Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-12-06

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Energy Commissioner in Athens on Friday

[02] PM Samaras meets with education minister on the striking university administrative staff

[03] Greek EU Presidency priorities on interior ministry issues unveiled

[04] Public Order minister Dendias presents Greek EU presidency priorities on migration and asylum

[05] Eurogroup official says one prior action by Greece still pending

[06] Dep. Foreign Minister Kourkoulas meets with visiting Moldovan counterpart

[07] Gov't strives to rescue defence industries, Defence minister Avramopoulos says

[08] DM Avramopoulos addresses 'Research and Technology 2013' conference

[09] Greek, Italian Defence Ministers to meet on Friday in Athens

[10] PASOK leader Venizelos addresses his parliamentary group

[11] SYRIZA on the government's stance as regards foreclosures

[12] PASOK spokesman on negotiations with troika

[13] Independent Greeks party president accuses government of hypocrisy

[14] KKE party on Samaras-Venizelos meeting on PPC

[15] UOA administrative staff to continue mobilizations; NTUA to open on Monday

[16] UOA Rector Pelegrinis to testify as suspect for breach of duty

[17] No tolerance for any form of violence says ND Secretary Andreas Papamimikos

[18] Anti-terrorism squad searches three detained Golden Dawn MPs' homes

[19] Golden Dawn party holds protest rally in Syntagma Square

[20] GSEE asks for indefinite postponement of home foreclosures

[21] Greek EU presidency will promote Serbia' s European integration, Greek ambassador says

[22] Note to subscribers: ANA-MPA temporary online interruption

[23] Greece plans to return to markets in H2 2014, Dep. FinMin Staikouras

[24] New tax system could have a basic tax factor of 20 pct for all incomes

[25] Shipping minister holds talks in Brussels on OLP privatisation

[26] Pensions are not at risk, Labour Minister Vroutsis says

[27] One-day SEV seminar on industrial policy and innovation on Dec. 17

[28] Energy ministry initiative to ensure power supply for vulnerable sections of society

[29] Tsaftaris on Greek EU presidency priorities on Agriculture

[30] Greek, Italian Rural Development and Food Ministers to meet in Rome

[31] Bank of Greece, systemic banks to discuss business plans, management of NPLs

[32] Students can receive heating benefit if they are not dependents, finmin says

[33] Majority of Greek workers earn more than 500 euros per month, report

[34] Innovathens, a innovation hub for young people

[35] Dutch ambassador among panel of speakers in discussion on young entrepreneurs

[36] Aegean Airlines says passenger traffic up 10 pct in November

[37] Paperpack ABEE agrees revision of bond loan agreement with creditor banks

[38] Greek stocks end significantly lower

[39] Greek bond market closing report

[40] ADEX closing report

[41] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[42] National Gallery in Washington DC hosts Byzantine art exhibit event

[43] Kozani court puts stay on layoffs of school guards

[44] Event at UN on Cretan diet

[45] Reactions to hikes in road tolls, highway project delays

[46] Attica residents protest at Afidnes road tolls

[47] Jailed former minister's wife Vicky Stamati attempts suicide using sleeping pills

[48] Former AEK owner sentenced to 4.5 years

[49] Former Aspis Group CEO's family members arrested

[50] Ring arrested for copper wire thefts

[51] Downtown Athens metro stations to be closed on Friday

[52] Urban transport buses not running in Thessaloniki on Friday due to employees' labour action

[53] Fair on Friday

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

Energy isses discussed at meeting chaired by PM Samaras

Energy issues were discussed at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras that included government Vice President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis and Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis on Thursday.

According to Maniatis, they discussed ways to reduce energy costs and help households whose power has been disconnected. "The local authorities should immediately inform Public Power Corporation (PPC) about families who really cannot pay (off their bills) so that PPC can reconnect the supply," he noted.

Hatzidakis said that the government is making efforts to reduce energy cost for industries, adding that this would create new jobs.

They also discussed the negotiations between state natural gas supply corporation DEPA and Russia's Gazprom for cheaper gas, as well as the progress of oil exploration in the Gulf of Patras and Ioannina.

The meeting was held ahead of a visit on Friday by European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.

[01] EU Energy Commissioner in Athens on Friday

Oettinger is to meet Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis, Deputy Environment Minister Makis Papageorgiou and ministry general secretary Constantinos Mathioudakis. Earlier, the Commissioner will be meeting Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

The focus of the meetings will be the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency in the energy sector, as well as:

Europe's energy security and the creation of the "southern corridor" pipeline,

the discovery of natural gas deposits in the Mediterranean,

the emerging prospects for Greece from the procedures initiated for the utilisation of local hydrocarbons deposits,

recent developments in the sector of Renewable Energy Sources,

energy cost and the protection of vulnerable consumers,

actions for strengthening the competitiveness of European industry,

the completion of the internal energy market,

the restructuring of power and energy companies, and

developments in the energy sector in Greece in terms of domestic projects involving international partnerships and in terms of attracting investments.

[02] PM Samaras meets with education minister on the striking university administrative staff

The future of the mobilizations will be decided in the general assembly meetings of the University of Athens (UoA) and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) administrative staff currently under way.

A long meeting on Wednesday between the minister of education and representatives of the strikers ended with no agreement.

Responding to the disciplinary action against UoA rector Theodossis Pelegrinis, the Council of Rectors strongly criticized the move, alleging "intimidation and persecution" by the government.

[03] Greek EU Presidency priorities on interior ministry issues unveiled

Cooperation with member-states and consultations with the European Parliament to shape strategic goals for the period to follow after the Stockholm Programme was the first priority.

As regards the migration and refugee issues, efforts will intensify for a more effective cooperation between the EU and third countries, mainly the countries of origin.

On legal migration, the interior ministry will engage in close cooperation for an agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission on a draft directive concerning the movement of third country entrepreneurs. The ministry's targets also include the promotion of a discussion on a draft directive on third country nationals entering the EU for scientific research, studies, student exchange, paid or free training and volunteerism. In addition, the European agenda on integration, with an emphasis on the legal migrants' language skills, their integration and residence, will also be promoted.

[04] Public Order minister Dendias presents Greek EU presidency priorities on migration and asylum

The priorities of Greece's rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2014 in the areas of migration and asylum were presented on Thursday to the Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs Council by Public Order and Citizen Protection Nikos Dendias.

Dendias underlined that the Greek Presidency will focus its efforts on a European approach and holistic management of migration policy, along with actions to mitigate the impact of illegal immigration on the economic, social and political realities of the EU member-states.

Specifically, the Greek minister underlined that the Greek Presidency aims at strengthening policies related to migration within the context of the "EU Global Approach to Migration."

At the same time, Greece will advance the mapping out of strategic objectives and priorities of the EU's Justice and Home Affairs in the post-Stockholm era and will update the "EU Action on Migratory Pressures - a Strategic Response," with emphasis on measures to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

[05] Eurogroup official says one prior action by Greece still pending

The Eurogroup awaits the fulfilment of the last pending issue regarding the restructuring or closing down of state-owned industries from Greek authorities in order to proceed with the disbursement of a 1.0-billion-euro loan, a top Eurozone official said here on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, the official said the troika could return to Athens next week. "We wait for the confirmation by Greek authorities that all prior actions were completed to disburse the 1.0-bln-euro loan. This confirmation is pending," he said, adding that there was only one prior action still pending, the restructuring or closing down of state-owned industries. He said that a Eurogroup meeting in December 9 will examine Greece's progress in fulfilling the prior actions of the third assessment of the country.

He said that the Eurogroup meeting was expected to be "brief and relaxed" and that the ECOFIN meeting of December 10 was expected to be more interesting since EU finance ministers were due to discuss a banking union plan.

[06] Dep. Foreign Minister Kourkoulas meets with visiting Moldovan counterpart

Their talks focused on the potential of bilateral trade and the presence of Greek enterprises in the Moldovan market, while the prospects of a visa waiver for Moldovan passports were also under discussion.

Both sides agreed on setting up a joint governmental committee on economic, technological and scientific cooperation.

Kourkoulas conveyed an invitation on behalf of government Vice-president and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos to Moldovan Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman to pay an official visit to Greece.

[07] Gov't strives to rescue defence industries, Defence minister Avramopoulos says

"At the Defence Ministry we have set ourselves the task to rescue - where possible - the EAS and ELVO. For this purpose, in the coming period we will use all room available to restructure the companies," Avramopoulos said.

The minister stressed that the problems facing the Greek defence industry should be addressed by the appropriate policies in order to stop the industry from making losses. But this required "new orientation, long-term planning, immediate modernization and total overhaul," he added.

"Backing up the Greek defense industry is a requirement of the society, not only with the aim to increase employment, but also to strengthen and disseminate domestic technology and know-how," Avramopoulos noted.?

Referring to the Defence Ministry budget, the minister stressed that allocations for 2014 were down by 52.88 percent compared to 2009, with salary allocation down only 0.82 percent compared to 2013.

On a more general note, Avramopoulos urged MP to vote for what he called the "the last budget of the era of crisis."

"In a world that driven by global economic competition, there is no easy road. Those promising quick fixes, in fact promise a return to the past," he said.

[08] DM Avramopoulos addresses 'Research and Technology 2013' conference

Avramopoulos made his statements in his address to the two-day "Research and Technology 2013" conference that opened on Thursday in Athens.

The conference is co-organised by the European Organisation of Defence and the Greek National Defence Ministry.

"Country leaders have understood that the upcoming European Council does not mark the end of the 'defence voyage' as it has been called, but the start of a new future for European defence. For this reason, all EU partners must contribute, given that the future of the European Defence Organisation is in their hands," Avramopoulos said.

The European Defence Organisation was founded in June 2003 during the fourth Greek EU Presidency.

The aim of the conference is promotion of the important technologies in defence, research in the innovation sector and new technologies of dual use that will highlight the European defence potentials.

[09] Greek, Italian Defence Ministers to meet on Friday in Athens

The meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Statements to the press will follow.

[10] PASOK leader Venizelos addresses his parliamentary group

Noting that the discussion with the troika was still pending, he said that PASOK considers the debate and the budget "part of the broader issue of ensuring and meeting the conditions for a final exit from the memorandums, something that is now feasible due to the sacrifices of the people."

In order for this to happen, however, a series of conditions that primarily related to Greece's partners had to be met, including a "real and not rhetorical recogition of the people's sacrifices," and termed the "recycling" of the debate on Greece's commitment to reforms and the sustainability of its debt was unfair and harmful "after all that has been done".

Venizelos hinted that the troika of the country's creditors allegedly insists on unrealistic positions.

"We are not seeking political favours, through political negotiation, we present economic results, we want recognition of the sacrifices made by the Greek people and want reliable, dependable and institutional interlocutors," he stressed.

He attributed the causes that led to the current situation to the troika, characterizing it as a "hybrid" that emerged due to the crisis and because of the fact that the European Union was unable to predict the likelihood of a crisis.

Venizelos said that "all these constitute a challenge to the institutional framework of the European Union and the eurozone, which were unable to foresee or handle the crisis."

He was scathing about the role of main opposition Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), accusing it of making a tough stance in negotiations its banner but at the same time "trembling" when the government did adopt a tougher stance in case a political line was accepted that would deprive them of their main arguments.

PASOK's leader stressed that the 'no' to additional austerity measures still applied, coupled with a 'yes' to reforms to create a "normal state", while underlining that the party will not do a u-turn on the issue of protection from home foreclosures for poor and middle-income households.

He urged the party's MPs to participate in the debate on the draft budget "with a strong voice" and stressed that PASOK's stance was not determined by opinion polls but the best interests of the country.

[11] SYRIZA on the government's stance as regards foreclosures

A SYRIZA non paper underlined that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the government MPs are having a hard time to decide "if they will let vultures seize people's houses and engage in speculation".

According to SYRIZA, the pro-memorandum block has unleashed an attack on the party by distorting everything its leader and members say in public speeches and interviews.

SYRIZA underlined that in a crucial period for the country when social impasses intensify, the pro-memorandum block insists on downgrading public dialogue on the future of Greece and democracy.

[12] PASOK spokesman on negotiations with troika

"We have a tough negotiation issue coming up with the troika (of Greece's lenders), and I believe it will be closed, because the troika will be convinced of our position," Konstantinopoulos said, adding that he "didn't know when this would happen, but the key is that the issue closes as we would like it to: to convince them that what we are saying is right and to proceed the way we want to. And we will make this happen."

The party spokesman also flatly denied media reports that Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras would be ousted. "There is no such issue. I was explicitly clear...We haven't even voted on the (2014) budget yet, nor can there be such an issue after (the vote on Saturday)," he stressed.

[13] Independent Greeks party president accuses government of hypocrisy

"Hypocrisy is an homage that vice pays to virtue," (Francois de La Rochefoucauld 1613-1680). There had to be the loss of the 13-year-old girl from the brazier of death for the leader of banks to comprehend the death that a Public Power Corporation clock can sow," Kammenos said in a statement.

[14] KKE party on Samaras-Venizelos meeting on PPC

KKE added that "today, more than ever, the popular struggle and solidarity must be organised so that no working class home is left without electricity, for the rates of the PPC to be reduced, so that there can be a unified state energy agency that will really serve popular needs".

[15] UOA administrative staff to continue mobilizations; NTUA to open on Monday

The decision to continue the strike was made following a voice vote, while it was also decided that dialogue with Education Minister Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos will continue. The minister, however, has clarified that there will be no dialogue for as long as the university is closed.

Meanwhile, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) administrative staff decided to suspend their mobilizations and return to work on Monday.

[16] UOA Rector Pelegrinis to testify as suspect for breach of duty

Pelegrinis' deposition will not be bound by oath and will be given in the context of a preliminary investigation in response to an announcement by the UOA council accusing the rector of being responsible for the situation in the university.

The preliminary investigation was ordered following a move by Education Minister Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos who referred the issue to the Supreme Court.

[17] No tolerance for any form of violence says ND Secretary Andreas Papamimikos

"No tolerance for any form of violence. What is clearer than that? Molotovs and clubs are not the solution. Breaking shop windows does not increase employment. It is our duty as a society to create a new culture of respect for people," said Papamimikos. He underlined that the major problem is the political system has lost its standing in people's eyes.

"How can the people be convinced that something can change when they see Parliamentary discussions turned into a circus? We need look no further for the reasons why people have become alienated from institutions and parties. Let's first look at ourselves in the mirror if we want to be respected by the people," Papamimikos said.

Regarding ND's performance as part of the government, Papamimikos indicated the improvement in relation to 1.5 years ago was obvious. "With huge sacrifices we are achieving a primary surplus so that we can claim further debt reduction. This does not mean that all of a sudden our pockets are full. It is simply a strong card that can bring us to recovery sooner," he said.

Papamimikos did not agree with the finance minister's claim that Greeks are not overtaxed, underlining that "the citizens have made huge sacrifices and cannot cope with any more. I insist on a fair and chiefly a stable taxation system, so that the citizens can regain their trust in the state, and foreign investments will come in."

[18] Anti-terrorism squad searches three detained Golden Dawn MPs' homes

The search of homes of detained MPs Panagiotis Iliopoulos, Giorgos Germenis and Stathis Boukouras came by order of the investigating prosecutor and is part of a larger case involving the party. The three are scheduled to testify as on charges of participating in a criminal organisation on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The extreme-right party's leader and another three deputies are also being detained before trial on similar charges, of participating in or running a criminal organisation. Parliament voted to lift immunity so they may all be tried at regular court.

[19] Golden Dawn party holds protest rally in Syntagma Square

Golden Dawn supporters gathered outside Parliament, initially on Vassilisis Sophias Avenue, at 19:00 in the evening and for about two hours shouted slogans against the government and the troika. The section of Vassilis Sophias avenue in front of Parliament was closed during the rally, while there was a strong police presence.

The supporters then moved to Syntagma Square, blocking the street temporarily, and dispersed after singing the National Anthem.

Earlier, the counter-terrorism squad announced that evidence found and confiscated at the homes of the three GD MPs on Thursday morning included computers and other items found at the homes of the three deputies, which were taken to the police forensic laboratories to be examined.

Nothing particularly damning was found during the search, however, all the confiscated items were sent for examination.

They included bullets found in the homes of all three, a gun and shotgun with legal licences found in the home of Stathis Boukouras, cameras, phones and other electronic devices, as well as their computers.

[20] GSEE asks for indefinite postponement of home foreclosures

The union federation expressed its opposition to the one-sided support for credit institutions at the expense of citizens and proposed a series of legislative measures to protect borrowers until the country exits the crisis.

[21] Greek EU presidency will promote Serbia' s European integration, Greek ambassador says

"It is known that Greece firmly and continually supports Serbia's European perspective and recognizes the significant achievements towards this direction. The European Council in June decided to open accession negotiations at the latest by January 2014. Greece considers that Serbia should start accession negotiations without new conditions or evaluations," Economides said in an interview to the Serbian news agency Tanjug.

He added that one of the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency is also to promote various development programmes for the Western Balkans.

Asked whether the issue of Kosovo will be included in the negotiating framework with Serbia, Ambassador Economides said that "Athens' position is that this should be done in a measured and productive manner, so as not to act as a distraction or even a hindrance to reform work which is the main priority of the accession negotiations."

[22] Note to subscribers: ANA-MPA temporary online interruption

ANA-MPA online services may be unavailable for a few minutes during the period between 16:15 to 16:30 today, Friday. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Financial News

[23] Greece plans to return to markets in H2 2014, Dep. FinMin Staikouras

"The government is paving the way for the country's return to international markets," Staikouras said. "For this purpose, the government is pushing forward financial techniques along with significant fiscal performance and favourable macroeconomic indications that will help Greece return to international capital markets in the second half of 2014," he noted.

The alternate minister said that the budget plan was drafted in an environment of fiscal consolidation as a result of initiative undertaken and implemented by the government, adding that the 2014 budget "capitalized the first positive evidence recorded this year as a result of the large sacrifices made by the Greek society, a plan based on real facts, on realistic estimates and forecasts".

"The 2014 budget embodies the national effort to consolidate its finances and it is part of a wider strategy of economic policy," Staikouras said, noting that this strategy focused on:

- Integrating the shadow part of the economy and its taxation. This effort must focus on combating informal economy, widening the tax base, combating tax evasion and avoidance.

- Ensuring a strict implementation of rules and practices of fiscal management and discipline.

- Creating a fair, efficient and modern state, which will respond to the demands of a modern society.

- Improving the quality of public finances through boosting the efficiency of funds and gradually raising spending.

- Enhancing the efficiency of social spending to reduce the high rate of the population that has entered the threshold of poverty.

- Creating a modern state by improving the quality of institutions and drastically reducing bureaucracy.

- Boosting investments, supporting exports and maintaining consumption at high levels.

- Strengthening the long-term sustainability of Greek public debt, through exploiting development tools and the sustainability of budget surpluses, combined with the support of our partners in reducing the debt burden. This issue remains open.

- Creating the necessary conditions to return to international capital markets.

[24] New tax system could have a basic tax factor of 20 pct for all incomes

The survey was presented by Nikos Karavitis, alternate professor at Panteio University during conference organized by British-Hellenic Chamber. The proposed tax system is considered to be more simple and transparent with lower tax factors, offering tax-exempt levels for wage and pension earners.

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, in a written message to the conference, said that the government's new tax legislation focused on three large tax initiatives: a new income tax code, a new tax procedures code and a new transactions imaging code. In his message, the FinMin stressed that the government has tried to promote drastic changes in the tax system, with a size and impact much bigger than any other change made in the past.

The new tax system expands a tax base, significantly improves fairness of the tax system, including farm incomes and a decoupling - to some extent - of social from tax policy.

[25] Shipping minister holds talks in Brussels on OLP privatisation

According to reports, the European officials were briefed on latest developments and expressed their opinion that OLP's privatisation must go ahead, while on the question of a friendly settlement agreement between OLP and SEP, the need was stressed for the two companies' officials to implement it at technical level. That is, fully harmonise the agreement's technical specifications with the EU's legislation on competition.

Sources told the ANA-MPA that during his intervention at the Commissioners college on Wednesday evening, the Shipping minister presented the Shipping ministry's priorities in light of the assumption of the presidency by Greece in the first half of 2014. He described SEP's investments and the new agreement as a safe path for the country's return to economic growth and called for the European partners' support.

The agreement, providing for investments valued at 230 million euros, has been forwarded to the Auditing Council for pre-contractual auditing and to the European Commission's competition committee. It anticipates the construction and exploitation by SEP of the Western Pier III, the construction for OLP of the Petroleum Products Pier and the upgrading of the Piers II and the Eastern Pier III.

[26] Pensions are not at risk, Labour Minister Vroutsis says

During the committee's discussion on the draft bill on "the upgrading and improvement of social insurance funds' collection mechanisms; fines for uninsured and undeclared labour violations etc", which was approved with a broad consensus, Vroutsis underlined that he never talked about a new draft bill on social insurance, noting that he was misinterpreted.

Responding to concerns expressed by the opposition, namely by main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) MP Alexis Mitropoulos and Communist Party MP Christos Katsiotis, he also confirmed that pensions are secure.

The labour minister said that state funding to the social insurance system will be reduced by 2.3 billion euros in 2014 and the amount will be covered by a package of innovative and organizational reforms, noting that the revenues of IKA-ETAM social insurance fund had an unprecedented increase in September and October, while there is also an increase in declared labour following the imposition of large fines to violators.

[27] One-day SEV seminar on industrial policy and innovation on Dec. 17

During the seminar there will be a presentation of a survey on the performance and the prospects of the country's top 2000 enterprises, conducted in collaboration with the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) Industrial and Energy Economics Laboratory.

It will also examine the prospects of the seven most important sectors of the Greek economy, such as energy production and the environmental industry, building material and metal construction, food production chain, IT and communications, health and ready-made clothing.

Among others addressing the meeting will be the Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis.

[28] Energy ministry initiative to ensure power supply for vulnerable sections of society

Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis will meet on Saturday with Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) and Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.) representatives to discuss the implementation of the initiative.

The welfare agencies responsible have already been notified to report to PPC S.A. any cases of individuals who belong to vulnerable sections of society.

Power is not disconnected if consumers are on mechanical support and if they belong to vulnerable groups. Also, households that are unable to pay their bills will not be disconnected in periods of extreme weather conditions and during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

[29] Tsaftaris on Greek EU presidency priorities on Agriculture

As for Greece's main priorities on agricultural policy during its rotating presidency, these will focus on promotion of farming foodstuffs and approval of legislative acts on implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy, Tsaftaris said.

[30] Greek, Italian Rural Development and Food Ministers to meet in Rome

The two ministers will explore the best possible ways of cooperation, since Italy is the next country, after Greece, that will hold the EU Presidency.

[31] Bank of Greece, systemic banks to discuss business plans, management of NPLs

The meeting will focus on the management of non-performing loans in view of a diagnostic control made by BlackRock on the loan portfolios of Greek banks. The Bank of Greece had requested that the four systemic banks present by mid-September 2013 a strategy on improving their non-performing credit operations (by strengthening internal overdue debt management units and outsourcing such operations to external specialists) in order to draft an analytical business plan dealing with the weaknesses shown in BlackRock's assessment.

The Bank of Greece will also publish, in consultation with the European Union, the European Central Bank and the IMF, a timetable for banks to facilitate the rescheduling of overdue debt with borrowers, using standardized protocols, such as assessment procedures, set timetables and end strategies.

[32] Students can receive heating benefit if they are not dependents, finmin says

In his response that was forwarded to Parliament on December 2, Stournaras said that the amount earmarked for this purpose in the state budget will be 170 million euros in 2013, 190 million euros in 2014 and 210 million euros in 2015 and in the years to follow.

[33] Majority of Greek workers earn more than 500 euros per month, report

The report, which was presented by Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis during a seminar, showed that 79.76 pct of workers earned more than 500 euros per month, with 7.69 pct of them earning between 500-600 euros. A 32.21 pct of workers earned 1,000-2,000 euros per month.

The report said that the total number of salary earners in the private sector in Greece - excluding the tourism sector - was 1,371,450, of whom 53.5 pct were men. A total of 196,695 enterprises were offering at least one job position, while 90.21 pct of them were very small enterprises, employing up to 10 workers.

"This report is be conducted for the first time in our country," Vroutsis said, adding that the Ergani system offered a full and analytical picture of the labour market in the country, as it is directly tied to insurance and labour agencies, getting data in real time. "This way we can trace which are the most dynamic enterprises and the sectors creating new job positions and which are the problematic regions or sectors," Vroutsis said.

"Fiscal consolidation, the biggest ever implemented in the post-war era by a developed country, has been completed, essentially," the minister said, adding that "the hard times have passed and everything shows that a recovery of the economy and employment will begin in 2014. The next step is our debt to the society and particularly towards our weaker citizens and towards the new generation that is beginning to see the future with hope and optimism again".

[34] Innovathens, a innovation hub for young people

Innovathens will provide young people with the skills and resources they need to start their own businesses, offering them a chance of employment in Athens.

[35] Dutch ambassador among panel of speakers in discussion on young entrepreneurs

Among the speakers will be Dutch ambassador to Athens Jan Versteeg, who will present the environment for business activity in Holland and Greece, the Orange Grove initiative for supporting new businessmen and the startups in the sector of e-learning that hosted by Orange Grove.

The discussion is among initiatives to support young entrepreneurs announced by e-learning Expo and EMEA.gr (http://www.emea.gr) with emphasis on technological innovation.

On Sunday December 15 an event will take place for new Greek startups in the sector of e-learning and educational applications, who will have the opportunity to present their business model before a panel of selected judges from the sector of education, entrepreneurship and investments and to discuss with them.

[36] Aegean Airlines says passenger traffic up 10 pct in November

Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, together, said their passenger traffic totaled 315,000 passengers in November, from 286,000 in November 2012.

"A common planning of the flight schedule improved the choices of passengers, while at the same time a more aggressive pricing policy, with lower fares particularly for island destinations, significantly contributed to raising traffic. After a four-year recession, passenger traffic to destinations such as Chania, Chios, Mytilene and Ioannina grew in November," the Greek airline said in a statement.

"The first synergies of the network already began in domestic flights. After four years, consumers make more trips, taking advantage of a new flight program and a new policy of cheaper fares which boost aircraft occupancy rates. The following months, with the integration of the systems, will allow us to fully homogenize our fares and our loyalty offers with multiple benefits," the company's CEO Dimitrios Gerogiannis said.

[37] Paperpack ABEE agrees revision of bond loan agreement with creditor banks

[38] Greek stocks end significantly lower

The Large Cap index dropped 2.0 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.67 pct higher. MIG (2.63 pct), Intralot (0.51 pct) and Piraeus Port (0.26 pct) were the only blue chip stocks to end higher, while Folli Follie (3.94 pct), Hellenic Petroleum (3.64 pct), OTE (3.51 pct) and National Bank (3.41 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. The Health (3.92 pct) and Financial Services (0.22 pct) sectors scored gains, while Commerce (3.89 pct), Telecoms (3.50 pct) and Oil (3.04 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 77 to 64 with another 21 issues unchanged. Leventeris (28.98 pct), Hellenic Fish Farms (19.67 pct) and Forthnet (19.64 pct) were top gainers, while AAA (19.88 pct), HOL (19.28 pct) and Intertek (15.72 pct).

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -0.32%

Commercial: -3.89%

Construction: -1.43%

Oil & Gas: -3.04%

Personal & Household: -0.05%

Raw Materials: -1.51%

Travel & Leisure: -2.05%

Technology: -0.93%

Telecoms: -3.50%

Banks: -2.76%

Food & Beverages: -0.43%

Health: +3.92%

Utilities: -2.21%

Financial Services: +0.22%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.60

Public Power Corp (PPC): 10.90

Coca Cola HBC: 20.26

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.48

National Bank of Greece: 4.25

Eurobank Properties : 8.22

OPAP: 10.00

OTE: 9.36

Piraeus Bank: 1.50

Titan: 21.55

[39] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving higher. The 12-month rate rose to 0.507 pct from 0.504 pct, the nine-month rate rose to 0.429 pct from 0.425 pct, the six-month rate was 0.334 pct, the three-month rate rose to 0.24 pct from 0.239 pct and the one-month rate rose to 0.183 pct from 0.180 pct.

[40] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 12,769 contracts worth 5.330 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank's contracts (4,017), followed by National Bank (673), Piraeus Bank (1,223), MIG (2,064), OTE (1,037), PPC (1,022), OPAP (586), Mytilineos (470), Hellenic Petroleum (215), Motor Oil (347), Intralot (154), Athens Water (151) and Jumbo (109).

[41] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.379

Pound sterling 0.843

Danish kroner 7.571

Swedish kroner 8.996

Japanese yen 140.81

Swiss franc 1.244

Norwegian kroner 8.529

Canadian dollar 1.470

Australian dollar 1.526

General News

[42] National Gallery in Washington DC hosts Byzantine art exhibit event

A special event was held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC as part of events planned around the exhibition of "Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek collections" which was inaugurated on October 6.

The inauguration was scheduled to take place on October 2, in the presence of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the Minister of Culture and Sports Panos Panagiotopoulos, but was postponed due to the US government shutdown. The exhibition will remain open in Washington, DC until March 2 2014.

Under the accompaniment of flute and a rich Greek buffet offered by the gallery's restaurant, attendees toured the halls with the unique exhibits that highlight a large part of the Byzantine culture.

Attendees included Member and co-chairman of the Congressional Committee on Greece Gus Bilirakis, deputies Aris Spiliotopoulos (New Democracy) and Christos Karagiannidis (SYRIZA), Ambassador of Greece to Washington Christos Panagopoulos, Greek Embassy press and communication counsellor Christos Failadis, well-known American journalists, diplomats, people of the arts, members of the Greek-American community and others.

The exhibition includes 170 works of art covering the early, middle and late Byzantine periods in Greece (4th to the 15th centuries), presenting rare epigraphic and numismatic examples, manuscripts, sculptures, architectural elements, mosaics, murals and icons, miniatures and ceramics, as well as precious fabrics.

The exhibition was organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, with the collaboration of the Benaki Museum and in association with the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, where it will also be shown from April 9 to August 25, 2014.

[43] Kozani court puts stay on layoffs of school guards

School guards throughout Greece have resorted to courts to put a stay on the implementation of a public sector mobility scheme, which includes transfers and gradual layoffs, as part of the commitment Greece has to its lenders to reduce staff and expenditures. School guards are having their salaries gradually reduced before being laid off and their sector abolished.

The court ruled that the school guards can return to work as soon as the town authorities are officially notified of the court ruling, which will happen by Friday. The measure does not abolish their layoffs, but places a temporary stay on the decision.

[44] Event at UN on Cretan diet

A Greek, specifically a Cretan event is due to take place at the UN's headquarters on Thursday evening as part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Union of Crete with Greece.

The Pancretan Association of America (PAA) in cooperation with Greece's Permanent Delegation at the UN, will be organising a scientific symposium on the theme of "The CRETAN NUTRITION: Crete's 100 Years of Contribution to Better Nutrition and Healthy Living."

According to the former president of the PAA and responsible for the Centennial events, Manolis Velivasakis, "the aim of the symposium is to highlight the traditional Cretan Diet as a model of the Mediterranean diet and as being an ideal diet for health and longevity. At the same time, the event envisages to promote the island's rich agricultural production and excellent quality of products."

New Democracy party deputy, former foreign minister and head of the Greek delegation at the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Dora Bakoyannis and distinguished Greek American writer Hari Mark Petrakis will be the recipients of the PAA's "Venizelio" and "Kazantzakio" awards, respectively, at Friday's event in Queens, New York, to be attended by a number of American politicians and members of the Greek expatriate community.

The Greek Diet and its benefits for health were also presented at an event held on Wednesday at the U.S. Congress, organised by the Greek Embassy in Washington in cooperation with the offices of deputies Joseph Crowley, Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney.

[45] Reactions to hikes in road tolls, highway project delays

"We consider any increase in road tolls inconceivable," said Central Greece Region authority chief Klearchos Pergantas in a letter to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis, complaining that the E-65 national highway had been "amputated". He also complained that the region was being "starved of funds" for roads due to a lack of political will.

"With just one look at the map, anyone can see that the city of Lamia is being strangled functionally and developmentally by the road tolls," underlined the city's mayor George Kotronias in his own letter the minister and the appropriate Parliamentary committee. He pointed out that the bulk of the city's traffic had now moved to the rural road network and residential areas and risked creating a new "Maliakos" that would claim hundreds of victims. Similar warnings were issued by the east central Greece technical chamber, which said that any decision to stop work on the E-65 highway would be "criminal".

[46] Attica residents protest at Afidnes road tolls

The municipalities of Oropos, Kifissia and Dionissos ratified the decision during the meetings of their municipal councils on Wednesday night. The three mayors informed the government's Committee and have initiated contacts with local MPs.

Residents of Oropos face the biggest problem and, according to the Oropos Mayor Giannis Oikonomakos, are surrounded by four toll stations at Afidnes, Polidendri, Malakasa and Avlona. The increase of the Afidnes tolls' price will raise the daily charge for those travelling to Athens on the tollway, while toll-free side street is daily blocked by cars but also large trucks.

The municipal council of Kifissia mentioned during Wednesday night's resolution on plans for tolls on slipways leading onto the motorway that "according to the legislation, they can only charge tolls on national roads."

The Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Michalis Chryssohoidis said to MP Giorgos Vlahos that "from all proposed amendments of the original concession, there is no differentiation of the original provision, providing the option to the concessionaire to impose tolls on slipways at overpasses."

[47] Jailed former minister's wife Vicky Stamati attempts suicide using sleeping pills

"Mrs. Stamati, as soon as she was informed that she will be transferred from the Korydallos women's prison to the Thebes women's prison, swallowed a large number of sleeping pills and immediately afterwards, with the care of the Korydallos women's prison infirmary was taken initially to the Korydallos detainees' hospital and from there to the Thriasio hospital, where she was hospitalised after emergency medical services were provided," the announcement said.

[48] Former AEK owner sentenced to 4.5 years

The court rejected all mitigating circumstances arguments and recognised jail time Psomiadis did in Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia, where he had fled to and from where he had been extradited to Greece in May 2012.

Psomiadis was found innocent of leading and participating in a criminal organisation, illegal betting and money laundering and found guilty on blackmail and giving and receiving graft in a series of games. In addition, he was assessed a 35,000 euro fine. The charges involved the period between 2008 and 2011.

The others found guilty include Constantine Riavoglou, Thomas Mitropoulos (former Egaleo/Ilisiakos FC president), Dionyssis Kotoulas (president of Anagennisi Karditsa FC), and Periklis Amanatidis (coach).

The court found another six defendants innocent of the charges, including Psomiadis' son.

Commenting on the verdict, Psomiadis said he was happy with the outcome, which put to rest the charges he was a criminal. "I am completely innocent and bear no relation to all this," he said, expressing satisfaction that his son was relieved of charges.

[49] Former Aspis Group CEO's family members arrested

Psomiadis' wife, daughter and son were arrested on charges of participating in a criminal organisation, of fraud, malpractice, embezzlement, money laundering and of complicity in such acts.

According to the case file, damages to Aspis shareholders and the state exceeded 200 million euros.

Psomiadis is serving an eight-year sentence for a fake letter of guarantee amounting to 550 million euros that he had provided to the committee overseeing private insurance companies in 2009. He is also being held on charges of defrauding shareholders of Aspis Capital.

He was recently served an additional sentence for embezzlement and money laundering involving an amount of 5.8 million euros, related to a subsidiary's share capital increase which, according to the charges, ended up in a personal bank account.

His family members will appear before a prosecutor shortly.

[50] Ring arrested for copper wire thefts

A 72-year-old owner of a scrapyard is the alleged ring's leader. His suspected accomplices are five Pakistanis, aged 25 to 36 years old, accused of stealing copper wiring from PPC installations in various areas of western Attica and especially in Aspropyrgos, Mandra, Elefsina and Megara. The stolen copper was stored in the 72-year-old's scrapyard to be sold for 5000 euros per ton.

According to the police, approximately 55 tons of copper had been sold during the last five months, with the ring earning more than 275,000 euros.

During the investigation, police found and confiscated eight tons of copper wires, a Makarov handgun and seven cartridges, a truck and three vehicles. In addition, the police solved a total of 68 cases of reported theft, specifically 39 in Aspropyrgos, 18 in Mandra and 11 in Megara, related to the ring's activity.

The six persons were taken before an Athens misdemeanours' court prosecutor while police are continuing to investigate any connection with similar cases.

[51] Downtown Athens metro stations to be closed on Friday

The metro stations will reopen following a decision by the Greek Police.

[52] Urban transport buses not running in Thessaloniki on Friday due to employees' labour action

The bus workers also agreed to a union request to operate just two buses serving the disabled, which will run after consultation with the passengers.

Weather forecast

[53] Fair on Friday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Crows over the red loans.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Tax exemption to illegal buildings.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: 15 changes in business and professionals' taxation.

ESTIA: Bold institutional interventions.

ETHNOS: The expensiveness cartel

IMERISSIA: The hour of the truth for the banks.

KATHIMERINI: European Commission sends positive messages ahead of troika's arrival.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Encouragement and sympathy from European Commissioners.

RIZOSPASTIS: Greek Presidency's (in EU) target the continuation of the antisocial policy.

TA NEA: How much tax you will pay.

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS

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