Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM, president issue messages on occasion of Greek Independence Day

[02] Annual March 25 parades held; protests reported

[03] Obama hosts White House reception commemorating Greek Independence Day

[04] Patriarch officiates Evangelismos church service; ex-PM in attendance

[05] Samaras winds up high-profile visit to Spain, Portugal

[06] Papandreou office reaction to allegation that he knew of deficit prior to 2009

[07] Pangalos says he won't run for office again

[08] Papariga: Elections on 29 April or May 6

[09] Tsipras tags April 29 or March 6 for general elections after meeting with PM

[10] Latest polls indicate high abstention rate by voters, mixed results

[11] FM in Brussels: Greece disappointed over lack of progress in Cyprus talks

[12] Athens: Turkish claims vis-a-vis Aegean far removed from Int'l Law, practice

[13] Course of Turkish frigate monitored by navy, planes

[14] Bagis: Turkish gov't to return another minority property

[15] PM to meet with LAOS leader on Mon.

[16] PM receives Chinese ambassador

[17] OKE visit to Armenia

[18] Development minister in Berlin

[19] Inaugural 2012 season charter flight arrives in Iraklio from Hanover

[20] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[21] Eurostat-: Greece received 9,310 asylum applications in 2011

[22] Two foreign nationals charged with killing of fellow national on Crete

[23] Photo exhibition on New Acropolis Museum opens in Odessa

[24] Two Algerian men arrested on numerou car burglary charges

[25] Work-stoppage Thursday in civil services in Athens, Thessaloniki

[26] Moderate quake in NW Greece

[27] Antiquities, drug arrests on Kalymnos

[28] Superleague results; Olympiakos nears title

[29] Cloudy on Monday

[30] Athens Newspaper Headlines Politics

[01] PM, president issue messages on occasion of Greek Independence Day

Speaking immediately after the main military parade through downtown Athens in front of Parliament, Papademos reminded that the day honors the memory of those who fought for liberty and freedom in 1821. "The values, ideals and their actions provide us with the example; they show us the path with which we can win today's battle," he added.

On his part, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias cited the need for unity, "we will continue this struggle until we are the final victors. Greece does not deserve such a behavior on the part of Europe, I am certain we will prevail."

He spoke after the end of the military parade, which he inspected from the podium set up in front of Parliament.

The octogenarian president also called for remembrance of the philhellenes who fought and assisted the Greek struggle against dour Ottoman rule, referring to those individuals "inspired by the enlightenment, who came down to assist Hellenism. Today the rally cry in all European capitals is 'we are all Greeks'..."

Finally, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos noted that as the "country is experiencing difficult times, the armed services are a guarantee for stability, security, the country's territorial integrity and its independence," he said, while praising what he called an impressive military parade on Sunday.

[02] Annual March 25 parades held; protests reported

Last October's heightened protests during the annual "Ochi Day", against the government, politicians in general and against austerity measures, in particular, had erupted during the military parade in Thessaloniki.

No protests were reported at the major military parade in Athens, although the worst incident occurred in Iraklio, Crete, where the parade was canceled.

In Thessaloniki, more than 30 people were arrested prior and during the parade, while protests, demonstrations and tension was recorded in nearly a dozen cities, including Patras, Kozani and Xanthi, amongst others.

In later reactions, a statement by PASOK party's press office charged that "political parties or groups that do not feel the need to respect the national holiday and to honor the historical memory of the nation, are obviously unable to realise the significance of national unity in overcoming the crisis."

PASOK again referred to "organised incidents" held at parades.

On his part, New Democracy spokesman Yannis Mihelakis emphasised that "parades and memorial events to honor those who fought for freedom and our national sovereignty comprise part of our tradition, and our national obligation."

He also referred to a "minority" of protesters that attempt to mar even events honoring the national uprising.

[03] Obama hosts White House reception commemorating Greek Independence Day

US president Barack Obama reiterated his support for the efforts of the Greek government and people to overcome the economic crisis, addressing an annual White House reception commemorating the March 25 Greek Independence Day.

Obama, addressing the 26th annual morning reception in the White House's East Room, reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and cooperation shared with Greece and paid tribute to the immense impact of the Greeks in life in the US, but also the ideals that affected the entire world.

He also said that the US will continue to stand in solidarity with the Greek people in these troubled economic times, he told the 150 guests attending the reception commemorating the 191st anniversary of the March 25 revolution against Ottoman rule.

Obama further stressed the common values and ideals shared by the US and Greece.

The US president noted that although the bonds between Greece and America are old, the values and ideals shared by the two counties grow deeper in time.

Among the guests were Greek deputy foreign minister for overseas Greeks Dimitr?s Dollis, who represented the Greek government, Greek and Cypriot ambassadors in Washington Vassilis Kaskarelis and Pavlos Anastassiades respectively, members of Congress, leading figures of the Greek American community, and Archbishop Demetrios of America.

[04] Patriarch officiates Evangelismos church service; ex-PM in attendance

Former Greek premier George Papandreou also attended the service, as he arrived in Istanbul last Thursday to chair a Socialist International conference on the Arab world, given that he is the president of the specific grouping.

[05] Samaras winds up high-profile visit to Spain, Portugal

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and visiting New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras on Friday stressed the need for urgent measures aimed at a recovery and growth of the recession-plagued Spanish and Greek economies, during a meeting here on Friday.

Samaras, who is on a three-day visit to Spain and Portugal, warned that without development-friendly measures no country can come out of the deep economic crisis now evident in much of the world.

The two men also discussed the spectre of illegal immigration.

"We are organising and coordinating (actions) between in order to deal with the immense problem of illegal migration, which must be stamped out," Samaras said, adding that "we both agreed that illegal immigration has created unbelievable problems for all the peoples of southern Europe, problems that threaten our very social cohesion".

He said there will be developments soon in this matter.

Visit to Portugal

On Sunday, Samaras was received in Lisbon by Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, with the latter, in his opening comments, expressing his best wishes to the ND leader in the upcoming general elections in Greece.

"I am convinced that the Greeks deserve a better government and a strong majority for a change in their country. Naturally, you (Samaras), are the right person for the job," the Portuguese PM said.

On his part, Samaras noted that he returns from his trip to the Iberian peninsula convinced that Greece can expect to have two good friends, the prime ministers of Spain and Portugal.

"Our destiny is common; common problems, a common concern for the economy, the need for growth and a need to eradicate illegal immigration," Samaras said, while issuing his best wishes to Greeks around the world on the twin holiday of March 25, one honoring the Greek War of Independence and the religious holiday of the Annunciation of the Theotokos (Evangelismos).

[06] Papandreou office reaction to allegation that he knew of deficit prior to 2009

"If Mr. Stournaras monitored the course of the (Greek) debt from 2004 to 2009 and that of the (state budget) deficit in 2009 and 2010, he would have had the opportunity to ascertain who created the problem and who assumed the responsibility ... to deal with it; in fact, (to deal with it) with unprecedented results in relation to any country, more so for EU (countries)," the statement read.

Stournaras is the general director of the Athens-based Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE), a former president of Emporiki Bank (before its acquisition by Credit Agricole) and a top economic adviser in the Simitis government prior to 2002.

His comments were published in a weekly economic review.

[07] Pangalos says he won't run for office again

Speaking to public television, the 74-year-old Pangalos reminded that he has already spend 32 years in Parliament and various ministerial posts.

Moreover, he maintained that elections should take place at the end of 2013, a view in stark opposition to practically all political parties in the country, sans a portion of PASOK, the previous ruling party. He termed the speculation over snap or early elections as "unbecoming", saying such an initiative belongs to the prime minister.

[08] Papariga: Elections on 29 April or May 6

She said she does not rule out the prospect of 'provocations' being manifested during the parades marking the March 25 anniversary of the 1820 revolution against Ottoman rule, warning that some quarters may be seeking pretexts in order to postpone the elections.

Papariga said that the KKE will intensify its struggles up until the elections, given that anti-popular laws are being passed by parliament, while she also severely criticised the health system, noting haircuts of 70 percent of the reserves of hospitals due to the haircut of the Greek bonds.

[09] Tsipras tags April 29 or March 6 for general elections after meeting with PM

Tsipras also warned of the danger of provocations being staged by institutional or non-institutional centres during the March 25 Greek Independence Day parades, clarifying that this reference did not refer to the prime minister.

[10] Latest polls indicate high abstention rate by voters, mixed results

A Kapa Research opinion poll published in the newspaper "Vima" indicated a 3.8-percent lead by New Democracy (ND) party, which was preferred by 18.1 percent of respondents, followed by PASOK with 14.3 percent; the communist party (KKE) with 8.2 percent; the brand new Independent Greeks party with 7.2 percent; SYRIZA with 6 percent; the Democratic Left with 4.9 percent; LA.O.S with 3.6 percent; the ultra-rightist Chryssi Avghi with 3.4 percent; the Ecologists-Greens with 2.5 percent, the Democratic Alliance with 2.3 percent, and the undecided vote at 25.1 percent.

To enter Parliament a party must gain more than 3-percent of the vote in the general election.

In an MRB poll for the "RealNews" weekly, ND was preferred by 20.3 percent of the respondents, followed by PASOK with 12.1 percent, KKE with 8.6 percent, SYRIZA 7.9 percent, Democratic Left 7.4 percent, Independent Greeks 7 percent, Ecologists-Greens 3 percent, LAOS 2.5 percent, Chryssi Avghi 2.6 percent, Democratic Alliance 2.5 percent, and the undecided vote at 20.5 percent.

In a third opinion poll, conducted by the MARC firm for "Ethnos" , ND was preferred by 17.8 percent of respondents, followed by PASOK with 13.2 percent, KKE with 7.5 percent, Democratic Left with 7.3 percent, Independent Greeks 7.1 percent, SYRIZA 6 percent, LAOS 2.5 percent, Chryssi Avghi 2.3 percent, Democratic Alliance 2.1 percent, Ecologists-Greens 1.9 percent, and the undecided vote at 28.2 percent.

[11] FM in Brussels: Greece disappointed over lack of progress in Cyprus talks

Dimas, who represented the Greek government, also had a sidelines meeting with the UN secretary general's special representative on the Cyprus issue, Alexander Downer, who briefed the Greek minister on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the course of the ongoing negotiations, as well as his views ahead of the submission of his report on the talks to the UN chief.

Dimas also expressed Greece's annoyance over constant statements in Turkey on a "Plan B" for Cyprus that have gone so far as to speak of annexation by Turkey of the occupied sector of Cyprus, while he further reiterated Greece's dedication to the UN-brokered negotiations, stressing that Greece will not accept manufactured timetables whose only target is to undermine the negotiation process.

On Syria, Dimas stressed Greece's support of the efforts of the UN representative, and underlined the pressing need for the immediate provision of humanitarian aid and a ceasefire, while he pointed out the international community's responsibility to contribute to finding a peaceful exit from the crisis that will enable the Syrian people to decide their own future, with respect for the country's national sovereignty.

Dimas also had a sidelines meeting with the foreign minister of FYROM.

[12] Athens: Turkish claims vis-a-vis Aegean far removed from Int'l Law, practice

"The announcement by the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs repeats Ankara's claims and positions, which however, are far removed from provisions of International Law and international practice," spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said.

The high-ranking Greek diplomat reiterated that Athens' sovereign rights vis-a-vis the Aegean's continental shelf exist, ab initio and ipso facto, "while the declaration towards a coastal state, as is Greece, of maritime research in superjacent waters of Greece's continental shelf is required as per the International Law of the Sea and international practice, so that respect for these sovereign rights is ensured."

Concluding, Delavekouras maintained that Athens continues to deal with such issues in a productive manner, one aimed at improving bilateral relations, within the framework of respect of international law and national sovereignty.

[13] Course of Turkish frigate monitored by navy, planes

The warship, identified as the "Gaziantep", sailed through the Cavo d' Oro (Kafireas) strait and entered international waters in the Aegean at roughly 10 a.m. in a direction towards the island of Psara.

[14] Bagis: Turkish gov't to return another minority property

Turkey's Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis announced here over the weekend that the Turkish government will return yet another property previously seized by the state from a religious minority, in this case the Galata school, operated for 126 years by the ethnic Greek minority in the Bosporus metropolis.

In August 2011, an amendment to the associations law mandated the return of more than 350 properties to religious minorities in Turkey. As part of these changes, the Greek Orthodox Girls School in the Beyoglu district and the Jewish community centre in Izmir were granted legal status, ending a century-old dispute

According to an announcement issued by Bagis' office, the "solution to this problem, which is pending from 1936, marks a significant step in the process for the democratisation of the country (Turkey)."

[15] PM to meet with LAOS leader on Mon.

[16] PM receives Chinese ambassador

The half-hour meeting took place at the Maximos Mansion (government headquarters).

[17] OKE visit to Armenia

The meeting took place in the context of an ESC visit to the Armenian capital for the signing of a Protocol of Cooperation with the Public Council of Armenia.

According to an ESC announcement, the Armenian prime minister spoke warmly of the long-standing friendship and relations between the two countries while, on the economic crisis in Greece, he said it was similar with that faced by Armenia in preceding years.

On the signing of the Protocol, he said that such kinds of collaborations are necessary for overcoming problems, for economic and social development and for preservation of economic and social cohesion.

Financial News

[18] Development minister in Berlin

German industrialists expressed strong interest in the investment opportunities in Greece, during a meeting with visiting Greek development, competitiveness and shipping minister Anna Diamantopoulou in Berlin on Friday, sources said.

The meeting between Diamantopoulou and the German federation of industries BDI focused on specific plans and mechanisms for cooperation in sectors with comparative advantages such as energy, tourism, and the developmental prospects offered by marinas.

The sources said that the German businessmen acknowledge the need for a substantial flow of capital to Greece through private investments.

Diamantopoulou also addressed the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) on Thursday evening, during which she stressed the necessity for Greece to be given the time it needs for stabilisation and recovery.

During an open discussion at the FES -- a political foundation association with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) -- Diamantopoulou outlined the "painful but necessary" structural reforms that have been advanced over the past two years and the efforts being made to make the Greek investment environment attractive to foreign investors.

Responding to recent criticism by German economy minister Philipp Roesler that the situation in the investments sector in Greece was 'discouraging', Diamantopoulou reminded that she personally had asked to be given the list with the names of the German companies that had faced obstacles, adding that it turned out that this concerned four German companies that had only verbally expressed interest.

Acknowledging that problems do exist - "Greece is not hostile to foreign investments, it is hostile to all investments - she explained that the state service "Invest in Greece" has undertaken the support and facilitation of investors for completion of the required procedures.

She also said it is necessary for Greece to showcase the sectors in which it has comparative advantages, such as agriculture, energy and tourism.

BDI director Markus Kerber, in turn, acknowledged the reforms made by Greece to change decades-old structures, noting that "it is not possible to change a country in two years", and opined that 5-10 years and an immense effort will be needed for the situation to be normalised.

[19] Inaugural 2012 season charter flight arrives in Iraklio from Hanover

Sunday's charter flight by the carrier German Wings will be followed the same day by an Easyject charter flight from London, as the coming week will see the arrival of more flights from Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Israel.

[20] Greek stocks end moderately higher

The composite index of the market rose 0.99 pct to end at 772.66 points, for a net gain of 1.03 pct in the week. The index is up 13.56 pct so far this year. Turnover continued shrinking to a low 22.527 million euros.

The Big Cap index rose 0.64 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.14 pct higher and Small Cap index rose 0.10 pct. The Food (3.44 pct), Construction (1.85 pct), Commerce (1.72 pct) and Telecoms (1.67 pct) sectors scored gains, while Technology (2.92 pct), Banks (1.70 pct) and Chemicals (1.28 pct) suffered losses.

Coca Cola 3E (3.52 pct), Titan (2.59 pct), Viohalco (2.12 pct), OTE (1.67 pct) and OPAP (1.54 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Marfin Popular Bank (3.65 pct), Hellenic Postbank (3.64 pct) and Eurobank (2.44 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 71 to 61 with another 36 issues unchanged. Sato (20 pct), HOL (19.80 pct) and Edrasi (19.35 pct) were top gainers, while Euroholdings (15.38 pct), Shelman (14.29 pct) and Elgeka (13.41 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrial Products: 2,677.98 +1.54%

Commerce: 1,165.52 +1.72%

Constructions: 679.5 +1.85%

Oil/Gas: 2,142.56 +1.32%

Personal Products: 1,860.94 +0.94%

Raw Materials: 1,495.97 +0.29%

Travel: 1,205.83 +1.55%

Technology: 359.90 -2.92%

Telecoms: 1,205.83 +1.55%

Banks: 364.30 -1.70%

Food/Beverage: 5,512.30 +3.44%

Health: 134,70 +0,75%

Utilities: 1,319.73 +0.93%

Chemicals: 6,775.64 -1.25%

Financial Services: 962.53 -0.98%

Cyprus Bank, National Bank and Alpha Bank were the most heavily traded securities, while National Bank (4.476 mln euros), OPAP (3.891 mln euros) and Alpha Bank (1.736 mln euros) recorded the highest transactions in value.

The market's capitalization was 30.346 billion euros.

Blue chip stocks ended as follows:

ALPHA BANK: 1.33

FOLLI-FOLLIE: 8.14

VIOHALCO: 3.37

ELLAKTOR: 1.32

PPC: 3.80

COCA COLA: 15.00

HELLENIC PETROLEUM: 5.76

NATIONAL BANK: 2.32

EUROBANK: 0.88

CYPRUS BANK: 0.50

JUMBO: 3.70

HELLENIC POSTBANK: 0.53

MYTILINEOS: 2.99

MOTOR OIL: 6.21

OPAP: 7.23

OTE: 3.05

PIRAEUS BANK: 0.36

TITAN: 14.28

MARFIN POPULAR BANK: 0.2

MARFIN INVESTMENT GROUP: 0.3

General News

[21] Eurostat-: Greece received 9,310 asylum applications in 2011

Greece examined a total 8,760 asylum applications in 2011, of which 180 were approved and 8,490 were rejected, Eurostat said.

According to Eurostat:

"In 2011, there were 301 000 asylum applicants registered in the EU27. It is estimated that around 90% of these were new applicants and around 10% were repeat applicants. In 2010, there were 259 000 asylum applicants.

In 2011, the main countries of citizenship of these applicants were Afghanistan (28,000 or 9% of the total number of applicants), Russia (18,200 or 6%), Pakistan (15,700 or 5%), Iraq (15 200 or 5%) and Serbia (13,900 or 5%).

In 2011, the highest number of applicants was registered in France (56,300 applicants), followed by Germany (53,300), Italy (34,100), Belgium (31,900), Sweden (29,700), the United Kingdom (26,400), the Netherlands (14,600), Austria (14,400), Greece (9,300) and Poland (6,900). These ten Member States accounted for more than 90% of applicants registered in the EU27 in 2011.

When compared with the population of each Member State, the highest rates of applicants registered were recorded in Malta (4,500 applicants per million inhabitants), Luxembourg (4,200), Sweden (3,200), Belgium (2,900) and Cyprus (2,200).

In some Member States, a large proportion of the applicants came from a single country. The Member States with the highest concentrations were Poland (63% of the applicants came from Russia), Latvia (52% from Georgia), Luxembourg (44% from Serbia), Lithuania (43% from Georgia), Bulgaria (39% from Iraq) and Hungary (38% from Afghanistan)."

[22] Two foreign nationals charged with killing of fellow national on Crete

The body of the migrant was found on Thursday after a search was launched by police for the missing 44-year-old man after receiving information a week earlier that he had been abducted.

A subsequent autopsy turned up that the man had been tortured, severely beaten all over the body, and killed with a deep cut to the throat, while the time of death was determined to have been a week earlier, near the time his abduction was reported to police by the deceased's roommate.

Police are searching for two more suspects, of Pakistani nationality, for complicity in the abduction, who are believed to be in Athens.

The abductors had asked for ransom from the migrant's family in India for his release.

[23] Photo exhibition on New Acropolis Museum opens in Odessa

The exhibition will include architects Bernard Tschumi's and Michalis Fotiadis' drafts, external views of the building and surrounding area, including the finds uncovered during construction of the new museum, as well as the interior of the museum and its displays.

The exhibition, organised in cooperation with the New Acropolis Museum, will run through April 28.

[24] Two Algerian men arrested on numerou car burglary charges

The appearance of Algerian illegal immigrants in the country over recent years, particularly in crime-plagued central Athens, apparently stems from the fact that citizens of that North African country do not need a visa to enter neighbouring Turkey, thereby flying to Istanbul on regular flights and then sneaking across the Greek-Turkish frontier, authorities have said.

[25] Work-stoppage Thursday in civil services in Athens, Thessaloniki

The stoppage will run from 11:30 a.m. to the end of the working day in the public sector.

A demonstration will be staged at noon the same day in Athens' Mavili Square, while similar rallies will be held in Thessaloniki and other cities throughout the country.

ADEDY and representatives of health sector federations will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday.

[26] Moderate quake in NW Greece

The tremor was felt throughout NW Greece, although no damages have been reported.

[27] Antiquities, drug arrests on Kalymnos

A search of the 46-year-old's house, in the presence of a prosecutor, turned up32 ancient amphorae of various period, 10 clay and bronze Minoan-age statuettes, 92 grams of cocaine, 394 grams of cannabis and two hunting rifles.

Another two individuals, aged 46 and 47, were also arrested for drug possession.

Soccer

[28] Superleague results; Olympiakos nears title

Results

Aris Thessaloniki - Panionios Athens 4-2

Atromitos Athens  Xanthi 1-0

OFI Crete - Panathinaikos Athens 0-1

Doxa Drama - Levadiakos Livadia 0-2

AEK Athens - Panetolikos Agrinio 1-0

PAS Yannina - Ergotelis Crete 1-1

Olympiakos Piraeus - Asteras Tripoli 7-2

Kerkyra - PAOK Thessaloniki 0-4

The standings after 26 weeks of play

Olympiakos 64

Panathinaikos 54

Atromitos 47

PAOK 46

AEK 45

Aris 39

Asteras Tripolis 38

OFI 33

Levadiakos 30

Xanthi 29

Panionios 29

PAS Yannina 29

Ergotelis 27

Panetolikos 25

Kerkyra 24

Doxa Drama 15

Panathinaikos has been penalised with -3 points and an elimination.

Weather forecast

[29] Cloudy on Monday

[30] Athens Newspaper Headlines

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Unprecedented measures (to safeguard) pupils' parades on Saturday (on the occasion of the celebration of Greek Independence Day)."

AVGI: "40 days that will determine our future."

AVRIANI: "(ND leader Antonis) Samaras' wager for majority government."

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Vote for New Democracy a national necessity."

ESTIA: "Historic March 25, 1902 issue."

ETHNOS: "(Evangelos) Venizelos' election to PASOK helm changes climate within party."

KATHIMERINI: "Hardened criminals freed due to deficient laws."

PROTO THEMA: "VAT reduction by 20 percent."

REAL NEWS: "Citizens point to the twins of destruction: (ex-prime minister and ex PASOK leader George) Papandreou and (former FinMin and current environment minister George) Papaconstantinou."

RIZOSPASTIS: "Manipulation of the people at the ballot box by bourgeois policy," is the headline communist party' s official gazette.

VIMA: "Babel-like ballot sets up backdrop of no government."

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