Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inner Cabinet: Gov't satisfied with performance over past three years

[02] Inner Cabinet meeting

[03] Synaspismos' Lafazanis on statements by FinMin Alogoskoufis

[04] Russian President Vladimir Putin in Greece next week

[05] Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline deal in Athens this month, Putin visit pending

[06] PM confers with foreign, defence ministers

[07] PM to meet with ND deputies on Wednesday

[08] Gov't on ties with Russia; Gul visit

[09] Gul visit

[10] Government spokesman on social security funds' stock exchange transactions

[11] Prosecutor orders inquiry into pension fund's investment losses

[12] More university places in 2007, government says

[13] US State Dept's annual human rights report unveiled

[14] Report by U.S. State Department on human rights in Greece

[15] PM sends condolences over catastrophic earthquake in Sumatra

[16] Founding conference of new 'Liberal Alliance' party on April 28-9

[17] Greece must boost policy credibility vis-a-vis EU, FinMin says

[18] Tourist development minister visiting Berlin International Tourism Exhibition

[19] Bank of Greece unveils restructuring plan, reduction in branches

[20] Gov't on threatened farmers' mobilisations

[21] OPE signs cooperation memorandum with exporters' association

[22] S&P affirms Greek credit rating, says outlook stable

[23] Greek business delegation to visit Istanbul

[24] Italian Deputy FM Craxi, Milan mayor promote city's Expo 2015 bid

[25] Greek budget revenues up 5.7% in Feb.

[26] OTOE meeting with Geniki Bank managing director

[27] International Fur Fair opens in Kastoria

[28] BIC company carrying out annual investments of over 20 million euros in Greece

[29] Fashion Box reports improved 2006 results

[30] Piraeus Bank sells stake in Bank of Cyprus to MPB

[31] DETROP international food exhibition opens in Thessaloniki on March 9-12

[32] Olive oil testers' seminar

[33] Sarantis Group reports improved 2006 results

[34] Building activity down 19.3 pct in 2006

[35] Greek stocks rebound strongly, end 1.42% up

[36] Greek bond returns rebound in February

[37] Greek bond market closing report

[38] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[39] President Papoulias arrives in Rhodes for Dodecanese anniversary events

[40] Artifacts returned by Getty Museum due in Athens on March 23

[41] Ecumenical Patriarch to be given award in Vienna on March 13

[42] Greeks ready to embrace renewable energy, Greenpeace says

[43] Genders SG on World Day for the Rights of Women

[44] Illegal immigrants arrested at Evros border region

[45] Seven illegal immigrants intercepted on Samos

[46] Twenty seven drug-related arrests in Thessaloniki

[47] Weather forecast: Fair, slightly cloudy on Wednesday

[48] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[49] Cyprus FM Lillikas meets EU's Rehn

[50] Missing persons' relatives say CMP must look into 5-year-old's disappearance

[51] US Ambassador calls for implementation of July 8th agreement

[01] Inner Cabinet: Gov't satisfied with performance over past three years

"Greece has succeeded in the past three years in making substantial progress in the area of fiscal streamlining," Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting, while he stressed the significant increase in employment and a reduction of the unemployment rate.

He also described the upgrading of the Greek economy by the leading global rating agency Fitch, announce on Monday, as indicative of the confidence in Greece's eco-nomic policy.

Fitch Ratings on Monday upgraded the Outlook on Greece's foreign and local currency Issuer Default (credit) ratings (IDR) to "Positive" from "Stable", with the ratings affirmed for both foreign currency IDR and local currency IDR at "A", and the Short-term at "F-1", while the Country Ceiling remained unchanged at "AAA", reflecting Greece's membership of the European Monetary Union.

"The outlook change reflects recent improvements in the public finances, the growing fiscal credibility of the government and the expectation of large forthcoming positive revisions to the level of GDP, which will significantly enhance fiscal and other credit ratios" said Chris Pryce, Director in Fitch's Sovereign group, in a Fitch press release on Monday.

Development minister Dimitris Sioufas, also addressing reporters after the meeting, said that "in the third year of changes and reforms, growth is extending throughout the entire country, providing new abilities and new opportunities," adding that "the citizens are urging us to carry on with our program-me".

Defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis, in turn, said that "the building of confidence measures will continue".

Before the Inner Cabinet session, Karamanlis had separate meetings with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, in view of Turkish FM Abdullah Gul's expected visit to Athens, the exact date of which remains pending, as well as with Meimarakis.

[02] Inner Cabinet meeting

Minister Alogoskoufis explained that the programme was related to the course of the Greek economy to date, but also with the economy's future course over the next three years.

Greece, he said, has succeeded over the past three years in making substantial progress in fiscal streamlining, but added that the streamlining alone would not have been of much importance if it had not been marked by very high growth rates and a reduction of unemployment.

Alogoskoufis noted that unemployment was reduced by 130,000 unemployed, adding that the progress in fiscal issues would not have been of significance "were it not for the significant initiatives of the government for safeguarding the social cohesion, such as the increases to low pensions, the OGA (farmers' social insurance/pension fund) pensions and the reduction in taxation rates on households and business enterprises".

The economy minister further said that the government's reforms programme "is proceeding, and will be continued in the coming years and will have positive results both for the economy and society".

Asked to comment on the Fitch upgrading, Alogoskoufis said "it is a very good indication of the positive course of the economy".

[03] Synaspismos' Lafazanis on statements by FinMin Alogoskoufis

"The economy's rate of development is not based so much, as Mr. Alogoskoufis insists, in the new direct private investments, but to the over-borrowing of the state, first of all of the households and to the increased foreign deficits. Growth with this character cannot be maintainable, while this benefits the few, mainly the banks, at the expense of the many," said Lafazanis, who heads the party's Economic and Social Policy Department.

Furthermore, in view of statements by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas on the pending signing of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline in the second fortnight of March, Lafazanis called on the government "to fully brief the Greek Parliament on all the aspects of this agreement, before it signs, and mainly on how the protection of the environment is safeguarded, particularly in the sensitive sea region of Evros' Delta and of the Aegean."

[04] Russian President Vladimir Putin in Greece next week

President Putin will be arriving in Athens on March 15 to participate in the Russo-Bulgarian-Greek conference that will lead to the signing of a tripartite agreement "on the construction and exploitation of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline," according to an announcement by the Kremnlin.

On March 13, he will be meeting the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and the head of the Italian government, Romano Prodi, while on the same day he will be received by Pope Benedict XVI, at the Vatican.

President Putin and Prodi will be participating on March 14 in intergovernmental Russo-Italian consultations that will be held in Bari in southern Italy.

[05] Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline deal in Athens this month, Putin visit pending

Moreover, following a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday, Russian ambassador to Greece Andrey Vdovin told reporters that he brought up the issue of Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation at the signing ceremony, while calling the project a "significant step for the three-country cooperation. We hope it will be implemented."

On his part, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said he will sign the agreement on behalf of the Greek government along with high-ranking representatives of Russia and Bulgaria, and specifically, Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko and Bulgaria Regional Development and Public Works Minister Assen Gagaouzov.

Sioufas also noted the interest by Putin and Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev to attend the signing ceremony, which he said will come in the second 10-day period of March.

In announcing the development, Sioufas also praised cooperation between his ministry and the Greek foreign ministry, mentioning by name former FM Petros Molyviatis and current Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, as well as development ministry general secretary Nikos Stefanou along with Athens' envoys to Moscow and Sofia, Elias Klis and Danae Koumanakou, respectively.

The pipeline, connecting the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgas with the Greek port of Alexandroupolis in the northeastern Aegean, is expected to transport 35 million tons of crude oil per year with the possibility of increasing output to 50 million tons. It will be 280 kilometres long, of which 155 kilometres will be on Bulgarian territory.

The pipeline is expected to serve as an auxiliary route, by virtue of bypassing the congested Bosporus Strait, for Russian and Caucasus crude oil.

[06] PM confers with foreign, defence ministers

Replying to questions after the meeting on when Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul's expected visit to Athens would take place, Bakoyannis said that announcements would be made "when we are ready to make them".

Both Bakoyannis and Meimarakis denied, in response to relevant questions, that there was any disagreement between the two ministers and ministries.

Bakoyannis said "I have no dispute with Mr. Meimarakis", adding that "as you know, the foreign minister and the defence minister are in close and constant cooperation, as it should be", while Meimarakis commented that "there is exceelent cooperation between the officials of the two ministries, and much more so with Ms. Bakoyannis".

On the Gul visit, Meimarakis replied that "we are in constant, fruitful cooperation with the foreign ministry, and I, personally, with Ms. Bakoyannis, on Abdullah Gul's prospective visit".

Asked whether he agreed with the visit, the defence minister replied "certainly I agree".

"I agree with the governmental policy that has been forged in order that we have channels of communication and under-standing, and in the creation of a climate that will enable us to build the confidence measures that are necessary for our coexistence," Meimarakis added.

[07] PM to meet with ND deputies on Wednesday

The premier will make an address on the occasion of the three-year anniversary of the party's accession to power as well as on future prospects. In response to press questions regarding public spending, Roussopoulos said that when New Democracy assumed the government's reins the country's deficit was at 7.8 percent, whereas it is now below 3 percent.

[08] Gov't on ties with Russia; Gul visit

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos flatly ruled out any relation between the Premier Costas Karamanlis' same-day meeting with Russian ambassador Andrey Vdovin and the specific issue, stressing that the prime minister has regular meetings with ambassadors accredited to Athens, something plainly evident from the Greek leader's official itinerary.

[09] Gul visit

Along those lines, he said an exact date for the Gul visit is pending.

[10] Government spokesman on social security funds' stock exchange transactions

Replying to another question, Roussopoulos said that "the management of money of the public sector requires great care" and reminded that the government supported the Capital Market Committee institutionally which, in any case, inter-vened in this case.

Commenting on the issue, main opposition PASOK party official Maria Damanaki said during a press conference that PASOK considers Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis "politically and absolutely responsible for the 'blue scandal' at the Civil Servants Auxiliary Social Security Fund, that brings to the forefront the serious issue of the economic management of the reserves of Funds," putting at the same time the question to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis "whether he is providing coverage for Mr. Tsitouridis."

Damanaki, presenting PASOK's initiatives on the issue of the management of the reserves of the Civil Servants Fund by the "Akropolis" stock exchange company, pointed out that a relevant question will be put in Parliament at an initial stage, while at the same time the issue will be raised at the Parlia-mentary Transparency and Institutions Committee.

Tsitouridis, replying to Damanaki, said that the government is "shielding and modernising the management system of the mobile and fixed property of social security funds with the aim of achieving absolute transparency and measurable effecti-veness."

"I realise that there are many who are harmed by this policy of ours," the minister said.

"The actions, however, of a stock exchange company and of whatever possible responsibilities arise cannot constitute an alibi for those who want or intend to downgrade and thwart the shielding that has begun, sending the property of the insured as prey to lurking interests. This would be the scandal," he added.

[11] Prosecutor orders inquiry into pension fund's investment losses

The inquiry will determine if criminal acts were committed by the pension fund's board of directors and the brokerage firm's management.

The Capital Markets Commission last week decided to suspend some of the brokerage firm's operations on grounds that it may have acted against the best interests of its client, the pension fund in question, which incurred significant losses as a result.

[12] More university places in 2007, government says

At the same time, 960 fewer places will be offered at Technological Educational Institutes (TEI) this year, which will admit up to 41,310 students in 2007.

In total, the number of places available in tertiary education throughout the country in 2007 will be 82,394, down from 83,268 in 2006.

At the same time, the number of candidates seeking a place in tertiary education will be 5,000 fewer than last year, possibly due to low birth rates leading to falling numbers of children at school.

The ministry official also reminded reporters that these numbers referred to the maximum available places and that it was not possible to determine in advance how many of these would be filled.

Under a law that has been in effect since 2005, candidates must get an overall score of 10 out of 20, or roughly 50 pct, in the nationwide university entrance examinations in order to qualify for a place in a university or TEI.

Karamanos said that the number of places at each university was ultimately decided by the education ministry, which usually tried to follow the recommendations made by university administrations, though not always.

As an example, he cited the case of Thessaloniki Aristotle University, which had originally suggested offering 3,395 places in total but was required by the ministry to accept 6,550.

He said that the ministry would retain the final say under the new framework for education that is currently being discussed in Parliament, though the numbers would be decided in advance on a four-year basis, rather than year-to-year.

[13] US State Dept's annual human rights report unveiled

The report's presentation to local reporters was made by US embassy officials in Athens.

The portion of the report referring to Greece underlined the restrictions that Shari'a law places on women, in particular, and cited instances of early marriages and marriages-by-proxy reported by the UN and Council of Europe, as well as the fact that all Muslim women living in Thrace are obliged to acquire mufti consent to get a divorce.

The report noted that first-instance courts in Thrace routinely ratified decisions made by the muftis in civic and domestic matters - such as inheritance cases and divorces - and that it is often not possible to appeal these decisions because they are based on interpretations of Shari'a law that do not exist in written form.

This parallel legal system for domestic cases in the east Mediterranean nation stems from the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne that resolved several issues between the Greek state and the then newly established Republic of Turkey. A mufti is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law.

In other areas, the report pointed to continued discrimination, as it claimed, against the Roma or gypsy community in Greece, saying the government had not taken measures to provide them with adequate housing, camp sites and health care, as well as to ensure that gypsy children had access to education.

Poor conditions in Greek prisons and detention centres, especially those receiving illegal immigrants, were also cited. While noting that there had been some improvement at detention centres in Thrace, the report said the improvement was not uniform throughout the country and that conditions failed to meet standards in many cases.

As in the previous report in 2005, the State Department pointed to limitations placed by the Greek state on the freedom of minorities to "self-identify" by not recognising ethnic or linguistic minority groups (beyond those specified in the Treaty of Lausanne) and not allowing organisations and associations to adopt names with ethnic connotations.

Other criticisms in the report -- more-or-less ascribed to numerous other democratic countries "graded" by the State Department -- repeated documented and undocumented reports of abuse by security forces, especially against illegal immigrants and Roma, as well as alleged obstacles faced by members of non-Greek Orthodox religious denominations and even religious cults, along with the framework for handling of domestic violence against women and inadequate facilities for minors at risk.

In statements after the State Department's annual country reports were released on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice particularly emphasised the need to protect representatives of human rights organisations throughout the world, while the State Department issued a list of "guiding principles" underlining its commitment to support the work of non-governmental organisations.

[14] Report by U.S. State Department on human rights in Greece

Greece is a constitutional and multi-party democracy that respects the human rights of its citizens, although problems are encountered in certain sectors, such as the ill-treatment of illegal immigrants and gypsies by security forces, as well as congestion and bad conditions in some prisons, according to this year's report by the U.S. State Department publicised on Tuesday and submitted, as is the case every year, in Congress in accordance with American legislation that enacts a series of criteria.

The report also stresses the independence of the mass media that express a plethora of views with few government restrictions and the widespread and free use of the Internet.

As regards religious freedoms, the report notes that laws anticipate religious freedom, but non-Orthodox groups are sometimes faced with administrative obstacles and legal restrictions.

[15] PM sends condolences over catastrophic earthquake in Sumatra

In his message, Karamanlis expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

[16] Founding conference of new 'Liberal Alliance' party on April 28-9

According to a member of the provisional administrative committee, the party has so far attracted 400 members nationwide.

During a press conference, a spokesperson for the party criticised main opposition PASOK and its leader George Papandreou, saying that he had failed to transform PASOK, which had instead changed him completely.

Financial News

[17] Greece must boost policy credibility vis-a-vis EU, FinMin says

Addressing an Inner Cabinet meeting, Alogoskoufis said that after a positive assessment of the Greek Stability and Growth Programme by ECOFIN last week, the country's medium-term target was to achieve balanced or slightly surplus budgets by 2012 at the latest.

The stability programme envisages, among others, a sustainable and strong growth rate averaging 4.0 pct in the period 2007-2009, higher export growth rates (6.5 pct in 2007, 7.3 pct in 2008 and 7.6 pct in 2009), lower inflation and unemployment and higher employment in the country.

The minister underlined the significance of ECOFIN's positive assessment of the Greek programme, and added it was also important that a large fiscal adjustment was combined with high growth rates in the country. He noted that economic growth did not depend on public spending and public investments any more, due to a very large contribution of private investments in the country.

He also said the government was implementing an ambitious export-oriented programme that already presented positive results.

[18] Tourist development minister visiting Berlin International Tourism Exhibition

The "hour of truth", the realisation that the rapid worsening of climatic change on the planet cannot leave any economic and social activity sector untouched, has also reached the "International Tourism Stock Exchange" (ITB), as the biggest international tourism exhibition is named worldwide.

The exhibition will open its doors here on Tuesday night, "breaking" once again all arithmetical records with the partici-pation of 184 countries and almost 11,000 exhibitors in 160,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Tourist Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia arrived in the German capital on Tuesday, accompanied by the Greek Tourist Organisation's (EOT) President Dimitris Lampadarios, deputies and other officials, as well as a journalistic mission.

The Greek minister will be inaugurating the Greek pavilion on Wednesday, while she will also be having meetings with representatives of international tourist agencies.

[19] Bank of Greece unveils restructuring plan, reduction in branches

Presenting the programme, central bank governor Nikos Garganas said the programme would save around 20-30 million euros annually and noted that the changes covered 351 staff, of which 51 have the right to retire, while 36 to 45 employees would staff the departments to replace closing branches.

Garganas said the central bank would offer incentives to staff nearing retirement age, although he stressed that this move should not be considered a voluntary retirement programme.

The central banker said the management restructuring was necessary due to broader changes in the Greek economy and the fact that the Bank of Greece's workforce was the highest in the Eurozone (based on the population of the country).

The bank employs 2,766 people, of which one third are based in regional units.

The Bank of Greece said it planned to close the Cephallonia and Drama branches this year; the Piraeus, Agrinio and Xanthi branches in 2008; the Sparta and Florina branches in 2009; the Corfu and Rethymno branches in 2010 and the Pyrgos branch in 2011.

Garganas said the move followed a similar programme by other central banks, such as the German Bundesbank (it cut its branches to 87 from 154; France (96 from 213), Spain (22 from 52) and Belgium (seven from 22).

[20] Gov't on threatened farmers' mobilisations

"Our respect for farmers has been proven in practice through a number of government-sponsored actions, as such, they should now respect the free movement of people and goods throughout the country," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos told reporters during his regular press briefing.

He made the statement in reference to a farmers' protest at the Tempi valley bottleneck of north-central Greece, while citing a relative announcement made by Rural Development and Foodstuffs Minister Evangelos Bassiakos.

Earlier on Tuesday, protesting farmers attempted to drive tractors toward a toll station at the Tempi site but they were blocked by riot police after a prosecutor on the scene threaten to file charges of obstruction of traffic.

Farmers are demanding reduced production costs, higher VAT returns and the creation of a farmers' registry.

[21] OPE signs cooperation memorandum with exporters' association

As stated in an announcement, the agreement is part of OPE's strategy for cooperation with agencies for the country's extroversion, aimed at the avoidance of overlapping, the securing of cooperation and the complementariness of actions, in order for there to be a coordinated presence of Greece abroad, as has been decided by the Economy and Finance Ministry and the National Exports Council.

[22] S&P affirms Greek credit rating, says outlook stable

"These modest improvements in public finances have come about notwithstanding the fact that the Greek economy no-minally expanded at an annual average of 8.0 pct since 2000, with average real growth of more than 4.0 pct per year, double the rate of growth in the Eurozone," it noted. The report added that the pace of reforms has been slow despite the government's comfortable majority, while official forecasts were based on optimistic growth assumptions. "A failure of the general government debt ratio to decline gradually from current levels over the medium term would bring the ratings on the Republic under renewed downward pressure," Cullinan said. He stressed, however, that the ratings could be raised if structural budgetary improvements were to lead to a clearly discernible trend towards general government balance or to a surplus by the end of the decade and if the public debt rate were to decrease over the medium term, in accordance with the government's own projections, as included in the Greek Stability and Growth Programme.

[23] Greek business delegation to visit Istanbul

The mission's objective will be to exploit mutually beneficial business opportunities presented in the Turkish market, particularly in exports and partnerships.

The members of the Greek business delegation will have prescheduled meetings with representatives of Turkish firms, examine cooperation potential and be briefed on competition and market issues.

[24] Italian Deputy FM Craxi, Milan mayor promote city's Expo 2015 bid

The Italian delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Under-secretary Vittorio Craxi and Milan Mayor Letizia Mora-tti, the country's former education minister .

Additionally, the two sides also discussed the ambitious Greece-Italy undersea natural gas pipeline project.

[25] Greek budget revenues up 5.7% in Feb.

The ministry said value added tax revenues jumped 13.1 percent in February, while tax agency revenues jumped 18.4 pct and customs revenues rose by 5.5 pct. Total revenues from tax agencies and customs rose 13.5 pct in February, while other categories of revenues recorded a 36.8-pct decline in the month.

[26] OTOE meeting with Geniki Bank managing director

An OTOE announcement gave particular emphasis for the need of safeguarding the jobs of all the personnel, in view of the bank's restructuring.

According to the announcement, Tournebize said that they have not yet reached specific decisions and thus, the issue remains open.

On its part, OTOE categorically stressed that it will safeguard employment and will not permit disruption of labor relations.

OTOE is conducting a series of meetings with heads of banks in Greece, in view of the mobility observed of recent in the banking sector.

[27] International Fur Fair opens in Kastoria

A total of 43 percent of fur and leather exports are destined for Russia, where the association is expected to open a new office soon, while the United Arab Emirates absorb 48.2 percent of the Kastoria exports. Participating in this year's exhibition are 120 exhibitors, 20 percent of which are foreign participations (Italy, Russia, Poland, Canada, Dubai, Finland, Denmark).

Presentation of Milan's EXPO 2015 candidacy at Italian Cultural Institute

Milan's candidacy to host the EXPO 2015 international exhibition was presented at the Italian Cultural Institute on Tuesday afternoon by Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Vittorio Craxi, Milan's Mayor Letizia Moratti and Italian Ambassador to Athens Gianpaolo Scharante.

Speakers pointed out that the Italian government is not merely considering EXPO 2015 as a trade exhibition, but as a challenge for activation, in cooperation with the UN, on such issues as poverty and malnutrition with the aim of combatting them.

Craxi said that "EXPO 2015 is a real opportunity for develop-ment in a wider framework, that of globalisation, that does not only have economic characteristics," adding that Italy and Greece have a considerable role in the European Union and the Mediterranean.

[28] BIC company carrying out annual investments of over 20 million euros in Greece

BIC is ready in Greece to implement the decision of the European Commission which anticipates that as of March 11, 2008, all lighters that will be sold to consumers must have a resistance mechanism in their use for children. A resistance lighter in its use by children is a lighter that cannot be used at least by 85 percent of children aged less than 51 months.

According to the European Commission's decision, the stock of lighters without the resistance mechanism that is already in the market as of March 11, 2007, can be sold up to March 11, 2008.

[29] Fashion Box reports improved 2006 results

Gross earnings totaled 10.5 million euros in 2006, from 7.8 million in 2005, an increase of 35.1 pct, while EBITDA jumped 54.6 percent to 1.6 million euros. Pre-tax and interest earnings soared 69.2 percent to 1.9 million euros, while pre-tax profits jumped to 1.567 million euros in 2006 from 936,000 in 2005.

Fashion Box said it planned to pay out a 0.04-euros per share dividend to shareholders.

[30] Piraeus Bank sells stake in Bank of Cyprus to MPB

The two banks also announced they would jointly examine the transfer of Marfin Popular Bank's retail network in the UK to Piraeus Bank.

The two banks, which embroiled in a disputed takeover battle between them said they would re-establish friendly business relations. Commenting on the deal, G. Provopoulos, Piraeus Bank's vice-chairman, said the sale of its equity stake in Bank of Cyprus maximized benefits for the bank's shareholders, while it also freed more than 500 million euros to fund its banking activities.

[31] DETROP international food exhibition opens in Thessaloniki on March 9-12

Original sweet products based on the olive win ground in Greece and abroad. Olive preserves, olive jam with lemon, sweet-hot tapenade (rich olive spread), olive paste are only a few such examples that have reached foreign markets in the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and Germany.

Olive preserves and jam have become very popular while baklava filled with olive jam and halva with olive filling are still in an experimental stage.

[32] Olive oil testers' seminar

The seminar, held over the weekend, was the second of five seminars included in the three-year programme of activities for the period between April 2006 and March 2009 co-financed by Greece and the EU within the framework of Community Regulation 2080/05.

The olive oil testers training seminar was attended a total of 16 people representing mainly olive oil standardization companies.

[33] Sarantis Group reports improved 2006 results

Pre-tax profits totaled 29.65 million euros in 2006, up 17.28 percent from 2005, while after-tax and minorities earnings rose 17.28 pct to 22.67 million euros.

[34] Building activity down 19.3 pct in 2006

The service, in a report, said total building activity fell by 57.5 pct in December 2006 (in permits) and by 70.3 pct (in volume) compared with the same month in 2005. The Central Macedonia (64 pct), Western Macedonia, Thessaly (57 pct) and Central Greece (59.2 pct) regions recorded the biggest percentage declines in the country.

[35] Greek stocks rebound strongly, end 1.42% up

All sector indices moved higher with the exception of Utilities and Telecommunications which fell by 0.58 pct and 0.19 pct, respectively. The Insurance (4.20 pct), Raw Materials (3.61 pct) and Technology (2.76 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The Big Cap index rose 1.58 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 2.17 pct higher and the Small Cap index jumped 2.34 pct.

Allatini Ceramics (17.50 pct), Eurobrokers (14.12 pct) and Klonatex (11.43 pct) were top gainers, while United Textiles (9.38 pct), AEGEK (8.62 pct) and Viosol (5.56 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 243 to 40 with another 25 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +4.20%

Industrials: +1.98%

Commercial: +0.60%

Construction: +0.61%

Media: +1.86%

Oil & Gas: +0.13%

Personal & Household: +1.66%

Raw Materials: +3.61%

Travel & Leisure: +0.87%

Technology: +2.76%

Telecoms: -0.19%

Banks: +2.41%

Food & Beverages: +1.97%

Health: +0.57%

Utilities: -0.58%

Chemicals: +2.27%

Financial Services: +2.18%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Bank of Cyprus, National Bank, Alpha Bank and Marfin Popular Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 21.72

ATEbank: 3.86

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.86

HBC Coca Cola: 30.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.90

Emporiki Bank: 21.08

National Bank of Greece: 38.72

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 27.50

Intralot: 23.24

Cosmote: 21.02

OPAP: 26.48

OTE: 20.44

Titan Cement Company: 41.72

ADEX closing report

Futures contract prices maintained their discount in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday, while turnover eased slightly to 225.084 million euros.

Volume in the March contract on the FTSE 20 index totaled 12,865 contracts worth 151.806 million euros, with 26,274 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 576 contracts worth 15.409 million euros, with 1,183 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,802 contracts worth 15.138 million euros with investment interest focusing on PPC's contracts (2,333), followed by OTE (444), Piraeus Bank (423), National Bank (1,410), Alpha Bank (942), Intracom (785), ATEbank (1,348), Mytilineos (1,075) and Motor Oil (897).

Volume in stock repos totaled 1,318 contracts and in reverse stock repos 2,855 contracts.

[36] Greek bond returns rebound in February

The 10-year benchmark bond recorded the biggest monthly decline (16 basis points) to 4.20 pct from 4.36 pct in January, while the three-year bond yield fell by 11 bps to 3.96 pct in February from 4.06 pct a month earlier. The yield of the new 30-year bond fell by 11 bps to 4.46 pct in February from 4.58 pct in its first day of trading in the market (February 1). The average monthly yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds shrank to 25 bps in February from 26 bps in the last three months.

Benchmark bond prices rose by 28 to 195 bps in February, with the new 30-year bond recording the biggest increase to 102.25 in February 28 from 100.31 in February 1. The three-year bond price also rose to 98.77 from 98.49 and the 10-year benchmark bond rose to 100.73 from 99.45 over the same period, respectively.

Turnover in the Greek bond market totaled 45.29 billion euros in February, from 64.31 billion in January and 64.91 billion euros in February 2006. Average daily turnover was 2.38 billion euros in February from 2.92 billion in January.

Investors' interest focused on state securities with a maturity of seven to 15 years, which accounted for 64 pct of total turnover. The 10-year benchmark bond was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 16.4 billion euros.

[37] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 977 million euros, while the yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds fell to 0.226 percent with the Greek bond yielding 4.16 pct and the German Bund 3.94 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 3.57 pct, the two-day rate was 3.57 pct, the one-month rate rose to 3.79 pct from 3.78 pct on Monday and the 12-month rate jumped to 4.03 pct from 3.98 pct.

[38] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.320

Pound sterling 0.685

Danish kroner 7.507

Swedish kroner 9.352

Japanese yen 153.91

Swiss franc 1.616

Norwegian kroner 8.226

Cyprus pound 0.584

Canadian dollar 1.555

Australian dollar 1.708

General News

[39] President Papoulias arrives in Rhodes for Dodecanese anniversary events

Papoulias is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis. The president was received by Aegean and Island Policy Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis and local officials.

On Tuesday evening, Papoulias was due to attend a dinner hosted in his honour by Rhodes Mayor Ch. Hatziefthymiou.

At Wednesday's events, the ruling New Democracy (ND) will be represented by party Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis and the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) by former minister Costas Skandalidis.

[40] Artifacts returned by Getty Museum due in Athens on March 23

They are a 4th century B.C. gold funerary wreath from the northern Greek province of Macedonia and a archaic-era statue of a young woman or 'kore' made of Parian marble. The agreement for their return had been announced a few months ago.

Voulgarakis said the two items will be on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens from March 28, at which time there will be an official ceremony for their handover and installation.

[41] Ecumenical Patriarch to be given award in Vienna on March 13

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will be given the International Cardinal Koening 2007 Award, as unanimously agreed in Vienna by the committee of the foundation "Com-munio et Progressio", that gives the award bearing the name of the late Roman Catholic Archbishop for many decades and Cardinal of Austria Franz Koening.

The award will be given to the Primate of Orthodoxy during a ceremony to be held at the Saint Stephen Church in Vienna on March 13, in the presence of all the Catholic bishops of Austria and the heads of the other Churches. The decision taken by the foundation underlines the personality of the Ecumenical Patriarch who, in an impressive way, has given a considerable impetus to the Ecumenical Dialogue of Christian Churches and to religious peace in ever-widening Europe, while assuming initiatives to maintain Creation.

The decision also points out that the indefatigable struggles of Vartholomeos for reconciliation, justice and peace among Christianity are being honored with the Cardinal Koening Award, as well as his relations with other global religions.

Patriarch Vartholomeos arrives here on Monday and will hold meetings with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Vice-Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer while on a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday with Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik The Ecumenical Patriarch had made a seven-day official visit to Austria in June 2004, which was the first visit to this country in history by a Primate of Orthodoxy, during which the Austrian state, religious and spiritual leadership had honored him with a series of events.

In statements to the ANA-MPA here on Tuesday, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe Michael underlined the "particular ecclesiastical and inter-Christian importance of the Koening Award which is given to personalities who dedicate their lives to peace and understanding between people of deifferent dogmas, religions and nationalities."

[42] Greeks ready to embrace renewable energy, Greenpeace says

In a document of 'first principles' issued jointly with the Hellenic Wind Energy Association, the environmental group stressed the need for a ground-breaking 'Special Land Planning Framework' to help achieve these goals.

According to a Eurobarometer survey conducted in the EU, 95 pct of Greeks are worried about climate change, 85 pct are aware of the negative repercussions of burning fossil fuels and 90 pct support further development of alternative energy sources.

"Greek society has proved itself ready and prepared to overcome the inflexibilities of the past, which kept renewable energy sources to the sidelines. It is time for the government to guarantee the necessary steps for the production of green energy," HWEA President Yiannis Tsipouridis said.

The head of the local Greenpeace campaign for energy and climate change, Dimitris Ibrahim, stressed that renewable energy sources and energy conservation were the only viable solution.

"Climate change is here. There is not a moment to lose," he underlined.

The points raised in the joint document pivot around the creation of a 'Special Land Planning Framework', which the two groups stress must be ultimately geared toward tackling climate change.

They underline that this framework must be clear and simple, so that it is not open to special interpretations that open the way to untransparency and corruption, and that its top priority must be to achieve the targets Greece has undertaken to meet on a European and global level for fighting global warming. To this end, installation of renewable energy sources must be considered an environmental project and be treated as such by legislative and executive powers, the document adds.

[43] Genders SG on World Day for the Rights of Women

She noted that "over the past few years substantial steps have been made for the situation of women in Greece."

She added that "the employment of women has improved, unemployment has been reduced and the principle of equality in the educational procedure is being strengthened."

[44] Illegal immigrants arrested at Evros border region

All the illegal immigrants entered Greece from Turkey through Evros River and were due to head for Athens where they were to pay the traffickers the total sum of 30,000 euros.

The border guards from the Feres Border Protection Depart-ment are still trying to track down another trafficker and four illegal immigrants who managed to escape.

A total of 15 traffickers and 41 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the region of Thrace in the past three days.

[45] Seven illegal immigrants intercepted on Samos

After a precautionary medical inspection, they were transferred to the island's illegal immigrant reception centre.

Also on Tuesday, three Turkish immigrant smugglers that were arrested last Thursday and Friday while letting 40 illegal immigrants off on the island's coast appeared before the examining magistrate to answer to criminal charges against them.

[46] Twenty seven drug-related arrests in Thessaloniki

In addition, police authorities confiscated 5 kilos and 837 grams of hashish, 593 narcotic pills, 6 precision scales and 14,043 euros of drug money.

[47] Weather forecast: Fair, slightly cloudy on Wednesday

[48] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Prime minister: Not one step back on the reforms, having society at the government's side on Education".

ANO KATO: "We have society at our side - Clear-cut message by Karamanlis on the framework-law (on higher education)".

APOGEVMATINI: "Society with us on Education (reforms issue) - Karamanlis: The government has the backing of the public opinion in its reform effort".

AVGHI: "Parliament's experts' council on the Yiannakou (education minister) draft framework-law: Sections on asylum, funding unconstitutional".

AVRIANI: "Karamanlis (will go) to (President of the Republic) Papoulias immediately after the constitutional revision for elections - Early recourse to the popular verdict (general elections) a 'referendum' on the reforms".

CHORA: "The increase in interest rates a new 'bomb' on housing loans - More than 150,000 borrowers find themselves entrapped".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "The premier took the 'law' (framework-law on higher education) into his own hands - 'I have society on my side and I will not back down...The reforms in Education will be passed,' Karamanlis stated".

ELEFTHEROS: "Karamanlis' counter-attack - Dynamic reply to (main opposition PASOK leader) Papandreou on the unproven charges against the government".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Students, professors through the sieve - The strict evaluation commencing in the AEI-TEI".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Law and asylum in the docks - Education: The clash reaches the extremes, the government unyielding".

ESTIA: "The foundation of Estia by Drossinis - Today, Estia enters its 114th year".

ETHNOS: "They emptied the Fund...in 2 hours - How the scam with the civil servants' bonds was set up".

KATHIMERINI: "Next step the evaluation at the AEI-TEI - Government determined to implement the Yiannakou law".

LOGOS: "Academics unrelenting - Government refused meeting with POSDEP (Pan-Hellenic Federation of University Teachers' Associations )".

NIKI: "ND (ruling New Democracy party) mega scandal with the reserves - PASOK charges over the civil servants' auxiliary Fund".

RIZOSPASTIS: "PASOK leader's address: Pseudo-opposition to ND's anti-popular policy".

TA NEA: "Mammoth commission of 5 million euros in one day - Storm over the Funds' money".

TO VIMA: "The Funds scandal".

VRADYNI: "George Alogoskoufis (national economy and finance minister) from Thessaloniki: New salary scale in public sector as of 2008".

Cyprus Affairs

[49] Cyprus FM Lillikas meets EU's Rehn

Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas on Tuesday made it clear to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that the opening of ports and airports in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus cannot be accepted by the Cypriot government because such thing would on the one hand lead to the dismemberment of the country and on the other hand it deviates from the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of 26 April 2004.

The position was outlined in a meeting between Lillikas and Rehn in Brussels where the issue of trade with the Turkish Cypriots and the EU as well as the financial aid regulation were examined.

Lillikas told Rehn that the government of the Republic of Cyprus supports any proposal or idea which would help the development of Turkish Cypriots, on the condition that it would lead to the economic integration of the island and would ease cooperation between the two communities and reunification.

Based on this position, the Cypriot foreign minister said, the government will be ready to cooperate on the regulation. Anything that concerns the opening of ports and airports cannot be accepted because it deviates from the framework of this policy and the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of the 26th April 2004 which made no reference to trade with the north.

Lillikas also told Rehn that the Cypriot government is working on other proposals and will inform the Presidency and the Commission accordingly, soon. He said that if there is willingness to cooperate, then there might possibly be positive development and progress.

On his part, Rehn said that commitments were undertaken and decisions must be taken the soonest, while he asked the help of the government of the Republic of Cyprus for an agreement to be achieved.

Regarding the financial aid regulation, the Cypriot minister said there was an exchange of views regarding the procedure to implement it while the Cyprus government submitted specific proposals for better coordination and smoother implementation.

Lillikas also said that on Friday he will meet his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the sidelines of the informal EU summit.

Meanwhile, European Commission's Spokeswoman for Enlargement Krisztina Nagy said that during the meeting with Lillikas, Rehn said that the EU should maintain its commitment and adopt the regulation for trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

According to Nagy, Rehn told Lillikas that he considers insulting references in the Cypriot press over his positions on the issue of trade. Rehn reportedly told Lillikas that these references are wrong and contrary to the philosophy of the Commission which he faithfully adheres to.

According to reports, Lillikas said that the media in Cyprus are merely exercising their duties and are free to express their opinions.

On the substance of the issue, Rehn welcomed the unanimous decision of the January Council of Ministers to recommence work for the regulation on trade as soon as possible.

Nagy said that the German presidency of the EU informed member states last week on the issue and hopes that discussions will begin the soonest so that there is progress during the German presidency.

According to the conclusions of 26th April 2004 there should be trade with the areas of the Republic of Cyprus on which the government does not exercise effective control.

Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

[50] Missing persons' relatives say CMP must look into 5-year-old's disappearance

General Secretary of the Pancyprian Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners Nicos Sergides said on Tuesday that the issue of a Greek Cypriot boy missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island ''will have to be looked into without further delay by the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP).''

Sergides told CNA that ''the CMP has been informed and has obtained all the data and is expected to examine it this week.''

Christakis Georgiou was five years old when he went missing in 1974. Information obtained says the boy was injured and sent to Turkey for medical attention.

''We will wait for the results of the efforts within the CMP and especially we will wait to see what the reaction of the Turkish side will be in the CMP,'' Sergides said.

He noted that ''if it appears that they are ready to cooperate sincerely, which we hope, then we shall see what the results will be.''

Sergides pointed out that Turkish press reports showed that ''Turkey's stance continues to be negative,'' adding that ''some press reports show a negative attitude but we want to see their official stand.''

He said some press reports were trying to dismiss the fact that the child was sent to Turkey. ''We expected that after so many years they would have shown a humanitarian attitude and say they would look into it and help in the investigations,'' Sergides added.

Sergides furthermore said that he has information, according to which the boy was handed over by his mother on 17 August 1974 to the Turkish army for medical care and sent along with his mother to a makeshift military hospital in Dikomo, from where the traces of the child are lost.

Following the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, 1493 Greek Cypriots were officially reported as missing to the CMP but following a number of identifications in the past several years that number stood at 1468 in November last year.

The Turkish Cypriot community has declared 502 persons as missing.

[51] US Ambassador calls for implementation of July 8th agreement

US Ambassador to Nicosia Ronald Schlicher expressed the strong will of the US administration that both communities in Cyprus work together with UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller to reach progress for the implementation of the July 8th, 2006 agreement that would prepare the ground for substantive Cyprus talks.

In statements after a meeting with President of the Social Democrats Movement EDEK Yiannakis Omirou, Schlicher said that "the way ahead regarding the Cyprus problem is within the power of both communities and Mr. Moller to deliver and I think it is essential that we have the start of that process (July 8th agreement) as quickly as possible for all sorts of reasons".

"Cyprus and the international community need progress to be made on that track which again is going to lead to the reunification of the island", he noted.

The US Ambassador added that his meeting with Omirou was the latest of a series of meetings he held with the Cypriot party leaders.

Referring to the July 8th agreement, Schlicher said that the process must continue so that progress is achieved.

"I have stressed in my meetings with other party leaders and with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community the strong desire of my government that the communities work with Mr. Moller to produce as quickly as possible progress on the technical committees and in the working groups", he said.

The US diplomat added that "that progress is going to lead us back to a substantive negotiation which aims, as all of our policies aim, at the reunification of the island".

Asked which is the main obstacle for the process to begin, he said that "I think that it would be Moller's job to make assessments along those lines but let me say that I think that both communities have it within their power to work with Moller to find a way ahead and to start".

Invited to say whether the US are willing to make any steps towards the two sides to move forward with the July agreement, he pointed out that the "role and the policy of my government and the policy in fact of the Cypriot government, the policy of the Turkish Cypriots as well is that the UN is the track for political negotiations on the Cyprus problem, which is all the more essential that we get that UN track started".

During the meeting, Schlicher and Omirou also discussed the European Commission's regulation for trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

In his statements, Omirou referred to the EU regulation, saying that the government of Cyprus is willing to support the Turkish Cypriots, but noted that this cannot be achieved by violating the sovereignty of the Cypriot state or by upgrading the illegal puppet state in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

On July 8th 2006, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in the presence of senior UN official Imbrahim Gambari and agreed to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and those that concern substantive issues.

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