Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-06-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek-Turkish relations scrutinized by national foreign policy council

[02] PASOK leader announces initiative for new strategy on Greek-Turkish relations

[03] PM confers with culture minister Voulgarakis

[04] Karamanlis-Pavlopoulos meeting on local government issues

[05] Premier meets with former FM Molyviatis

[06] Foreign Minister Bakoyannis to meet Serbian finance minister on Friday

[07] DM briefs PASOK party delegation on country's defense policy

[08] Gov't stands by proposed higher education reforms

[09] Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis holds talks with FYROM's deputy

[10] Deputy DM Vassilis Mihaloliakos visits Veliko Tirnovo

[11] Deputy FM Theodoros Kassimis on visit to Romania

[12] Roussopoulos reaffirms government's confidence in ELPE chief Christodoulou

[13] PASOK spokesman criticizes government spokesman on bomb attack against Voulgarakis

[14] Archbishop Christodoulos holds consultations in Bern

[15] Greece infringed EU law on personal data issue, European Court rules

[16] Thessaloniki Prefect Psomiadis meets Macedonia-Thrace Muslims

[17] Eurostat: Greece's annual GDP growth highest in Eurozone at 4%

[18] Finmin slams PASOK reaction to Finansbank deal

[19] Minister Basiakos addresses farmers' general assembly

[20] Greece on EU working week

[21] Greece 20th in EU for research and technology spending, MEP told

[22] Papademos takes over research, financial stability portfolios

[23] Posidonia shipping fair opens June 5

[24] New consortium represents Bulgarian gov't in the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project

[25] Hellenic Petroleum launches FYROM sales network

[26] Delta merger creates largest Greek food firm

[27] Eurobank Securities ranks top in brokerage turnover

[28] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in across-the-board decline

[29] Black Sea news agencies establish BSANNA association

[30] International conference on peace, security and prosperity in the Mediterranean

[31] Cultural cooperation conference in Croatia

[32] Interior minister addresses conference on 'Democratic Society and the Rights of the Person'

[33] Freighter sinks after collision; one death reported, 5 seamen missing

[34] Three charged over Titan cement plant accident

[35] New hope for young heart patient from Afghanistan

[36] Deputy FM and Education Minister receive pupils from Tirana primary school

[37] Police point to breakup of major migrant smuggling ring

[38] Int'l scientific symposium held in Kavala for the protection of lagoons

[39] Koronia Lake is facing a serious ecological crisis, scientists say

[40] Christofias re-elected New House President as deputies sworn in

[41] Cyprus solution top priority of new House, Christofias says

[01] Greek-Turkish relations scrutinized by national foreign policy council

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

At the meeting, chaired by Bakoyannis, the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) repeated a call for a new "road map" in relations with Turkey.

In statements after her talks with representatives of the opposition parties in Parliament, Bakoyannis said that her plans concerning an upcoming trip to Istanbul were unchanged. She also stressed the importance of seeking the greatest possible consensus in foreign policy issues, in order to strengthen the "central national goal".

The minister said that the next meeting of the Council and the issues it would address had already been announced and underlined that the meetings will continue with the same intensity, since there were a great many issues that arose in Greek foreign policy.

Bakoyannis echoed a call made by Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party representative Nikos Constantopoulos for more responsible reporting by the Greek media, stressing that she agreed on the need to inform public opinion correctly and responsibly.

PASOK MP Christos Papoutsis, who had represented his party at the meeting, said that the main opposition had asked for a change in policy and a new national strategy to defend Greece's sovereign rights.

"We need initiatives toward European institutions, toward Turkey but also domestically," he added.

Papoutsis underlined the significance of an initiative announced by PASOK leader George Papandreou on Thursday, who said he would approach all the leaders of the political parties to discuss a new "road map" and a new national strategy, based on Greece's constant striving for "peace, security, cooperation and good neighborly relations with all the peoples of the region".

Asked if the Council had agreed concerning the referral of outstanding issues with Turkey to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, PASOK's spokesman stressed that this question did not have a simple 'yes or no' answer.

"What matters is the process, the road map, the conditions that might lead to the International Court - as regards the Aegean continental shelf," he added.

Constantopoulos, on his part, stressed that Greece should intensify its political and diplomatic efforts within the international community and at the European Union in order to cover the distance that separated Turkey from fulfillment of its obligations to the Community.

He also appealed to the media to ensure that the Greek public was properly and substantively informed on major foreign policy issues.

"Public opinion must be aware and the political leadership of the country should be able to handle these issues without fears, misinterpretations and distortions," Constantopoulos stressed, while noting that they way these issues were currently discussed did not help to form healthy attitudes among the public that would truly support the interests of the country.

New Democracy MP Panos Kammenos, who attended as head of Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, noted that the political parties largely agreed on national strategy, with disagreements confined to minor details.

The meeting was also attended by MPs from the opposition parties, except the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Prof. Theodoros Kouloumbis, Ambassador Vyron Theodoropoulos, foreign ministry general secretary H. Rokanas and other officials.

ND and PASOK have common policy and strategy on foreign policy issues, KKE says

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), in an announcement referring on Thursday to statements made on foreign policy by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, said that "New Democracy and PASOK have, already, a common policy and strategy on foreign policy issues as well."

The announcement added that "the target of positions expressed by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and the President of PASOK on the need to define a 'national strategy' or a 'new strategy' is to extract the approval and consent of the people in light of new possible plans."

KKE believes that "it has been proved that their common strategy is both deadlocked and dangerous for the people."

The announcement further said that NATO, the United States and the European Union "are not factors operating in favor of stability and the peaceful and just solution of problems but constitute factors for their worsening."

[02] PASOK leader announces initiative for new strategy on Greek-Turkish relations

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou said that "we are all monitoring this climate of tension, with Turkey's provocative actions", and expressed concern regarding the country's security due to the Turkish provocations.

The main opposition leader said it was imperative that a new strategy be formulated, one that would guarantee Greece's sovereign rights, and the security and confidence of every Greek citizen, as well as open up new horizons for cooperation and peace in the region, as well as create a "share" of peace for health, education and growth.

This road exists, Papandreou said, noting that he knew this from his own term as foreign minister (in the preceding PASOK governments) and from the initiatives he had undertaken in that capacity.

[03] PM confers with culture minister Voulgarakis

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Vourgarakis told reporters after the meeting that he briefed the prime minister on culture ministry issues, and stressed that the exploitation of the Olympic Properties is on the right track, adding that some tenders have already been completed.

They also discussed the issue of sponsorships, as there are many who want to help but the necessary legal framework is lacking. Voulgarakis further briefed the prime minister on the summer cultural events to be held during the Athens Festival at Herod Atticus Odeon and Epidaurus theatre.

Voulgarakis said that another issue he discussed with the prime minister was the culture ministry's role in the efforts to spread Greek culture abroad.

In addition, he noted that the effort for the return of Classical Era antiquities to Greece is on the right path.

Voulgarakis did not comment in response to questions on the recent bomb attack against him.

[04] Karamanlis-Pavlopoulos meeting on local government issues

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Pavlopoulos said that according to the prime minister’s statements the dialogue on local government issues was commencing, and next Wednesday Karamanlis will meet with the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE) representatives. The minister stated that a meeting will also be held with the Greek National Union of Prefectural Local Authorities (ENAE) at a later date.

Another issue under discussion was the civil servants’ working hours in view of the relevant Confederation of Civil Servants (ADEDY) proposal to be presented to him later in the day. A decision on the new working hours schedule will be reached based on the government and ADEDY proposals and will be in effect on July 1, the minister said.

PASOK party organizing nationwide conference on local administration

The main opposition PASOK party will hold a nationwide conference on local administration at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus on Friday and Saturday, following the completion of regional conferences organized by the party all over the country.

According to a relevant announcement, the aim of PASOK is "to have the Nationwide Conference on Local Administration constitute a wider space for dialogue and deliberation."

[05] Premier meets with former FM Molyviatis

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Molyviatis declined comment on former President of the Republic's recent statement that Greek-Turkish differences be referred to the European Court of Justice at The Hague.

He reiterated that, from his first meeting with Karamanlis following his departure from the foreign ministry, he had stated that he was discussing and would continue to discuss with the premier on all matters.

[06] Foreign Minister Bakoyannis to meet Serbian finance minister on Friday

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

No statements to the press will be made after the meeting, the announcement said.

[07] DM briefs PASOK party delegation on country's defense policy

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking after the meeting, Papoutsis called on all political forces to send a message of unity and undertake, considering that sovereign rights are non-negotiable, all those initiatives that will strengthen the country's position.

Papoutsis said that they had a "substantive and good" briefing by Meimarakis and Hinofotis and pointed out that "there is no quantitative and qualitative upgrading of Turkey in the Aegean but intense aggressive activity on the part of the neighboring country with the purpose of doubting our sovereign rights."

However, he stressed that he feels "more at ease" following the briefing he had since, as he said, he ascertained that "planning exists, there is a will and it has been understood that the armed forces do not accept reasons of backing down and diplomatic immobility."

[08] Gov't stands by proposed higher education reforms

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Among others, the Karamanlis government has emphasized that it will implement a pre-election promise to allow the establishment and operation of private, non-profit universities in the east Mediterranean country as well as to institute a long-absent evaluation process for individual faculties at state universities and technical institutes (TEI).

"The government is approaching the issue of education with particular respect and with great caution," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said during his normal press briefing.

He also noted that the government welcomed and commenced a wide-ranging dialogue on education reform that generated numerous proposals and viewpoints.

"The government's initiative, which was unveiled even when it (ruling New Democracy party) was in the main opposition, will conclude with the submission of a draft law in Parliament, one aiming exclusively at the upgrading and strengthening of higher education in Greece," Roussopoulos stressed.

Other lesser measures expected to be included in the draft law include a provision capping the number of years a student has in order to earn an undergraduate degree, reducing the number of free textbooks and altering the broad credit transfer regime in force today.

[09] Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis holds talks with FYROM's deputy

PM SKOPJE, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to an announcement issued by Shekerinska's office in Skopje, special emphasis was placed during the meeting on funding for the completion of parts of the road axis 10, which links Greece to central Europe, particularly the Demir Kapia-Udovo and Udovo-Smokvica parts that have a total length of 33 kilometers.

It was agreed that experts from the two countries will meet in July to examine technical characteristics and to determine the next stages for the construction of these parts of road axis 10 that lie close to FYROM's southern borders with Greece.

Stylianidis and Shekerinska also discussed the extension of cooperation in the sectors of investments, construction and infrastructures, as well as the utilization of European Union funds concerning cross border cooperation projects.

About 75 million euros are anticipated from the ESOAB for funding projects in FYROM.

[10] Deputy DM Vassilis Mihaloliakos visits Veliko Tirnovo

SOFIA, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He also inaugurated a modern laboratory for teaching the Greek language at the Military University at Veliko Tirnovo, where he was welcomed by the rector of the biggest military educational establishment for training army officers, Georgi Georgiev, representatives of the Bulgarian defense ministry and other dignitaries.

Ten modern computers, a large library containing Greek books and other advanced technology technical equipment for the learning of languages are provided by the laboratory, not only for the cadets of the Bulgarian military establishment but also for every inhabitant of Veliko Tirnovo who wishes to learn Greek.

Addressing the ceremony, Mihaloliakos said that the Greek ministry will continue to support the new Centre for learning the Greek language in every way, which will contribute to mutual acquaintance and friendship between the two neighboring peoples and will bring them even closer.

[11] Deputy FM Theodoros Kassimis on visit to Romania

BUCHAREST, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Kassimis pointed out that this school will cover the basic need to rejoin businessmen and cadres coming to work in Romania with their families, a basic precondition for which is the possibility of educating children, and to cover the standard needs of the Greek community in Romania.

It is an initiative by the Greek government which was considered to be very important by the Romanian side, as Marko said, stressing that it will have his support in discussions to follow with the Romanian education ministry to enable the school's operation to begin as soon as possible.

[12] Roussopoulos reaffirms government's confidence in ELPE chief Christodoulou

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to Roussopoulos, Sioufas did not ordinarily attend ELPE's general shareholder meeting but had intended to attend the meeting on Wednesday.

A last-minute ministerial committee meeting on public-sector enterprises that he had to attend and the debate on a development ministry bill in Parliament that demanded the presence of the ministry's leadership prevented him from doing so, the spokesman added.

[13] PASOK spokesman criticizes government spokesman on bomb attack against Voulgarakis

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

PASOK's spokesman said that the "thought alone of the government spokesman combining journalistic criticism or criticism by parties with terrorist activity provides an alibi for terrorists."

In a related development, the board of the Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA), in an announcement on Thursday, condemned the terrorist attack against Culture Minister George Voulgarakis and criticized the government spokesman for all that he said about the "targeting of the minister due to publicity."

It added that "nothing can justify the insistent effort by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, as well as by other government and party officials, to victimize criticism, whether it is exercised by journalists or by the political world."

[14] Archbishop Christodoulos holds consultations in Bern

2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Swiss official showed particular interest in relations between the Church and the State. "Our Churches as well have dialogue and relations with politics," de Dardel told the Archbishop. He also praised the "opening" of the Church towards other religions and convictions, stressing that "the role which the Greek Church played during the Ottoman period in order for traditions and many other things not to be lost is known."

Archbishop Christodoulos noted that relations between the Church and the State "are very good and inspired by mutual respect and a sense of solidarity," adding that "we do not make discriminations."

Archbishop Christodoulos met later with Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin.

[15] Greece infringed EU law on personal data issue, European Court rules

BRUSSELS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The decision was issued following an appeal against Greece by the European Commission. The purpose of the appeal was to oblige Greece to include the above directive in its law which, as it was pointed out, should have taken place as of 2003.

It is recalled that on April 1, 2004, the European Commission had prepared a warning on the issue, calling on Greece "to fulfill the obligations it has from the directive within two months from receiving this warning."

[16] Thessaloniki Prefect Psomiadis meets Macedonia-Thrace Muslims

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Regarding the burial of Muslims, Hasanoglou noted that there is no Muslim graveyard in Central Macedonia, like those which exist in Xanthi, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Orestiada, Didymotiho and Sappes, resulting in the dead being transferred by trailer to other regions of Greece for burial.

"In Thessaloniki there are a total of 1,500 Muslims while in the whole of Central Macedonia their number comes to at least three thousand," Hasanoglou said.

On his part, Psomiadis noted that "it is inconceivable in the 21st Century for people to transfer the dead by trailer in other regions of Greece to bury them." He said that arrangements would be made for the transfer to be made "in a dignified manner until a space for burial is found in Thessaloniki."

Thessaloniki Prefect Psomiadis also promised that he would look into the issue of the place of worship and its construction, noting that an effort would be made on the part of the prefecture.

[17] Eurostat: Greece's annual GDP growth highest in Eurozone at 4%

BRUSSELS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Average GDP growth rates in the Eurozone during the same period were 1.9% on an annual basis and 0.6% compared with the last three months of 2005. Among the 25 EU member-states, GDP growth rates on an annual basis were 2.2% and on a quarterly basis 0.7%.

[18] Finmin slams PASOK reaction to Finansbank deal

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing PASOK MPs on Parliament's Economic and European Affairs Committee, Alogoskoufis accused the main opposition of "phobic syndromes" and said that it was inappropriate for the party to interfere in a company's business strategy or to be discussing arcane details of a business deal.

"You cannot appear to be exercising opposition to business moves as though you were businessmen," he stressed, pointing out that PASOK's stance raised a number of questions when it involved large companies like NBG or the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), whose business tactics impacted strongly on the interests of their competitors.

The minister also noted that NBG had consulted with the government concerning the political repercussions of its move and had received the government's approval to invest in Turkey.

PASOK's economy spokeswoman, Vasso Papandreou, on Wednesday queried the purchase price for the bank and the risk factor in Turkey, also claiming that National's management had offered inadequate information on the deal.

"This is a massive investment, with massive economic, political and military risk. From a business point of view, the acquisition is very expensive. It is globally unprecedented for a bank to place 70% of its shareholders' equity in a very risky market," Papandreou noted.

Opposition calls Turkish bank buyout "a scandal": The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) on Thursday called "a scandal" the planned acquisition of Turkey's Finansbank by Athens-quoted National Bank of Greece.

"Scandalous are the price of the acquisition and procedures that were employed at National's shareholders' meeting today to approve a share capital rise to allow the purchase," shadow economy spokeswoman, Vaso Papandreou, charged in a statement.

"The authorities must address this," Papandreou said.

In a separate statement, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology said it was opposed to National's acquisition of Finansbank as a move "under America's aegis" that would gradually place the Greek bank in the hands of speculators.

MPs call for information on Finansbank acquisition decision: Nineteen main opposition PASOK party parliament deputies and independent MP Andreas Andrianopoulos on Thursday tabled a motion in the 300-member House requesting that Hellenic Capital Market Committee president Alexis Pilavios be called before the responsible parliamentary committee to provide information on the National Bank of Greece's decision for the acquisition of Turkey's Finansbank.

NBG shareholders OK share capital increase to buy Finansbank: National Bank of Greece (NBG) shareholders approved an approximately €3.0-billion share capital increase to allow the buyout of Turkey's Finansbank, during a repeat general meeting held on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting, NBG governor Takis Arapoglou sought to reassure shareholders that National would remain independent, continue its autonomous course and was not becoming less Greek. He said that the share capital increase would fully cover National's needs for the purchase of the Turkish bank and leave funds to spare for further selective acquisitions in south eastern Europe.

[19] Minister Basiakos addresses farmers' general assembly

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Basiakos briefed the members of the Confederation on the latest developments in the country's agricultural sector. Particularly, he referred to the safeguarding of farmers' subsidies, as well as on the course of the activation of the total number of their rights in accordance with the new Common Agricultural Policy.

The minister further noted the increase in the export of Greek agricultural produce in 2006.

[20] Greece on EU working week

LUXEMBOURG, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Greece is opposed to a country being able to apply what it chooses by itself as a ceiling for weekly working hours on the basis of individual labor contracts," Tsitouridis told a meeting of EU employment ministers.

The United Kingdom, Germany and several new EU members back a flexible approach through individual pacts. Against the proposal are Greece, France, Spain and Sweden, which claim that the move would hurt labor rights.

"If individual countries, employers and employees act as they wish, common values and community cease to exist among European states," the minister added.

He also stated that each country's stand should not upset fair competition in terms of remaining member states.

"The (EU's) Lisbon strategy aims at boosting the productivity of labor, and, consequently, quality labor, safe labor with respect for the rights of employees, and that is the direction in which we should move," Tsitouridis added.

[21] Greece 20th in EU for research and technology spending, MEP told

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Responding to a question from New Democracy MEP Kostis Hatzidakis, the Commissioner presented figures for 2004 showing that Greece spends 0.58% of GDP on research and development of technology. The average spending on research and technology for the 25 EU member-states by contrast is 1.9% of GDP.

The percentage of the Greek workforce employed in the research and technology development sectors is 1.21% when the EU 25 average is 1.31%. Overall, jobs in this sector increased by roughly two million between 1997 and 2002 in these sectors, Potočnik said.'

The Commissioner also cited an OECD study showing that every 1 percent increase in state and private-sector spending on research and technology development led to increases in productivity of 0.17% and 0.13% respectively.

[22] Papademos takes over research, financial stability portfolios

FRANKFURT, 2/6/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The decision was made during a meeting of the ECB Executive Board on Thursday, which decided on a redistribution of responsibilities among its members following the departure of board-member Otmar Issing, who is replaced by Jürgen Stark.

[23] Posidonia shipping fair opens June 5

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The biennial event, which attracted over 1,600 Greek and international exhibitors in 2004, will be held at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre on the site of the former Athens Airport, and is expected to be the largest in the show’s 37-year history.

The fair showcases the latest developments in technology, which affect all sectors of international shipping. Participants and visitors come from all sectors of the shipping industry including shipbuilding and repair yards, shipbrokers, insurance, P&I Clubs, banks, port authorities, classification societies, shipping surveyors, vessel registration, suppliers, high-tech equipment, technical support, publishing companies etc, and organizers said.

A total of 25 countries and territories are participating at Posidonia with a national pavilion as follows: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Cayman Islands, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Malta, The Netherlands, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the USA.

The following 78 countries and territories will be represented: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados Island, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong SAR - China, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Quatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Union of Myanmar (ex Burma), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam.

[24] New consortium represents Bulgarian gov't in the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project

2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, the relevant announcement states that it is an important economic project and for this reason, the construction must start correctly and be completed in 2010, with the agreed opinion of all the interested countries and companies.

The company Neftoprovod Bourgas-Alexandroupolis AD is a consortium of Universanel Termninal Bourgas AD with 75 per cent of the shares and of the Bulgarian natural gas company Bulgargas with 25 per cent. The new consortium will be a shareholder of the international construction company and will participate in all the decisions for the project. The company will also participate in negotiations for the involvement of Bulgarian companies in the planning, construction of the oil pipeline and in the transport of the oil through the Black Sea to the final receivers.

[25] Hellenic Petroleum launches FYROM sales network

SKOPJE, 2/6/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Ten of the sales outlets carrying OKTA's logo were opened out of a network of 20 outlets due to operate by September.

The outlets were launched by Hellenic's managing director, Panos Kouvalakos in a ceremony attended by FYROM's finance minister, Fatmir Besimi.

[26] Delta merger creates largest Greek food firm

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Also in the merger led by Delta are Delta Dairy S.A., Goody's S.A. a fast food chain, and General Frozen Foods S.A.(“Uncle Stathis”).

The new company to emerge named Vivartia will rank as second largest domestic food and beverage firm, seventh largest domestic industry, 16th largest company in Greece, and 35th largest food company in Europe, Delta's chairman, Dimitris Daskalopoulos, told the meeting.

"The road we have chosen is full of challenges," he said.

Due to the merger, Vivartia will have a presence in 29 countries and nine out of ten Greek households, added Daskalopoulos, who is also head of the Federation of Greek Industry.

[27] Eurobank Securities ranks top in brokerage turnover

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Eurobank was followed by P&K Securities at 11.38%, National Securities (10.62%), Investment Bank (9.56%), and Alpha Finance (9.40%), the association said in a statement.

[28] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in across-the-board decline

ATHENS, 2/6/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 2.18% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 2.52% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 2.63% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 216 to 64 with 27 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: