Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-08-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece registers primary budget surplus for Jan.-July, surpassing targets

[02] PM has sent letter to Putin asking for natgas discount, gov't sources confirm

[03] PM Samaras preparing for September troika review

[04] National health service to 'operate like a Swiss clock,' minister says

[05] SYRIZA accuses health minister of 'promoting memorandum goals'

[06] New admin reform decision lays down details of state employees placed on mobility scheme

[07] Government spokesman Kedikoglou on the primary residence foreclosure ban

[08] SYRIZA party on lifting ban on foreclosures of primary residences

[09] DIMAR leader Kouvelis calls for extension of primary residence foreclosure ban at least until 2015

[10] DIMAR condemns detention conditions at Amygdaleza facility

[11] DIM.AR on Amygdaleza incidents; migration problem

[12] FinMin Stournaras pleased with OPAP sale to Emma Delta

[13] Four in ten stores likely to shut down soon, survey shows

[14] GENOP-DEI opposes collaboration between PPC S.A. and private investor

[15] Cash balance deficit rises to 7,932 million euros in Jan.-July, central bank says

[16] Ministry dismisses concern over possible ferry fuel shortage

[17] GDP registers lower drop in Q2

[18] SMEs confederation requests the setup of a cooperative bank

[19] Greek stocks continue to climb, gain 2.12 pct on Monday

[20] ADEX closing report

[21] Argos man shoots teenage daughter twice in head

[22] Police make 10 arrests in Arcadia prefecture in crackdown on crime

[23] Police capture two who escaped during an Amygdaleza detention centre riot

[24] Andros island fire still burning

[25] Wildfire in region of Kleindia in Ilia prefecture abating

[26] Fireman injured fighting Ilia fire

[27] Fire in Kallithea eatery under partial control

[28] Personal vendetta behind Thessaloniki grenades, police believe

[29] Newborn found dead in Lechaina rubbish dump

[30] Arrests in Patras port for illegal migration, forged travel documents

[31] Money and revolver stolen from IKA branch in Rhodes

[32] Contraband cigarettes destined for FYROM confiscated in Piraeus port

[33] Woman arrested in connection with brutal murder of pensioner in Thessaloniki

[34] Man to face e-theft charges

[35] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

[01] Greece registers primary budget surplus for Jan.-July, surpassing targets

Specifically, the budget deficit for the same seven-month period in 2012 was 13.216 billion euros, while the target for this year was to restrict it to 7.528 billion euros.

At the same time in 2012, the budget had a primary deficit of 3.083 billion euros, and the target for this year was for 3.141 billion euros.

The improvement is attributed to a recovery in revenues during July, Staikouras said, and brings closer the possibility of having a primary budget surplus by the end of the year.

Net state budget revenues, he said, were 30.799 billion euros for January-July this year, an increase by 2.303 billion euros - or 8.1 percent - over the target set.

Net ordinary budget revenues amounted to 26.862 billion euros, or 746 million (2.9 percent) over the targets for the seven months.

[02] PM has sent letter to Putin asking for natgas discount, gov't sources confirm

In the letter, Samaras addressed Putin in person and informed him that Greece wants a reduction in the cost of its natural gas supply from Gazprom, along the lines of discounts made by Gazprom to other clients in the rest of Europe.

Samaras also noted that the cost of energy will be decisive factor in making the Greek economy competitive and is thus an issue of vital importance for the Greek government.

[03] PM Samaras preparing for September troika review

[04] National health service to 'operate like a Swiss clock,' minister says

In a letter to Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, Georgiadis said the request was made for the sake of "full transparency".

Earlier in the day, in statements to private Mega station, Georgiadis had said that the national health service (EOPYY) will stand on its own two feet and soon operate as efficiently as a Swiss clock.

He also said that the ministerial decision with details on who will be placed on a mobility scheme affecting the health sector will be signed Monday, which was signed by Administrative Reform and e-Governance Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis later in the day.

"Reforms are for the people's benefit," Georgiadis said.

[05] SYRIZA accuses health minister of 'promoting memorandum goals'

"The minister insults our intelligence when he says that the changes to the National Health System have nothing to do with the Memorandum," the party said in an announcement.

Instead of addressing the population's heightened need for health services, especially of the uninusured, Georgiadis was scrapping beds in state hospitals, putting NHS staff on suspension and taking measures that ensured that several hospitals were downsized or shut down, either effectively or outright.

According to the main opposition, meanwhile, the minister's promises that no health sector staff would be laid off were about as reliable as the promises that no new austerity measures will be taken.

SYRIZA stressed that at a time when 'health poverty' in the country was increasing, no state healthcare structures or staff could be considered surplus.

[06] New admin reform decision lays down details of state employees placed on mobility scheme

The decision is appended to a similar one signed on August 2, and gives further details on how staff is chosen for the mobility scheme, what supporting paperwork needs to be submitted, and evaluation criteria that allow for some choice in transfer positions.

The state hiring agency, ASEP, will play a central role in the whole process, it was announced, including posting the priority ranking of staff being placed in the mobility programme, in terms of criteria of experience and other advantages that are backed up by their submitted documentation.

[07] Government spokesman Kedikoglou on the primary residence foreclosure ban

Speaking on ANT1 television channel, Kedikoglou clarified that criteria will be set by the ministry of development in cooperation with the ministry of finance.

"The first criterion will be the protection of the vulnerable, the weak. Second criterion, will be the protection of the real estate market from total collapse," he noted, pointing out that the primary residences of those who are financially weak will not be at risk.

He explained that the criteria will have to be defined clearly, noting that a legislative regulation will have to be passed by

Parliament to protect those who are in need.

"If nothing is done by December 31, there will be no protection whatsoever. Therefore, the Parliament should find the best possible solution and agree on it," he underlined.

He said that the 65 pct unemployment rate among the young is a nightmare and, referring to tax evasion, he said that "we have targeted even the so-called bastions of tax evasion".

[08] SYRIZA party on lifting ban on foreclosures of primary residences

In a statement issued in reply to statements by government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou on the controversial lifting of a ban on primary residence foreclosures, SYRIZA added that every day that goes by, a minister is added who is in favour of lifting the ban on foreclosures, showing clearly that the government, and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras personally, are determined to go ahead with lifting the ban and seizing primary residences.

[09] DIMAR leader Kouvelis calls for extension of primary residence foreclosure ban at least until 2015

Kouvelis noted that "the country is experiencing a period of ongoing recession and austerity leading to dramatic reduction of family income while, in many cases, income has vanished altogether" and therefore, "in such cases, threatening and targeting the fundamental right of the people to home ownership is unacceptable".

"The state has an obligation to extend the primary residence foreclosure ban at least until 2015 and promote favourable settlements for "nonperforming loans" to increase the likelihood of being paid in the future, Kouvelis noted.

[10] DIMAR condemns detention conditions at Amygdaleza facility

"Detention centres for foreigners must be transformed the soonest possible into welcoming centres under terms of supervised freedom," the party said in an announcement. A joint European solution to the problem of immigration is critical, it added, especially in handling immigrants passing through Greece on their way to other countries of Europe.

Eight foreign nationals are still missing following a violent riot in the Amygdaleza facility on Sunday prompted by an announcement that the maximum detention period at the centre will be extended to 18 months, from the current 12 months.

[11] DIM.AR on Amygdaleza incidents; migration problem

DIM.AR also noted that "the detention centers for foreign nationals should be turned into reception centers as soon as possible and operate under terms of supervised freedom," adding that "a critical point is to claim a common European solution to the migration problem and the management of migrants who pass through Greece having other European countries as their destination".

Financial News

[12] FinMin Stournaras pleased with OPAP sale to Emma Delta

"I am delighted that 652 million euros will flow into state coffers," Stournaras said. "It is resounding message to outside of Greece, showing the country's decisiveness, competence and settlement of differences, meaning that Greece is entering a progress track."

The contract is worth 652 million euros - 622 million in cash and 30 million in ten equal and annual installments, with the first transaction taking place following an approval by the competition surpervising authorities.

The contract was signed by state privatisation agency (TAIPED) president Stelios Stavridis on behalf of the Greek state and by entrepreneur Dimitris Melissanidis on behalf of Emma Delta.

Stavridis thanked the investors for showing confidence in Greece's economy and wished them success in running OPAP for many years to the benefit of the organization, its shareholders and state revenues in general.

Melissanidis said "by today's agreement, Greek and foreign businessmen have shown confidence in our country amidst the tough economic conditions," adding that "today OPAP turns a new page."

[13] Four in ten stores likely to shut down soon, survey shows

According to the survey, 58 pct of the store owners who responded to the ESEE questionnaire stated that shutting down their businesses is "unlikely" or "not so likely".

Based on the survey, from 2009 until 2013 retail stores lost almost half of their turnover. Their average turnorver was 425,000 euros in 2009, and is expected to drop to 232,000 euros by the end of the year (a 45.2 percent drop), while during 2012-2013 turnover fell by 27 percent.

The greatest losses were in net profits, from 49,000 euros in 2009 to 7,000 euros this year - a drop of 86 percent, with losses during 2012-2013 coming to 45 percent.

Of the companies polled, 74 percent said they would be no changes in staff numbers, 15 percent would cut staff, and 19 percent planned to increase them.

Four in 10 businesses polled said the recession will deepen, while 27 percent believe the market will improve and 29 percent it will remain as is.

[14] GENOP-DEI opposes collaboration between PPC S.A. and private investor

A GENOP-DEI statement noted that the agreement is one-sided, hurts PPC S.A. interests and is unacceptable because it cedes PPC S.A. assets to a private investor.

"The agreement between PPC S.A. and Copelouzos Group is contestable both business-wise (investing in a market in crisis like household photovoltaic systems) and legally (no relevant tender was held). GENOP-DEI will use every available means to fight this decision and cancel the action," the PPC S.A. trade union statement concluded.

Last week, the PPC S.A. board approved plans to collaborate with Damco Energy SA in jointly establishing a new society anonyme company under the tradename PPC Solar Solutions SA.

A PPC announcement said that PPC and Damco will sign the Shareholders Agreement and the Articles of Incorporation of PPC Solar Solutions S.A, whose share capital will amount to 2.0 million euros, and PPC S.A. will participate with a percentage of 49 pct.

The company's objective will be the promotion, via a national network of shops using the franchising method, of integrated solutions for household photovoltaic systems, the provision of energy services and products of energy saving, as well as the provision of customer services for the clients of PPC S.A.

[15] Cash balance deficit rises to 7,932 million euros in Jan.-July, central bank says

During this period, the central bank said, ordinary budget revenue amounted to 24,761 million euros, compared to 25,990 million euros in the corresponding period of last year. Ordinary budget expenditure amounted to 33,887 million euros compared to 32,609 million euros in January-July 2012 period.

[16] Ministry dismisses concern over possible ferry fuel shortage

[17] GDP registers lower drop in Q2

In its flash estimate report, ELSTAT said that the data was non-seasonally adjusted.

[18] SMEs confederation requests the setup of a cooperative bank

In an announcement, GSEVEE, which represents small and medium-sized store owners, said that funding was an urgent issue in the sector, especially because of the lack of liquidity in the market currently.

Cooperative banks, they said, could be treated as credit organisations that are closer to small enterprises and can understand local economies and needs.

[19] Greek stocks continue to climb, gain 2.12 pct on Monday

The Large Cap index rose 2.00 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 1.76 pct higher. The Banks (5.90 pct), Travel (3.94 pct) and Telecommunications (3.45 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Commerce (-1.14 pct), Food (-0.86 pct) and Construction (-0.26 pct) suffered the greatest losses.

National Bank of Greece (15.77 pct), MIG (4.62 pct) and Intralot (4.24 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Bank (-2.63 pct), Titan (-1.08 pct) and Folli Follie (-1.05 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 82 to 39 with another 23 issues unchanged. ELGEKA (28.89 pct), Axon Holding (20.00 pct) and Euromedica (19.94 pct) were top gainers, while Fieratex (-26.43 pct), Attica Holding (-18.70 pct) and Lavipharm (-14.38 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +2.26%

Commercial: -1.14%

Construction: -0.26%

Oil & Gas: +0.83%

Personal & Household: +1.77%

Raw Materials: +1.66%

Travel & Leisure: +3.94%

Technology: +3.05%

Telecoms: +3.45

Banks: +5.90%

Food & Beverages: -0.86%

Health: -0.14%

Utilities: +1.29%

Financial Services: +2.07%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.51

Public Power Corp (PPC): 8.00

HBC Coca Cola: 22.19

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.09

National Bank of Greece: 3.23

Eurobank Properties : 7.65

OPAP: 7.49

OTE: 7.49

Titan: 15.60

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.347

Pound sterling 0.871

Danish kroner 7.571

Swedish kroner 8.809

Japanese yen 130.59

Swiss franc 1.251

Norwegian kroner 7.925

Canadian dollar 1.389

Australian dollar 1.471

[20] ADEX closing report

Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 10,926 contracts worth 18.107 million euros, with 55,175 open positions in the market.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 15,427 contracts worth 4.778 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank (4,035), followed by Alpha Bank (2,955), Eurobank (1,686), Piraeus Bank (1,671), OTE (1,593), PPC (917), MIG (492), OPAP (375), Intralot (311), Mytilineos (271), Hellenic Petroleum (229), GEK (214), Jumbo (138), Hellenic Exchanges (124), Metka (67), Ellaktor (64), Titan (47),

Viohalco (47), Terna Energy (35), Frigoglass (29), Motor Oil (29), Sidenor (21), Corinth Pipeworks (19), Coca Cola HBC (18), Eurobank Properties (12) and OLP (7).

General News

[21] Argos man shoots teenage daughter twice in head

The shocking incident occurred shortly before 3:00 p.m. in the heart of Argos, when the man shot his daughter in public in Laiki Agora (Market) Square.

The 17-year-old was rushed to Argos hospital with two bullets in the head, where her condition was judged critical and arrangements were made for her transfer to a hospital in Athens. Police later tracked down her father, who had gone home and turned the same gun on himself, shooting himself in the abdomen.

Both father and daughter have now been admitted to Nikaia General Hospital in Piraeus, both of them in critical condition.

Witnesses to the scene said the father and daughter were eating together at a venue in Argos' central square when the daughter got up and went to a nearby kiosk. For unknown reasons, her father followed her and shot her with a gun that he illegally had in his possession, injuring her in the neck and head.

[22] Police make 10 arrests in Arcadia prefecture in crackdown on crime

Out of the 10, one was arrested for conviction documents, one for violation of the Traffic Code, three for violations of the Hygiene Regulations and five foreigners for staying in the country illegally. The five foreigners will face deportation procedures.

The arrested will be brought before prosecutors.

[23] Police capture two who escaped during an Amygdaleza detention centre riot

Illegal migrants held in Amygdaleza facility had rioted in response to an announcement that the maximum detention period at the centre will be extended to 18 months, from the current 12 months.

A search for the arrest of more illegal migrants that managed to escape during the commotion continues.

According to police, ten foreign nationals were found to be missing during a head count on Sunday, following the violent riots that continued until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police are conducting an investigation into the incident and have definitely confirmed the participation of some 41 inmates in the riots.

The problems at the centre, where migrants are held while waiting to be deported, began at around 21:10 on Saturday night during the distribution of meals. Groups of individuals from a total of 1,620 migrants held at the centre suddenly attacked the guards, throwing stones, bottles of water filled with gravel and other objects. Others set fire to bags of rubbish, mattresses and huts.

A large police operation was mounted, with reinforcement sent by the Attica General Police headquarters, and order was restored about an hour after midnight.

Ten police officers were injured by stones and other objects thrown at them while no injuries of the foreign nationals have been reported. There was also extensive damage to the detention centre facility, such as broken doors, windows, and mirrors, while eight of the huts were burnt down.

Police have arrested 17 nationals of Pakistan, 9 of Afghanistan, 14 of Bangladesh and one Moroccan national on suspicion of participating in the riots, while an investigation is underway into the possible participation of others. Those arrested are to be charged with rioting, causing grievous bodily harm, resisting authority, attempted escape and causing damages. They will be led before an Athens prosecutor.

[24] Andros island fire still burning

The fire destroyed mostly wild grass near the Ano Pitrofos village, which was evacuated as a precaution. Strong winds on the island have made it difficult for firefighters to put it out, while help has arrived from other areas of Greece.

[25] Wildfire in region of Kleindia in Ilia prefecture abating

[26] Fireman injured fighting Ilia fire

Meanwhile, the fire is abating and new flare-ups that occurred earlier in the afternoon were put out by fire-fighting forces. There are more than 100 firemen and some 30 vehicles now operating in the area, with five water-bombing aircraft and one helicopter dropping water from the air.

Conditions are described as difficult due to high winds but fire-fighting forces are making concerted efforts to keep the flames away from inhabited areas.

[27] Fire in Kallithea eatery under partial control

Fire-fighting forces will remain on the scene until the fire is completely extinguished.

[28] Personal vendetta behind Thessaloniki grenades, police believe

The target is believed to have escaped by a stroke of luck, since a grenade attached to his motorbike simply failed to go off and may have had a faulty detonator. The 53-year-old called the police, which arranged to remove the grenade and launched an inquiry.

The 53-year-old was arrested after suspicious items - including two tazers, a stiletto, an expandable night-stick and other evidence - were found in his home. He was also cross-examined at length by police but did not shed any light what might be a probable motive for the attack.

The investigation was launched after two defensive-type grenade were found on the same street in Thessaloniki within the space of 24 hours, one on Saturday that was spotted by a passer by and the second on Sunday, when tied to the motorbike.

Both were removed by the police bomb squad, which noted that defensive type grenades are the more dangerous since they have a broader blast radius.

[29] Newborn found dead in Lechaina rubbish dump

The infant, a boy estimated to have been born two days ago, weighed 2.8 kilograms and was of a height of about 50 cm. It bore head injuries, sustained probably during birth or after his body was thrown in a trash bin. A police investigation into the case continues.

[30] Arrests in Patras port for illegal migration, forged travel documents

Passport checks in the port also led to the arrest of another 10 foreigners of various nationalities, who attempted to travel to Italy with forged travel documents.

[31] Money and revolver stolen from IKA branch in Rhodes

[32] Contraband cigarettes destined for FYROM confiscated in Piraeus port

A total of 37.2 million packs of contraband cigarettes were confiscated after a search in three containers on the cargo ship "Ever Safety".

The contraband cigarettes arrived at the Port of Piraeus from Singapore and, according to the documents accompanying the containers, they were destined for Skopje.

[33] Woman arrested in connection with brutal murder of pensioner in Thessaloniki

Police believe the woman did not act by herself and continue the search for any accomplices.

The victim, a retired bank employee, was found on Sunday in his Toumba apartment brutally murdered, left bound hand and foot. He died of severe head injuries.

Police were notified by neighbours who suspected that something was going wrong with the pensioner. The victim's apartment was found in a mess, leading police to presume that the motive of the murder was robbery.

[34] Man to face e-theft charges

The man met them through Facebook, "friended" them, and convinced them to meet.

During the meetings, he collected their personal data and used it to shop electronically; on some occasions, he managed to also steal money without them noticing.

From April to June 2012, he had stolen directly or indirectly 4,000 euros. Following complaints filed with the police, a court case file was drawn up on him and forwarded to the misdemeanours court of Thessaloniki.

Weather forecast

[35] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "Bundesbank cuts in between Athens-Berlin"

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Extracurricular schools as of 10th grade"

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "650,000 women to get pensioned starting at age 55"

ESTIA: "Highway robbery of taxed citizens by state"

ETHNOS: "Exemptions to those placed on mobility status"

NAFTEMPORIKI: "On the table: Five plans to reduce debt"

TA NEA: "The Communist Party's (KKE) mysteries:

Who bought 902 FM/TV and for how much"

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