Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-07-19

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Coalition leaders agree; no further austerity cuts in 2012

[02] Venizelos: Agreement on next steps

[03] No new austerity measures in 2012, Dem.Ar leader confirms

[04] SYRIZA's Tsipras predicts new measures with catastrophic impact for Greece

[05] KKE leader: coalition gov't statements 'no reassurance'

[06] FinMin meets HBA presidium

[07] Athens issues travel advisory for Syria

[08] Greek Parliament president begins visit to Cyprus

[09] Investigation into use of fake supporting documents in NAT pension applications

[10] Tsohatzopoulos: damning evidence by former minister's cousin points to Cypriot politician

[11] Environment ministry announces measures to restore liquidity without raising power rates

[12] Tourism minister to visit London for talks with travel industry

[13] Labour minister promises to cover trade union payroll

[14] Seven banks file suit against Lavrentis Lavrentiadis

[15] Stocks end slightly higher

[16] Greek bond market closing report

[17] ADEX closing report

[18] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

[19] Major fire near Rio

[20] Fire at Zevgolatio blazing for third day

[21] Attalos Stoa reopens to public after 30 years

[22] Cup for first-ever Olympic marathon on show at new Acropolis Museum

[23] Agioi Theodoroi man arrested for debts to state exceeding 9 million

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

[01] Coalition leaders agree; no further austerity cuts in 2012

Kedikoglou said the meeting between Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras with the heads of the two junior parties in the coalition, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left (Dem.Ar) leader Fotis Kouvelis was conducted in a friendly climate.

He said the government's concern was to promote growth and employment while ensuring social cohesion and strengthening the country's position abroad.

Asked whether there would be any further 'horizontal' cuts to pay and pensions, he referred reporters to the statements made by Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, who also attended the meeting.

In statements afterward, Stournaras said the three party leaders had agreed there should be no further austerity cuts in 2012, despite at 2.0-billion-euro 'hole' in the execution of the budget, and also reached broad agreement on all the basic guidelines of policy.

This was also confirmed in separate statements by Venizelos and Kouvelis to the press after the three-hour meeting.

[02] Venizelos: Agreement on next steps

The first target, Venizelos said, is revision of the loan agreement, beginning with an extension of the fiscal adjustment deadline.

He also said it was agreed that a new Middle-Term fiscal adjustment programme must be drafted, on which the 2013 budget will be founded.

He said Greece must manifest credibility and speed in decision-taking for the structural changes, including the privatizations, and in turning around the conditions on the market so that there will be liquidity.

With respect to execution of the 2012 budget, Venizelos said that no additional measures will be taken beyond those that have already been decided, and those will be applied with the greatest possible social sensitivity.

With respect to the 11.5 billion euros in state spending cuts for the years 2013-2014, he said it was agreed that no across-the-board measures will be taken, adding that there were some prospective measures that would be finalized after the next meeting with the Troika.

He further announced that a national negotiations team will be set up soon, to be called the National Committee for Economic Planning, adding that it was also decided that the three party leaders, headed by the prime minister, will act at high-level in Europe to present the "feat" that Greece has achieved and reverse the wrongful image of the country that exists in Europe.

[03] No new austerity measures in 2012, Dem.Ar leader confirms

Kouvelis said his talks with New Democracy leader and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos had been "productive" and said that the government would seek to find equivalent measures in order to avoid cutting so-called 'special' public-sector payroll salaries.

Dem.Ar's leader also referred to a decision to give an income-linked fuel subsidy to those worst affected by the abolition of cheaper tax on heating fuel and he underlined that a property surtax being levied via electricity bills will be split up into a number of installments that will stretch over the first months of 2013.

Concerning the renegotiation of the austerity measures demanded as a condition for bailout loans, a key pre-election pledge for all three parties in the coalition government, Kouvelis said the three party leaders were currently working on an overall plan whose chief goal was to extend the period for achieving fiscal consolidation targets.

"For this reason there will be contact with Greece's EU partners in coming months that will go beyond the EU-IMF troika missions and up to a high political level with EU officials," he added.

He also stressed the need to quickly investigate cases of tax evasion that involved even political figures that had either cheated on taxes or gained income illegally.

Finally, he referred to attempts to revive the Greek market using money from the next tranche of bailout loans, with immediate implementation of structural changes and exploitation of public property, as well as a relaxation of rules used by the debt monitor Teiresias in order to give respite to the market and small businesses.

[04] SYRIZA's Tsipras predicts new measures with catastrophic impact for Greece

In a brief statement to the press in the afternoon, Tsipras said the three-party coalition was continuing the 'catastrophic work' of the previous coalition government under the central banker Lucas Papademos, picking up where this was left off.

When the government spoke of a new medium-term programme they actually meant a third Memorandum, he added, predicting that there would soon be additional austerity measures which, combined with the selling off of public assets, would have a disastrous impact on the Greek people.

"The government is carrying out the orders of the EU-IMF troika and does not serve the public interest," he added, slamming the focus on further cuts and austerity in the midst of a recession as a "recipe for disaster" that must necessarily push Greece out of the eurozone.

[05] KKE leader: coalition gov't statements 'no reassurance'

"Their ideas concerning equivalent measures is a logic and practice that will lead to a subtraction of a part of both salaries and pensions and benefits for a very large part of workers that will be arbitrarily classed as middle or higher incomes," she underlined.

She underlined that the equivalent measures will be class based and against the people and stressed that the government was trying to present them as something that would not happen until the distant future when in fact, this future will come within the space of just three months.

In later statements, Papariga also warned against the division of ATE Bank into a 'good' and 'bad' bank that she said would pave the way for a privatisation that would have a severe impact on both the bank's staff and on farmers, since it held the majority of agricultural loans and attached mortgages.

"At the KKE, apart from the fact that we say 'no' to this privatisation, we are asking for the precise opposite: that there are no foreclosures, that there is economic support for farming in spite of the unfavourable conditions that exist in the area of production costs and, of course, for ATEBank to remain as the bank that is related to agricultural production, irrespective of our views on the way the banking system operates in Greece," she added.

[06] FinMin meets HBA presidium

Both sides said the meeting was "a courtesy meeting of mutual briefing".

[07] Athens issues travel advisory for Syria

"Greeks working in Syria are called upon to take all possible precautions and be in contact with the Greek embassy in Damascus," the advisory states.

[08] Greek Parliament president begins visit to Cyprus

Greek Parliament President Evangelos Meimarakis began a three-day visit ot Cyprus on Wednesday, his first abroad since his assumption of the post.

Meimarakis held substantial talks with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias but no statements were made afterwards.

The Greek parliament president had met earlier with Cyprus House of Rpresentatives Speaker Yiannakis Omirou with talks focusing on the Cyprus issue.

Speaking to reporters, Meimarakis noted the fact that Cyprus currently holds the rotating European Union presidency is of great importance for Greece, expressing certainty that this presidency will remain "cool-headed and unswayed from outside non-productive interventions that emanate mainly from Turkey, so as to achieve its targets."

"This offers an opportunity to us to invite Turkey today to show that it sincerely and effectively wants not to have problems with its neighbours. To confirm that it cares for its European orientation and make the necessary moves that will help it to cooperate with Cyprus' EU presidency for the benefit not only of the Cyprus people but of the EU and European institutions as well," Meimarakis said.

He noted, however, that Turkey "does not respond to this call and this is understood by our European partners."

On his part, Omirou said: "Today, in these critical conditions faced by Hellenism, we are called upon, Greece and Cyprus, and certainly the two parliaments, to jointly study these challenges and wage the battle for defending the rights of Hellenism."

While in the Cypriot capital, Meimarakis will also attend memorial events marking the 38 years since the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island republic.

[09] Investigation into use of fake supporting documents in NAT pension applications

Evidence uncovered during in an investigation by the Greek coast guard internal affairs service revealed that seamen have been awarded old-age pensions using fake certificates of employment on ships with foreign flags and that NAT beneficiaries have received one-off lump sum payments using fake or tampered medical certificates.

An initial investigation points to involvement by consular and embassy staff, doctors and Navy Retirement Fund employees. The fake supporting documents bear false signatures and were allegedly stamped by staff at Greek embassies and consulates that were not actually serving there at that time or are completely unknown to the interior ministry.

The use of the fake certificates did not, however, exempt seamen from paying the equivalent contributions to NAT in order to have their working years on third-country ships recognised as pensionable.

The use of fake medical certificates used to apply for exceptional payment of lump sums to NAT pensioners is also being investigated.

The medical certificates and fake employment certificates were found on a NAT employee that was not responsible for accepting or processing the applications and documents for pensions.

[10] Tsohatzopoulos: damning evidence by former minister's cousin points to Cypriot politician

Zigras, currently being held on remand as Tsohatzopoulos' accomplice, claimed in testimony to the magistrate that a Cypriot politician that repeatedly served as a government minister had not only been actively involved in the money-laundering operation for the illegal cash but also in transporting the money.

Described as a key player in the management of the offshore companies used to legalise the kickbacks and bribes, Zigras said the Cypriot politician had a hand in setting up these companies and often brought 'carrier bags' filled with bank notes to Greece.

Another 'cash courier' named by Zigras was one of Tsohatzopoulos's top aides, who had served with him in several ministries over the years and already faces charges in connection with the case, as well as his ex-wife, who he claimed had often received such illegal money.

At other points in his testimony, Zigras told the magistrate that Tsohatzopoulos spent sums exceeding 2.5 million euro on each election campaign in order to ensure his re-election and immunity from prosecution. Tactics of which he accused the former minister included the outright 'purchase' of votes from expatriate Greeks brought in from Russia and gypsies, as well as buying hundreds of season tickets for the PAOK football team that he then distributed.

Financial News

[11] Environment ministry announces measures to restore liquidity without raising power rates

Ministry sources said the measures taken in July will include a reduction in the guaranteed prices for 'green' energy for both existing and new units, a reduction in the money raised for third parties via electricity bills, especially taxation on energy and municipal rates, though this will be accompanied by the end of a free distribution of carbon emission rights for power plants from the start of next year, at which time the Public Power Corporation and other power producers will have to buy rights for each tonne of carbon produced. The additional cost for consumers will be offset by the reduction of taxation included in the bills.

"We are looking to balance the market in order to avoid increasing rates," said Deputy Environment Minister Assimakis Papageorgiou, noting that conditions had changed and new solutions were needed with objective actions by all sides in order to ensure that the market was able to survive.

He said legislative measures changing the structure of the energy market will be taken in the autumn in order to correct those features that were now not functional.

A major development is the prospect of exploiting seams of lignite coal in Drama and Elassona - something ruled out by the ministry's previous administration and to accelerate a tender for the Vevi mine in Florina that has stalled for the last six years. The ministry is also in talks with the EU-IMF troika on implementing provisions for giving the private sector access to coal mining, including the sale of PPC mining units and to link.

[12] Tourism minister to visit London for talks with travel industry

Kefalogianni will stay in the British capital until Saturday, granting a series of interviews to European and US media and holding meetings with representatives of the travel industry.

The interviews will include one with BBC World Service, the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4, televised interviews with Bloomberg's Countdown, CNBC's Squawk Box Europe, and the Quest Means Business programme on CNN International, as well as an interview with the newspaper The Independent and the British travel industry magazines ABTA, Travel Weekly and Travel Trade Gazette.

On Thursday, the minister will meet with British travel agents and tour operators in order to present the basic guidelines and the short- and long-term goals of Greek tourism policy.

[13] Labour minister promises to cover trade union payroll

Staff at trade union organisations have been unpaid for the past seven months, following the abolition of the worker housing (OEK) and worker welfare (OEE) state organisations, ostensibly as part of a drive to trim down Greece's public sector.

[14] Seven banks file suit against Lavrentis Lavrentiadis

Neochimiki, owned by Lavrentiadis, was sold to US Group Carlyle in 2008 for 750 million euros. Following that, the company which reported a very smaller turnover despite the fact that it had sold some of its units and had a high debt, was transferred again under the ownership of Lavrentis Lavrentiadis for less than 90 million euros. The banks accuse the Greek businessman and his partners of presenting false balance sheets in order to raise the company's share price, allowing it to receive bank loans up to 500 million euros.

[15] Stocks end slightly higher

The Big Cap index rose 0.20 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.53 pct lower. The Telecoms (3.39 pct), Commerce (1.41 pct) and Food (1.09 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Banks (1.85 pct), Health (0.76 pct )and Industrial Products (0.05 pct) were top losers.

OTE (3.39 pct), Viohalco (2.0 pct) and PPC (1.56 pct) were top gainers, while Metka (3.79 pct), Alpha Bank (2.70 pct) and National Bank (2.42 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers slightly led decliners by 64 to 63 with another 21 issues unchanged. Attica Holdings (20 pct), Geke (19.93 pct) and Athina (19.85 pct) were top gainers, while Alko (27.60 pct), Centric Multimedia (17.83 pct) and General Commerce (12.64 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -0.05%

Commercial: +1.41%

Construction: +0.85%

Oil & Gas: +0.28%

Personal & Household: +0.83%

Raw Materials: +0.66%

Travel & Leisure: +0.09%

Technology: +0.23%

Telecoms: +3.39%

Banks: -1.85%

Food & Beverages: +1.09%

Health: -0.76%

Utilities: +0.40%

Financial Services: +0.10%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 01/08/12

Public Power Corp (PPC): 01/02/61

HBC Coca Cola: 13.80

Hellenic Petroleum: 01/05/49

National Bank of Greece: 01/01/21

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.65

OPAP: 01/04/89

OTE: 01/02/44

Bank of Piraeus: 0.22

Titan: 13.20

[16] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed to lower. The 12-month rate was 1.03 pct, the six-month rate fell to 0.74 pct, the three-month rate was 0.46 pct and the one-month rate eased to 0.17 pct.

[17] ADEX closing report

[18] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. Dollar 1241

Pound sterling 795

Danish kroner 7550

Swedish kroner 8620

Japanese yen 98.08

Swiss franc 1219

Norwegian kroner 7594

Canadian dollar 1258

Australian dollar 1204

General News

[19] Major fire near Rio

A strong team of 70 firefighters with 21 fire engines, two firefighting planes and a water-dropping helicopter were battling the blaze.

A heavy cloud of smoke has covered part of northern Patras.

The blaze broke out at dawn Wednesday, and was heading in the direction of Kato Kastritsi and Drepano, and firefighters were battling to keep the flames away from homes.

An emergency plan was in place to evacuate the threatened communities if needed.

Airborne means were conducting water-dropping flights over the area, despite strong winds and thick smoke.

Meanwhile, another fire front broke out Wednesday morning in Achaia, this time in the Tzailo region, burning a forest expanse. Local firefighters were being assisted by aerial means and colleagues from neighboring Ileia prefecture.

[20] Fire at Zevgolatio blazing for third day

A force of 41 manned fire engines from Corinthia and surrounding prefectures was battling to put out the flames, assisted by teams on foot from Tripoli, Patras and Athens and six Canadair water-bombing aircraft from the air. All fire-fighting forces in the Peloponnese are currently on alert.

[21] Attalos Stoa reopens to public after 30 years

Dozens of stone antiquities have been put back on display, together with a plethora of antiquities that have not been previously exhibited.

The 1,440 square meter upper floor has up to now served as a storage space for artifacts, archives and offices of the American School of Classical Studies that is conducting excavations in the area.

A total of 56 stone-made antiquities are on display again, while the exhibition has also been be enriched with ancient findings never exhibited before, following a Finance Ministry approval in 2010 of a joint proposal by the School and the First Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities for showcasing the rich antiquities of the site in a more 'museum-like' concept, which was also endorsed by the Council of Museums.

The study for the showcasing of the exhibits was conducted within the framework of a project called "Reviving the Ancient Agora, the place where Democracy was born.

The proposal suggested that the presentation of sculptures takes place in thematic sections and chronological succession allowing the visitors to witness the evolution of sculptural art during the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Times highlighting the course from the Ancient Greek idealism to the Roman realism.

The Stoa of Attalos houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora. Its exhibits are mostly connected with the Athenian democracy.

The project, which also includes digitalization and projection of the finds and the archived material on the Ancient Agora, through new technologies, will be formally presented to the public in September.

[22] Cup for first-ever Olympic marathon on show at new Acropolis Museum

In the meantime, the foundation selected the new Acropolis Museum as a venue that combined maximum security with ease of access for the public and has prepared supporting audiovisual and printed material surrounding the cup and its history.

During the year-long exhibition at the Acropolis Museum, the foundation will continue efforts to find other potentially suitable venues that could temporarily display the cup until 2015, when its own arts centre is due to be completed.

[23] Agioi Theodoroi man arrested for debts to state exceeding 9 million

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

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The weight of the decisions on prime minister Antonis Samaras".

AVGHI: "They're razing salaries, pensions".

AVRIANI: "The Troika wants more blood".

DIMOKRATIA: "Who will be sacrificed for the 11.6 billion euros (cuts in state spending).

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Pensions under the microscope".

ELLADA: "They're letting the Troika decide".

ESTIA: "Radical changes to taxation".

ETHNOS: "The entire list of the benefits being cut".

IMERISSIA: "The 11.5 billion euros measures a puzzle - Battle for 2-year extension to fiscal adjustment".

KATHIMERINI: "The government's critical quandary".

LOGOS: "The benefits and pensions that will be cut".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Measures with taxes and across-the-board cuts planned".

NIKI: "How much your gold valuables are worth".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The people can put a brake on the privatization of Hellenic Railways (OSE)".

TA NEA: "In which Funds the retirement superannuity will be cut".

VRADYNI: "Pensions up to 2,400 euros - Knife to retirement superannuity, benefits".

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

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article