Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 10-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Opening of closed professions will help growth

[02] PM visits Fire Brigade Operations Center

[03] Alt. FM Droutsas to visit Belgrade and Pristina

[04] Alt. FM Droutsas to meet with UN special envoy Downer

[05] Labor minister briefs troika experts of program implementation

[06] EU-IMF troika meets BoG governor

[07] Parliament passes laws on salary raises, exploiting state assets

[08] GSEE calls for ILO intervention; union leaders meet troika reps

[09] New IKA-ETAM governor approved by Parliament

[10] Crucial meeting between striking truckers and transport minister

[11] Striking truckers to decide Friday

[12] Environment ministry sets up National Water Council

[13] ND leader addresses supporters in Mytilini

[14] Tsipras visits Crete, opposes development on Elafonissi

[15] Appeals to CoS against austerity measures

[16] Consulates closed in restructuring of foreign ministry services

[17] Greek-US talks on energy issues

[18] Defence minister presents EU deal for Skaramangas Shipyard

[19] Interview by Dep. Min. Nikitiadis: 'Initiatives reverse Greece's negative image abroad'

[20] Greek PPI up 6.5 pct in June

[21] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling reports positive H1 results

[22] ASE surpasses 1,700 level

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] ADEX closing report

[25] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[26] Five people sustained stab wounds during scuffle

[27] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[28] Kyprianou and Downer discuss Cyprus problem and solution prospects

[29] Downer sees positive sentiments and hope after leadersÔ dinner

[01] PM: Opening of closed professions will help growth

"It essentially opens the possibilities for growth," the premier also said while addressing a cabinet meeting that focused on the opening of closed professions. Papandreou asked from Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou to go ahead with the shaping of a general framework of principles regarding the issue.

The prime minister also said that the measures his government has taken aimed at "handling the situation it inherited," adding: "We now continue our work, a work of permanent changes and overturnings."

Papandreou noted that his governmemnt has "managed, despite difficulties and with the Greek people's sacrifices to save the country, by achieving what many, inside and outside Greece, considered unfeasible."

"Greece begins to change," he said.

Referring to the EU-IMF support package loan to Greece, the prime minister said that it provided the country with time and allowed it to begin from a different starting point. He also said the year 2011 will be a difficult one, but with the government intensifying its efforts on its social programme and growth by creating the appropriate climate for investments.

"We are those who will take the country out from supervision. We are those who will secure the possibility of taking decisions without supervisions," Papandreou underlined.

[02] PM visits Fire Brigade Operations Center

He also praised the corps for its successful coordination in tackling fires, adding that efforts are being made to upgrade the fire stations in material means.

The premier further stressed that coordination between the fire brigade and local governments and volunteers is the key to preventing a repeat of past tragedies.

"We are in the middle of the summer, and hope that everything will go well," Papandreou added.

[03] Alt. FM Droutsas to visit Belgrade and Pristina

In Belgrade, he will be meeting with Greek businessmen, while in Pristina he will have contacts with Kosovo leaders Fatmi Sejdiu and Hashim Thaci.

Foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras stated that the visit will be carried out in light of the ICJ advisory opinion, and after consultations with the EU partners and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in the General Affairs Council in Brussels.

"Greece's message is that the future of the region lies in the EU," Delavekouras pointed out.

"We believe that the advisory opinion can serve as a springboard for a substantial political process that will facilitate cooperation and understanding with a view to the European future of the region," the FM spokesman stated.

"Greece's position on the issue of Kosovo is well known and not changing. We should focus on the future and leave the past behind. Greece has a specific role in the region and is called on to meet its responsibilities," Delavekouras stated. He also pointed out that Greece has a decisive role in the European perspective of the western Balkan region referring to the Thessaloniki strategy and the Agenda 2014 roadmap.

[04] Alt. FM Droutsas to meet with UN special envoy Downer

The Alt. FM will express Greece's full support of Cypriot President Demetris Christofias' package of proposals as regards the negotiation.

"These proposals can lend momentum to the negotiation process and significantly improve the climate. They show that President Christofias is a step ahead in the initiatives to resolve the Cyprus issue," Delavekouras said, adding that "hopefully, the Turkish side will respond positively."

[05] Labor minister briefs troika experts of program implementation

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, the Greek minister said talks covered all policies and troika experts agreed that the ministry was moving ahead of schedule with the program.

Loverdos said the ministry was not experiencing any problems with supplementary pensions to any pension fund and said that a report on the country's pension system was expected by October. He also presented figures showing a 25.8 pct reduction in spending for pharmaceutical products by the Social Insurance Fund (IKA) and expressed his satisfaction over improved contribution revenues by other pension funds.

IKA reported an 1.8 pct decline in revenues reflecting higher unemployment in the country.

[06] EU-IMF troika meets BoG governor

Provopoulos briefed the inspectors on the state of the Greek banking system and the results of a stress test regarding the Greek banks.

On Friday morning the inspectors are due to meet Papaconstantinou while they are expected next week to draw up their report on the basis of which a second tranche of the EU-IMF support package loan to Greece will be disbursed.

[07] Parliament passes laws on salary raises, exploiting state assets

The controversial legislation was passed by 53 votes for and 47 against, having the support of ruling PASOK and in some cases the right-wing Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party. The amendment on salary increases was tabled by Labour Minister Andreas Loverdos in response to two decisions by the Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration (OMED) that gave specific professional groups an annual salary hike greater than that agreed in the memorandum signed by Greece for the EU-IMF bailout package.

In addition to the one-year freeze on OMED salary increases, it restricts increases in the lowest salaries and wages to the levels of average European inflation for the space of two years.

Also passed were measures allowing the finance ministry to use state bonds as a compensation payment to laid-off Olympic Airways staff and postponing the collection of a tax on TV advertisements until October.

More broadly accepted was an amendment that makes the State General Accounting Office in charge of monitoring the execution of the budget, which was also supported by main opposition New Democracy.

Answering to charges of effectively abolishing labour arbitration, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said the bill did not abolish OMED or collective labour agreements but was a signal that when the country "is in the current fiscal state and social bodies had taken some very responsible decisions, no one has a right to diverge from them."

Replying, ND MP Kostas Markopoulos accused the government of trying to relieve employers from the obligations to give salary increases in exchange for the indirect taxes and emergency levy that they paid.

In criticism of the amendment for exploiting state assets without going through the Court of Audit, opposition parties questioned whether the measure was constitutional.

The finance minister clarified that the legislation aims to give the Interministerial Privatisations Committee the power to evaluate state assets that is not given by current legislation, such as for radio and television frequencies.

He said that the law imposing a pre-contract inspection of agreements greater than one million euros had not been applied to privatisations since 2002. This position was, however, disputed by ND, while other MPs noted that the Court of Audit staff association had condemned the measure.

The left-wing parties, in particular, were highly critical of the measure that delayed payment of TV advertising taxes, pointing out that the government made no delay in "looting the income of workers".

[08] GSEE calls for ILO intervention; union leaders meet troika reps

The key-points of the memorandum concern the state's intervention in collective labour agreements with the adoption of permanent measures, the abolition of minimum wages, the disruption of labour relations, the impact on workers' rights, the serious reductions in salaries and pensions and radical social insurance reforms.

GSEE maintained that "the country's commitments to its international creditors cannot be used to justify the attack on workers' fundamental rights that are guaranteed by the Greek Constitution and binding International Labour Contracts."

Meanwhile, in a meeting with the representatives of the IMF, ECB and European Commission, known as the "troika", GSEE President Yiannis Panagopoulos reiterated the steadfast position of the private sector umbrella union that the measures adopted are "tough and socially unjust", referring particularly to the cuts in low pensions.

Panagopoulos stated that there should be no more interventions in the private sector, adding that the trade unions and the employers have proved that they can handle the sector's problems on their own through negotiations.

[09] New IKA-ETAM governor approved by Parliament

The vote was virtually unanimous, having the support of both main parties and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS).

During a hearing in Parliament, Spyropoulos said that his main goals will be to reduce contribution evasion, which currently stands at an estimated 30 percent, by at least 5 percent per year; to complete and extend IT infrastructure in order to better monitor the fund's activities and operations; rationalise spending and re-examine supervision for pension payments; strict monitoring of all spending on medical, pharmaceutical and hospital care and better use of IKA-ETAM's massive real estate assets.

Other targets cited by Spyropoulos were the creation of a consortium-style structure between IKA-ETAM and other large social insurance bodies, such as the free-lancer workers and farmers funds OAEE and OGA, for joint procurements and inspection of supplies in order to rationalise spending on drugs and medical equipment; the transfer of IKA central services to a new building that will house the labour and social insurance ministry in Rendi and re-evaluation of existing leases for IKA branches throughout Greece; finally, he announced plans to inaugurate the post of an IKA-ETAM officer at Citizens Service Centres from the second half of 2010, who will provide advice on IKA-related issues and decentralise the process for awarding pensions.

[10] Crucial meeting between striking truckers and transport minister

On Wednesday, the government responded to the open-ended strike by ordering a civil mobilisation to force truckers to return to work.

After the conclusion of Thursday's meeting, a representative of the truck owners, including tanker trucks that transport fuels, said only that the sector's federations were currently meeting and would soon announce what stance they intend to take.

Among truck owners demands to end their strike action was that the minister promise to delay any vote on a draft bill that seeks to open up their currently closed profession until the end of August. This demand had been provisionally agreed to on Wednesday by ministry general secretary Haris Tsiokas.

In the meantime, prefectures were beginning to issue the orders requisitioning individual truck owners' services and their vehicles so that the market might be supplied with fuel and resume its operation.

Earlier on Thursday, truck owners clashed with police on Thursday morning outside the ministry after they attempted to storm the ministry in protest against the civil mobilisation order.

Police used tear gas to turn back the strikers, who tried to storm into the building to meet with Reppas.

Orders to individual truckers began being served from 6:00 a.m. by administrative process-servers, but defiant truck owners originally said they would ignore them.

Refusal to obey the order carries penalties of up to five years imprisonment (the maximum term for a misdemeanor) and the risk of having their licence revoked.

The government legislation seeks to open up the currently closed road freight market that is open only to licensed "public use" trucks. The last government licences were issued in the 1970s and opening this market is among Greece's obligations to the EU.

[11] Striking truckers to decide Friday

A representative of the truckers union said Thursday night that their general assembly on Friday will be deciding on the continuation of the strike or not.

On Wednesday, the government responded to the open-ended strike by ordering a civil mobilisation to force truckers to return to work.

[12] Environment ministry sets up National Water Council

The 26-member Council will be chaired by the Environment, Energy and Climate Change minister, and also comprise one representative each of the five parliamentary parties, experts in related fields, a representative each of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE) and Union of Prefectural governments of Greece (ENAE), a representative each of the country's regional Water Boards, and representatives of the national confederation of agricultural cooperatives (PASEGES), the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB), the Public Power Corporation (PPC), the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the Technical and Geotechnical Chambers of Greece (TEE and GEOTEE), the Geological and Metallurgical Research Institute (IGME), the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (ELKETHE), the National Center for Scientific Research (EKEFE Demokritos, two representative for the non-governmental environmental organisations, and others.

The National Water Council will be convened at least once a year by its chairperson.

[13] ND leader addresses supporters in Mytilini

He further admitted that his party did not succeed, during its 2004-2009 governance, in contrilling the deficits in most public utility companies.

Commenting on ruling PASOK's policies, Samaras said that when it came into office it swelled the deficit it iherited while refusing to take immediate measures.

The Memorandum which Greece signed last May with the European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave to the country temporary liquidity but it does not provide an exit from the crisis, Samaras also said, adding that no more sacrifices are now needed nor extra restricting measures.

The main opposition leader also called for the implementation of measures that woud serve growth.

Referring to Greek national issues, Samaras also accused the ruling PASOK of resorting to compromises.

"Violations, on the part of Turkey, in the Aegean have increased cnsiderably during yoiur governance. You are the party which allowe for an overturning of balances against our country. You are the party that supported the Annan plan (for a solution of the Cyprus problem). You are the party which encourages Turkish intransigence," Samaras noted.

[14] Tsipras visits Crete, opposes development on Elafonissi

Speaking in Chania, Tsipras said on Thursday that the plans to build a quarry on Elafonissi, a place of unique natural beauty, and turn it into real estate in spite the local opposition, are inconceivable, characterizing them a "crime" and pledged to bring the issue to Parliament.

Later in the evening, Tsipras will attend an event hosted by SYN's youth movement at the old port of Chania.

[15] Appeals to CoS against austerity measures

Among the petitioners are the Athens Bar Association, the Athens Journalists' Union, the civil servants' union ADEDY, the National Health System (ESY) medical doctors, the Technical Chamber of Greece, military officers associations and university professors.

In a press conference they outlined the reasons that led them to this decision citing procedural violations in passing the relevant legislation in parliament; illegally conferred authority from the parliament to the minister of finance and violation of the right to property (referring to the salary and pension cuts) guaranteed by the European Human Rights Convention.

[16] Consulates closed in restructuring of foreign ministry services

Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras made the announcement during a regular press briefing, adding that the Consulates General in London, Paris and Brussels will be abolished, while consular offices will be established in the Greek Embassies in those cities.

The changes are part of a broader program of modernisation and restructuring of diplomatic services, Delavekouras said, adding that details of the program will be announced in the autumn.

Financial News

[17] Greek-US talks on energy issues

According to reports, special emphasis was placed on the reordering of natural gaz supply sources, with the Greek minister referring to the creation of an energy centre in Astakos, western Greece, and cooperation with Qatar.

[18] Defence minister presents EU deal for Skaramangas Shipyard

The minister outlined details of an agreement reached on Wednesday between representatives of the Greek finance and defence ministries with the European Commission during a press conference to unveil a draft bill on career advancement and the new command structure within the Greek Armed Forces.

Venizelos clarified that the civilian activities at Skaramangas would be taken over by another company, while non-military activity could also be developed by the shipyards at Elefsina and Neorio for which the restrictions did not apply. According to the minister, this would also help to establish a balance in the sector, which needed restructuring.

He stated that Hellenic Shipyards will not be nationalised and that the government was seeking to find the cheapest solution in negotiations with arms systems manufacturers.

The minister repeated that the agreement must be ratified by Parliament with the broadest possible majority and in a climate of consensus.

In April, the European Commission announced that it will refer Greece to the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with a 2008 decision calling for the recovery of 230 million euros in illegal subsidies from Hellenic Shipyards SA. The Commission has asked from the recovery of the above sum plus interest.

[19] Interview by Dep. Min. Nikitiadis: 'Initiatives reverse Greece's negative image abroad'

"The visits abroad by Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos and ministry general secretary George Poussaios were a major contribution to the efforts made aimed at reversing the country's image in foreign markets," Nikitiadis stressed in an interview with ANA-MPA.

He also commented that the materialization of the "one stop shop" office, for the immediate settlement of investment requests, is close.

Nikitiadis stated that the ministry's goal for the immediate future is to have the number of Russian tourists visiting Greece raised to 1 million. He said that an estimated 300,000 Russian tourists will visit Greece this summer season but next year's arrivals are expected to increase 20-40 pct.

He announced the adoption of measures to ensure speedier issuance of visas and stressed that Greece's tourism campaign will focus on Russian cities with a population larger than one million, stressing that Visa Centre branches will open in all major cities in Russia.

Referring to the National Tourism Organization (EOT) offices abroad, he underlined that they need to undergo general overhaul, adding that certain of them will have to close and others to be better staffed.

[20] Greek PPI up 6.5 pct in June

The statistics agency, in a report, said the index rose 0.8 pct in June from May, after an increase of 2.2 pct recorded in the same period last year. The annual 6.5 pct increase of the index reflected a 6.1 pct rise of the domestic market index and an 8.1 pct increase of the external market.

[21] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling reports positive H1 results

Net cashflow totaled 251 million euros in the January-June period, up by 129 million euros over the same period, while the volume of sales fell 2.0 pct to 1.009 billion boxes and net sales revenues rose 1.0 pct to 3.300 billion euros.

The Group said its first half results included an extra tax charge of 21 million euros.

Net cashflow rose in the second quarter of 2010 to 186 million euros, while the volume of sales fell 2.0 pct to 578 million boxes and net sales revenues rose 2.0 pct to 1.923 billion euros. Comparable operating earnings (EBIT) fell 2.0 pct to 264 million euros.

Commenting on the results, Doros Konstantinou, the group's chief executive said: "Our wide geographical presence offered us the opportunity to achieve a strong operating performance in the first half." He added that Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling remained competitive with the help of its commercial strategy in the market, raising market shares in several markets.

[22] ASE surpasses 1,700 level

The Big Cap index rose 1.0 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 2.77 pct up and the Small Cap index rose 1.88 pct. All sectors, with the exception of the Insurance (-0.32 pct), ended higher with the Media (6.91 pct) and Health (5.48 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 165 to 35 with another 43 issues unchanged.

Vovos (17.32 pct), CPI (16.0 pct) and NEL (14.29 pct) were top gainers, while Elmec Sport (9.59 pct), Xylemporia (8.70 pct) and Alsinco (8.64 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.32%

Industrials: +3.50%

Commercial: +0.86%

Construction: +0.92%

Media: +6.91%

Oil & Gas: +1.83%

Personal & Household: +0.54%

Raw Materials: +3.54%

Travel & Leisure: +1.48%

Technology: +2.20%

Telecoms: +1.29%

Banks: +0.55%

Food & Beverages: +1.84%

Health: +5.48%

Utilities: +0.50%

Chemicals: +3.01%

Financial Services: +5.32%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 5.98

ATEbank: 1.23

Public Power Corp (PPC): 12.65

HBC Coca Cola: 18.05

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.11

National Bank of Greece: 11.60

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 6.16

OPAP: 11.58

OTE: 6.28

Bank of Piraeus: 5.18

Titan: 17.00

[23] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 1.42 pct, the six-month at 1.15 pct, the three-month rate was 0.90 pct and the three-month was 0.64 pct.

[24] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 18,440 contracts worth 12.014 million euros with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (5,321), followed by Eurobank (1,079), MIG (2,850), OTE (1,516), Piraeus Bank (891), Alpha Bank (1,412), Marfin Popular Bank (1,264), ATEbank (711) and Hellenic Postbank (530).

[25] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.317

Pound sterling 0.843

Danish kroner 7.509

Swedish kroner 9.546

Japanese yen 114.55

Swiss franc 1.376

Norwegian kroner 8.034

Canadian dollar 1.361

Australian dollar 1.461

General News

[26] Five people sustained stab wounds during scuffle

The clash erupted between local and Albanian youngsters for no serious reason.

Two of the four locals are in the hospital ICU, while the other three victims are treated for lighter injuries.

An Albanian was arrested while an investigation is underway to locate the rest of the assailants.

[27] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Government decided civil mobilisation - Strikers remain firm".

APOGEVMATINI: "Government's clash with truck owners at the extremes".

AVGHI: "Civil mobilisation unlawful".

AVRIANI: "Has the government no sense?".

CHORA: "Troika 'cooking up' government reshuffle".

ELEFTHEROS: "Truck owners' reply to the civil mobilisation: Come and take them - Government unreliable".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Government starts with trucks in order to open nine more closed-shop professions".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Commandeering of (fuel) trucks following Prime Minister's decision - Series of reactions".

ESTIA: "Dangerous criminalisation for the falsification of statistics".

ETHNOS: "Civil mobilisation of strikers the way out - Government makes decisive move after the SOS from the economy".

IMERISSIA: "Message to guilds - Commandeering finally decided".

KATHIMERINI: "Civil mobilisation ends the impasse - Truck owners threaten not to comply".

LOGOS: "Civil mobilisation vs. 'hostage situation' after the collapse of the dialogue between truck owners and government - Strikers refuse to back down".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Hope for normalisation after government's decision for civil mobilisation".

NIKI: "Cutbacks in salaries unconstitutional'.

RIZOSPASTIS: "Ruthless government aims to smash the right to strike".

TA NEA: "Bill on closed-shop professions by the end of the year".

TO VIMA: "Government's clash with guilds at the extremes".

VRADYNI: "Storm over the civil mobilisation - Truck owners threaten with roadblocks".

Cyprus Affairs

[28] Kyprianou and Downer discuss Cyprus problem and solution prospects

The Cyprus problem, the course of negotiations to reach a settlement, the prospects of reaching a solution, and the role of Turkey, the EU and the UN in those efforts, were discussed during a meeting on Thursday between Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou and the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer.

Speaking after the meeting, Kyprianou said that ''we meet at intervals, we exchange views basically on the Cyprus problem, the course of negotiations, and in general the international situation which may affect developments in the Cyprus problem.''

''The meeting is always useful. On the one hand, I was given the opportunity to hear from Mr. Downer and the UN how they view the course of the talks, and for them to hear my personal views and those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,'' he said, adding that ''these meetings always have a constructive outcome.''

Asked what they discussed during Thursday's meeting, Kyprianou referred to the state of affairs of the talks, future prospects and the role of Turkey, the EU and the UN.

To questions concerning an international conference on the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou said they did not discuss such a possibility, noting that ''at the moment there is a process of talks and of course everyone's efforts are for this specific process to be successful.''

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[29] Downer sees positive sentiments and hope after leadersÔ dinner

Speaking about Wednesday night's dinner between President Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis

Eroglu at Eroglu's residence in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus, Downer expressed certainty that the two leaders can work together to solve the Cyprus problem.

"This was as I would describe as a foreigner and outsider, a truly Cypriot occasion, this dinner. The two leaders, their wives, the representatives talking about Cyprus in ways that only Cypriots can talk about their own island and sharing such a passion and love for their own island", he said after the opening of the Joint Communications Room (JCR) in the buffer zone in Nicosia.

Downer added that he did not want to sound "excessively optimistic but I came away from that dinner thinking that these people can work together, they can solve the Cyprus problem", noting "it is not beyond their reach." And the UN, he continued, would like very much to see that and try to encourage that in best way possibly.

The UN diplomat said there was the dinner on Wednesday evening and have the dinner and the opening today, "so it is nice to have a succession of really constructive things".

He expressed the view that people will not just think about the history of Cyprus, but the people on the island should think about the future as well. "Think where this island is ultimately going to go, what visions people have for it, what visions politicians have for it in the medium and long term and what this island would like for these people's children and grandchildren and what are their ambitions for those people".

Downer said there is a history and "yes we have learnt from history, yes it is important to understand history but at the same time we can only live at the present and look at the future".

Noting it is "very important that all of us have the sense of forward looking hope", Downer concluded by saying "I think from my experience last night there is every reason to have positive sentiments and some sense of hope for the future of this very, very beautiful island".

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

Peace talks began in September 2008 between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talks continue now with Eroglu, who succeeded Mehmet Ali Talat in April this year.

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