Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-08-17

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't to declare early elections on Sunday September 16

[02] PM Karamanlis holds meetings with top gov't ministers

[03] Coalition party official on meeting between PM and FinMin

[04] Kosovo on agenda of talks between Greek, Spanish FMs

[05] PASOK leader meets with Spanish FM

[06] Former MP Neonakis continues pursuit of candidacy with PASOK

[07] FM Dora Bakoyannis extends condolences to Peruvian counterpart over quake victims

[08] New power plant on Rhodes OK'd

[09] Hellenic Petroleum announces arbitration ruling in favor of its FYROM subsidiary

[10] Marfin Investment Group's stake in OTE rises to 5.30%

[11] Yr/yr inflation in July the lowest in eight years

[12] Bounced checks figures released

[13] Athens Stock Exchange: Sharp losses on Thurs.

[14] Greek bond market closing report

[15] ADEX closing report

[16] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

[17] Latest major wildfire in greater Athens area reported

[18] Mt. Olympus fire partially contained

[19] FM calls on Archbishop ahead of US trip for translplant

[20] Veteran journalist Nikos Adam dies

[21] German national killed in Florina after car overturns

[22] Sunny on Friday Politics

[01] Gov't to declare early elections on Sunday September 16

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will convene an urgent Cabinet meeting at noon on Friday before the 1 p.m. meeting with President Karolos Papoulias.

"Before Greek citizens, in the crucial battle that will follow, we will present our work, with calmness and arguments, far from the extremism of the past, with self-criticism and above all sincerity," Roussopoulos said, adding that the voters will compare and judge between "changes and reforms, on the one hand, and adventures and backtracking from PASOK irresponsible policy, on the other."

Roussopoulos said Premier Karamanlis will make statements on Friday after his meeting with Papoulias.

PASOK

In a response roughly two hours after Roussopoulos' announcement, PASOK spokesman Petros Efthymiou, a former education minister, said that "Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is obliged, under the weight of escalating deadlocks, to go to the polls, (polls) which reveal that 'the king is naked', since he is repeating the unfulfilled promises of 2004 as the reason for resorting to elections.

"The Greek people will give their mature and ready, for some time, reply to New Democracy on Sept. 16. The country will turn a page on Sept. 16 with a victory of proposals and positions, as entailed in PASOK's programme," he added.

KKE

In an immediate response, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) stated, in a released press announcement, that "the real dilemma of the elections is not the consequence but the continuation of so-called reforms, as claimed by Theodoros Roussopoulos. The crucial matter is for (ruling) New Democracy (ND) party and (main opposition) PASOK to be punished, whose reforms serve capital at the expense of the people."

KKE added that "decisive support of KKE is the best answer to the anti-popular policy, and a weapon in the hands of the people when ND or PASOK come to power."

Synaspismos

A Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) cadre said the radical left coalition is prepared for the elections and will do well, according to all indications.

Top Synaspismos cadre Nikos Voutsis added that the declaration of elections on Sept. 16, on top of the debris of the Mt. Penteli wildfire, is a grave political slipup.

Lastly, he pointed out that such a decision, "with evident and partisan expediency to cover-up the bonds scandal," expresses a methodology that only modern-day "Neros of politics" are attempting to insert into the conscience of the people.

[02] PM Karamanlis holds meetings with top gov't ministers

Karamanlis met consecutively with Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, and with Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas.

"We are in the middle of a difficult, upward path," Karamanlis said on Wednesday, adding that his New Democracy (ND) government was determined to continue on that road.

After his meeting with the prime minister on Thursday, Alogoskoufis told reporters that reforms were a necessary condition for continuing economic progress.

Alogoskoufis said his talks with the premier also focused on the development of the economy and the course of reforms, as well as the course of the budget.

"Due to fiscal streamlining, the economy is on a good course and there are positive results for development, employment, the budget, and also the strengthening of economically weaker groups. In order for this good course to continue, reforms must continue," Alogoskoufis said.

Sioufas, in turn, told reporters after his meeting with the prime minister that they discussed the various aspects of his ministry's developmental policy, noting that energy issues always held top priority for the government, and adding that discussion focussed mainly on various oil and natural gas pipeline projects and other energy infrastructures.

[03] Coalition party official on meeting between PM and FinMin

[04] Kosovo on agenda of talks between Greek, Spanish FMs

Additionally, an initiative by Mediterranean EU member-states for support of Lebanon was also reportedly discussed, as Bakoyannis hosted a working lunch for her Spanish counterpart.

[05] PASOK leader meets with Spanish FM

Replying to reporters' questions, as he arrived earlier at the PASOK headquarters on Harilaou Trikoupi street in downtown Athens for the meeting, on whether he "sees" early general elections, Papandreou replied that "I see victory" for PASOK.

[06] Former MP Neonakis continues pursuit of candidacy with PASOK

Rethymno native Mihalis Neonakis, who was initially implicated and subsequently fully exonerated of improper stock market dealings dating back to the late 1990s, said he "is claiming the right to be included on the ballot, as I consider that I have fulfilled all the criteria set forth by the movement (i.e. the PASOK party)."

In a letter sent to PASOK's leadership, Neonakis, a dentist by training who also serves on the party's national council, refers to unanimous decisions by the party's organs.

He also charged that he was continuously encouraged to pursue a candidacy for a deputy's seat in the Rethymno district following the 2004 elections.

[07] FM Dora Bakoyannis extends condolences to Peruvian counterpart over quake victims

The minister extended her warm and sincere condolences and underlined that "our thoughts are with the families of the victims and of those injured."

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said in reply to a question on the quake and on the possibility of Greek citizens being among the victims, that as soon as the event became known the Greek embassy in Lima was contacted and, according to information received so far, there are no Greeks among the victims and the injured.

Koumoutsakos added that communication with this region is extremely difficult and there is a related impact on the effort to collect information and pointed out that the Greek embassy is in constant contact with the relevant Peruvian authorities, as well as with the representatives of the Greek community there.

Financial News

[08] New power plant on Rhodes OK'd

Following a positive recommendation by the independent Energy Regulatory Authority, the new plant -- located in Piso Kampos region in the holiday island's south -- will initially burn low-sulphur fuel oil before transferring to natural gas at a later date.

The new unit, expected to be completed by June 1, 2011, is expected to fully cover the island's energy needs, particularly during peak summer power consumption. The electricity peak on Rhodes this past summer reached 193.5M.

"The licence for the 120 MW unit ... ensures the long-term energy planning for the island's electricity needs up until 2020," Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas announced on Thursday, while he noted that following Crete and Rhodes, the government was advancing planning for the long-term energy needs of other large islands, "which comprise the tourism pylons of the country".

Along these lines, he noted that a second Igoumenitsa-Corfu 150KV (northwest Greece) connection line has already been completed, while a similar plan for the eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos and Samos was in the final stages.

At the same time, bourse-listed and state-run PPC was advancing a tender for underwater connections for all of the Cyclades Islands with the Lavrio plant in southeast Attica (the greater Athens area), which was expected to provide a more-or-less permanent solution for the energy needs of the popular Cyclades islands.

[09] Hellenic Petroleum announces arbitration ruling in favor of its FYROM subsidiary

According to bourse-listed Hellenic Petroleum, the Court also handed down a roughly US$50 million fine in favor of the subsidiary, which owns the former OTKA refinery in FYROM.

[10] Marfin Investment Group's stake in OTE rises to 5.30%

[11] Yr/yr inflation in July the lowest in eight years

According to the latest figures released by the National Statistics Service (ESYE), of the 70 goods and services most representative in the formulation of the Consumer Price Index, with primary importance for the household basket, the rise in the prices of 34 of the items was below the inflation rate in July 2007, while in July 2003 the increase in just 28 of those goods and services was below the inflation rate, which was running at 3.6 percent at the time.

The yr/yr inflation in the month of July over the past eight years was as follows: 2.5 percent in July 2007, against 3.8 percent (July 2006), 3.9 percent (July 2005), 2.9 percent (July 2004), 3.6 percent (July 2003), 3.3 ercent (July 2002), 3.9 percent (July 2001), and 2.7 percent (July 2000).

The average rate of inflation in July 2007, standing at 2.8 percent, was also lower than the corresponding rates for July in 2006 (3.5 percent), 2005 (3.2 percent), 2004 (3.0 percent), and 3.7 percent (2003), and therefore also at its lowest rate in the last eight years, according to the ministry leadership.

Further, the difference between inflation in Greece and the Eurozone average in July 2007 dropped to 0.7 percentage point, again the lowest in the last eight years.

All these figures did not mean that the cost of living was not high in Greece, the announcement said, adding that a high cost of living existed, was being monitored, and efforts were being made to contain prices.

[12] Bounced checks figures released

Bounced checks in the 7-month period January-July 2007 numbered 55,856, with an overall value of 588.87 million euro.

[13] Athens Stock Exchange: Sharp losses on Thurs.

All sector indices were down, with the biggest losses recorded in Banking (-5.33 percent), Personal/Household Products (-4.87 percent) and Insurance (-4.36 percent).

The Big Cap index ended 4.01 pct down, the Mid Cap index was down by 3.81 pct and the Small cap index lost 4.52 pct.

Decliners far outpaced advancers by 298 to 15 with another 12 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -4.36%

Industrials: -4.00%

Commercial: -3.16%

Construction: -3.10%

Media: -2.48%

Oil & Gas: -2.89%

Personal & Household: -4.87%

Raw Materials: -3.87%

Travel & Leisure: -1.26%

Technology: -3.64%

Telecoms: -0.77%

Banks: -5.33%

Food & Beverages: -2.55%

Health: -3.82%

Utilities: -2.06%

Chemicals: -2.69%

Financial Services: -4.08%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OTE, National Bank, Marfin Popular Bank and Piraeus Bank.

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

Alpha Bank: 21.28

ATEbank: 3.54

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.10

HBC Coca Cola: 33.16

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.10

Emporiki Bank: 19.44

National Bank of Greece: 39.60

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 23.50

Intralot: 24.00

Cosmote: 21.28

OPAP: 24.20

OTE: 23.00

Titan Cement Company: 34.70

[14] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 230 million euros. The Greek bond yielded 4.57 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.00 pct, the two-day rate 4.03 pct, the one-week rate 4.11 pct, the one-month rate 4.37 pct, the three-month rate 4.57 pct, the six-month rate 4.63 pct and the 12-month rate 4.65 pct.

[15] ADEX closing report

The September contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 1.12 pct while the August contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.97 percent.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 14,250 contracts worth 169.916 million euros, with 45,450 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 1,223 contracts worth 35.828 million euros, with 1,779 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,844 contracts worth 15.615 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Intracom's contracts (1,380) followed by Marfin Popular Bank (1,288), National Bank (1,048), Post Office Savings Bank (804), Alpha Bank (769), Eltex (373) Viochalko (363), Bank of Piraeus (361), Marfin Investment Group (312), OTE (302), Mytilineos (288), OPAP (269), Intralot (215) Attica (192), ELPE (128) and PPC (120).

[16] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.35

Pound sterling 0.68

Danish kroner 7.501

Swedish kroner 9.488

Japanese yen 154.42

Swiss franc 1.643

Norwegian kroner 8.099

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.458

Australian dollar 1.720

General News

[17] Latest major wildfire in greater Athens area reported

According to television reports throughout the afternoon, the blaze raged across a three-kilometre front on the Penteli mountain range (due north of the Greek capital) reaching and torching several residences high on the southern slopes of the mountain side - long defaced over past decades by quarries and construction.

High winds initially fanned the flames as scores of firefighters, fire engines and fire-fighting aircraft battled the blaze early on. The wildfire on Penteli was the second major fire to hit the mountains surrounding Athens this summer, with the devastating fire on Mt. Parnitha -- northwest of the city -- breaking out in late June. A less destructive blaze also erupted on the slopes of Mt. Hymmetus, east of Athens, days later in what was the beginning of a string of wildfires to plague much of Greece throughout July.

Towards the early afternoon, flames were coming close to some of Athens' most affluent neighbourhoods, including Kefalari and Politia. Additionally, hospitals and residences were evacuated in the wider region, while power outages were reported in the Vrillisia and Penteli townships due to downed power lines and burned poles.

A heavy reddish cloud, meanwhile, hung over Athens at around noontime, testament of the fire's extent.

Political reaction

In the wake of the latest wildfire, opposition party representatives commented on the incident, with a top PASOK deputy, Thanasis Tsouras, charging that various same-day government meetings were convened instead of action to deal with the issue of the day, namely, the wildfire.

On her part, Communist Party (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga toured parts of the burned area on Thursday afternoon, where she again referred to an "organised plan" to burn forestland around Greece in order to benefit land developers, land grabbers, squatters and political interests in the country.

Finally, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos announced that he was cutting short his ongoing tour of Crete to return to Athens and visit the fire-ravaged areas, while Synaspismos cadres also referred to a lack of prevention by state services.

Civil Protection Secretary General Panayiotis Fourlas on Thursday declared the municipalities of Kifisia, Melissia and Nea Penteli, on the outskirts of Athens, in a state of emergency, by order of Interior Minister professor Prokopis Pavlopoulos, to facilitate the handling of the serious problems that the inhabitants are facing as a result of the huge wildfire.

[18] Mt. Olympus fire partially contained

The fire, which broke out in a forest expanse at a high altitude, was initially prevented from spreading through the immediate intervention of a firefighting helicopter, as firemen rushed to the blaze.

The firefighting operation was hampered by the rugged terrain in the region. A team of firefighters were battling the blaze, assisted by the helicopter, which resumed operation at first light of day.

[19] FM calls on Archbishop ahead of US trip for translplant

After the visit, Bakoyannis said she wanted to convey to the Archbishop the good wishes of all the Greek people ahead of his trip to the US for a liver transplant.

"I conveyed the wishes of all the Greeks that he will return well. We need him. We want him at our side," Bakoyannis said, adding that she assurd the Archbishop that all the Greek services abroad, specifically in the US, have been informed of his arrival.

She said that there was great interest on the part of the Greeks abroad, adding her conviction that "everything will go well".

[20] Veteran journalist Nikos Adam dies

Adam was born in 1919 in the Neo Faliro district of coastal Athens. He the Athens College prep school and the University of Athens' law school.

He began his news career in 1963 at the Eleftheria newspaper, and later worked at various Athens dailies, serving as a stockmarket commentator with the "Naftemporiki" business daily. From 1964 until his retirement in 1991, Adam also worked as a foreign, political and financial news editor at the Athens News Agency (ANA).

Adam also translated several literary texts, including Tolstoy's "What is Art?".

"Nikos Adam stood out for his ethos, courtesy and integrity. He was firm in his principles and values, and was an example and point of reference for reputable journalism," an announcement by the Athens Journalists' Union (ESIEA) stated.

[21] German national killed in Florina after car overturns

The circumstances of the accident were being investigated by local traffic police.

Weather Forecast

[22] Sunny on Friday

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS

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