Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-08-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holidays for political leadership this month

[02] Interior minister says general elections will be held as scheduled

[03] Opposition calls for release of prosecutor's report on structured bond affair

[04] Interior minister on regional operations programmes in Crete

[05] KKE message on AKEL's 81st anniversary

[06] Gov't calls on unions to assist in defence before European Court on issue of different retirement ages for men, women

[07] SYN backing for ADEDY demands

[08] FinMin signs Presidential Decrees for codification of Civil, War and Railway pensions

[09] Greek exports to Russia mark significant increase, according to data

[10] Aspis Bank reports 46% increase in first-half 07 profits

[11] K. Marinakis named new president of Greek-Swedish Chamber of Commerce

[12] Athens Stock Exchange: Bourse recovers on Monday

[13] Greek bond market closing report

[14] ADEX closing report

[15] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[16] Transport minister visits tram, public bus terminal at Ellinikon

[17] Major fire breaks out in Thesprotia

[18] Grevena fire extinguished, Ptolemais blaze under control

[19] Sunny on Tuesday Politics

[01] Holidays for political leadership this month

Papoulias will go Wednesday to the Panaghia Soumela Monastery in the Vermio region of north-central Macedonia province to attend celebrations marking the annual August 15 Dormition of the Virgin religious holiday.

The President, who is presently on holiday on the Ionian island of Lefkada, will fly by helicopter to the area to attend a liturgy at the Panaghia Soumela, after which he will lay a wreath at the bust of War of Independence hero Alexandros Ypsilantis.

At noon on Wednesday, Papoulias will attend a luncheon in his honour hosted by the board of directors of the Panaghia Soumela Foundation before returning to Lefkada.

Karamanlis arrived with his family on Sunday on the Cyclades island of Tinos, where he will attend the August 15 celebrations, as he does each year, before returning to Athens on Thursday.

Main opposition leader George Papandreou is spending the second part of his holiday in the Ionian islands. Papandreou, as he arrived on Lefkada on Saturday night, although he was due back in Athens on Tuesday morning to chair a meeting of his party's campaign committee. On Wednesday he will attend celebrations at the Panaghia Soumela monastery.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga will spend a few days at her summer home in Nea Makri, east of Athens.

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party leader Alekos Alavanos will visit Irakleio, Crete where he will be a candidate for parliament in the next general elections.

[02] Interior minister says general elections will be held as scheduled

Asked by reporters about the date of the general elections, Pavlopoulos said:

"I do not talk about general elections, because the general elections will be held as scheduled. But in every electoral confrontation, and I stress this, I do not insinuate anything, I do not announce anything, I do not speak about elections. What counts is the proposal one makes, one's contribution, to be consistent with what one has announced."

The general elections are formally slated for March 2008.

Pavlopoulos was in Rethymno to represent the government on the 63rd anniversary of the Anogia village destruction by the German occupation troops.

[03] Opposition calls for release of prosecutor's report on structured bond affair

On his part, main opposition PASOK secretary Nikos Athanassakis again charged that the scandal, as he said, of questionable structured bond purchases "was organised, coordinated and executed with responsibility of ruling New Democracy and the finance and employment ministries".

He also reiterated previous comments demanding that Zorbas report be conveyed to Parliament.

The latter demand was echoed by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in a written request filed with the chairman of Parliament's committee for transparency.

KKE pointed to an Aug. 21 committee session where Zorbas, the head of an independent watchdog authority on money-laundering, will testify as the proper venue for tabling the report.

Finally, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos also called for the release of the Zorbas report to the public, while he attributed the entire affair to "secret expenditures and borrowing for weapons purchases" from US contractors. Along those lines, he called for a halving of defence spending in favour of social spending.

[04] Interior minister on regional operations programmes in Crete

"These past three-and-a half years, Crete managed to become consolidated as a region with dynamic potential, which shows important rates of growth, capitalising to the full on both its island character and every specific comparative advantages and which it firmly gains the position which it deseves in the broader region of the southeastern Mediterranean," Pavlopulos said.

Pavlopoulos referred to Crete's regional operational programmes (PEP), stating that "the rate of absorption in 2004 and after a four-year period of implementation of the programme, we found 1,250 entered projects and within just three years, we increased them to 3,000."

This means, Pavlopoulos added, that out of the 3,000 PEP projects, 1,750 were introduced after April 2004.

The minister also made special reference to the Thiseas development programme, which, as he said, offers in a five-year period, two times more in funds than the EPTA (local government operational programmes) granted in 7 years.

[05] KKE message on AKEL's 81st anniversary

In a written message, the KKE central committee said that AKEL "has fought with consistency against nationalism, reactionary ideas, obscurantism", and for this reason "has many times found itself the target of the imperialists and the reactionary forces".

It said that the Greek and Cypriot communists have bonded with strong, filial ties through tough battles and difficult conditions.

The two parties, it added, have built close ties of friendship, cooperation and internationalistic solidary in their common struggle against the imperalistic barbarity, for peace, democracy, workers' rights, and socialism.

The KKE further expressed its undivided support in the difficult struggle being waged today against the Turkish occupation and for a just and peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN resolutions and Summit Agreements of 1977-1979, which envisage a bizonal, bicommunal federation in a single sovereign and international entity and nationality, and a solution that would restore the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, without the right of unilateral intervention by any foreign country. "For an independent Cyprus, a common homeland for all the Cypriots: Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins (Cypriot Catholics)".

Financial News

[06] Gov't calls on unions to assist in defence before European Court on issue of different retirement ages for men, women

The Commission decided to refer Greece to the European Court regarding what it perceives as violation of the principle of equality between men and women with regard to the retirement age (which is 65 for men and 60 for women under Greek legislation).

Due to the importance of the case for the country's social security system in general, according to Magginas, the assistance of the two umbrella labour organisations in formulating the best possibledefence for Greece in the European Court was deemed necessary.

Regarding social security reforms, a supremely important issue for long-term economic stability in Greece, Magginas said that "reform of the pension system via dialogue with political forces and social partners will be attempted after the elections. I hope we will all find common ground, as we all agree on the need for change," he was quoted as saying by an Athens daily on Monday.

[07] SYN backing for ADEDY demands

Alavanos said the country was in a period of pre-electoral benefits, many of which "lack commitment or are highly insufficient, but even those would not be feasible were it not for the workers' movement and their demands".

He warned that ND's benefits bait also contained the "hook of post-electoral policy which, if achieved, will mean changes to the social security system, an increase in the retirement age, reduced pensions, professional instead of social insurance, abolition of tenure -- which is provided for in the constitutional revision -- and a series of great problems for the employees in the civil service'.

Alavanos said that SYN supports the framework of demands put forward by ADEDY in all sectors, and stressed the need for upgrading the salary scale to 1,300 euro (minimum salary) and calculation of pensions at 80 percent of the active salaries, and other demands.

Commenting on the recent crisis in international money markets, Alavanos attributed it to hedge funds, "in other words the pirate capital which they invest and loot, leaving behind them scorched earth", adding that "ND's development policy is to turn over the public area and the economy to those pirates", whereas the policy suppored by SYN was that of "backing of the public sector, public education, research and technology".

On the timing of the next general elections, Alavanos said that "the best elections are not those that will be held in September of those that will be held in March", but rather "those in which ND will be defeated, the country will be rid of the two-party system, which is in a quagmire, and the young generation will invade the political life of the country and Greece will enter the road of development and social justice".

ADEDY president Spyros Papaspyrou said that 80 percent of the Greek population and Greek working people were "living amid conditions of poverty and economic slump", and accused the government that its policy had increased the inequalities and now, under the pressure exercised by the trade unions and movements it was announcing, shortly before the annual Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF, where the prime ministers traditionally unveil the economic policy for the following year) "lean" benefits to counter that impression, behind which was concealed a new policy of austerity and bleeding of the working people's incomes for the next three years "since we will have to wait for the TIF before the next elections for new benefits".

[08] FinMin signs Presidential Decrees for codification of Civil, War and Railway pensions

The Decrees codify the existing legislation regarding pensions in the above fields, and the Codes aim at making the existing terms and conditions more functional, while at the same time reducing the risk of mistakes and the time required between the submission of a pension application and commencement of pension payments to beneficiaries.

The latest codification had taken place in 2000, but the passing of numerous, substantial provisions since then had rendered the 2000 codification obsolete.

[09] Greek exports to Russia mark significant increase, according to data

The data was sent to the Greek Embassy in Moscow.

According to the Greek embassy's Economic and Commercial Department, the bulk of bilateral trade marked a 0.41% increase, from 1.530 billion euros in 2006 1.536 billion euros in 2007. The deficit against Greece retreated by 13.45% from 1.35 billion euros in 2006 to 1.17 billion euros in 2007.

Specifically, Greek exports to Russia marked a most significant increase by 106.6% from 88.3 million euros in 2006 to 182.4 million in 2007. The total of Greek exports to Russia increased by 60% against 2005.

Russian exports to Greece declined by 6.1% from 1.44 billion euros in 2006 to 1.35 billion euros in 2007.

Russia is the major supplier to Greece of natural gas, covering 85% of the country's needs and among the third major suppliers of crude oil.

[10] Aspis Bank reports 46% increase in first-half 07 profits

Pre-tax profits, amounting to 10.8 million euros, were due, according to an Aspis Bank press release, to a 6-percent increase in operational revenues with a simultaneous decrease in operational expenditures by 3 percent.

Profits after tax and minority rights were at 3.5 million euros, compared to 5.9 million in the corresponding period of 2006, owing to special tax payments of 5.5 million euros from previous fiscal years.

[11] K. Marinakis named new president of Greek-Swedish Chamber of Commerce

First vice-president of the board is R. Andersson, respresentative of Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), and 2nd vice-president I. Sarakakis, executive vice-president of Sarakakis Brothers Co.

[12] Athens Stock Exchange: Bourse recovers on Monday

Most sector indices recorded gains, with the biggest increases recorded in Mass Media (5.07 percent), Personal/Households Goods (3.16 percent) and Technology (2.72 percent). Only the Travel/Recreation sector posted a loss, 0.10 pct.

The Big Cap index ended 1.02 pct up, the Mid Cap index was up by 1.40 pct and the Small cap index gained 1.87 pct.

Advancers led decliners by 210 to 62 with another 30 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.54%

Industrials: +0.47%

Commercial: +1.03%

Construction: +1.91%

Media: +5.07%

Oil & Gas: +0.70%

Personal & Household: +3.16%

Raw Materials: +0.10%

Travel & Leisure: -0.10%

Technology: +2.72%

Telecoms: +0.89%

Banks: +1.15%

Food & Beverages: +1.77%

Health: +2.26%

Utilities: +0.62%

Chemicals: +1.83%

Financial Services: +1.33%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OTE, Alpha Bank and Marfin Investment Group.

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

Alpha Bank: 22.58

ATEbank: 3.70

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.48

HBC Coca Cola: 33.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.38

Emporiki Bank: 19.72

National Bank of Greece: 41.94

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 25.40

Intralot: 24.30

Cosmote: 21.84

OPAP: 24.30

OTE: 22.72

Titan Cement Company: 35.62

[13] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 240 million euros. The Greek bond yielded 4.65 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.13 pct, the two-day rate 4.15 pct, the one-week rate 4.25 pct, the one-month rate 4.25 pct, the three-month rate 4.50 pct, the six-month rate 4.57 pct and the 12-month rate 4.63 pct.

[14] ADEX closing report

The September contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 1.37 pct while the August contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.02 percent.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 7,063 contracts worth 86.960 million euros, with 44,112 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 789 contracts worth 23.845 million euros, with 1,482 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 6,131 contracts worth 10.022 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Intracom's contracts (997) followed by Alpha Bank (773), ELTEX (535), ATEBank (429), PPC (332), Mytilineos (244), Biochalco (215) and Pireaus Bank (212),

[15] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.376

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.502

Swedish kroner 9.388

Japanese yen 162.76

Swiss franc 1.652

Norwegian kroner 8.048

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.448

Australian dollar 1.631

General News

[16] Transport minister visits tram, public bus terminal at Ellinikon

Liapis said that Athens has one of the most organised and networked transportation systems, which he urged Athenians to use regularly as it provided great commuter facilitation, enabling them to save on time and money.

The minister further noted the current major holiday exodus, ahead of Wednesday's Dormition of the Virgin religious holiday -- one of the biggest holidays in Greece -- stressing that the ministry placed immense importance on adherence to the rules of safe driving, since adherence to the Traffic Regulation Code (KOK) saves lives.

Liapis said that the results from the first two months of implementation of the revised KOK -- which introduced stricter penalties for violators -- were particularly encouraging, given that not only had the number of road accidents been reduced, and especially because the overwhelming majority of drivers were observing the KOK rules.

Questioned by reporters on when general elections would be held, Liapis left all prospects open.

Liapis' statements on the state of public transport in Athens were criticised later by main opposition PASOK parliamentary council official for transport and communications Dinos Rovlias, who accused Liapis of "systematically distorting the truth" and "presenting as 'excellent' the country's broken-down system of public transport", and calling Monday's visit "a new, personal, campaign fiesta".

He said that due to Liapis' pollicies, the percentage of commuters using public transport had dropped from 33 percent in 2004 to 26 percent in 2007.

Rovlias further said that, regarding the government's and Liapis' "supposed interest" in road safety, "we once again remind that under the present government, nothing whatsoever has been done about road safety", adding that the increase in fines for KOK violators "does not constitute road safety polilcy".

[17] Major fire breaks out in Thesprotia

The fire is about 300 metres long, while fire-men, along with the assistance of two "Canadair" fire-fighting aircraft are battling to extinguish it.

Another fire which broke out in the afternoon in pasture land near the city of Ioannina, north-western Greece, was partially placed under control on Monday evening. Yet another fire in the region of Preveza, western Greece, was placed under control.

Throughout Epirus over the past two days, 15 fires broke out, mostly in arable land and all were placed under control.

[18] Grevena fire extinguished, Ptolemais blaze under control

Meanwhile, another fire that broke out early Sunday afternoon in the Pontini area of Ventzi municipality in Grevena prefecture has been extinguished, after burning 40 stremma of brushland.

Weather Forecast

[19] Sunny on Tuesday

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