Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with education minister

[02] Karamanlis to depart for Bulgaria on Tuesday

[03] FM Bakoyannis receives Famagusta Mayor, Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association president

[04] PASOK party officials on issue of OTE

[05] Parliament president criticises libel suit against PASOK leader

[06] Alavanos renews attack on government, Vgenopoulos

[07] PASOK leader to visit Cyprus in near future

[08] SYN leader Tsipras visits Ano Liosia landfill, EMAK facility

[09] SYN leader visits PPC plant in Elefsina

[10] Greece and France sign internal security cooperation agreement

[11] Interior minister signs cooperation memorandum with OECD

[12] Deputy FM Kasimis holds talks with Ukrainian counterpart

[13] Archbishop pays courtesy call on education, religious affairs minister

[14] Ministers sign decision for grants to fire victims

[15] Greek budget revenues significantly down in Q1

[16] Tiresias to offer new services to commercial banks

[17] Athens' enterprises suffered heavily from protest rallies, survey

[18] Tourism minister holds talks with Halkidiki agencies

[19] CEDEFOP conference

[20] Energy authority approves photovoltaics for Parliament

[21] Greek households' debt at 45.3 pct of GDP, survey

[22] Thessaloniki prefect appeals to tourist coach owners to end strike

[23] S&B says net profits up 32.3 pct in Q1

[24] Greek stocks end 0.66 pct higher

[25] ADEX closing report

[26] Greek bond market closing report

[27] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[28] Athens Mayor begins Moscow visit

[29] Memorial service for Greeks killed in Mauthausen during WWII

[30] Art and antiques auction at Thessaloniki's Electra Palace Hotel

[31] Tens of illegal immigrants arrested in past 24 hours

[32] Convention on Greek-speaking education

[33] Four foreign nationals arrested for car theft

[34] Dutch motorcyclist killed in road accident

[35] Mostly fair on Tuesday

[36] Dedication and patience needed for Cyprus peace effort, Christofias says

[37] President Christofias says direct negotiations should be based on progress Politics

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with education minister

The co-existence of non-state higher education institutions with state universities "liberates the creative forces" in the public universities, opens the gateway to Greece for a distinguished scientific community of Greeks currently abroad, and at the same time enables the Greek sponsors to invest in tertiary education without becoming sub-contractors or employees of foreign interests, Stylianidis explained.

He added that the expansive interpretation of Article 16 enables the establish-ment of public law legal entities, "but this is a matter that is not being discussed yet, but is being studied, and always exists as a possibility".

Stylianidis stressed that the government was continuing with reforms at all levels of education, "investing confidence in the Greek state university, and taking care that high level educational services are provided at all levels of education".

Regarding entrance examinations for tertiary (higher) education, Stylianidis said a discussion was opening on disengaging the Lyceum (grades 9-12) from AEI and TEI (universities and technical colleges) entry (currently, the 12th grade exams double as tertiary education entrance exams), noting that the European trend was to facilitate access to tertiary education, and noted that the way this would be done must be the product of exhaustive discussion with the participation of the entire educational community.

"We shall formulate a legislative initiative in the next governmental period based on the conclusions to arise from the public dialogue, which will commence within this year," the minister said.

Gov't on university issue

"Universities ought to have statutes," government spokesman Thodoros Rousopoulos stressed on Monday when queried on recent statements by Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis on education issues, especially on the operation of higher institutions.

"It is unthinkable for universities to have sketchy or no statutes," he said, adding that taxpayers' money must be managed in a transparent way.

Rousopoulos stated that the education minister simply reiterated what is being dictated by relevant legislation, pointing out that Greece has to adopt directives passed in the EU with its approval.

Opposition parties reject education minister's statements

The smaller opposition parties joined in criticising statements made over the weekend by Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis regarding tertiary education in the country.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said that the "responsible stance" by students, academics and university staff would not be to simply accept the "reactionary policy in tertiary education as the education minister is asking them to do, but to decisively escalate their struggle for its reversal".

It also noted that to restrict the debate on the issue of article 16 of the Constitution was a form of diversion when the government, assisted by main opposition PASOK, was essentially enforcing directions imposed by the European Union to privatize and hand over tertiary education to capital.

KKE dismissed the minister's announcement of the abolition of the university entrance examination system, saying that working class families should not be fooled.

"This is not an abolition but a change in its form. The minister's proposal, which in its basic points is the same with the positions of PASOK and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) is actually an implementation of the directions of the EU. It leads to multiple examinations within categorized and downgraded universities/technical colleges. The class barriers to education will continue and grow stronger," an announcement said.

An announcement by SYN, meanwhile, accused the government of provocatively insisting on the foundation of private universities and of presenting these as a "magical solution for improving tertiary education in the country".

"Nothing could be further from the truth. Economic competition is directly at odds with scientific practice and leads to a lower quality of university studies, as wel know from countries that followed the ideas that the education minister is fanatically supporting," it said.

[02] Karamanlis to depart for Bulgaria on Tuesday

Directly after his arrival in the Bulgarian resort of Pomorie, Karamanlis will attend a dinner given by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev for the visiting heads of state and government, as well as the foreign ministers of SEECP nations taking part.

The following morning, the Greek premier will take part in the summit meeting, after which he is scheduled to have a private meeting with Serb President Boris Tadic.

Karamanlis will return to Athens after the end of the summit.

[03] FM Bakoyannis receives Famagusta Mayor, Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association president

Galanos said to the press afterwards that "we exchanged views, mainly on the Famagusta issue. It is a necessary Confidence-Building Measure (CBM)".

Questioned on the discussions taking place in the joint Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot working groups, Galanos expressed hope that there will be a "constructive climate", adding that "the indications we've had so far are not significant".

Earlier, Bakoyannis received former prime minister and ex-foreign minister of Jordan, and current President of Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association Dr. Abdelsalam al-Majali, with whom she discussed bilateral issues.

[04] PASOK party officials on issue of OTE

The comments come on the heels of a lawsuit filed by Marfin Investment Group (MIG) executive vice-president Andreas Vgenopoulos against main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou. The libel suit against Papandreou comes after a similar lawsuit was filed against Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alexis Tsipras. Both men, Papandreou and Tsipras, had sharply criticised MIG's decision to sell some 20 percent of Hellenic Telecommunication Organization's (OTE) equity shares to Deutsche Telekom (DT) -- an apparent prelude to DT's assumption of OTE's management following an agreement with the government last week.

Papoutsis spoke of an "extremely morbid climate that has been created in the country at the government's responsibility" in which "the act by Mr. Vgenopoulos, that constitutes a show of audacity, finds suitable ground."

The Parliamentary spokesman further said that "some are rubbing their hands with the initiatives by Vgenopoulos, because it appears that they are also preparing themselves in other areas in the wider public sector for backstage dealings, agreements and sellouts (and) I am referring to the energy sector. These plans shall not pass."

Papoutsis accused Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis of using "as an alibi and for a high fee the three banks with regard to the floating of public corporations, but he ultimately selected Mr. Vgenopoulos as a strategic partner, functioning as a guarantor of the excess value for assigning the administrative rights of OTE to Deutsche Telekom."

He went on to say that in the country "we are watching a shadow theatre with the aim of disorientating public opinion from the scandal that the sellout of OTE is."

Also referring to the same issue, PASOK's economy rapporteur Louka Katseli spoke of a "huge transparency issue", since the full text of the agreement has not been publicized.

[05] Parliament president criticises libel suit against PASOK leader

He comment comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by Marfin Investment Group (MIG) executive vice-president Andreas Vgenopoulos against main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou.

"Viewpoints and political positions presented in Parliament cannot and should not be brought to the court room," Sioufas stated.

The libel suit against Papandreou comes after a similar lawsuit was filed against Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alexis Tsipras.

Both men, Papandreou and Tsipras, had sharply criticized MIG's decision to sell some 20 percent of Hellenic Telecommunication Organization's (OTE) equity shares to Deutsche Telekom (DT) -- an apparent prelude to DT's assumption of OTE's management following an agreement with the government last week.

A day earlier, main opposition PASOK had issued an acerbic response regarding the libel lawsuit.

"The lawsuit by the head of MIG against the president of PASOK ... follows a slippery and dangerous path for country's political life and democracy ... The target for those that adopt (such a policy) is clear: to intimidate political leaders, to reshuffle the relationship between politics and the economy and to hold the political system hostage," a PASOK spokesman said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also issued a press statement condemning the action.

MIG reaction

On Monday, MIG issued a press release, stating, among others: "We would like to clarify that our lawsuit against Mr. G. Papandreou was filed on May 8, 2008 following his (Papandreou) request, which we met. A ruthless and abusive attack against our company had come earlier, followed by an invitation from Mr. Papandreou, aired in Parliament, where he promised to waive his Parliamentary MP immunity so that we could sue him in order for his allegations to be assessed by a court," the statement read.

[06] Alavanos renews attack on government, Vgenopoulos

Alavanos was speaking during a SYRIZA parliamentary group meeting focusing on the national spatial plan.

"[Ruling New Democracy] is a government that supports, embraces and gives succour to the forces of a new 'kleptocracy' that have become dangerous for our country. What we are seeing today is a major case that is related to the efforts to sell OTE, which have involved the intervention of businesses and powers that have a very worrying record," Alavanos said.

Alavanos also criticized the government for accepting the sale of OTE by MIG when a public prosecutor's report issued in July 2007 had recommended that Vgenopoulos be brought to trial on criminal charges (breach of faith and legalizing income from illegal activities) for the sale of three structured bonds to a social insurance fund.

To back up his claim, Alavanos released a copy of the 70-page report on Vgenopoulos's activities by the public prosecutor.

[07] PASOK leader to visit Cyprus in near future

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou will be visiting Cyprus in the coming weeks for talks with the island republic's political leadership on the Cyprus problem.

This was announced here on Monday by PASOK's foreign policy rapporteur and deputy Andreas Loverdos, who is currently in Nicosia for talks with Cypriot parliamentary parties' leaderships.

"The importance and emphasis we attribute to developments and to the Cyprus issue in general, will be confirmed in the strongest possible manner by PASOK through our president's visit to the island in the coming weeks," Loverdos noted.

[08] SYN leader Tsipras visits Ano Liosia landfill, EMAK facility

He pointed out that the creation of landfills in the region of Western Attica has a clearly class-discriminating character, and a new strategy will have to be prepared soon to include, among others, recycling at the source, reduction of waste volume, and new spatial, processing and garbage disposal planning.

"We are lagging far behind in Europe in the sector of waste recycling, considering that in 2006 when recycling in the EU countries was 41 percent, in Greece it was 13 percent," Tsipras added, concluding that a policy change is imperative both for public health reasons and for the future of major urban centers.

Later, during a visit to the 1st EMAK (emergency operations and rescue teams) facilities in Aspropirgos, wider Athens, Tsipras spoke of criminal negligence on the part of the political leadership referring to last year's devastating wildfires.

Tsipras expressed gratitude on behalf of his party for the role the EMAK crews played fighting the fires and underlined the need for the establishment of effective firefighting agency and firefighting equipment and permanent personnel.

He also referred to the political responsibilities as regards last summer's wildfires that coincided with a period following the revision of article 24 of the Constitution, adding that the burned regions were becoming land plots instead of being reforested.

[09] SYN leader visits PPC plant in Elefsina

Tsipras accused the government "of selling off everything due to demolition" and said it was a "government of major scandals, through the deals that it signed with large private groups".

He also referred to the state of western Attica, saying that it had become the "capital's dump" since it was home to both the landfill site at Ano Liossia that received all the city's rubbish but also its largest and most polluting industrial plants.

[10] Greece and France sign internal security cooperation agreement

The joint determination of France and Greece to provide the necessary means required for the protection of their citizens was sealed here on Monday by the interior ministers of the two countries, Michelle Aliot Marie and Prokopis Pavlopoulos respectively, with the signing of a "Cooperation Agreement on Internal Security Issues."

According to the French minister, it is an agreement that it is hoped will function "as a model for widening solidarity at European level on internal security issues."

The relevant ceremony was held at the French interior ministry in the presence of Greek Ambassador to Paris Dimitris Paraskevopoulos. After signing, the two ministers exchanged gifts, while the Greek minister gave his French counterpart an "honorary plaque" as a token of Greece's gratitude for French assistance provided during last year's wildfires.

Aliot Marie said that "the signing of this agreement specifies the very close and longstanding relations that exist between Greece and France in the sector of security and civil protection."

Pavlopoulos said on his part that "we agree absolutely with the axes set by France, namely the promotion of security in the region of Europe, the struggle against terrorism, against drugs and against crimes that take place through the use of the Internet."

He added that "Greece will support the adoption of an 'Immigration Pact' that France is preparing and which constitutes one of the ambitions of the French Presidency," due to begin on July 1.

[11] Interior minister signs cooperation memorandum with OECD

Greek Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos signed a "Cooperation Memorandum" with the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) here on Monday with its Secretary General Angel Gurria and Odile Sallard, Director of the Public Governance.

Cooperation concerns the OECD carrying out the project of "Strengthening the reforming of public administration in Greece," amounting to 2.09 million euros.

OECD analyses that will be prepared on the basis of this cooperation will be utilized in the effort to reorganize Greek public administration, which is being attempted for the first time with the "Administrative Reform 2007-2013" programme.

Speaking after the signing of the memorandum, Pavlopoulos said that the administrative reform that the interior ministry is currently attempting constitutes "the first integrated, comprehensive and realistic undertaking for the radical reconstruction of administration in Greece over the past 25 years."

According to the minister, the total cost of the programme will exceed 631 million euros. The aim is to upgrade service for citizens and businesses, the radical combating of bureaucracy, decreasing administrative burdens, boosting entrepreneurship and the country's effectiveness.

[12] Deputy FM Kasimis holds talks with Ukrainian counterpart

Kasimis noted the Alliance's support for Ukraine's Euroatlantic orientation, as it was also seen from decisions taken at the Bucharest summit. He also pointed out to his counterpart that his country's reformist efforts must be continued in all sectors, especially in the economy and in the strengthening of democratic institutions.

[13] Archbishop pays courtesy call on education, religious affairs minister

The Archbishop wished Greek students "good luck" in the nationwide examinations that commence on Tuesday.

Stylianidis expressed his joy and honor at the Archbishop's visit, speaking to reporters afterwards, and said spoke of a "constructive cooperation" on religious education, its upgrading, and the creation of new horizons.

Replying to questions, the minister said that everything was ready for the nationwide examinations, and wished university candidates "good luck".

Financial News

[14] Ministers sign decision for grants to fire victims

The money is an advance payment of the free state aid that fire victims will receive in order to rebuild their homes. It will be given to applicants when they receive a certificate showing that free state assistance to rebuild has been set.

The same decision also grants an advance payment of 2,000 euros for those eligible for state aid to repair homes, once they submit the necessary paperwork. Both sums will be paid from the Special Fund for Emergencies.

[15] Greek budget revenues significantly down in Q1

A report by the finance ministry said the budget deficit fell by 23.4 percent in the January-March period, from an 11.8 percent budget target for 2008. The State Accounting Office in a statement said the introduction of a new tax levy on real estate properties and measures aimed at a more efficient management of fuel market were expected to bring additional revenues in the next few months. It also said that revenue returns grew 26.9 percent in the three-month period.

Primary spending rose 0.4 percent in the January-March period, sharply off compared with a budget target of 8.3 pct, with spending on interest rising 3.2 pct from a budget target of 7.2 pct.

A Public Investments Program's proceeds fell by 36.1 pct in the first quarter, sharply exceeding a 7.0 pct decline budget target, with spending down 34.9 pct from a budget target of a growth rate of 5.6 pct.

The State Accounting Office said Q1 figures were affected by a recent workers' strike in the Bank of Greece.

[16] Tiresias to offer new services to commercial banks

Yiannis Mourgelas, chairman of Tiresias, said the new service will be ready in about one year and noted that commercial banks will be able to award consistent customers, by offering them lower interest rates on loan products.

Christos Gortsos, secretary-general of the Hellenic Bank Association, addressing a special event held to present the new service by Tiresias, said recent reports alleging that house foreclosures totaled 100,000 in the country were totally wrong. Gortsos said that the Association will begin an information campaign on the issue by unveiling analytical figures on foreclosures and auctions of houses, while in mid-June it will unveil a survey over the contribution of the banking system to the national economy.

He noted that foreclosures and auctions of houses in 2007 totaled around 5,000 in 2007 and noted that the majority of Greek households did not have any problems repaying their debt to commercial banks.

[17] Athens' enterprises suffered heavily from protest rallies, survey

The survey, conducted for the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showed that enterprises operating in the center of Athens suffered a loss of 25,374,220 euros in turnover and a loss of 6,343,555 euros in profits in the two-month period. The survey also stressed that enterprises suffered losses of 5,935,483 euros and 1,483,870 euros in turnover and profits, respectively, for each day of general strike including mass transportation.

Presenting the survey, Constantinos Mihalos, president of the Chamber, said the survey would be submitted with political parties and all interested agencies and noted that his aim was to begin a new round of talks over small protest rallies in the center of the city.

The survey also showed that 12.5 pct of enterprises suffered damages from protest rallies, 7.5 pct have suffered significantly from robbery, a 6.5 pct have witnessed significant damages and another 4.5 pct have suffered total damages.

A 35.5 pct of enterprises considered protest rallies the biggest disadvantage of their location, while another 30.5 pct blamed the traffic, 12.5 pct operating costs and 12.5 pct increased competition.

The vast majority of enterprises also said they were in favour of making a pedestrian way all around the city's historic center.

[18] Tourism minister holds talks with Halkidiki agencies

According to Spiliotopoulos, Halkidiki is an arm facilitating Greece's infiltration of markets in southeastern Europe, due to its proximity and in accordance with data concerning the arrivals of past years that give the region a high position in the preferences of tourists coming from there.

As regards assessments concerning tourist movement in Halkidiki this year, it is expected to be 7-8 percent higher than last year, while tourist arrivals from Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania are expected to register a sharp increase.

[19] CEDEFOP conference

Addressing a conference on funding continuing training, taking place in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and coming to an end on Tuesday, Bulgarelli said that despite progress that has been achieved at European level, both in lifelong training and its subsidization by the state, European Union services and private individuals, all European countries are required to increase funds provided for training their working people and to create new sources of funding.

She added that by the year 2015, the demand for working people having increased skills will be increasing all the more. She mentioned in this context that 30 percent of employed people, meaning 12.5 million persons, will be active in positions requiring high level knowledge and qualifications, 50 percent in average level (9.5 million people) and 20 percent in low level (8.5 million people).

Stressing that the EU is "aging", she also noted that, according to surveys, people of a greater age refuse to join the "game" of continuous training, education and the acquisition of additional skills.

[20] Energy authority approves photovoltaics for Parliament

The application was lodged as part of a drive initiated by Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas for greater involvement by the Greek Parliament in environmental initiatives, such as reducing its carbon footprint.

The system installed consists of 192 photovoltaic thin-film panels that generate a high yield even in conditions of low sunlight. The electricity generated will be use to cover the needs of Parliament and any surplus will be fed into the Public Power Corporation electricity grid without charge.

Parliament technicians are also looking into the installation of photovoltaic systems on other Parliament buildings, such as the old tobacco factory on Lenorman Street that is destined to be renovated, repaired and converted into a modern arts centre for western Attica.

[21] Greek households' debt at 45.3 pct of GDP, survey

The survey, however, noted that a 50 percent of households with lower income faced difficulties in repaying theid debt. The central bank warned that households' annual debt burden will rise in the future adding more pressure on households with higher debt or lower income.

The percentage of households with at least one bank loan rose to 51.4 pct in 2007, from 46.9 pct. Around two-thirds of debt was credit card debt, followed by mortgage debt (40.1 pct).

[22] Thessaloniki prefect appeals to tourist coach owners to end strike

The coaches are used to transport students living in remote areas to their schools and to examination centres.

The coach owners called an indefinite strike to demand some 18 months back pay that is owed to them by the state.

During a press conference held on Monday, Psomiadis said that he will be meeting Deputy Finance Minister Nikolaos Legas in Athens on Tuesday to discuss the 12 million euros owed to the owners of tourist buses.

[23] S&B says net profits up 32.3 pct in Q1

The Group said consolidated sales and net profits from continuous activities rose 17.3 pct and 39.9 pct in the first three months of 2008, with turnover at 111.1 million euros and net profits at 8.3 million euros.

Operating earnings, however, fell 7.3 pct to 9.7 million euros in the January-March period, reflecting higher fuel costs and an increased administrative cost.

[24] Greek stocks end 0.66 pct higher

Most sectors moved higher with the Oil (3.09 pct), Insurance (2.76) and Technology (1.90 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Raw Materials (2.81 pct), Telecommunications (1.27 pct) and Industrials (0.79 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index rose 0.72 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.23 percent higher and the FTSE 80 index ended 0.41 pct up. Euroholdings (12.82 pct), United Textiles (10.0 pct) and Euroxx (10.0 pct) were top gainers, while Altius (9.94 pct), Elviemek (9.63 pct) and Karamolegos (9.27 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 146 to 85 with another 60 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +2.76%

Industrials: -0.79%

Commercial: +0.58%

Construction: +0.70%

Media: +0.19%

Oil & Gas: +3.09%

Personal & Household: +0.40%

Raw Materials: -2.81%

Travel & Leisure: +0.02%

Technology: +1.90%

Telecoms: -1.27%

Banks: +1.24%

Food & Beverages: +0.81%

Health: +1.60%

Utilities: -0.46%

Chemicals: +0.23%

Financial Services: -0.45%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 23.12

ATEbank: 2.78

Public Power Corp (PPC): 25.80

HBC Coca Cola: 29.20

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.50

National Bank of Greece: 35.00

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 28.58

Intralot: 12.26

OPAP: 24.98

OTE: 18.66

Piraeus Bank: 22.70

Bank of Cyprus: 9.00

Marfin Popular Bank: 5.96

[25] ADEX closing report

Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 4,333 contracts worth 48.205 million euros, with 30,127 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 38 contracts worth 963,000 euros, with 152 open positions.

Volume on futures contracts on equities totaled 10,923 contracts worth 11.678 million euros, with investment interest focusing on OTE's contracts (2,262), followed by Marfin Investment Group (1,880), National Bank (517), Intracom (1,792), Marfin Popular Bank (1,467), Mytilineos (550) and ATEbank (238).

[26] Greek bond market closing report

In the interbank market, interest rates moved higher. The 12-month Euribor rate rose to 4.98 pct from 4.94 pct on Friday, the six-month rate eased to 4.89 pct from 4.90 pct, the three-month rate was 4.85 pct and the one-month rate 4.37 pct.

[27] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.570

Pound sterling 0.803

Danish kroner 7.520

Swedish kroner 9.361

Japanese yen 163.34

Swiss franc 1.643

Norwegian kroner 7.850

Canadian dollar 1.561

Australian dollar 1.645

[28] Athens Mayor begins Moscow visit

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis told the Russian ITAR-TASS news agency that the Athens municipality's main target was "to capitalise on good prospects that exist in all sectors and reinforce the ongoing cooperation with Moscow Municipality," speaking during an interview published on Monday, upon his arrival in the Russian capital for a four-day official visit.

"I believe that friendship is something that is being cultivated with consistency and continuity. I personally would like to contribute to the promotion of Athenians' intentions regarding even stronger links with Moscow," he said.

Kaklamanis is scheduled to meet with Moscow Mayor Yuri M. Luzhkov on Wednesday, with whom he will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation concerning five areas: the environment, culture, sport, tourism and mass media. A press conference will follow the signing of the agreement.

On Monday evening, the Athens mayor attended a te deum service in memory of victims of the Pontian Greek genocide in Turkey.

[29] Memorial service for Greeks killed in Mauthausen during WWII

A memorial service and a wreath laying ceremony for the 3,700 Greeks who perished in the Mauthausen concentration camp during WWII were held here on Sunday in the presence of representatives of the Greek State, Church and members of the Greek-Austrian community.

A multi-national ceremony with the participation of dozens of foreign delegations was also held at the Mauthausen Monument in the presence of Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Parliament President Barbara Prammer.

The Mauthausen concentration camp, 170km west of Vienna, was established by the German Nazis in 1938 when a number of Dachau prisoners were transferred there. Until the camp was liberated by the allied forces on May 5, 1945, over 206,000 prisoners from all over Europe experienced the most inhuman treatment conceivable. A total of 122,797 people, among them 3,700 Greeks, were led to their deaths in the Mauthausen Concentration Camp crematoria.

[30] Art and antiques auction at Thessaloniki's Electra Palace Hotel

The spring auction is organised by the Hellenic Auctions and includes some rare works previously held in private collections, such as a painting of a scene from the Esfigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos painted in 1925 by Spyros Papaloukas, evaluated at around 15,000-20,000 euros, and a painting of "Odysseas and Nausica on the island of the Phaeacians" by Constantine Parthenis, estimated to be worth between 10,000-15,000 euros, among others.

The auction will be begin at the Electra Palace Hotel at 7:30 on Monday but the works themselves will be on display for the public from Sunday in the same area. A catalogue of the items for sale is available at the website www.hellenicauctions.com.

A large part of the money collected in the auction will be donated to the Thessaloniki orphanage for girls "Melissa".

[31] Tens of illegal immigrants arrested in past 24 hours

Forty four illegal migrants, among them 2 newborn babiess, were intercepted on the island of Farmakonisi, southeast Aegean, and taken to the Leros island hospital to be provided with first aid treatment, while 5 males were arrested on the island of Lesvos, northeastern Aegean. Another 27 illegal migrants were found hidden in a truck in the process of boarding a ferry to Italy and 10 were arrested in the port of Igoumenitsa.

Also, Coast Guard officers arrested 33 illegal immigrants and their smugglers, a Romanian and two Greeks, in Daskalio, Keratea, wider Athens region, on Monday.

Illegal immigrants arrive on Greek islands on a daily basis despite the intensified Coast Guard patrols following Merchant Marine, Aegean and Island Policy Minister George Voulgarakis' orders.

A total of 1,100 illegal immigrants were arrested on Greek islands during the Easter holidays, while 9,240 illegal immigrants and 196 migrant smugglers were arrested in 2007.

[32] Convention on Greek-speaking education

The convention aimed at upgrading Greek-speaking Education in Europe was hosted by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad-SAE Europe Region and the Federation of Greek Associations and Communities of Sweden

[33] Four foreign nationals arrested for car theft

Under police interrogation, the four have apparently admitted to breaking into seven private cars in past weeks and are to be led before a public prosecutor.

[34] Dutch motorcyclist killed in road accident

Weather forecast

[35] Mostly fair on Tuesday

Cyprus Affairs

[36] Dedication and patience needed for Cyprus peace effort, Christofias says

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias on Monday called for patience, caution and dedication to the new peace effort, if it is to yield results.

The Cyprus problem, he said, under discussion for the past 33 years, cannot be resolved in a few months, if one takes into consideration the starting point of each of the island's two communities.

Nonetheless, the president expressed hope that the problem will be solved as soon as possible, and added: "we need to be pragmatists if we really mean to work hard to solve the Cyprus issue".

He said he disagreed with "tactical moves" from either the Greek Cypriot or the Turkish Cypriot side, stressing that he cannot accept suffocating deadlines.

He said at Friday's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat he will raise the difficulties faced at the level of the discussions at the Working Groups and the Technical Committees, comprising experts from both communities to discuss various aspects of the Cyprus question.

The president said he will also bring to Talat's attention the Turkish Cypriot side's persistence to start direct negotiations the soonest possible.

Six working groups and seven technical committees have been engaged in talks for the past 3-4 weeks to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the leaders of the two communities. The teams of experts were set up following an agreement in March this year between

Christofias and Talat, who also agreed they would meet in three months' time to review progress. President Christofias has asked to meet Talat sooner to discuss certain issues pertaining to the talks. They will meet on Friday.

Speaking at Larnaca airport on arrival from Peru where he participated in the Latin America-European Union summit, President Christofias stressed that good cooperation is developing on issues dealing with rising food prices and global warming.

After Peru, President Christofias flew to London where he had a meeting with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and discussed "issues of common interest." He also had a very "constructive meeting" with the Cypriots living in London.

"I promised the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in Britain that as President of the Republic, I will continue to have close contact with them. I will listen to their problems and we will try together to make use of this large community", the president said.

He also had the opportunity to meet the President of Austria and brief him about the latest developments in Cyprus.

Responding to questions, the president noted that during his stay in Lima, a lot of his EU partners as well as other leaders of the international community welcomed his initiatives on the Cyprus issue and expressed their readiness to help.

"They are very pleased with the fact that the new President of the Republic has made moves to resume the Cyprus peace effort, a promising movement, in spite of the difficulties we might face and given the current situation in Turkey", the president said.

Asked whether he discussed with other leaders the need to exert pressure on Turkey to change its stance on Cyprus, the president said that this particular effort requires patience, tactfulness, noting that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to pass this message to its EU partners.

[37] President Christofias says direct negotiations should be based on progress

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has said that in order for negotiations between him and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to have any possibility of success, they should be based on real and not plasmatic progress at the working groups dealing with aspects of the Cyprus problem and preparing the ground for substantial. negotiations between Christofias and Talat.

Addressing a gathering of the National Cypriot Federation of the United Kingdom in London over the weekend, President Christofias said this was provided for in the March 21 agreement between the leaders of the two communities.

He pointed out that progress should not be taken for granted and that the success of the process was not guaranteed.

''We are working with insistence and patience for progress in the working groups. The results from the working groups so far are, in our opinion, not satisfactory. That is why I asked from the Turkish Cypriot leader to meet to review the work done, to identify the difficulties and problems which exist and see how we can help move things forward. It is known that this meeting has been scheduled for May 23,'' he added.

President Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot side's positions on the solution of the Cyprus problem were clearly in favour of a bicommunal bizonal federation.

He added that ''the position on the existence of two peoples and two states in Cyprus, which is unfortunately often expressed by the Turkish side, contradicts what has been agreed and the historical reality in Cyprus,'' noting that there was only one people on the island, the people of Cyprus, made up of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot community".

''We will remain faithful to these positions. We also underline the need for the other side to respect this basis, so that the partnership of the two communities of 1960, in the framework of a single state, will evolve in the context of a bizonal bicommunal federal state. This is the only way to reach an agreed solution, in the framework of the UN and with the assistance and contribution of the EU,'' he pointed out.

President Christofias said that a settlement should secure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people, and respect international and European law.

He added that his government was promoting an international campaign to convince the world that the Greek Cypriot side had good will and wanted to reach a settlement the soonest possible, noting that ''as a result of our initiatives we have managed to convince the international community of our sincere will for a solution and reunification.''

Replying to questions from the audience, President Christofias said he hoped a common language could be found with Talat and noted he was not sure if the Turkish government was consciously adopting decisions of the Turkish Security Council.

Referring to the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with the United Kingdom, President Christofias said he aimed at enhancing the bilateral dialogue and announced that he would be holding an official visit to London, during which he would be meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He also assured the overseas Cypriots that he would maintain the close contact and bidirectional relationship between the government and the Cypriots living abroad, adding that enhancing the role of overseas Cypriots was one of his government's main aims.

President Christofias furthermore assured that he was promoting his pre-election commitment to establish a fairer society, through the creation of a more modern state, which would enhance social solidarity.

Addressing the audience, which included Turkish Cypriots, President of the National Cypriot Federation of the UK Peter Droushiotis assured that efforts to promote the Cyprus cause would be intensified, adding that the vision of the Federation was a reunited, independent Cyprus, in which all the citizens could work and prosper in conditions of peace and freedom.

The panel included Droushiotis, President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots Charis Sophoclides, and Vice-Presidents of the National Cypriot Federation of the UK Christodoulos Stylianou and Andreas Papaevripides.

Also present at the discussion were Cyprus' Acting High Commissioner in London Demetris Hadjiargyrou, Greek Ambassador Vassilis Pispinis, representatives of Archbishop Gregorios, and representatives of organisations and associations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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