Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Progress on all issues with troika, FinMin says

[02] Greece optimistic over agreement with troika by Sunday

[03] German FM: 'We think Greece will make it'

[04] Greece is on the road to success, Schaeuble says

[05] PASOK party leader holds meeting with troika heads

[06] PASOK spokesman: No new fiscal measures

[07] Venizelos on official Cyprus visit on Friday

[08] Public Order min concludes London visit

[09] Public tv broadcasts restart may be 'a matter of hours', minister to radio

[10] Draft bill on new public broadcaster tabled in parliament

[11] Party funding control to be given over to independent committee, minister

[12] Three parties to recommend prosecution of former finance minister over so-called Lagarde issue

[13] ANEL wants investigation into liability of former PMs, Venizelos over Lagarde issue

[14] Health Ministry calls for investigation into press reports on ANEL party leader

[15] Doctors are part of the health sector's future, minister

[16] SYRIZA-EKM condemns new tax draft bill

[17] SYRIZA deputy Tatsopoulos sees positively a cooperation with patriotic ND and social democrats, on conditions

[18] Government spokesman replies to statements by SYRIZA cadres

[19] SYRIZA deputy count rises to 72 as independent MP joins party

[20] SYRIZA leader addresses Patra public gathering

[21] KKE's Koutsoumbas says EU frenemies' alliance responsible for the ordeal of the self-employed

[22] KKE party on Snowden case

[23] Alternate FinMin presents economic data of Greek defence industries

[24] Council of State rules constitutional and legal decree on rallies and gatherings

[25] Former PM on fiscal transactions tax

[26] Deputy FM: No problem reported by Greek community in Egypt

[27] EcoGreens to hold refounding congress Saturday and Sunday

[28] PAME rally at Syntagma Square on July 11

[29] Norwegian company completes seismological research for oil, gas in Greek waters

[30] Greece expects 11 bln euros in revenues from two oil exploration contracts

[31] Tourism Ministry launches online campaign to raise awareness about the importance of tourism

[32] Health Minister Georgiadis welcomes LILLY-Vianex pharmaceutical deal

[33] Greek banks' interest rates on deposits and loans fell in May

[34] SEB strongly criticizes new tax draft bill

[35] Tendering on first group of tourist ports

[36] Federation of Northern Greek Industries new board convenes

[37] Aegean Airlines says international passenger traffic up 23 pct in May-June

[38] Alliance against the opening of stores on Sundays

[39] ADEX closing report

[40] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[41] Greek bond market closing report

[42] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[43] UN High Commissioner for Refugees office in Athens celebrates new regional office

[44] President Papoulias receives Greek diaspora parliamentarians

[45] Czech university professors and students on Preveza summer programme

[46] Career opportunity event hosted in Thessaloniki by the University of Macedonia

[47] Freighters collide near Andros, no injuries reported

[48] Missing fisherman found drowned in Volvi Lake

[49] Series of explosions at Kavala prefecture building

[50] Rainy on Friday

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

[01] Progress on all issues with troika, FinMin says

"We are going towards a political agreement on Monday," Stournaras said.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Administrative Reform Minister, speaking to reporters, said "we will be ready on Monday", adding it was necessary to have a deal on the issue of the public sector. "Let me tell you categorically that there is no issue of raising the number of dismissals, beyond 15,000 agreed by the government," Mitsotakis added.

[02] Greece optimistic over agreement with troika by Sunday

A top Finance Ministry official told ANA-MPA in the early morning hours after a marathon 5.5-hour meeting with the troika, "We expect the approval of the tranche in Monday's Eurogroup".

He said that the tranche will cover the country's needs while he dismissed reports alleging that the country's creditors threatened with a three-month freeze of funding. He underlined there was progress made in negotiations with the troika, noting there was a big reduction of the fiscal gap in the 2013-2014 period. He added that a reform in the public sector would not be an obstacle even if the two sides failed to reach a full agreement. He acknowledged, however, that Greece "is exposed" towards its creditors over this issue.

The ministry official said the government has proposed a total of 22 structural measures to close a gap in the health care system - worth 1.2 billion euros in the 2013-2014 period - adding that these measures "need time to be implemented". The government has also proposed a package of measures to close a gap in OAEE - the self-employed and professionals pension fund - to replace a troika proposal to impose a 0.2 per thousand contribution to companies' turnover. He stressed that there will be no cut in pensions.

The government will submit a new draft bill on Monday, which will include all prior actions demanded by the troika.

[03] German FM: 'We think Greece will make it'

"As you know, we are in the middle of a lot of political and geopolitical turmoil in the region. But within this difficult circumstance, Greece is standing stable," Samaras said. "And this is very important, if you go back and think about it, a year ago who would have thought so? But the situation is in many ways alarming in terms of what is going on around the world and we hope things will get better. And this stability serves to create the necessary conditions for what we all want, just growth."

The PM also thanked Westerwelle for visiting and "for being a friend of Greece."

In his response, Westerwelle thanked Samaras for the invitation and hospitality and said, "My message is a message of respect, solidarity and encouragement. I think the ship starts when you are at coast, the sails are set into development in Greece, which will bring more prosperity in the future to the people of the country. That's the reason why we are here, to express our solidarity, to send a message of encouragement and that we think that Greece will make it."

Samaras referred to the meeting of Labour ministers in Berlin to deal with youth unemployment, which he attended on Wednesday, and said "I think it went very well. It' s a discussion that will continue in Paris later, so we are really focusing on this and that' s important also."

[04] Greece is on the road to success, Schaeuble says

The German minister said that he was "deeply convinced" that troika's report on the progress of reforms in Greece - which is expected to be presented to eurozone finance ministers at their meeting in Brussels on Monday - will be positive.

In addition, Schaeuble expressed his belief that Greece "is on the road to success" and would "continue to this direction."

[05] PASOK party leader holds meeting with troika heads

Venizelos pointed this out during his meeting with the heads of the troika on Thursday evening, during which an inspection was made of the point where the discussions with all the individual ministries are.

According to an informal briefing by PASOK's office, "Mr. Venizelos stressed the need for the visits of the troika to function so that the country's big achievements are highlighted and the prospects that Greece has now for a final exit from the crisis and for regaining its position in Europe and the eurozone and not only the open issues and the problems being highlighted, which, as they are repeated many times, create an unfair impression and do not contribute to the encouragement of Greek society, that expects recognition of its sacrifices and tangible samples of growth".

Venizelos also insisted "on the fundamental position that neither the economy nor society can stand new fiscal measures and during the discussion an issue of new fiscal measures was not raised".

Before his meeting with the troika, Venizelos held a meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

[06] PASOK spokesman: No new fiscal measures

"On the other hand, we must proceed to reforms speedily, because without reforms we will not be able to make this great effort materialize," he warned.

Konstantopoulos said that the new policy agreement between main New Democracy (ND) and coalition partner PASOK "must not be based on our wants, but should be realistic and specialized."

In terms of relations between the two parties, he said that "collaboration is being evaluated on a daily basis, by everyone. We neither want to surprise anyone nor to be surprised by anyone."

The party spokesman said that "the restructuring of the public sector must move along. We have been slow in this sector, but in the near future we have to be decisive, to push this great reconstruction of the public sector."

(Konstantopoulos' full interview is available to ANA-MPA subscribers online.)

[07] Venizelos on official Cyprus visit on Friday

Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiadis will receive Venizelos, who will also meet with parliament president Yannis Omirou, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis and party leaders.

In the framework of his visit, Venizelos will be also be received by Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

[08] Public Order min concludes London visit

Issues pertaining to immigration and public safety were the focus of a three-day official visit here by Greece's Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection Nikos Dendias, which ended Thursday.

Dendias met among others with Home Secretary Theresa May Minister of State for Immigration, Mark Harper and Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz.

Before departing for Greece, Dendias told the ANA-MPA that he was very satisfied with the results of his visit to the United Kingdom. However, he stressed that Greece disagreed with all European Union member states, excluding Malta, on the Dublin III arrangements and no longer intended to vote for them, as it does not want to be responsible for handling asylum issues of all illegal immigrants entering the EU through Greece.

[09] Public tv broadcasts restart may be 'a matter of hours', minister to radio

During an interview, Kapsis said that he was still in talks with the former public broadcaster ERT personnel, the majority of whom he believed wanted to find an agreeable solution, but "time is running out" because of "the well-known trade unionist and political inflexibility."

Kapsis said that a draft law was being promoted in Parliament related to the staff's layoff compensation that would be calculated on the basis of the unified wage scale.

[10] Draft bill on new public broadcaster tabled in parliament

The new public company to be owned and supervised by the state will be named NERIT SA (New Greek Internet Radio and Television), and will be administratively and financially independent.

Broadcasts will include a variety of objective and comprehensive news programmes, ensuring pluralist debate and covering all political views; they will seek social cohesion, highlight Greek culture and intellectual and artistic creation, preserve the quality of the Greek language and facilitate access to persons with hearing and vision problems.

As referred to in the bill, upon the recommendation of the Board, the Supervisory Board shall prepare the company's 10-year strategic plan, while the initial share capital is set at five (5) million euros. Revenues will come from fees (levied via electricity bills), advertising and other sources. ?

[11] Party funding control to be given over to independent committee, minister

Responding to main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) MP Maria Yiannakaki, Michelakis said the issue is important enough to be raised in the revision of the constitution, while Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has ordered a legislative initiative on party funding.

He said the government put emphasis on the in-depth review of the "source of wealth" (known as "pothen esches") statements of political personages, and was thinking of turning the task over to a special body consisting of judges from the top three courts of Greece.

Another issue being promoted, Michelakis said, is including financial crimes committed by ministers under the law related to embezzler of public funds.

Yiannakaki called on the government to activate the recommendations of the GRECO Committee of the European Commission, which had made 16 recommendations with an accompanying timeline for their application.

[12] Three parties to recommend prosecution of former finance minister over so-called Lagarde issue

The three committee representatives - from main New Democracy party, coalition partner PASOK and former coalition partner Democratic Left, or DIMAR - called Papaconstantinou on breach of trust, document falsification and breach of duty in the Lagade issue, which concerns possible tax evasion by Greek bank depositors abroad.

Main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) did not want to be included in the recommendation to be submitted, charging that no draft recommendation was presented to the committee to give members a chance for discussion. Committee chairman Christos Markogiannakis told the press he ended the committee's last session on Thursday after SYRIZA deputies started calling him names, including "perjurer" and "prosecutor of the junta".

[13] ANEL wants investigation into liability of former PMs, Venizelos over Lagarde issue

ANEL also called for a special investigative committee to be set up by Parliament to look into the liabilities of PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, during his tenure as Finance Minister, and former Prime Ministers George Papandreou and Lucas Papademos.

The preliminary investigative committee of Parliament concluded its work today and planned to submit its conclusions Thursday which were voted on by a majority consisting of representatives from New Democracy, PASOK and the Democratic Left (DIMAR). It found Papaconstantinou liable for criminal prosecution on several charges, including breach of trust and falsification of documents.

[14] Health Ministry calls for investigation into press reports on ANEL party leader

Prompted by the publication, Georgiadis said, "All law provisions must be applied, finally....Whatever Kammenos kept saying all these years about his fighting offshore companies was a lie."

[15] Doctors are part of the health sector's future, minister

"I just have a simple message," Georgiadis said, "We cannot succeed without doctors' collaboration. We respect doctors - they are the direct suppliers of health, they are our colleagues and we depend on them to move the health sector forward."

[16] SYRIZA-EKM condemns new tax draft bill

An announcement by the party's economic policy sector underlined that "the government follows the same tactic of injustice, sloppiness and ineffectiveness, characterizing the memorandum taxation policy".

According to SYRIZA-EKM, "the suggested draft bill which, according to ministry of finance sources has not been finalized yet, includes new burdens for wage earners, increased taxation for small and medium incomes, reduced taxation for large incomes and many other anti-popular measures".

SYRIZA-EKM underlined the need for a taxation policy that will ensure taxation system stability and justice, while combating tax evasion.

[17] SYRIZA deputy Tatsopoulos sees positively a cooperation with patriotic ND and social democrats, on conditions

Speaking in private radio Vima FM, he said that "if there are no political powers to cooperate with - whether they are called DIMAR (Democratic Left), whatever form it is in at that point, or from the Left or from the patriotic Right - for me it wouldn't be a taboo to cooperate with New Democracy (ND) patriots. For most of my comprades, it would be a taboo, and you can curse me for it, but it would not be a taboo for me to collaborate with a section of social democracy expressed through PASOK".

[18] Government spokesman replies to statements by SYRIZA cadres

[19] SYRIZA deputy count rises to 72 as independent MP joins party

Michelogiannakis had been elected MP under the Democratic Left (DIMAR) party, which he subsequently left to become independent.

[20] SYRIZA leader addresses Patra public gathering

Outlining SYRIZA plans, Tsipras said "we know how to support the weakest, those are gradually pushed into poverty, the unemployed, families which cannot meet basic needs and hundreds of thousands of indebted households." He emphasized that SYRIZA has a plan for a fair and transparent tax system that will take from the rich, not from the poor.

Commenting on Tsipras's speech, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said that by "plans that exist but are not revealed" and by "money that will be found" somehow, the main opposition leader once again proved not only his ineffectiveness but also his recklessness.

[21] KKE's Koutsoumbas says EU frenemies' alliance responsible for the ordeal of the self-employed

After meeting with the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE) board, he said that responsible for this is "the capitalist economic crisis that has accelerated the process and has made the problems more acute, but most of all, our accession into the EU frenemies' alliance, as well as the gigantic size of the monopolies and the policies followed by all the governments that have ruled the country".

Koutsoumbas said that the people should form a great social alliance, a popular alliance, against the "rotten capitalist system that breeds monopolies and cruel measures targeting the self-employed and all the Greek people".

[22] KKE party on Snowden case

The announcement added that "it is a development that reveals that the EU and its governments, amidst the intensification of competition between capitalist countries, and in order to serve their own interests, brush aside pretexts, diplomatic protocols and international treaties".

Lastly, it said "the competition, the electronic espionage and spying on each other are also aspects of capitalist exploitation, the dictatorship of monopolies which people must struggle to overturn."

[23] Alternate FinMin presents economic data of Greek defence industries

Staikouras described the situation in the Greek defence industries as "a reality that necessitates, further and above memorandums and economic policy programmes, the immediate, adequate and sustainable tackling of problems and not their concealing under the rug and referring the to the future".

The minister added that "the restructuring of the specific industries constitutes a one-way path, for both the present and the future of the companies and the working people, and of course for the safeguarding of public interest as well".

According to data presented in Parliament by Staikouras, the Greek Defence Systems are presenting prolonged loss-making activity, a decrease in turnover of 38 percent over the past years, negative own capital totalling 538 million euros and short and longterm commitments exceeding 1.1 billion euros.

The Hellenic Vehicles Industry had a pre-tax decrease amounting to 23 million euros on 2011, a decrease in turnover of 91 percent in the past years, own capital 77 million euros and total commitments amounting to 11 million euros.

The Hellenic Aerospace Industry had a pre-tax decrease of 27 million euros in 2011, a decrease in turnover of 11 percent in the past years, negative own capital totalling 277 million euros and short and longterm commitments amounting to 1.2 billion euros.

The issue was discussed in Parliament following a question tabled by Democratic Left deputy Vassilis Economou, who said that he accepts the data on the gloomy state of the Greek defence industries, but called on the government to send the administrations that led the three companies there to the prosecutor.

[24] Council of State rules constitutional and legal decree on rallies and gatherings

The controversial draft decree anticipates that gatherings will be carried out in a way that traffic and the city's social and economic life will not be upset, except to the extent that is absolutely necessary. In cities having a population exceeding one hundred thousand inhabitants the occupation of the entire street is not permitted as well as the complete stoppage of traffic by very small rallies "in relation to the importance of the specific street for serving the city's traffic and social and economic life".

[25] Former PM on fiscal transactions tax

This issue had been processed by a relevant Committee of the Socialist International and Papandreou had raised it at EU organs, during his premiership tenure and Podimata raised it at the European Parliament.

Papandreou said the effort must be continued in two directions: "Firstly to the leaderships of the countries of Europe, so that the final decision can be taken by the European Council as soon as possible for the immediate implementation of the measure, at an initial stage, in the EU's 11 member-states that have accepted it and we hope from the EU's member-states in their entirety soon. Secondly, to leaderships beyond the EU, including the G20, to enable the implementation of the measure to be adopted at international level".

[26] Deputy FM: No problem reported by Greek community in Egypt

Gerontopoulos also stressed that government Vice President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos is "watching closely the developments in Egypt. We are in contact with the Greek community," he added.

[27] EcoGreens to hold refounding congress Saturday and Sunday

In an announcement, the party said it wanted to redefine its political priorities, especially in view of the crisis and the European Parliament elections in 2014.

[28] PAME rally at Syntagma Square on July 11

Financial News

[29] Norwegian company completes seismological research for oil, gas in Greek waters

PGS presented the fast-track results at the Environment Ministry, where company representatives said a report on the in-depth processing of the data collected would be ready between December 2013 and January 2014.

The company said its purpose was to understand the structure of the seabed and locate oil beds ahead of the state's initiating a tendering for research expected in mid-2014, to give oil companies data to decide whether they were interested in conducting further research for oil and gas, and whether it would be in their interest to submit tenders for drilling licences.

PGS has covered 12,500 kms of seismic lines, while another 6,000 km have been covered in previous explorations.

The state did not provide funds for the research, but it will receive betweem 10 and 50 percent of PGS's revenues from the sale of data to oil companies, depending on the volume of data made available.

[30] Greece expects 11 bln euros in revenues from two oil exploration contracts

The Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministy, in a statement said that its evaluation commission, after completing its assessment on all bids submitted in the tender, unanimously agreed that Energean Oil and Gas/Petra will be awarded the land region of Ioannina, while Hellenic Petroleum/Edi-son/Petroceltic will be awarded the off shore region of the Patras Gulf.

Evaluation of another tender for the off shore region of Katakolo will continue with results expected in the next few days or weeks.

The ministry estimates that oil reserves in the Patras field are around 200 million barrels, in the Ioannina field 50-80 million barrels and in the Katakolo field around 3.0 million barrels. Estimated revenues from the two fields awarded are around 11 billion euros in a period of 25 years.

[31] Tourism Ministry launches online campaign to raise awareness about the importance of tourism

Kefalogianni said this would be a good year for tourism but warned that "good years are not given, they come again and again with a lot of effort, planning, and persistence, and group work.

She encouraged Greeks to "show our best self, prove our love for our country, remind visitors how welcoming we are, advertise our professionalism and promote Greece's treasure in values, history and memories" and noted that "the brand name 'Greece' is very powerful, and will survive any crisis."

The campaign consists of four videos that will be gradually uploaded online and show up in electronic media, in an attempt to raise public consciousness and attract a greater number of tourists to Greece.

[32] Health Minister Georgiadis welcomes LILLY-Vianex pharmaceutical deal

Referring to the deal, under which Vianex S.A. will undertake part of the LILLY pharmaceutical production destined for third countries, Georgiadis said "this is what Greece should be like. A strong country that can produce goods that are international market winners," noting that "we should break free from the misery of the past few years and realize that our fate is to conquer the world".

Vianex S.A. vice-president and alternate CEO Dimitris Giannacopoulos announced that the agreement reached concerns the production of 10 million injection vials of an antibiotic used to treat hospital-acquired infections to be exported to China, noting that it constitutes an immediate investment of 1.5 million euros and will create 130 job positions.

Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Pharmaceutical Forum Team (EPhForT) president Dionisis Filiotis pointed out that prospects are great for similar agreements between other Greek pharmaceutical companies and foreign multinationals, noting that such deals are expected to materialize soon.

Referring to the specific deal, he said that in the long-term its intangible benefits will greatly exceed the added value of the largest Vianex turnover in the increase of the GDP and in the creation of new jobs. He added that the know-how that will come to the country and the impact of the investment will constitute a model for the development of the Greek industry and its benefits will be immeasurable.

The event was also addressed by LILLY S.A.C.I. executive Alan Keleher, by PHARMASERVE-LILLY S.A.C.I. vice-president and general director Spyros Filiotis and ACCI president Constantine Mihalos.

[33] Greek banks' interest rates on deposits and loans fell in May

The central bank, in a monthly report, said that in the case of deposits the average interest rates on overnight deposits from households and from non-financial corporations remained unchanged in May 2013, at 0.49 percent and 0.44 pct respectively. The average interest rate on deposits from households with an agreed maturity of up to one year decreased further by 16 basis points to 4.06 pct. The overall weighted average interest rate on all new deposits decreased by 9 basis points to 2.51 pct.

In the case of loans, the average interest rate on consumer loans without a defined maturity decreased marginally by 4 basis points, in May 2013, to 14.73 pct. The average interest rate on consumer loans with a defined maturity at a floating rate or with an initial rate fixation period of up to one year decreased further by 16 basis points to 7.70 pct.

The average interest rates on corporate loans and loans to sole proprietors without a defined maturity decreased by 4 and 3 basis points to 7.45 pct and 9.96 pct respectively. The average interest rate on corporate loans with a defined maturity at a floating rate or with an initial rate fixation period of up to one year decreased by 16 basis points to 7.08 pct for loans up to 250,000 euros, decreased by 32 basis points to 6.13 pct for loans above 250,000 euros and up to 1 million euros, and decreased by 59 basis points at 5.37 pct for loans above 1 million euros.

Finally, the average interest rate on housing loans at a floating rate or with an initial fixation period of up to one year decreased by 24 basis points to 2.84 pct. In May 2013, the overall weighted average interest rate on all new loans to households and corporations significantly decreased by 22 basis points to 5.53 pct.

In May 2013, the average interest rates on outstanding amounts of deposits from households and of deposits from non-financial corporations with an agreed maturity of up to two years decreased further by 11 and 10 basis points to 4.31 pct and 4.06 pct respectively.

The average interest rate on outstanding amounts of housing loans with over five years' maturity decreased by 9 basis points to 3.09 pct. The corresponding rate on corporate loans remained unchanged at 4.67 pct, while the rate on loans to sole proprietors decreased by 5 basis points to 5.98 pct.

[34] SEB strongly criticizes new tax draft bill

SEB, in a report, said that the only positive elemenent of the new tax bill was it was coding income tax regulations aimed at simplifying the system.

The Federation said the new tax bill did not mention development, as the ministry ignored the recommendations of the business world, and transparency was only partially promoted, while complexity was maintained.

SEB also strongly criticized the fact that the government offered only four days for consultations on the new tax bill.

[35] Tendering on first group of tourist ports

The Tourist Ports Utilisation Project, which is a part of the "Niriides" Project, anticipates the utilisation with the assignment (longterm leasing) of 46 tourist ports that are located all over the country.

[36] Federation of Northern Greek Industries new board convenes

The board includes executive vice president Yiannis Stavrou; Charilaos Alexopoulos and Dimitris Abatzis, second vice presidents; Constantine Koukountzos, secretary general; Efthymios Efthymiadis, financial overseer; Anastasios Pistiolas, ephor; and Andreas Dimitriou and Constantine Constantinidis, board members.

[37] Aegean Airlines says international passenger traffic up 23 pct in May-June

Passenger traffic from abroad grew 23 pct in the two-month period, compared with the same period last year, to 814,546 passengers. Aegean Airlines said this increase reflected an expanding flight schedule on international routes, with the addition of 32 new flights, and further development of its activities in the country's main regional airports.

The Athens base reported a 15 pct increase in passenger traffic, the Thessaloniki reported a 23 pct rise, Heraclion, Crete, a 34 pct increase, Rhodes a 40 pct jump, Corfu was 19 pct higher, Kos was up 155 pct (new base) and Kalamata up 274 pct) new base.

Aegean Airlines has 160 international flights this summer, more than any other year. "A reversal of climate for Greece, the acknowledgement of our quality, our new routes offer a strong positive dynamism to our international network for this year," Dimitris Gerogiannis, Aegean Airlines' chief executive said.

[38] Alliance against the opening of stores on Sundays

Representatives of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE), the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) and the federation of store employees OIYE called on the government to avert any discussion in parliament concerning the operation of private stores on Sundays, which is one of the issues on the agenda of the discussions held by the Development Ministry with the troika.

In the meeting the union representatives exchanged views on the impact of such a move on the economy, employment and social cohesion, expressing their disagreement with the Ministry's draft plan publicised in December that allows the optional opening of smaller stores on Sundays.

[39] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 11,708 contracts worth 2.761 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (2,536), followed by Alpha Bank (1,608), Eurobank (1,540), OTE (985), PPC (846), MIG (151), OPAP (158), Mytilineos (139), Ellaktor (148), GEK (275), Intralot (510) and Jumbo (116).

[40] Greek stocks end moderately higher

The Large Cap index rose 0.54 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 4.93 pct lower. MIG (6.64 pct), Intralot (3.23 pct), Frigoglass (2.71 pct) and Coca Cola HBC (2.29 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while National Bank (7.27 pct), Alpha Bank (2.12 pct) and Piraeus Bank (2.07 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The Food (2.23 pct), Financial Services (2.21 pct) and Travel (1.98 pct) sectors scored gains, while Banks (5.78 pct), Health (0.82 pct) and Technology (0.79 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 63 to 55 with another 17 issues unchanged. Douros (19.8 pct), Compucon (19.57 pct) and Boutaris (18.37 pct) were top gainers, while Eurobank (29.12 pct), Perseus (19.55 pct) and Alko (16.38 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +0.34%

Commercial: +1.84%

Construction: +0.30%

Oil & Gas: -0.42%

Personal & Household: +0.07%

Raw Materials: +1.24%

Travel & Leisure: +1.98%

Technology: -0.79%

Telecoms: +0.68%

Banks: -5.78%

Food & Beverages: +2.23%

Health: -0.82% Utilities: +1.28%

Financial Services: +2.21%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.416

Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.59

HBC Coca Cola: 19.23

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.84

National Bank of Greece: 2.04

Eurobank Properties : 7.04

OPAP: 6.43

OTE: 5.95

Piraeus Bank: 0.90

Titan: 12.93

[41] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. the 12-month rate was 0.53 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.44 pct, the six-month rate was 0.34 pct, the three-month rate was 0.22 pct and the one-month rate was 0.12 pct.

[42] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.317

Pound sterling 0.872

Danish kroner 7.572

Swedish kroner 8.838

Japanese yen 131.58

Swiss franc 1.251

Norwegian kroner 8.054

Canadian dollar 1.389

Australian dollar 1.445

General News

[43] UN High Commissioner for Refugees office in Athens celebrates new regional office

Head of office in Greece, Giorgos Tsarbopoulos, said the opening of the regional office for asylum applications of Attica on June 7 was a critical event, as the new state service of asylum seekers that opened recently and the new legislation related to application processing were signs of a specially positive development to a just and effective system of asylum in Greece.

Representatives of the UN commission in Greece also presented the international organisation's position on processing asylum seekers and on issues raised by unescorted children applying for asylum.

They also mentioned the increasing incidence of violence, saying that the existing legislation was poorly applied and inadequate in protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators, as well as in investigating reports of police violence.

[44] President Papoulias receives Greek diaspora parliamentarians

Addressing them, President Papoulias said that "you can convey the real picture of Greece to the political parties you belong to and represent in the parliaments to which you are elected. You can use your leverage for the implementation of certain things that are fair for this country".

On his part, WHIA president Yiannis Pantazopoulos said that they always help in promoting issues of national interest and referring to the economic crisis in Greece, he noted that the country "needs economic growth and the truth is that it has changed and will continue to do so".

[45] Czech university professors and students on Preveza summer programme

The first time professors from the Silesian University in Opava visited the area was 20 years ago and they have been returning to the area annually ever since, camping in the area and teaching the students accompanying them.

They say they are impressed with the local nature because each time they visit they discover something new. They are mostly engaged in recording new orchid varieties and watching a unique insect in Greece found only in the region of Agii Apostoloi called "kirokefali Prevezana".

Czech scientists played a major role in the creation of the Museum of Natural History in Neochorio after they discovered a paleolithic settlement, part of a mammoth tusk and several other findings currently on display.

[46] Career opportunity event hosted in Thessaloniki by the University of Macedonia

The two-day event was launched on Thursday and each of the 280 job candidates can go through at least three 15-minute interviews.

Companies are interested in covering immediate needs in terms of personnel, as well as future needs in Thessaloniki and other cities in Greece and abroad, UoM Career Office head Sophia Panagiotidou told ANA-MPA.

The title of the two-day event, "Admission Is Possible", paraphrases the title of the popular film "Mission Impossible" to underline that there are still opportunities to find jobs and remain in the job market despite the rising unemployment, especially among young scientists.

[47] Freighters collide near Andros, no injuries reported

No injuries were reported from the collision, but 9 of the 23 crew members of Catherine were sent for precautionary reasons to the nearby hospital of the port of Karystos, Evia.

The two ships remain stuck and immobilised.

Three Coast Guard vessels remain in the area as well as two other ships to offer assistance. The reasons of the collision have not been yet clarified.

The Catherine was loaded with iron had sailed from Novorosisk, Black Sea, and was heading for Italy, while the Baru Satu had left from Piraeus port with a sugar cargo and was on its way to Bulgaria.

[48] Missing fisherman found drowned in Volvi Lake

According to authorities the 65 year-old fisherman had gone fishing with a 59-year-old man when their boat overturned. The 59 year-old was rescued by another fisherman and was sent to a Thessaloniki hospital.

The older man was not found until early Thursday morning.

[49] Series of explosions at Kavala prefecture building

Damages to Prefecture of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace's parked cars were reported while windows were smashed and aircondition units were destroyed.

Police and eyewitnesses said a small group of hooded individuals was hanging around the areas on Wednesday night and may be connected to the explosions.

Weather forecast

[50] Rainy on Friday

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

DIMOKRATIA: At last! What more does the troika want?

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: They toppled President of Egypt Mohammed Morsi.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: The tanks 'ran over' Morsi.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Reserve labour for six months and then... layoffs.

ELLADA AVRIO: Foreclosures unfrozen.

ESTIA: Bureaucracy destroyed the country.

ETHNOS: Energy treasure in 4 areas.

IMERISSIA: Troika in Maximos Mansion (government headquarters) on Thursday, painful decisions for public sector.

KATHIMERINI: Army's intervention in Egypt.

LOGOS: Troika to government: Close all pending issues or you will receive the tranche in installments.

NAFTEMPORIKI: The crisis threat returns for Greece and Portugal.

RIZOSPASTIS: Communist Party of Greece-affiliated labour union PAME to rally on July 11 in Athens.

TA NEA: Brussels' messages for public sector and Berlin's signs to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

VRADYNI: State broadcaster ERT-style layoffs.

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