Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece reports 2.86-bln-euro primary budget surplus in Jan-Aug

[02] FM Venizelos meets with Turkey's Davutoglu in New York

[03] FM Venizelos addresses UN's HLMDD

[04] Venizelos meets with Kosovo's PM, FM

[05] Greece, Cyprus and Egypt meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly session

[06] Nimetz to invite Greek, FYROM negotiators to New York in coming weeks

[07] Papoulias, Tsipras meeting on issue of Golden Dawn

[08] Gov't reply to SYRIZA leader: discussion on violence must be held in Parliament

[09] PASOK positive towards cooperation of constitutional arc forces

[10] DIMAR leader demands party leaders' meeting on GD

[11] DIMAR calls for unity in tackling 'absolute evil' of neo-Nazism

[12] KKE party proposes Parliamentary Plenum off-the-agenda discussion on Golden Dawn

[13] Justice ministry sources: Meeting of political leaders on Golden Dawn 'untimely'

[14] SYRIZA MP claims 'pockets' tolerating Golden Dawn in both justice, police

[15] Two senior officers in Greek Police resign over case involving Golden Dawn

[16] Golden Dawn MP: 'We will rule in Greece's largest cities'

[17] Germany's SPD will include Greece on its agenda, Steinbr?ck says

[18] Message by SYRIZA to German Die Linke party

[19] SYRIZA demands that 'scandalous' amendment for shipping stock be withdrawn (ADDS Parliament)

[20] Higer education layoffs not a troika damand, SYRIZA's Tsipras says

[21] Merkel election brings Greece closer to third memorandum, Ind. Greeks leader says

[22] Health Minister Georgiadis meets with troika representatives

[23] New strike wave starts this week

[24] Dev't secretariat staff continue strike

[25] Press unions call work stoppage 10 am-1 pm Tues., Wed.

[26] Opinion poll: Golden Dawn percentages down; ND leading

[27] KKE's Koutsoumbas calls for teaching personnel hirings in universities

[28] Foreign ministry condemns Nairobi shopping mall tragedy

[29] Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides' interview to an Athens newspaper

[30] Dev't minister meets with Israeli ambassador ahead of PM's visit to Israel

[31] ECB president says premature to assess whether Greece will need third support programme

[32] Troika asks TAIPED to accelerate privatisation programme

[33] Greek private islands to be auctioned off

[34] State guaranteed loans total 18.7 bln euros, report

[35] Pension fully safeguarded, labour minister says

[36] Piraeus port approves construction of new cruise centre

[37] SYRIZA demands that 'scandalous' amendment for shipping stock be withdrawn

[38] Participation of Greece in BSTDB share capital increase

[39] PPC signs 739-mln-euro bond loan with foreign banks

[40] Viohalco will seek dual listing in ASE

[41] Agrotierra 2013 farm produce fair at Syntagma Metro station

[42] Unisystems in joint ventue in Turkey with BIS

[43] Large olivine mineral deposit in Halkidiki, per IGME employees' union

[44] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[45] Greek bond market closing report

[46] ADEX closing report

[47] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

[48] Panagiotopoulos meets with Hill over the Parthenon Marbles

[49] Greek-Turkish friendship concert held at Halki School of Theology

[50] Migrant smuggling ring broken up

[51] Former municipal employee serving life sentence receives new guilty verdict

[52] New managing editor at the helm of Rizospastis newspaper

[53] Police seize 195 kg of hashish in two cars

[54] Moldovan, 39, arrested on European warrant in Patras

[55] Woman, 61, found dead in her apartment; signs of struggle

[56] Press unions call work stoppage 10 am to 1 pm Tues., Wed

[57] Fair on Tuesday

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

[01] Greece reports 2.86-bln-euro primary budget surplus in Jan-Aug

The Finance ministry, in a report on the final figures of the budget's execution, said that the state budget showed a deficit of 2.502 billion euros in the eight-month period, sharply down from a deficit of 12.484 billion euros last year, and from a budget target for a shortfall of 7.833 billion euros. Net state budget revenues totaled 34.893 billion euros, up 5.8 pct from budget targets, while net regular budget revenues totaled 30.913 billion euros, up 3.7 pct form budget targets.

Revenues from direct taxes surpassed budget targets by 14.1 pct, while indirect tax revenues exceeded targets by 3.4 pct. Previous year's tax revenues were up by 91.4 pct in August, property taxes jumped 115.9 pct, corporate tax revenues rose by 51.1 pct, income tax revenues were up 2.9 pct and VAT rose by 12 pct in the month. The report said that negative deviation were recorded in revenues of special consumption energy taxes.

The figures showed that a shortfall in tax revenue fell to 727 million euros in the eight-month period, from 1.06 billion euros in the January-July period, with the Finance ministry expecting this gap to gradually close down by the end of the year.

State budget spending totaled 37.395 billion euros, down from a budget target of 40.820 billion, with regular budget spending totaling 34.850 billion euros, down from a budget target of 30.376 billion. Regular budget spending was down 18.9 pct from the same period last year, reflecting a 9.0 pct decline in primary spending and a 51.6 pct drop in capital spending.

[02] FM Venizelos meets with Turkey's Davutoglu in New York

An array of issues including bilateral affairs, Cyprus, sea zones, the Syrian crisis and the upcoming Greek presidency of the European Union (first half of 2014) have been in the centre of discussion here on Monday during a meeting between a Greek and a Turkish delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and his counterpart of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, respectively, in the context of the Ministerial Week of the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The meeting was held at the Press and Communication Office of the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN, following a 30-minute private meeting between Venizelos and Davutoglu.

According to a Greek diplomatic source, among the issues discussed were also the latest developments regarding Greece's far-right Golden Dawn opposition party, especially as a trial is in progress in Germany of the neo-Nazis who killed nine Turks and one Greek.

Venizelos said that he conveyed to his Turkish counterpart a proposal by Cyprus president Nikos Anastasiades for a meeting between Davutoglu and the Greek-Cypriot mediator, and a follow-up meeting between Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot mediator.

The Greek Foreign minister said his discussion with Davutoglu was friendly, specific and productive.

"It is very important for the two countries to act in a coordinated way in our common space, which is the Mediterranean and South-East Europe. Our common goal is of course to bring stability to the region. So, the first issues we discussed touched upon the situation in Syria and Egypt. Our perception is that Egypt should achieve stability and full restoration of democratic institutions."

Venizelos added that discussion also touched upon the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, saying that "new momentum can be given on the basis of Anastasiades' proposals."

[03] FM Venizelos addresses UN's HLMDD

Greek Government Vice President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos addressed here on Monday the UNGA High Level meeting on Millennium Development Goals and Persons with Disabilities.

"It is common truth that the synergy and collaboration of the international community constitute the cornerstone, the basis for an action. Today, we have a great opportunity to go a step forward in order to close the "gaps" and fight exclusion and discrimination. This HLMDD gives us the chance to underline and reinforce the existing connection between disability, human rights and development by advancing the mainstreaming of disability in development policies," Venizelos said adding that the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP), in 2006, was a landmark in the history of the human rights.

"It is now the moment to ensure that the international community's commitment for a disability-inclusive development agenda will be translated into action," he urged..

"In this framework, Greece, despite the financial and economic crisis, strives to find solutions that will help people in need, especially persons with disabilities. My country has already signed and ratified the CRPD and its Optional Protocol and we are working on the implementation of the conventional obligation provided thereof. We strongly believe that we should ensure the full enjoyment of human rights to all, and in this regard, we are in the process of elaborating our first National Action Plan on human rights, in order to mainstream a human rights and disability-inclusive approach to all our policies."

"Acknowledging the serious challenges that persons with disabilities face in times of crisis, the Greek government believes that equal and active participation of persons with disabilities in the economic, social and political life will efficiently restore economic growth," Venizelos also noted, adding: "In this regard, we have created a guide to provide information on their legal rights and benefits regarding every aspect of life in society, as well as a 'Handbook of Accessibility Control to public service and infrastructure'. A series of initiatives have been undertaken, in order to remove barriers and facilitate people with disabilities in their everyday life. In addition, any kind of discrimination or harassment to all persons, including people with disabilities is prohibited in the sector of labor and employment."

"Since stereotypical perceptions pose a threat to the successful inclusiveness of people with disabilities in society, Greece is looking ahead to the post-2015 development agenda and recognizes the importance of raising awareness in order to fight discrimination.

"Despite the existing challenges, the most important being the lack of capacity, including human resources, the post-2015 agenda creates an opportunity to overcome the above limitations by promoting disability-inclusive cooperation and partnership.

"This will facilitate capacity-building, via cooperation in research and scientific knowledge, sharing of information as well as the exchange of best practices, aiming at the inclusion of persons with disabilities not only as beneficiaries but also as agents of development.

"Last, but not least, I would like to highlight the role and scope of civil society, NGO's and the private sector, in the achievement off all the above targets. Working together is a precondition for the realization of our commitments and today we have an excellent opportunity to exchange our views and to underline the significance of a more inclusive development agenda, where the rights of persons with disabilities will constitute one of the core elements of the post-2015 agenda, which must be CRPD driven."

[04] Venizelos meets with Kosovo's PM, FM

According to a foreign ministry press release, the talks focused on the Western Balkans' Euroatlantic prospects, the priorities of the upcoming Greek EU presidency, the opening of Kosovo's Commercial and Economic Affairs Bureau in Athens and bilateral relations.

[05] Greece, Cyprus and Egypt meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly session

The Foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt met on the sidelines of the UN Assembly meeting in New York on Monday morning (Greek time) to discuss cooperation on the delineation of sea zones and the International Maritimime Law among the three countries.

Speaking after the meeting at the Egyptian mission's offices, Greek government Vice President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that "what is important is to operate within the area were are interested in, the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean, as three countries interested in stability, peace and development. Therefore our initiative does not conflict with other countries or initiatives, but has the nature of being complementary, in addition to them."

He added that Greece, as the next president of the EU in 2014, is "ready to convey the needs and requests of the Egyptian side" and to cooperate with Cyprus in the economy, investment and private sectors. The trilateral cooperation does not affect bilateral cooperation with Cyprus and the pushing forward of existing agreements.

Asked whether he had briefed his Turkish counterpart, during their meeting in New York, he said he was ready to discuss all issues, including Egypt and the situation in Syria, which was the topic discussed among the three countries' Foreign ministers as well.

Regarding the extreeme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi), Venizelos said the issue of their violent acts were not raised formally but it was something of great concern in sideline talks. "To have an openly neo-Nazi party in Parliament and have polls showing a rise in its popularity is a problem. It's a problem for Greece, its institutions, its democratic tradition and for Greek society," he said.

Cypriot Foreign Minsiter Ioannis Kassoulides, commenting on the meeting, said that the initiative came from the Egyptian Foreign minister. He said the next step would be for general directors of the three ministries to meet, possibly in Cairo. "We agreed today that Egypt with Cyprus and Egypt with Greece have bilateral issues (to discuss) that relate to the Exclusive Economic Zone, which (discussion) must begin in tandem and without delay," Kassoulides said.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy made no statements.

[06] Nimetz to invite Greek, FYROM negotiators to New York in coming weeks

Following his recent visits to Athens and Skopje, UN envoy on name issue of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Matthew Nimetz plans to invite the representatives of Greece and the FYROM to a new round of negotiations in New York, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Martin Nezirki said here on Monday.

Asked about the name issue of FYROM during the daily media briefing at the UN headquarters, Nezirki said that the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Matthew Nimetz, plans to call in New York negotiators from both sides in the coming weeks. He expressed the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's hopes that "these discussions will pave the way for serious negotiations, with the aim to finding a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue."

Nezirki noted that the UN Secretary-General met on Sunday with the Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and will later in the week meet with the Prime Minister of FYROM Nikola Gruevski. He added a solution to the so-called "name issue" was in the interests of both countries involved, as well as of the Western Balkans region as a whole.

[07] Papoulias, Tsipras meeting on issue of Golden Dawn

In statements following the meeting, the main opposition leader said that he requested of the president to take any action he could to deal with criminal activity by the neo-Nazis. "The time has come to put an end to the coddling of Golden Dawn by some mass media outlets and to historically inaccurate equations that legitimise its criminal activity," Tsipras stressed.

He also criticised the prime minister for refusing to call a party leaders' meeting on the issue and asserted his own party planned to request an ex-agenda meeting of Parliament's plenum to "present before the Greek people our stance for dealing with Golden Dawn's activity." In any case, he said, "SYRIZA wilil be the guarantor of normalcy and of democratic institutions; with the greatest majority of the Greek people, we believe we shall be able to isolate the criminals and protect society from barbarity," he asserted.

In statements before the meeting, Tsipras had said that political volition is mandatory against the snake of fascism.

As President Papoulias received the main opposition leader, he said, "I fought fascism and Nazism from my childhood years. My supreme duty is to defend the Greek people from the coming storm," said Papoulias.

[08] Gov't reply to SYRIZA leader: discussion on violence must be held in Parliament

Tsipras had criticised Prime Minister Antonis Samaras for failing to call a meeting of the party leaders' council to discuss the issue, after his meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

Kedikoglou noted that the main opposition leader was asking for a meeting of the party leaders to get in motion something that the government had already set in motion months ago, which was to bring Golden Dawn before the law.

"The case has now been referred to justice, which is moving extremely rapidly," he added, noting that the party leaders' council was not convened to hold political debates nor to replace institutional functions that had already been set in motion.

Responding to Kedikoglou, Tsipras stressed that the premier was compromised by his refusal to attend either a meeting of party leaders chaired by the president or accept SYRIZA's demand for a discussion before the Parliament plenum on dealing with Nazi action.

"It raises justifiable questions, compromises the prime minister and highlights the ND leadership's insistence on the historically ignorant and dangerous for democracy theory of the two extremes," he said.

[09] PASOK positive towards cooperation of constitutional arc forces

The party's sources declare that PASOK is positive towards proposals on convening the Party Leaders Council under the President of the Republic, but also "agrees absolutely with the discussion of the entire issue in Parliament, with the procedure of an off-the-agenda discussion."

In addition, PASOK supports "every action and initiative by Social Agencies on the manifestation of society's reaction to fascism" and believes that it would be very useful, as was also proposed by party leader Evangelos Venizelos, that the President of the Republic place under his auspices action initiatives by representative social agencies.

Moreover, PASOK declares its readiness to discuss every proposal on the changing-improving of the Legislative Framework on handling violence, bringing back to the dialogue its own proposals as well. It supports every move by the relevant State Authorities that contributes to the exposure and condemnation of Golden Dawn as a "criminal organisation" and, lastly, it insists on the "need for a decision by the Parliament President Conference for an end to be put to the bravado, the vulgar insults and the provocations of the deputies of Golden Dawn by implementing and making stricter the Regulation".

[10] DIMAR leader demands party leaders' meeting on GD

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with President Papoulias, Kouvelis spoke of "an effort to terrorise society on the part of Golden Dawn," adding that there should be no obstruction. "The response will be given by legality. Democracy has the powers and the weapons needed to use them," he emphasised.

[11] DIMAR calls for unity in tackling 'absolute evil' of neo-Nazism

In its announcement, DIMAR said no political differences should prevent unity in tackling "absolute evil" and that all parties of the 'democratic arc' must agree on the formation of a front to protect normalcy and democracy against the murdering neo-Nazis.

It stressed that current laws must be immediately enforced and the anti-racist bill 'killed' by circles within New Democracy must be passed by Parliament, while the 'para-state' mechanisms of Golden Dawn must be dismantled. DIMAR stressed that isolating Golden Dawn, both socially and politically, was a democrative obligation.

[12] KKE party proposes Parliamentary Plenum off-the-agenda discussion on Golden Dawn

The announcement added that "the struggle with the ideas, policies and practices of Golden Dawn does not take place with some consultations between the political parties, but with the activation and action of the labour popular movement in all places, where the role and responsibility of every political force is judged there".

It concluded by saying "procedures exist in Parliament where a discussion can take place between the political parties and for this reason we propose the holding of an off-the-agenda discussion in the Plenum".

[13] Justice ministry sources: Meeting of political leaders on Golden Dawn 'untimely'

Sources at the office of Justice Minister Haralambos Athanassiou said that "any intervention of the country's political leadership into issues in dispute and while the justice's procedures are in progress, will offer nothing essential".

According to Athanassiou's partners "justice's resources are sufficient to face these phenomena and activities, and whatever legislative intiative emerges will be examined with cool-headedness". They added that "very soon the antiracist bill will be tabled in parliament for voting".

Moreover the same sources said that the minister believed that all cases - felonies and misdemeanours - involving Golden Dawn deputies, members and cadres are being reviewed by justice and being processed rapidly under the Supreme Court prosecutor's supervision.

[14] SYRIZA MP claims 'pockets' tolerating Golden Dawn in both justice, police

Papadimoulis said the announcement was a "worrying incidence" and referred to cases were trials were postponed, defendants acquitted due to insufficient evidence and slow reflexes.

"I would expect a trade union organ of judges, instead indirectly but clearly seeking my prosecution, to contribute so that justice becomes faster and more effective," he added, claiming that the announcement "adopted the dangerous theory of the two extremes".

He also repeated SYRIZA's call to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to "clearly distance" himself from this theory, which he said struck a blow against democracy and the country.

"We are an anti-fascist and anti-memorandum force. We note that the memorandum feeds fascism but we do not make it a condition that someone agree with our entire policy in order to do something so that the murderers rot in jail," he said.

Police force launches internal affairs investigation into links with Golden Dawn; eight officers transferred from 'key' positions

Accusations of links between the police force and the ultra-right-wing Golden Dawn party triggered a chain of reactions within the Greek Police on Monday, with the ministry ordering the launch of an internal affairs investigation into the allegations and eight officers removed from 'key' positions in the force while it is underway.

Acting on the orders of Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Dendias, the Chief of Police Lieut. Gen. Nikolaos Papagiannopoulos assigned the case to the head of the Internal Affairs Service Police Brigadier General Panagiotis Stathis, instructing him to launch a wide-ranging investigation into the allegations appearing in the press that police officers were actively involved in GD actions and offences.

In order to ensure that the investigation is above reproach, he also ordered the transfer of a police major general in charge of the Greek Police headquarters security branch, the chief and deputy chief of the counter-terrorism unit EKAM, the police chief in charge of the organised crime and human trafficking department for Attica, the head of the arms and explosives department in the Attica Security Police state security sub-directorate, the head of a MAT riot police platoon deployed in Keratsini after photographs and witness reports showed that there was no police intervention or arrests of civilians seen throwing stones at demonstrators taking part in a protest march for the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, the commander of the Delta team and the head of the Nikaia police station.

[15] Two senior officers in Greek Police resign over case involving Golden Dawn

According to an announcement issued by the public order ministry, General Police Inspector for Southern Greece Lieut. Gen. Ioannis Dikopoulos and General Police Director for Central Greece Region Major General Apostolos Kaskanis submitted their resignations to the ministry general secretary Athanassios Andreoulakos, who accepted them.

The ministry said the resignations were offered for "personal reasons" but also referred to the findings in Halkida, indicating that the two events are not unrelated. In particular, the announcement noted that the head of the Greek Police has ordered an sworn internal inquiry into the fact that individuals carrying items controlled under weapons law, such as clubs, were seen outside the offices of Golden Dawn in Halkida, just metres away from a local police station, without the police intervening or informing police headquarters.

The inquiry will examine whether any party may be considered responsible for omissions that occurred during a police operation to collect evidence and identify the individuals with the items found at the GD offices, such as clubs, shields, helmets and others.

Also suspended until the end of the sworn internal inquiry are the head of the Evia police headquarters, the police station chief and duty officer at the Halkida Security Station and the police officer on guard duty at the time when the club-bearing GD supporters gathered outside its offices.

[16] Golden Dawn MP: 'We will rule in Greece's largest cities'

"There is only one reason for it," he asserted; "Golden Dawn has been rapidly strengthened, it has surpassed 20 percent (in popularity) and soon it will rule the country's larger cities. We will not stop, we are in the right and we have over a million Greeks on our side."

[17] Germany's SPD will include Greece on its agenda, Steinbr?ck says

In a recent interview, Steinbr?ck had stressed the need to give Greece more time to revitalise its economy.

Referring today to the European issues which will be put up for debate, the Social Democrat politician noted that his party intended to use increasing pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel on the implementation of the European banking union.

[18] Message by SYRIZA to German Die Linke party

The message says that SYRIZA realises the difficult political environment in which Die Linke waged the election struggle and expresses its understanding for the great responsibilities that the German Left is undertaking in the new period.

The party's Central Committee points out that "it is necessary for neoliberalism and its disastrous consequences to be repulsed in Germany and in the EU in its entirety" and adds that in Europe "either the barbarism of unemployment, austerity and neoliberal competition between peoples or the political plan of the Left for Europe of solidarity, democracy and social and economic convergence will prevail."

[19] SYRIZA demands that 'scandalous' amendment for shipping stock be withdrawn (ADDS Parliament)

Slamming the amendment as "outrageously illegal" and saying that it facilitated tax evasion, the MP for Piraeus criticised it as a reflection of pressures from vested interests that, with government support, "are avoiding even the most basic rules of transparency and oversight". He noted that the measure essentially allowed all those required to submit origin of wealth statements to circumvent such controls by investing in shipping shares.

In addition, he added, ship owners could invest directly in media enterprises without being subject to any scrutiny of their activities in the shipping sector, enjoying a "privilege of untransparency" that would be supplied by the law.

Dritsas urged the Parliament president not to permit discussion of the specific amendment, pointing out that it was legally invalid since it did not bear the signature of the finance minister.

The amendment also came under fire from both ruling coalition and opposition MPs during discussion in Parliament's Production and Trade Committee, including New Democracy MP George Vlachos who was in the chair and said "it cannot be voted by me".

The measure was included in a six-article amendment attached to a transport ministry bill for liberalising inter-city buses. It was signed by Transport Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Justice Minister Haralambos Athanassiou, Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, Admin. Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and National Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos but not Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.

SYRIZA MP Dimitris Papadimoulis stressed that it was "suspect" and opened the way for "money-laundering" via shipping stock, while PASOK MP Thanos Moraitis noted that his party had not been informed and all other opposition MPs described the timing and its inclusion with other 'positive' measures as suspect.

Chrysohoidis admitted that the article had been "added at the last minute" and that he had signed because the amendment included other measures that needed to be passed.

The chairman said the committe was united in calling for the withdrawal of article 6 and urged the justice minister to raise the issue before Parliament's plenum "if he insists" and to "stop playing games at the expense of MPs". Discussion on the amendments is due to take place on Thursday.

[20] Higer education layoffs not a troika damand, SYRIZA's Tsipras says

In a statement made after his meeting with the directorate of the Rectors Conference, Tsipras said the government's policy was explained by two reasons: The first was because the government wanted to favour private universities; and, the second one was because of hostility towards knowledge and the people of knowledge.

Tsipras accused the government of "placing a padlock on the public university" and called on intellectuals to rally together and avert the government's decision. He pledged his party will wage a struggle both inside and outside Parliament for the cradle of Greece's civilisation (i.e. universities) to be kept "alive."

[21] Merkel election brings Greece closer to third memorandum, Ind. Greeks leader says

According to ANA-MPA sources, the comment was made during a discussion with his aides, with Kammenos noting that it was not the result in itself that could be described as "sad" but the "sight of certain Greek MPs, welcoming a result that will lead the country to a third memorandum."

[22] Health Minister Georgiadis meets with troika representatives

According to Georgiadis, the amounts that will be raised as a result will be used for actions benefiting groups of people who do not have access to healthcare services.

According to an agreement reached with the troika, pharmaceutical spending will be reduced to 2 billion euros in 2014, while a new pricing system will be put into effect for generic and off patent drugs, having as a goal an average price reduction of 30-40 pct.

Incentives and counter-incentives will be given to medical doctors to prescribe generic drugs and ensure that the use of generic medication in Greece rises to 60 pct.

As regards the state health services provider EOPYY, he said that the creation of a single primary healthcare organization is being considered.

[23] New strike wave starts this week

Primary education teachers will participate in a 48-hour strike called by ADEDY, the public sector's umbrella union, starting Tuesday while the Teachers Federation has called a 3-hour stoppage on Monday.

University employees have declared a 5-day strike starting on Monday.

Workers in local government administration will strike on Monday and Tuesday, while employees in social security funds continue their 48-hour rolling strikes.

It is reminded that ADEDY has called a 48-hour strike for Tuesday and Wednesday. ADEDY is in contact with GSEE (the private sector employees' unions' umbrella) to turn Tuesday's strike into a general strike in both sector.

GSEE's executive committee will meet on Monday to decide on their stance.

[24] Dev't secretariat staff continue strike

Employees said that despite their continuous attempts to meet with Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis "in order to express their stance" on the issue, "there has been absolutely no response on his part; therefore, it must be assumed that human sacrifices are being carried out and the dissolution of secretariats general be certain". They said they planned to continue their struggle.

[25] Press unions call work stoppage 10 am-1 pm Tues., Wed.

According to an announcement on Monday by the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Union (POESY), ERT employees' union (POSPERT) and Panhellenic Federation of Press and

Mass Media Staff (POEPTYM), an exception will be made only for on-site reporting of strike-related news.

"We are fighting for the right to work and the right to dignity. We are fighting against unemployment and in support of the signing of collective work agreements." the announcement read. "We are looking for solutions leading to the viability of health and pension funds which are in a process of dissolution."

[26] Opinion poll: Golden Dawn percentages down; ND leading

In the opinion poll, conducted after the stabbing death of Pavlos Fyssas by a Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) member, 8 of 10 respondents called Golden Dawn a fascist or criminal organisation while 77 percent believe that it is necessary for the government to proceed immediately to legislative changes against the extreme-right party's criminal activity.

According to the poll results, New Democracy (ND) is leading with 25,4 percent; SYRIZA is following with 22,7 percent; Golden Dawn got 5,8 percent; Communist Party (KKE) 5,7 percent; PASOK 5.3 percent, Independent Greeks (ANEL) 4,3 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) 2,5 percent.

The poll was nationwide and was held between September 19-21.

[27] KKE's Koutsoumbas calls for teaching personnel hirings in universities

In his meeting with the Council of University Rectors, he stressed that more teaching personnel should be hired to make up for the shortages in the sector, instead of implementing a "mobility scheme" and proceeding with layoffs, adding that lack of state funding, which has reached unprecedented lows, will hamper the operation of universities even further.

Koutsoumbas noted that the new legislation clears the way for the privatisation of tertiary education institutions.

[28] Foreign ministry condemns Nairobi shopping mall tragedy

In an announcement on Monday, the ministry said it "condemns absolutely and most explicitly this terrorist act against innocent citizens," expressing its condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for quick recovery of injured. It also expressed Greece's support to the people and authorities of Kenya.

"The Embassy of Greece in Nairobi is in contact with all Greek nationals living in the country and has confirmed that none of them are among the victims or hostages," the announcement concluded.

[29] Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides' interview to an Athens newspaper

In an interview in the Athens newspaper "Efimerida ton Sintakton", he said that the Cypriot economy is implementing the adjustment programme successfully and will continue on this path, regardless of how painful this is, both socially and economically.

He expressed certainty that "the Cypriot economy will recover and be built on new and healthier foundations as a result of the structural measures and the reform policies we implement".

"After the Syrian crisis is over, the entire security web, which now concerns the risk of asymmetric attacks and not threats from the north, will have to be reconsidered because of Cyprus' geostrategic position and the role it wishes to play in developments," he underlined.

Referring to negotiations on the Cyprus issue, he said that the methodology to be followed will be of major importance, called for EU involvement and clarified that any attempt for a package deal on the Cyprus issue, energy and the economy will be rejected.

He added that naming a negotiator could allow "a direct understanding with Turkey, the negotiation with which is necessary, considering that in many issues (Turkey) constitutes part of problem".

Kasoulides also expressed Nicosia's support for efforts to set up a Cyprus-Greece-Egypt axis, similar to that with Israel.

[30] Dev't minister meets with Israeli ambassador ahead of PM's visit to Israel

They discussed cooperation of the two countries in innovation, a focus of Israel in recent decades that has met with great success. They also discussed preparations for a business congress in Israel, which many Greek businesses have expressed interest in, and which will take place as part of the premier's visit.

Financial News

[31] ECB president says premature to assess whether Greece will need third support programme

European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi expressed the view on Monday that it was premature to be assessed whether Greece will need a third support programme. He also insisted that the Greek debt is sustainable.

Replying to a question by Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Eurodeputy Nikos Hountis at a discussion at the European Parliament's economic affairs committee, Draghi said that Greece's second programme is under way and participation from the European side will continue until the end of 2014, while the IMF's participation will continue until early 2016.

"Consequently, it is premature for us to say whether there shall be a new programme or an extension of the present programme", the ECB's head said and mentioned that the decision will also depend on the extent of access to markets at the end of 2014, something that is difficult to be assessed today.

According to the present assessments the Greek debt is sustainable and there is nothing revising this view, Draghi noted.

[32] Troika asks TAIPED to accelerate privatisation programme

The troika representatives visited the TAIPED headquarters late on Monday afternoon and were briefed by the fund's management on the programme's implementation progress. Fund officials said that taking into account the expected proceeds from state betting organisation OPAP's sale, the target of revenues of 1.5 billion euros by the end of the year seems to be achievable.

However, troika officials requested that privatisation plans scheduled for 2014 (such as EYDAP, EYATH, Ports, DEPA) should get under way in the current year with the aim of the state collecting an additional 2.5 billion euros. They also asked the acceleration of a "sale and lease back" plan relating to 28 state properties.

TAIPED officials said that the plan was mature, but could not go ahead as the fund has no president at the moment and so its board cannot be convened.

[33] Greek private islands to be auctioned off

Myro Antiques House owner Stavros Myronidis told ANA-MPA that the owners of Spalathronissi have already rejected an 8.5-million-euro offer by a private investor insisting that they will not sell their property if offers are under 10 million euros. In total, eight offers have been tabled for the specific island by Greek and foreign investors.

According to Myronidis, the "buy it now option" still stands, namely, to sell the island for 15 million euros without going through an auction. It received an extension giving to those interested more time to collect the necessary documents for their participation in the procedure.

Spalathronissi, covering an area of 103,782 sqm, is the first Greek island offeredfor sake through an auction. It is located in the region of Neos Maramaras at Toroneos Bay, between Porto Carras and Porto Koufo in northern Greece, roughly 500 meters off the coast of Sithonia, the central part of Halkidiki Peninsula.

The second private island expected to be auctioned off soon is Fidonissi (160,000 sqm) located in northeast Aegean, roughly 1.5 nautical miles off the coast of Iraklitsa in the prefecture of Kavala.

[34] State guaranteed loans total 18.7 bln euros, report

The figures were submitted to Parliament by Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras in response to a question by ND deputy Constantinos Koutsogiannakopoulos.

The report also included a list with forfeitures of guaranteed loans per agency, with an analysis of capital and interest payment for the period 2013-2017 as envisaged by the memorandum signed with the country's creditors. The value of these loans will total 2.057 billion euros in 2013, 1.231 billion in 2014, 1.565 billion in 2015, 1.821 billion in 2016 and 1.279 billion in 2017.

State agencies with the highest outstanding debt include Hellenic Defense Systems (EAS, 616 million euros), Hellenic Railways (OSE, 7.080 billion), Attiko Metro (2.216 billion), Athens Concert Hall (229 million euros), Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB, 195 million), Attica Road (471 million), Athens International Airport (438 million), Public Power Corporation (DEI, 1.894 billion), Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA, 259 million) and private enterprises (1.898 billion euros).

[35] Pension fully safeguarded, labour minister says

In a radio interview, Vroutsis said that based on existing figures the unemployment rate will stop rising in 2013 and it will begin falling in 2014. "It is a positive indication that something is changing. We are not celebrating, though, because the battle will last long," he noted.

He underlined that the social insurance system, funded by the state budget, "must stand on its feet and that there was plenty of room: raising contributions, combating black labor and bringing the system in order. Remember that with the introduction of "Helios" we resolved the problem with fake pensions in seven months," he said.

Vroutsis said that because of the imposition of heavy fines for black labour, a total of 49,000 workers have been recorded in employment records, adding that the results of a battle against black labour will be shown in November.

"Our intention is not to raise contributions, both to employers or workers. My intention is to increase contribution collection. I will give a battle to avoid cutting pensions," Vroutsis said, adding that there will be small changes in supplementary pension pay, while civil servants will lose some of their lump sum. The labour minister said that a commission to examine changes in the social insurance system will be announced by the end of the month.

[36] Piraeus port approves construction of new cruise centre

The new cruise centre will built on a new extension of the southern side of the port and is the largest port infrastructure project for cruises ever approved for Piraeus, as well as the biggest construction project involving the passenger terminal, budgeted at 120 million euros.

It is expected to greatly enhance the country's tourism "product" and make Piraeus a privileged player in the rapidly growing cruise market, which saw arrivals in Piraeus boosted by 43.22 percent in August 2013 compared with the same month in 2012.

[37] SYRIZA demands that 'scandalous' amendment for shipping stock be withdrawn

Slamming the amendment as "outrageously illegal" and saying that it facilitated tax evasion, the MP for Piraeus criticised it as a reflection of pressures from vested interests that, with government support, "are avoiding even the most basic rules of transparency and oversight". He noted that the measure essentially allowed all those required to submit origin of wealth statements to circumvent such controls by investing in shipping shares.

In addition, he added, ship owners could invest directly in media enterprises without being subject to any scrutiny of their activities in the shipping sector, enjoying a "privilege of untransparency" that would be supplied by the law.

Dritsas urged the Parliament president not to permit discussion of the specific amendment, pointing out that it was legally invalid since it did not bear the signature of the finance minister.

[38] Participation of Greece in BSTDB share capital increase

The expenditure concerns the third instalment of a total of eight instalments that will be paid by Greece.

[39] PPC signs 739-mln-euro bond loan with foreign banks

The loan, with an annual cost of around 5.0 pct, will have a duration of 15 years and will be supported by Euler Hermes. A PPC statement said all interested parties in the agreement were currently in the process of completing the preconditions for the disbursement of the loan.

[40] Viohalco will seek dual listing in ASE

In an announcement to the ASE in response to recent press reports, Viohalco - Greece's largest metals group - said it planned to apply for listing of its shares also in the Greek market, soon after completion of a merger plan.

"Viohalco SA, whose shares will be traded in the Euronext market in Brussels, states that its transformation plan envisages that its first action, after completing a merger process, will be to apply for listing of its shares also in the Athens Stock Exchange," the statement said.

[41] Agrotierra 2013 farm produce fair at Syntagma Metro station

The fair will showcase quality traditional Greek products exported abroad and promote domestic gastronomy tourism to the Athens public.

Participants include the Panhellenic Confederation of Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) and primary sector companies and cooperatives.

[42] Unisystems in joint ventue in Turkey with BIS

Unisystems will hold an 80 pct stake in the company and BIS the remaining 20 pct. The operation of the company will begin in October, covering the banking and financial sector as well as the telecommunications sector in Turkey.

"With the setup of our new subsidiary company in Turkey we capitalise our experience and know-how after 50 years of specializing in IT," Yiannis Loumakis, chief executive of Unisystems and vice-president of the new company said, adding that this investment was a significant step of Unisystems' strategy to further expand its activities abroad. The new company will be based in Istanbul.

[43] Large olivine mineral deposit in Halkidiki, per IGME employees' union

Union representatives mentioned the Institute's research at a press conference to protest what they called the institute's "devaluation", but declined giving further details.

Olivine is an industrial mineral with great tolerance of high temperatures that is used in the construction of heat-resisting materials and industrial furnaces. It also has the quality of being able to absorb carbon dioxide.

Olivine has been traced in the moon, in Mars and in meteors. An olivine deposit has been discovered at the area of Chromio, in northwestern Greece's Grevena area, for which a mining tender has been issued.

[44] Greek stocks end moderately higher

The Large Cap index rose 0.59 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.68 pct lower. OTE (5.0 pct), Athens Water (2.25 pct), Viohalco (1.90 pct) and OPAP (1.87 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Eurobank Properties (4.67 pct), Ellaktor (3.40 pct) and Intralot (2.35 pct) suffered losses. The Telecoms (5.0 pct), Travel (1.45 pct) and Personal Products

(0.67 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Constructions (1.87 pct) and Raw Materials (1.26 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 67 to 56 with another 18 issues unchanged. Druckfarben (30 pct), Sfakianakis (20 pct) and Hellenic Fish Farms (18.75 pct) were top gainers, while Kathimerini (19.93 pct), Teletypos (19.55 pct) and Pasal (18.54 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +0.31%

Commercial: +0.65%

Construction: -1.87%

Oil & Gas: +0.26%

Personal & Household: +0.67%

Raw Materials: -1.26%

Travel & Leisure: +1.45%

Technology: -0.15%

Telecoms: +5.00%

Banks: +0.45%

Food & Beverages: -0.17%

Health: -0.05%

Utilities: +0.05%

Financial Services: +0.18%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.561

Public Power Corp (PPC): 7.96

Coca Cola HBC: 21.86

Hellenic Petroleum: 7.68

National Bank of Greece: 2.99

Eurobank Properties : 7.15

OPAP: 8.17

OTE: 7.56

Piraeus Bank: 1.24

Titan: 17.30

[45] Greek bond market closing report

Market sentiment was further encouraged by an analysis report released by Goldman Sachs which said that Greek bonds' yields did not fully reflect an improvement in the macro-economic environment in the country. Themistocles Fiotakis, Goldman Sachs' analyst said that the Greek economy continued showing signs of improvement and estimated that a smooth completion of the troika's assessment could further ease political risks in the country.

The report noted that the Greek state bonds' outlook was favorable since the volume of outstanding securities traded in the market was very limited, after the PSI, while the new bonds issued were based on the British law. The analyst said that Greece needed to reach an agreement with the troika over budget targets for 2016 and estimated that further cuts in wages and pensions could be avoided.

Turnover in the domestic market was a thin 1.0 million euros, sharply down from 29 million euros on Friday. The yield spread was 8.0 pct, from 7.82 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 9.91 pct and the German Bund 1.91 pct.

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 0.55 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.45 pct, the six-month rate was 0.34 pct, the three-month rate was 0.225 pct and the one-month rate was 0.129 pct.

[46] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,294 contracts worth 4.853 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (2,741), followed by National Bank (1,120), Alpha Bank (1,482), OTE (1,622), PPC (729), Titan (458), Ellaktor (247), Intralot (174), OPAP (341), MIG (241) and Coca Cola HBC (168).

[47] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.371

Pound sterling 0.853

Danish kroner 7.569

Swedish kroner 8.729

Japanese yen 135.59

Swiss franc 1.250

Norwegian kroner 8.090

Canadian dollar 1.411

Australian dollar 1.452

General News

[48] Panagiotopoulos meets with Hill over the Parthenon Marbles

Two months ago, Panagiotopoulos met in Paris with the UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and had again raised Greece's demand for the repatriation the Marbles. Bokova accepted a proposal by Panagiotopoulos to use personal and institutional influence in undertaking the initiative to utilise mediation.

During his discussion with Hill, the Greek Culture minister stressed the need for a joint strategy to be mapped out by Greece and the international association.

The two men agreed that it was necessary to renew awareness over the Greek demand under current conditions. Hill assured that all of the Association's national committees will support Greece's action choices on the issue.

Hill is currently in Athens on the occasion of the international meeting of the International Association to be held on 6 October. The two men are to meet again during that meeting.

[49] Greek-Turkish friendship concert held at Halki School of Theology

A Greek-Turkish friendship concert titled "Cultural trip from Greece to Turkey" was held at the School of Theology in Halki on Sunday.

Turkish and Greek artists participated in the concert, such as Eleni Tsaligopoulou, Costas Thomaidis, Moustafa Dogan Dikmen, Engin Aslan and Vassiliki Papageorgiou (who has settled in Halki), as well as the orchestras "Thanassis Tsipinakis" and "Vosporos" with Stathis Soulis as the conductor.

The Turkish press said that the concert was broadcast live by Greek television channels and stressed the appearance of Evanthia Remboutsika, who is known in the country with the music she prepared for the Turkish film "My father and my son".

The concert was attended by Patriarch Vartholomeos, the principal of Halki, Prousa metropolitan, Elpidoforos Lambriniadis and the patriarch of Bulgaria Neofytos, who is visiting the Phanar officially.

"We hope the School will open again for the training of new religious functionaries. Let this concert be the pioneer for the reopening of the School of Theology and constitute a message," patriarch Vartholomos said in addressing the event.

[50] Migrant smuggling ring broken up

A 66-year-old Iranian smuggler was arrested while charges have been filed against another five members of the criminal organization.

The ring's activities were uncovered when Thessaloniki Police found 11 Afghan nationals, some of them illegal migrants, hidden in the 66-year-old's truck, which was flagged down for inspection at the Diavata junction on Egnatia Odos national motorway.

The Afghans arrived in Thessaloniki from Athens and were destined for the seaport of Igoumenitsa to board a ferry to Italy.

According to police authorities, the migrants had agreed to pay the smugglers 3,000 euros each.

[51] Former municipal employee serving life sentence receives new guilty verdict

Saxonis was accused of selling his luxury car to an accountant for 20,000 euros in 2009, ignoring a previous court ruling that seized all his assets for his involvement in the embezzlement scandal.

His co-defendant in the case, a female accountant, was handed down a 12-month suspended sentence for moral instigation.

Former Thessaloniki mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, former municipal secretary general Michalis Lemoussias and former treasurer Panagiotis Saxonis are all serving life sentences over the Thessaloniki municipality embezzlement case. Saxonis also received an additional nine years for embezzlement, money laundering and forgery.

[52] New managing editor at the helm of Rizospastis newspaper

Both men are members of the KKE's central committee, and Papastavrou of the committee's political bureau specifically.

[53] Police seize 195 kg of hashish in two cars

The first car they stopped for a check at Kalpaki was driven by a 38-year-old and contained nine packets with 38 kilos of hashish. Shortly afterwards and outside the village of Negades a second car with a couple on board carried 134 packets with hashish weighing 157 kilos. The quantities of drugs were confiscated and the cars' two drivers were arrested as well as the woman passenger.

Police believe that it is hashish from Albania and that it is of a new production.

[54] Moldovan, 39, arrested on European warrant in Patras

The man will be led before the Patras appeals prosecutor.

[55] Woman, 61, found dead in her apartment; signs of struggle

[56] Press unions call work stoppage 10 am to 1 pm Tues., Wed

According to an announcement on Monday by the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Union (POESY), ERT employees' union (POSPERT) and Panhellenic Federation of Press and Mass Media Staff (POEPTYM), an exception will be made only for on-site reporting of strike-related news.

"We are fighting for the right to work and the right to dignity. We are fighting against unemployment and in support of the signing of collective work agreements." the announcement read. "We are looking for solutions leading to the viability of health and pension funds which are in a process of dissolution."

Weather forecast

[57] Fair on Tuesday

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

EFIMERIA TON SYNTAKTON: Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) members to TV camera:

We will chop them (migrants, leftists, anarchists) down.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Relation of tolerance and cooperation between Golden Dawn and police officers.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Opinion poll condemns Golden Dawn.

ESTIA: The current condition demands national unanimity.

ETHNOS: Neo-Nazis hold military exercises.

NAFTEMPORIKI: What Germany's Angela Merkel's triumph means for Europe.

TA NEA: Triumph for the queen of austerity (Merkel).

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