Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Environment minister announces measures to combat air pollution

[02] Cyprus House leader after meeting with President: It takes two to tango

[03] Parliament president meets with Cyprus counterpart

[04] FM meets with Cyprus House president

[05] PASOK leader Papandreou holds talks with Cyprus House speaker

[06] Zagoritis-Karoyan meeting

[07] Greece calls several points in updated Turkish FM website 'absolutely groundless'

[08] Bakoyannis meets Estonia's Paet

[09] Inner cabinet meeting on Tuesday

[10] Gov't on Siemens probe

[11] FM Bakoyannis on fresh Greek aid for Myanmar

[12] French Rafale and Greek F-16 warplanes to participate in joint exercise

[13] FM Bakoyannis, Deputy FM Doukas address Africa Day conference

[14] Britain's Metropolitan Police Commissioner to visit Athens

[15] Greece, Nigeria sign economic, scientific and technology cooperation accord

[16] PASOK leader calls on gov't to resolve truckers' strike

[17] Fuel shortages continue in Thessaloniki

[18] Fuel Truck Federation to hold general assemblies on Tuesday

[19] PASOK spokesman on OTE issue

[20] Greek households not over-indebted, Arapoglou says

[21] Euroxx debuts in Alternative Market

[22] Bank of Greece offers honorary governor status to N.Garganas

[23] Bank Federation, Labour Confederation call 24-hour strike on May 15

[24] Hellenic Exchanges reports lower Q1 results

[25] Projection of wineries in northern Greece

[26] Greek trade deficit down 6.5 pct in March

[27] Greek stocks end flat on Monday

[28] ADEX closing report

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[31] Pharmacist implicated in doping case denies charges

[32] 1st Pan-Thessaly Painting, Fine Arts Exhibition gets underway

[33] Major exhibition of modern Chinese art in Athens

[34] FM Bakoyannis inaugurates 'Beijing-Athens' exhibition

[35] PM Karamanlis sends message to monthly literary magazine awards ceremony

[36] President Papoulias to visit Crete

[37] Education minister presents ministry's new emblem

[38] Greek Orthodox parish church set ablaze in Melbourne suburb

[39] Archaelogical sites closed on May 18

[40] Cloud, scattered showers on Tuesday

[41] PASOK deputy Venizelos meets Cypriot President Christofias

[42] General Army Staff Chief Voulgaris visits Cyprus Politics

[01] Environment minister announces measures to combat air pollution

These included financial incentives for withdrawing old-technology non-catalyst vehicles, changes to current road taxes to incorporate environmental criteria and allowing local authorities to impose tolls for entry into central areas within their boundaries, as well as measures for encouraging industry not to pollute and for central heating systems.

Souflias said that the financial incentives for renewing Greece's fleet of cars were an issue to be decided by the finance ministry based on the country's financial capacity while the rest of the measures announced could begin to be implemented between 2009 and 2010 after consultation with the various bodies involved.

The minister said the measures sought to cut down air pollution at large and secondary urban centres by renewing the fleet of vehicles and based on a "polluter pays" philosophy.

Regarding new-technology cars, meanwhile, he said the state should be a front-runner and purchase cars with hybrid or low-emission technology.

The new road tax system proposed by the minister would seek to pass the cost on to the greatest polluters, so that the amount paid would not be determined by the size of the engine as now but by the amount of pollution that engine produced.

Cars would thus be required to produce their exhaust emissions control card but the taxes would continue to be one-off payments made once a year. The system will introduce four 'classes' based on the amount of emissions produced, so that vehicles with no or low emissions would not have to pay road tax. The next three categories (medium, high and very high emission vehicles) will pay increasing amounts and receive colour-coded tax disks to display on their vehicles.

The 'Green zone' measure will allow local authorities to prevent certain categories of vehicles from entering their central areas, based on how polluting they are. A similar measure is also being considered for the City of Athens.

Specifically, the minister said the measure would allow cars equipped with catalytic converters and the medium and high-polluting vehicles to continue entering central Athens on alternate days as at present, using the 'odd and even' system. Entry will be barred to the very high pollution vehicles and old-technology vehicles, which will only have access on the weekends. Low-emission vehicles, by contrast, will have free access at all times.

Souflias also indicated that the present borders of the controlled traffic zone in Athens might change slightly but would largely remain as they were today while the Athens municipality would be free to impose entry tolls, if it saw fit, again based on the levels of pollution emitted by a vehicle's engine.

Regarding taxis, he said the measures for renewing the fleet of cars would also apply for them but not zones restricting access, since they were considered a means of public transport.

Proposed measures for industry are implementing available optimum practices and regular inspections by environmental inspectors to check their implementation.

Measures for central heating system will include the mandatory replacement of oil-burning furnaces with natural-gas furnaces within three years of when a natgas supply in available in the area, more frequent inspections and applying EU directives for building energy efficiency.

Souflias stressed as he presented the plan that Greece's air pollution problems could be divided into urban air pollution, especially in heavily populated areas, and the problems caused by industry.

In urban areas, he clarified, the main source of pollution was emissions from vehicles and secondly from central heating systems. They were made more acute by bad town planning, with a lack of open spaces and tall buildings ranged along narrow roads.

Souflias stressed the need to renew Greece's fleet of vehicles, noting that the average age of private cars and light goods vehicles was 12 years, while that for heavy vehicles was more than 17 years. In the EU, by contrast, the average ages of these types of vehicles is seven and 12 years, respectively.

Problems caused by industry mainly concerned the areas where power plants were based and depended on the type of fuel these used, with the biggest problems reported in Florina, Kozani and Arcadia. Other major polluters included both industries that used high amounts of energy but also those that produced pollution through their activities, most of which were based in Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Kavala and Halkida.

Problem pollutants according to the minister included ozone, formed as a byproduct of several pollutants and sunlight, and small particles like fine dust, soot and salt used on roads.

The plan also calls for systematic monitoring of levels of pollutants to check that the measures are bringing results.

[02] Cyprus House leader after meeting with President: It takes two to tango

Karoyan, accompanied by Greek parliament president Dimitris Sioufas, said he conveyed to Papoulias the "greetings, love and respect" of President Christofias.

The Cyprus parliament leader also said he had noted to Papoulias that Christofias "has taken initiatives in the right direction, which has been appreciated by the international community".

However, he added, "there is also the factor of the standing Turkish intransigence".

"President Christofias has the political volition, and is trying to overcome the impasse. But it takes two to tango, and President Christofias is dancing alone," Karoyan stressed.

On Christofias' upcoming new meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Karoyan said it had to do with the fact that the "working groups have not produced tangible results", and consequently "the two leaders will meet to see where this process is stumbling".

[03] Parliament president meets with Cyprus counterpart

In statements made after the meeting, they referred to the close multilevel bilateral cooperation and the common strategic goal shared by both countries backing a fair, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Sioufas placed special emphasis on the Cyprus issue and the outcome of the March 21 agreement reached between the then Cyprus House President and current Cyprus Republic President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, stressing that all parliament wings support the efforts focusing on a mutually agreed, fair and applicable solution that will lead to the island's reunification.

On his part, Karoyan stated that after assessing the March 21 agreement it was established that they share the same views and positions.

Meanwhile, Parliament President Sioufas has also stated that an agreement reached on three levels with the then Cyprus House President Christofias has entered the implementation phase.

The first level of the agreement concerns cooperation between the two parliaments, the 9.84 FM Athens municipal radio station and the London Greek Radio for the joint production of a significant show on the Greek culture and language. The second level concerns the weekly presentation of the Cyprus House activities aired on the Greek Parliament TV channel and the third, the twinning of the two Parliaments.

[04] FM meets with Cyprus House president

The two officials discussed the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue, and prospects arising on the horizon due to the new mobility surrounding the issue.

[05] PASOK leader Papandreou holds talks with Cyprus House speaker

"What, however, is necessary is for the Turkish Cypriot side as well, to be released from the influence and manipulation, very often, of Turkey to enable it in a free way, so as for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to decide for the future, always in the framework of decisions taken by the UN," Papandreou said after the meeting.

"Because if this manipulation did not exist, this real occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, it is certain that such impetuses would exist that would provide a positive result for a solution to the issue of Cyprus. For this reason, we always say that, basically, the problem of Cyprus is also a problem of occupation," he added.

Papandreou further stressed that PASOK "always stands by the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus and we shall stand by its struggles to enable a favorable conclusion for the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and, of course, for the Republic of Cyprus."

Lastly, Papandreou stressed that "as regards the issue of Cyprus, I think that it is obvious now that, with the election of Mr. (President of the Cyprus Republic Demetris) Christofias, a new impetus has developed, a new hope, a ray of light, one would say, for developments on the issue of Cyprus, for a solution that always respects the resolutions of the UN, as well as the acquis communautaire in particular."

Karoyan said on his part that he briefed Papandreou on latest developments on the issue of Cyprus "particularly on the work of the work groups and of the technical committees and we have indicated through our discussion that the key lies in Ankara."

He added that "it is there where pressures of a productive factor should be exerted, so that this intransigent and barren policy will be abandoned which, unfortunately, has not allowed substantive consultations to take place throughout this period, as well as substantive progress on the issue of Cyprus, that will ultimately bring the reunification of Cyprus and of its people as well."

[06] Zagoritis-Karoyan meeting

Karoyan, who is on a visit to Athens, stated that they also discussed the strengthening of relations between the parliaments of Greece and Cyprus to have positive developments in the Cyprus issue and all issues of national importance.

Referring to the current phase of the Cyprus process, Karoyan stated that there is stagnation in the operation and production of substantive work by technical committees and working groups.

Zagoritis stressed that close cooperation between the Greek and Cypriot political forces is necessary to support the issues of national importance. He also stated that they discussed developments in national issues and cooperation within the EU, announcing that he will visit Cyprus on May 22-23 for meetings with the Cypriot political leadership.

[07] Greece calls several points in updated Turkish FM website 'absolutely groundless'

"We have proceeded with a protest note to the Turkish foreign ministry, via our ambassador in Ankara, and with the general secretary of our foreign ministry, Amb. (Aristeidis) Agathoklis, to the Turkish ambassador in Athens," Bakoyannis said when asked about the issue.

She added that relevant Greek foreign ministry officials are studying the changes on the Turkish website, which expresses official Turkish policy and goals.

"We hope that these baseless claims are corrected ... the Internet is a space for the free exchange of ideas, but not a venue to disseminate groundless claims."

Among others, in one chapter entitled "Turkish Minority of Western Thrace", the website entry notes that "(the) Turkish Minority of Western Thrace whose status is established by the Lausanne Peace Treaty of 1923", whereas the Lausanne Treaty actually states, in Article 45: "The rights conferred by the provisions of the present Section on the non-Moslem minorities of Turkey will be similarly conferred by Greece on the Moslem minority in her (Greece) territory."

'Largest enclave group in the world'

In terms of Thrace, in fact, the Turkish foreign ministry boldly refers to "...the Turkish Minority who live in the military restricted zone and make up the largest enclave group in the world today", while lamenting, further down in the text, the purported existence of a "restricted military zone" and "military checkpoints" in Evros prefecture.

Regarding the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, considered the "primus inter pares" of the world's Orthodox Patriarchates, the Turkish foreign ministry notes, in conclusion, that "... Considering that the Patriarchate is a Turkish institution and the Patriarch has to be a Turkish citizen, the usage of the title of 'Ecumenical' is incongruous with the agreement reached during the Lausanne Peace Conference."

More curiously, in a chapter entitled "Setting The Record Straight On Pontus Propaganda Against Turkey", the foreign ministry in Ankara first examines the "background of the Pontus claims" in order to finally conclude that "... The Greek priority target is the destabilization of Turkey, presumably to be achieved by inciting assumed micro-nationalist feelings. The aim is to challenge Turkey's territorial integrity."

Gov't spokesman

Asked about the same issue on Monday, the government spokesman merely referred to the foreign ministry's statements, while adding that Athens will continue to exhibit a positive mood in terms of Greek-Turkish relations, "believing that good-neighborly relations also pass through the European Union."

"We believe, therefore, that Turkey's European prospects will help solve a series of issues - I will not get more specific at present - even verbal or other exaggerations, all within the framework of the European family. We lay our hope in this direction and we back it," Roussopoulos said.

PASOK

In a later statement, a main opposition PASOK spokesman charged that "the new website by the Turkish foreign ministry includes lies and is a provocation."

[08] Bakoyannis meets Estonia's Paet

"We discussed the prospects of mutual investments and the margins for expanding our cooperation in the tourism sector and other areas," Bakoyannis said, adding that they both considered that these relations could be developed for mutual benefit.

Paet noted that Greece was among the most popular destinations for Estonian tourists, with 40,000 visiting the country last year and more expected in the years to come.

The talks also covered issues within the European Union and NATO, which both countries belong to, such as the prospects of promptly ratifying the Lisbon Treaty. Regional issues touched on in the talks included the status of Kosovo, elections in Serbia and the latest developments within the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as the negotiations underway between Greece and FYROM over the name dispute.

In comments on the name issue, the Paet said that Estonia's government "fully understood" Greece's positions and urged a compromise solution that would open the way to NATO for Skopje.

Regarding Serbia, meanwhile, he said that Estonia was in favour of "open doors for the EU" and expressed satisfaction that Sunday's elections in Serbia had favoured pro-European forces.

Both ministers stressed their desire for closer ties between their two countries, with Bakoyannis expressing hope that this first visit by an Estonian foreign minister would be followed by several others.

[09] Inner cabinet meeting on Tuesday

The inner cabinet will meet at 11:00 am on Tuesday to discuss interior ministry issues and at 7:30 pm on the same day, the prime minister will address the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) annual assembly.

[10] Gov't on Siemens probe

Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos merely added that the current government has, "for a year and a half now, created the conditions for the necessary investigations, and where necessary, it will continue to assist."

Roussopoulos declined to further comment on the case.

[11] FM Bakoyannis on fresh Greek aid for Myanmar

Bakoyannis also said that Greece was the second European country, after Italy, to reach the region and appealed to other countries as well to send aid and that "people count above the regime, who currently need urgent support."

She further noted that Greece has already sent two loads of aid by air.

[12] French Rafale and Greek F-16 warplanes to participate in joint exercise

"The Rafale, a fourth generation multiple role warplane is the pride of French fighter aircraft," the announcement said. "It is the most advanced European fighter and the only aircraft of its generation that has been designed for prevention, air defence, land and sea attack and air reconnaissance. It is also the first aircraft of its generation that is fully operational and that has been tested in combat," it added.

The "Aegean Gust" exercise is part of the annual cooperation programme between the two air forces. It will provide both Greek and French pilots with the possibility of joint training in exercising complex and realistic dogfights. It will also improve interrelation between them and facilitate the exchange of experiences.

A total of 45 Frenchmen will be participating in the exercise: 8 pilots and weaponry system officers, 28 engineers and 9 logistics officials.

[13] FM Bakoyannis, Deputy FM Doukas address Africa Day conference

The banquet aims at highlighting the possibilities and opportunities for cooperation for the economic and social development of the countries of Africa.

Bakoyannis said that problems, particularly in Sub-Sahara Africa, are many and serious. However, as she added, Greece wants to see a potential economic partner in Africa, a continent of opportunities and possibilities for further economic cooperation in many sectors.

Referring to Greece's role, she said that the country is participating actively in the effort to strengthen the development prospects of Africa, through humanitarian and food aid programmes, granting scholarships, securing drinking water, creating suitable infrastructures and boosting transparency and democratic institutions.

She further stressed that the Greek foreign ministry provided for African countries, during the 1997-2007 period, aid amounting to 110 million dollars.

Bakoyannis said that what is necessary to achieve prosperity for African peoples "is for us to overcome whatever obstacles and to assume initiatives that will strengthen commercial and economic relations."

Deputy Foreign Minister Petros Doukas said on his part that with the conference the first effort is taking place in the country to strengthen relations with Africa.

He added that the second meeting will be held in Athens in May 2009 and although there are great opportunities in Africa, the problems are also great which, however, as he said, constitute a challenge.

Lastly, he said that Greece can and wants to contribute to the development of Africa and referred to the programme for the development of Greek firms' extroversion.

[14] Britain's Metropolitan Police Commissioner to visit Athens

According to the British Embassy in Athens, Commissioner Blair will have meetings with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Deputy Interior Minister Panagiotis Hinofotis and Greek Police Chief Lt Gen Vasilis Tsiatouras.

In view of his visit to the Greek capital, Blair commented that London will host of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the visit will be helpful in preparing the Games' security in cooperation with Greece, which did exceptionally well in terms of security planning and implementation during the 2004 Olympic Games. The British experience on successful policing that can contribute to combatting terrorism in a period when extremism constitutes a global threat will also be shared in the contacts he will have with Greek officials.

Financial News

[15] Greece, Nigeria sign economic, scientific and technology cooperation accord

Ugwuh, who is in Athens for a two-day 'Africa Day' conference, urged Greek businesses to examine investment initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector, including Renewable Energy Sources, in the petrochemicals field, construction, banking, food processing, and fish farming, Doukas said after the signing of the cooperation agreement, stressing that there was a "very good" starting ground of Greek enterprises already in Nigeria, such as the Leventis, Mandilas and Koumantaros companies, "on which we can build".

Doukas pledged to convey Ugwuh's message to the Greek business community during the two-day conference, which opens Monday, attended by ministers from 11 African countries and some of the largest Greek entrepreneurs, and stressed that "Greece must turn its interest to the Black Continent", which afforded "very large opportunities".

Ugwuh, whose country is the largest crude oil producer in Africa, said that "it is important, following a century of transactions between Greece and Nigeria, that an official agreement (on cooperation) was signed today".

"We consider Greece a strong partner in Europe. We are happy about the agreement," the Nigerian minister added.

[16] PASOK leader calls on gov't to resolve truckers' strike

At the same time, he urged truckers to call-off their strike, while warning the government "to abandon all ideas of an administrative or other autocratic requisition and ensure that it provides solutions to the sector's problems through dialogue".

"The lengthy strike by the owners of trucks and tanker trucks has led the country to paralysis. Citizens are facing very serious problems in their daily life. The government is responsible for taking all necessary measures and providing solutions so that there is a smooth supply to the market; a responsibility that it is self-evidently failing to live up to," he stressed.

Papandreou additionally warned that the safety of the country's road network should not be compromised in order to end the strike, since one of the demands made by truck owners is the end of a ban on tractor trailer trucks using national highways over the weekends.

PASOK's leader also urged the union of truck owners to "display a sense of responsibility so that their opposition to government practices does not become converted into an opposition of society as a whole," noting the serious problems that had arisen as a result of their strike.

"I call on them to call off their mobilisation, to supply the market and meet the immediate needs of the Greek people," he said.

[17] Fuel shortages continue in Thessaloniki

There were incidents outside fuel refinery facilities in western Thessaloniki, with skirmishes breaking out between strikers and representatives of oil companies who have undertaken to supply Thessaloniki and northern Greece with gasoline using privately owned fuel tanker trucks.

The ferryboat "Daliana" remains docked in the Port of Thessaloniki due to the fuel shortage, while there are no problems with public transportation, school buses, ambulances and public utility organization vehicles.

Striking truck drivers are asking among others for a 13 percent rise in distribution charges while the government has agreed to a 5 percent hike.

[18] Fuel Truck Federation to hold general assemblies on Tuesday

A convergence of views was ascertained in the meeting with Bezas, that took place in a very good climate, according to the truckers' representatives. They did not make any commitments regarding strikes, stressing that the decisions will be taken by their general assemblies.

Employment and Social Protection Minister Fanny Palli-Petralia had her own meeting with the Federations of Truck Owners and Public Utility Trucks on Monday on the issue of the sector's social security matters.

Petralia pointed out that social security issues are not top priority issues regarding the truckers' strike and added that their demands will be probed in the framework of the restructuring of the organization of OAEE, to which their sector has now been joined.

The minister proposed the creation of a working group between the truckers and the ministry to substantiate the issues and to support the creation of a new study, whose conclusions will be brought before the new restructured OAEE for implementation.

[19] PASOK spokesman on OTE issue

He added that "no advanced country of the 'Europe of the 15' has sold its main telecommunications organisation to other countries. The New Democracy party is not only ceding state control, but it is ready, and we have heard this from the mouth of the finance minister despite denying efforts made afterwards by the other (transport and communications) minister Mr. (Kostis) Hatzidakis, to have this percentage reach 5 percent."

PASOK's spokesman reminded of the "major procedure issues" raised by the party, meaning "lost profits amounting to about 700 million euros from the mediation of Marfin Investment Group and the issue of the equal treatment of small investors."

He further said that "the claim that all governments privatise telecommunications is a lie."

Papaconstantinou pointed out that "certain European countries have proceeded with the privatization of telecommunications, but none has given its telecommunications organization to a foreign competitor."

[20] Greek households not over-indebted, Arapoglou says

Greek households are not facing any problems with their bank borrowing, Takis Arapoglou, president and chief executive of National Bank told reporters here on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the official inauguration of the Patriarchical Library of Alexandria, the Greek banker said that according to a survey conducted by the Hellenic Bank Association (EET) - due to be released in the next few weeks -- Greek households are not facing any general problems with their borrowing or their loan repayments in levels causing concern over the course of the economy, the banking system and borrowers.

Arapolgou noted that Greece, compared with other Eurozone countries, still had room to further expand bank lending to private consumers, since the rate of borrowing per GDP still lagged behind other Eurozone states.

Commenting on high charges and bank commissions on transactions, he noted that a gradual creation of SEPA (Single European Payment Area) would solve problems related with charges and commissions to the benefit of consumers and bank customers.

[21] Euroxx debuts in Alternative Market

Euroxx's shares began trading in the market at a starting price of 1.45 euros per share. The company raised 1,419,550 euros from a private placement of 979,000 shares during the period from April 11 to 16. National Bank of Greece acted as a consultant to the listing.

"I am very happy to see that securities firms trust and support the Athens Stock Exchange's efforts to expand its services," ASE chairman Spyros Kapralos told a special ceremony held on the occasion of Euroxx's listing in the market, while Aristotelis Ninios, Euroxx's chief executive, said:

"We thank the management of the Athens Stock Exchange and investors for their confidence and we can pledge to continue efforts to improving Euroxx's figures and supporting Alternative Market's operations".

[22] Bank of Greece offers honorary governor status to N.Garganas

Garganas served for 33 years in the Bank of Greece. Its second term as governor of the central bank ends early in June.

[23] Bank Federation, Labour Confederation call 24-hour strike on May 15

These banks are the National Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Probank, FBB, HSBC, BNP Paribas, Citibank, Elliniki Trapeza, American Express and Bank of Cyprus.

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) aslo called strike action on May 15 "to confront the privatisations-sales of utilities and of corporations of the public sector (DEH, OTE, ELTA, OA, ports, EYDAP and others)."

It announced a 24-hour general strike for employees of OTE and at the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki and a nationwide 3-hour work stoppage from 12:00 to 15:00 for employees of DEH, ELTA, OA and EYDAP.

A relevant announcement said that the main demand put forward in the strike is "the annulment of privatizations and the safeguarding of the public and utility character of corporations of public concern."

[24] Hellenic Exchanges reports lower Q1 results

Turnover totaled 25.7 billion euros in the January-March period, from 29 billion euros last year, for a decline of 11 percent, reflecting a 23 pct drop in the composite index of the Athens Stock Exchange over the same period. Trading proceeds totaled 7.5 million euros, down 16 pct, while proceeds from listed companies fell 67 pct to 2.3 million euros.

The derivatives market recorded a spectacular increase in business in the first quarter period, with the average daily contract volume rising to 46,000 from 36,500 last year and trading revenues rising 18 pct to 3.0 million euros.

Hellenic Exchanges said operating earnings totaled 23.7 million euros in the first three months of the year, from 31.6 million euros in 2007, for a decline of 25 percent.

[25] Projection of wineries in northern Greece

"The 37 northern Greek wine producers, members of the Union of Wine Producers of Ambelona of northern Greece, want to come into contact with the Greek tourist, offering him a different type proposal of holidays," Yiannis Vogiatzis, managing director of the agency said on Monday during a press conference in Thessaloniki.

"The projection of wine tourism, especially abroad, may have been simpler if there was a Panhellenic network," Vogiatzis added.

[26] Greek trade deficit down 6.5 pct in March

SEBE said that according to estimates made by the National Statistics Service, Greek exports fell 13.2 pct in March, after a rise of 4.4 pct in February and a decline of 9.6 pct in January 2008, while Greek imports fell (8.8 pct in March) for the third consecutive month this year (-9.5 pct in January and -8.3 pct in February).

"An international credit crisis is directly affecting international trade, with worries over the impact on Greek external trade," SEBE said in a report. The Federation also called for measures to protect Greek exports from negative domestic factors, such as labour unrest in ports and road transport and high inflation in the country.

[27] Greek stocks end flat on Monday

Most sectors moved lower, with the Healthcare (4.07 pct) and Oil (2.11 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Constructions (2.40 pct) and Media (1.21 pct) scoring the biggest gains.

The FTSE 20 index eased 0.29 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 1.09 pct lower and the FTSE 80 index fell 0.18 pct. PC Systems (11.76 pct), Centric Multimedia (8.87 pct), Titan (8.04 pct) and Varvaresos (5.77 pct) were top gainers, while United Textiles (9.09 pct), Diekat (8.33 pct), Mediterra (7.46 pct) and Alapis (6.67 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 124 to 105 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.50%

Industrials: -0.03%

Commercial: -0.79%

Construction: +2.40%

Media: +1.21%

Oil & Gas: -2.11%

Personal & Household: -1.09%

Raw Materials: -1.85%

Travel & Leisure: -1.53%

Technology: +0.96%

Telecoms: +1.19%

Banks: -0.42%

Food & Beverages: +1.28%

Health: -4.07%

Utilities: +0.15%

Chemicals: -0.08%

Financial Services: -1.38%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Neochimiki, Alapis, National Bank and OTE.

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

Alpha Bank: 21.88

ATEbank: 2.70

Public Power Corp (PPC): 26.84

HBC Coca Cola: 28.20

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.76

National Bank of Greece: 35.02

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 18.46

Intralot: 11.30

OPAP: 25.00

OTE: 20.44

Piraeus Bank: 21.90

Bank of Cyprus: 8.94

Marfin Popular Bank: 5.80

[28] ADEX closing report

The June contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 2.02 pct and the May contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.46 pct.

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 8,573 contracts worth 93.133 million euros, with 30,735 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 74 contracts worth 1.851 million euros with 264 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 7,433 contracts worth 9.788 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Hellenic Telecoms' contracts (1,782), followed by Eurobank (254), National Bank (748), Intracom (709), Marfin Popular Bank (1,088), ATEbank (321) and Marfin Investment Group (357).

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month Euribor rate was 4.94 pct, down from 4.96 pct on Friday, while the six-month rate was 4.87 pct, the three-month rate 4.85 pct and the one-month rate fell to 4.30 pct from 4.38 pct.

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.555

Pound sterling 0.795

Danish kroner 7.520

Swedish kroner 9.361

Japanese yen 161.7

Swiss franc 1.635

Norwegian kroner 7.904

Canadian dollar 1.563

Australian dollar 1.650

General News

[31] Pharmacist implicated in doping case denies charges

A memorandum was also presented to the prosecutor by a lawyer representing the importer of a line of supplements used by the athletes produced in China, who had also been called to give evidence in the capacity of a suspect.

The importer said that he had ordered amino acid supplements from the Chinese company twice over the Internet, once in 2007 and once in 2008, as a favor to the coach of Greece's national weightlifting team Christos Iacovou. He specified that he had handed these over to the coach immediately, without opening them.

Public prosecutor Andreas Karaflos has summoned both the coach and the importer to appear before him on Tuesday and answer questions, as well as a 25-year-old female weightlifter in the Greek team that has adopted a different stance from the rest of her team-mates, who have denied the doping charge.

In a letter to the weight-lifting federation in April, the athlete had claimed that she and her fellow team-mates had been administered various substances with increasing intensity in the run-up to the Olympic Games but that none of them had worried that anything illegal or dangerous was going on.

The latest doping concerning Greek athletes erupted in early April when it was announced that 11 out of 14 athletes on the national team -- both men and women -- had failed tests conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on March 7. Well-known national team coach Christos Iacovou tendered his resignation immediately, in the wake of the news.

[32] 1st Pan-Thessaly Painting, Fine Arts Exhibition gets underway

The exhibition, which will travel to Thessaly Prefecture's five municipalities, aims to become an institution projecting local arts and highlighting the local government's role in enhancing culture.

Workds on display include painting, hagiography, ceramics, woodcarving and other artistic applications.

Karditsa mayor Dominicos Verillis said the Exhibition was building new inter-municipal bridges, which need to be kept alive and creative, so as to comprise in the future an investment in culture, not only at local, but also at national, level.

[33] Major exhibition of modern Chinese art in Athens

Works of art (paintings, sculptures, videos, photography and designs) by 40 of the most representative modern Chinese artists are on display, with many of the artists in the Greek capital to attend Monday's opening, which will be inaugurated by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

The unprecedented, by Greek standards, event, is one of the biggest ever exhibitions of modern Chinese artists abroad.

The exhibition's curator is noted Chinese art critic Xin Dong Cheng.

[34] FM Bakoyannis inaugurates 'Beijing-Athens' exhibition

During the inauguration, she expressed her condolences to the government and people of China for the victims of the major earthquake that struck the country on Monday.

Bakoyannis stated that the Beijing-Athens exhibition transports the Athenian visitor to China, at the same time when the Olympic flame is traveling from ancient Olympia to Beijing.

[35] PM Karamanlis sends message to monthly literary magazine awards ceremony

The institution of literary awards that have been established for 11 years, the magazine Diavazo and the award winners were greeted by Fevronia Patrianakou, the deputy of the secretary general of the New Democracy party's Parliamentary Group, who also referred to the need for copyrights to be promoted.

[36] President Papoulias to visit Crete

Papoulias will arrive at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. On Wednesday he will be visiting the premises of the Technology and Research Foundation (ITE) and the Crete University Editions, while in the evening he will attend the inauguration sessions of the 20th National Congress of Psychiatry.

[37] Education minister presents ministry's new emblem

"Everything is a matter of Education" is the message of the new emblem.

The ministry's new emblem is the globe, which includes a series of modern symbols, which "indicate the ministry's intention to shape Greek citizens of Europe, citizens of the world," Stylianidis said.

He told reporters that the four-year planning of universities should be made by the foundations by May 30, a date which is expected to be extended.

"They have taken the models quite a long time ago and it is probable that there will be an extension up to June 10," Stylianidis noted, adding that "those who do not want will not catch up."

[38] Greek Orthodox parish church set ablaze in Melbourne suburb

Unidentified arsonists targeted the Aghia (St.) Paraskevi parish church that serves the ethnic Greek community of St. Albans in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The incident caused indignation amongst the Greek-Australian communities in the country, while a police investigation is underway for the arrest of the culprits.

According to police, the fire was set in 11 different spots in the church, while the greatest damage was done to the church's altar, where arsonists reportedly used the Bibles as fuel.

[39] Archaelogical sites closed on May 18

Weather forecast

[40] Cloud, scattered showers on Tuesday

Cyprus Affairs

[41] PASOK deputy Venizelos meets Cypriot President Christofias

The entity of the Republic of Cyprus and the will of the Cypriot people are two non-negotiable factors within the framework of the quest for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Greek main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) deputy Evangelos Venizelos said here on Monday.

In statements after meeting Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Venizelos noted that the Republic of Cyprus "is the only international legal entity in Cyprus," adding that "this constitutes the non-negotiable element upon which must be created the common strategy of Greece and Cyprus and the future solution of the Cyprus issue."

Regarding the will of the Cypriot people, Venizelos said "the referendum of 2004 imposes to us to respect the process of the referendum and for any future solution, while it also places certain very clear limits and determines the framework of the common strategy."

Venizelos stressed that that any solution must be in agreement with international law, the acquis communautaire and the will of the Cypriot people.

[42] General Army Staff Chief Voulgaris visits Cyprus

On his part, the Cypriot minister expressed the wish for even stronger cooperation between the armed forces of Greece and Cyprus.

The Greek Army Chief will also meet with Cypriot National Guard Chief Constantinos Bisbikas.

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