Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis to present key social security reforms on Friday

[02] Employment minister holds talks with Social Policy Staff Organisations Federation

[03] FM Bakoyannis on EU-Arab League meeting and on FYROM

[04] DM from Munich on 'name issue' prospects

[05] Gov't spokesman on 'name issue'

[06] PM meets with Archbishop of Albania

[07] PM confers with development minister

[08] Papandreou addresses PASOK congress organising committees

[09] PASOK deputies table question to justice minister

[10] SYN elects Tsipras as leader, new CPC

[11] Election of new party leader

[12] KKE leader Papariga addresses artists

[13] ND secretary visits Hania prefecture

[14] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos visits Egypt

[15] New Navy chief appointed

[16] French FM Kouchner speaks to Greek Parliament TV channel

[17] US envoy at Republicans Abroad event this month

[18] TV journalist Triantafyllopoulos provides additional testimony

[19] Deputy FM Valynakis on French proposal for Mediterranean Union

[20] Standardisation Organisation signs cooperation agreement with Syrian counterpart

[21] PASOK, KKE on cost of living

[22] Journalist's union strike on Wed.

[23] Eurobank EFG says net profits up 32.1 pct in 2007

[24] Aktor to build Panathinaikos FC's new soccer stadium for 88.5 mln euros

[25] ASE places "Proodeftiki ATE" under surveillance

[26] Intralot's subsidiary wins pari mutual betting license in Poland

[27] Fashion Box launches subsidiary in Romania

[28] Greek stocks end 1.11 pct lower

[29] ADEX closing report

[30] Greek bond market closing report

[31] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[32] Snowfall in many parts of Greece; low temperatures

[33] Greek citizens lack information on No. 112 for emergency calls

[34] Athens, supermarkets sign 'green bag' MoC

[35] Jerusalem Patriarch visits Athens Archbishop Ieronymos

[36] New Year cake cut for Regional Mass Media

[37] Ptolemaida man charged with abduction, imprisonment of German national

[38] Coast guard figures on migrant arrests for Jan. 08

[39] Illegal migrant arrests in NE Greece

[40] Illegal immigrant arrests in Epirus

[41] Scattered showers, sleet on Tuesday Politics

[01] PM Karamanlis to present key social security reforms on Friday

Referring to unions' mobilisations -- a strike is scheduled for Wednesday -- in protest to the planned reforms, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said the right to strike is inalienable under the condition that violence is avoided.

Antonaros added that the Greek people recognise the necessity of social security reforms, noting that a relative draft law will be presented in Parliament for approval following an off-the-agenda debate.

He also stressed that reforms constitute a priority, as pledged in the ruling New Democracy's election campaign.

[02] Employment minister holds talks with Social Policy Staff Organisations Federation

Speaking after the meeting, the minister said that "an intreresting and productive meeting took place. I made it absolutely clear that none of their rights is being lost. No employee at the Social Security Funds will lose his job. The development of their salary status, as well as their clerical development, together with all their pensioning rights, will not be harmed. There shall be no change whatsoever."

Petralia stressed that the decision regarding the unification of the Social Security Funds "aims at a viable and fair social security system, taking all the rights of the employees at the Social Security Funds into consideration."

[03] FM Bakoyannis on EU-Arab League meeting and on FYROM

On here arrival in Malta on Monday, where the first ministerial meeting between the European Union and the Arab League is taking place, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis spoke to the Press on this initiative by Malta, which gives the opportunity to Europeans and Arabs to handle, apart from the Middle East issue, common problems, such as illegal immigration, energy safety, climate change and growth.

"The Mediterranean unites and must not separate," Bakoyannis said.

She also spoke on her upcoming visit to Washington, in order to promote, with a series of contacts, the Greek positions on the pending issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the developments in Kosovo.

The foreign minister called on FYROM president Branko Crvenkovski "to abandon the high tones and the intransigence and to respond to the invitation for a substantial and serious negotiation."

Bakoyannis' full statement was as follows:

"Tomorrow I'm departing for Washington where there will be a series of contacts with (Secretary of State) Mrs. Condoleeza Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and a number of senators and Congressmen. The objective is the presentation of the Greek positions mainly on the matters of our region. That is, the open issue with FYROM and at the same time the Kosovo issue, which will be at the forefront very strongly this week."

Asked to comment on the statement by the FYROM president, according to which the constitutional name of his country constitutes a "red line", Bakoyannis replied:

"Mr. Crvenkovski knows that the future of his country, as well as of all the countries of the region, will be created in an environment of security and good cooperation. The basis of this environment is good neighbourliness. Good neigbourliness with Greece is important for FYROM. Our target is to proceed to the essence of the negotiations, to which all the governments of FYROM have commited themselves. Therefore, it is not the time for high tones and intransigences, it is the time of substantial and serious negotiation. We call on Mr. Crvenkovski to respond to this invitation."

[04] DM from Munich on 'name issue' prospects

"Greece will wage the battle and it will win it," Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis said Monday in reference to the latest round of comments by FYROM's leadership that the "name issue" for the land-locked country was non-negotiable.

Meimarakis spoke during an informal alliance summit meeting on security taking place in Germany.

He was referring to Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Branko Crvenkovski's rejection of the prospect of a composite name.

On his part, FYROM Defence Minister Lazar Elenovski said a new proposal was due in the coming period from the UN special mediator on the FYROM name issue, Matthew Nimetz. He said that the Skopje government would examine the proposal "with our friends and with the Greek side", speaking in Munich after a meeting with the US permanent representative to NATO Victoria Newland.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis leaves Athens on Tuesday for the United States, where she will have talks on Thursday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Rice is scheduled to meet with FYROM FM Antonio Milososki on Tuesday.

Nimetz is due in Athens in late February to announce his final proposal on the thorny FYROM "name issue".

[05] Gov't spokesman on 'name issue'

Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, speaking at his regular daily press briefing, also noted that negotiations remain "difficult".

He also said that Greece remains steadfast in its position for substantive negotiations aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution, as defined by UNSC resolutions.

[06] PM meets with Archbishop of Albania

No statements were made after the meeting.

[07] PM confers with development minister

Replying to press questions afterwards concerning profiteering, Folias said that the consumer needed to be better informed, while he also added that the consumer rewards the good merchant, and punishes the bad merchant.

[08] Papandreou addresses PASOK congress organising committees

Papandreou linked the issue of former culture ministry secretary general Christos Zachopoulos with the issue of structured bonds, saying that "with the Zachopoulos scandal" they are trying to make us "forget a bigger scandal, such as that of the bonds."

The PASOK leader said "there is a scandal at the culture ministry".

Papandreou further spoke of "unfair redistribution for the interests of the few" and of "commercialisation of education, social security and health as a result of neo-conservative policy."

He also accused the government of "extravagance" in the public sector that "has amounted to 13 billion euros over the past four years, despite what the prime minister said about saving 10 billion euros." Moreover, he criticised it for "lacking the desire for dialogue, as well as for undermining the social security system with acts of favouritism."

[09] PASOK deputies table question to justice minister

[10] SYN elects Tsipras as leader, new CPC

According to the results of the Central Committee election released in the early morning hours of Monday, the current SYN secretary Nikos Hountis topped the ballot with 49.04 percent, followed by MP Panayotis Lafazanis with 48.87 percent and MP Yannis Dragassakis with 48.79 percent, all from the "Left Unity" faction.

"Left Unity" was once again the dominant trend in SYN, electing 76 members to the Central Political Committee.

Second was the "Renovative Wing" faction, which elected 37 members, of which MP Michalis Papayannakis was the top candidate with 34.31 percent and Eurodeputy Dimitris Papadimoulis was second with 32.13 percent.

Third was the "Initiative" faction, which elected four members, of which George Helakis was the leading candidate with 20.08 percent, followed by the Ypervasi (Transcendence) faction with three members, of which Costas Poulakis was the leading candidate with 20.33 percent, one Independent, Dimitris Pafilis, who amassed 19.16 percent, and the "Regional Rally of the Central Political Committee against Mechanisms" also elected one member, Angelos Tombalidis, who received 2.51 percent.

[11] Election of new party leader

The second of the two candidates for the party leadership was 60-year-old veteran Left politician and MP Fotis Kouvelis.

Tsipras was elected with 70.41 percent.

Out of a total of 1,196 votes, Tsipras received 841, against 342 votes for Kouvelis, while 11 blank ballots were cast and 3 were invalid.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou telephoned Tsipras on Sunday night to congratulate him on his election.

Earlier, PASOK press spokesman Yannis Ragoussis issued a statement congratulating Tsipras, and expressing hope that he will contribute to the Greek people's struggle against the government of prime minister Costas Karamanlis.

Ruling New Democracy (ND) central committee secretary Lefteris Zagorits on Sunday afternoon sent a message of congratulations to Tsipras, and wished him strength, and success in his endeavors.

Papoulias congratulations to Tsipras

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Monday was the latest political leader in the country to offer his congratulations to the newly elected leader of the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party, Alexis Tsipras, who assumed the party's helm during a congress a day earlier.

Papoulias was joined by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, as well as other political leaders and ministers in congratulating the 34-year-old Tsipras, who vied for the Athens mayor's post in 2006.

PM congratulates Tsipras

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Monday phoned newly elected Synaspismos (Coalition of Left) leader Alexis Tsipras and congratulated over his election to the post a day earlier, according to government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

Parliament President congratulates new Synaspismos leader

Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas on Monday congratu-lated Alexis Tsipras over his election as new Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party leader.

"Any positive development in any political party is a profit for our Democracy," Sioufas stressed on the occasion of the completion of the Synaspismos congress which led to a new leadership.

At the same time, Sioufas wished former Synaspsismos leader Alekos Alavanos "every success in his task as president of the Parliamentary Group."

[12] KKE leader Papariga addresses artists

Papariga said that the issue is not for the ruling New Democracy (ND) and main opposition PASOK parties to reach the Èminimum election limit only, the issue is for the policy of historic compromise not to be possible, if it cannot be defeated completely politically."

She added that her party's political proposal "calls for the rallying of anti-monopolistic and anti-imperialist forces to build a social and political alliance front that will give meaning and effectiveness to daily struggles, that will provide an impetus for claiming popular power and economy which is incompatible and uncompromising with the existence and actions of monopolies everywhere."

Replying indirectly to the proposal made by the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party's congress, Papariga said that "what is necessary is not the alternative governance proposal for differentiations and manoeuvres at management level, but the alternative power proposal that is based on the level of the economy and of society in its entirety."

Papariga noted that an alternative governance proposal "can also be found without the monopolies losing even one euro from their profits, without even one commitment towards imperialist unions and lion-style agreements with the U.S. being questioned.

[13] ND secretary visits Hania prefecture

Speaking to reporters, Zagoritis outlined the intiatives that have been taken, aimed at the institutional and economic shielding of the periphery.

The ND government was at the side of the local governments, as it has proven in the past, and considers its role to be of exceptional importance for the local community and for improving the lives of the citizens, Zagoritis said.

On that basis, he continued, it was the "conscientious policy" of ND to institutionally shield and financially strengthen the first and second degree local administration.

He said that the resources for the prefectural governments have been tripled, to enable the prefectures of tackling the problems faced by the citizens.

Another conscientious policy choice of the Karamanlis government was that more than 80 percent of the funds earmarked for Greece under the EU's Fourth Community Support Framework (CSF) covering the period 2006-2013 would be chanelled to the periphery.

He said the periphery would have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits, provided the relevant studies and programmes were drafted to enable absorption of the funds, thus substantially improving the citizens' lives.

Turning to Crete in particular, Zagoritis said the island was one of the first targets, and had large prospects because it was an important island hub in the middle of the SE Mediterranean, and a top-line tourism destination, as well as the producer of farm products that were in side demand not only in Greece but in the entire world.

Zagoritis met with Hania prefect Grigoris Archontakis, with whom he discussed projects in the prefecture and its growth prospects.

[14] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos visits Egypt

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, addressing the Greek community in Cairo, praised the role of the Greeks in Egypt and stressed that it is a great honor to be among them. Pavlopoulos, who is on a formal visit to the northeastern Africa country, also stressed that the Greek government must contribute to the solution of the problems faced by the community.

Pavlopoulos stated that during his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Habib El-Adly he will thank the Egyptian government for everything it does for the Greek community. He also thanked all the Greeks in Egypt on behalf of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the government and stressed that the Greek state will make all necessary efforts to solve the problems put forward by the Greek community in Cairo.

On his part, Greek community of Cairo President Christos Kavalis referred to the upgrading of the Greek Hospital in Cairo with the establishment of a new cancer unit, while he also requested that Greek public employees be allowed to transfer to Egypt and serve in the Greek communities in Cairo and Alexandria and the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, a practice that was in effect between 1975 and 1983.

[15] New Navy chief appointed

Addressing the event, Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis praised the character and the abilities of the outgoing Navy chief and expressed confidence that the new Navy chief will rule the Navy with terms of transparency, ethics and meritocracy.

[16] French FM Kouchner speaks to Greek Parliament TV channel

In an interview with the Greek Parliament's TV channel, and in answer to a question on when he expects any declaration of independence by Kosovo, the French minister said:

"I did not say that we are expecting independence, but a decision very soon. In any case, we have been waiting enough ... Elections were useful and have showcased Mr. (Albanian Kosovar leader Hashim) Thaci, and this is good. Serbia has not yet come out of the election process ... the situation is being shaped at present. Yes, we will soon take a decision on Kosovo, since, as you know, everything had been blocked."

On a question regarding Turkey's European Union prospects and whether the neighbouring country was a part of the Europe of the "27", Kouchner said Ankara had two chapters to work on, in relation to its EU entry talks as well as other 33.

"We still have time ahead of us. We must negotiate with Turkey, and this is good, but opinions differ, let time do its own work," he added.

Commenting on the ratification of the EU Reform Treaty by the French National Assembly, Couchner said "at last, we repaired the damage."

[17] US envoy at Republicans Abroad event this month

Participation is by reservation only, and no later than Feb. 18.

For reservations call 210.67.46.179; 210.80.32.504 or 210.77.56.719. Reservations will not be available at the door.

Federal post card applications will also be available at the event for US citizens who have not yet registered to vote in the US presidential election this November.

[18] TV journalist Triantafyllopoulos provides additional testimony

Triantafyllopoulos testified again before the magistrate following the former's charges that a Parliament deputy inserted himself in the case.

Financial News

[19] Deputy FM Valynakis on French proposal for Mediterranean Union

He added that "it is important that our traditionally good political relations that we have with the countries of the Mediterranean be translated into similar economic cooperation with evident benefits in the day-to-day lives of citizens. Greece must be present with specific, well-prepared proposals in sectors of interest to us and in which there can be business interest such as transport, shipping, tourism, energy, immigration, culture, etc."

The deputy minister further said that "we firmly believe that Greek entrepreneurship has considerable ground for development in the wider Mediterranean region and every opportunity that is presented must be evaluated responsibly and produce the greatest development result possible. Opportunities exist and we must take advantage of them with suitable strategic planning to the greatest degree possible."

The meeting will be followed soon by a conferenceorganised by the foreign ministry, to which representatives of institutional agencies from both the private and public sectors, the business world and non-governmental organisations that are active in the region of the Mediterranean will be invited for a briefing and an exchange of views.

[20] Standardisation Organisation signs cooperation agreement with Syrian counterpart

The event took place in Damascus last week in the framework of the sessions of the Joint Greek-Syrian Interministerial Committee under Deputy Foreign Minister Petros Doukas.

Over the past two years, ELOT has signed, in the framework of an integrated strategy of support for Greek products, similar agreements with the corresponding agencies of China, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Ukraine and Moldova.

[21] PASOK, KKE on cost of living

"The government is unable to control the market, since it limits itself to appeals and advice, stirring up phenomena of illegality in this way and condemning citizens to being held hostage. It lacks initiatives and actions, as well as the will to place the interests of the citizen above the interests of the market, to support the many in the face of the few," said PASOK's development sector rapporteur Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

KKE said in its own announcement that "the government's effort to place on the people the responsibility for the high cost of living that is undermining meagre popular incomes is an act of fathomless audacity" and called for a minimum salary of 1,400 euros, a minimum pension of 1,120 euros, benefits for all the unemployed and the abolition of VAT for large consumption commodities and fuel.

[22] Journalist's union strike on Wed.

[23] Eurobank EFG says net profits up 32.1 pct in 2007

Net earnings in Central and Eastern Europe totaled 72.6 million euros in 2007, after a loss of 3.5 million euros in 2006, surpassing the bank's target of 60 million euros for the year. Excluding figures for Poland and Ukraine (Eurobank's latest investments in the region) net profits abroad more than tripled to 115 million euros last year, from 29 million euros in 2006.

Eurobank said its board will seek shareholders' approval to a plan to pay a 0.82 euros per share dividend to shareholders, up 21.5 percent from the previous dividend. The bank said loans rose by 33.7 pct to 46.7 billion euros last year, reflecting strong credit expansion in Greece and Southeastern Europe. Loans grew by 20.4 percent annually to 37.4 billion euros, while in Southeastern Europe loans more than doubled to 9.3 billion euros, from 3.8 billion euros in 2006.

Loans to enterprises grew by 36.7 percent to 24.8 billion euros, of which loans to large enterprises grew by 42.5 pct to 7.7 billion euros, to medium-sized enterprises totaled 9.5 billion euros (+31.7 pct) and to small enterprises totaled 7.6 billion euros (+37.6 pct).

Loans to households grew by 30.5 pct to 21.8 billion euros, with consumer loans up 28.9 pct and housing loans up 32.2 pct in the year.

Group income grew by 26.1 pct to 2.8 billion euros last year, from 2.2 billion in 2006. Eurobank said the contribution of income from activities in Southeastern Europe to Group total income jumped to 22.7 pct last year, from 14 pct in 2006.

[24] Aktor to build Panathinaikos FC's new soccer stadium for 88.5 mln euros

Aktor also announced the acquisition of Svenon Investments Ltd, owner of a 60 percent majority stake in Inscut Bucuresti SA, a Romanian-listed construction company for 8.0 million euros.

[25] ASE places "Proodeftiki ATE" under surveillance

The decision was based on recent developments in the financial and property situation of the company, ASE said in a statement.

[26] Intralot's subsidiary wins pari mutual betting license in Poland

ATG offers its services to 12 countries: Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, Holland, Estonia, Malta, Poland, South Africe, USA and Australia. Totolotek is the exclusive operator of pari mutual betting in Poland and plans to expand its retail network, currently 500 units in Poland.

[27] Fashion Box launches subsidiary in Romania

S.C. Fashion Box Romania Srl will distribute and manage all parent products both in the wholesale and the retail market.

Fashion Box, using the Replay brand name as a vehicle, currently operates a retail network of 50 branches, of which 15 are located in southeast European markets.

[28] Greek stocks end 1.11 pct lower

All sectors moved lower, with the Industrial Products (2.75 pct), Insurance (2.53 pct), Technology (1.67 pct), Chemicals (1.34 pct), Healthcare (1.31 pct), Constructions (1.25 pct) and Banks (1.25 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The Big Cap index fell 1.06 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 1.33 pct lower and the Small Cap index fell 0.54 pct. Kyriakoulis Yachts (19.12 pct), Allatini (11.17 pct) and Kego (9.38 pct) were top gainers, while Proodeftiki (14.63 pct), Motodynamic (8.42 pct) and Klonatex (8.33 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 172 to 72 with another 45 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -2.53%

Industrials: -2.75%

Commercial: -0.72%

Construction: -1.25%

Media: -0.33%

Oil & Gas: -0.28%

Personal & Household: -0.54%

Raw Materials: -0.53%

Travel & Leisure: -0.38%

Technology: -1.67%

Telecoms: -0.96%

Banks: -1.25%

Food & Beverages: -0.08%

Health: -1.31%

Utilities: -1.16%

Chemicals: -1.34%

Financial Services: -1.20%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank and Eurobank.

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

Alpha Bank: 20.68

ATEbank: 3.40

Public Power Corp (PPC): 28.16

HBC Coca Cola: 28.30

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.82

National Bank of Greece: 39.00

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 18.58

Intralot: 11.96

OPAP: 23.50

OTE: 20.50

Titan Cement Company: 30.80

[29] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 10,585 contracts, worth 119.053 million euros with 27,901 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 203 contracts worth 5.305 million euros, with 432 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 7,087 contracts worth 10.199 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (1,136), followed by Eurobank (429), Marfin Investment Group (521), Alpha Bank (316), Marfin Popular Bank (1,122), Postal Savings Bank (655) and ATEbank (966).

[30] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.02 pct, the two-day rate 4.04 pct, the one-month rate 4.20 pct and the 12-month rate 4.34 pct.

[31] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.465

Pound sterling 0.752

Danish kroner 7.513

Swedish kroner 9.495

Japanese yen 156.66

Swiss franc 1.613

Norwegian kroner 8.090

Canadian dollar 1.465

Australian dollar 1.618

General News

[32] Snowfall in many parts of Greece; low temperatures

Power supply was interrupted in the villages of Paleochori and Aghios Vasilios due to bad weather conditions, while cars moving on the local provincial road network need snow chains.

Two people suffering from respiratory problems, an 82-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, were safely evacuated by snowmobiles from the villages of Aghios Petros and Masorachi and were taken to the Tripolis Hospital.

Motorists in the mountainous regions of the Peloponnese are advised to be extra cautious, warned of icy conditions on the provincial road network even though weather in the area has improved.

Light snowfall was recorded in the early morning hours in the region of Panorama, on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, while snow also fell in the region between Aghios Vasilios and Chortiatis. Ships remain docked and are not allowed to leave the Port of Thessaloniki due to extreme weather conditions in the Aegean Sea.

Snow chains are necessary for cars moving on the road network to Voras, Seli, and Tria-Pente Pigadia Ski Centers, in Pella and Imathia Prefectures, northern Greece. The same road conditions are reported on the road network to Vasilitsa Ski Resort in the prefecture of Grevena and on the road network from Florina to Kastoria, via Vigla and Vitsi.

Temperature in Thessaloniki was 8 degrees Centigrade earlier in the morning. Low temperatures were recorded in many cities in northern Greece. Thermometers in Poligiros and Serres showed 0 degrees, -1C in Kilkis, Edessa, Katerini, Veria and Grevena, -2C in Kastoria, -3C in Kozani and -6C in Florina.

[33] Greek citizens lack information on No. 112 for emergency calls

Greek citizens lack information regarding the European number 112, the service of emergency needs (police, ambulances, fire brigade), according to a survey conducted by Eurostat and which was made public on Monday.

On the basis of the data, only 4% of citizens in Greece know that 112 calls the services of emergency needs from any part of the European Union, while only 1% have used this number.

The call of number 112, either by a fixed phone or a mobile phone, is free, while particularly important is regarded the possibility of locating the position of the caller. This operation is extremely important for those who travel abroad and do not know the exact position of the accident.

According to the Eurostat survey, only 22% of EU citizens know that the number for emergency needs services in any point of the EU is 112.

The lowest percentages of citizens who know the 112 service are noted in Greece (4%), Italy and England (6%), Cyprus and Malta 11%. To the contrary, the highest percentages are noted in Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic (58%, 53% and 52%) respectively."

[34] Athens, supermarkets sign 'green bag' MoC

"We determine the world of tomorrow through the choices we make today.

I fear that the international community, as a whole, has not yet fully comprehended the consequences of this self-evident conclusion, particularly in relation to the environment and ecology," Kaklamanis said.

"This is an initiative has been successfully implemented in many cities and countries around the world. Following meetings with supermarket representatives, whose contribution to the implementation of this measure is of vital importance if one considers that 70 percent of all plastic bags in circulation originate from supermarkets, we decided to establish a framework of cooperation, which is set out in the text of the memorandum of cooperation.

We have agreed to introduce the plastic bag replacement measure on April 14, firstly as a pilot scheme," he added.

During this period, consumers will find both plastic bags and bags made with environmentally friendly materials at supermarkets. Each supermarket will decide what material will be used for the environmentally-friendly bag.

At the same time, we will launch a promotional and public awareness-raising campaign on the importance of implementing this measure.

On June 1, this measure, namely the replacement of plastic bags, will be fully implemented and effort will be made to extend its application to the rest of Greece.

[35] Jerusalem Patriarch visits Athens Archbishop Ieronymos

The newly elected Archbishop discussed with Theophylos for 15 minutes.

The Jerusalem Patriarch hailed the personality of the new Archbishop and underlined the respect and love which Archbishop Ieronymos has for the Patriarchates and naturally the Ecumenical Patriachate.

[36] New Year cake cut for Regional Mass Media

Speaking to the owners of the Regional Mass Media, Roussopoulos stressed that in 2008 two challenges must be confronted, the circulation of the regional press and the expenditures of state advertising.

He further noted that the government is preparing proposals for the use of new technologies by the regional press, adding that the ministry is awaiting the proposals of the owners of the mass media, which, he said, must be submitted by the end of March.

[37] Ptolemaida man charged with abduction, imprisonment of German national

According to reports, the suspect kept the woman locked in his house from October 2007 until January 2008.

Police found more than 53 grams of cannabis in the man's home along with the victim's passport, identity card and other personal documents.

[38] Coast guard figures on migrant arrests for Jan. 08

Additionally, 10 individuals were arrested for migrant smuggling, while eight vessels were confiscated.

[39] Illegal migrant arrests in NE Greece

According to reports, 38 of the illegals were from Bangladesh, 12 from Pakistan and one man from the Palestinian territories.

[40] Illegal immigrant arrests in Epirus

Weather Forecast

[41] Scattered showers, sleet on Tuesday

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