Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-06-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras says 'our target is to take country out of crisis'

[02] Government to have full constitutional powers, duration, announcement says

[03] Composition of the new government announced

[04] New gov't comprised of 39 members

[05] PM Samaras interview with Paris Match: 'Greeks chose Europe'

[06] SYRIZA: 'Gov't has clear rightist orientation'

[07] Independent Greeks party comments on new government

[08] KKE party comments on new government

[09] Barroso welcomes formation of new Greek government

[10] Merkel letter of congrats to new Greek PM Samaras

[11] Russian President Putin says results of Greek elections inspire reserved optimism

[12] CoS rules on presidential decree

[13] Union leader calls on PASOK to expel him

[14] Belgian ambassador visits Samos

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch to visit NW Greece next week

[16] Shipowners to new gov't: Cut red tape to attract investments, re-establish ministry

[17] SEB president expresses hope new government to succeed

[18] Alpha Bank report: 'Election result allows country to turn new page'

[19] Financial prosecutor launches inquiry into loss of journalists' pension fund capital reserves

[20] New route links Samos with Sigacik on Turkish coast

[21] Construction materials index rises 1pct in May

[22] Stocks boosted by formation of new gov't

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] ADEX closing report

[25] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[26] Exhibition of Thessaloniki's early Christian, Byzantine monuments in Kiev

[27] New roof structure at 'Palace of Nestor' site

[28] Three arrested for violence earlier in the week of Roma attack on public bus and injury of 5 policemen

[29] 60 fires reported on Wednesday in Attica

[30] 44 year-old found shot in his house

[31] Woman found stabbed to death in her house on Rhodes

[32] Three dead after car falls over cliff on Santorini

[33] Scuffles outside Hellenic Steel

[34] Burglars arrested

[35] Fair on Friday

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

[01] PM Samaras says 'our target is to take country out of crisis'

"A government is being formed with full duties and as the constitution anticipates, the coalition government is a great step that necessitates great consensuses. We achieved them to save the country and for the country to come out of the crisis," Samaras said.

"Our target is to take the country out of the crisis and for the sacrifices of the people not to be in vain. We shall achieve it by telling the people the truth," the prime minister said, adding that in a short period of time "we achieved identity of views. There is consensus on many points. This was also the mandate of the Greek people to which the parties that are cooperating responded."

He announced two measures: firstly the salaries of the cabinet members will be decreased by 30 percent. Secondly the use of state cars by the government and the members of public administration will be reduced to the minimum number necessary.

Samaras said he will rule with truth and modesty and added that the ministers cannot be at the television channels every day.

Addressing his ministers, he said: "I know that all of you have good intentions. But I am not interested in good intentions. I am interested in work and the result. The most crucial word is the word effectiveness. We shall make in every ministry a target-timetable for us to know what took place and did not take place at its time, what was late and why. This government has no period of grace. Despite its interparty composition it is unified."

Samaras also appealed to the opposition saying "We expect responsibility from the other parties as well. It is no time for sterile opposition. The country has paid for populism dearly. It cannot stand any more populism."

"Today all eyes are turned on us. Inside and outside Greece they are expecting a great deal from us. For the first time, for some time now, we are creating hope. We shall show both inside and outside Greece that something started to change in the country today. We shall do everything for the country to be saved, to stay in a European orbit. There shall be difficulties. I expect the support of all the forces of the nation and of our partners. The communication management shall take place focally for there to be no discords. It is the first and last time that television will participate in a meeting of the cabinet. In order for us to succeed we must be the most strict critics of ourselves and of our work," the prime minister concluded.

[02] Government to have full constitutional powers, duration, announcement says

According to earlier media reports, the two smaller parties in the three-party coalition government had originally pressed for an agreement in advance to end the coalition government's term early by calling a general election at the same time as the elections for the European Parliament.

The announcement, entitled "Declaration of National Responsibility Government", said the government's aim would be to "tackle the crisis, open a path to growth and review the terms of the Loan Agreements (Memorandum) without placing at risk the country's European course nor its presence in the euro [area]".

It stressed that the cabinet would not be made up of different pockets of party influence but operate as a single entity, supported by transparency, the policy agreements of the parties that support it and on the "staffing of all the administrative mechanism based on criteria of merit".

The new government will also be based on 'flexibility' so that any disagreements that may arise will not hamper its work nor undermine the consensus needed for this work to continue, the announcement said.

It also revealed plans for an initiative to be undertaken by the new government and the Parliament presidency to change the rules of Parliamentary operation in order to adjust for "the exercise of legislative work and Parliamentary control under the new conditions of coalition governments".

[03] Composition of the new government announced

1. Economy and Finance Ministry

Minister: Vassilis Rapanos

Alternate Minister: Christos Staikouras

Deputy Minister: George Mavraganis

2. Administrative Reform and e-Government Ministry

Minister: Antonis Manitakis

Deputy Minister: Manoussos Voloudakis

3. Interior Ministry

Minister: Evripides Stylianidis

Alternate Minister: Haralambos Athanassiou

4. Foreign Ministry

Minister: Dimitris Avramopoulos

Deputy Minister: Dimitris Kourkoulas

5. National Defence Ministry

Minister: Panos Panagiotopoulos

Deputy Minister: Panagiotis Karabelas

Deputy Minister: Dimitris Elefsiniotis

6. Development and Infrastructure,

Transport and Networks Ministry

Minister: Kostis Hatzidakis

Alternate Minister: Stavros Kalogiannis

Deputy Minister: Thanassis Skordas

Deputy Minister: Panagiotis (Notis) Mitarakis

7. Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry

Minister: Evangelos Livieratos

Alternate Minister: Stavros Kalafatis

Deputy Minister: Assimakis Papageorgiou

8. Education, Religions, Culture and Sport Ministry

Minister: Constantine Arvanitopoulos

Alternate Minister: Costas Tzavaras

Deputy Minister: Ioannis Ioannidis

Deputy Minister: Theodoros Papatheodorou

9. Labour, Social Insurance and Welfare Ministry

Ministry: Yiannis Vroutsis

Deputy Minister: Nikos Nikolopoulos

10. Health Minister

Minister: Andreas Lykourentzos

Deputy Minister: Marios Salmas

Deputy Minister: Fotini Skopouli

11. Agricultural Development and Foods Ministry

Minister: Athanassios Tsaftaris

Alternate Minister: Maximos Harakopoulos

12. Justice, Transparency and Human Rights Ministry

Minister: Antonis Roupakiotis

Deputy Minister: Constantine Karagounis

13. Public Order and Citizen Protection Ministry

Minister: Nikos Dendias

14. Tourism Ministry

Minister: Olga Kefaloyianni

15. Shipping and Aegean Ministry

Minister: Costas Mousouroulis

Deputy Minister: George Vernikos

16. Macedonia-Thrace Ministry

Minister: Theodoros Karaoglou

17. Minister of State: Dimitrios Stamatis

The new Greek government sworn in at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in the presence of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, with the exception of the finance ministry's leadership, according to an official announcement issued late on Thursday afternoon.

Evangelos Meimarakis is to be proposed for Parliament president.

[04] New gov't comprised of 39 members

The number of ministries is increased by one (from 15 to 16, or 17 if the minister of state is counted), as the development and infrastructures ministries were merged, along with education with culture; three ministries were re-established: tourism, merchant and Aegean, as well as the Macedonia-Thrace ministry.

Ministers number 17, alternate ministers seven and 14 deputy ministers, while the institutional status of the government spokesman was not clarified. Of the Cabinet members, 13 had a previous government tenure, while the remaining 26 assume government posts for first time.

According to reports, PASOK recommended five members, and specifically Environment, Energy & Climate Change Minister Evangelos Livieratos; Agricultural Development Minister Athanassios Tsaftaris; Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas; Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Elefsiniotis and Deputy Shipping & Aegean Minister Giorgos Vernikos.

The Democratic Left recommended four members, namely, Administrative Reform Minister Antonis Manitakis; Justice Antonis Roupakiotis (both of whom participated in the outgoing caretaker government) as well as the deputy ministers of health and education, Fotini Skopouli and Thodoros Papatheodorou.

[05] PM Samaras interview with Paris Match: 'Greeks chose Europe'

The period when Greece had "talked much, suffered a lot and done little" was now over, the country's new prime minister Antonis Samaras promised in an interview with the French magazine "Paris Match" published on Thursday, the same day as Samaras announced his new government.

In an article presenting Samaras as the man that would be Greece's "last chance", the magazine noted that the prospect of Greece's exit from the euro was receding after his election to power.

In the interview, Samaras describes the outcome of the June 17 elections in Greece as a "historic vote" that was a landmark for both Greece and Europe.

"The Greek people showed that they chose Europe, that they agreed to continue the efforts to remain in the euro. It is an act of entering into European unity and stability. It is also a message that the Greeks, despite the problems, are accepting their responsibilities. The people are suffering to an unimaginable extent. Our election shows, also, that there is light at the end of the tunnel," Samaras said.

The new Greek premier said that immediate measures that would help the Greek economy recover were the "exchange" that he expected from his European partners.

"The first challenge is unemployment. It has taken on dimensions that create a huge problem of social but also political cohesion. Look at all the shops around you that are shut and those that are going to shut. Measures must be taken to boost employment, in other words the economy and consumption. We, therefore, say to our partners: "Yes, we want to meet our commitments, to complete the structural reforms to the state, to strengthen our taxation system. In exchange, we need measures for the recovery of the economy immediately," Samaras explained.

As an example, he referred to the issue of Eurobonds, which are a position also supported by France, noting that this would help Greece fund a real economic recovery but also benefit other countries.

"In short, we need a 'third pillar' of help, which will fund a policy for growth," he added.

Through this policy, Samaras claimed that he would be able to restore the low-end pensions to their former level, noting that this was a matter of social justice. "These people are starving. But also because these small pensions finance daily consumption. By reducing them, we destroyed demand in the Greek economy. We have no consumption any more because no one has available income to consume. There is also no money from abroad because no one is investing. And there is no public spending, because the government is using this money to cover the deficits. We are in a situation known as a 'liquidity trap'. It is truly of vital importance that our partners help us to finance measures so that we can meet [our commitments]," he said.

Asked whether he was surprised that a socialist president such as Francois Hollande had supported a conservative politician like himself, Samaras said that he was not surprised and noted that in terms of social and economic measures, his positions largely coincided with those of the French president.

"The goal is the same: to boost employment. Greece knows that it can count of France's support, especially in the discussion on European policies," he noted.

Outlining how he intends to implement reforms in order to quickly benefit Greek society, Samaras said he would focus on attracting foreign investment and privatising state companies that should have been made private a long time ago. He stressed that his government would seek to guarantee the security of investments, especially in legal and taxation terms, and show that Greece could be a country of stability, meritocracy and a nation with a positive outlook.

"Certain social issues must be settled quickly. Such as the problem of the illegal immigrants. There are over one million in a country that has exactly over one million unemployed," he emphasised.

He promised that as soon as the new 'national unity government' took over, it would show Greeks that they have every reason to hope.

"We do not say that the reforms that are coming will be easy. But we will show them that we mean business and that we have a real plan. When people see that you believe in what you are doing, they are prepared to follow you even if the effort is difficult," he stressed.

[06] SYRIZA: 'Gov't has clear rightist orientation'

According to the statement, the individuals chosen to hold portfolios and the emerging policy convergence between the three parties indicates that the government formed "has a clearly rightist content and orientation, and is being supported mainly by the powers that are responsible for defending and implementing the most extreme and anti-popular policies in recent decades."

SYRIZA stressed that "the selection of the minister of finance from the banking sector is indicative of the alliances the new government intends to forge, in the footsteps of the 'successful' path followed by the (previous) Papademos government."

SYRIZA emphasised that it will be "consistent with its election campaign pledges as the major opposition party and will defend the interests of the majority of the people, Greece's exit from the catastrophic memorandums and the upset of the Eurozone's neo-liberal architecture."

[07] Independent Greeks party comments on new government

"Greece, unfortunately, has obtained a new memorandum government, and it is comprised of people having signed letters and voting for memorandums and burdensome and disgraceful loan contracts, ceding the country's national sovereignty," the announcement also said.

[08] KKE party comments on new government

"The renegotiating is not taking place to protect the people from the capitalist crisis. The popular rallying and struggle alone can prevent and reverse antipopular measures," the statement read.

[09] Barroso welcomes formation of new Greek government

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday welcomed news that a government had been formed in Greece by the three-party governing coalition.

"I am certain that the new government will enjoy broad Parliamentary support. I believe that this sends a clear message concerning Greece's determination to meet its commitments and remain in the eurozone," a written statement by Barroso said.

He also stated that he looked forward to working with the new Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras, the head of the New Democracy party that won the largest share of the vote in Sunday's elections, noting that he had known Samaras for many years and that the Greek premier was committed to the European plan.

"The European Commission stands at the side of Greece and its people," Barroso said, adding that it would work with Greek authorities in order to restore growth and create jobs in the country.

The European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund 'troika' representatives are due to return to Greece in the next few days in order to meet the new government and begin an evaluation of what has been done and what remains to be done in terms of fulfilling the terms and reforms demanded under the bailout agreements, Barroso added.

[10] Merkel letter of congrats to new Greek PM Samaras

In her letter, Merkel warmly congratulated Samaras, noting that he was assuming his new duties at a difficult moment, in which great hopes and expectations were put on him and his government.

Merkel wished him good luck and every success in his task, adding the she looks forward to a cooperation that will reinforce and deepen the traditional good and deep friendship between their two peoples.

[11] Russian President Putin says results of Greek elections inspire reserved optimism

Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, said the results of the Parliamentary elections in Greece, that took place last Sunday, and certain other factors "inspire reserved optimism" regarding the economic situation in Europe.

Putin said in his address "the results of the elections in Greece, the decisive stance of the leadership of the European Commission and the European Union in its entirety and of certain leading European countries, on the imposition of fiscal discipline and the brushing aside of imbalances in the economy, inspire reserved optimism."

Earlier, Putin sent a message of congratulations to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on the assumption of his duties. Confidence is expressed in the message that "the extensive political experience of Antonis Samras will help to resolve the complicated problems facing Greece and the Greek society." According to the presidential website kremlin.ru, the message also stresses "the necessity for further developing Russian-Greek dialogue on issues on the bilateral and international agenda."

A corresponding message of congratulations was also sent by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in which it is noted that "in Russia they honour the traditional friendly relations and the constructive partnership relation with Greece."

[12] CoS rules on presidential decree

The Presidential Decree concerns ministries and services under the newly formed government.

[13] Union leader calls on PASOK to expel him

Fotopoulos lashed out at PASOK, in which he has been a decades-old member, saying he "was not the one who left the party but in essence the party was abandoned by its cadres".

He also denied rampant speculation that he will join the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) saying, however, that in the last two elections (in May and June 2012) he did not vote for PASOK. "The party (PASOK) in its present state is nothing but a shadow of itself and has nothing to do with the party envisioned and created by its founder - which some of had wished dead to take over his place."

He also claimed that the president of PASOK is planning to dissolve the affiliated PASKE labour grouping, saying that "with all due respect, let me say that PASKE is independent ..."

[14] Belgian ambassador visits Samos

The Belgian ambassador, currently on a tour of several Aegean islands, discussed issues concerning illegal migration and relations with local authorities on the opposite Turkish coast with deputy governor Themistoklis Papatheophanous .

The need for greater EU attention to Greece' s borders, which are also the EU' s external borders, was underlined during the meeting.

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch to visit NW Greece next week

After a church service at the Aghios (St.) Nikolaos Cathedral, the Patriarch will inaugurate the recently restored Metropolitan Home.

On Thursday, June 28, he will inaugurate the Church of the Assumption in the nearby town of Velventos, and later in the day will bless the local peach crop.

On Friday, June 29 he will officiate in a mass at the Aghios Konstantinos & Eleni Cathedral in Kozani and later he will visit the city's Historical - Folklore and Natural History Museum. On Friday afternoon, he will visit the Archaeological Museum in Aiani and later in the evening, he will attend an event in his honor at the regional headquarters building.

On Saturday morning, Bartholomew will visit a Public Power Corp. S.A. power plant. At noon, he will be declared honorary professor of the Western Macedonia technological educational institute's (TEI) geo-technology and environment faculty and soon after he will depart for the lake-side city of Kastoria.

Financial News

[16] Shipowners to new gov't: Cut red tape to attract investments, re-establish ministry

Moreover, the influential group said a reduction in red tape and increasing transparency are basic conditions for the east Mediterranean country to attract more and urgently needed shipping investments.

The announcement came on a day when the Committee is holding its annual general assembly for the election of a new board.

According to a yearly report on the occasion of the general assembly, the proposals towards the Greek government were issued before the June 17 election.

Committee President Haralambos Fafalios, who presented the report on the Greek-owned shipping - which still comprises the biggest portion of the international maritime transport sector - called on the new Greek government to better exploit the country's strong position as a major maritime power, adding that the shipping sector will be a primary factor for the country's growth.

He also cited what he called a trend by younger generations of Greeks to follow a career in the merchant marine and the success of the recent Poseidonia 2012 exhibition in Athens.

The Committee's report for 2011 states that Greek shipping contributed 14.097 billion euros in remittances, down from 15.418 billion in 2010. As of March 2, 2012 Greek-owned ships more than 1,000DWTs, reached 3,760 (88 less than 2010), representing 7.4 percent of the world's fleet.

Of the Greek-owned vessels, 862 are listed on the Greek register in 2012, down from 917 in 2011 and 969 in 2010.

Finally, 85 ships were on order in 2012 by Greek interests, down from 127 in 2011 and 189 in 2012.

The merchant marine ministry was eliminated by the then Papandreou government in October 2009, while the coast guard was shifted to the renamed citizens' protection ministry.

[17] SEB president expresses hope new government to succeed

"Political stability and social consensus are, self-evidently, basic preconditions for the country to forge ahead again. The coalition government, that the election result imposed, has widespread Parliamentary support and a popular mandate," Daskalopoulos noted.

He also said that in the present conjuncture the major targets are national and not party ones. The new government, as is every government, will not be ultimately judged by its composition and its intentions, but by its work.

[18] Alpha Bank report: 'Election result allows country to turn new page'

The bank analysts, in a report, stressed that "the proper preconditions are being created allowing a capable, stable and well-staffed government to continue the effort aimed at completing the fiscal adjustment (through timely primary surpluses) and the structural reforms, while improving the country's international competitiveness thus contributing to the timely recovery of the economy leading the country out of the deepest economic and social crisis in its history."

They underlined that "it is wrong to believe that renegotiation can lead the country by itself out of the crisis. Instead of tilting at windmills, we should focus on undertaking policy initiatives that will lead the country out of the crisis as soon as possible. We do not need a national negotiating team. We need a national team that will undertake to implement actions focusing on economic growth, structural reforms and fiscal adjustment."

[19] Financial prosecutor launches inquiry into loss of journalists' pension fund capital reserves

The affair came to light following an exchange of letters between the BoG and EDOEAP's management, starting with a fax sent by the BoG on June 7 informing EDOEAP's board that their current assets were only worth 5.6 million euro. When EDOEAP's board demanded explanations, the bank informed them that their assets had been reduced from 115 million euro to 59 million euro in March as a result of the PSI bond haircut and that early liquidation of the resulting bonds had led to their sale at less than face value. Therefore, due to requests by EDOEAP for 25 million euro to cover its standing running costs, the available assets that only had a market value of 35 million euro were reduced to just 5.6 million euro.

The case has been assigned to Peponis' deputy, G. Noulis, who has been instructed to determine how the Bank of Greece had managed EDOEAP's capital reserves and to investigate whether there had been breach of faith.

EDOEAP's management does not accept that it ever consented to PSI for its capital reserves, saying that the balance of its deposits at the Bank of Greece on March 9 was 115,312,441.47 euro and that between that time and April 23, 2012 it made five withdrawals of five million euro so that the balance of its account should now be 90,312, 447.47 euro.

The central bank, on its part, has issued an announcement saying that the funds given to the bank by pension funds and other public-sector bodies are not paid into interest-bearing deposit accounts but for investment, which by law must be in state bonds, and that the assets are then sold at market rates when the funds are requested.

[20] New route links Samos with Sigacik on Turkish coast

The ferry will depart from the Turkey resort on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and subsequently leave from Samos at 19:30 p.m.

Daily excursions from Samos to Izmir are expected to be inaugurated soon.

[21] Construction materials index rises 1pct in May

ELSTAT, in a report, said that the Material Costs Index in Construction of New Residential Buildings in May 2012 compared with May 2011 recorded an increase of 1.0%. The index in May 2011 had recorded an increase of 2.3% compared with May 2010.

The Material Costs Index in May 2012 compared with April 2012 remained unchanged.

The index had also remained unchanged between May 2011 and April 2011.

The twelve-month average index, from June 2011 to May 2012, compared with the same index of the period from June 2010 to May 2011, increased by 1.4%. The previous year the twelve-month average index had increased by 3.4%

[22] Stocks boosted by formation of new gov't

The composite index of the market was 1.83 pct higher, ending at 614.09.

Turnover was a moderate 61.381 million euros.

The Big Cap index rose 2.09 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 1.66 pct higher.

Ninety three shares moved higher, 30 lower and 17 remained the same.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -0.86%

Commercial: +3.54%

Construction: +0.49%

Oil & Gas: +2.49%

Personal & Household: +1.20%

Raw Materials: +2.71%

Travel & Leisure: +1.36%

Technology: +0.86%

Telecoms: Unchanged

Banks: +4.63%

Food & Beverages: +0.39%

Health: +1.47%

Utilities: +4.19%

Financial Services: +2.11%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 1.30

Public Power Corp (PPC): 2.13

HBC Coca Cola: 13.60

Hellenic Petroleum: 4.64

National Bank of Greece: 1.49

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.74

OPAP: 5.00

OTE: 2.19

Bank of Piraeus: 0.26

Titan: 13.75

[23] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates remained mainly unchanged. The 12-month rate stood at 1.21 pct, the six-month rate was 0.93 pct, the three-month rate 0.65 pct and the one-month rate 0.37 pct.

[24] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 53,592 worth 7.632 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (18,750), followed by Alpha Bank (15,756), OTE (5,104), Bank of Cyprus (3,907), Piraeus Bank (2,286), PPC (2,026), Cyprus Popular Bank (1,851) and OPAP (1,094).

[25] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.286

Pound sterling 0.819

Danish kroner 7.544

Swedish kroner 8.968

Japanese yen 102.98

Swiss franc 1.219

Norwegian kroner 7.608

Canadian dollar 1.310

Australian dollar 1.263

General News

[26] Exhibition of Thessaloniki's early Christian, Byzantine monuments in Kiev

The flatbed exhibition features 15 monuments listed in the World Heritage Monuments of UNESCO.

It includes early Christian period (4th-6th centuries) monuments (the Rotunda, Virgin Acheiropoiitos, St. Demetrios, Monastery Latomos (St. David)) and Middle Ages and Mid-Byzantine period (7th-13th centuries) monuments (Hagia Sophia, Chalkeon Virgin, Byzantine Baths). Also, on display will be late Byzantine period (1204 -1453) monuments (Saint Panteleimon, Holy Apostles, St. Nicholas the Orphan, St. Catherine, Church of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Monastery Vlatadon, Prophet Elias, the City Walls).

The exhibition, already successfully held in Odessa, Kharkov and Mariupol, is an initiative of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture (HFC) Odessa Branch, in cooperation with the Greek embassy in Ukraine.

[27] New roof structure at 'Palace of Nestor' site

The archaeological site is popularly known as "the Palace of Nestor", after the wise mythical king of Pylos in Homer's Iliad.

The structure will be designed to protect and highlight an archaeological site of roughly 2,500 square meters.

The Mycenaean-era palace, located on the levelled peak of a hill known as Ano Eglianos, near the modern-day village Chora, flourished in the 13th century BC. It comprises a central courtyard with adjacent utility rooms.

[28] Three arrested for violence earlier in the week of Roma attack on public bus and injury of 5 policemen

The incidents began at around 10:00 p.m. on Monday night when the gypsies attacked the bus with stones and then forced the driver and passengers to get out before they doused it with petrol and set fire to it. Police from the local Ano Liossia police station rushed to the scene after they were alerted by the driver but the enraged gypsies did not hesitate to attack them as well, charging at them with stones and sticks. Some among them also fired hunting shotguns that injured a number of officers.

The marauding gypsy gang then set fire to rubbish dumpsters and looted at least two shops before fleeing back to their camp.

Police revealed on Thursday that officers who rushed to the site early Monday arrested a 56-year-old on the scene as he was stealing merchandise from a clothing shop that had been broke into and looted earlier by others.

An investigation by security police also led to the arrest of a second man, a 54-year-old local resident, as one of the assailants who had fired at the police officers with hunting shotgons. A search of the man's house on Wednesday turned up a hunting shotgun that did not have a licence, and a lab examination of the shotgun showed that it 20 of the 26 rounds that had been fired during the incident came from that shotgun. His 52-year-old wife, who was at home at the time of the search, was also arrested.

Case files for theft, grand theft, causing damage to foreign property and violation of gun laws have been drawn up against the three arrestees and the others who participated in the violence.

The investigation is continuing to identify the other Roma who took part in the violence.

The incident broke out in protest to the arrest of the Roma driver of a van that on June 17 overran a STOP sign and hit a DIAS police motorcycle, fatally injuring one officer who died in hospital later and wounding a second officer.

[29] 60 fires reported on Wednesday in Attica

According to a Fire Brigade announcement 60 wildfires were reported between 6:00 Wednesday morning and 6:00 in the afternoon in Attica prefecture.

[30] 44 year-old found shot in his house

The victim lived with his wife and two sons, who were asleep in rooms at the time of the incident. One of his sons was woken by a sound and went to his father's bedroom, where he found him dead.

The wife had fallen asleep in another room while watching TV.

Police are conducting an investigation.

[31] Woman found stabbed to death in her house on Rhodes

A coroner is currently at the site of crime, while police are conducting an investigation.

[32] Three dead after car falls over cliff on Santorini

According to the Coast guard the 55-year-old woman was due to board a ship for Piraeus.

The bodies were recovered on Wednesday afternoon from Tsekoura beach.

Moreover, a search was continuing on Thursday for a 28-year-old speargun diver who went missing on Wednesday afternoon. The diver had gone fishing in the sea region of Marmara, Skyros island.

[33] Scuffles outside Hellenic Steel

Forty workers, mostly administrative employees, attempted and managed to enter the building in order to start working.

The Hellenic Steel workers are on strike for the 235th consecutive day despite the fact that a court has ruled the strike illegal for typical reasons.

A meeting among the strikers, the Labour Ministry and the employers was scheduled to take place on Thursday, however the meeting was cancelled because the company representative did not show up.

[34] Burglars arrested

Police are after three more suspects alleged to be also members of the gang.

Weather forecast

[35] Fair on Friday

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

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "And now, hard work!".

AVGHI: "They swear in austerity".

AVRIANI: "Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' crucial wager".

DIMOKRATIA: "You said, I said, on the government".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "First battle for salaries and taxes".

ESTIA: "The new government under Mr. Samaras".

ETHNOS: "Race to make up for the time lost".

IMERISSIA: "Success the only way - Expectations and demands of the government".

KATHIMERINI: "From the swear-in ceremony to the Eurogroup".

LOGOS: "The three parties' (participating in the coalition government) five axes".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Negotiation 'test' in the ministers' (Eurogroup) meeting".

RIZOSPASTIS: "ND, PASOK, DIMAR co-governance will not bring relief to the people".

TA NEA: "Troika vs. 'troika' (3-party coalition government)".

TO PONTIKI: "God save your people...Wedding under troika's umbrella".

VRADYNI: "Work, national unity and progress with tangible results".

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