun on Monday and discussed the course of Greek-Chinese relations following Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' recent visit to Beijing.

The Chinese ambassador said that China is interested in making Greece a logistics hub for the transport of Chinese products to Southeast European markets.

China is also interested in the successful staging of Greek cultural events within the context of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, during which Greece will be the honored country in terms of culture, the ambassador noted.

[10] General Staff chief meets with Russian counterpart

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The two officials exchanged views on the possibility of cooperation in the following areas: joint training for peace-keeping operations; exchange of military information regarding extreme threats; flight safety; joint training of Special Forces; army medicine; and joint navy exercises.

Furthermore, Hinofotis and Baluevskiy agreed on the creation of a High Level Directoral Committee whose responsibilities will include supervising and coordinating activities within the context of bilateral cooperation, while at the same time identifying new areas for future cooperation.

Following his meeting with Hinofotis, Baluevskiy also met with Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis with whom he discussed a broad range of issues.

[11] U.S. Ambassador visits Democritus research centre

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Ries met the director of the centre Dimitris Niarchos and then visited the institutes of nuclear physics and microelectronics, where he toured the laboratories and was briefed on their research programs.

There followed a meeting between Ries and the chairman of the Greek Atomic Energy Committee Leonidas Kamarinopoulos.

After the visit, the ambassador praised the technological achievements of the Democritus laboratories, saying many of them would find their way to the market and help the Greek economy in the future, while he also referred to the cooperation between the centre and its counterparts in the United States.

With respect to the Greek Atomic Energy Committee, Ries said it had played and would continue to play an important role in the establishing and strengthening relations between Greece and the U.S. and said that the good cooperation between the Committee and its U.S. counterparts reflected the good cooperation between Greece and the U.S.

Kamarinopoulos spoke about the Committee's cooperation with the U.S. department of energy, which focused on protecting the country from the illegal movement of radioactive materials, and said the talks with Ries had focused on continuing and extending this cooperation.

[12] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national air space

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In all cases the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek air force jets, while in two cases the interception process developed into mock dogfights.

Five Turkish formations were armed.

[13] "We won't back down on reforms," FinMin says

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister said Greece must make more effort than any other EU member-state to achieve goals set by the Lisbon Strategy since the country ranked in the bottom in all indexes in the period 2003-04 among the EU-15.

A policy of reforms in the country was aimed to creating more job positions, to attracting more investments and to boost exports, Alogoskoufis said, adding that reforms were the government's main policy. "We won't back down on this," he stressed.

Commenting on the results of an EU Summit in Brussels last week, the Greek minister said the European Council agreed to boost economic growth with more employment and by preserving a social model. The Council agreed that economic growth should be based on: -Research and innovation. EU member-states must spend 3.0 pct of the GDP in research and technology by 2010 although each country will have different targets. -Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises. All states must offer "one-stop" services by the end of 2007 to ensure simple and easy way of founding and operating an enterprise. -Raising employment particularly among young people, women and people with special needs or legitimate immigrants.

EU heads of state also agreed on a common European strategy on energy.

Alogoskoufis said Olympic Airways was not in risk of losing its brand name. He stressed that a plan to sale the national carrier was handled by the Transport and Communications ministry and that the Economy ministry's role was to ensure taxpayers money. The government was making efforts to prevent any possible impact from the fact that the Skaramanga Shipyard and the Elefsis Shipyard were trading accusations to each other at a time when the European Commission was examining if any of them had received illegal state subsidies.

[14] Government guarantees existing rights of bank employees, employment minister says

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He added that this is secured with the payment of pensions by the Unified Salary Earners Auxiliary Insurance Fund (ETEAM) and the Unified Bank Employees Insurance Fund (ETAT), which operate under the supervision of the state.

Tsitouridis reiterated that the government is not taking anybody by surprise since the controversial amendment had been announced in advance as the self-evident implementation of legislation on banks' social insurance.

He further said that with the new amendment the obligations of funds towards auxiliary insurance funds having deficits are arranged to enable the unimpeded observance of all the existing rights of employees and of retired bank employees.

Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis also said that the amendment on the banks' social insurance issue, tabled in Parliament last Friday, had been announced on February 17 and is part of the framework of implementing the relevant law.

The minister added that the amendment was tabled at noon and not at night, replying to reaction from employees and the opposition, while reiterating that there is no question of extending the time limit, expiring at the end of March, for joining the bank employees' unified fund.

Gov't on amendment for bank workers: Commenting on a 'surprise' amendment tabled in Parliament by Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis regarding Emporiki Bank, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Monday noted that the "amendment" tabled on Friday had been foreseen by a 2005 law.

He also described the reaction by the bank workers' union OTOE as "unjustified and exaggerated".

The amendment makes the 2005 law applicable to employees insured by Emporiki Bank and Piraeus Bank.

"The course of their induction had begun from the summer of 2005 and is proceeding normally after the legal complaint of the management of Emporiki Bank, the rejection of an injunction and measures to increase Emporiki's share capital. Therefore there was nothing 'surprising' or untoward," Roussopoulos added.

Asked why the government had gone ahead with the amendment even though Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had said that nothing would be done apart from the law passed in the summer until dialogue on social insurance was completed, Roussopoulos reiterated that the amendment was foreseen under the law passed in the summer and noted that it did not affect any rights concerning the conditions for taking pension.

Main opposition 'absolutely opposed' to amendment for bank workers: Main opposition PASOK Spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said on Monday that PASOK is 'absolutely opposed' to the amendment that the government tabled in Parliament on Friday regarding bank employees' pension scheme.

Athanassakis said that the amendment, which will be voted on Tuesday, "strikes a blow to bank employees and insurance funds, while benefiting bankers and banks".

He said that PASOK would vote against the amendment.

[15] Synaspismos leader meets PNO representatives in Piraeus

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Afterwards, Alavanos said he had presented PNO's leadership with a copy of the draft law tabled in Parliament by his party, which called for the abolition of all forms of the civil mobilization orders that had forced seamen to break their strike, and assured PNO of his party's support on a series of issues vital to the sector.

Alavanos was also highly critical of a government amendment regarding bank workers, saying that it ignored court decisions in the same way that the government had ignored a court decision declaring the seamen's strike legal and fair.

"It is an unprecedented phenomenon to have a government that proves even more reactionary that its own reactionary self and which abolishes the security of law, in other words the option that bank workers have of resolving their differences with the legislation through the courts. This will result in an increase in the time of pension by as much as 15 years, a reduction of pensions that might reach up to 45 per cent and particularly harsh measures for new employees," Alavanos added.

[16] Greek, Chinese travel agents seek closer cooperation

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

At a meeting on Monday, the two sides highlighted the dynamism of outgoing Chinese tourism anticipated in coming years; and presented a profile of the Chinese tourist.

Greece and China have much in common, including culture, hospitability and tourism resources, the members of the Chinese delegation said.

More than 30 million Chinese traveled abroad in 2005, with the number projected to reach 137 million by 2020. The average Chinese traveler, who spends around 1,000 euros, is attracted to Greece by the country's cultural aura, its natural beauty and traditional hospitality.

Up to 300,000 Chinese may visit Greece in 2008, HATTA's president, Yiannis Evangelou, noted.

The visiting head of the China Association of Travel Services, Song Cao Qi, reported that a protocol will be signed with HATTA stating the two trade groups' interest in creating the most favorable conditions for tourism between the two countries.

It was agreed that visa issuing procedures should be improved, while Chinese travel agents urged for Chinese-speaking guides in Greece.

[17] New road project in northern Greece budgeted at 52 million euros

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The time in which the project will be completed is 26 months starting from the date on which the relevant contract is signed.

The project also includes bridges, overpasses and underpasses, as well as side streets of a total length of 14.5 kilometers.

[18] Bill to boost spa tourism in the pipeline

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia met to debate tourism issues that involve both ministries.

Also discussed were creation of a conference centre in Athens, and implementation of the government's development law that includes tourism firms.

[19] Aegean Airlines in code-sharing agreement with TAP

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Under the deal, the two airlines offer -from March 26- flights with common flight code while reservations can be made through global reservation systems and will be issued in one ticket either by Aegean or TAP.

TAP and Aegean Airlines can also use common flight codes for a wide range of European destinations.

[20] Greek-Italian chamber sets 2006 priorities

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

At a general assembly of the chamber, its president, Belisario Capocci, also outlined the holding of business workshops aimed at boosting trade between the two countries.

He highlighted a plan to bring Greek and Italian volunteer organizations together as the chamber feels that investment in social awareness is as important as commercial investment.

Among speakers was the Italian Embassy's trade attaché, Francesco Capecchi.

[21] Promahon to open cargo centers in Balkans

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The network will be centered in northern Greece, where Promahon's cargo centre operates on the border with Bulgaria, general director Constantine Alexopoulos told the ANA-MPA in an interview.

Promahon, which recently forged an alliance in Serbia, already has a presence in Bulgaria through Procom, Alexopoulos noted.

The next target is alliances in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Romania, he said.

[22] Shipping foreign exchange inflows at 1.154 bln euros in January

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

[23] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

ATHENS, 28/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 1.01% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.36% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.61% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 216 to 55 with 46 remaining unchanged.

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank of Greece, OPAP, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Exchanges, and Piraeus Bank.

Derivatives Market Close: Intracom top in stock futures trade

Stock Futures: