Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 11-09-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Barroso: Greece is and will remain in eurozone

[02] Troika to return to Greece on Thursday, Rehn spokesman announces

[03] Ministerial meeting on education issues chaired by PM

[04] PM to chair cabinet meeting on Thursday

[05] PASOK rapporteur on clarification of labour reserve criteria

[06] Taxi owners pledge to fight to 'bitter end'

[07] ND lashes out at FinMin over receipts measure

[08] Pangalos: Deficit must be crushed with all means

[09] Athens Bar Association strips government vice president Pangalos of title of Emeritus Lawyer

[10] SYRIZA head accuses gov't of catastrophic policy

[11] Cyprus' right to explore EEZ inalienable, Greek envoy stresses

[12] Greek National Defence Minister to visit Cyprus

[13] Parliament passes bill on handling of political, state corruption cases

[14] 500-mln-euro EIB financing plan for Greek SMEs

[15] AIA photovoltaic plant inaugurated

[16] Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) submits PEIA to Greek authorities

[17] End to benefits for large families earning more than 55,000 a year

[18] Civil servants union federation to hold rally on Thursday

[19] Shipping conference in Athens

[20] Travel revenues up 16.9 pct in July

[21] Lavrentiadis reaches out-of-court settlement with prosecutors in Proton Bank case

[22] Georgian entrepreneur raises stake in Selonda to 25%

[23] Business briefs

[24] Stocks end 2.37 pct higher

[25] Greek bond market closing report

[26] ADEX closing report

[27] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

[28] Drive to enrich content in Greek Wikipedia

[29] Concert at the ancient theatre of Kos on Wednesday

[30] Psomiadis still wanted by police; prosecutor criticises examining magistrate's decision

[31] Police bust three gangs for robberies, theft

[32] Sunny on Thursday

[33] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Barroso: Greece is and will remain in eurozone

"We must support Greece and the other countries that are facing problems until they stand on their own feet and return, on their own, to the markets," concluded Barroso.

[02] Troika to return to Greece on Thursday, Rehn spokesman announces

"I am in the pleasant position of announcing that the troika has decided to resume its mission to Greece," said Amadeus Altafaj during a press conference in Brussels, adding: "This decision was taken following the Greek government's recent announcement of fiscal stabilisation measures".

[03] Ministerial meeting on education issues chaired by PM

The meeting was held to discuss the progress in implementing the recently amended law on tertiary education, which is experiencing continued resistance from certain academics and has triggered student "sit-ins" at universities, colleges and high schools.

Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou briefed participants on the incidents that occurred in various schools in the country. According to reports, the minister asked for a renegotiation with the EC/ECB/IMF troika on restrictions imposed on academic hirings.

After the ministerial meeting, Papandreou held a meeting in private with Diamantopoulou.

[04] PM to chair cabinet meeting on Thursday

The cabinet will also approve four government bills.

[05] PASOK rapporteur on clarification of labour reserve criteria

Speaking to the state-run radio, Protopapas stressed that criteria should be announced as soon as possible to put an end to the "widespread insecurity" among the public sector employees.

He pointed out that they should be objective and stressed that the government is trying to avoid layoffs despite the pressures exerted by the troika (EC-ECB-IMF).

[06] Taxi owners pledge to fight to 'bitter end'

Having received the ministry's assurances that dialogue on the details of the proposed deregulation will continue, Lymberopoulos said that he hoped that "they are telling the truth this time" and stressed that taxi owners have a series of "non-negotiable" demands.

These include the right to legally sell taxi licences, that there be no reduction in the districts, that no new licences are issued and that any companies formed are created based on the existing licences.

Lymberopoulos warned that taxi owners will also fight hoteliers that attempted to set up their own taxi firms that "they would be fored to leave Greece and be unable to run them" and said the minister would have to "pass over 50,000 dead bodies" in order to pass the draft bill in its present form.

The federation would seek to join forces with other professional groups such as lawyers, pharmacists and engineers that were faced with the deregulation of their profession in order to create a single, powerful front against the government's plans or to overthrow the current government, he added.

In recent statements concerning the deregulation of transport sectors, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Minister Yiannis Ragoussis had underlined the government's determination to fully deregulate all road transport, including taxis and hired trucks, with rules that would discourage the formation of cartels.

The protest outside the ministry coincided with an all-day strike by taxis, Greek railways and all Athens public transport, except privately run intercity buses (KTEL).

[07] ND lashes out at FinMin over receipts measure

"Mr. Venizelos decided and ordered: Apart from co-owner of our homes, he now also becomes the manager of our money and, indeed, imposes heavy fines on those who save and do not spend money," ND alternate shadow finance minister Yiannis Vroutsis said.

ND believes that the citizens can no longer endure "the tax-collection policy followed by the government", and accused the PASOK government of "inadequacy and incompetence in the management of the economic crisis".

"Apparently, the only thing that does not require receipt/proof is the government's inadequacy and incompetence, at the expense of a society that has long exhausted the limits of its endurance," Vroutsis said.

He added that the government has so far taken measures that exceed 52 billion euros in order to reduce -- if it indeed has reduced -- the deficit by only 19 billion euros.

[08] Pangalos: Deficit must be crushed with all means

Pangalos called for dialogue inside the government as well ahead of the revision and implementation of the new receipt collection measure, noting that the issue has not been discussed by the Cabinet.

"I am in favour of receipts. I consider that the collection of receipts, when done systematically, can limit the phenomenon of tax evasion, obliging those who do not give receipts to issue them, at the same time creating an incentive for the one who collects the receipts with a reduction of his own tax burden," Pangalos said.

The government vice president stressed that it is prime minister George Papandreou who achieved the plan for saving Greece, while second government vice president and finance minister Evangelos Venizelos 'is in the eye of the hurricane' due to the economy.

He attacked main opposition ND and its leader Antonis Samaras for their repeated calls for renegotiation with the EU-IMF troika, adding "I hope we do not live the moment that he goes to renegotiate", and warning that "we cannot play bully to the troika".

Pangalos further accused ND of inciting the taxi strikes and mobilisations while, with respect to the trade unions, he said that "only in Greece, those who want to work are intimidated during the strikes and the trade unionists prohibit them from doing so".

Asked to comment on speculations of early elections, Pangalos said that this should be discussed and that "one cannot easily rule them out". He added, however, that is firm position is that elections should take place at the end of a government's four-year term in office and that governments should exhaust their entire term.

[09] Athens Bar Association strips government vice president Pangalos of title of Emeritus Lawyer

The Athens Bar Association's board of directors late Tuesday unanimously adopted a proposal by Bar president Yiannis Adamopoulos, and stripped the title of Emeritus Lawyer "from the government vice president and retired lawyer Theodoros Pangalos due to the slanderous and denigrating statements concerning tax evaders he has repeatedly made with respect to lawyers, at a time that lawyers, and particularly young lawyers, are hard hit by profession inflation, reduction of lawyer-related work, the slowness in the attribution of justice and the bleak economic situation that the country has sunk into, and when it is the only professional class that immediately attributes to the Greek State the tax that is withheld from representations".

In an written statement, Adamopoulos noted that "this is not the first time that Mr. Pangalos attacks the lawyers' corps with denigrating characterisations", adding: "It appears that he has in no way appreciated the bestowal upon him of the title of Emeritus Lawyer by the Bar Association".

[10] SYRIZA head accuses gov't of catastrophic policy

Tsipras said the Greek people and democracy are experiencing an unprecedented diversion, adding that everybody "has an obligation to resist and claim social justice and democracy."

Referring to Germany, he accused German leadership of implementing "a catastrophic policy supposedly for the good of Europe and Greece."

[11] Cyprus' right to explore EEZ inalienable, Greek envoy stresses

Cyprus has the inalienable right to explore its Exclusive Economic Zone to locate any oil or gas reserves, Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Vassilis Papaioannou, underlined here on Wednesday.

In his statements, following a meeting with Cyprus House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou, during which they discussed Greece's initiatives to address the economic crisis, as well as the latest developments in the region, Papaioannou reaffirmed Greek commitment to international law and its full engagement to defending Cyprus' sovereign rights.

"I stressed Cyprus' inalienable right to proceed with the drilling currently underway within its EEZ", the Greek ambassador said, adding that Cyprus and Greece send the message that they do not wish to cause tension in the region, but they wish to maintain stability and security.

Replying to a question, Papaioannou pointed out that Cyprus and Greece coordinate their moves on all levels. "We monitor the situation and developments", he said.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus' northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf. Drilling has already begun by Houston-based "Noble Energy", off Cyprus' south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey's moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

[12] Greek National Defence Minister to visit Cyprus

Greek National Defence Minister Panayiotis Beglitis will pay a one-day official visit to Cyprus on October 1st, it was announced here on Wednesday.

The Greek minister will watch the military parade to take place on the occasion of Cyprus' Independence Day.

During his visit, Beglitis will be received by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.

Cyprus became an independent state in 1960 after a four year anti-colonial struggle from 1955 until 1959 against British rule. Cyprus was a former British colony between 1878 until 1960. Fourteen years later Turkey invaded Cyprus and since 1974 it occupies 37% of the island's territory, refusing to withdraw its troops as called for by the United Nations.

[13] Parliament passes bill on handling of political, state corruption cases

The bill was passed with the backing of the ruling PASOK, main opposition New Democracy and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) parties.

During the preceding discussion, Justice Minister Mihalis Papaioannou said the bill sought to address problems arising from the slowness of the political system to apportion blame and accelerate the processing of such cases, as well as the inability of Greek justice "to overcome the various obstacles and underground commitments and its inertia under the tight embrace of the tentacles of political power".

Financial News

[14] 500-mln-euro EIB financing plan for Greek SMEs

The plan was announced by European Commission President Barroso on the same day, in order to allow further EIB support to Greek SMEs.

"There is an urgent need for clear and long-term financial support, so that viable investment projects can materialize. Investments that will not only pull us out of the crisis, but that will open the road to competitiveness and long-term development. Such investments exist," Sakellaris said.

[15] AIA photovoltaic plant inaugurated

The 20-million-euro, 8 MWp PV plant was inaugurated by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister George Papaconstantinou. It was completed in six months and will contribute decisively to AIA's goal to considerably reduce its carbon footprint.

According to estimates, the AIA PV will generate 11 million KWh of electricity annually reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 tons/year.

[16] Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) submits PEIA to Greek authorities

This application is an addition to the scoping documents that TAP submitted earlier this year in preparation for its full Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). In addition to complying with Greek law, TAP has also decided to carry out its impact assessment in accordance with the stringent international guidelines from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to ensure that the project optimises environmental and social performance.

The PEIA gives further detail on the location of TAP's routing, as well as the evaluation of the alternative routes analysed by the TAP team. This includes more information, for example, on modelling of the preliminary air emissions and on the previously undeveloped sections along the pipeline route.

The shareholder structure of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project comprises of Swiss EGL (42.5%), Norwegian Statoil (42.5%) and German E.ON Ruhrgas (15%).

[17] End to benefits for large families earning more than 55,000 a year

The draft bill is currently being discussed by the appropriate Parliamentary committee.

Loverdos said that the minimum income for receiving the benefits will be increased by 5,000 euro a year for each additional child after the fourth.

Another amendment outlined new terms and conditions for adoptions and fostering children.

While tabling the amendments, Loverdos denied reports that nursing staff were being fire from hospitals as part of the labour reserve measure and stressed that, on the contrary, the government was hiring more nurses.

He also announced that university hospital doctors throughout the country would be given the right to receive patients at the private surgeries twice a week, after lengthy negotiation between doctors and the education and health ministries.

[18] Civil servants union federation to hold rally on Thursday

In its announcement, ADEDY noted that millions of households were currently unable to meet even their basic bills at the same time as tax-evasion by the rich continued to be rampant.

[19] Shipping conference in Athens

Addressing the two-day conference, Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) CEO Giorgos Anomeritis stressed that the Greek economy should be based on the triptych shipping-tourism-culture to overcome the current crisis.

He referred to the importance of the seaport economy and to the privileged geographic position of the port of Piraeus in the eastern Mediterranean.

[20] Travel revenues up 16.9 pct in July

The central bank, in a report, attributed this positive development to higher revenues from citizens from countries outside the EU-27 (29.3 pct) to 1.87 billion euros, while revenues from EU-27 countries totaled 3.593 billion euros in the January-July period, up 7.7 pct form last year. Revenues from Germany rose 7.4 pct, while revenues from the UK fell 3.6 pct. Revenues from Russia jumped 80.2 pct.

Incoming travel totaled 2.984 million travelers in July, up 7.2 pct from the same month last year, for an increase of 11.4 pct in the seven-month period between January and July (8.288 million).

[21] Lavrentiadis reaches out-of-court settlement with prosecutors in Proton Bank case

According to sources, Lavrentiadis agreed to pay 51 million euros to the bank in return for all charges to be dropped.

The businessman has completed negotiations with prosecutors to return the sum of 51 million euros to Proton Bank to cover the losses suffered, although the agreement needs the approval by the Bank of Greece's commissioner, assigned to Proton Bank. It is the first such case to be resolved after the government revised a relevant criminal legislation.

[22] Georgian entrepreneur raises stake in Selonda to 25%

Linnaeus Capital Partners BV is fully owned by I.I.H.C Industrial Investments Ltd, in which Kahka Bendukidze has a 73.25 pct majority stake.

[23] Business briefs

-- The non-metal minerals production and processing sector suffered the largest production decline among the country's industrial sectors so far this year, with a decline of 33.8 pct in the January-July period, after falling by 9.9 pct in the corresponding period in 2010. Current production levels are 58.3 pct lower compared with 2005 levels.

-- A new marina at Limenaria, on the northern Aegean island of Thassos, will be ready in three years, featuring facilities that will accommodate up to 70 private yachts and tourist boats, it was announced on Wednesday.

-- Hellas Online on Wednesday announced it was set a price of 1.15 euros per share in its share offering, as part of a share capital increase plan.

[24] Stocks end 2.37 pct higher

News of a return of the EC-ECB-IMF 'troika' officials in Athens on Thursday, paving the way for the release of the sixth tranche of a loan to Greece, encouraged sentiment in the market. The composite index rose 2.37 pct to end at 809.94 points, with turnover rising slightly to 53.742 million euros.

The Big Cap index jumped 3.44 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.39 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 1.41 pct. Alpha Bank (12.7 pct), Eurobank (10.11 pct), Marfin Popular Bank (9.09 pct), Piraeus Bank (6.52 pct) and National Bank (6.32 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while MIG (4.0 pct) and PPC (0.17 pct) were losers.

The Insurance (7.14 pct), Banks (6.51 pct) and Raw Materials (4.73 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Health (18.61 pct) and Financial Services (0.90 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 81 to 58 with another 37 issues unchanged. Alpha Bank (12.7 pct), Vovos (11.43 pct) and Eurobank (10.11 pct) were top gainers, while Health (25 pct), Neorio (20 pct) and Sfakianakis (10 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +7.14%

Industrials: +2.42%

Commercial: -0.03%

Construction: +0.60%

Oil & Gas: +1.70%

Personal & Household: +3.19%

Raw Materials: +4.73%

Travel & Leisure: +1.08%

Technology: +3.62%

Telecoms: +3.29%

Banks: +6.51%

Food & Beverages: +1.26%

Health: -18.61%

Utilities: -0.16%

Chemicals: +0.75%

Financial Services: -0.90%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OPAP, EFG Eurobank Ergasias and Alpha Bank.

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

Alpha Bank: 1.42

Public Power Corp (PPC): 5.86

HBC Coca Cola: 13.40

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.05

National Bank of Greece: 2.86

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.98

OPAP: 7.48

OTE: 3.14

Bank of Piraeus: 0.49

Titan: 10.80

[25] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 2.06 pct, the six-month rate 1.73 pct, the three-month rate 1.53 pct and the one-month rate 1.34 pct.

[26] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 35,541 contracts worth 6.011 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (11,441), followed by Eurobank (4,180), MIG (704), OTE (944), Piraeus Bank (10,416), Alpha Bank (4,485), Marfin Popular Bank (518), Mytilineos (599), Hellenic Postbank (404) and ATEbank (183).

[27] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.383

Pound sterling 0.884

Danish kroner 7.552

Swedish kroner 9.330

Japanese yen 105.78

Swiss franc 1.238

Norwegian kroner 7.932

Canadian dollar 1.418

Australian dollar 1.398

General News

[28] Drive to enrich content in Greek Wikipedia

The group's initiative targets local libraries, cultural and educational bodies (such as schools and universities), organisations and networks that are interested in either increasing the Greek content of the freel online encyclopedia or want to organised events to promote it.

The new round of action is part of the mywikipedia.gr initiative and seeks to enrich the encyclopaedia with high-quality content that is already available on the Internet through other open-source sites.

It will include workshops on how to use the Greek Wikipedia and its use in education.

Those interested in organising events can submit their proposals at the site http://www.mywikipedia.gr.

A discussion on the new initiative will take place on September 30 at the National Research Institute, between 5:00-8:00 p.m.

[29] Concert at the ancient theatre of Kos on Wednesday

The first event was held at Maronia theatre on September 4, featuring recitations of excerpts from Homer's epic poems.

[30] Psomiadis still wanted by police; prosecutor criticises examining magistrate's decision

An appellate-level Council of Magistrates on Tuesday settled the dispute between prosecutor and examining magistrate ruling that Psomiadis (in the meantime he was released on bail) should be taken into custody for his alleged role in a massive match-fixing scheme. Psomiadis, who apparently has jumped bail, is now wanted by police.

In her proposal that was submitted to the Council of Magistrates, the prosecutor lashed out at the examining magistrate, stressing that he did not consider Psomiadis to be a high-flight-risk defendant despite the restrictive measures he had imposed on him based on incriminating evidence.

She also contradicted the arguments used by Psomiadis concerning the taped conversations in which he participated stressing that in his deposition dated Sept. 20, 2011 he had admitted that the conversations had indeed taken place.

The prosecutor is convinced that Psomiadis, despite his objections, is the real owner of Kavala FC and maintained that there are serious indications that the accused was involved in money-laundering.

The prosecutor also used specific excerpts of Psomiadis' taped conversations to overturn his plea that he was not involved in "match-fixing" and "referee selections".

[31] Police bust three gangs for robberies, theft

The first arrest was of two Georgian nationals aged 32 and 31 years old, respectively, who were caught in the west Athens district of Ilion on Tuesday morning. The two had just attempted to burgle a house in the area but were spotted by the owner, who called the police and forced them into flight.

The gang operated chiefly in the early morning in Ilion, breaking into homes and stealing jewellery, money, electronic devices and other objects of value. Under questioning, they admitted to burgling 10 homes in the area during the last month.

The second gang targeted shops and was caught by the southeast Attica security police. Three Albanian nationals aged 20, 31, and 22 years old were arrested, along with a 38-year-old Greek man. The gang is suspected to be behind 10 armed robberies in shops located in Koropi, Spata, Kalyvia, Markopoulos and Agia Paraskevi, where victims were held at gunpoint with handguns and a Kalashnikov rifle.

During the arrest and subsequent raids on the suspects' homes, police found and confiscated a revolver, two replica handguns, seven cartridges, a bag of cannabis seeds, a can of pepper spray, a rifle butt, cell phones, electronic appliances and jewellery.

The third arrest was in Elefsina, where two 20-year-old Greek men were intercepted as they were removing two copper pipes used for natural gas with a total length of five metres.

A subsequent investigation showed that the two men arrested were behind a series of thefts of copper pipes from six apartment buildings in the Elefsina area, with a total value of 15,000 euro.

All the suspects arrested were led before an Athens first-instance court prosecutor.

Weather forecast

[32] Sunny on Thursday

[33] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Additional taxes for all".

AVGHI: "Beheading before the....haircut".

AVRIANI: "Only the drachma will resurrect Greece and will render its economy as one of the most competitive internationally".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Merkel and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble out of time and place".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "New bleeding via the receipts".

ESTIA: "Monumental incompetence".

ETHNOS: ?New tax penalty ".

IMERISSIA: "Merkel offers support".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "German message of support with capital and investments".

KATHIMERINI: "New surprise tax".

RIZOSPASTIS: "We are all protesting on Wednesday against the surtax and the antisocial policy".

TA NEA: "Absurdity with the receipts".

VRADYNI: "3.9 billion euros against unemployment and for preservation of working positions".

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ILIAS MATSIKAS

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