Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece could receive next tranche by year end, Dijsselbloem says

[02] Eurogroup awaiting troika briefing to determine Greece's progress, Dijsselbloem says

[03] Greece aims to receive 1.0-bln-euro loan tranche by year end, Stournaras says

[04] Dev't Minister presents Greek proposals for 2014-2020 NSRF programme funding

[05] French Minister for European Affairs in Athens

[06] Greece 'looks forward to completion of review', FinMin says before Eurogroup mtg

[07] PM Samaras receives European Jewish Council award

[08] Gov't Vice President, Environment Min. talk about household heating issue

[09] PPC will not cut electricity to weak citizens, ministry said

[10] Deputy Dev't minister on home foreclosures

[11] DIM.AR's tables amendment on banning foreclosure auctions for third time

[12] New tax in real estate less burdensome

[13] Public Order minister to attend policeman's funeral in Florina prefecture (UPDATE)

[14] Macedonia-Thrace Minister meets with US Deputy Sec'y of State Amanda Sloat

[15] 'Lafazanis' viewpoint is respected by has a minority appeal,' SYRIZA's parl. spokesman says

[16] Gov't spokesman on SYRIZA MP Lafazanis' statements on exit from eurozone

[17] Gov't spokesman: 'Tsipras seeks Greece's exit from the eurozone'

[18] Real estate tax amounts to seizure of citizens' property, SYRIZA says

[19] SYRIZA strongly criticizes the government's stance toward the troika

[20] Stopping austerity the key issue, SYRIZA's Milios tells ANA-MPA

[21] Independent Greeks party accuses the Government of 'taxes looting'

[22] KKE on the government-troika negotiations

[23] KKE delegation lodges protest over prosecutions of trade unionists

[24] International Anti-Corruption Day event in Parliament

[25] PASOK party disagrees with changes in mental health sector

[26] Confiscated Golden Dawn computers reveal additional evidence

[27] University staff announces two new 24-hour strikes

[28] University of Athens rector Pelegrinis receives extension to testify next Monday

[29] Book of Condolences for Nelson Mandela's death open at the South African Embassy in Athens

[30] ANA-MPA services to be interrupted for 15 minutes at midnight

[31] Greek Q3 GDP contraction eases to 3.0 pct y/y

[32] National Bank in negotiations with EU on its restructuring plan

[33] State moves to debtors' bank account seizures

[34] Bank staff union calls for job protection at suspended banks

[35] National Bank announces operational merging with Probank

[36] Piraeus Bank completes integration of former banks' systems

[37] SYRIZA deputies on institution of cooperative banks

[38] Moody's upgrades mortgage covered bonds of Alpha Bank, Eurobank and National Bank

[39] German institute foresees real income reduction of 6.2 pct in Greece in 2013

[40] Four thousand new jobs for young unemployed aged 29 or under

[41] Country's social insurance system at risk after 2015, according to INE-GSEE report

[42] OLP to brief EU officials on agreement with PCT

[43] Highest bid for Astir Palace Vouliagmeni at 400 mln euros

[44] Northern Greece enterprises less optimistic in November

[45] Deflation hits record -2.9 pct in November

[46] Greece among European countries with largest income inequality, says ELSTAT

[47] Low turnover in Greek media in Q3 2013

[48] Kanakis shareholder meeting approves share capital reduction

[49] Sidenor to participate in share capital increase of subsidiary

[50] Net foreign investment inflows outpace outflows for 13th consecutive month on ASE

[51] Wind buys 27 pct of Forthnet stock

[52] Athens Ledra Marriot to be renamed Athens Ledra Hotel

[53] Greek stocks recover to gain 0.47 pct

[54] Greek bond market closing report

[55] ADEX closing report

[56] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

[57] Minister chairs meeting ahead of harsher weather expected from Tuesday

[58] Low temperatures and icy conditions on central and western Macedonia roads

[59] 'Asterokosmos' Christmas park inauguration at TIF-HELEXPO

[60] Children will seek to convince businesses to help the SOS childrens' charity

[61] 'Food for love' documentary:The return of the Greek mother armed with tupperware

[62] Massachusetts event raises funds for 16-year-old Myrto

[63] Investigation underway to identify perpetrators of Paleo Faliro incident after authorities find car

[64] Deadly Marfin Bank arson trial postponed to May 2014

[65] Police arrests three persons alleged to be members of human trafficking ring

[66] Mayors, residents protest toll fees in Fthiotis

[67] 46 PAOK fans found innocent of damaging Golden Dawn offices in Thessaloniki

[68] Smog again engulfs city of Ioannina

[69] History of computers explored in Thessaloniki exhibition

[70] Coastguard arrests 74 illegal migrants in Igoumenitsa

[71] Buses, trolleys get trial wi-fi access

[72] Rainy on Tuesday

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

[01] Greece could receive next tranche by year end, Dijsselbloem says

Greek authorities are working with European Union officials but further progress is needed, Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem said Monday evening after the end of a session of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels.

He added that the next bailout loan tranche to Greece could be disbursed within the current year, provided that the country met the last prior action of the third assessment of its new programme, i.e. the restructuring of its defence industries.

As for the fourth assessment, Dijsselbloem said that this will almost certainly be moved over to next year.

"We are aware of the difficulties and know how sensitive the political situation in the country is," Dijsselbloem said, noting that austerity measures understandably created social tensions. He stressed, however, that there were still some structural actions which should be advanced and completed.

"It is certain that the new measures do not help defuse social tensions and therefore we are not asking for anything more than what has been agreed upon," the Eurogroup president commented.

For his part, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said that the troika representatives were expecting the Greek Parliament to ratify several legislative arrangements by the end of the year. He underlined that the efforts made by Greece and the Greek people had enabled the country to tackle some of its major problems and get back on a path to growth.

However, the reforms agreed upon should be decisively advanced, Rehn concluded.

Also, European Stability Mechanism (EMS) CEO Klaus Regling said that the 1.0-billion-euro tranche of bailout loans to Greece could be paid out by the end of the year.

[02] Eurogroup awaiting troika briefing to determine Greece's progress, Dijsselbloem says

Greece has made some progress but the exact extent will have to be confirmed by the representatives of the troika mission representing the country's creditors, Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem said as he arrived for a Eurogroup meeting on Monday.

"I hope that Greece has made sufficient progress. As far as I'm concerned, I would like the troika's review to be completed before the end of the year," he said.

He said the Eurogroup must first be briefed by the troika representatives in order to determine the likelihood of achieving an agreement within 2013.

Asked to comment on Greece's efforts to return to borrowing on the market, he described this as a "healthy stance" but noted that the country needs a lot of work in order to return to markets. Dijsselbloem also stressed that the Eurozone supports Greece and the Greek people in their effort to exit the crisis and bailout programmes, while stressing that it must stick to its commitments and "we will continue to support it".

[03] Greece aims to receive 1.0-bln-euro loan tranche by year end, Stournaras says

Greece's objective is for the 1.0-billion-euro bailout loan tranche to be disbursed by the end of the year, Finance minister Yannis Stournaras said in Brussels late on Monday evening, shortly after the end of the a Eurogroup session.

Stournaras stressed that the Greek authorities are very close to an agreement to satisfy the last prior action that concerns the restructuring of the Greek defense industries (EAS).

The minister explained that the solution proposed by the Greek government was to liquidate the EAS while in operation.

He added that the Greek side expected a reply from the troika of lenders by Tuesday, expressing his belief it would be a positive one.

Shortly after the end of the Eurogroup meeting Stournaras met with European Commissioner responsible for Competition, Joaquin Almunia with discussion between them focusing on the state subsidies taken by the defence industries.

As for troika's visit to Athens, Stournaras confirmed that negotiations will begin on Wednesday and would last for one week. He added that the troika would return to Greece in January, aiming to find a solution the soonest possible, perhaps in the first two weeks of January.

[04] Dev't Minister presents Greek proposals for 2014-2020 NSRF programme funding

Development and Competitiveness Minister Costis Hatzidakis said that all funds received would go to activities with a higher return on investment ratio, while the Greek periphery would absorb 35 percent of NSRF funds, over its 22 percent they handled under the previous programme, 2007-2013.

There will be no funding gap from the earlier NSRF programme to the new one, he asserted, and the transition would be smooth. The European Union was expected to approve the funding by the end of February 2014 and approve specific programmes by the end of June 2014.

"Thirty-two simplifying legislative acts on three laws already carried out were not deemed enough, because we are in the middle of a process," Hatzidakis said, "that is why all issues will be examined from the ground up and the stages of projects condensed, with deadlines and fines."

The funds are a tool, not a panacea, the minister noted, and said that according to the study carried out by McKinsey & Company for the programme ("Greece 10 Years from Now: Defining the New Model") sees the projects costing a total of 112 billion euros, while the funds available through the NSRF amount to 20.8 billion euros. "This 20.8 billion was not something easy, the amount was raised by 37 percent through the government's negotiations; however the present NSRF (programme for Greece) is lower than the preveious one," he noted.

Delineating the four large national investment programmes, Hatzidakis said they were as follows:

Competitiveness and entrepreneurship (this would absorb 25 percent of the funds); modernisation of the public sector (3 percent of funds); entrepreneurship in environmental projects and transport, covering either ongoing programmes or new ones, related to the country's international obligations (24 percent), with training and employment absorbing an additional 13 percent; and regional projects, with a doubling of expenditures for innovation and priority given to extroversion projects (35 percent).

In terms of regions, Hatzidakis said the European Social Fund would provide funding for regional social cohesion programmes. "Overall today the periphery managed 22 percent of NSRF funds, while under the new one they will handle 35 percent of the funds; despite a reduction in NSRF funds, all regions will have more funds available - at least, 15 per cent more than under the present programme, " he noted.

[05] French Minister for European Affairs in Athens

"Greece has to play a very important role during its EU presidency, and France will clearly stand by its side in order for it to succeed," said Repentin.

During his address at the event "France's opinion on the EU's future" at the French Institute in Athens, the French minister stressed that 2014 will be a year of growth and employment, especially for young people. He stressed that Greece will play a major role in this effort, in its role as the EU presidency, since processes in the direction of growth are underway and France stands at its side to ensure that the Greek presidency is successful.

"My presence here is a message of support for the Greek presidency," he added, noting that Greece now had the greater part of the crisis behind it.

"Greece made an extraordinary effort and the people have made great sacrifices. However, citizens of both Greece and France cannot just continue to make sacrifices, they need to recover the hope they have lost in the last years. In addition to fiscal austerity we need a powerful growth factor and France is commited to following this direction," said Repentin.

"It was difficult, but the answer is not populism and the far-right parties we have seen emerging, not just in Greece but also in the UK, Helsinki, Germany, Italy and, unfortunately, in France," he added.

Greece was now in the sixth consecutive year of recession but the signs indicated that this year would be the last, Repentin noted, while stressing that this had not been achieved without sacrifices. To make the EU a scapegoat, however, would be a serious mistake and harm efforts for economic recovery and employment, he added.

He highlighted the fact that Greece's presidency would be immediately followed by that of Italy, bothsouthern European countries on the shores of Mediterranean, and predicted that 2014 would be a "very useful year for Europe". He particularly emphasised the importance of policies to stem illegal migration in this context, noting that northern European countries further removed from the problems showed less sensitivity on this issue but the successive Greek-Italian presidencies might find help find a solution for the Mediterranean.

Outlining France's policy for Europe, he said France remains committed to a reorientation of European policy, with priority given to growth, boosting employment and strengthening the Eurozone. Banking union lay at the centre of this effort, he added, as well as a stronger social dimension.

Repentin particularly highlighted the need to fight tax evasion, currently estimated at around 1.0 trillion euros in the EU.

On the growth front, the minister said there would be a strong emphasis on investments, with the 2014-2020 framework as the main tool, noting that Europe will invest more in this period than the preceding 2007-2013 period. He also referred to the role of the European energy community, saying the Galileo programme will create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Diplomats, academics and journalists were among those attending the event, which was organised by the French Embassy in Greece and ELIAMEP (Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy). Eliamep president Lucas Tsoukalis coordinated the panel. Repentin is also scheduled to have a series of meetings with members of the Greek government.

[06] Greece 'looks forward to completion of review', FinMin says before Eurogroup mtg

"Greece has done a lot and we are looking forward to the completion of its review," Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said in Brussels on Monday, on his way to the Eurogroup meeting.

Stournaras also said that he expects a constructive discussion around Greece and on the issue of EU's banking integration.

[07] PM Samaras receives European Jewish Council award

The Council members presented Samaras with an award for his contribution to democracy and human rights. He is the third leader after the Russian president and Belgian prime minister to receive the EJC award.

[08] Gov't Vice President, Environment Min. talk about household heating issue

After the meeting Venizelos said that the phenomenon of "energy poverty", threatening all of Europe, cannot continue to exist in Greece and added that the government has prepared a "comprehensive intervention of social and enviromental sensitivity to tackle energy poverty in Greece".

Referring to a series of measures to be implemented, Venizelos noted that people to be included in the social rate pay scale will have the best possible treatment from the Public Power Corporation.

Despite the social intervention package, said Venizelos there is also the environmental dimension of the issue, as the state of smog created by burning various objects in fireplaces cannot possibly continue, and for this reason PPC offers an incentive with the government's intervention.

[09] PPC will not cut electricity to weak citizens, ministry said

He added that there will be a special discount up to 70 percent for churches, municipalities and non-governmental organisations. "We estimate that they correspond to more that 2,000-3,000 residences. They include soup kitchens, social groceries and social pharmacies," Maniatis said.

The Environment minister also announced that beneficiaries of state-subsidised customers will be provided with free electricity for double the days they are entitled to when the suspended particulate matter in the air exceed 150 mg / m3, to limit the use of fireplaces.

[10] Deputy Dev't minister on home foreclosures

Skordas asserted that the government's intention is to protect the first home of those who are in a precarious financial situation, including low and middle income households. Since 2009, he said, courts have issued 66,000 rulings for seizure of homes which have not been carried out because of the current protective laws in effect.

He added however, that within the so-called "Papathanasiou provision", used to protect a debtor's total asset holdings for loans up to 200,000 euros must not be maintained because it is "excessive" to provide protection for properties beyond the first home. There are 14,000 debtors covered under this provision, he added.

[11] DIM.AR's tables amendment on banning foreclosure auctions for third time

"The amendment proposed extends a moratorium on foreclosure auctions until 2015. Sufficient time is given for legislation to be introduced, which will deal with the issue of mortgage holders' protection in a comprehensive and realistic manner," said DIM.AR in its announcement.

The party also indicated that the amendment had been tabled in the past but was rejected by the minister responsible, who said that the subject will be re-examined by the end of 2013.

The amendment is being tabled again because the previous moratorium expires in a few days and, according to DIM.AR, the government has not clarified its position regarding the issue and the ECB/EC/IMF troika of lenders has asked for an ending of the moratorium on foreclosure auctions.

In another announcement DIMAR commented on a new property tax, indicating that "the government takes advantage of a real need, that of fair property taxation, to legislate for an unfair and high tax."

[12] New tax in real estate less burdensome

He also said that with the new tax in real estate, tax payers will have a 4.5 percent to 21 percent reduction in comparison with the surtax in real estate paid via Public Power Corporation (DEI) bills.

Lazaridis also clarified that tax for farm plots will be 2 euros per 0.1 hectare, when cultivated, but around 0.5 euro per hectare when the land is not.

[13] Public Order minister to attend policeman's funeral in Florina prefecture (UPDATE)

The policeman, Elias Kostenis, 43, was killed at Vrontero, near the Prespes lakes.

He was one of three policemen checking a hut where two Albanian nationals were hiding. The Albanians started shooting with kalashnikovs, killing Kostenis, and were both then killed by the other policemen, none of whom were wearing bulletproof vests. They had been checking out charges by Mikri Prespa Lake fishermen that Albanian nationals were crossing the borders and stealing their nets with fish.

Following the funeral, which will take place at Kostenis' home village of Itea, Dendias will visit Vrontero and the Prespes Lake area border patrol, where the policeman served.

The Ioannina prefecture police union, in a message expressing condolences to the slain policeman's family, also called on the government to help out the police do its duty "at the borders of Epirus with Albania, which are 254 km long, and where illegal activity is a daily occurrence." The rough terrain, they said, has become a 'passage' of sorts for Albanian criminals, who are mostly moving narcotics from Albania to Greece; from the beginning of the year, 9.2 tons of hashish and 2 kilos of heroin have been confiscated.

They also said that the police had to deal with "a barrage of break-ins at village homes near the borders, with the few local residents in the areas of Pogoni, Konitsa and Filiates living under constant fear," they said.

[14] Macedonia-Thrace Minister meets with US Deputy Sec'y of State Amanda Sloat

Sloat expressed the interest of US-based enterprises in investing in Greece, a result of the stabilised economic climate in the Greece, especially after the voting of the 2014 state budget, which foresees a primary surplus.

[15] 'Lafazanis' viewpoint is respected by has a minority appeal,' SYRIZA's parl. spokesman says

"Everything (SYRIZA leader) Alexis Tsipras says everywhere, express our collective, congress approved positions. The other viewpoint voiced by Panagiotis Lafazanis is respected but has a minority appeal," he underlined.

Papadimoulis added that "at this hour, with the assistance of Panagiotis Lafazanis we must work to implement quickly and with consistency everything that has been collectively decided".

"We will not meet our goals unless SYRIZA moves forward with seriousness, unity and extroversion. We will sink into introversion that will lead to detachment from the needs of the times," he underlined.

[16] Gov't spokesman on SYRIZA MP Lafazanis' statements on exit from eurozone

On Sunday, Lafazanis addressing SYRIZA's Central Committee said that "SYRIZA's preference is the implementation of an antimemorandum policy and programme within the eurozone, however, if we are blackmailed, coerced or threatened we will implement our antimemorandum programme".

Moreover, Lafazanis speaking to private TV ANT1 on Monday again left open the possiblity of Greece's exit from the eurozone.

In a fresh statement later in the evening, Kedikoglou said that "after Mr. Lafazanis, SYRIZA deputies - with the latest one being Mr. (Yiannis) Miheloyiannakis - successively reveal their secret agenda: to take Greece out of the euro. Luckily, the Greek people will never allow them to do so."

[17] Gov't spokesman: 'Tsipras seeks Greece's exit from the eurozone'

Earlier Kedikoglou had called on Tsipras to "clarify his position immediately." SYRIZA responded by saying that the meaning of democracy within a party, and the practices of open processes and of respect of minority opinoin and collective agreement, "are unknown to personality-attached and fossilised parties of the old bipartisan rule."

In the same announcement, SYRIZA said its positions and proposals "are known, it has presented them to the Greek people, and they are constantly winning its trust - and this is what makes the defenders of the memorandum panic."

[18] Real estate tax amounts to seizure of citizens' property, SYRIZA says

SYRIZA stressed that "this becomes even more frustrating and unfair as the government essentially demonstrates no intention to arrest big-time tax-evaders and control off-shore companies."

[19] SYRIZA strongly criticizes the government's stance toward the troika

"Wandering between the 'clashing rocks' of the memorandum and using as a compass its commitments to the troika, the government is unable to change course," a SYRIZA press office announcement underlined.

"The so-called "setbacks" in the government's negotiations with the troika do not challenge the agreement between them to continue the same memorandum policy. They only concern certain secondary aspects of the policy and how it will be communicated," SYRIZA underlined.

No real negotiation can take place for as long as the core of the memorandum is not being questioned, namely, the austerity measures and the tearing down of labour rights, the SYRIZA announcement concluded.

[20] Stopping austerity the key issue, SYRIZA's Milios tells ANA-MPA

A senior party official in charge of economic policy for the party, and member of SYRIZA's Central Committee, Milios underlined that the issue was not the currency but the policy, noting that the same austerity policies were being implemented in non-euro countries, such as Britain and Bulgaria.

He also returned to this theme when questioned about the disagreements within SYRIZA concerning the euro:

"Every country must overturn the policies for the redistribution of income in favour of the few, the policies of dismantling the social state, the policies of internal devaluation as their supporters like to call them. In this way, we will contribute to changing Europe. This is the contribution we aim at and we are certain that we will be able to achieve it very soon in our country," he said.

Milios insisted that the current coalition government's "political clock" will run out in May, when the EuroParliament elections take place. "Everyone knows this and this is why they are trying to get this extra time. For this reason, they voted for the budget that continues the same policy and forecasts a sudden rise in GDP growth of 0.5 pct, when all international organisations forecast a slowdown in the recession, but still a recession."

Concerning SYRIZA's economic programme, he said this would aim at growth through the recovery of employment, including raising the minimum wage back to 751 euros a month.

"If the employment market works, this will also have an effect on the average wage," he added, provided that state services and legality can be restored, including labour regulation mechanisms.

Regarding non-performing loans and primary residence foreclosures, Milios said that SYRIZA's plans included state mechanisms to support home owners genuinely unable to cope with their mortgage loans, as well as ways to lighten the burden for other categories of borrowers.

[21] Independent Greeks party accuses the Government of 'taxes looting'

More specifically, the Independent Greeks' parliamentary representative Notis Marias claimed in a statement that "as the Troika left to return immediately, the memorandum coalition with the budget of 2014 in hand, moves on without hesitation in tax raids on the Greeks' real property as well as the creation of thousands of homeless people with the thawing of first residence auctions."

[22] KKE on the government-troika negotiations

Therefore, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, and no matter which government will be negotiating, the result will always be anti-popular, KKE concluded.

[23] KKE delegation lodges protest over prosecutions of trade unionists

"We visited Justice Minister Mr. Athanassiou today and we addressed the issue of the prosecutions against union members, against struggling employees, farmers and students. The prosecutions are provocative and aim to make our movement submit to the government's choices," stated KKE deputy and member of the party's commitee Christos Katsotis, who led the delegation. He added that "there are major political responsibilities for this issue, because justice's goal is to condemn protests and struggles, to create a climate of fear and terror so that anti-popular policies can be passed."

Katsotis underlined that the workers' struggle cannot be stopped, and said that Athanassiou promised to look into the cases brought to his attention by the KKE delegation.

"We consider that these prosecutions must stop. The movement must face them militantly, decisively and collectively and must never stop struggling. The struggles must gather more and more power to put an end to the stripping of rights to salary and pension and the working and insurance rights of the people," he said.

[24] International Anti-Corruption Day event in Parliament

The phenomena of generalized trivialization of the political scene and populist practices that target members of the Parliament were condemned by the Parliament president, who underlined that "we are not proud when we see that certain of our colleagues, who have risen to public office, have taken advantage of the good faith displayed by society for their personal gain; but this is not the rule".

Referring to those who think that the current Parliament should assume a preparatory role ahead of a Constitutional revision, Meimarakis remarked that "a Constitutional Revision is not a panacea," noting that "there are provisions that can be used to handle issues effectively".

Speaking in defence of the MPs, he underlined that the 2002 Constitutional Revision tackled issues of impunity for politicians, noting that charges such as money-laundering and bribery cannot be written off. He said that only breach of faith charges can be written off under the statute of limitations.

Meimarakis underlined that issues like the election of the country's president directly by the people and whether a government minister can also be a member of the Parliament could be considered in the constitutional revision discussion.

The Parliament president noted that the source of wealth statements submitted by MPs are the only ones being crosschecked and all those currently in jail or called before justice are in this position as a result of this crosschecking process. He also said that those who check politicians should be beyond reproach and make their own source of wealth statements public.

Earlier, Administrative Reform & E-governance Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had noted that the time has come to begin public debate on issues that play a decisive role in transparency, including the division of the 2nd electoral district in Athens and all large electoral districts nationwide to limit the unavoidable movement of large amounts of political money.

He also said that article 86 of the Constitution on ministerial liability will have to be put to public debate, noting that it has been the political system's "sacred cow".

Mitsotakis briefed the MPs on the national plan against corruption, saying this will be based on preventive and suppressive measures. He referred to measures for effective disciplinary action against civil servants, the reinforcement of the Inspectors-Controllers Body for Public Administration, the improvement of the government's Diavgeia website and the simplification of procedures in public administration. "Any unnecessary signature is a likely breeding ground for corruption," he said.

Interior Minister Yiannis Mihelakis said that the present Parliament is "a preparatory Parliament ahead of a constitutional revision," noting the importance of institutional reform on institutions and values that led the country to the economic crisis.

He also referred to issues of political party financing and the reduction of state funding, transparency in private funding and the need for substantive inspection by an independent body.

Mihelakis underlined the measures taken to ensure transparency in local administration finances, the activation of the legitimacy inspector institution and the introduction of the municipal company registry to have a full view of their finances. He also said that measures will be taken to boost the double-entry system in local administration and introduce the source of wealth statement obligation in more categories of elected local administration officials.

On his part, General Secretary for Transparency and Human Rights Giorgos Sourlas said that the inspection of offshore companies is of major importance, noting that the people will not tolerate further delays.

Transparency International Greece President Konstantinos Bakouris expressed satisfaction over the new legislation on political party finances promoted by the government, commenting that until now the government and the opposition have not attempted to rally together on transparency issues.

The event was hosted by the Parliamentary Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency in cooperation with the ministry of administrative reform and the General Secretariat for Transparency & Human Rights.

[25] PASOK party disagrees with changes in mental health sector

In an announcement, the party stressed that psychiatric hospitals, which the government is attempting to abolish, are turned to by "the most sensitive group of the population, the mental patients who are increasing rapidly due to the economic crisis".

PASOK called on Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis "to immediately begin dialogue with the administrations and staff of psychiatric hospitals, as well as with the agencies of relatives of mental health patients, to enable the best possible solution to be found and the appropriate provision of services to be secured and the prospect of reintegration in society for mental patients".

[26] Confiscated Golden Dawn computers reveal additional evidence

Investigators said the huge volume of data collected from the computers of GD MPs Ilias Kasidiaris, Giorgos Germenis, Yiannis Lagos and Nikos Michaloliakos were crucial and of great importance for the progress of the investigation.

The electronic material includes photographs, videos and other evidence, which will be carefully examined by the two investigating magistrates. It is possible that the investigation may also yield evidence relating to additional suspects.

The evidence includes videos of new members swearing an oath of induction to the organisation, where they perform Nazi salutes and say: "I belong in Golden Dawn, because we are rebels. Let's kill the hidden Jew inside us." Other footage shows GD General Secretary Nikos Michaloliakos saying "our purpose is not to make those in the Parliament better or fix the corrupted political powers, which are finished, but rather finish them once and for all." In other videos, Michaloliakos said "they say that we are the evil fascists and nationalists. The truth is that they are right."

[27] University staff announces two new 24-hour strikes

"We believe the federation's decision is wrong and we are asking for the withdrawal of the mobility scheme," Zacharias Trigazis, board member of the federation said.

The federation of university staff had decided earlier on Monday to temporarily suspend their mobilisations, which began with the start of the academic year, noting however that they "remain in fighting alertness until the government applies its commitments immediately."

The university employees demand among other things that not a single university staff employee placed under the mobility scheme lose its job, that no employee who is not registered will be suspended or sent to the disciplinary board and, if placed under the mobility scheme, they will come under the conditions as their colleagues, to safeguard the smooth operation of the universities.

[28] University of Athens rector Pelegrinis receives extension to testify next Monday

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 strike situation at the university.

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

[29] Book of Condolences for Nelson Mandela's death open at the South African Embassy in Athens

The Book of Condolences is open every day, from 10:00 to 16:00, up until the day of former President Nelson Mandela's funeral on Sunday 15th December 2013.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS:

[30] ANA-MPA services to be interrupted for 15 minutes at midnight

Financial News

[31] Greek Q3 GDP contraction eases to 3.0 pct y/y

The decline, compared with a 6.7 percent slump in the same quarter last year, brings the economy's annual contraction pace in the first nine months of the year to 4.1 percent.

At current prices, GDP amounted to 48.692 billion euros and rose to the level of the 2011 first quarter. The Finance Ministry sees a marginal increase in GDP of 0.6 percent in 2014. The GDP fall in the third quarter is due primarily to the continued (albeit slower) decline in private investment and consumption.

[32] National Bank in negotiations with EU on its restructuring plan

The letter was sent by Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras after a question by Independent Greeks deputies who expressed concerns over NBG's plans to sell its subsidiaries and therefore reduce its activities and cause thousands of job losses.

According to the letter, NBG is currently in negotiations with the Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission so as to jointly decide on the bank's restructuring plan for the next years.

The Finance Minister also underlined the government's constant efforts to protect the banking system's stability and support Greek citizens who face difficulties in servicing their loans.

[33] State moves to debtors' bank account seizures

Under the system, inspectors from the tax service (DOY), the Financial and Economic Crime Unit (SDOE), and the authority on money-laundering offences will be able to get reports within 24 hours of an audited person's accounts and loans.

The system, a closed-circuit email service between the tax authorities and the banks will follow strict privacy data criteria and turn around tax inspections faster.

In a similar decision, signed by Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, there will be an electronic system giving the tax services the authority to order banks to seize bank assets of debtors - to the amount owed - within ten days.

[34] Bank staff union calls for job protection at suspended banks

"Following the decision of the Bank of Greece, what it matters for OTOE is the protection of jobs and employees' rights as well as the guarantee of deposits of the cooperative banks," OTOE notes.

The Bank of Greece on Sunday announced that it has revoked the operating licences of three cooperative banks -Western Macedonia, the Dodecanese and Evia. Deposits in all three banks are fully guaranteed and the total deposits - amounting to 400 million euros - will be undertaken by Alpha Bank, it said.

According to the central bank announcement, the decision was taken after deadlines given for the recapitalisation of the three banks expired without the necessary funds being raised.

[35] National Bank announces operational merging with Probank

As of Monday, December 9, all Probank's branches will operate through National's 540 branches and network of 1,400 ATMs.

[36] Piraeus Bank completes integration of former banks' systems

In an announcement, Piraeus Bank said that in 14 months six banks became one, benefitting the group's 6.9 million customers in total, a record time, it said, based on international standards.

As of Monday, the bank announced, customers of Millennium and Piraeus can use the updated network now including 960 branches, 2,060 ATMs and 400 Easypay machines. They are also able to use the Winbank online platform and other online services in common.

The consolidation includes the information systems of former ATEbank and the domestic networks of the former Elliniki Bank, the former Bank of Cyprus and the former CPB Bank.

[37] SYRIZA deputies on institution of cooperative banks

They added that "the problems faced by cooperative banks could have been resolved not by giving them money - since the 48 billion euros of recapitalisation went to four commercial banks - but at least some time to complete the necessary procedures".

According to Tsakalotos and Stathakis, both the government and the Bank of Greece took no legislative measures to support the banks' efforts, constantly delayed implementing the proposals submitted by the banks' administrations, while "they are insisting on a model with four private commercial banks, that is the same as the one that led to the crisis".

Lastly, the statement said "for SYRIZA, on the contrary, the institution of cooperative banks and the cooperative movement in general constitutes a part of the solution and not of the problem. The economy's productive reconstruction needs the cooperative banks as a supplementary funding pillar that would meet the needs of local societies, that the private commercial banks do not want or cannot do, in a pluralistic growth model".

[38] Moody's upgrades mortgage covered bonds of Alpha Bank, Eurobank and National Bank

[39] German institute foresees real income reduction of 6.2 pct in Greece in 2013

The real income of workers in Greece and Cyprus will be reduced by 6.2 pct and 8.5 pct respectively in 2013, according to Germany's Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI), which noted that wage reductions concern 12 of the 28 European Union member states.

According to the WSI analysis, workers in the countries of the European south will have the most dramatic reduction in their income, mainly because of the wage cuts in the public sector and the minimum wage reduction. However, income reduction is likely to be recorded in Holland, UK and Ireland as well.

According to WSI, Germany is among the few countries recording real income increase.

[40] Four thousand new jobs for young unemployed aged 29 or under

It is the second phase of the ministry's actions to assist the entry of young people aged 29 or under into the job market.

The aim is to create 4,000 new full-time salaried positions in private enterprises or with private-sector employers that have economic activity.

Unemployed young people of up to 29 years of age who have joined the programmes of the "Entry to the labour market" are those benefitting from the programme, while those who have already been hired by the enterprises in which they carried out apprenticeships also benefit.

[41] Country's social insurance system at risk after 2015, according to INE-GSEE report

The report underlined that by the end of 2015, state funding and social insurance contributions will not be adequate to cover pension spending.

According to the INE-GSEE report, new resources will have to be found by increasing the public property market value, as well as from gambling revenues, bank and public-run company profits, state procurement and public works, to deal with the adverse developments in the sustainability of the Greek pension system and achieve long-term sustainability and social effectiveness.

Based on the report, inflow-outflow balance will be extremely fragile in 2014-2015 and by the end of 2015 it will be overturned. Also, the demographic changes as a result of increased life expectancy and the simultaneous reduction in the number of births (population aging) contributes to a pension spending increase of 15 pct, while by 2050 it could reach 27 pct.

Developments as regards reserves would have be expected in 2025 if pension cuts and the increase in the retirement age had not been accompanied by an explosive unemployment rate increase. However, the prolonged and deep recession, coupled with unemployment, will bring developments ten years closer, in 2015.

Meanwhile, the unemployment index in 2013 rose to 28-29 pct, while unemployment increased 200 pct compared with the 2009 levels (threefold compared to 2009).

International organizations, such as, the International Labour Organization believe that unemployment will remain high (over 15 pct) at least until 2020, putting further strain on the country's social insurance system.

[42] OLP to brief EU officials on agreement with PCT

The new agreement, which has been sent for pre-contractual control to the Court of Audit and the EU Competition Commission, provides for the construction and exploitation of the West Pier III, the construction of a Petroleum Products Pier and the upgrade of Pier II and East Pier Container Terminal III with new mechanical equipment.

The rent, which is based on the turnover of Piraeus Container Terminal, remains unchanged (21 pct until 2016 and 24.5 pct as of 2017), while the conditional suspension of the guaranteed minimum price is offset by the increased annual, guaranteed capacity (4,750,000 TEU) of the piers.

According to reliable information, the European officials have been informed about the latest developments and expressed the view that the managers of the two companies should proceed with the agreement on a technical level.

[43] Highest bid for Astir Palace Vouliagmeni at 400 mln euros

The improved economic bids for the hotel resort were opened on Monday, in cooperation with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED).

Jermyn's offer of 400 million euros for 90% of Astir Pallas shares, in the form these will take after the completion of the transaction.

NBG and TAIPED boards are to convene this week to take final decisions, in accordance with the terms of the tender process.

[44] Northern Greece enterprises less optimistic in November

The NGBI-500 index, measuring business climate in the region, was -26 in November, compared with -20 in October and -23 in September. Analysts noted that it reflects the nervousness in economy, "probably a result of the long and unsuccessful negotiations with the troika over the last months."

A 15 pct of respondents said their company's situation was good in November, down from 19 pct in October, while 40 pct said their condition was satisfactory and another 45 pct said their situation was bad (up from 39 pct in October).

According to business expectations over the next six months, a 22 pct of respondents said their situation will improve, up from 14 pct in October. A 32 pct sees the situation to be stable and a 45 pct forecast a deterioration. For the third consecutive month in November, the percentage of enterprises intending to hire new staff has increased to 13 pct from 11 pct in the previous month. Those considering dismissals came to 18 pct in November versus 21 pct in October, the report said, while the majority of northern Greek enterprises (69 pct) said they would not change their workforce.

A 47 pct of enterprises said their sales reduced in November (44 pct in October), while another 15 pct said their sales increased (17 pct in October), while a 38 pct said they were stable (down from 39 pct in October).

[45] Deflation hits record -2.9 pct in November

According to ELSTAT, the deflation rate increase in November 2013 compared to the same month last year was due to: a drop in the food & beverages price index (-1.2 pct), caused by lower prices for fresh fish and fresh produce prices; a 11.5 pct decline in clothing and footwear prices; a 0.5 pct decline in housing price index due to lower rents; a 3.6 pct slump in the household goods and services price index due to discounts; a 2.7 pct fall in transportation due to lower fuel prices; a 4.2 pct decline in communication; a 3.1 pct reduction in entertainment; a 4.2 pct fall in education; a 2.9 pct decline in hotels/cafes/restaurants prices and a 4.9 pct decline in the other goods and services' index.

These were offset by a 3.5 pct rise in alcohol and tobacco prices and a 0.3 pct rise in the health price index.

[46] Greece among European countries with largest income inequality, says ELSTAT

According to ELSTAT, the data for the year 2012, based on incomes in 2011 and the income share of the wealtiest 20 pct of the population receiving the highest income, is 6.6 times larger than the share of the poorest 20 pct of the population. In addition, the 25 pct of households earning the lowest income accounted for 8.7 pct of Greece's GDP, while households with the highest inflows account for 47 pct of GDP. At the same time, financial inequality for persons above 65 years of age is estimated at 4.5, the same with previous year, while for persons under 65 years old there was an 1.1 increase to 7.4 in relation with 2011 data.

ELSTAT conducted the survey using the income quintile share ratio (S80/S20). This ratio refers to the total equivalised disposable income received by the wealthiest 20 pct part of the population of the top inter-quintile interval, to that received by the poorest, lowest inter-quintile interval 20 pct part of the population.

Another indicator used by ELSTAT in order to conduct the survey was the inequality of income distribution ratio (GINI coefficient). In 2012 GINI reached 34.4 pct which means that a random choice of two people will result in a difference between their income of 34.4 pct. Measures indicate a rise of GINI from 2008 when it had reached 33.4 pct.

According to ELSTAT's survey table and based on S80/S20 ratio, the "champion" of income inequality is Spain with 7.2 points, followed by Greece with 6.6 points. Norway is the country with the smallest income inequality (3.2). GINI places Greece in the fourth worst position on a European level, with Latvia scoring the poorest percentage of 35.9 pct and Norway again achieving the best score with 22.6 pct.

[47] Low turnover in Greek media in Q3 2013

Specifically, the data published by the Greek Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) showed the following:

The turnover rate in the films, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing fell by 11.4 percent in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the corresponding rates of the third quarter of 2012, and with a decline of 5.0 percent recorded during the corresponding period in 2012 to 2011.

The turnover rate in programming and broadcasting fell by 12.6 percent in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the corresponding ones of the third quarter of 2012, compared with a decline of 13.8 percent recorded in the corresponding period in 2012 to 2011.

[48] Kanakis shareholder meeting approves share capital reduction

The reduction of the share capital shall be performed through a respective reduction of the registered value of each company share per 0,08 euros, namely from 0,74 euros to 0,66 euros, and by returning the capital through cash payment to shareholders, amounting to 0,08 euros per share.

[49] Sidenor to participate in share capital increase of subsidiary

Upon completion of the aforementioned share capital increase, the Jostdex Ltd share capital will amount to 33,000 euros, divided into 33,000 registered shares of nominal value of 1.0 euro each, while the share premium reserve will be set at 1,367,000 euros.

Sidenor's participation in the subsidiary will reach 98 percent.

[50] Net foreign investment inflows outpace outflows for 13th consecutive month on ASE

Foreign investors put 232.6 million euros into the market in total during the month, while Greek investors were net sellers, with 218.47 million euros leaving the market. Foreign investors carried out 68.1 pct of all transactions in November 2013.

The participation of foreign investors in the total capitalisation of the Greek market has risen to 48.5 pct, up from 48.0 pct at the end of October. Taking into account the share of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) in the market's total capitalisation, however, the total share of foreign investors drops to 29.4 pct, reduced by 2.6 pct compared with October when it was 30.2 pct.

Turnover in November was 3,058.34 million euros, down 22.9 pct from the previous month but up 118.2 pct year on year from November 2012.

The market's total capitalisation at the end of the month is estimated at 63.67 billion euros, up 1 pct compared with October 2013 and a massive 106.9 pct compared with November 2012.

[51] Wind buys 27 pct of Forthnet stock

[52] Athens Ledra Marriot to be renamed Athens Ledra Hotel

[53] Greek stocks recover to gain 0.47 pct

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +0.32%

Commercial: +3.89%

Construction: -0.96%

Oil & Gas: -0.40%

Personal & Household: +1.81%

Raw Materials: -0.64%

Travel & Leisure: -0.23%

Technology: -1.43%

Telecoms: +2.86%

Banks: +1.91%

Food & Beverages: -1.81%

Health: -1.27%

Utilities: +1.96%

Financial Services: -1.56%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.59

Public Power Corp (PPC): 10.98

Coca Cola HBC: 19.98

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.44

National Bank of Greece: 4.40

Eurobank Properties : 8.29

OPAP: 9.80

OTE: 9.34

Piraeus Bank: 1.53

Titan: 20.50

[54] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank rates, interest rates remained virtually unchanged. The 12-month rate was 0.519 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.439 pct, the six-month rate was 0.334 pct, the three-month rate was 0.248 pct and the one-month rate was to 0.191 pct.

[55] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 12,244 contracts worth 4.461 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank's contracts (4,850), followed by National Bank (1,135), MIG (1,269), Piraeus Bank (1,254), OTE (738), OPAP (719), PPC (669), Mytilineos (211), GEK (206), Hellenic Petroleum (179), Motor Oil (149), Ellaktor (136) and Hellenic Exchanges (126).

[56] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.392

Pound sterling 0.850

Danish kroner 7.572

Swedish kroner 9.089

Japanese yen 143.45

Swiss franc 1.241

Norwegian kroner 8.554

Canadian dollar 1.485

Australian dollar 1.532

General News

[57] Minister chairs meeting ahead of harsher weather expected from Tuesday

Dendias underlined the need for close cooperation and better coordination of the various agencies involved, stressing that citizens must feel that the state is at their side and that they can depend upon it, during their time of need and in the present economic crisis.

According to the weather service, temperatures will gradually drop and there will be strong winds ranging from 6-8 Beaufort from the afternoon in eastern and northern parts of the country, where snow is expected on higher altitudes.

Snow may also fall in the mountains in Attica during the night, while temperatures will range from 4C to 15C and rain is expected from the afternoon.

Cloudy weather and strong northwesterly winds are also expected in Thessaloniki, with temperatures between 3C and 12C.

[58] Low temperatures and icy conditions on central and western Macedonia roads

Ski resorts of Seli and 3-5 Pigadia in Naoussa and Kaimaktsalan are closed while the ski resort of Vasilitsa near Grevena is open.

Very low temperatures prevailed in the city of Florina (-4C) and in Grevena (-3).

[59] 'Asterokosmos' Christmas park inauguration at TIF-HELEXPO

People of all ages and city authorities participated in the inauguration of the biggest Christmas theme park in the Balkans, organized by Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF)-HELEXPO.

Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Theodoros Karaoglou lit the Christmas tree of Asterokosmos wishing that 2014 is a better year. Activities and offerings for children include a carousel, the elves' tunnel, red elephants, donuts and live music by the band Paranaue.

Both the President of TIF-HELEXPO Tasos Tzikas and CEO Kyriakos Pozrikides expressed the hope that people enjoy Asterokosmos. Attendees were impressed by the ice city, the house of Santa Claus, the represenation of Christ's birth and the acrobatic performances. Other attractions included two ice rinks, Karagiozis shadow puppet shows and many children's rides.

The entrance ticket costs six euros for adults and older children (children under a metre in height go in free) and the entrance ticket includes free parking. Special rates also exist for groups.

Hours vary but the theme park will be open late every night as well as on Christmas and New Year's Eve.

[60] Children will seek to convince businesses to help the SOS childrens' charity

The children will answer the question "Is charity a luxury in times of crisis?" and will present the unsung heroes of their lives, in an attempt to convince large Greek companies' representatives to help the SOS villages.

The University of Macedonia, in cooperation with the Ideas Foundation in the UK, organized this innovative program for the first time in Greece, aiming to find bright children with leadership ability and help them become levers for change in science, politics, businesses, social actions and family.

The program has been running since autumn 2013 and children will be selected through a series of oral exams.

[61] 'Food for love' documentary:The return of the Greek mother armed with tupperware

This characteristic relationship between the mother and her children, which surpasses even the well-cooked food, is explored in Marianna Oikonomou's documentary "Food for love", about to be displayed on Wednesday at Cinedoc, at the French Institute in Athens.

The camera recorded three mothers, two in Athens and one in Agrinio, as they were preparing the tupperware for their children, who were in Scotland, Romania and Giannena. "I tell him: I have artichokes, meat, apple pies, raisins. And he starts growling, but when he sees them he is happy," narrates one of the mothers in the movie, while trying to hide the food in the suitcase.

The Greek mother is a rare breed, but far from endangered. "This encouraged me to make a documentary. I thought that it was something very traditional, but it turned out to be the opposite," said Marianna Oikonomou to the ANA-MPA. "When I started watching my friends sending tupperwares with spinach pies without being noticed, I confess that this phenomenon intrigued me and I wanted to further explore it," she added.

"Food for love" had high audience ratings last August, when it was screened at the "Arte" French-German channel, during an all-day tribute to Greece. The comments at the foreign festivals where the movie was presented, were "something between very funny and strange," said the director, explaining that "foreigners wonder how it is possible for Greek mothers to still see their children in this way, at this age. In the movie, I try to go deep into the psychology of the Greek mother. What does the food mean in the relationship with her child. We know that food has a symbolic dimension and in reality the Greek family is connected through food."

In a question asked by the ANA-MPA regarding the judgement of this kind of relationship in the movie, Oikonomou replied that "clearly there are issues to be judged. But I tried not to judge it, because the messages and the emotions are multi-leveled. It would be very easy to make a movie and present this phenomenon as something oppresive, authoritative, that it destroys children etc. Of course it is true, but there are many other things that are reciprocated."

"Food for love" has no scenario, interviews and experts. "This is the way I make documentaries. I usually watch everything that happens at that time," reveals Oikonomou, also director of "Sfaktiria Street" and other awarded documentaries.

[62] Massachusetts event raises funds for 16-year-old Myrto

More than 500 people, most of whom were young men and women, attended a charity event in Massachusetts organised by a group of young people calling themselves "The friends of Myrto," under the auspices of the New England Union Federation.

The purpose of the event, as stressed in a report in the expatriate newspaper "Ethnikos Kyrikas" of New York, was to raise money for the financial support for 16-year-old Myrto Papadomihelaki, who is being treated in Boston.

Myrto Papadomihelaki is being treated at the "Spalding" clinic in Boston since last June, following devastating head injuries inflicted during her encounter, in the summer of 2012, with Pakistani illegal immigrant Ahmet Vakas. At the time, Myrto was on vacation on the island of Paros, with her mother and her elder sister.

Greece is covering the cost of treatment at "Spalding" that amount to several hundred thousand euros, while the New England Federation will cover the expenditures for the purchase of the special Tobii Speech Recognition Device apparatus to enable her to communicate, as well as of the operation that she underwent in early December.

The event was attended by the 16-year-old girl's mother, Maria Kotrotsou, who thanked the expatriates for their support.

[63] Investigation underway to identify perpetrators of Paleo Faliro incident after authorities find car

Attica security police have not ruled out the possibility that one of the suspects may have been injured bacause, according to sources, traces of blood were found in the car they were riding. The car was found at around 13:30, behind the "Metropolitan" private hospital, in Eleftherios Venizelos street.

The sensational car chase began when policemen of a DIAS police patrol, investigating complaints of a spate of burglaries in Piraeus area, spotted a suspicious-looking car with three to four individuals riding inside, near the Municipal Theatre's square and signalled that it should stop for inspection.

Instead of complying, the driver picked up speed in order to escape and rammed one of the policemen's motorcycles, without inflicting any injuries. According to other reports, the car's passengers shot against the police. The policemen returned fire, but the perpetrators escaped, abandoned their car and disappeared.

The Attica Crimes against property department is conducting a preliminary investigation into the case, whereas the car is being examined at forensic service labs.

[64] Deadly Marfin Bank arson trial postponed to May 2014

The incidents took part during a protest against the loan memorandum agreed between Greece and its troika of lenders in downtown Athens and in Marfin's case led to the death of three people who were trapped in the flaming building.

Both incidents are being tried under the same case file and the two defendants had been set free on conditions.

According to the Misdemeanours Council issued in May 2013, one of the two defendants is charged with being the main instigator along with two more people, who remain unknown, of throwing molotovs against the Marfin branch on Stadiou Street, while the other person is charged with attacking the bookstore with another three unknown people.

According to the judicial council that ordered the trial, both defendants were in the same group of masked-faced people carrying sticks, clubs and sledgehammers. The group split into two sections, each heading at one of the two targeted locations.

Both charges include the creation and use of an incendiary device, while in Marfin's case the defendant is also charged with murder. The council, in its decision, wrote that the intention of the Marfin Bank attackers was to "kill everyone in the two-storey building" and said that the fact the defendant did not manage to cause the death of all 24 bank staff was not due to lack of intentiona but to external obstacles.

Both deny the charges, while the one on murder trial has provided evidence he claims show that at the time the fire broke out at the bank he was elsewhere.

[65] Police arrests three persons alleged to be members of human trafficking ring

A police operation was launched on the weekend in the city of Orestiada(Northeastern Greek borders) and the three suspects were arrested while attempting to put on board an urban bus two undocumented migrants in order to send them to Thessaloniki.

At the same time, police raided an appartment in Thessaloniki and found 22 undocumented migrants from Syria.

According to police the appartment was rented by the Iraqi national and was as a hideout for undocumented migrants.

A search in the suspects' residencies led to the confiscation of 4,300 euros in cash, two laptops, receipts from a money transfer company totalling 8,823 euros and bus tickets.

The suspects will be sent before the Thessaloniki prosecutor while police is conducting an investigation to locate two other persons alleged to be also members of the ring.

[66] Mayors, residents protest toll fees in Fthiotis

The demostrators said that the rise in fees would wreak havoc in the area, by pushing heavy trucks and others to circumvent the toll stations and use rural roads instead, increasing traffic and damages to the local road network.

They asked that ways be found to improve traffic through the prefecture, as the side roads called for in reports have not been completed, that fee reductions be provided on the Athens-Lamia national road, and that residents be allowed to travel between towns without paying tolls.

[67] 46 PAOK fans found innocent of damaging Golden Dawn offices in Thessaloniki

A street battle had broken out between PAOK and the party following an upload of a photograph by PAOK player Ergus Kace, an Albanian national. The clash between the two led to the party's offices being attacked with rocks and flashbangs.

The fans rejected the charges of disturbing the peace and violating the law against flashbangs.

[68] Smog again engulfs city of Ioannina

According to measurements at Ioannina University, the atmosphere contains 100 micrograms of suspended particles per cubic metre of air, or double the acceptable rate, according to a statement made to the ANA-MPA by Physics professor Pavlos Kasomenos.

The phenomenon appears to be more intense from 19:00 in the evening until daybreak.

Severe cold and low temperatures have led the inhabitants of Ioannina to resort to lighting fireplaces and stoves all day. The lack of wind in the region traps smoke in the Ioannina plain and, as a result, there is a high concentration of suspended particles in the atmosphere.

[69] History of computers explored in Thessaloniki exhibition

Exhibits include computers from the '70s, '80s and '90s, including "Commodore Pet" computer model with a 1MHz processor and a weight of 30 kilos as it is made of metal and opens like a car bonnet. The model single-colour graphics and data transfer to tape.

Computer enthusiasts will also see an "Apple II" model with a 4KB memory, which was the first Apple computer with a keyboard and a box, an "Acorn BBC Model B", whose price reached 235 pounds during its heyday, selling over 1,5 millions pieces around the world.

In addition, the exhibition will present ATARI consoles that children will have the opportunity to play with.

The aim of the exhibition is to allow older visitors to "travel" back to the past and for younger visitors to see the collectible machines and learn the history of computers.

The exhibition will be open to the public on Friday through Tuesday, from 10:00 until 20:00.

[70] Coastguard arrests 74 illegal migrants in Igoumenitsa

The drivers of the three trucks and another passenger were arrested and the vehicles were seized.

[71] Buses, trolleys get trial wi-fi access

The measure will be tried on trolley number 6 and bus line number 302. Passengers will be allowed to connect at speeds up to 4G, wherever there is a network signal.

OSY wants to expand the service to as many buses and trolleys as possible, it said.

Weather forecast

[72] Rainy on Tuesday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Riot police gives lesson of violence to 15 year-olds.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Civil servants can recognise up to ten years of work within the next twenty days.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: The new pensions for those that will leave in 2014.

ESTIA: IOBE's (Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research) proposal for taxation.

ETHNOS: Ultimatum to EOPYY (National Organisation for the Provision of Healthcare Services) doctors.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Troika plays tactical games with the Greek programme.

TA NEA: The whole context of real estate single tax bill.

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