Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-12-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't to table draft bill extending home protection to end-2014

[02] Greece's fiscal adjustment unprecedented, Stournaras says

[03] Alt. Defence Minister Gennimata outlines deal for Hellenic Defence Systems

[04] Deputy FM presents Greek EU presidency's priorities in Brussels

[05] EuroParliament International Trade Committee chair holds press conference in Athens

[06] FM Venizelos takes initiatives on Serbia and Albania's European perspective

[07] SYRIZA will abolish all mass layoff laws when it comes to power, party spokesman says

[08] Parliament votes against inquiry into shipyard/submarines contracts

[09] Defence Minister Avramopoulos briefs parliament on submarines issue

[10] AN.EL leader Kammenos backs SYRIZA's proposal for a parliamentary investigation into the submarines' case

[11] KKE Parliamentary group leader Papariga on the submarine case investigation proposal

[12] Former defence ministry official Antonis Kantas remanded in custody

[13] Parliament votes to suspend Golden Dawn state funding

[14] Public Order minister against sending ministry theft data to parliament

[15] ND responds to former minister Liapis' arrest over fake licence plates

[16] Prime Minister Samaras' intervention on the Liapis case

[17] KKE's Koutsoumbas comments on Liapis, MP source of wealth statements

[18] Health Minister Georgiadis meets with EOPYY doctors

[19] Supreme Court prosecutor orders inquiry into 'back door' public-sector jobs using courts

[20] Mayors of two major cities reject the interior ministry lists of employees in mobility scheme

[21] KKE on the 2013 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

[22] Winter semester at UAthens Law School forfeited, faculty officially acknowledges

[23] Athens Mayor lashes hospitals for disposing dangerous hospital waste as ordinary refuse

[24] Justice minister announces launch of tender for e-justice system

[25] European Commission approves funding for electrical network expansion

[26] Greek privatization agency chief says investment sentiment in Greece has improved

[27] Bank of Greece: Real estate prices down 38 pct since the beginning of crisis

[28] Bank of Greece sees limited average wage reduction in 2014

[29] Troika looms as an obstacle, EVEA head says

[30] Greece's bad loans ratio rises to 29.3 pct

[31] Industrial energy consumers ask for lower tariffs

[32] TIF-Helexpo renames trade show centre in Attica to 'Helexpo Maroussi'

[33] Bank of Greece account for money raised by acts of crime against state

[34] Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have lowest internet access rates in EU

[35] Operations suspended for 10 companies with illegal labour

[36] KONE Greece acquires ThyssenKrupp Elevator Hellas

[37] Greek bourse eases 0.04 pct lower

[38] Greek bond market closing report

[39] ADEX closing report

[40] Siberia's Greeks keep 'flame' of Greek culture burning through ice sculpture on Olympics theme

[41] Unesco event celebrates 150 years since Constantine Cavafy's birth in France

[42] Hungary presents Visegrad-4 exhibit on show at Newplan gallery

[43] Lawyers ask for racism motive in death of Pakistani national

[44] Online application for marriage, divorce and Athens Archdiocese baptism certificates

[45] Foreign missions commit 151 traffic code violations in 2013

[46] Hydrofoil runs aground near Poros

[47] Human skeleton found on Cephallonia

[48] Cloudy with rain over Aegean on Thursday

[49] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Gov't to table draft bill extending home protection to end-2014

The draft bill aims to deal with a freeze on forfeitures that runs out on December 31, 2013 and will extend the measures to December 31, 2014. It will be discussed under emergency procedures in committee on Friday and in plenum on Saturday prior to a midnight vote.

According to the main provision, seizures and ensuing auctions of first homes will be suspended to end-year 2014, as long as certain criteria are fulfilled. These include that the home is not worth over 200,000 euros; family net income for all family members does not exceed 35,000 euros; total family assets do not total or exceed 270,000 euros (deposits and movable assets may not exceed 15,000 euros); and that for certain categories of people - families including three or more children and any person with disabilities above a certain level (67 percent) - the above ceilings are raised by 10 percent.

Hatzidakis said that despite the government's efforts, no agreement was reached with the troika of Greece's creditors on the issue, especially over the transitional regulations that were extended to end-2014. "We explained at the start of negotiations that the government cannot accept the general lifting of the freeze on auctions, as the troika requested," the minister noted.

According to ministry data, he said, the transitional regulations will cover 90 percent of the cases, in both low- and middle-income levels, and assessed that there would probably be no auctions anyway. Hatzidakis said that protecting those who could actually pay their debts could not continue, and said that those not meeting the criteria of the draft law could resort to older laws still in effect which provide court protection for people unable to meet loan payments (Laws 3869/2010 and 4161/2013).

The minister also provided examples of payments based on salaries that met the criteria set in the draft bill which he said included provisions for debtors who were wage earners, pensioners and unemployed with other sources of income.

[02] Greece's fiscal adjustment unprecedented, Stournaras says

Greece has achieved an unprecedented fiscal adjustment, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said in a video taped message on the 15th Investment Forum Capital Link, on Tuesday.

"Greece is implementing the most challenging economic adjustment programme of modern history," Stournaras said adding that the country is entering an era of opportunity and will claim a significant place in the global economy.

Over the last seventeen months, the government has accelerated fiscal consolidation, improved competitiveness and implemented structural reforms in several sectors, he noted, while the primary deficit has declined by about 10 percent of GDP - the biggest and fastest ever recorded adjustment by an OECD economy.

[03] Alt. Defence Minister Gennimata outlines deal for Hellenic Defence Systems

Speaking to VIMA FM private radio, Gennimata said that the company will have three plants and will be able to produce weapons and ammunition, adding that it will supply the Greek armed forces and keep its 500 employees.

She also said that it will continue its exports and the taxpayer will not be burdened, while employees will be given a voluntary departure option, clarifying that it will be in the form of "a small assistance to those who are close to retirement".

Gennimata underlined that it is important "to win this bet and succeed, not because it is a company of major importance for the armed forces and the country's defence policy, but because, as the finance minister has said, if this effort succeeds it could serve as an example in future restructuring efforts."

As regards the restructuring plan, she referred to the positive role of the company management, noting that the strike for unpaid wages had stopped after a settlement reached with the employees and production got underway. She also said that three important export deals were reached with major companies, one of them in the United States, noting that this proves the real potential of EAS S.A.

[04] Deputy FM presents Greek EU presidency's priorities in Brussels

Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas on Wednesday presented the priorities of Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2014 in Brussels.

Kourkoulas said that the current economic and financial crisis demands that the Greek presidency work to protect the common currency, to deepen economic and monetary union, deal with recession and unemployment and the phenomenon of migration.

In light of this, he added, the Greek presidency's first priority will be the implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs, with actions to promote growth focusing on improving access to loans for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and the youth unemployment initiatives, as well as action to deal with the social repercussions of the crisis.

The second priority will be deeper EMU, in the context of which the Greek presidency will seek to promote negotiations for banking union based on decisions reached by the ECOFIN Council on Wednesday. Kourkoulas said the Greek presidency will seek to strike a balance between stability and solidarity, with emphasis on the social aspects of EMU and measures to boost transparency, accountability and the principle of representation in the operation of the Eurozone.

A third priority will be tackling illegal migration with respect for human rights and promoting legal migration and mobility, as well as synergies between migration and growth. Among others, the Greek presidency will work to prepare a successor to the 2010-2014 Stockholm Programme for the period 2014-2018, in which it will emphasise cooperation with third countries in the handling of migration flows and an increase in funding for EU countries facing exceptionally heavy migration inflows, as well as the Common Asylum Policy.

In this context, he said that the creation of a working group for the Mediterranean was an important first step in making it understood that migration must be dealt with at its source.

Lastly, Kourkoulas said, the Greek presidency will place emphasis on EU maritime policy and its importance for EU growth and prosperity, as well as increasing the security of the EU's maritime borders. He said Greece will seek to redesign EU maritime policy before the European Council in June 2014, so as to include issues of security, energy, tourism, transport and a European Strategy for the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, in addition to the developmental aspects.

The deputy minister said that a total of 14 ministerial meetings will take place in Athens in the first half of 2014, 35 high-level meetings, 57 working group meetings and 33 conferences and seminars.

Lastly, he said that Greece will work for the institutional equality of all EU member-states.

[05] EuroParliament International Trade Committee chair holds press conference in Athens

Clarifying, he said this was because this was the first Greek presidency after the Lisbon Treaty, which gave the European Parliament greater decision-making powers, but also because the presidency's "useful" span will be cut short due to EuroParliament elections taking place in May.

Among issues that the Greek presidency will be called on to handle in the area of trade are promoting trade agreements and agreements for the protection of investments with third countries that are major trade partners of the EU member-states.

The Portuguese politician noted that international trade was an area where the 'added value' that the EU gives its member-states is most obvious, since in negotiations it represents the world's largest market in terms of population and purchasing power.

He also noted that such trade agreements were the only way to enforce adherence to rules concerning Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographic Indication products, which were of great interest to the European south.

The EU Parliament delegation led by Moreira met Development and Competitiveness Minister Costis Hatzidakis and Deputy Development Minister Notis Mitarakis on Wednesday morning, as well as Greek businessmen.

[06] FM Venizelos takes initiatives on Serbia and Albania's European perspective

He also asked the envoy to inform Belgrade about his plans to visit shortly after Greece takes over the European Council presidency.

A foreign ministry announcement said Venizelos also instructed the Ambassador to convey the Greek government's and Greek people's congratulations on the new phase that Serbia is entering, which he said will have a positive effect on the Western Balkans region's European perspective. The Greek foreign ministry underlined that progress in Belgrade-Pristina talks is a historical event.

In addition, Venizelos instructed Greece's Ambassador in Tirana Leonidas Rokanas to inform the Albanian government on the position asserted by Greece at Tuesday's EU General Affairs Council, in favor of immediately granting Albania EU candidate status. Seeking a compromise between the different views of the 28 EU member-states, the Council decided to discuss the adoption of this decision before the end of the Greek Presidency, in June 2014.

Greece is ready to provide all possible assistance to Albania to meet the requirements demanded by the EU, the foreign ministry said.

[07] SYRIZA will abolish all mass layoff laws when it comes to power, party spokesman says

"Every law can be abolished in the same manner it was voted in," he said, adding: "It would be unthinkable if SYRIZA did not prioritize the right to work, therefore I would say it's self-evident that if a law allowing mass layoffs is passed, we will abolish that option with (another) law. This is one of our priorities."

Referring to party leader Alexis Tsipras' meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Skourletis said that Tsipras had noted that anything related to mass layoffs and the issue of forfeiture of first homes "cannot pass with legislative acts. Tsipras told the president directly that there should be an end to the undermining of the state's functions and that the president himself must, within his given powers, express his opinion."

The opposition's tabling in Parliament of an amendment on home forfeitures he said was "the minimum that had to be done to create a protective shield for those who took out loans and the least that could be done as a proposal inviting agreement by other political powers."

Speaking about the party's proposal for a parliamentary investigation into submarine procurements, Skourletis said that "The Greek people ought to know that no one can play games against Greek tax payers; there is a political, economic and ethical issue (here)."

[08] Parliament votes against inquiry into shipyard/submarines contracts

The MPs voting against were those of the ruling New Democracy-PASOK coalition government, opposition Democratic Left (DIM.AR) and the independent MPs Andreas Loverdos and Christos Aidonis.

There were 120 votes in favour, with the proposal backed by MPs from SYRIZA, the Independent Greeks, Golden Dawn, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Independent Democratic MPs and independent MP Theodora Tzakri.

The roll-call vote had been preceded by an acrimonious debate in Parliament, during which SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras stressed that "the Greek people have a right to answers about the colpo grosso on the German side. You can't sweep four submarines under the rug."

Among others, he accused PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos of having a "guilty stance" and said that the prime minister's failure to give Parliament answers concerning his government vice-president extending the responsibilities to him as well.

Addressing MPs, he stressed that they had two choices before them: one was to investigate the truth and the second was to go along with a cover-up. He stressed, however, that the truth in this case could not be concealed for long.

Replying in Parliament government Vice-President and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos accused Tsipras and his closest aides of acting independently of SYRIZA to serve interests that were adversaries of the Greek state and had been harmed when he was minister.

He insisted that the negotiations with the German side for the shipyards and the submarine contracts had saved the company and been beneficial for the Greek state.

Briefing Parliament in detail about the case earlier in the debate, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos had opposed conducting a Parliamentary investigation.

"At this moment, it will not be set up to help, and that's why it won't be backed by the government and the party of New Democracy," he said.

He also briefed the Parliament of the background of the case and his own actions since 2011, when he took over the defence ministry. He explained that he had invited the shipyards' owner to participate in efforts to find a solution that would protect the taxpayers' money and lead to the delivery and activation of the four submarines. This process had led to an impasse, he added, for which Hellenic Shipyards S.A were responsible.

The minister said that there was a huge problem in the enforcement of the specific contract as a result of the behaviour of the private investor. He noted that the Greek state will have to defend its property and interests using all legal means against the shipyard owner, without any delay.

In terms of assigning responsibility, Avramopoulos noted that a number of damning verdicts had been issued by Greek justice in connection with this case and an investigation was underway. He expressed the view that justice would be better served by letting the courts do their job rather than involving Parliament, adding that this sensitive issue that was "so serious, costly and necessary for the country's defence" did not lend itself for party political tacticism.

The defence minister also noted that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will support and protect the interests of the domestic defence industry during the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2014 and at the Summit meeting taking place in Brussels on Thursday, which will focus on the reinforcement of the European defence industry through small and medium-sized enterprises.

Support for SYRIZA's proposal was expressed by opposition Independent Greeks (AN.EL) leader Panos Kammenos, who accused the coalition government parties of covering up "the submarine scandal" and voting against an inquiry in order to protect Venizelos.

He noted that in the year 2000, when he was a ND MP, he came close to being expelled from the party because he had tabled a question in Parliament challenging the validity of the submarines' contract. He also pointed out that the decision for the submarines was made by the members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) and not by (the jailed former defence minister) Akis Tsohatzopoulos on his own. Among those with a share of responsibility he named former premier Costas Simitis and former ministers Yiannos Papantoniou and Nikos Christodoulakis.

"The scandal continued right up to Venizelos," he added, while acknowledging that former defence ministers Spilios Spiliotopoulos and Evangelos Meimarakis had refused to accept the submarines in question.

Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Parliamentary group leader Aleka Papariga said her party was in favour of a Parliamentary investigation but criticised SYRIZA's proposal as "extremely shallow politically". She clarified that KKE will vote in favour of the proposal, despite the fact that her party and SYRIZA have different aims, since SYRIZA is targeting the government and her party wanted the abolition of anti-popular policies.

[09] Defence Minister Avramopoulos briefs parliament on submarines issue

Avramopoulos said that the parliament wants the issue to be solved and rejected the proposal to set up a parliamentary investigation committee by saying that "at this moment, it will not be set up to help, and that's why it won't be backed by the government and the party of New Democracy (ND)".

He briefed the parliament of the background of the case and the moves he made since 2011 when he took over the ministry of defence. He said that as soon as he took office he invited the owner of the shipyards to participate in an effort to find a solution that would protect the taxpayers' money and lead to the delivery and activation of the submarines but in the process an impasse was reached for which the Hellenic Shipyards S.A were responsible.

The minister said that there is a huge problem in the enforcement of the specific contract as a result of the behaviour of the private investor. He noted that the Greek state will have to defend its property and interests using all legal means against the shipyard owner, without any delay. He also clarified that the country's defence industry and employment in the sector are the basic pylons of the ministry of defence.

Avramopoulos called for "a policy that will have the political parties' support," noting that "we should avoid becoming ourselves part of the problem".

As regards the responsibilities of those who have created the problem, he referred to a number of damning verdicts by the Greek justice, underlining that an investigation is under way. He also expressed the belief that justice in this case would be better served by the judiciary branch instead of by the parliament, noting that the duty of the political forces, in this crucial period for the country, is to set aside any political party strategies for an issue that is "so serious, costly and necessary for the country's defence".

The defence minister also noted that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will support and protect the interests of the Greek Defence Industry (EAV) during the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2014 and at the Summit meeting taking place in Brussels on Thursday that will focus on the reinforcement of the European defence industry through small and medium-sized enterprises.

[10] AN.EL leader Kammenos backs SYRIZA's proposal for a parliamentary investigation into the submarines' case

Addressing Parliament during the discussion on the main opposition Radical Left Coalition's (SYRIZA) proposal to set up a Parliamentary investigation committee, he lashed out at the political parties in the coalition government by saying that they will vote against it to protect government vice-president and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos.

He said that back in the year 2000, when he was a ND MP, he came close to being expelled from the party because he had tabled a question in Parliament challenging the validity of the submarines' contract. He noted that the decision for the submarines was made by the members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) and was not a decision exclusively made by (the jailed former defence minister) Akis Tsohatzopoulos. He said that the then Prime Minister Costas Simitis had given his approval, adding that other sharing in the responsibility included the former ministers Yiannos Papantoniou and Nikos Christodoulakis.

"The scandal continued right up to Venizelos," he said, adding that he has to acknowledge that the then defence ministers Spilios Spiliotopoulos and Evangelos Meimarakis had refused to accept the submarines in question.

[11] KKE Parliamentary group leader Papariga on the submarine case investigation proposal

She clarified that KKE will vote in favour of the proposal, despite the fact that her party and SYRIZA have different aims.

Papariga also noted that the problem with the shipyard and submarine contracts is timeless and underlined that the Parliamentary investigation committees never dug too deep to trace political responsibility or possible criminal liability.

She said that SYRIZA is targeting the government, whereas her party wants the abolition of the anti-popular policy.

[12] Former defence ministry official Antonis Kantas remanded in custody

The sum of roughly 14 million dollars was transferred to the above account from offshore companies that appear to be owned by Kantas, who served at the ministry of defence in 1996-2002.

The decision to hold him on remand was made for procedural reasons, despite the fact that his testimony before Magistrate for Corruption Gavriil Mallis has not been completed and will continue on Thursday.

Kantas is accused of money-laundering and bribery and, according to sources, he has given information on millions of euros in "black money", as well as, on at least eight armaments programmes when millions of euros changed hands under the table.

He also gave specific information on individuals who had the role of middlemen.

Kantas, who served at the ministry of defence under Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Yiannos Papantoniou, gave information on more than 10 offshore companies he was using to hide illegally earned money. He has also named the lawyer who helped him set up the offshore companies and at least five representatives of offshore companies managing millions of euros of illegal money.

His defence lawyer said that the amount of 13.7 million dollars found in Singapore will be returned to the Greek state, as well as another two million dollars kept in two bank accounts in Singapore and Switzerland.

Kantas had also been arrested a few months ago on charges of bribery, money-laundering and direct complicity to commit breach of faith with former defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos. The charges related to over 500,000 euros found in one of his bank accounts that were linked to the "Hermes 2" armaments programme for the extension of a military telecommunications programme assigned to Siemens. After his testimony Kantas was released with conditions, after posting a 500,000-euro bail.

[13] Parliament votes to suspend Golden Dawn state funding

Out of a total of 272 MPs, 241 voted for the suspension of state funding to GD, while 26 voted against and five abstained, stating "present."

[14] Public Order minister against sending ministry theft data to parliament

"The case is under investigation and therefore providing further details in this period is not permissible," he noted, responding to press reports that there was a theft on the 7th storey of the building housing the ministry.

[15] ND responds to former minister Liapis' arrest over fake licence plates

Liapis was stopped over a traffic violation and found to be driving an uninsured car under fake licence plates. He also did not have his driver's licence with him and had not registered his car as a luxury vehicle.

"Politicians must give the right example," the party secretary said. Unfortunately, such acts give a bad example and infuriate people even more," he added.

Former ND secretary Manolis Kefalogiannis said that Liapis was a private citizen, not a party official. He added, "I think this story does no justice to Liapis. I hope he has adequate explanations to give. He is not a party official," he said, adding, "At any case, the trial needs to be done and let him say what there is to say, but it is something that has saddened us and hurt us."

Liapis served as minister for ND twice, first as culture minister and then as transport minister.

[16] Prime Minister Samaras' intervention on the Liapis case

The prime minister's intervention was prompted by the arrest on Tuesday of former transport minister Mihalis Liapis, who was caught for driving an uninsured car with false number plates and for not having his driving licence after running a stop sign.

Among crimes in this category are forgery, false statement, extortion and fraud.

[17] KKE's Koutsoumbas comments on Liapis, MP source of wealth statements

Speaking on the private television channel Mega, Koutsoumbas said that people should turn their back on neo-Nazi criminal organizations like Golden Dawn.

He also referred to the large bank accounts belonging to main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) cadres, as shown by their source of wealth statements, saying that such issues cause rage and indignation and underlined that KKE has been talking for years about the rotten and corrupt system.

He said that KKE wants a new social system that will guarantee the prosperity of the people.

[18] Health Minister Georgiadis meets with EOPYY doctors

The health minister noted that the new Primary Healthcare Organization will be in operation by the end of January and announced that dialogue will be launched on Friday.

After the meeting, Georgiadis said that doctors do not wish to have their work relation with the new health system changed to full-time and exclusive employment, noting that those without a private practice will be included in the new health system.

[19] Supreme Court prosecutor orders inquiry into 'back door' public-sector jobs using courts

According to a report in the press, contract workers secured permanent public-sector jobs through scams involving justice, in which judges, lawyers and mayors were all involved.

[20] Mayors of two major cities reject the interior ministry lists of employees in mobility scheme

Speaking in an extraordinary city council meeting called to discuss the interior ministry list with the 667 municipal employees who will have to be transferred to other municipalities, Athens Mayor George Kaminis noted that in 2010 the City of Athens had 12,000 employees, whereas today it employs roughly 7,500 people, 1,100 of which are contract workers that are employed on a temporary basis.

Kaminis said that the interior ministry list is based on an algorithm that does not take real facts into consideration because, in the calculation are included extraordinary personnel and school guards on reserve, while the employees who retire are being left out, underlining that roughly 500 municipal employees have retired in 2013.

Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris has also rejected the interior ministry list with 321 employees, who are regarded as redundant and will have to be transferred to other municipalities, noting that if the decision is implemented the municipality will be unable to function.

He said that the list was put together without taking into consideration that 100 people have retired in the past few months, while 180 municipal police officers and 160 school guards were affected by the labour reserve measure.

Event on the role of society in facing corruption by the National Coordinator for the fight against corruption and the General Secretariat of Media.

An event on 'the role of society in facing corruption' is to be held on Thursday evening, from 18:00 until 21:00 in the premises of the Media General Secretariat in the Athens district of Kallithea.

The event is organized by the National Coordinator for the fight against corruption and the media secretariat and aims to raise public awareness about the work and role of the fledgling institution of the National Coordinator for the fight against corruption, mobilising public against the phenomenon.

Speeches will be given by Parliament President Evangelos Meimarakis, the National Coordinator for the fight against corruption Ioannis Tendes, Thrace University Rector, Konstantinos Remelis, Professor of Criminology at the Law School of Athens Nestor Kourakis, who also chairs the board of the National Coordinator against corruption, Greek Ombudsman Kalliopi Spanou, a member of the Coordinating Committee of the National Coordinator against corruption, Titan SA board member Theodoros Papalexopoulos, an honorary doctor of the Department of Banking and Financial Management of the University of Piraeus and honorary chairman of the " Citizens' Movement for an Open Society ," while a short greeting will be given by secretary of General Media, Dr Ioannis Panagiotopoulos.

As an independent agent of the state for the fight against corruption, the National Coordinator has a primary and fundamental responsibility of formulating the National Strategy for the prevention and suppression of corruption at all levels of government (political, governmental, judicial, administrative), monitoring and evaluating its adjustment, and coordinating all stakeholders.

[21] KKE on the 2013 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

KKE added that "the intensification and deepening of the capitalist crisis, in addition to even greater aggressiveness of capital against workers, wars and imperialist interventions, poverty and reactionary regimes, are the reasons for an increasing number of people leaving their home countries for a better and safer life."

Noting that, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration, in 2013 more than 7,000 migrants may have perished at sea or while crossing deserts trying to reach a safe heaven, KKE stressed that "the EU, being supposedly shocked at the hundreds of dead in Lampedusa (Italy), is about to take even tougher measures to prevent and check migrants in southeastern sea borders."

[22] Winter semester at UAthens Law School forfeited, faculty officially acknowledges

The UoA Law School professors met in secrecy to ensure that their meeting would not be interrupted by students and to prevent any form of pressure.

The majority of the professors backed the decision, underlining that it was necessary to salvage the school's prestige. For the same reason, the Law School administration decided that the semester will not be forfeited in the case of foreign students on the Erasmus programme.

[23] Athens Mayor lashes hospitals for disposing dangerous hospital waste as ordinary refuse

Attica Waste Disposal Management (EDSNA) during a macroscopic inspection, found approximatelly 10 tons of potentially dangerous hospital waste - including blood-soaked bandages, tubes etc - mixed with domestic refuse. The Attica Environmental Inspectorate, the police and the Public Prosecutors Office were informed and five garbage truck drivers were arrested.

"Public and private hospitals are following a path of insanity. They tricked us and these people were arrested. We express our support towards them," Kaminis said during the proceedings of the city council.

More than 20 tons of dangerous hopsital waste have been found by ESDNA during inspections. According to ESDNA President Ioannis Sgouros, incidents of hospital waste disposal mixed with domestic refuse tend to happen on a daily basis.

[24] Justice minister announces launch of tender for e-justice system

The project is part of the ministry's e-justice strategy and is envisaged to be carried out in 16 months after the contractor is selected. It involves the development of software and IT systems and has a total budget of 10.97 million euros, including VAT.

The work is to be partly funded from the 'Digital Convergence' programme within the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), the European Regional Development Fund and national funds.

Financial News

[25] European Commission approves funding for electrical network expansion

The European Commission approved investments by Greece and the EU for electric power infrastructure projects, during its meetings on state subsidies.

The projects are worth 112 million euros in total, of which 36 million euros will be provided by Greece and EU infrastructural funds. The Commission approved seven projects that will expand the Greek power network. In its decision, the Commission said the subsidy will promote basic energy targets and main environmental policies of the European Union, without affecting competition in the domestic market adversely.

"The specific state funding will help Greece expand and strengthen its power network," Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Competitiveness Joaqu?n Almunia said; "this will strengthen competition among electric power suppliers and benefit consumers from the differentiation of energy sources."

The Greece-EU subsidy (36 million) will be used to expand a 400kV transfer line in eastern Macedonia and in Thrace, and to build another high-voltage substation in the area. This will facilitate the scheduled linking with Bulgaria and will contribute to the eventual linking of the Greek power supply system with the corresponding one in Turkey, strengthening the EU's link with Asia through Greece.

It will also fund the construction of another high-voltage substantion in the Peloponnese that will be able to support renewable sources facilities as well as serve as a possible linking point for Crete, which is not connected to that grid now and will help reduce cost and environmental repercussions on the major Greek island, which is still using diesel for its fuel production.

Included in the subsidy total is the laying of subterranean cables to cover needs in densely-populated areas of Athens and Thessaloniki and very popular tourist destination such as Iraklio.

[26] Greek privatization agency chief says investment sentiment in Greece has improved

"There is improved sentiment about investing in Greece," Taprantzis said adding that six months or a year ago investors were coming to Greece asking for returns on investment of 30 percent, which was surreal.

According to the report, officials at the privatization fund met with billionaire hedge-fund manager John Paulson in New York earlier this week. HRADF officials said that funds such as Paulson & Co. and Third Point LLC have expressed interest in Greek assets.

The Greek fund is seeking to raise 3.6 billion euros from privatizations by 2014, a goal Taprantzis called "ambitious."

Greece plans to sell stakes in two ports in mid-February and aims to conclude the sale next month of Hellenikon SA, a property which at 6.2 million square meters is more than three times the size of Monaco.

Paulson bought shares in Alpha Bank in the third quarter as part of the lender's recapitalization, a report to clients in October showed. His firm, which manages 18 billion dollars, also bought warrants to purchase 7.41 additional shares for each common share.

Third Point's manager Daniel Loeb said in April that it's starting a hedge fund focused on buying Greek assets after a bet on the country helped drive gains last year for his $11.7 billion investment firm.

[27] Bank of Greece: Real estate prices down 38 pct since the beginning of crisis

More specifically, the total decline in apartment prices has reached 32 percent (or 37.6 percent in real terms), while data from real estate agencies show an even greater reduction, Bank of Greece notes.

They biggest decline was recorded in the two major urban centers Athens (-32.7 pct) and Thessaloniki (-38.0 pct).

The decline in real estate prices continued in the first nine months of 2013. Based on data from credit institutions, apartment prices fell in nominal terms at an average annual rate of 11.6 percent, 11.8 percent and 9.2 percent in the first, second and third quarters of 2013, respectively, compared with 11.7 percent in 2012.

[28] Bank of Greece sees limited average wage reduction in 2014

Labour cost per unit is expected to fall by 1.7 percent in the whole economy and by 2.2 percent in the business sector next year, reflecting higher productivity growth. In 2003, the average wage fell by 7.4 percent due to measures to boost labour market flexibility and fiscal adjustment, Bank of Greece noted.

[29] Troika looms as an obstacle, EVEA head says

Austerity upon austerity does not bring the desired results, Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEA) head Constantinos Michalos said at ANA-MPA on Tuesday during the 15th Investment Forum Capital Link.

"Thanks to heavy sacrifices by the Greeks, the country has achieved a primary surplus, and instead of having the troika to help in this development effort, they loom before us as an obstacle," he noted.

Michalos said that 2014 will be a promising year provided European partners change their minds. "We cannot continue in this recessionary environment," he added.

[30] Greece's bad loans ratio rises to 29.3 pct

The ratio of non-performing business loans to total business loans rose to 29.2 percent in June 2013 from 23.4 percent in December 2012. Non-performing housing loans came to 24.0 percent from 21.4 percent in the same period and non-performing consumer loans also increased to 43.8 percent from 38.8 percent.

The non-performing loans provision coverage ratio fell to 48.3 percent in June 2013 from 49.1 percent in December 2012, underlining the need for banks to form high provisions to cover credit risk.

Bank of Greece noted that it will continue to act with a view to maintaining the stability of the banking system, protecting depositors and creating long-term sustainable financial institutions with strong capital base, while maintaining healthy competition in the banking system.

[31] Industrial energy consumers ask for lower tariffs

"We are asking for the implementation of a national energy policy that will provide the domestic industry with an electricity cost comparable to that of our international competitors," the union said. "Otherwise manufacturing companies will have to react in order to protect the thousands of workers," it added.

[32] TIF-Helexpo renames trade show centre in Attica to 'Helexpo Maroussi'

Its managing company, International Fair of Thessaloniki (TIF)-Helexpo, said the trade fair location would be renamed to highlight the municipality it belongs to - a practice followed for similar-use buildings - and in order to recognise and strengthen collaboration with city authorities.

The new name will also point to TIF-Helexpo's collaboration with Maroussi, where the main Olympic Games facilities are located, and which lies at a strategic road location in Attica. Helexpo Maroussi, formerly Helexpo Palace, was originally called Eska.

[33] Bank of Greece account for money raised by acts of crime against state

The account funds will be used for welfare, health and education infrastructure.

[34] Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have lowest internet access rates in EU

The countries where internet access rates are highest, by contrast, are the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Scandinavian countries with percentages over 90 pct. In Greece however, submission of tax returns via the Internet (63 pct) is now extremely common, with the European average at 42 pct.

[35] Operations suspended for 10 companies with illegal labour

Following inspections by the Labour Inspection Body (SEPE), the companies were found to have employed a total of 20 foreign nationals without work permits.

[36] KONE Greece acquires ThyssenKrupp Elevator Hellas

"Contrary to the general trend, KONE believes in Greece and is further strengthening its position in the market of lifts", the company managing director for Greece and Cyprus Stelios Anastasiadis said. "Thanks to the merger of ThyssenKrupp Greece with KONE Greece, we are now a strong player who will remain and will grow in the Greek market," he added.

[37] Greek bourse eases 0.04 pct lower

The Large Cap index ended flat and the Mid Cap index rose 0.72 pct. Terna Energiaki (2.90 pct), Corinth Pipeworks (2.44 pct), PPC (2.38 pct), Coca Cola HBC (2.01 pct) and Eurobank Properties (1.97 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while MIG (-3.99 pct), OPAP (-2.53 pct), Frigoglass (-1.75 pct), NBG (-1.69 pct) and Folli Follie (-1.51 pct) made the biggest losses.

The sectors with the biggest percentage gains during the day were Utilities (2.13 pct) and Foods (2.01 pct). The sectors with the biggest losses were Travel & Leisure (-2.27 pct), Retail (-1.49 pct) and Banks (-1.03 pct).

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 80 to 61, with another 30 issues unchanged. Ktima Lazaridi (21.55 pct), Medicon (20.00 pct) and NEL (19.12 pct) were top gainers, while PC Systems (-20.00 pct), Geniki (-19.97 pct) and Athina (19.78 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices on Tuesday ended as follows:

Industrials: 0.20%

Retail: -1.49%

Construction-Materials: -0.84%

Oil & Gas: 0.23%

Personal & Household: 1.14%

Raw Materials: 0.17%

Travel & Leisure: -2.27%

Technology: 0.79%

Telecoms: 1.21%

Banks: -1.03%

Food & Beverages: 2.01%

Health: -0.27%

Utilities: 2.13%

Financial Services: -1.33%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OPAP, OTE, Hellenic Petroleum, Piraeus Bank and PPC.

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

Alpha Bank: 0.586

Public Power Corp (PPC): 10.76

Coca Cola HBC: 19.75

Hellenic Petroleum: 7.77

National Bank of Greece: 4.08

OPAP: 9.65

OTE: 9.37

Piraeus Bank: 1.44

Titan: 19.20

Eurobank Properties : 8.29

[38] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank rates, interest rates were marginally reduced. The 12-month rate fell to 0.565 pct from 0.567 pct on Monday, the nine-month rate fell to 0.487 pct from 0.49 pct, the six-month rate rose to 0.393 pct from 0.39 pct, the three-month rate was 0.298 pct and the one-month rate fell to 0.245 pct from 0.243 pct.

[39] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 51,184 contracts worth 19.069 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank contracts (12,643), followed by MIG (8,092), OTE (6,580), Piraeus Bank (4,673), GEK (3,469), NBG (2,641), Mytilineos (2,267), Intralot (1,752), Sidenor (1,586), PPC (1,560), OPAP (1,228), Hellenic Exchanges (658), Motor Oil (693), Eurobank (498), Metka (491), Folli Follie (331), EYDAP (323), Corinth Pipeworks (311), Hellenic Petroleum (306), Ellaktor (279), OLP (237), Frigoglass (168), Titan (138), Terna Energiaki (113).

General News

[40] Siberia's Greeks keep 'flame' of Greek culture burning through ice sculpture on Olympics theme

The Greek cultural organisation "Elpida" has been operating here for 20 years, is active in the region and ready to organise, within 2014, the 11th International youth festival entitled "The Echo of Greece".

"The "odyssey" of Siberia's Greeks and the town of Novosibirsk had and still has as its destination the "Ithaca" of Greek consciousness and knowledge, our ancestors' history and culture," said Marina Pusic-Trofimuk, President of the "Elpida" organization, to the ANA-MPA.

On Christmas Eve, Pusic-Trofimuk will deliver a lecture on Greek culture in the local prison facility. "Prisoners asked me to do it, because Greek culture is of a great interest. Inside the prison, where these people are, they wanted to feel more festive, listening about Greece and its history," added Pusic-Trofimuk.

The "Elpida" organization connects the Greeks with philhellenes, aiming to keep the Greek spirit alive in town. Marina Pusic-Trofimuk is also a musicologist, pianist and a Greek language school teacher. "I do what I can. The little Greek that I know, I pass on to my students with great passion and love and they learn. Perhaps I also pass on to them my love for Greece and this surely helps," said Pusic-Trofimuk.

The "Elpida" president's Greek roots are traced back to Mariupol, Ukraine. Her grandparents moved to Siberia during a great plague in the 1930s.

Greeks associate Siberia with severe winter, polar bears, Stalin's gulag prisons and Theodoros Kourentzis, a famous Greek composer and artistic director of Novosibirsk's opera. "We met with Theodoros...he was raised in Greece, loved Siberia very much and we are proud to have a Greek conductor in our country," said Pusic-Trofimuk.

It might seem strange, but Greeks of Siberia consider this place as their true homeland and they don't plan on leaving to settle in Greece. "We love Greece, but our life is here. We established our organization through initiatives by the city's Greeks - Symeon Ioannidis, director and producer who died a few years ago, Anton Papadopoulos, director of the state hospital and Andrei Nekrasov, a doctor," stressed Pusic-Trofimuk.

Ancient Greece and the Byzantine culture has taken root in this far-flung corner for many decades now, starting with the classical education offered in Siberia's schools since the 19th century.

This year's International youth festival is dedicated to Symeon Ioannidis, founder of the Greek club as well as a director and actor. The festival is divided into three periods. The first is from 6th until 18th of January 2014, including the international children and adolescents' painting competition, with the theme of "Sochi winter Olympics and Paralympics 2014". The fourth Greek- Roman wrestling tournament will take place in March, while an artistic, dance and theatre teams competition and Greek cinema mini-Festival will take place in October.

Other highlights include an ancient Greek state sculpted entirely of ice that was built in Yamal Peninsula, located in northwest Siberia. The creator-sculptor recreated ancient Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the news was broadcasted by all Russian media, becoming one of the week's highlights.

Greeks of Siberia show that Hellenism does not freeze even at the most inhospitable and remoted corners of the world.

[41] Unesco event celebrates 150 years since Constantine Cavafy's birth in France

Ambassadors of many Unesco member-states, French philhellenes and ordinary citizens who admire Cavafy's poems attended the event.

Unesco Greek Ambassador Katerina Daskalaki stressed that Cavafy's poetry is eternal. University Professor Konstantinos Kaiteris presented the poet's life and work, stressing its deep, Greek consciousness as a man of the Greek diaspora, although Cavafy was born and died in Alexandria. "The vision of Hellenism for Cavafy was connected with the Greek culture and language and not the place of birth or blood ties," added Kaiteris.

Many of the 154 poems by Cavafy have been translated into - at least - 35 languages.

Cavafy's universality was highlighted with a poetry reading by young people in the Greek, French, Spanish, English, Russian and Chinese. The poems selected were: "Ithaca", "Walls", "Thermopylae" and "Candles".

During the event, Carl Henrik Svenstedt's "Reading Cavafy" video-documentary was shown.

[42] Hungary presents Visegrad-4 exhibit on show at Newplan gallery

Ambassadors of the V4 member-states - Hanna Sevcikova (Czech Republic), Eszter Sandorfi (Hungary), Maciej Krych (Poland) and Peter Michalko (Slovakia) - were present.

The "Visegrad Karma" exhibition represents a time period of political changes when the fight for free speech and democratic movements played an important role in the four countries. Hungarian ambassador Sandorfi, representing the acting V4 presidency, underlined in her opening speech the importance of the Visegrad cooperation as a successful example of European integration and a tool to promote growth and stability in the central European region.

The exhibition can be visited free of charge at the Newplan Gallery (Vassileos Alexandrou 2 & Niriidon, behind the National Gallery) between December 16 and 27 December. Opening hours are Monday-Saturday (Dec. 16-23), 10:00-20:00; Dec. 27, 10:00-14:00.

[43] Lawyers ask for racism motive in death of Pakistani national

Lukman Shahzat, 27, was killed on January 17, 2013 in the Petralona district of Athens when he was on his way to work as a labourer. He was on a bicycle when he was stopped by the defendants, Dionyssis Lakopoulos and Christos Stergiopoulos, who knifed him several times.

According to the case files, a search of their homes yielded weapons and pamphlets by Golden Dawn. The two defendants asked for the racism motive not to be recognized - a motion that was rejected - and said they bore no relation to the party. They also said they had no intention to kill, but that the death occurred after an argument with the victim.

Shahzat's parents are also expected to testify at court.

During the trial, antiracism organisation members, university students and members of the Pakistani community had gathered outside the building, calling for the punishment of the defendants.

[44] Online application for marriage, divorce and Athens Archdiocese baptism certificates

The Archdiocese of Athens has signed a contract with "Byte Computers ABEE", a listed company on the Athens bourse, to carry out the project, which is partly funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) with 1.4 million euros.

Chronis Tsianakas, an Athens Archdiocese Press and Internet officer, told the ANA-MPA that the programme has already being applied as a pilot scheme for the citizens of ten parishes, who are able to apply for marriage licences and various certificates over the Internet. It will now be extended to 166 parishes in Athens.

[45] Foreign missions commit 151 traffic code violations in 2013

The figures were presented in response to a relevant question by New Democracy (ND) MP Andreas Psycharis, who had requested to be informed whether traffic violations had involved vehicles of foreign diplomatic missions in Athens and in how many instances fines were imposed and collected.

Of the 151 violations committed in the period between January 1 and December 12, 148 concerned illegal parking, one was over use of mobile phone while driving, one for violation of articles 12, 19 and 33 of the traffic code and one for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dendias said that fines were imposed in all cases, while the driver who was caught intoxicated was arrested and led before a prosecutor.

In his question, Psycharis had noted that "certain foreign diplomats in Greece behave as if they were in a colony," noting that often they park on sidewalks blocking the way to pedestrians and people with disabilities.

[46] Hydrofoil runs aground near Poros

The six-member crew remained on board, which was released with the help of nearby ships and sailed to Poros.

[47] Human skeleton found on Cephallonia

The skeleton, possibly of a man, has not been identified yet.

According to Lixouri police, a post mortem examination has been ordered and offical statements will be made within the following days after the conclusion of the examinations.

Weather forecast

[48] Cloudy with rain over Aegean on Thursday

[49] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: Suffocation over the home foreclosures.

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The lost generation.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Rotten system with fake plates.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Bomb to municipalities for 3,708 redundancies.

ESTIA: The State does not produce wealth.

ETHNOS: Reversals to all benefits.

IMERISSIA: Bank of Greece to government: Reduce the taxes.

KATHIMERINI: Disagreement in government over the home foreclosures issue.

LOGOS: Green light for the disbursement of the tranche.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Private debt control committee to be formed.

RIZOSPASTIS: Escalation of authoritarianism aiming to terrify the people.

TA NEA: First message from Berlin.

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