Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-03

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek economic prospects remain favorable, FinMin says

[02] Greek economy to grow 3.8 pct in 2007, draft budget projection

[03] PM calls for off-the-agenda debate on foreign policy, is briefed by FM

[04] Government denies mulling early elections

[05] Teacher rally in central Athens

[06] 'Dialogue only with schools open', deputy education minister stresses

[07] Coalition party leader comments on teachers' unrest

[08] Mihaloliakos attends EU defense ministers' meeting in Finland

[09] Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss culture ministry issues

[10] PASOK party secretary gives press conference ahead of municipal and prefectural elections

[11] KKE leader addresses rally in Ioannina

[12] Antonaros on the Muslim minority and Turkey-EU

[13] Major dairy producer denies existence of cartel in local market

[14] European Ombudsman briefs PM on Greece's standing in annual report

[15] Greece presses for resumption of Greek TV broadcasts in southern Albania

[16] Holy Synod officially decries decision excluding confessional from public schools

[17] Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis meets World Bank vice-president

[18] Deputy DM addresses international conference of Greek Armaments Manufacturers

[19] Employment Minister Tsitouridis holds meeting with representatives of social partners

[20] New orders' index up 18.6 pct in July, yr/yr

[21] Competition Committee issues report on oil

[22] Cosmote gets 42% stake in Germanos

[23] Intrasoft gets EU contract

[24] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

[25] Joint police operation in SE European countries targets human trafficking

[26] Babiniotis to lecture in Melbourne on ancient Macedonians' language

[27] President Papoulias inaugurates exhibition on refugees of 1922

[28] Eurobarometre: Considerable percentage of Greeks take precautions against AIDS

[29] Slavic studies are on decline in Europe

[30] Latest ATM scam uncovered, 2 arrests made

[31] Three illegal immigrants hospitalized for tuberculosis

[32] Four Albanian nationals arrested in kidnapping of compatriot youth

[33] US visa procedure to change as of October 15

[34] Cyprus will not pick up the bill of Turkey’s EU accession course

[35] UN wish to address issue of Turkish occupied ports in Cyprus

[01] Greek economic prospects remain favorable, FinMin says

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Alogoskoufis added that the ministry was achieving its goal of reducing the fiscal deficit below 3.0 percent of GDP, to 2.6 pct this year and 2.4 pct in 2007.

"We have achieved a great fiscal adjustment in the last few years with deficit reducing and public debt falling significantly," he said.

The main goals of the government’s economic policy for 2007 include further reducing the deficit and the public debt; improving competitiveness; lowering unemployment, supporting lower-income groups and boosting investments and development.

The draft budget envisages raises of 50 euros and 35 euros for pension payments to farmers and supplementary pension payments, respectively, as well as raising the tax exempt ceiling to 12,000 euros.

Alogoskoufis said prospects remained favorable, adding that if there was no any surprise hikes in fuel prices the inflation rate would ebb in 2007 and average real wages would exceed the inflation rate.

Spending in a Public Investments Program will total 8.750 billion euros next year, up from 8.1 billion in 2006, to be covered by national funds (2.4 billion euros) and co-financed funds (6.35 billion). The program will be fixed at 4.2 pct of the country’s GDP.

Alogoskoufis said the draft budget did not include extra spending for elections, while he underlined higher spending on healthcare. The Greek minister said hiring by the public sector would be restrained and noted that the government intended to contain spending.

The draft budget also included a special chapter on revising the country’s national accounts system based on the year 2000, whereas Alogoskoufis stressed that a decision to revise upwards the GDP was obligatory for Greece, as all other EU member-states have completed this procedure.

Athens has asked an extension to the deadline for this procedure by September 2006.

The revision was obligatory but was decided for fundamental reasons as well, since changes in the services sector should be considered, Alogoskoufis noted. The minister said the revised figures have been submitted to Eurostat and that a response was awaited in the next few weeks. The figures showed a 25.7-pct higher revision of Greek GDP.

The Labor, Agriculture, Public Order and Aegean ministries are the ones with the largest percentage increase in funds from a new state budget, 13.9 pct, 9.9 pct, 8.3 pct and 8.1 pct, respectively.

Funds earmarked for the Education ministry are up 5.9 pct, Health 5.7 pct, National Defense 5.2 pct, Interior 6.0 pct, Merchant Marine 6.3 pct, Economy and Finance 0.1 pct, Justice 6.5 pct, Foreign Affairs 6.6 pct, Transport 3.2 pct, Culture 4.5 pct, Public Works 5.6 pct, Development 8.0 pct, Tourism 5.1 pct and Macedonia-Thrace 7.1 pct.

[02] Greek economy to grow 3.8 pct in 2007, draft budget projection

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Exports of goods and services are expected to rise by 6.5 pct and imports to rise by 7.0 percent. Real average wages are project to rise by 3.0 pct and the unemployment rate to fall to 8.2 pct of the country's workforce. The budget plan envisages that handouts in a Public Investments Program will total 8.750 billion euros next year.

Unions slam 2007 budget: The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) on Monday condemned the government's budget for 2007 as entirely lacking support for ordinary members of the public.

The GSEE, the country's largest trade union federation, said in a statement that the budget maintained austerity, regardless of revision of GDP growth.

Pensions and wages suffered and the tax burden grew, accompanied by more tax relief for the wealthy and cuts in public investment.

The result would be wider social inequality through cuts in spending on health, education and social insurance, the statement said.

"Working people have exhausted the limit for endurance and will give a dynamic reply to this policy of poverty and misery," the GSEE added.

PASOK, Synaspismos reactions to bill for 2007 state budget: The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement PASOK) Economy Section in an announcement on Monday said that "the relevant statements by the Economy and Finance Minister (George Alogoskoufis) on the tabling of the bill for the 2007 state budget create a major political, economic and moral matter, which directly concerns the country's Prime Minister Mr. (Costas) Karamanlis."

"The bill and the clarifying statements by Mr. Alogoskoufis raise a major matter of the government's unreliability which, however, is linked with a heavy price for the country and the citizens. According to Mr. Alogoskoufis, Greece becomes richer by 25 per cent but the Greeks are continuously becoming poorer," the PASOK announcement said.

It added that "Greece has already faced an enormous international humiliation from the 'colpo grosso' of the inventory, which led to a taxation raid, the reduction on the incomes of working people and of pensioners and the undermining of the country's prospects."

PASOK termed the budget "bogus, socially unfair and anti-developmental."

On his part, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Political Bureau member and head of the party's Economy and Social Department, Panagiotis Lafazanis, said "the bill for the 2007 state budget is yet another budget of austerity for wages and a restriction of social expenditure."

"The oxymoron is that while the government claims that the national wealth will increase by 25 per cent, the working people, on the basis the budget, will become poorer, "Lafazanis added.

Draft 2007 budget bleeds worker incomes, Communist Party claims: The draft budget for 2007 presented by the government confirmed that government policy had a steadfast class orientation toward bleeding worker incomes, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an announcement on Monday, shortly after the draft budget was tabled in Parliament.

Noting that the draft budget called for a freeze on wages in spite of rising inflation and an increase in indirect taxation, such as those on fuel, cigarettes and mobile phone subscriptions, it urged workers to "strike back by demanding satisfaction of their modern needs".

A small part of this lost worker income was then redirected toward alleviating conditions of extreme poverty through pension supplements and the higher farmer pensions, as a form of charity, it added.

[03] PM calls for off-the-agenda debate on foreign policy, is briefed by FM

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Bakoyannis said after the meeting that parliament would also be briefed.

The premier stated in his letter to the parliament president that the recent developments in European affairs, the international community and the Middle East were many and significant, and stressed that Greece assumed an active and, in many instances, a leading role, adding that the country's presidency of the UN Security Council in the month of September contributed substantially in that direction.

Karamanlis also said that further initiatives were also being planned in that direction in the near future, adding that Greece at the same time was working for a continuous improvement in Greek-Turkish relations through the development of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), and also for a viable and functional solution of the Cyprus issue.

Given the above facts, and in accordance with Article 143, Paragraph 2 of the Rules of Parliament, the government was seeking an off-the-agenda discussion, at political party leader level, so as to brief parliament.

Foreign minister Bakoyannis told reporters after briefing the prime minister on Greece's UN Security Council presidency last month and her bilateral contacts with US government officials that the Hellenic parliament would also be briefed.

Questioned on Turkey's stance and recent statements by the Turkish political leadership, Bakoyannis noted that autumn was a period during which decisions were due to be taken by the Turkish leadership "and it will show whether it will honor its signature on the European obligations it has assumed".

"Together with our (EU) partners, we will evaluate these decisions," Bakoyannis added.

Bakoyannis spoke of "tension and rhetorical exacerbation, in which Greece has no reason to follow suit, as Greece has expressed its views with firmness, consistency and determination".

"We are monitoring the situation calmly, and will evaluate it," the foreign minister added.

Replying to questions, Bakoyannis attributed this rhetoric to the decisions that Turkey must take, but also to the pre-electoral climate in the neighboring country.

Questioned on premier Karamanlis' outstanding visit to Ankara, she replied: "As you know, we are in the process of trying to find the dates. I do not have a specific date for Mr. (Turkish foreign minister Abdullah) Gul's visit to Athens, nor for the prime minister's visit to Ankara".

To another question on the prospect of early general elections, Bakoyannis was categorical that "I do not see early elections (on the horizon), nor do I see any reason for early elections".

On the October 15 municipal and prefectural elections, Bakoyannis said that the victory of local government is considered by New Democracy as a victory, and expressed hope that candidates with platforms and a clear-cut orientation would be elected, for the benefit of local government. However, she continued, every election had its political messages, and those messages would be analyzed on the night of the elections.

Asked to comment on the result of the Austrian elections over the weekend, Bakoyannis said that the outcome had been a "surprise". She said that outgoing chancellor Wolfgang Schues-sel, whose party suffered a narrow upset victory by the Social Democrat's in Sunday's national elections, had had good cooperation with Greece, and has frequently backed the Greek positions, such as on the Cyprus issue.

She also wished success to the new Austrian government.

[04] Government denies mulling early elections

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The government does not threaten or blackmail, it strictly carries out what was said in its election program and manifesto," alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stressed.

He also said that the issue of early elections was not raised by Alogoskoufis and Kefaloyiannis but by others, who gave arbitrary interpretations to public statements.

Kefaloyiannis had said that early elections might be forced if the main opposition and certain unions continue to protests that created social tension, while Alogoskoufis had said that the 2007 budget essentially completed the government's work on the economy and that the 2008 budget would chiefly have to be implemented by the government arising in the next elections.

Regarding main opposition PASOK's attacks on the government and a statement by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis that he would "not contribute to a climate of polarization", Antonaros noted that Karamanlis had steadily followed this line from his days as the opposition leader.

"The government will on no account allow itself to become swept up in the efforts of [PASOK leader] George Papandreou to lead things toward polarization, populism and nihilism," Antonaros said.

He dismissed observations that Karamanlis, as leader of the main opposition in 2001, had accused then prime minister Costas Simitis of being the "high-priest of graft", saying that these were "entirely different things".

[05] Teacher rally in central Athens

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

A strike by primary and kindergarten school teachers to demand an increase in the monthly salaries, immediate payment of a €105 benefit and improved working conditions has now entered its third week, while high school teachers have joined them with a 48-hour strike.

They have dismissed the €17.5 gross pay rise offered by the government as a pittance and underlined that they will continue their struggle until their demands are met.

After the rally, a protest concert with the participation of several well-known singers is scheduled at the gates of Athens University on Tuesday.

Further rallies are planned in central Athens and Thessaloniki at noon on Thursday, that is also World Teachers' Day. Last week, the striking teachers urged the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) and the civil servants' union ADEDY, which between them represent the majority of the Greek workforce, to name October 5 as a day for joint action on education and labor issues and to call 24-hour nationwide strike on that day.

Meanwhile, in comments on Monday, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stressed that the government was steadfastly continuing to carry out its reforms for education.

"All the elements that are included in the government's proclamations will one by one be turned into action and this will continue," he said.

He repeated that there was no question of a civil mobilization of teachers and that no meeting between teachers and the prime minister had been planned.

The spokesman also rejected suggestions that Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou was displaying "rigidity" in her refusal to meet teachers' demands, noting that the government had already announced that it would give the €105 benefit to teachers in six half-year installments.

"I do not think that many Greek citizens can sympathize with the demands of a group of workers that are asking for a 45 percent pay rise," he added.

Antonaros noted that the government desired schools to being operating again as normal and that it was the excessive demands that were preventing this from happening.

Clashes outside Parliament: Clashes occurred outside Parliament, on Vassilisis Sophias avenue, at noon on Monday during a teachers rally. The teachers had assembled outside the education ministry earlier and, after speeches were made, they marched to Parliament and then planned to reach the Maximos Mansion where the prime minister has his office.

According to an announcement by the police, the demonstrators demanded that police forces leave to enable them to reach the Maximos Mansion, which did not happen.

Those leading the rally, according to the police, attacked the police with stones, bottles, planks of wood and other objects in an effort to break through the cordon, quite a few policemen were knocked about and their uniforms were damaged and one was slightly injured. Police used tear gas but no arrests were made.

[06] 'Dialogue only with schools open', deputy education minister stresses

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He also stated that the total of teachers' demands was already being dealt with by the ministry in the best possible way, following the last meeting between the education minister and the primary and kindergarten teachers' union leadership.

"For demands regarding the effort to substantially improve the quality of education received by our children, it was shown by the dialogue that the education ministry met the majority of these demands and continues to satisfy them in an effective way. For the economic demand for the payment of the €105 benefit, the government and the education ministry stated and continue to state that this is being regulated in a way that accords with what our economy can endure," he said.

Resolving this demands required dialogue, to which the ministry was favorably disposed but only if schools were open, he added.

[07] Coalition party leader comments on teachers' unrest

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Alavanos said that the intransigence of the education minister "is a provocation, because the increase in installments of 17 euros by the economy minister means degradation," adding that "the attacks by the public order minister against the demonstrating teachers is barbarism and the isolation of the prime minister at the Maximos Mansion and his refusal to talk with the teachers' association is political escapism."

He also said that "what is important is for all of society to support the just struggles of teachers and professors to put an end to the disorganizing of the Greek family with small children at school and the disarray of the educational process of pupils for which the government bears full responsibility."

[08] Mihaloliakos attends EU defense ministers' meeting in Finland

3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Mihaloliakos expressed the Greek side's satisfaction over the progress made on these two issues, while stressing the Greek contribution on both an operational level relative to its capabilities and on a humanitarian level, highlighting Greece's response to the Lebanon crisis.

He also pointed out that the Lebanon crisis had highlighted the importance of naval forces in carrying out complex operations.

[09] Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss culture ministry issues

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, there will also be a briefing on foreign policy affairs by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis during the meeting.

[10] PASOK party secretary gives press conference ahead of municipal and prefectural elections

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Xenoyiannakopoulou expressed optimism over the outcome of the elections because, as she said, the candidates supported by the party all over the country "have a liking for local administration, social acceptance and have been promoted through a wide democratic procedure and because the tickets it supports highlight a progressive program for the policies that local administration is being called on to carry out.

She also said that the elections are taking place in a "morbid climate with great social insecurity and uncertainty", while speaking of a "morbid climate due to the cases of corruption and scandals."

[11] KKE leader addresses rally in Ioannina

3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Referring to polarization between the two mainstream parties, PASOK and ruling New Democracy, she said "the prime minister Mr. Karamanlis sent a message yesterday that polarization must stop."

Papariga further said that real polarization must be expressed "with a revived popular movement" and with "an irreconcilable struggle between the working people and plutocracy, between the working people and the policy of the governments we have experienced all these years."

The KKE leader also said that "there are no differences between PASOK and ND regarding policy direction and course."

[12] Antonaros on the Muslim minority and Turkey-EU

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The government has drawn up a specific strategy and expects from Turkey to fully meet its commitments toward the 25 EU member states, added Antonaros commenting on the future of the EU-Turkey relations.

[13] Major dairy producer denies existence of cartel in local market

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking to reporters, Theodoropoulos stressed that Greek consumers could choose from a total of 392 products by 114 companies with a price range of 0.55 euros to 2.5 euros, while he added that within such a competitive environment there could be no cartel in the market.

“The Greek industry determines less than one third of the price of milk,” he said.

Vivartia’s executives said rampant speculation and accusations recently of a cartel operating in the domestic milk market was unfounded, pointing to the fact that producers’ prices in Greece were the highest in Europe at 34.55 cents per kilo in June, compared with 26.72 cents in Germany.

They also noted that the Greek milk industry was based on Greek cattle-breeders and said the more advanced units operated in the country, the more quality milk was produced for consumers.

Domestic milk production totaled 774,000 tons annually, more than covering the needs of the Greek market. The Vivartia executives said milk imports did not offer any financial benefits to enterprises nor did they guarantee the quality of the product.

They underlined that milk producers changed companies each year and noted that the price of milk was at the average EU price, and that the price of milk has increased by an average of 3-4 percent annually.

[14] European Ombudsman briefs PM on Greece's standing in annual report

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Diamantouros, who held the same position on a national level in Greece before assuming the Europe-wide post, said Greece was eighth among EU countries in terms of reports and complaints to his office.

"We are, therefore, far ahead of the European average," he added, in referring to the national figures.

Moreover, Diamantouros said he briefed Karamanlis over the particular issues and sectors that generated the most complaints by Greek citizens, which broadly can be divided into four categories: poor administrative practices, such as failure to answer or act on a citizen's request, misuse of authority etc.; protests over job placements in EU agencies; corporate and individual appeals of decisions dealing with EU-related contracts, and finally, free access to official and public documents.

Finally, the European Ombudsman said public administrations across the Union accept his office's recommendations by a rate that exceeds 93 percent.

Diamantouros also met with Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki to whom he presented the independent European authority's 2005 annual report.

[15] Greece presses for resumption of Greek TV broadcasts in southern Albania

GJIROKASTR, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Greek consulate in Gjirokastr said the request was made last week and that it was now waiting for an answer from Albanian authorities.

The Albanian broadcasting council said that transmission of the Greek channels was stopped because they did not have a license.

[16] Holy Synod officially decries decision excluding confessional from public schools

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to the Holy Synod, it has received several letters criticizing the relative ministry decision, while noting that only a "handful" of reactions had been voiced by educators over the decades-old practice.

Finally, the Holy Synod said the presence of a priest on public school premises "comprises a powerful counterweight to the increasingly dangerous phenomenon of juvenile delinquency".

[17] Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis meets World Bank vice-president

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Greece currently spends almost 0.28 percent of GDP for humanitarian and development policy (in 46 and 19 countries respectively) and it is important for Hellenic Aid that programs that it is implementing to be promoted through cooperation with international organizations, such as the World Bank, which provide greater transparency, prestige and experience for the country, Stylianidis said.

In parallel, he explained that multilateral cooperation is coming to expand the forms of development action which had moved in the framework of bilateral relations and non-governmental organizations until now.

The two interlocutors agreed on the need for relevant ministries and the Greek market to be informed of the possibilities of cooperation and participation in the programs that are being implemented in the wider Balkan region, a region falling under the jurisdiction of Shigeo Katsu.

PASOK leader meets World Bank vice-president: Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement PASOK leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou on Monday met with the Vice-President of the World Bank for East Europe and Central Asia, Shigeo Katsu.

According to a PASOK press release, discussion centered on "economic developments and growth prospects for the countries of the broader region."

Papandreou referred to "the importance which the speeding of the accession course of these countries to the world economic system has," and stressed "the importance which Socialist International attributes to the economic adjustments giving opportunities to all and coinciding with the support of social cohesion and the reduction of inequalities."

They also discussed issues of transparency and the combating of corruption, to which the World Bank gives all the more emphasis to.

[18] Deputy DM addresses international conference of Greek Armaments Manufacturers

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Referring to the stabilizing role played by the country in the region, the deputy defense minister called on the international community to assume necessary initiatives to handle longstanding differences, since failure to solve them entails the risk of terrorist hotbeds.

Main opposition PASOK party defense and foreign policy chief, Deputy Christos Papoutsis, proposed the creation of a special Parliamentary Committee to strengthen transparency that will monitor developments regarding armaments, a proposal that the president of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, New Democracy party Deputy Panos Kammenos, agreed with.

[19] Employment Minister Tsitouridis holds meeting with representatives of social partners

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Tsitouridis said "the government's intention is to place matters in order and for there to be the greatest possible transparency in the operation of OAED and of the two subsidiary companies of the Observatory of Employment and of Professional Training."

The employment minister stated that during the next session of the national Employment Committee, "the government will present specific proposals which will lead to the strengthening of the role of social partners within the framework of OAED and its subsidiaries for the program period 2007-2013, including proposals which will give duties to the social partners even in the management of European Union funds."

[20] New orders' index up 18.6 pct in July, yr/yr

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The industrial turnover index rose 8.8 pct over the same period. The statistics service, in its report, attributed the 18.6 pct jump in the new orders' index to a 49.3 pct rise in non-durable consumer goods' orders, a 19.7 pct increase in intermediate goods, a 9.0 pct decline in capital goods' orders, and a 2.3 pct rise in durable goods' orders.

The 8.8 percent increase in the turnover index reflected a 10.5 pct fall in the mining index and a 9.2 pct rise in the manufacturing index.

[21] Competition Committee issues report on oil

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The report shows a high concentration and serious obstacles for businesses to enter the refining sector, while as regards prices, the average price of unleaded oil before taxes and duties Greece appears systematically higher compared to the average price in the rest of the European Union member-states and the price of diesel oil presents the same picture.

The wholesale market shows an unfavorable situation due to restrictions linked to the licensing of storage space. The large number of petrol stations in the country is underlined in the retail market, as well as the dependence of the petrol station owner on the company he works with.

The Independent Authority's document will be made available for public debate for a month.

[22] Cosmote gets 42% stake in Germanos

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The transaction was made through the Athens Stock Exchange at 19 euros per share, management of Cosmote said in a statement.

''By joining forces with Germanos, the leading mobile retailer in South East Europe, capitalizing upon its expertise and directly implementing our commercial policies, we will be in a position to offer even higher quality service to our customers and attract new ones," Cosmote Group CEO, Evangelos Martigopoulos, commented.

"Our common goal is to be one of the fastest growing and most profitable mobile operators in the EU, with strong market position in all markets of operations. This acquisition, of major strategic importance, is the catalyst for the transformation of Cosmote Group'', Martigopoulos added.

On settlement of trades, which is expected by the close of business on October 3, Cosmote's direct and indirect shareholding in Germanos SA will be 62.75%, as the firm already acquired a 20.75% stake through the bourse, the statement said.

As required under Greek law, Cosmoholding Cyprus will launch a public tender offer to acquire outstanding shares in Germanos at the same price of 19 euros per share within 20 days.

On completion of the tender, Panos Germanos, founder and head of the company, will acquire a 10% stake in the share capital of Cosmoholding Cyprus for a period of 3-5 years by investing 144.5 million euros.

Cosmoholding Cyprus on Monday also acquired on Monday Mobilbeep, which operates as a distributor for Germanos with a sales network of more than 70 dealers, the statement added.

[23] Intrasoft gets EU contract

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The duration of the project is six years, Intracom said in a statement on Monday.

The contract includes an upgrade for OPOCE's system, which will allow faster archiving and dissemination services and a greater storage capacity, as well as system maintenance and operational services.

Intrasoft has won the job for the second consecutive time, the statement said.

[24] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

ATHENS, 3/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.22% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.18% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.16% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 156 to 88 with 59 remaining unchanged.

Bond Market Close: 10-yr benchmark at 4.02 pct