Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM, UN chief discuss Cyprus, FYROM, Kosovo; Ban Ki-moon accepts invitation to visit Greece

[02] Greek-U.S. FMs to discuss bilateral relations, State Department spokesman says

[03] Kosovo dominates SI delegation's talks in Belgrade

[04] PASOK leader stresses need for stability in region of Kosovo

[05] Souflias briefs Parliament Committee on climate change policy

[06] Souflias plays down prospect of water shortages in Athens

[07] Parliament majority passes, in principle, 2007 incomes policy

[08] Government stresses funds' independence as justice probes TEADY scandal

[09] Testimony in TEADY investigation

[10] PASOK requests briefing of Parliamentary Economic Affairs Committee on social insurance funds

[11] Defence Council ratifies new revised national defence planning

[12] President Papoulias receives delegation from Cyprus Parliament

[13] Parliament president to visit Rome

[14] New court to focus on Community trademark, intellectual property cases

[15] Greek ambassador to US honored by American Hellenic Council of California

[16] Petralia: Greece targeting the Russian tourist market

[17] Tourism development minister meets Moscow Patriarch Alexiy

[18] Commission takes legal action over public procurements law

[19] Greece, Morocco agree to forge closer business relations

[20] Greece, South Korea expand cooperation in IT and communications

[21] FinMin receives Skaramanga head Kuhlmann; meets with Kaklamanis

[22] Parliamentary Economic Committee ratifies Ionian Motorway contract

[23] Development minister concludes visit to Albania

[24] Piraeus Bank completes sales of 750-mln-euro bond loan

[25] National Bank completes acquisition of P&K Securities

[26] Korres SA announces IPO to raise 12 million euros

[27] Greek current accounts deficit up 26 pct in January, yr/yr

[28] Intrakat signs 4.1-mln-euro project with Halyps Cement

[29] Greek stocks end 0.60 pct higher

[30] ADEX closing report

[31] Greek bond market closing report

[32] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[33] Bad weather hampers domestic airline flights

[34] US Marshall Plan remembered in Athens as foundation of Greece's post-WWII recovery

[35] Protest ahead of ministers' visit to correctional facility

[36] Information on missing minors in public order ministry's website

[37] Switch to Summer Time on March 25

[38] Storms, gale force winds on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[40] Cyprus president hopes T/C leader will assume 'wise position'

[41] Spokesman: serious complication, no stalemate in the July 8 process

[42] Britain hopes for improvement of relations with Cyprus Politics

[01] FM, UN chief discuss Cyprus, FYROM, Kosovo; Ban Ki-moon accepts invitation to visit Greece

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday accepted an invitation by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to visit Greece, conveyed by visiting Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at a working dinner on Tuesday evening, where they discussed the Cyprus issue, the FYROM 'name issue' and Kosovo.

Bakoyannis, who is due in Washington on Thursday for talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other Bush administration and Congressional officials, described her discussion with Ban and other high-ranking UN officials as "excellent" and "useful". The dinner was held at the Manhattan residence of Greece's permanent representative to the United Nations, Amb. Adamantios Vassilakis.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ban said discussions focused on the Cyprus issue, FYROM and Kosovo, but also covered other topics. Asked if he was satisfied with what he had heard, he replied "yes".

Bakoyannis, in turn, said talks had been a "first, interesting and particularly useful discussion on regional issues, UN affairs and reforms, and naturally, with the primary weight on matters of Greek interest, such as the Cyprus issue and FYROM".

"I believe it was an exceptionally useful, constructive discussion, where we were given the opportunity to present, in their entirety, Athens' positions," Bakoyannis said.

Asked whether she had been given the impression that the UN secretary general was preparing a new initiative on the FYROM 'name issue', Bakoyannis replied:

"At this time, no. He did not give me the impression that a new initiative on the Skopje issue is being prepared. The discussion was very broad and we had the opportunity to brief the Secretary General and his staff let me just remind you that this was the first discussion we have had -- he was briefed on our positions and on Greece's proposals".

On Cyprus, Bakoyannis said that an agreement of July 8, which she described as "very important", must be implemented.

She also said Lebanon was discussed, where the two sides consider that "things are going better", while Bakoyannis added that "the Siniora government must be backed".

Regarding Kosovo, Bakoyannis said time existed for further negotiations and for discussion on the future status of the UN-administered province after the formation of a new Serbian government.

Taking part in the talks, on the Greek side, were Bakoyannis, Vassilakis, Amb. Constantine Halastanis and foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos, among others. Besides UN Secretary General Ban, his chief of staff Vijay Nambiar, the under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno, undersecretary-general for political affairs B. Lynn Pascoe and the secretary general's special adviser Ibrahim Gambari participated in the discussions.

Moreover, Bakoyannis handed Ban an invitation by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to visit Greece, with Ban replying "I will definitely come".

The UN chief is also due to attend a symposium being organised by Greece at the UN headquarters o April 30 on the theme: "The imposition of sanctions". The one-day event will be addressed by diplomats and academics.

The foreign minister leaves on Wednesday for Washington, where on Thursday she will hold talks with Rice.

She will also have meetings on Thursday with US Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), after which she will attend a lunch in her honour hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California).

While in Washington, Bakoyannis will also hold meetings with US National Security Advisor Steven Hadley and the US president's Assistant for Homeland Security director Frances Fragos Townsend, where talks are expected to include Greece's standing request for inclusion in the US visa waiver programme.

On the following day (Friday, March 23), Bakoyannis will take part in a special event at the White House marking Greek Independence Day, during which US President George W. Bush will proclaim March 25, 2007 as "Greek Independence Day: National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy".

[02] Greek-U.S. FMs to discuss bilateral relations, State Department spokesman says

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, speaking during a regular press briefing on Wednesday, said that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis will be discussing bilateral relations between the United States and Greece which have a deep and rich history.

"They will also be discussing issues concerning NATO. I am certain that they will talk about Kosovo. I would also expect them to talk about Afghanistan. Probably about the Middle East as well. I am aware that the (Greek) foreign minister is interested in Middle East issues," he said.

The American official completed his reply by saying that energy issues will probably be discussed as well, terming the transportation of energy "an issue of mutual concern for the U.S. and Greece," while underlining the importance of Europe securing different energy source suppliers.

[03] Kosovo dominates SI delegation's talks in Belgrade

The Kosovo issue dominated talks held by Socialist International (SI) president and leader of Greece's main opposition PASOK party George Papandreou in the Serb capital on Wednesday. Papandreou arrived in Belgrade at the head of an SI delegation that included Bulgarian prime minister Sergei Stanishev, Romanian Social Democratic Party leader Mircea Geoana and SI secretary general Louis Ayala.

In the meeting with the SI delegation, Serb President Boris Tadic reiterated that Serbia will not budge from a position of never accepting an independent Kosovo, leaving no room for concessions on this issue.

Serbia's sovereignty will be defended through diplomatic means and not with war, stated the Serb President, voicing the wish that the UN will not violate Resolution 1244 which was passed in 1999.

In a press conference after the meeting, PASOK's President said the SI acknowledged that Serbia was in a difficult position and that the visit's objective was to declare that "our region needs unity, to have its voice heard and that the region belongs to Europe and that we want Serbia to soon become a part of the EU," stated Papandreou.

"We are here in an effort to upgrade the EU role in the issue of Kosovo. The United States have a say, and so does Russia, whereas the EU is absent", he stressed, adding that Greece could also have a voice, playing the role it deserves.

Referring to the Kosovo issue, he supported a compromise solution serving the region's stability.

The Kosovo issue also dominated a meeting between the delegation and Serb Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who backed the continuation of negotiations and stated that Serbia counts on Russia's help to stop the Ahtisaari plan, leading to Kosovo's independence, from being ratified by the UN Security Council.

Domestic political developments and the efforts toward forming a government were also discussed in the meetings with Tadic and Kostunica.

President Tadic stated that the political situation in Serbia is greatly dependent on developments in the issue of Kosovo and therefore the solution should be the product of compromise. He also stated that the talks aimed at forming a government are on the right path and expressed the belief that they will give results soon.

The SI delegation departs for Pristina on Wednesday afternoon for talks with Albanian leadership and representatives of the Serb community.

[04] PASOK leader stresses need for stability in region of Kosovo

Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou stressed the need for stability in the region of Kosovo and respect for human rights in talks he held in Pristina on Wednesday afternoon, heading a Socialist International (SI) delegation.

Papandreou was accompanied on his tour of Belgrade and Pristina by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Romanian Socialdemocrat party leader Mircea Geoana and Socialist International Secretary General Louis Ayala.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Agim Ceku expressed the hope that the UN Security Council will soon be ratifying the independence of Kosovo with a new resolution that will be abolishing that of 1999.

Speaking after his talks with the prime minister of Kosovo and Democratic Party President Hashim Thaci, Papandreou said that "whatever the final result may be with the UN Security Council's decision, all must think of the day after. Because the day after will concern all of us, it will concern stability, peace and the prospect of economic growth."

Papandreou added that it will be "a decision that must guarantee human rights, the rights of all sides, religious rights and open wide the path for a course towards the European Union. A course that will ultimately guarantee principles and values that permit us to cooperate to enable stability and democracy to exist in the region."

The Socialist International's delegation met late in the afternoon with representatives of the Serb community in Kosovo, assuring them that the European Socialists are not indifferent observers as regards respect for human rights in Kosovo.

The representatives of the Serbs expressed concern oveer the possibility of independence for Kosovo, warning that this might lead to a new mass exodus of the Serb population.

[05] Souflias briefs Parliament Committee on climate change policy

"The issue of climate change due to the greenhouse phenomenon is, undoubtedly, the most important environmental problem that occupies the global community at this time. It is a problem that is extremely complex, the handling of which demands undertaking initiatives on a global as much as a national level," the minister said.

"Greece, according to a decision of the European Commission, is required to limit the increase in greenhouse gas emissions to 25 pct relative to levels in 1990 for certain emissions and 1995 for others in the period 2008-2012. This is our national target," Souflias added.

The minister also contradicted the media's general assessment that the country's environmental record had come under fire from EU Commissioner for the environment Stavros Dimas during his recent address to Parliament.

"In his statements in Parliament, Mr. Dimas of course said that our country is moving in the right direction, under the limit of +25 percent set by the European Commission," Souflias told MPs.

Speaking at the end of February, Dimas had noted that carbon dioxide emissions in Greece had already increased by 26 percent relative to levels in 1990, while warning that "if we do not take immediate and strict measures we will reach 40 percent."

At another point, he disagreed with the creation of separate environment ministry, independent of public works:

"There will never be a powerful environment minister because he will not have executive powers. As things are today, if there were two separate ministries in Greece, which is in the phase of development, many projects would simply fail to go ahead," he said.

Souflias then went on to list a series of measures initiated by the ministry in nine areas to help meet Kyoto Protocol targets, while noting that the evaluation of Greece's national programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions had highlighted a number of priorities for achieving targets.

According to the minister, these were: greater penetration of natural gas as a fuel source, substantial promotion of renewable energy sources, promoting the use of public transport such as the metro, measures targeting households and the service sector, promoting organic agriculture and promoting use of bio-fuels and biomass.

Other new measures proposed by the ministry include renewing the country's fleet of taxis, promoting cargo transport by rail, systems to manage animal wastes and forestation of agricultural lands.

The measures already underway listed by Souflias included:

A revision of the National Programme for Climate Change, with the addition of measures necessary for meeting the country's targets, including use of the emissions trading scheme. Souflias said the government would be in a position to recommend final proposals for ratification sometime next month;

The first National Plan for Allocation of Emissions for 2005-2007, which calls for 2.1 pct reduction in greenhouse gases and has already been approved by the European Commission and the stricter 2nd Emissions Allocation Plan for 2008-2012 that has also been submitted to the Commission and calls for an 8.9 pct reduction in emissions by 150 industries that contribute 54 pct of total emissions.

Noting that the EU was demanding further reductions of emissions to be allocated from these industries, the minister said Greece had replied and was now waiting for the Commission's response;

Drawing up a Special Land Planning Framework for renewable energy sources that had now been unveiled for consultation, which the government hoped would speed up an increase in the production of "green" energy from 11 percent at present to 20 percent before 2020;

The issue of decisions approving environmental conditions that require the most polluting industries to adopt 'optimal available techniques' for energy conservation and reducing pollutants by October 2007;

The creation of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rights Register as a basic tool for restricting greenhouse gases;

The incorporation in 2005 into national law of EU directives for the maximum national levels for certain atmospheric pollutants for large incineration facilities;

And drawing up plans to deal with air pollution in large urban centres and for stricter environmental inspections of industrial plants, with higher fines for offenders, while increasing the number of environmental inspectors from 18 to 45, and 66 in the next stage.

The above measures show that Greece is implementing a comprehensive and very specific policy that seeks to fully meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments, Souflias told MPs.

"This is the reality and we obviously still have a lot of work to do. But we are and will remain true to our commitment to dealing with the major problem of greenhouse gas emissions," he concluded.

[06] Souflias plays down prospect of water shortages in Athens

"There will no problem with the water supply in Athens due to the lack of rain, even if it does not rain at all. Lack of rain is one thing and drought is another. For the next three years there will not be any problem," Souflias said in Parliament.

He said any problems would be limited to the Greek islands, where they occurred every year and were dealt with by transporting water to those areas, Souflias said.

The minister was responding to criticism from main opposition PASOK MP Andreas Loverdos, who noted that the government had issued no guidance on water consumption despite the unusually low levels of rain.

Souflias did note some concern for farmers, especially in Thessaly, and said that they would have to be fully informed.

The minister was briefing Parliament's Standing Committee for Economic Affairs on environmental concerns, following a request made by PASOK.

[07] Parliament majority passes, in principle, 2007 incomes policy

Debate on specific draft bill articles took place on Wednesday.

Ruling New Democracy (ND) party rapporteur Athina Korka-Konsta stressed that pension funds' reserves suffered losses in the past as well, referring to the 1999 Athens Stock Exchange 'bubble', while reminded that a high-profile case is currently being tried in the courts. She added that over one million households suffered losses in the stock market during that same period, and in many cases borrowed money. "The difference between ND and PASOK is that the ND government recognises the need for transparency," she added.

Main opposition PASOK party rapporteur Dimitris Georgakopulos referred to clarifications made by Finance Minister Alogoskoufis and Deputy Minister Petros Doukas hours earlier, saying they offered nothing incriminating for PASOK governments.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) rapporteur Nikos Gatzis sharply criticised the government's fiscal policy, stressing that "wealth is funneled to specific hands."

He added that in 2004 profits for the 107 companies traded on the Athens bourse reached 70.5 billion euros, without however, generating increased investments, hirings and reduced unemployment. "In fact, we had 10,100 layoffs," he opined.

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) deputy Yiannis Dragasakis charged "that those who governed during the past 15 years should answer for their ineffective policies."

Former PASOK minister Gerassimos Arsenis stated that the deficit is being transferred from the public to the private sector in the form of borrowing, while warning of a "policy of sacrifices for working people that would in the end prove ineffective..."

[08] Government stresses funds' independence as justice probes TEADY scandal

Commenting on a media report that the majority of Greek social security funds had exceeded a 23 percent limit allowed for bonds in their investment portfolios, the spokesman stressed that "anyone who has violated the provisions in force will suffer the consequences."

Meanwhile, an appeals public prosecutor on Wednesday began investigating a suspect bond purchase by the Civil Servants' Auxiliary Pension Fund (TEADY), questioning TEADY's procurements director and the head of the civil servants' union Spyros Papaspyros.

A report that an independent authority for combating money laundering was also investigating investments by pension funds was not confirmed by Antonaros, however, who said that the government had no information concerning a probe by the specific authority.

Asked how the affair had impacted on the political climate, Antonaros accused main opposition PASOK of "consciously cultivating tension and polarity." The government, he added, was "calmly and with dedication taking specific steps to promote the commitments it has undertaken before the Greek people."

The spokesman was also asked to comment on the confusion that had arisen regarding the academic qualifications of TEADY's former board chairman Agapios Simeoforidis, who contradicted Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis' claim that he was an economics university graduate. The minister had cited the academic qualification as one of the criteria for appointing Simeoforidis to the post.

Antonaros backed the minister, noting that Simeoforidis was a graduate of one of Greece's military academies, which are considered on a par with universities, and was also a graduate of an Economics University.

The spokesman refused to comment on the dealings between the Acropolis brokerage, which was involved in the TEADY affair, and other pension funds, saying that these were the subject of an ongoing audit ordered by Tsitouridis, and declared himself ignorant of a statement made on the issue on Wednesday by the head of Greece's industrial union, Dimitris Daskalopoulos.

The president of the Association of Hellenic Industries stated on Wednesday that "where there are managerial responsibilities there are political responsibilites as well, at least in dealing with problems and in taking immediate action."

Daskalopoulos said that the Association has underlined that the management of funds' reserves and all social security funds in general was not only a basic obligation towards citizens but a precondition for the viability of the social insurance system as well.

"This problem undermines a dialogue over reforming the pension system and leaves the state vulnerable to the people that pay the money and to the people waiting to receive their pensions or healthcare services," he noted.

Antonaros also stuck by his statements on Tuesday regarding the reasons why a committee created to monitor fund assets had never been convened, in spite of reactions by the committee's chairman and deputy governor of the Bank of Greece, Panagiotis Thomopoulos. Antonaros had claimed that Thomopoulos never asked the committee to convene, while Thomopoulos countered by saying that its composing members had never been finalised by the state.

In a related development, Tsitouridis approached the Athens Stock Exchange Members Association on Wednesday and asked it to participate in a committee that will discuss how best to manage social insurance fund assets. Representatives of the association said the group's contribution will bring about a more useful result that was more in line with the situation in country's that were more advanced, providing investment tools to increase the transparency of the system and training for ministry staff and existing fund managements.

The minister briefed the association's representatives on the figures for the pension funds' fixed and liquid assets and presenting a website that will list these and any transactions that involve them.

[09] Testimony in TEADY investigation

He also pledged ADEDY's constant support in the judicial investigation so that full light might be shed on the case.

Papaspyros underlined the need to make good the losses incurred by the pension fund, noted that legal monitoring processes had been rendered inactive, the fact that the terms of the board's decision to buy the bond "under 100 points" had been ignored, as well as the fact that those responsible had then lied to the board on this issue.

According to ADEDY's president, the affair pointed to "a chain of actions that can only be explained as a pre-prepared plan for certain persons to obtain illegal gains".

[10] PASOK requests briefing of Parliamentary Economic Affairs Committee on social insurance funds

In a letter addressed to the Committee's president, Theodoros Skrekas, the deputies requested the information that includes major issues of control, transparency and supervision concerning the Capital Market Committee.

[11] Defence Council ratifies new revised national defence planning

It was also announced by the defence ministry that the Defence Council approved the ministry's five-year activities programme concerning the 2007-2011 period that includes activities of all kinds, whether or not they have a financial cost.

[12] President Papoulias receives delegation from Cyprus Parliament

"The Cyprus problem is a problem for all Greeks. Always, since the time when I was foreign minister and we were giving battles, I have watched it closely and I continue to watch it today," Papoulias said.

"Certain conquests have now been made. I believe that these will help us in the end to find a solution, which we all hope will be fair and stable," the president added.

According to Papoulias, he was aware of the latest efforts in this direction but also saw that Ankara - and not the Turkish-Cypriots - was "continuing to play a game of intransigency" that he said contained logical contradictions and was hard to understand.

"On the one hand, [Turkey] wants to be a candidate for accession to the EU while, on the other hand, it behaves in ways that cancel precisely those things it must observe in order to one day join the Community," the Greek president stressed.

He also noted that Turkey now faced "grave internal difficulties" and that Greece's leadership was following events in the neighbouring country very closely.

The Cypriot delegation is in Greece at the invitation of Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs.

[13] Parliament president to visit Rome

Benaki-Psarouda will address the Italian Senate on "the parliaments in the heart of the European construction".

The Parliament president and 1st Vice-President Sotiris Hatzigakis will also visit the Presidential Mansion where, they will attend the inauguration of the exhibition on the European Union's 50th anniversary.

[14] New court to focus on Community trademark, intellectual property cases

Speaking from Thessaloniki, Minister Anastasis Papaligouras made the announcement on the sidelines of a seminar entitled "Modern Problems and Positions in Intellectual Property, Competition and Protection Case Law."

Approval for the new court was given by the plenum of first instance court justices, who acted on a ministry recommendation -- part of intensified efforts of late to eradicate copyright and intellectual property infringement in the east Mediterranean nation.

[15] Greek ambassador to US honored by American Hellenic Council of California

Greece's ambassador to the United States, Alexandros Mallias, was honored here this week by the American Hellenic Council of California with its "Special Recognition Award".

Other distinctions went to honorary SAE president Andrew Athens, US Congressman Adam Schiff (R-Ca) and the board of directors of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center of Chicago.

On the occasion of the Greek envoy's visit to the West Coast, he also addressed two events at the UCLA School of Public Affairs & Policy, while also meeting with the leadership of the Getty Museum.

Mallias' speech at one of the events was entitled "Greece: The EU's Success Story", coming on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome.

Financial News

[16] Petralia: Greece targeting the Russian tourist market

Greece's goal is to attract greater numbers of Russian tourists, Greek Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia stated from the Russian capital on Wednesday, where she attended the inauguration of the Greek pavilion in the 14th Moscow International Travel and Tourist Exhibition, MITT.

Last year, the tourist flow from Russia to Greece rose 36 percent compared to 2005 (roughly 200,000 arrivals) with Greece being the 9th most popular destination for the Russian tourists and the 5th most popular Mediterranean destination, said Petralia.

The Greek consulate in Moscow has played a big role in the realization of this ambitious and feasible goal, particularly since last summer, by increasing the number of visas it can issue in a day to 1,800.

In addition, the visa issuance fee is down to 35 euros, compared to the 60-euro fee that is standard for non-EU countries. The tourism minister also announced that facilitations will be made for specific groups wishing to visit Greece, like university professors, athletes, journalists and businessmen.

New chartered flights to the island of Kos, southeastern Aegean and Western Peloponnese are being scheduled for this summer season to meet the increased Russian demand for different tourist destinations other than regions in northern Greece. In addition, 250 Russian tour operators will visit Greece next month to be introduced to popular Greek tourist destinations.

Petralia is also scheduled to meet with Patriarch Alexius II on Wednesday afternoon and later in the evening of the same day she will attend a Greek Embassy event marking the March 25 Greek Independence Day.

[17] Tourism development minister meets Moscow Patriarch Alexiy

"For us, the development of pilgrimage tourism is very important because there are many holy places in Greece which our people visit. But both clerics and the ordinary faithful from Greece come to us as well. For this reason, we shall develop tourism and pilgrimage trips and this will bring the two peoples even closer," the Patriarch said.

Petralia pointed out that her visit to Russia is aimed at developing even further tourist relations between the two countries.

"The pilgrimage tourism sector, which is the fastest developing tourism today, will be yet another bridge between the two peoples because the Greek people want to visit the religious shrines and the culture of Russia, just like Greece's Russian visitors, who are more and more every year, come and want to visit the shrines of Greece, Monasteries and Churches. It is this very strong relation of Orthodoxy that is uniting Greece and Russia," she said.

[18] Commission takes legal action over public procurements law

The EU Commission on Wednesday announced a handful of legal actions against Greece, with the most prominent being a reaction against a 2005 government decision excluding certain companies from public procurements, the so-called "primary shareholder law", which was mostly aimed a parties with controlling interests in the mass media sector.

"The Commission takes the view that, as presently worded, the decision in question introduces grounds for exclusion from public procurement in Greece, which are incompatible with the Community directives and that it makes the exercise of most of the fundamental freedoms more difficult or, at the very least, less attractive. The decision in question is therefore contrary to the Community law - both secondary law (the directives) and primary law (the EC Treaty) - applicable to public procurement," a Commission press release, available on its website (<http://www.europa.eu/press_room/index_en.htm>) , noted.

The next step will be legal action before the European Court of Justice concerning the compatibility of joint ministerial decision (No. 24014/2005).

According to the Commission, the "act provides that both participants and other so-called 'interconnected' persons operating in the media market must systematically submit to the Greek National Council for Radio and Television a series of 'extracts from the judicial record' as well as other certificates and statements, otherwise they will be disqualified."

Finally, the Commission noted that Athens' reply in January 2006 was not satisfactory.

In other decisions, the Commission said it would refer Greece to the European Court of Justice for failure to properly implement and enforce EU legislation on animal welfare in transport and during slaughter.

The decision to take this action against Greece follows persistent short-comings identified in the field of animal welfare over a number of years. The standard of animal welfare in Greece remains below par and the necessary legislation has not been adequately implemented. Therefore, the Commission has no alternative but to refer the case to the Court of Justice

Finally, the Commission also sent a reasoned opinion to Greece for its failure to comply with European rules on admission to the occupation of road haulage operator and passenger transport operator. This is the last step before possible referral to the Court of Justice. With the rapid growth of road transport, these rules are essential to the proper functioning of the internal market and the quality of professional transport as regards efficiency, road safety and compliance with social legislation.

According to the Commission, the examinations which candidates for admission to the occupation of road haulage operator have to take in Greece do not comply with the conditions set by Community legislation for ensuring a minimum level of professional qualification.

Commenting on the development, Tilemachos Hytiris, head of the Culture, Sports and Mass Media Department of the Parliamentary Council of the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) said that " for three years now, we have warned the government that it would continuously face the fiasco of the primary shareholder," adding that "the denigration is continuing and the government is responsible for this."

Responding to Hytiris, Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that "apparently, the PASOK representative forgets that N. 3021/2002 (Law of the PASOK government on the primary shareholder) has been referred with a judicial question of the Council of State to the European Court." Roussopoulos added:"The New Democracy's Law (N.3310/2005 as amended with N. 3414/2005 on the primary shareholder) has been unanimously decided by the Council of State, in accordance with the Constitution and with EU law. This law also had the consent of the European Commission."

[19] Greece, Morocco agree to forge closer business relations

The Association said the agreement inaugurated business partnership with a country with limited Greek business presence, both in trade and investments.

Dimitra Mitroyiannopoulou, vice-president of the Association of Hellenic Industries, said during the signing ceremony that a strong presence of Italian, Spanish and French companies in Morocco has discouraged Greek businesses from beginning activities in the country and stressed the lack of information over opportunities and the outlook of the Moroccan market.

The Association aims to cover this gap by identifying sectors with prospects for Greek investments or joint ventures with local enterprises, such as road and sea transport, renewable energy sources, IT, new technologies and export of selected farm produce.

The two associations agreed to offer specialised information to their members and to organise a seminar on the business and economic environment of the two countries. A delegation of Greek enterprises is expected to visit Morocco this year.

[20] Greece, South Korea expand cooperation in IT and communications

The memorandum was signed by the Greek Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis and the South Korean Information and Communications Deputy Minister Young-whan Yoo, currently on an official visit to Greece .

A meeting between the two ministers also examined the situation in electronic communications between the two countries, along with national strategies in IT and Communications.

Telecommunications experts from both countries also met to discuss developments in the IT and Communications sectors, and ways to immediately implement measures resulting from the memorandum.

The Greek minister welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding as a first step towards expanding bilateral relations in these sectors, with mutual benefits for both countries.

[21] FinMin receives Skaramanga head Kuhlmann; meets with Kaklamanis

According to reports, Kuhlman briefed the minister over management changes at Thyssen during the mostly courtesy visit.

In an unrelated development, Alogoskoufis on Wednesday also met with Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, with both men stressing afterwards that the municipality's "Home Assistance" programme will not be cancelled.

Kaklamanis, a former health minister in the current Karamanlis government, added that the ministry has promised support in a series of expropriation (eminent domain) cases currently in the courts.

Finally, ministry sources added that financing for studies related to outlays and auxiliary projects accompanying the Panathinaikos sports complex at the Votanikos site has been allocated.

[22] Parliamentary Economic Committee ratifies Ionian Motorway contract

The bill was supported by the deputies of both the ruling New Democracy party and the main opposition PASOK party, while the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party voted against it, although agreeing with the project's necessity.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias said that the construction of the project is expected to begin in early May and, according to the contract, it must be completed in 72 months.

"The creation of the Ionian Motorway is a decades-old dream of the inhabitants of Western Greece and Epirus," Souflias said and stressed that after the project has been completed 80 percent of revenues will be going to the public sector.

[23] Development minister concludes visit to Albania

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas concluded his visit to the Albanian capital on Wednesday with the inauguration ceremony for the Greek-Albanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Sioufas visited the Chamber's offices in the afternoon and, together with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and other ministers, attended a reception given by the Chamber's President Nikos Karras.

Berisha termed the Greek and Albanian businessmen "ambassadors of the free market" and added that Greek investments in Albania amounted to 450 million euros with the prospect of the figure increasing over the next two years.

The Albanian prime minister further said that Greece comes second in trade transactions in Albania, after Italy, and promised "a very warm and safe climate for Greek investors in the country."

The Greek minister said in his address that Greece is an important bridge that will link Albania with the European Union as a bridge of development as well and pointed out that "we shall support every effort by Albania for accession."

The Greek-Albanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in September 2006 and became fully active in November of the same year.

[24] Piraeus Bank completes sales of 750-mln-euro bond loan

Piraeus Group Finance PLC, a subsidiary of Piraeus Bank Group, is the issuer of the bond loan. Foreign markets showed increased interest in the bond, with a book-building procedure oversubscribed by 1.8 times to more than 1.3 billion euros in just a few hours. A total of 110 investors from 20 countries participated in the book-building process, while foreign institutional investors acquired 90 percent of the issue.

The bond issue further establishes Piraeus Bank's presence in international capital markets. The three-year bond offers a fluctuating interest rate and pays a coupon of three-month Euribor plus 20 basis points. The issue will be listed in the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Barclays Capital, Merrill Lynch and Natixis were the underwriters of the bond issue.

[25] National Bank completes acquisition of P&K Securities

A National Bank's announcement said P&K Securities reported a spectacular 147 pct increase in its after tax consolidated profits to 10.3 million euros in 2006, valuing the puchase deal at 48.7 million euros.

The announcement underlined that the acquisition created the largest securities and investment services group in Greece.

[26] Korres SA announces IPO to raise 12 million euros

Alpha Bank will be the main underwriter of the IPO and P&K Securities the consultant to the issue.

Speaking to reporters, George Korres, the chairman and chief executive of the company, said the money to be raised would be used to finance the promotion of the brand in foreign markets, the formation of a company to develop and promote a new brand (Kings & Queens), research and development of new products by using natural herbs, strengthening its production facilities, lowering bank debt and boosting its capital.

Korres said it invested 11.5 million euros in the 2003-2006 period and was currently implementing an investment programme (worth 2.4 million euros) to complete its production facilities.

2006 sales totaled 26.9 million euros, up 58 pct from 2005, EBITDA jumped 82 pct to 5.75 million euros and net after tax profits soared 147 percent to 2.8 million euros.

Korres exports its products to the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Spain, Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Cyprus, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, Switzerland, Finland, Romania, Luxembourg and South Africa.

The company was founded 1996.

[27] Greek current accounts deficit up 26 pct in January, yr/yr

The trade deficit rose by 553 million euros in January, reflecting an increase of net payments on vessls by 310 million euros, while net payments on fuel imports rose by 34 million euros.

Exports of goods (excluding fuel and vessels) rose by 14.06 pct or 122 million euros in January, while imports rose by 12.3 pct or 331 million euros.

The country's external balance showed that the services' surplus rose by 40 million euros, mainly due to lower deficit on the travel services' category and an increase surplus of the transport balance. A widening deficit of the incomes' balance mainly reflected higher net payments on interest of loans and deposits, while a higher surplus of the current transfers balance reflected higher net transfers from the European Union.

The capital transfers' surplus (from structural funds and the cohesion fund) almost doubled in January to 74 million euros.

The portfolio investment category recorded a net inflow of 4.192 billion euros in January, reflecting increased purchase of Greek state bonds and Greek-listed enterprises' shares, while domestic investors reduced their exposure in foreign shares and securities (by 322 mln and 293 mln euros, respectively).

[28] Intrakat signs 4.1-mln-euro project with Halyps Cement

[29] Greek stocks end 0.60 pct higher

Most sector indices ended higher with the Raw Materials (2.61 pct), Media (1.74 pct) and Commerce (1.47 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Personal/Home Products (0.89 pct), Utilities (0.54 pct) and Telecommunications (0.52 pct) sectors suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.54 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.71 pct higher and the Small Cap index was 0.58 pct up.

Tria Alpha (19.81 pct), Quality (16.47 pct) and Ergas (12.50 pct) were top gainers, while Techniki Olympiaki (12.90 pct), Desmos (8.0 pct) and Medicon (7.11 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 140 to 105 with another 58 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.02%

Industrials: +1.36%

Commercial: +1.47%

Construction: +1.40%

Media: +1.74%

Oil & Gas: +1.10%

Personal & Household: -0.89%

Raw Materials: +2.61%

Travel & Leisure: +0.36%

Technology: +0.27%

Telecoms: -0.52%

Banks: +0.73%

Food & Beverages: +0.53%

Health: +1.18%

Utilities: -0.54%

Chemicals: +0.31%

Financial Services: +0.48%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OPAP, Alpha Bank and Rokas.

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

Alpha Bank: 22.54

ATEbank: 3.82

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.96

HBC Coca Cola: 31.50

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.56

Emporiki Bank: 21.04

National Bank of Greece: 40.40

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 29.48

Intralot: 23.42

Cosmote: 22.22

OPAP: 28.88

OTE: 20.50

Titan Cement Company: 39.36

[30] ADEX closing report

The June contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 3.68 pct, while the April contract on the FTSE 40 index was traded at a discount of 0.66 pct.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 8,019 contracts worth 95.365 million euros, with 23,323 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 307 contracts worth 8.553 million, with 1,076 openpositions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 3,664 contracts worth 2.212 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (618), followed by OTE (254), Piraeus Bank (129), Alpha Bank (449), Titan Cement (185), Intracom (404), ATEbank (315) and Mytilineos (169).

Volume in stock repos was 1,120 contracts and in reverse stock repos 708 contracts.

[31] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 1.180 billion euros, while the yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds was unchanged at 0.24 pct. The Greek bond yielded 4.19 pct and the German Bund 3.94 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were largely unchanged. National Bank's overnight rate eased to 3.82 pct from 3.83 pct on Tuesday, the two-day rate rose to 3.84 pct from 3.83 pct, the one-month rate was 3.86 pct and the 12-month rate was 4.12 pct.

[32] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.339

Pound sterling 0.684

Danish kroner 7.508

Swedish kroner 9.377

Japanese yen 157.89

Swiss franc 1.628

Norwegian kroner 8.260

Cyprus pound 0.584

Canadian dollar 1.553

Australian dollar 1.672

General News

[33] Bad weather hampers domestic airline flights

Olympic Airlines' flights cancelled were from Athens to Rhodes, Hania, Mytilene, Iraklio and Kalymnos. Also cancelled were the Sitia-Preveza flights, as well as those from Rhodes to Kastellorizo, from Mytilene to Limnos and Thessaloniki, from Thessaloniki to Skyros-Mytilene and from Rhodes to Iraklio.

Aegean Airlines was obliged to cancel from Athens, with return, two flights to Rhodes, three to Iraklio, one to Hania and two to Mytilene. The company announced that it is taking all necessary measures to enable passengers due to travel on Wednesay to travel with scheduled flights on Thursday, for which bigger aircraft will be used.

[34] US Marshall Plan remembered in Athens as foundation of Greece's post-WWII recovery

The event, which also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the founding of the German Marshall Fund of the US (GMFUS) by the government of then German chancellor Willy Brandt, was organised by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) in cooperation with the US embassy in Athens.

In opening the event, ELIAMEP board member and panel moderator Minos Zorbanakis, one of the few remaining Greek staff-members of the initial US mission to Greece in the 1940s, recalled how the Marshall Plan "enormously contributed to the rebuilding of Greece, and fostered enormous cooperation between European countries" in the aftermath of WWII.

Other speakers included Ivan Vejvoda, GMFUS's representative and director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy in Belgrade and Senior Transatlantic Fellow Ian Lesser.

The event was also attended by US ambassador to Greece Charles Ries.

[35] Protest ahead of ministers' visit to correctional facility

The protest took place shortly before the arrival of Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou and Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras, who were scheduled to inaugurate a new "second chance" school building in the correctional facility.

[36] Information on missing minors in public order ministry's website

An essential precondition for entering such information is the declared consent of persons exercising legal, even temporary, parental care or guardianship over the missing minor.

People can provide information on missing minors at the Attica Security Department's 4th Investigation Sector at the telephone number 210-6422936, while a three-digit telephone number will soon be going into operation.

[37] Switch to Summer Time on March 25

At 3:00 in the morning on Sunday, clocks go one hour forward to read 4:00. The switch to Summer Time is made in all European Union countries and will apply until the last Sunday in October.

Weather forecast

[38] Storms, gale force winds on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Radical changes in armed forces - Implementation will take place in summer"

ANO KATO: "Measures for the protection of the assets of insurance funds - Restrictions on high risk investments"

APOGEVMATINI: "12,631 hirings in the public sector - All new announcements on job openings and the new job positions on the way"

AVGHI: "Roaring scandal... - The government does not respond to (pension fund) reserves-related accusations"

AVRIANI: "Incriminating findings on bond issue - (TEADY-Civil Servants Auxiliary) fund board president Agapios Simeoforidis has share of responsibility - Testimonies before prosecutor (on Wednesday)"

CHORA: "First construction companies to receive building licences - Clause will be included in environment, town planning and public works ministry draft law"

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Audit on =pension funds' reserves launched, covering past decade, while restrictions imposed on high-risk investments"

ELEFTHEROS: "Ruling New Democracy-affiliated labor grouping (DAKE) president Poupakis 'rocks the boat' for government, PASOK regarding the dirty '99 (Athens Stock Exchange 'bubble')"

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Back to '98 for bonds issue - Attempt to dissociate from (brokerage firm) Acropolis scandal"

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Two government ministers admit negligence - Three measures announced, three years late"

ESTIA: "10 years at the head of (ruling) New Democracy party for (Prime Minister Costas) Karamanlis - Elected party president on March 21, 1997"

ETHNOS: "Election alert in (main opposition party) PASOK, ND - Bond issue brings back scenarios on spring elections"

KATHIMERINI: "Pension funds' 'black holes' brought to light - Audit on securities' investments going back to 1998"

LOGOS: "Measures for protection of pension funds - Restrictions on high-risk investments"

NIKI: "Government resorts to cover-up operation while talking about past serves as diversion"

RIZOSPASTIS: "Government measures on pension funds' reserves a diversionary move targeting working class"

TA NEA: "2.4-million-euro suitcase hunt - (head of independent authority on money-laundering) Zorbas' investigation on Acropolis (brokerage firm)"

VIMA: "Kickback trail will lead to guilty - 2.4-million-euro suitcase"

VRADYNI: "PASOK's calls admission of panic - They dread pension fund audits"

Cyprus Affairs

[40] Cyprus president hopes T/C leader will assume 'wise position'

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed here Wednesday the hope that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat's statement that the Turkish Cypriot side would reassess its position on the July 8 agreement will lead to the wise position for the implementation of the agreement.

Papadopoulos' statements came one day after Talat warned that the Turkish Cypriot side will re-evaluate its stance on the July 8 Agreement. Talat was responding to Papadopoulos' written statement calling on Talat to immediately and jointly start implementing the July 8 Agreement on the basis of the recommendations included in UN Under Secretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari's letter, based on the common understanding which has already been achieved at the level of their two representatives.

''I hope their assessment would lead to the wise position for the promotion of the process for the implementation of the July 8 agreement,'' Papadopoulos said replying to questions after voting in DIKO Central Committee vote for the new General Secretary.

Papadopoulos stressed that ''we are not engaging in a blame game,'' noting that his statement on Tuesday had nothing against the Turkish side and Talat.

Replying to a question whether the meetings between the representatives of the two leaders will continue, Papadopoulos recalled that there is a scheduled meeting for Thursday.

''I hope in the meantime, those who are truly interested in promoting substantive negotiations for the solution will exert their influence so the in principal understanding reached last Friday will be implemented,'' he concluded.

Asked what will be the future of the agreement if the Turkish side insists on its negative stance, Papadopoulos said that everyone understands that an agreement made on July 8 should be implemented, adding that he who violates it bares responsibility.

Replying to a question, Papadopoulos said that he has no special demand to meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, noting that in a letter after Ban's election he expressed hope for an opportunity to meet him and that no special discussion about the issue.

''I hope I will have the opportunity to meet him when his obligations and mine match,'' Papadopoulos concluded.

Papadopoulos and Talat agreed on July 8, 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of former UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

[41] Spokesman: serious complication, no stalemate in the July 8 process

Cyprus government Christodoulos Pashiardis said here on Wednesday that last Monday's meeting between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities in a bid to implement the July 8 agreement, reached ''a serious complication'', adding that we can not speak of stalemate.

''We cannot speak of a wreck or a stalemate,'' Pashiardis said replying to questions after Wednesday's Council of Ministers meeting, adding ''what was noted last Monday was a serious complication in the efforts to set up and the functioning of the technical committees and working groups.''

''We hope that this complication will be overcome very soon so the process for implementing the July 8 agreement will develop smoothly,'' Pashiardis added.

Pashiardis declined to comment on Turkish Cypriot leader's Mehmet Ali Talat's criticism against Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, noting that ''verbal confrontations have no meaning and of course do not contribute to the opening the road for a mutually accepted solution through substantive negotiations.''

''For our side, what is important and substantive is not the blame game but the implementation of the July 8 agreement,'' Pashiardis said, adding that ''to that aim we remain consistent and committed while being indifferent about the unfounded claims and baseless accusations express by Talat.''

Regarding the meetings between the aids of the two leaders, Pashiardis said that ''for our side the fact that the United Nations are aware on what happened and who is responsible for the complication is enough.''

[42] Britain hopes for improvement of relations with Cyprus

British Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon has expressed the wish for an improvement of relations between Cyprus and Britain to an extent that would put aside disappointment and distrust regarding London's policy on the Cyprus problem, according to

President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Demetris Christofias.

Speaking after a meeting with Hoon, Christofias said ''we have decided to maintain close contact and each side will make efforts in the direction of improving relations between the two countries.''

Christofias said Hoon showed understanding to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the July 8 agreement and how it will be pushed forward, the issue of trade between the EU and the areas of the Republic under Turkish occupation, as well as bilateral relations between Cyprus and Britain.

Asked about Britain's position regarding the outcome of meetings between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities, Christofias said ''we shared our disappointment with this development.''

Invited to say if Britain is ready to undertake an initiative on the Cyprus problem, Christofias said no such intention was expressed.

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