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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-19Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Tuesday, 19 February 2008 Issue No: 2823CONTENTS
[01] Heavy snow brings Greece to standstillA raging snow storm that blanketed most of Greece over the weekend also continued into the early morning hours on Monday, plunging the country into sub-zero temperatures. Public transport buses were at a standstill on Monday in the wider Athens area, while ships remained in ports, public services remained closed, and schools and courthouses in the more severely-stricken prefectures were also closed. Scores of villages, mainly on the island of Crete, and in the prefectures of Evia, Argolida, Arcadia, Lakonia, Viotia, and the Cyclades islands were snowed in.Attica, Evia, the Cyclades islands and Crete were the most hard hit by the continuing snow storm on Monday, while snow chains were required throughout most of the National Highway network and in most parts of Attica prefecture. Problems were also caused by a blanket of ice that has formed from partially-melted snow beneath the new snowfall. In Attica, the "blue" (urban) buses, trolley buses and the tram lines were not operating. The Athens Metro was running normally up to the Doukissis Plakentias terminal, and from there by suburban railway (Proastiakos) to Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport with some difficulties, while the ISAP railway announced early in the morning that was running from the Piraeus terminal only up to the Attikis Square station. Although the airport reopened at 3:00 a.m., and snow plows were working continuously to keep runways open, scores of flights were cancelled due to low visibility and hazardous conditions at other domestic destination airports. According to the AIA, 461 flights (incoming and outgoing) are scheduled for Monday, but airlines had already cancelled 64 flights as of 10:00 a.m., and passengers are advised to contact their airline. The state machine kicked into action immediately on Saturday at the outset of the storm, working round-the-clock to keep highways and central streets snow-free, and remained on alert on Monday. According to the Civil Protection General Secretariat, assistance for citizens was required in only a few isolated instances, while citizens were requested to refrain from commuting if not necessary. Meanwhile, more than 100 villages were snowed-in on the island of Crete -- 54 in Chania prefecture, 26 in Iraklion prefecture, 19 in Lasithi prefecture, and 5 in Rethymno prefecture -- as wel as 25 villages in Evia, 15 in Argolida, 3 in Arcadia, 9 in Lakonia, 2 in Viotia, and 4 in the Cyclades prefecture. Temperatures in Athens dropped to -6C before dawn, while the coldest temperatures were recorded in Kozani, Grevena, Kastoria and Florina, where they plunged to -12C. [02] Mass transports, power grid returning to normalMass transit in Athens was gradually returning to normal late Monday morning following heavy snowfall over the weekend, which blanketed the Greek capital and much of the country.According to the transport ministry, the Athens metro, the suburban rail lines and half of the electric rail line were operating without problems, while Athens' tram network and the nationwide railway service were also running on schedule. Continued low visibility at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport caused the cancellation of scores of flights on Monday. A total of 151 of the 461 scheduled flights were cancelled, while less than 20 flights had taken off since the morning. Only the OA flights from Johannesburg and New York managed to land in Athens. Even if the weather improves, long delays are expected to continue due to the interrupted flight schedule. Meanwhile, power outrages continued to mostly affecting Aegean islands and Crete. According to the Public Power Corp. (PPC), 24 mountainous villages on Crete were without electricity. Power outages continued on the Cyclades islands of Andros and Tinos and in parts of Syros, Kythnos and Milos. Similar problems plagued parts of large Evia island, as well as a handful of outlying districts around the greater Athens area. Furthermore, schools in the greater Athens-Piraeus area, Attica prefecture, will remain closed for a second straight day on Tuesday. Most public services in and around the Greek capital also remained closed on Monday. [03] Petrol station owners to receive heating oil rebate on Tues.Petrol station owners will begin receiving a special consumption tax rebate for heating oil sales, made on Friday and Saturday, as of Tuesday, the economy ministry announced on Monday.On Wednesday, station owners will receive the tax rebate for sales made on Sunday. The ministry stressed that despite recent inclement weather conditions, rebate procedures will get underway without problems, in accordance with a new regime instituted for the supply of subsidised heating oil -- a high-profile measure aimed at stamping out widespread and costly fuel smuggling in the country. [04] Karamanlis briefed by Interior Minister Pavlopoulos on cold frontPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis met with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Monday, who briefed him on the ministry's actions vis-à-vis the heavy snowfall that blanketed large parts of Greece, including Athens, over the previous 48 hours.Pavlopoulos said the ministry, which now holds the public order portfolio, faced its first major crisis since it was upgraded. A unified operations centre was allowed for rapid and well-targeted moves, the minister said, thanking the local government, police, the fire brigade and media for their contribution in overcoming the weather conditions. [05] FM Bakoyannis says Greece will decide at 'later stage' on KosovoBRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M.Aroni)Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said here on Monday that the aim, as regards Kosovo, is the "safeguarding of stability and security in the region", and commenting on Athens' position she said that "Greece will take any of its decisions at a later stage." Speaking to reporters at the end of a European Union Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Bakoyannis said that the '27' agreed, after difficult consultations, on a text of "common positions" on the Kosovo issue. She added that "Greece always believed and continues to believe that the best solutions to differences and problems come out from mutually acceptable arrangements, through dialogue and consultations, and not by unilateral actions and faits accomplis." "This position, founded on the respect of the principle of peaceful resolution of differences, has determined our policy on the issue of the status of Kosovo as well," Bakoyannis added. Sunday's decisions in Pristina, the Greek foreign minister said, "undoubtedly create a new reality in the particularly sensitive region of Western Balkans and what counts first is the stability and security of the region." Bakoyannis also underlined that what is also "extremely important is the security and the respect of Serbs and of other ethnic minorities living in Kosovo." The EU, she added, calls on all sides which are directly implicated "to abstain from actions that could fuel dangerous tensions." She also termed as "indispensable" the active presence of the EU and its cooperation with the NATO force of KFOR in Kosovo, saying that they constituted a "guarantee of security". Regarding Greece's participation in the EU's mission in Kosovo, Bakoyannis said that Greece as the oldest EU and NATO member in Southeastern Europe, "must have its own contribution to this collective effort." "Our participation in Europe's presence in Kosovo confirms and reinforces our role as regional force of responsibility and stability," Bakoyannis underlined. Regarding recognition of Kosovo's independence by Athens, the Greek foreign minister said that Greece "will take any of its decisions at a later stage, after examining in depth all developments, dimensions and their repercussions on regional security and Greece's interests." She concluded by saying that Greece would go on cooperating closely with its European partners and its neighbouring countries, taking into consideration "the particular role that Serbia has for the preservation of reginal balance and stability." [06] Gov't on FYROM 'name issue'Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Monday merely reminded that UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will be in Athens on Tuesday, when asked to comment on press speculation citing a "double" or "triple name" solution for the thorny FYROM "name issue"."Greece's position on the issue is the best possible, and has already been outlined by both the prime minister and the foreign minister," he said. "We are in the process of talks for a mutually acceptable solution that will lead to the desirable outcome," Roussopoulos added. [07] 2nd round of Greece-FYROM talks in Athens on Tues.Greece's foreign ministry on Monday confirmed the holding, in Athens on Tuesday, of a new round of UN-brokered talks between Athens and Skopje on finding a mutually acceptable solution to the "name issue" of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).Present at the talks will be UNSG special representative Matthew Nimetz as well as the Greek and FYROM negotiators, Adamantios Vassilakis and Nikolai Dimitrov, respectively. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis will make a brief address before the opening of the talks. A first round of talks took place in the lakeside resort of Ochrid, in FYROM, on Jan. 21. [08] Gov't declines to comment on Cyprus presidential electionsGovernment spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Monday declined to comment on the outcome of the first round of presidential elections in Cyprus, a day earlier.Responding to press questions, he said he will not make comment while the election process is underway. A runoff election will be held next Sunday to determine who will be the next president of the island republic. [09] EU calls on Turkey to implement reforms, meet int'l obligationsBRUSSELS (ANA-MPA)The EU's General Affairs & External Relations Council of Ministers on Friday officially ratified a reformed EU-Turkey Association Agreement, which was ratified in principle in late January by the Union. Essentially, the "27" member-states called on Ankara to immediately proceed with reforms dealing with human rights and in resolving issues surrounding its international obligations. Amongst the short-term targets for Turkey are the embellishment of democracy and the right of law, protection of political and religious rights, protection of minority rights, freedom of expression and resolution of regional and international differences. As far as the resolution of such "international differences", the Association Agreement emphasizes Ankara's obligations vis-à-vis Cyprus, and in particular, the implementation of an extension of a customs union protocol between the Union and Turkey, which also means the lifting on restrictions against Cypriot planes and vessels. [10] PASOK leader Papandreou chairs party political, coordinating bodyMain opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou chaired a meeting of the party's political and coordinating body on Monday, during which current developments, the course towards PASOK's congress and international developments were discussed.As regards the party's congress, Papandreou said that it will signal a new beginning for the party's course, while stressing the need for the party's coordinated course, despite what is being said in the mass media. An extensive briefing was made during the meeting on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name and Papandreou reiterated in principle his position that the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and the government "have proved that they lack a strategy and are in the grips of a petty partisan conception." Papandreou accused the government of choosing the position of "you leave behind problems if you cannot tackle them," resulting in fait accomplis and crises being produced. The PASOK leader assessed that the government is in an extremely difficult position on the issue of FYROM, "due to its handling and its policy", adding that PASOK believes that the United States has decided the accession of FYROM, Croatia and Albania to NATO, despite the evaluations of the government and the foreign minister. Financial News [11] Kiltidis addresses EU ag ministers councilBRUSSELS (ANA-MPA)The Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the phenomenon of desertification were dominated talks at an EU farm ministers council here, with Greece represented by Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development Costas Kiltidis. He pointed out the need to ensure adequate funding for the effective support of Greek farmers, stressing that options should be available for implementation of a new CAP, one fully adjusted to the structural framework of Greek agriculture. Greece also rejected a Commission proposal to approve the production of genetically modified potatoes and maize. On the desertification/drought issue, Kiltidis stressed that effects on Greek farm production were devastating over the past years, calling on the Council to draw up a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem, while at the same time ensuring necessary community funds. [12] PASOK leader Papandreou on cost of livingPASOK party leader George Papandreou on Monday tabled a question in Parliament for Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on high prices prevailing in the market.Papandreou said that at a time when inflation is undermining the income of the low and middle layers of the population, the government has placed its solution on "sophistry and vagueness." The PASOK leader asks in particular what the government intends to do to face increases in prices of consumer goods of up to 30 percent and how it intends to check "uncontrolled" multinational groups that are imposing in the local market much higher increases than in the rest of Europe. Lastly, he asks what measures it intends to take to protect popular incomes that "are being led to expenditure cutbacks and to irrational loaning." [13] Local administration organisations to strike on February 28The Panhellenic Federation of Local Administration Organizations Staff (POE-OTA) decided on Monday to call a 24-hour strike on February 28 to protest, as it said, the government's plans to unify the sector's two secial security funds in the framework of social security reform.Employees will be holding a rally at 11 a.m. on the same day, at the Federation's offices in Karaiskaki Square and will then march to the employment and social protection ministry. An announcement by the Federation stressed that in the event that the government insists on its plans, the proposal by POE-OTA's Executive Committee to the General Council will anticipate repeated strikes, the first being a 24-hour one on March 7. [14] ASE approves listing of 3 new companies on alternative marketThe Athens Stock Exchange on Monday approved the listing of three new companies on the alternative market for rapidly growing enterprises.An ASE board meeting approved the listing of Epsilon Net (Feb. 21), Mediterra (Feb. 28) and Envitec SA (March 3). The board also approved the listing of new shares issued by Viosol ABE, AEGEK SA and Ideal Group -- the latter resulting from a share capital increase plan, the transformation of preference stocks and a reverse split plan by the three listed companies. [15] Greek stocks end slightly lowerGreek stocks ended slightly lower at the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, as investors focused on domestic problems caused by a cold front that passed through the country, while at the same time disregarding an upward trend in other European markets.The composite index of the market fell 0.08 percent to end at 4,317.26 points with turnover a low 182.67 million euros, of which 12.3 million were block trades. Most sectors moved higher, with the Media (4.98 pct), Utilities (2.68 pct), Raw Materials (1.23 pct) and Telecommunications (1.06 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Personal/Home Products (1.36 pct), Food/Beverage (1.06 pct), Travel (0.68 pct) and Industrial Products (0.60 pct) suffered losses. The Big Cap index fell 0.13 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.28 pct lower and the Small Cap index rose 0.53 percent. ANEK (18.59 pct), Diekat (15.15 pct) and Hellenic Fish Farming (10.0 pct) were top gainers, while Kyriakoulis (6.28 pct), Proodeftiki (5.41 pct) and Klonatex (4.17 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 157 to 96 with another 41 issues unchanged. [16] ADEX closing reportGreek futures contract prices ended with a small discount in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday, with turnover a record-low 60.271 million euros. The March contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at its fair price, while the February contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.45 percent.Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 2,740 contracts worth 4.587 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Popular Bank's contracts (707), followed by Hellenic Exchanges (124), National Bank (539), Intracom (208), Viohalco (107) and OTE (87). [17] Greek bond market closing reportTurnover in the Greek electronic secondary bond market shrank to 120 million euros on Monday as the market "froze" by a snow storm that hit most part of the country during the weekend. The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 35 million euros. The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds was 0.41 percent with the Greek bond yielding 4.39 pct and the German Bund 3.98 pct.In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate rose to 4.05 pct from 4.02 pct on Friday, the two-day rate was 4.05 pct, the one-month rate 4.20 pct and the 12-month rate 4.35 percent. [18] Foreign Exchange Rates - TuesdayReference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:U.S. dollar 1.475 Pound sterling 0.756 Danish kroner 7.515 Swedish kroner 9.374 Japanese yen 159.63 Swiss franc 1.625 Norwegian kroner 7.978 Canadian dollar 1.485 Australian dollar 1.616 General News [19] Disabled Russian navy vessel being towedTugboats were towing a Russian naval vessel, identified as the PM-138, on Monday afternoon after the ship issued a distress signal earlier in the day while sailing some 13 nautical miles northwest of the island of Ikaria in the eastern Aegean.A Hellenic Navy frigate, the "Bouboulina", was accompanying the Russian vessel, a support ship. According to a later announcement by the merchant marine ministry, the vessel's crew is comprised of 106 officers and sailors. The ministry added all crew-members are safe and that there is no danger of the vessel sinking. The vessel reportedly faltered in rough seas due to engine failure. [20] Madagascar: Visit by Alexandria Patriarch TheodorosALASORA, MADAGASCAR (ANA-MPA/N. Katsikas)The new home for the elderly in Alasora, Madagascar, was added on Monday to the tens of corresponding foundations which the Patriarchate of Alexandria has constructed throughout Africa for the purpose of mission. This new home for the elderly, which was inaugurated on Monday by Alexandria Patriarch Theodoros, is the result and fruit of yet another total of donations, which this time came from Cyprus, which Theodoros cordially thanked. Cyprus Affairs [21] Cyprus expresses grief on UDI of KosovoNICOSIA (CNA/ANA-MPA)The Republic of Cyprus expresses its grief on the unilateral declaration of independence by the majority in Kosovo, which ''constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia''. A written statement Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo says that "this secessionist act falls outside the framework of international legality, and is therefore legally null and void, in violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and of Resolution 1244 of the Security Council (1999), which affirms the adherence of UN member states to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia". The statement notes that the Republic of Cyprus, consistent with its principles, has supported and continues to support the view that international problems should be solved on the basis of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council Resolutions. "We are convinced that an agreed solution between the two parties on the final status of Kosovo can and should be found in the framework of a dialogue and negotiations, and should next be approved by the Security Council, the body which has the primary role in preserving international peace and safety", it concludes. 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 |
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