Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-04-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stournaras briefs the Premier about the bond issue

[02] Greece launches exit to international capital markets

[03] Greek economy in course to return to international markets

[04] Banks facilitated Greece's return to the markets, central bankers tells Bloomberg

[05] Greece to raise 2.5 bln euros from 5-year bond on Thursday- Reuters

[06] Greek banks' recapitalization success justifies gov't strategy, FinMin says

[07] IMF's Thomsen sees 'a milestone for Greece' in the bond issue

[08] Greece will return to growth this year, IMF report

[09] Greek primary surplus to rise to 3.0 pct of GDP in 2015, IMF says

[10] Latvian president congratulates Greece for its return to the international financial markets

[11] FM Venizelos stresses the need for a national recovery agreement

[12] FM Venizelos' visit in Moldova

[13] PM Samaras to hold meeting with Gov't VP Venizelos on Thursday morning

[14] Greece has put in motion a wide agenda of structural reforms, Reichenbach says

[15] 'The Baltakos case is over,' Administrative Reform Minister says

[16] Gov't spokesman: Parliamentary debate on Baltakos case to take place after Easter

[17] SYRIZA leads over ND in euroelections, says opinion poll

[18] Devt ministry announces the Greek label voting results

[19] Opinion poll shows ND lead over SYRIZA in national elections

[20] Nationwide 24-hour strike on Wednesday

[21] GSEE and ADEDY rally concluded

[22] Private sector employees announce strike on Sunday

[23] Deputy FM Kourkoulas on energy and environmental policies in Europe

[24] Development Minister to hold press conference on Wednesday

[25] FinMin Stournaras to meet Joaquin Almunia on Thursday

[26] Defence Avramopoulos in Latvia Minister

[27] SYRIZA leader says PM is a 'parliamentary defector'

[28] SYRIZA leader lashes out on PM Samaras

[29] SYRIZA calls on Athens citizens to participate in Friday's demonstration

[30] SYRIZA leader to visit Brussels and Paris

[31] Shipping Minister considers illegal migration a national security issue

[32] Health minister: All EU states must shoulder the problem of illegal immigration

[33] Deputy Foreign Minister receives AHEPA delegation

[34] British Ambassador to Greece optimistic over the country's prospects to attract investments

[35] Greece reports 3.5-bln-euro primary surplus in Jan-Feb

[36] Greece a champion in EU funds' absorption rates

[37] WSJ:Greece plans to issue long-term bond on Wednesday

[38] Benefits of 200 mln. euros to the Greek economy seen stemming from imminent bond issue

[39] Industrial production up 1.7 pct in Feb

[40] Attica Gas Distribution Company lowers natural gas prices to households by 8 pct

[41] Fairfax Financial Holdings buys Praktiker Hellas

[42] Overdue tax debt grew to 64.5 bln euros in Jan-Feb

[43] Jumbo says sales up 7.62 pct in July 2013-March 2014

[44] Apiculture sector gets 17-mln-euros in support programme

[45] Demand for 5-year Greek bonds tops 11 bln euros

[46] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[47] Greek bond market closing report

[48] ADEX closing report

[49] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

[50] Passenger ship routes to be fully serviced due to Orthodox Easter celebrations

[51] Former FinMin Papantoniou released on bail

[52] Ten years imprisonment to businessman Makis Psomiadis

[53] Police raids illegal casino in Athens

[54] Six Nigrita prison employees held in custody

[55] Malandrinou prison jailbreaker arrested

[56] The exhibition "Hadrian and Greece" inaugurated in Tivoli, Rome

[57] International Fur Fair of Kastoria to open on May 2

[58] Traffic on Athens-Lamia motorway disrupted after truck bursts into flames

[59] Free parking for metro passengers at new metro parking station

[60] Rainy on Thursday

[61] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies Politics

[01] Stournaras briefs the Premier about the bond issue

Athens is optimistic it will be able to raise about 2.5 billion euros.

[02] Greece launches exit to international capital markets

The transaction will be priced and take place in the immediate future, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

According to sources, the issue is expected to be concluded on Thursday, while it is estimated the country will issue five-year bonds amounting to 2.5 billion euros.

The process will be launched officially on Thursday when JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank -the underwriters of the issue- will launch a book building process. Duration of the process will depend on investors's interest. In case of increased interest and a significant oversubscription of the issue, the book building process will close within the day to be followed by the final results of the auction. The whole process is competitive which means that priority will be given to bids with lower interest rates. The target is to achieve the lowest possible interest rate. In case of oversubscription with a favorable interest rate, the Greek state could raise more than 2.0 billion euros, up to 3.0 billion euros. Market analysts said they expect the interest rate of the five-year bond to be around 5-5.25 pct.

Greece's return to international markets was methodically prepared in a time when investors' sentiment for Greek bonds and shares was very positive in international markets. The yield of the 10-year benchmark bond in the electronic secondary bond market fell to 6.1 pct, the lowest level in the last four years. Institutional investors' interest for Greek securities was confirmed during a successful completion of share capital increase plans by Piraeus Bank and Alpha Bank. Greece successfully sold six-month Treasury bills on Tuesday, raising 1.3 billion euros from the market with the interest rate falling to 3.01 pct -the lowest since 2009.

[03] Greek economy in course to return to international markets

Commnenting on the successful auction of a six-month Treasury bill issue on Tuesday, which attracted bids totaling 3.103 billion euros, 3.1 times more than the asked sum while the interest rate of the issue was set at 3.01 pct from 3.6 pct of the previous auction of same issue, Staikouras said the outcome of the auction confirmed the improvement of economic and investment climate in the country. Referring to a Greek return to markets, he said it will be gradual and focused on medium-term maturity.

The Public Debt Management Organization finally accepted bids worth 1.3 billion euros in the T-bill auction.

[04] Banks facilitated Greece's return to the markets, central bankers tells Bloomberg

He pointed out that the successful recapitalization of Piraeus Bank and Alpha Bank, with funds from foreign investors, shows the government can reach its goal of returning to bond markets.

He said the central bank is likely to approve the participation of the so-called anchor investors in Eurobank's capital increase.

He said that Greek banks "most probably" will not have to use the reserves from the country's bank-recapitalisation fund, which currently stands at 11 billion euros and which may be used to reduce Greek public debt. He also forecast that bank's non-performing loans will peak at the end of the year.

[05] Greece to raise 2.5 bln euros from 5-year bond on Thursday- Reuters

Greece expects strong interest from investors for the issue and is optimistic it will succeed, the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, adding it would be a big success if its coupon will be below 5.3 percent.

[06] Greek banks' recapitalization success justifies gov't strategy, FinMin says

In a report to Parliament, responding to a question by DIMAR deputy Asimina Xirotiri-Aekaterinari over bank recapitalization and support of economic activity, the Greek minister said that the government was constantly working to set and implement the best possible -and EU compatible- institutional framework for the recapitalization of Greek credit institutions, "based on safeguarding public interests and aimed at ensuring the credibility and stability of banking system so that this could contribute more efficiently to economic growth in the country".

[07] IMF's Thomsen sees 'a milestone for Greece' in the bond issue

Greece's return to the international financial markets through an imminent bond issue is considered by the International Monetary Fund to be an important development, which will help to partially fund the country's financing needs. The IMF opn Wednesday stressed the need for "seamless implementation" of the Greek bailout programme, so as not to derail the positive course of the country towards the end of its economic crisis.

In view of the forthcoming bond issue, IMF's head of mission to Greece Poul Thomsen welcomed the news, noting that Greece's return to the markets "was an economic target of the [bailout] programme". Thomsen added, that "it is a milestone for Greece" which "proves the success of the programme".

In its latest World Economic Outlook edition, the IMF forecasts Greece will finally record GDP growth of 0.6 pct during the current year, increasing to 2.9 pct during 2015, when unemployment is predicted to fall to 24.4 pct, from 26.3 pct. at end-2014.

[08] Greece will return to growth this year, IMF report

In the six-month report, released on Tuesday, the IMF said the Greek economy was projected to grow by 0.6 pct in 2014 and by 2.9 pct in 2015, while unemployment was expected to fall to 26.3 pct this year and to 24.4 pct in 2015. The IMF, however, expects low inflation rates to continue in the country, with the inflation rate at 0.4 pct in 2014 and 0.3 pct in 2015.

The IMF said it expected inflation rates in the Eurozone to fall far below goals set by the European Central Bank and asked "bolder action" on the matter.

Olivier Blanchard, head of economic research in the IMF, presenting the report said that the German economy will be stronger than expected, with a growth rate of 1.7 pct this year and noted that for the first time in the last two years, problematic economies in the European south will have a "low, but stable growth rate". He noted that austerity measures imposed by some governments with the aim to reduce their spending "have been relaxed" while investors were "less concerned" about the possibility of a default in the these countries. He added that banks were "gradually strengthened".

Blanchard stressed that there were still risks for the global economy and noted that an important risk was the problem of an uneven distribution of wealth.

[09] Greek primary surplus to rise to 3.0 pct of GDP in 2015, IMF says

In its Fiscal Monitor report, the IMF said that Greece's primary surplus was 5.8 pct of GDP in 2013 in cyclical adjusted terms (taking into account an economic recession), the highest among developed countries.

Greece recorded a general government deficit of 2.6 pct of GDP last year, if interest payment on debt servicing was taken into account, a deficit expected to rise to 2.7 pct of GDP this year before shrinking to 1.9 pct in 2015 and 0.7 pct in 2016.

The IMF said that fiscal consolidation was achieved through reducing public spending, while state revenues as a percentage of GDP will begin falling this year. State revenues rose to 44.8 pct in 2013 from 44.2 pct in 2012, falling to 43.7 pct in 2014, 42.4 pct in 2015 and 41.4 pct in 2016.

Public spending fell to 47.3 pct of GDP in 2013, from 50.5 pct in 2012, falling further to 46.4 pct this year, 44.3 pct in 2015 and 42 pct in 2016. The general government's debt rose to 173.8 pct of GDP in 2013, from 157.2 pct in 2012, and it is expected to rise further to 174.7 pct this year before falling to 171.3 pct in 2015. The Greek debt is projected to fall to 137.9 pct of GDP in 2019.

[10] Latvian president congratulates Greece for its return to the international financial markets

Vejonis noted the success of the incumbent coalition Greek government, in attaining the recovery of the country's economy.

[11] FM Venizelos stresses the need for a national recovery agreement

Each day has special importance for the Greek nation. The surplus reached concerns all citizens, but it is also internationally certified that fiscal consolidation is achieved and every year there will be surpluses, Venizelos said at the conference "Diligently, Making Business 2014".

The conference was organized by the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development and the company Boussias Communications.

"We have achieved the best possible restructuring and recapitalization of the banking system, the country's debt sustainability has been certified and banks should turn with honesty and respect to the real economy and entrepreneurship, and despite the 'barbaric' unemployment we have tools like the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) and the commencement of major projects such as motorways," Venizelos underlined.

"During this quarter we are making a national effort that cannot be subordinated to party standards. It is pity we have this sterile dichotomy between pro-memorandum and anti-memorandum sides because we are exiting the memorandum and if some want barbarians, they need to look elsewhere. Today we need a national recovery agreement," he added.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, who participated in the conference, noted that tourism is an important factor of extroversion and Greek entrepreneurship. "The signs so far indicate that we are on the right track, but that also creates major new obligations. The topics will broaden the tourism model that we have known up until now, which is sun and sea," Kefalogianni said.

The president of the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry Constantine Michalos said that today is a special day, and according to all indications, the country returns to the markets after four years.

[12] FM Venizelos' visit in Moldova

Venizelos was accordingly briefed by his counterpart, Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Gherman on her recent visit to Moscow and her meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

It was the first official visit by a Greek Foreign Minister to Moldova. Venizelos met with the President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Andrian Candu as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman.

Venizelos referred to the commercial and economic relations of the two countries and underlined the support given to the Greek companies that are present or are interested in having activities in Moldova and noted that there is great scope for the development of commercial relations, especially in areas of common interest.

Regarding the orientation of Moldova to the EU, Venizelos (referring to the participation of Moldova in the group of countries of the Eastern Partnership) stressed that the EU pursues a policy of principles based on the recognition of territorial sovereignty, integrity and inviolability of existing borders.

[13] PM Samaras to hold meeting with Gov't VP Venizelos on Thursday morning

[14] Greece has put in motion a wide agenda of structural reforms, Reichenbach says

As confirmed by international benchmarks, Greece's performance has significantly improved over the last two years. Despite this, there is still a long way to go and efforts should not stop: "It is essential to continue with the reforms in order to further improve the competitiveness of the Greek economy and to make Greece more attractive for investors. The effects of reforms and growth prospects are still far from being visible for citizens, but the results of IOBE's studies demonstrate the significant benefits which will derive from these reforms over the medium- and long-term," he noted.

The General director of IOBE Nikos Vettas referred to the very significant adjustments that have been made in the Greek economy, already reflected to the positive developments in the current account balance and the primary government budget and stated that this provides a ground for future growth that should not be compromised. Regarding structural reforms, he observed that significant progress has been made at several fronts, but he also expressed the opinion that progress appears far uneven and that the overall dynamics of reforms should be strengthened so that the Greek economy achieves a period of sustainable growth. He attributed, in part, the relatively weak performance in exports and investments and the unprecedented depth of the cumulative recession to the lack of a clear signal that would come from the full implementation of the relevant reforms. He also described conditions under which the Greek economy could soon return to a path of significant growth and the related challenges.

In his welcoming speech, Panos Carvounis Head of European Commission Representation in Greece, stressed the efforts undertaken by Greece over the last years, underlining the role of the Task Force for Greece. "Many important reforms have been implemented in various sectors. Many of these would not have been possible without the support of the Task Force for Greece, the know-how and experience of its staff."

[15] 'The Baltakos case is over,' Administrative Reform Minister says

Mitsotakis stresssed that "New Democracy is a great centre-right, liberal party, and its ideological identity is given". "There is a group of citizens who identify themselves as being in the centre of the political spectrum. They are moderates who averse extreme political discourse, give more importance to practical politics and feel that none of the parties expresses them. New Democracy can express them better than any other party," Mitsotakis noted.

Regarding the country's exit to the markets, he said that it is a movement to restore the normal functioning of the economy.

As for the public sector, Mitsotakis noted that "the troika was asking for 16,000 more civil servants to be placed under the mobility scheme. This target does not exist. We fully disconnect mobility from possible layoffs."

[16] Gov't spokesman: Parliamentary debate on Baltakos case to take place after Easter

Kedikoglou noted that the government wanted the off the agenda debate requested by main opposition SYRIZA to take place, however, the presence of all party leaders was necessary and underlined "Unfortunately, Greece's duties as presiding country of the European Union make the immediate setting of the exact date of the debate impossible."

[17] SYRIZA leads over ND in euroelections, says opinion poll

According to the poll results , SYRIZA leads among those questioned with 20.2 percent, followed by ND with 19.5 percent, the newly founded party To Potami 8.8 percent, Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 7 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 6.7 percent, ELIA with 5.5, Independent Greeks with 4.1 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 2.8 percent.

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (who is also ND party leader) was chosen by 42.7 percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 27.2 percent, while 29.4 percent said "none of above".

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted on 3-5 and 7 March 2014.

[18] Devt ministry announces the Greek label voting results

The online voting for the selection of the Greek products and services label, which lasted 15 days, ended on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The ministry had proposed three alternative choices: a ship, a heart and an ancient column. 14,426 people participated in the vote. The results are available on the website : http://ypanyp.gov.gr/poll/.

The cotractor for the Greek label will be selected in accordance with the terms of the tender by the General Secretariat of Commerce.

[19] Opinion poll shows ND lead over SYRIZA in national elections

According to the poll results for national elections, New Democracy (ND) leads among those questioned with 22.1 percent, followed by SYRIZA with 21.2 percent, newly founded party POTAMI with 8.5 percent, ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 6.8 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 6.8 percent, ELIA with 5.8 percent, Independent Greeks with 4.3 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 3 percent while 3.6 percent expressed preference to other parties. The unidentified vote reached 13.6 percent.

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (who is also ND party leader) was chosen by 42.7 percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 27.2 percent, while 29.4 percent said "none of above".

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted between 3-5 and on 7 March 2014.

[20] Nationwide 24-hour strike on Wednesday

The main rally has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Klafthmonos square while Communist affiliated PAME union has already gathered at Omonoia square.

Greek hospitals will operate on skeleton staff that will service solely urgent health incidents and pharmacies will remain closed. Municipality employees, bank employees, teachers and staff at Tax Bureaus also participate in the strike.

The Athens public transportation system and the railway network will be disrupted. The Athens Suburban Railway and the trolley of Athens participate in the general strike. On the other hand, the metro railway system, the electric railways and the tram will operate normally, as their workers remain mobilized by government decree. Nevertheless, the metro system ends service at Doukissis Plakentias station and does not stop at Syntagma station after 10:00 a.m. by police order.

Buses will be in service between 09:00 a.m. and 09:00 p.m., while airports will operate normally, after air traffic controllers decided to abort their participation in the general strike.

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) also participates in the 24-hour general strike.

[21] GSEE and ADEDY rally concluded

The demonstrators under the slogan "No to the memoranda of devastation and authoritarianism" moved from Klafthmonos square to the Greek parliament where an ADEDY and GSEE delegation delivered a resolution.

"We are sending a message to Europe and to the Greek government that the Greek citizens are not indigenous of the European south and Greece should not be or become a debt colony or the banana republic of the European Union," GSEE said in an statement.

[22] Private sector employees announce strike on Sunday

There will be a protest rally in Ermou St., Syntagma Sq. at 11:00.

[23] Deputy FM Kourkoulas on energy and environmental policies in Europe

Kourkoulas underlined that Athens considers itself more a natural gas transit hub and less an oil transit one. Greece is very satisfied by TAP's selection to transfer the Azeri gas through Greece, Albania and Italy to Central Europe. TAP's selection brings Azerbaijan closer to Europe by allowing to a large number of countries to connect with the pipeline either with bipartite interconnectors or with larger pipelines such as the main corridor. This project, said Kourkoulas. was recently discussed in Budapest during the meeting of the four countries of the Visegrad (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) with the three Balkan countries that are members of the EU.

"Europe is facing a crisis that threatens it with a new division and a cold war, said Kourkoulas referring to the Ukranian issue, adding that "it is a crisis that reminds us that nothing is obvious, stable or given. We need policies based on the international law, on UN and foremost on the Security Council's resolutions" he said.

"EU's energy policy is based on two axes, the diversification of the hydrocarbon resources and corridors and the need of the total implementation of the rules for competitiveness," Kourkoulas stressed.

Concluding, Kourkoulas clarified that "we support the 2030 Framework for climate and energy policies in order to secure the economic growth." The framework provides for, among others, a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the increase of the percentage of renewable energy sources to at least 27 percent of the total energy consumption in the EU.

[24] Development Minister to hold press conference on Wednesday

The press conference on the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) has been scheduled for 15:00, at the ministry.

[25] FinMin Stournaras to meet Joaquin Almunia on Thursday

The meeting will be held at 11.00 am at the Finance Ministry.

The two officials will give a press conference at 12.00 noon.

[26] Defence Avramopoulos in Latvia Minister

Avramopoulos will hold talks with his Latvian counterpart Raimonds Vejonis and will be received by Latvian President of Republic Andris Berzins.

Gov't spokesman comments on SYRIZA officials' statements

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou on Wednesday commented on statements made by main opposition SYRIZA officials regarding the international impact of Greece's successes.

"They borrow at 5 percent, instead of 1.5 percent currently, increasing the public debt. New Democracy and PASOK put up the most costly election campaign using state money," SYRIZA's parliamentary spokesman Dimitris Papadimoulis comments in view of the country's exit to the markets. SYRIZA regrets that the whole world has expressed its admiration over Greece's success. We express our sympathy to their pain. Misery, however, does not apply to Greece," Kedikoglou said.

[27] SYRIZA leader says PM is a 'parliamentary defector'

Tsipras said in a statement "now that it was revealed that the one representing the prime minister, who apparently was aware of this, met and talked with the one 'representing' the Fuhrer, who is behind bars, I think that everything comes out to the open. And everyone realizes that those who govern us respect nothing. They will not hesitate to use all means to halt the course of the people and SYRIZA towards a government of social salvation and therefore towards the overthrow of the political plans."

"Today (on Tuesday) I read in a pro-government newspaper that the off agenda debate requested by SYRIZA so that the prime minister can explain the international vilification of the country after the latest revelations, will not take place tomorrow, as the President of the parliament had planned and informed us, but supposedly the day after tomorrow as the prime minister is available but the opposition leader cannot attend it as he is travelling abroad. Indeed, I do have to travel abroad. I publicly declare, however, that if Mr. Samaras decides to honour us with his presence and appears in Parliament to give us an account, I will cancel any trip so that he comes and give explanations to the Greek people over Maximos' right-wing sect that governs us."

[28] SYRIZA leader lashes out on PM Samaras

"The most crucial battle lies ahead of us. Three ballots, one choice. To win and get it over and done with the government of catastrophy," he said.

Greeks will go to the ballots on May 18 and 25 and the government will step down on the 26, Tsipras said and added: "At the elections ahead of us, we send a response, we send the louder message. In the evening of the elections we put an end to the government and the memoranda. A great and undisputable victory of SYRIZA at the Euroelections will be the beginning of the end for the regime of the memoranda."

Tsipras referred extensively to the developments over the government's former secretary general Panagiotis Baltakos and harshly criticized Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, speaking even of a "Samaras Gate".

"Regardless of what they are saying there is no doubt that Mr Baltakos was acting on all things under Samaras' command. Therefore, there is no 'Baltakos Gate', there is 'Samaras Gate'. That is why they are now in panic and are trying to make the scandal of their conciliation with the Nazi gang be forgotten."

He added that "the offsetting of New Democracy with Golden Dawn cannot be cleared with the offsetting of the VAT with the state's arrears. Baltakos' resignation -and not his expulsion- cannot acquit the most extreme right-wing government that the country has had during the last decades."

On the occasion of the German Chancellor's upcoming visit to Greece Tsipras said:

"There are two ways ahead of us. The one is Ms Merkel and Mr. Samaras' way. The other one is the way of the European left and of the movements, of the peoples' Europe, of the true Europe. By voting for Samaras and Venizelos people, vote for Merkel and Goldam Sachs. Let Ms Merkel know that."

This country, Tsipras said, has its landlord and this is its people. "And if for a while, for a very short period of time, the guinea pig did not conquer the lab two years ago, it will do it now. And then there will be no speechlessness during Ms Merkel's visits. There will be a claim of the (World War II) occupation loan and war reparations. The issue of a new generation of compensations will be raised for who had a plan and willfully destroyed the Greek economy and society. An issue of equal treatment will be raised. What happened in Germany for Germany will now take place in Greece for Greece. An issue of a haircut of the largest part of the debt will be raised and a development clause will be applied. And all that will happen because at her future visits to Greece Ms Merkel will face a leftist government, she will find an independent and sovereign state, she will have to deal with SYRIZA."

[29] SYRIZA calls on Athens citizens to participate in Friday's demonstration

SYRIZA stresses that the visit to Athens by Chancellor Merkel "is taking place to support the Samaras-Venizelos government, in light of the elections, to reward the disastrous government work, to supervise the continuation of the austerity, to inspect whether the banks were given away to interests, if public property was given for crumbs, if salaries fell to the level of Bulgaria."

[30] SYRIZA leader to visit Brussels and Paris

Tsipras will address a conference organised by the Party of the European Left titled: "Together we can put an end to debt and austerity problems in Europe," while in Paris he will speak at an event held by the Left Front initiating the campaign for the European parliament elections.

On Saturday Tsipras he will take part in a rally organized by hundreds of organizations, parties, blocs, local and social institutions against the austerity policies.

[31] Shipping Minister considers illegal migration a national security issue

"In 2012, 3,000 people entered Greece illegally through the Eastern Aegean, while in 2013 that number skyrocketed to 10,000 and today's situation shows that there is a flow of approximately 1,000 people per month," Varvitsiotis said adding that "if that flow is maintained, at least 12,000 will attempt to cross our borders this year."

The minister said that this issue is a national security problem while the EU considers illegal immigration as a "security threat" and introduces policies to cope with this issue in a humanitarian manner.

Varvitsiotis referred to the Hellenic Coast Guard and the incident that took place in the eastern Aegean island of Farmakonisi where a migrant boat capesized. "All these claims about in-cold-blood-murdering, having that we left people to be lost at sea are untrue, while all allegations that we were able to find more people and we did not, were refuted," he said.

He also noted that illegal traffickers are those responsible for this situation and not the coast guard, which last year saved more than 3,500 people at sea.

"We introduced the principle of equal treatment, in other words the equal allocation of burden for immigrants entitled for asylum in every country of the EU," Varvitsiotis said and underlined that the EU asylum services "should operation not only in member states, but also in countries from where asylum applicants come from."

The minister concluded that a national effort is required in the framework of the European Union and called main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras, who runs as a candidate for the European Commission presidency, to propose something in connection with the problem.

[32] Health minister: All EU states must shoulder the problem of illegal immigration

"It is for this reason, that the whole issue ranks high in the agenda of the [incumbent] Greek Presidency of the EU. We believe it is an issue that deserves the attention of the whole of Europe", according to the Greek minister. Georgiadis believes, that illegal immigration must not be dealt with on a regional level. Instead, central European policies must be designed in a way that all EU states come to shoulder the problem on an equal basis.

[33] Deputy Foreign Minister receives AHEPA delegation

Kourkoulas briefed the expatriates regarding Athens' policies to cope with the crisis, Greek EU presidency's positive course and other national issues in general.

The AHEPA members expressed their satisfaction regarding Greece's positive trajectory to exit the crisis and the improvement of the country's image internationally.

[34] British Ambassador to Greece optimistic over the country's prospects to attract investments

"The Greek government is trying to change the regulatory framework and facilitate new investments. And the truth is that one investment brings another. This is one reason why we are optimistic about the new prospects opened in Greece," according to the British ambassador, who visited the land and offshore oil drilling facilities of Kavala Oil, a subsidiary o Energean Oil & Gas.

"There are other fields apart from energy where there will be interest from British companies. There is confidence to the Greek government, which is trying very hard to change the investment landscape in the country. And I think that this hard work has results and represents a policy change in Greece," he added.

Referring to the agreement signed a few months ago between Greece's Energean Oil & Gas and Britain's BP, he said it marked an excellent cooperation between the two countries and at the same time it was a sign of confidence to the Greek economy.

Kittmer called the agreement between the two companies very important for Greece's and Britain's energy development, adding: "The Energean Oil & Gas is a company, for which the Greek people should be proud of. It is often said that Greece is not an industrial country, has no industrial base, but companies like this really create growth prospects and invest in the future of Greece."

Financial News

[35] Greece reports 3.5-bln-euro primary surplus in Jan-Feb

"The country continues, for the second successive year, to have high and sustainable primary surpluses, which are strengthening the country's negotiating position, help in an effort towards a sustainable public debt and contribute in the improvement of economic and investment climate in the country, placing the Greek economy in course to return to international capital markets," Staikouras said.

[36] Greece a champion in EU funds' absorption rates

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Hatzidakis said that this performance offered a liquidity breath to the domestic market and added that "Greece was a bad example but now it is a champion".

[37] WSJ:Greece plans to issue long-term bond on Wednesday

According to a Wall Street Journal report citing two people familiar with the matter, Greece plans to issue a long-term bond on Wednesday. The country is likely to sell around 2 billion euros in five-year bonds, assuming market conditions remain benign, one of the people said.

"There are still political risks, and the real economy is only now starting to turn. But the financial recovery is impressive. The 10-year bond yield, which hit 30 percent after the debt restructuring two years ago, is now 6.2 percent," Dixon wrote.

"The centre-right government of Antonis Samaras has surprised observers at home and abroad by its ability to continue with the fiscal and structural reforms started by his predecessors. The most important successes have been reform of the labour market, which has restored Greece's competiveness, and the achievement last year of a "primary" budgetary surplus before interest payments," he added.

The reopening of the markets to Greece also means it probably no longer faces a funding gap, which the last official projections by its creditors put at 15 billion euros over the next two years, Dixon noted.

[38] Benefits of 200 mln. euros to the Greek economy seen stemming from imminent bond issue

High-ranking officials from the Finance ministry and the Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) told ANA-MPA they were fully satisfied with this development, noting that the net benefit for the Greek economy would be around 200 million euros annually. This benefit comes from the estimate that a successful Greek bond auction will have a very positive impact on Treasury bills' interest rates, which were expected to "plunge further" according to a PDMA official, allowing the Greek state to cover its liquidity needs with much lower interest rates. The bond auction will also help the country to lower the yield curve of its benchmark bonds (the yield of the 10-year Greek bond fell to 5.75 pct after the announcement that Greece was returning to markets, from 6.06 pct early in the morning).

The same officials said, that the bond issue will help the sustainability of the public debt, allowing international investors to compare Greek economic assets with other economies, facilitating cash flows to the country and Greek banks' access to markets. PDMA officials did not exclude the possibility of Greece launching a 12-month Treasury bill, addressed to Greek households, or a three-year bond issue -although no such study has been made so far.

Finance ministry officials said that "after four years things are drastically changing", adding that the government was not feeling complacent nor it was celebrating.

[39] Industrial production up 1.7 pct in Feb

The statistics service, in a report, attributed this development to a 0.8 pct increase in mining production and a 1.9 pct rise in manufacturing production (reflecting an 88.5 pct jump in pc, electronics and optical product production, a 14.2 pct rise in machinery production and a 12.7 pct increase in repair and installation of machinery and equipment. On the other, however, traditional industrial sectors such as beverage (-1.5 pct), tobacco (-12.8 pct), textiles (-7.8 pct), clothing (-6.8 pct) and leather/footwear (-1.3 pct) continued their decline.

Electricity production rose by 1.7 pct in February, while water production was down 1.0 pct in the month.

The industrial production average index in the January-February 2014 period was up 1.4 pct compared with the same period last year.

[40] Attica Gas Distribution Company lowers natural gas prices to households by 8 pct

The company said that the reduction to the final consumer was smaller than the reduction agreed with the Russia company because the final price did not include taxes and other burdens not related with the agreement with Gazprom and because of the fact that the Russian company covers around 60 pct of the country's annual needs in natural gas.

Attica Gas Distribution Company said the price of natural gas to consumers was 6.6 cents per KWh (including VAT).

[41] Fairfax Financial Holdings buys Praktiker Hellas

Praktiker Hellas, with an annual turnover of 195 million euros, is the largest company of Praktiker Group abroad. In an announcement, Praktiker Hellas said the acquisition by Fairfax would safeguard the continuation of operation of its 14 stores and around 1,100 job positions in Greece. Fairfax will maintain all existing stores and workers along with the Praktiker brand name.

"We continue to believe in the recovery of the Greek economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras," Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings said in a statement, adding that Greece continued to mark a significant progress in revitalizing its economy through encouraging foreign investments creating a positive trend and strengthening both employment and sustainable economic growth. "We are thrilled with the acquisition of Praktiker Hellas, a leader in the market of DIY & Home Improvement in Greece and we are convinced that Praktiker Hellas, under the management of Ioannis Selalmatzidis and his team, was one of the better managed companies in the market," Prem Watsa said.

[42] Overdue tax debt grew to 64.5 bln euros in Jan-Feb

A report by the Secretariat of Public Revenue said that new overdue tax debt was 2.356 billion euros in the January-February period, while tax administration collected 272 million euros from new overdue tax debt and 401 million euros from existing overdue debt in that period.

[43] Jumbo says sales up 7.62 pct in July 2013-March 2014

Sales in Cyprus grew strongly after the opening of a new store in Paphos, sales in Bulgaria continued growing with double digit rates, while group sales were also boosted by the opening of a new store in Romania.

Jumbo operates a network of 66 units of which 52 in Greece, four in Cyprus, 8 in Bulgaria and two in Romania, while it also operates an e-shop. Jumbo plans to open four new stores annually and to continue widening the range of its products.

[44] Apiculture sector gets 17-mln-euros in support programme

As Agricultural Development Minister Athanassios Tsaftaris stated, the apiculture sector has considerable ground for development if the fact that the EU covers only 40 percent of its needs through local production is taken into consideration, and with suitable support it can prove to be another source of employment and income coming from the primary sector.

The minister added that the extroversion of the apiculture sector, as well as the commercial utilisation of the great variety of honey of various types and botanical origin produced, constitutes one of the ministry's main priorities.

[45] Demand for 5-year Greek bonds tops 11 bln euros

The report said that "the strong investor interest came as Athens pressed ahead with plans to sell bonds worth an undisclosed amount, expected to be about 2.0 billion euros."

The FT says that bankers are expecting a yield of 5 pct to 5.25 pct, lower than forecast by some analysts, based on the order book that includes about 1.3 billion euros from the banks arranging the deal.

[46] Greek stocks continue moving lower

The Large Cap index fell 0.52 pct and the Mid Cap index rose 1.0 pct. Korinth Pipeworks (2.12 pct), Jumbo (1.07 pct), OPAP (0.98 pct) and Intralot (0.45 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Frigoglass (3.22 pct), Metka (2.35 pct), Motor Oil (2.25 pct) and Titan (2.24 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The Health (2.88 pct), Technology (2.21 pct) and Insurance (1.94 pct) sectors scored gains, while Media (6.54 pct), Industrial Products (1.95 pct) and Telecoms (1.80 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 73 to 54 with another 19 issues unchanged. Ionian Hotels (20 pct), Sfakianakis (19.90 pct) and Sidma (18.85 pct) were top gainers, while Haidemenos (29.69 pct), Fieratex (28.37 pct) and NEL (19.35 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -0.28%

Insurance: +1.94%

Financial Services: -0.46%

Industrial Products: -1.95%

Commercial: -0.32%

Real Estate: -1.65%

Personal & Household: +1.06%

Food & Beverages: -0.11%

Raw Materials: -0.79%

Construction: -1.48%

Oil: -1.58%

Chemicals: +0.15%

Media: -6.54%

Travel & Leisure: +0.93%

Technology: +2.21%

Telecoms: -1.80%

Utilities: -0.34%

Health: +2.88%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.72

Public Power Corp (PPC): 12.00

Coca Cola HBC: 18.13

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.74

National Bank of Greece: 3.93

Eurobank Properties : 8.55

OPAP: 11.31

OTE: 11.49

Piraeus Bank: 1.85

Titan: 23.15

[47] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed to lower. The nine-month rate eased to 0.509 pct from 0.512 pct, the six-month rate was 0.427 pct, the three-month rate was 0.327 pct and the one-month rate fell to 0.251 pct from 0.252 pct.

[48] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 9,442 contracts worth 4.451 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (3,034), followed by Alpha Bank (1,498), MIG (895), OTE (1,126), PPC (431), Mytilineos (326), Hellenic Petroleum (603), GEK (192), Eurobank (106), National Bank (193) and PPC (431).

[49] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.400

Pound sterling 0.836

Danish kroner 7.578

Swedish kroner 9.130

Japanese yen 142.84

Swiss franc 1.236

Norwegian kroner 8.342

Canadian dollar 1.530

Australian dollar 1.494

General News

[50] Passenger ship routes to be fully serviced due to Orthodox Easter celebrations

Nevertheless, as had been announced, PNO is still participating in Wednesday's 24-hour general strike of the public and private sectors. All coastal navigation routes will begin being serviced once again starting at 06:00 a.m. Thursday.

PNO announced on Wednesday, that it remains "vigilant", even after the new collective work agreements reached with coastal navigation and Mediterranean routes passenger and touristic ships' employers. The seamen's federation still pursues workable solutions to the problems of high unemployment, degradation of pension and social security benefits and rights and other issues.

[51] Former FinMin Papantoniou released on bail

The former minister and his wife, Stavroula Kourakou, are being investigated for allegedly inaccurate source of wealth ("pothen esches") tax statements and tax evasion, with the data traced through a review of the so-called Lagarde list of Greek depositors at HSBC Switzerland and a deposit of 1.3 million euros held by Kourakou, who has been charged with complicity in her husband's tax statements. Kourakou was also released on 50,000 euros bail.

The statements related to 2009 assets relates to misdemeanours, while that for 2010 relates to criminal charges. In addition, both Papantoniou and Kourakou are being charged of not submitting a source of wealth statement for 2008 (a misdemeanour), over which they have provided testimony and been released on bail totalling 250,000 euros.

In statements to the relevant Parliament committee, Papantoniou had said he was unaware of the 1.3 million euro amount, as the account had been opened in 2000 and related to savings of Kourakou and her former husband for their two sons' education. He said that in 2010 the money was brought back to Greece and was turned over to his wife's sons.

Papantoniou was Finance and Economy minister from 1994 to 2001.

[52] Ten years imprisonment to businessman Makis Psomiadis

The Court also found guilty three of the other four persons charged for the same case.

Former Managing Director of AEK Harilaos G Psomiades was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, AEK's accountant Filio Georgiou to 4 years and constructor Antonis Katsaros to 8 years imprisonment.

Former AEK president Harilaos P Psomiadis was found innocent of all charges.

The accused were charged with embezzlement and money laundering.

[53] Police raids illegal casino in Athens

As the police discovered, the illegal casino was covertly operating within an internet-cafe-licensed area, where its operators had installed external surveillance cameras in order to dodge inspections from the authorities.

The police has raided the specific casino at least ten more times, each time confiscating casino equipment. However, the persistent owner kept re-opening the illegal business, installing new equipment.

The people in custody were led before a public prosecutor.

[54] Six Nigrita prison employees held in custody

Two other Nigrita prison guards were released with restrictions.

Seven more employees charged for the same case are expected to testify on Wednesday. According to information, Toutountzi will give them an extension to prepare their testimonies.

All Nigrita prison employees are facing charges of severe torture by complicity which led to the death of inmate Ili Kareli.

Kareli, 42, who was serving a life sentence for homicide, had stabbed 46-year-old police sergeant George Tsironis to death in the Malandrinos prison, central Greece, on March 25. He was found dead two days later, in his cell at Nigrita prison, Serres prefecture, where he had been transferred for safety, with evidence of having been beaten.

[55] Malandrinou prison jailbreaker arrested

Police sources announced that the jailbreaker had received a furlough from the prison but did not return. The 31-year-old had been convicted for drug trafficking and was to return to prison on June 30, 2011.

According to police, the jailbreaker was hiding in Albania and attempted to cross the border with a forged passport.

[56] The exhibition "Hadrian and Greece" inaugurated in Tivoli, Rome

The exhibition "Hadrian and Greece. Villa Adriana between Classical and Hellenistic Period" was inaugurated on Tuesday evening in Rome. The exhbition that is dedicated to Roman Emperor Hadrian's very close relation to Greece, which is depicted on ancient objects from Greece hosted at Hadrian's villa in Tivoli, at the outskirts of Rome.

The exhibition, organised by the Antiquities Ephorate of Rome in cooperation with the Greek Culture Ministry and the Italian Archaeological School of Athens, will run until November 2.

Fifty works of art, twenty of them from Greece, which according to the Italian Culture Ministry are 'of great value", are displayed for the first time abroad.

The director of the National Archaeological and Numismatic Museum Giorgos Kakavas, who was present at the inauguration, said to ANA-MPA that "it is important that this exhibition coincides with the two six months of the Greek and Italian presidency in the EU. An exhibition dedicated to a Roman emperor who loved Greece and particularly Athens, which he wanted to turn into the cultural capital of his era".

Kakavas noted that the 'most important piece of art is a portrait of Antinoos that travels outside Greece for the first time."

[57] International Fur Fair of Kastoria to open on May 2

130 exhibitors from Greece, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong, Spain, USA, Turkey, Cyprus and Finland have expressed interest to participate in the exhibition,

Over 1,200 trade visitors, mostly from Russia and 5,500 visitors are expected to tour the exhibition.

[58] Traffic on Athens-Lamia motorway disrupted after truck bursts into flames

Information provided by the driver that there were more than 500 litres of fuel obliged firemen to halt traffic in both lanes to be on the safe side. Traffic was being serviced by detours.

According to fire brigade officers "traffic will be allowed on the national motorway as soon as whatever danger is averted."

[59] Free parking for metro passengers at new metro parking station

Metro passengers will be entitled to free day-parking simply by displaying a metro ticket validated on the day of parking, or a current monthly or annual metro pass for unlimited travel. Pass holders will additionally be entitled to free monthly parking, while non-passengers will be able to park at low prices.

The parking station will be open Mondays-Thursdays 05:15 a.m - 01:00 a.m. (next day). On Fridays and Saturdays it will open from 05:15 a.m. until 03:00 a.m. (next day), while it will be closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Weather forecast

[60] Rainy on Thursday

[61] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies

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