Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras, Gov't VP Venizelos and FinMin Hardouvelis conclude briefing on pending troika review issues

[02] Gov't and troika expected to set 100 installments for business arrears repayment

[03] Troika sees Greek proposal on bad loans as 'very positive', Dev't Minister says

[04] Labour ministry officials concludes review meeting with troika

[05] Market officials discuss taxation issues with troika, Deputy FinMin

[06] Government's call for confidence vote puts an end to election rhetoric, gov't spokeswoman says

[07] SYRIZA begins preparations for upcoming vote of confidence in Parliament

[08] SYRIZA spokesman: Government's move to ask vote of confidence is a defeatist and defensive act

[09] Government's call for confidence vote did not take SYRIZA by surprise, MP Lafazanis says

[10] ANEL leader Kammenos on the vote of confidence

[11] DIMAR's conference to start on Thursday afternoon

[12] Independent MP Aidonis on his stance during the vote of confidence procedure

[13] Independent MP Tatsopoulos on the government's confidence vote

[14] PASOK party spokesman Karydis: 'This situation that poisons the country's political life must end'

[15] PM Samaras attends final phase of 'Parmenion 2014' military exercise in Evros

[16] SYRIZA tables law proposal for restitution of minimum wage to pre-memorandum levels

[17] SYRIZA's Stratoulis on party's proposal to restore minimum wage, collective bargaining

[18] Man arrested at Vyronas garage charged with participating in terrorist organisation

[19] Admin. reform ministry issues circulars on civil service management selection process

[20] Draft bill on NGO financing unveiled for public dialogue on 'Diavgeia' website

[21] KKE tables proposed labour law restoring minimum wage, 'bonus' salaries

[22] KKE's Koutsoumbas addresses meeting of European communist parties

[23] ND MEP Kefalogiannis meets with Turkey's permanent representative to the EU

[24] Turkish gov't returns 11 properties to Greek Orthodox community on Tenedos island

[25] DIMAR leader Kouvelis addresses party congress

[26] 'Cooperation is not treason' Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis says

[27] Court hears Kasidiaris-Kanelli's case on Thursday

[28] Golden Dawn Kassidiaris' trial postoponed for Dec.12

[29] Justice Minister Athanassiou inaugurates new courthouse

[30] Development ministry to help set up nationwide network to advise on problem debt

[31] International Economic Relations gen sec' presents investment opportunities to Japanese officials

[32] Piraeus Port Authority to auction off abandoned ships and boats

[33] Environment Minister Maniatis addresses event on progressive energy policies

[34] British ambassador meets Crete regional authority head, Iraklio mayor

[35] British Airways announces direct flights to Corfu and Kos for summer 2015

[36] Greek economic sentiment index down in Sept.

[37] Air traffic controllers' strike illegal

[38] Samsung Medison plans to invest in Greece in medical equipment

[39] Tourist arrivals can be increased if Greek hotels improve accessibility for people with disabilities

[40] Greek stocks end flat on Thursday

[41] Greek bond market closing report

[42] ADEX closing report

[43] Foreign exchange rates - Thursday

[44] Tourism Minister Kefalogianni addresses UNESCO World Forum on Culture in Florence

[45] Gov't working on attracting foreign film producers through incentives, Culture ministry

[46] Ancient Amphipolis door discovery points to Macedonian-era tomb, excavator

[47] University of Crete included in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014 - 2015

[48] Panorama of European Cinema to be held in Athens Oct. 16-26

[49] Former businessman Koskotas acquitted of instigating-murder charges

[50] Journalists from Turkey's biggest newspapers visit Halki seminary

[51] Booby-trapped envelope found in ASE building

[52] Seven foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested on Crete

[53] Stolen post-byzantine icon repatriated

[54] National press federation (POESY) opens annual congress in Athens

[55] Three foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested at Kalamata airport

[56] Police arrests criminal group involved in illegal medical prescriptions

[57] Top court annuls freeze order of businessman's bank accounts for being 'too vague'

[58] 4.1-magnitude earthquake hits southeastern Aegean

[59] Young Briton found dead in Plaka harbour near Leonidio on Thursday

[60] Cloudy with a chance of rain

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

[01] PM Samaras, Gov't VP Venizelos and FinMin Hardouvelis conclude briefing on pending troika review issues

Government sources said pending issues related to the privatisations' progress were discussed, before Hardouvelis gave a briefing of the progress in talks with the representatives of Greece's troika of lenders and their review of the Greek fiscal programme.

In comments to the press verifying the topics discussed, Venizelos said, "There are always difficulties. But the framework is clear and good in order to exit the memorandum state once and for all."

[02] Gov't and troika expected to set 100 installments for business arrears repayment

According to the same sources, the troika has not accepted the government's original proposal for 120 installments, while it is awaiting the General Accounting Office's report on impact of the measure on the country's fiscal figures given that the overall arrangement will provide an up to 90 percent "haircut" on the surcharges and the fines.

The government has, however, already accepted to be supervised for the proper implementation of the new measure by the troika.

[03] Troika sees Greek proposal on bad loans as 'very positive', Dev't Minister says

Asked on whether the installments of debt repayment will be 100 or 120, Dendias said: "The installments will be too many. You mentioned two numbers: 100 and 120 installments, that is 9 or 10 years. That is what we are discussing. There is not much difference between the two numbers."

Dendias underlined that the government has given the troika all the figures requested, adding that two meetings between the technical staff of the troika and representatives of the Greek government have been scheduled for Thursday and Friday to set the final details.

Regarding the protection of the first home of weaker strata owners against foreclosures, Dendias reassured that the first home would be protected, but this needs to be done in an institutional and legal basis. The current framework has admittedly failed, he noted, as of the thousands of borrowers with difficulties, only 3,000 citizens have made use of it.

As regards households' bad loans, the minister said that he could not provide details on the Greek proposal as it has not been discussed with the troika yet.

[04] Labour ministry officials concludes review meeting with troika

"We are at the tail-end of a series of reforms," the official said, adding that reports on the viability of social insurance funds in Greece are expected to be concluded by the end of October. He also said that by November 2015, 393 annual reports of 93 social insurance funds will have been reviewed, which will give a clear picture of the overall state of the funds.

The troika representatives also met earlier on Thursday with Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis, which whom they discussed the draft of the budget.

[05] Market officials discuss taxation issues with troika, Deputy FinMin

The representatives of the capital market stressed that their priority was the characterization of Greek investors as a "professional investor", something unique throughout the European Union and said that in no other country is an investor taxed as a professional.

They also discussed the issue of offsetting profits and losses and rationalizing taxation of foreign citizens. Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, the capital market's representatives expressed their optimism that the troika will help in resolving these problems.

[06] Government's call for confidence vote puts an end to election rhetoric, gov't spokeswoman says

"An answer to SYRIZA and (opposition leader Alexis) Tsipras' bottomless irresponsibility ought to be given...The government put an end to the elections rhetoric by determining when the procedure for the President's elections would start, based on the Constitution," she noted.

Voultepsi believes "there are no concerns for lost" votes by government deputies in the voting process.

"Deputies who support the government will do their duty. Obviously, we welcome the votes of those who realize that the country is in a critical stage, which is based on negotiation, evaluation, the debt arrangement, the submission of the budget bill, the introduction of tax reliefs, bringing investments to the country, terminating recession, creating jobs; we should unite for a common cause."

She noted that the government does not associate the confidence vote with the Greek President's election. "The President's election requires concession and it is not necessary for parties which agree or largely share the same ideological background or cooperate in a government to vote for a President. It is the deputies who vote for the President based on their conscience."

She added that the debt negotiations, typically and effectively, will start upon "the conclusion of the last review. We are making our moves timely. We have made the proper contacts and discussions. We have raised the issues to the proper persons. Everything is on the table; they all know what Greece, which has put in a great effort, is asking for. We will not waste the sacrifices of the Greek people for the aspirations of each party formation."

The full interview is available for subscribers at the ANA-MPA website.

[07] SYRIZA begins preparations for upcoming vote of confidence in Parliament

It was decided to convene a meeting of SYRIZA MPs before the start of the debate on the motion in Parliament, either next Monday or Tuesday. According to a source within the party, "the aim is to ensure that every aspect of the government's actions will be exposed to scrutiny."

[08] SYRIZA spokesman: Government's move to ask vote of confidence is a defeatist and defensive act

"The government lost the initiave to act a long time ago and is not in the position to spring a surprise. These are the last spasms of a government in decomposition that is collapsing. Essentially it is an act of defeat and defence. It is pointless for Mr. Samaras to ask from a substantially politically non-legal parliament to renew his mandate," Skourletis stressed.

Regarding the fact that the government has the support of 154 deputies and expects to receive vote of confidence from some independent deputies as well, Skourletis noted: "I believe that if this number occurs, we will have a false picture and the impressions will not last for more than the time the president of parliament will take to announce the voting result. Do you know what's the biggest problem of this government? It is that it governs against the society's flow. It lives in a constant nightmare and this nightmare very shortly will be judged by the people. This condition cannot continue for long."

Commenting on New Democracy (ND) MPs and Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris' statements that call for an ecumenicl government (with the participation of all parliamentary parties), Skourletis underlined that "what we need is new and representative correlations in the parliament and this can only be succeeded with elections. The country's problem is a problem of policy. The policy implemented until today, the memorandum policy, has led the vast majority of the people to a wretched economic and social condition. Any other discussion is disorientating and at the specific moment it only aims at diluting the responsibilites of those that led us to this condition."

[09] Government's call for confidence vote did not take SYRIZA by surprise, MP Lafazanis says

"The government wants a confidence vote from its deputies. This is a movement of panic and defence on the part of the government, which did not take SYRIZA by surprise," he said.

"The government is not self-confident enough to trust its deputies. This is an artificial respiration; however a confidence vote is given by the people not the deputies."

Asked on a possible cooperation between SYRIZA and the Democratic Left (DIMAR), he noted: "We will consider the results of DIMAR congress, its outcome and then we will make our decisions. We want a government which will move in an anti-memorandum and progressive direction; we could have a cooperation only towards this direction...This is the framework of our cooperation, not in words but in action."

[10] ANEL leader Kammenos on the vote of confidence

Speaking on Parapolitika FM radio, Kammenos referred to the vote of confidence sought by the government, noting that the move is made for political party purposes only. He underlined that it is "borderline sadistic" for Prime Minister and New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras and government vice-president and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos "to ask George Papandreou and Kostas Karamanlis respectively for their vote of confidence".

[11] DIMAR's conference to start on Thursday afternoon

DIMAR's leader Fotis Kouvelis is expected to open the conference while other parties' representatives (apart from the Golden Dawn) will address the event.

The proceedings are expected to end on Sunday.

[12] Independent MP Aidonis on his stance during the vote of confidence procedure

Aidonis pointed out that he is now an independent deputy and "no one has the right to count him in" in any party. He added that with the vote of confidence proposal the government is trying to put an end to phenomena of paralysis, which would dominate the public administration if the possibility of imminent elections was kept alive. Aidonis also told journalists that no one can prejudge that the stance a deputy will take during a confidence roll-cast vote will be the same during the Greek President's election procedure.

[13] Independent MP Tatsopoulos on the government's confidence vote

"The government will get 154 votes, exactly as the number of its deputies. It may even get (independent deputy Christos) Aidonis' vote," he said.

"In this case, the government is asking for a vote of confidence because they are sure they will get it. This is not for gambling," Tatsopoulos said adding he would not return to SYRIZA party.

[14] PASOK party spokesman Karydis: 'This situation that poisons the country's political life must end'

Karydis noted that the idea originated with PASOK president and government vice-president Evangelos Venizelos.

He said that Venizelos "had a comprehensive framework of proposals that were designed not to bypass political reality but, instead, to change the agenda. Namely, to leave behind the talk on elections and speculations on who will be the country's next President, that had engulfed the country lately causing huge problems to the economy and confusion to the people, and to move on to issues that need to be discussed".

On whether PASOK party cadres are partly responsible for the election talk, he underlined that they were the least responsible in this case compared with other government members, even government ministers, who fueled this atmosphere.

"The country should have a steady course and turn a new page. This should be our concern," he said, adding that "in the negotiations with the troika it should be clarified what needs to be done in the immediate future".

[15] PM Samaras attends final phase of 'Parmenion 2014' military exercise in Evros

He noted that "the Armed Forces are the guarantor of our country's security" and pledged that "the government will do what it must so as to respond in every way to the conditions, needs - including through the payroll issue - and in order to ensure the future" of the country's military personnel.

Samaras congratulated Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and the Chief of the Armed Forces Gen. Mikhail Kostarakos on organising a "fantastic experience", saying that "this is the Greece of pride, of power and of authority; in Thrace and throughout the country."

"I would very much like to congratulate the Armed Forces for this excellent, from every aspect, exercise. The Armed Forces are the guarantor of our country's security and ...we saw with pride the strength, dignity and the prestige of the Armed Forces."

On behalf of the political and military leadership of the armed forces, Avramopoulos welcomed the prime minister and stressed that what he had witnessed during the exercise 'reflects the reality in the Hellenic Armed Forces, an area where I habitually say sees the expression in its grandest form of the Greece of honour, values and duty."

The minister underlined that this was chiefly due to the personnel in the armed forces and that Greece, in spite of the crisis, remained a strong country as a result of the dedication of its armed forces to preserving the independence and integrity, as well as their willingness to serve international legality whenever this was needed.

During the final phase of "Parmenion" there was a display of precision shooting by Leopard-2HEL and Leopard-2A4 tanks, firing by Hellenic Airforce F-16 figher planes and Hellenic Army Aviation AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, as well as support fire from mobile artillery and mortars. The final phase of the Tactical Exercise with Troops was carried out in the 'Aetos' firing range and watched by Samaras, the leadership of the armed forces and national defence, as well as local officials and the public.

The entire interbranch exercise 'Parmenion 2014' was conducted between September 29 and October 2 through Greece and the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).

[16] SYRIZA tables law proposal for restitution of minimum wage to pre-memorandum levels

"With this law proposal, we propose the annulment of the 2010-2014 anti-labour, anti-democratic memorandum legislative amendments, which affected the institution of collective labour agreements and the trade union rights in violation of the Constitution and the international labour legislation," SYRIZA leader and deputies claimed in an explanatory report.

"We propose the restitution of the minimum wage to pre-memorandum levels, namely to a gross monthly salary of 751 euros regardless of age, from a gross monthly salary of 586 euros and 511 euros for those under 25 currently and its redefinition under a National General Collective Labour Agreement, which will be signed by the GSEE and the employers' bodies."

SYRIZA also proposed the restoration of the institution of unconditional collective labour negotiations and agreements as well as the role and jurisdiction of the Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration, so that wage reductions are terminated and the labour union movement can reclaim what employees have lost during the years of the memorandum.

The main opposition pointed out that "the restitution of the minimum wage and the collective agreements law, first to the pre-memoranda situation, restores the democratic and constitutional legitimacy in labour relations."

The law proposal, if passed, will be a great democratic breakthrough, SYRIZA deputies said adding that in the next period of time they will take upon a new legislative initiative to upgrade the institution of collective labour agreements and expand their scope of implementation. They will also propose the enactment of institutions of enhanced popular and labour participation, of direct democracy and effectively of labour and social control in all decision-making on issues of economic, social and labour policy.

[17] SYRIZA's Stratoulis on party's proposal to restore minimum wage, collective bargaining

In a press conference concerning SYRIZA's latest proposed legislation, Stratoulis said the party wanted to restore the minimum wage to pre-crisis levels, or 751 euros gross salary per month for all age groups. The current minimum wage stands at 586 euros gross per month, while for under 25s it is even lower at 511 euros per month. SYRIZA also wants to restore the system where the minimum wage is set through the General Collective Labour Agreement drawn up by trade unions and employer organisations, while restoring measures favouring labour in relation to collective agreements.

Stratoulis said the decision to table the draft law on Thursday was symbolic, since the government and the troika representing Greece's international creditors would be "discussing an even greater demolishing of labour legislation" on the same day. Since the government was unlikely to accept the proposed bill, SYRIZA pledged that it would be one of the first draft bills that it will table in Parliament as a government, Stratoulis added.

[18] Man arrested at Vyronas garage charged with participating in terrorist organisation

The 30-year-old, who appears to be linked with convincted terrorist Nikos Maziotis is expected to testify before the prosecutor on Sunday.

The raid on the garage - earlier reported as an apartment - by the counter-terrorism squad produced evidence both on the man and at the premises linking them to Maziotis' urban guerrilla group Revolutionary Struggle.

In the second of two press conferences on Thursday, Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Greek Police (ELAS) Chief Lieut. General Dimitris Tsaknakis presented details of the raid, including notes in the man's backpack indicating a major hit was being planned for October 4, the founding anniversary of main New Democracy party.

The members of Revolutionary Struggle run by Maziotis - whose wife, Panagiota Roupa, is still being sought with their child for violating a jail leave - were planning a serious hit on a financial or political target early in October, according to evidence by the police.

Authorities had been looking for an arms cache since Maziotis' arrest and had raided several apartments in Attica, including the couple's apartment in the northern suburb of Maroussi.

At the garage they found a rack found on a car had been used at the explosion of the Bank of Greece in Athens in April 2014, which Maziotis has taken responsibility for. According to police sources, they also found notes on a plan of attack targeting a well-known shipowner and a multinational company active in Piraeus.

In related developments, police said that the counter-terrorism squad has arrested four local men, one aged 23, two aged 26 and one aged 30, a local woman, 25, and an Albanian national, aged 30, in Athens and Thessaloniki on charges of illegal possession of explosives, firearms and forgery, among others. All six were led before a prosecutor later on Thursday.

According to police officials, the specific case is not related to the six arrests made in Athens and Thessaloniki on Wednesday nor to the booby-trapped envelope that was defused at the Athens Stock Exchange earlier on Thursday.

Kikilias has kept Prime Minister Antonis Samaras up to date on the case throughout the day, according to sources close to the premier.

[19] Admin. reform ministry issues circulars on civil service management selection process

The ministry's aim is to place the first general directors in the public sector by the end of the year, while their number is to be greatly reduced based on new ministry organisational charts that go into effect from October 29, which reduce ministry structures by 40 pct.

A total of 81 general directors, 383 managers, 1384 department heads and 1,848 supervisors are to be selected under the new system.

This will be based on written exams and oral "structured" interviews with the candidates, supervised by the Supreme Council for Staff Selection (ASEP). The final exam will contribute 30 pct of the overall score, while the interview will have a 70 pct weighting for general directors. For managers the ratio will be 40 pct for the exam and 60 pct for the interview, while for lower-level management the ratio will be 50:50.

Applications, accompanied by a CV, must be made online to ASEP within the set deadline and also count as a statement that the information supplied is true. The applications will first be vetted by the Special Council for the Selection of Supervisors in the agency advertising the positions, which will decide which of the candidates meet the requirements.

The lists of candidates that have passed this stage will then be sent to ASEP, which will issue temporary lists of successful candidates, followed by a final list after any objections have been processed. The Central Examination Committee will then set the form of the written exam and, after papers are graded, will draw up a list of the successful candidates who will have to pass through an interview.

The minimum educational qualifications and diplomas for the general director positions dealing with human resources management and IT will be decided by the administrative reform ministry, while those for financial services general directors will be decided joint with the finance ministry.

[20] Draft bill on NGO financing unveiled for public dialogue on 'Diavgeia' website

The bill sets out the terms of operation, standards of control and transparency that are linked to the financing such organisations, linking state funding to supervision and accountability and more favourable tax treatment for organisations that meet specific requirements of transparency.

The draft bill can be viewed at the link: http://www.opengov.gr/ypes/?p=2465

[21] KKE tables proposed labour law restoring minimum wage, 'bonus' salaries

The proposed draft law calls for the signature of a national collective labour agreement and sector agreements that restores the minimum wage to 751 euros a month for everyone, regardless of age, replacing the current two-tier system that gives a lower minimum wage for under 25s. It also calls for the abolition of recently passed laws and a return to more pro-labour legislation with respect to layoffs, redundancy pay, arbitration, benefits and a host of other measures.

Among others, it calls for protection of a 35-hour, five-day week, Sunday holidays, abolition of flexible and uninsured employment, full pay for trainees and shorter days for heavy and hazardous jobs.

Proposed legislation dealing with labour issues was also tabled on Thursday by the leftist main opposition SYRIZA party.

[22] KKE's Koutsoumbas addresses meeting of European communist parties

Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) general secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas addressed a meeting of representatives of European communist parties here on Thursday and called on the workers' and communists' movement "not to fall into traps set, among others, by so-called 'leftist' opportunist-social democratic forces like SYRIZA, in the case of Greece, and the European Left in Europe".

"Positions like, forming a 'front of the European South', the alleged 'democratisation of the EU' or 'changing the role of the ECB', among others, are here to muddy the waters and spread self-delusions that a better, more rationalist mix of management can allegedly correct the EU and rid capitalism of its present cruelty," Koutsoumbas underlined.

Referring to international developments and the 100th anniversary of WWI, he underlined that the contrasts between the imperialist centres are being heightened and this fact is linked with developments in Ukraine, the economic war of EU-Russia sanctions and, also, with developments in the Middle East and north Africa.

"The tug of war between strong monopolies and capitalist states for a market share, the control of resources, natural gas and oil pipelines and the networks for the transport of goods, intensifies with time," he said, adding that "KKE believes that the real solution for the Ukrainian people is not to be tied to the chariot of today's imperialist EU or today's imperialist Russia."

Commenting on the phenomenon of the ultra-right, Koutsoumbas said that "the fascist monster, then and now, is the creation of the capitalist system that gives birth to it," adding that "fascism is the extreme voice of capital holders and spearheads the struggle of the capitalist power against the labour movement".

[23] ND MEP Kefalogiannis meets with Turkey's permanent representative to the EU

They discussed issues concerning the EU-Turkey relations for peace and security in the region of Southeast Europe, Turkey's relations with neighboring EU member states (Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria), the EU-Turkey relations in the area of human and minority rights and the policy on illegal migration to EU countries.

Undoubtedly, the EU is the most important partner for Turkey and Turkey, as well, is an important partner for the EU both on political and economic level, more so today, due to developments in the greater region of the Middle East and North Africa, Kefalogiannis underlined.

[24] Turkish gov't returns 11 properties to Greek Orthodox community on Tenedos island

Eleven pieces of property were returned by order of the Turkish government to the Greek Orthodox minority community on the northern Aegean island of Tenedos (Bozcaada), the community announced Thursday.

The properties are between 0.2-0.4 hectares (2-4 stremmas) each, while one includes a chapel and two stone-built homes.

According to community members, "Following many months of inactivity on the issue of the returns of community properties, the recent meeting of the Council of the Directorate General for Foundations on September 29 brought positive results for the community of Tenedos."

They also said that their appeals to the European Court of Human Rights on the return of four of the properties, among the eleven, had been turned down in the past.

[25] DIMAR leader Kouvelis addresses party congress

Addressing the delegates, Kouvelis made it clear that DIMAR will not consent to the election of the new President of the Republic in February 2015 and repeated that he is not interested in running for president.

Referring to the course of DIMAR since its founding in June 2010, Kouvelis said that there were mistakes, delays and weaknesses noting, however, that the party has contributed considerably to the country's political life.

He also underlined that DIMAR "maintains its political and organizational independence".

[26] 'Cooperation is not treason' Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis says

"Cooperation is not treason," Theodorakis underlined.

However, he added that a possible cooperation in a national plan for the country's rescue is not "feasible". "I do not believe that New Democracy (ND) and SYRIZA can cooperate right now, I do not think that the two of them can join efforts and take the country out of the deadlock. However, I believe that they should have agreed on certain issues," he noted.

Asked on the party's red lines in case SYRIZA comes first in the elections, he said that Greece's participation in the EU and the eurozone, social justice and economic growth are the main priorities, while he does not rule out the possibility of participation - on conditions -of deputies that voted in favour of the memoranda.

Theodorakis also said that he did not intend for the time being to ask for a meeting with Government Vice-President Evangelos Venizelos. As for pre-electoral alliances, he clarified that the "final decisions of coexistence will be taken after the exercise of the right of the people."

The full interview is available for subscribers at the ANA-MPA website.

[27] Court hears Kasidiaris-Kanelli's case on Thursday

Kasidiaris, who is temporarily detained for the Golden Dawn case, is accused of unprovoked factual insult and grievous bodily harm, charges relating to the use of force against Kanelli, and the hurling of a glass full of water to SYRIZA's Rena Dourou, currently Attica governor.

Arriving at the court, Kasidiaris said: "The thieves are in prison and we are in parliament."

On her part, Kanelli talked about "political fascism" and underlined her "moral duty" to testify.

[28] Golden Dawn Kassidiaris' trial postoponed for Dec.12

The trial was postponed due to the strike of court clerks. As he was exiting the court, Kassidiaris was applauded by Golden Dawn members.

Golden Dawn Kassidiaris' statement outside the court

"I will see you soon and out of prison," Golden Dawn deputy Ilias Kassidiaris told reporters outside the court.

Asked if he would like to apologise for the attack against Communist Party (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli and SYRIZA's Rena Dourou, currently Attica governor, in a live morning show on private ANT1 TV, he said: "Do I have to apologise for the attack against me? If they apologise, I will also do so."

Kassidiaris also noted that the charges against him "have nothing to do with reality."

The trial of the case has been postponed for December 12.

[29] Justice Minister Athanassiou inaugurates new courthouse

The 2,300-sqm-building features nine courtrooms and office spaces.

Referring to the new facilities, the justice minister underlined that the project was completed in just 15 months in the context of the efforts made to modernize the judicial infrastructure nationwide that have the full support of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

The inauguration was held in the presence of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, the Supreme Court leadership, members of the judiciary and representatives of the Athens Bar Association.

Financial News

[30] Development ministry to help set up nationwide network to advise on problem debt

The aim of the initiative is to provide advice and support to consumers in selected, densely populated regions of the country on preventing and coping with excessive debts and to set up the conditions for a "smooth transition to a horizontal, nationally viable support system for consumers in issues of excessive debt."

The original plan intended to set up a network of bureaus with properly trained staff that would provide free information, support and advice to help consumers navigate the complexities of financial services, given their serious repercussions for consumers, including in cases where individuals were unable to meet their debt obligations. This would include advice and assistance to consumers in their communications with banks, mediating on their behalf in order to achieve a settlement for payment of debts and any adjustment or modification of agreements if circumstances should change.

[31] International Economic Relations gen sec' presents investment opportunities to Japanese officials

Mihalos, who is paying a two-day visit to Tokyo, underlined Greece's potential to become a business hub for Japanese companies operating in southeastern Europe, north Africa and the Middle East, while he also referred to the importance of including Greek companies of marine equipment in the official catalogue of Japanese shipyards' suppliers as well as to the potential of Piraeus port to become a regional hub for ships' maintenance and to the co-production of parts of ships. He also made a special reference to the latest development in the energy sector and Greece's key role, the TAP (Trans Adriatic) pipeline, the hydrocarbon resources in the Ionian Sea and Crete as well as the investment plans to upgrade the natural gas storage and transport infrastructures on Revythoussa, Kavala and Alexandroupolis.

Moreover, in his meeting with the Japanese deputy foreign minister, he underlined the need to boost the bilateral trade through the increase of Greek exports to Japan and proposed ways to reverse the observed decline in Japan tourists' arrivals. Kiuchi promised to visit Greece very soon in an effort to promote cooperation in the above sectors.

[32] Piraeus Port Authority to auction off abandoned ships and boats

The auctions start at Perama on October 29, where the freighter 'Georgia M' goes on sale at a starting price of 18,080 euros, and the fishing boats 'Artemis' and 'Saronikos' at the Keratsini wholesale fish market docks on the same day, with starting prices of 12,800 and 16,800 respectively.

They continue on October 31 when the tanker 'Melina' at Perama goes on sale at a starting price of 61,500 euros and the tanker 'Maroula' at the Perama harbour at a starting price of 80,000 euros. Also on the same day, the freighter 'Christos-I' at Ambelakia, Salamina will be auctioned at a starting price of 26,880 euros.

The terms for the auctions will be listed in proclamations that will be posted on the PPA website within the next few days.

According to PPA President and CEO George Anomeritis, the aim is to remove all abandoned ships and shipwrecks currently obstructing free navigation and placing an environmental burden on the port and local communities, adding that 74 such abandoned and half-sunken boats left within PPA premises had been removed since the start of the programme.

[33] Environment Minister Maniatis addresses event on progressive energy policies

The event was organized on Wednesday by the "Andreas Papandreou" Institute of Strategic and Development Studies (ISTAME) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) foundation "Friedrich Ebert Stiftung".

[34] British ambassador meets Crete regional authority head, Iraklio mayor

Arnaoutakis pointed to a five-year plan that involved collaboration with the primary production sector, the tourism industry, the island's education and research centres, smart specialisation, culture and the environment. He said Crete offered good opportunities for investments, that it was a safe destination and that the island was making efforts to extend its tourism season in order to boost growth.

Kittmer said the meeting reaffirmed the already good relations between Crete and Britain on a local and national level.

"In our meeting with Mr. Arnaoutakis, we focused our interest of possible areas of cooperation in the sectors of sustainable development and tourism. I hope we can further boost trade ties of the British market with Crete," he said.

The meeting with Lambrinos also focused on the potential for cooperation in culture and entrepreneurship.

[35] British Airways announces direct flights to Corfu and Kos for summer 2015

The airline said that the airlink would start on May 1 until the end of the tourist season.

Flights to Kos will be carried out every Tuesday and Saturday and to Corfu every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Tickets sale opened on October 1 and are available via ba.com or via travel agencies.

[36] Greek economic sentiment index down in Sept.

In a monthly report, IOBE said that despite the September fall, the economic sentiment index remained at significantly higher levels compared with previous years, offering evidence that business expectations were stabilising while the economy was gradually exiting its long-term recession. The September fall, however, reflected deteriorating conditions in all business sectors, particularly in the retail commerce and constructions.

IOBE said that demand also fell strongly in September, with consumer confidence recording the lowest performance in the last six months. Weaker expectations were anticipated in September as consumers were burdened by higher tax obligations, while the month coincided with the completion of the main tourist season.

More analytically, business expectations in the manufacturing sector weakened over short-term production levels and the current level of orders and demand, while the inventories index showed greater liquidation.

In the services sector, business expectations fell mildly over current activity, along with estimates over short-term demand.

[37] Air traffic controllers' strike illegal

All flights will be carried out as normal.

[38] Samsung Medison plans to invest in Greece in medical equipment

The minister met with the Executive Director of Samsung Medison Wayne Spittle and President and CEO of Samsung Healthcare, Konstantinos Adamopoulos, who expressed their interest in creating the company's European Training Centre in Greece.

Dendias assured Samsung's executives that the ministry and its agencies will facilitate the effort in any way they can.

He also reiterated the government's will to attract foreign investment and cited the ministry's initiatives to simplify and improve the administrative process.

[39] Tourist arrivals can be increased if Greek hotels improve accessibility for people with disabilities

In a press conference on Thursday, Peoplecert unveiled "accessibility pass" (www.accessibilitypass.org), an initiative based on a public-private partnership.

The initiative, a world first, was developed by Peoplecert in cooperation with experts from the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) and provides international certification to hotel infrastructure and services promoting accessibility for people with disabilities of different categories and the elderly.

[40] Greek stocks end flat on Thursday

Later, however, sellers regained control of the market following Mario Draghi's comments that ECB will buy Greek banks' covered bonds and ABS but on the condition that the country renewed an adjustment programme with the European Union.

The composite index of the market ended 0.01 pct lower at 1,058.65 points, after rising as much as 2.60 pct early in the session. Turnover was a strong 139.54 million euros.

The Large Cap index eased 0.28 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.61 pct higher. Titan (5.58 pct), Jumbo (5.30 pct), OPAP (4.17 pct), MIG (3.11 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while OTE (3.88 pct), National Bank (2.99 pct), Piraeus Bank (2.84 pct) and Viohalco (2.37 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, the Personal Products (4.17 pct), Construction (3.56 pct) and Travel (3.46 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (3.88 pct), Banks (1.77 pct) and Utilities (1.58 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 67 to 59, with another 22 issues unchanged. Sidma (19.65 pct), Domiki Crete (16.67 pct) and Pasal (14.07 pct) were top gainers, while Pegasus (18.52 pct), Spider (16.67 pct) and Altec (16.0 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -1.77%

Insurance: unchanged

Financial Services: +0.27%

Industrials: +0.45%

Retail: unchanged

Real Estate: -0.30%

Personal & Household :+4.17%

Food & Beverages: +1.24%

Raw Materials: -0.47%

Construction: +3.56%

Oil: +0.57%

Chemicals: +1.37%

Mass Media: unchanged

Travel & Leisure: +3.46%

Technology: +1.25%

Telecoms: -3.88%

Utilities: -1.58%

Health: -0.63%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Piraeus Bank, National Bank, Eurobank and Alpha Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.633

Public Power Corp (PPC): 8.85

Coca Cola HBC: 17.03

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.88

National Bank of Greece: 2.27

OPAP: 11.00

OTE: 10.15

Piraeus Bank: 1.41

Titan: 20.80

Eurobank Properties: 8.95

[41] Greek bond market closing report

Turnover in the market was a strong 82 million euros, of which 60 million were buy orders and the remaining 22 million euros were sell orders.

In interbank markets, interest rates moved lower. The 12-month rate eased to 0.334 pct from 0.337 pct, the nine-month rate fell to 0.249 pct from 0.251 pct, the six-month rate eased to 0.180 pct from 0.182 pct, the three-month rate eased to 0.081 pct from 0.082 pct and the one-month rate was unchanged at 0.006 pct.

[42] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totalled 54,888 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (14,969), followed by Eurobank (12,160), Alpha Bank (7,076), National Bank (5,714), PPC (3,695), MIG (2,826), OPAP (2,228), OTE (1,880), Hellenic Exchanges (1,515), Hellenic Petroleum (629), Mytilineos (594), GEK (295), Jumbo (218), Ellaktor (179), Korinth Pipeworks (120) and Folli Follie (118).

[43] Foreign exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.2631

Pound sterling 0.7824

Danish kroner 7.4439

Swedish kroner 9.0994

Japanese yen 137.47

Swiss franc 1.2085

Norwegian kroner 8.1475

Canadian dollar 1.4067

Australian dollar 1.4393

General News

[44] Tourism Minister Kefalogianni addresses UNESCO World Forum on Culture in Florence

Kefalogianni said that the majority of tourists today want to visit regions with high environmental quality and strong elements of local culture.

She also underlined that tourism development should be based on the criteria of sustainability and absolute respect of the natural and human environment.

As regards Greece, she said that everybody's duty is to highlight the huge cultural wealth inherited, referring to museums with unique artifacts, archaeological sites of exceptional beauty, monuments, Byzantine churches, all parts of a unique mosaic that begins in antiquity and ends up in modern Greece.

In the context of her visit to Florence, Kefalogianni had a working lunch with UNESCO director general Irina Bokova. She also gave an interview to Corriere della Sera newspaper and to the Italian news agency ANSA.

[45] Gov't working on attracting foreign film producers through incentives, Culture ministry

At a press conference at the Numismatic Museum, Gerekou said there was no question of a change of director Anna Kafetsi, although the board of trustees and certain museological studies might change to shorten completion time.

Gerekou said the ministry was also working on attracting film producers - domestic and foreign - by improving the tax and legal framework, with a new joing ministerial decision (KYA) that would incorporate seven previous ones released within the last two years. The Central Archaeological Council would also have to approve it, she said, while the permits for interested parties would be posted on the Culture ministry web site. The process of filming in archaeological sites or museums would be shortened to ten days, except for UNESCO-protected monuments like the Acropolis of Athens.

The ministry is also considering setting up a Film Commission to provide incentives, she revealed.

Gerekou said that the Athens Camerata (Friends of Music Orchestra), which is partially supported by the ministry and partly by private grants, has been given 100,000 euros by the ministry and will soon get a second such grant to encourage the performance of award-winning works at national venues.

[46] Ancient Amphipolis door discovery points to Macedonian-era tomb, excavator

She added it was too soon to tell who was buried there, but confirmed that excavations and work to support the monument were continuing.

Fragments of the original marble door, which included imitations of nails on wooden doors, were found along with evidence on the frame of one of the door jambs. The door leaves are made of white marble from the northern Aegean island of Thassos and measure 1.5 metres wide and 14 cm thick.

Commenting on the findings, Culture Secretary General Lina Mendoni said, "Amphipolis, from its very founding by Athenians was a prosperous city with a lot of natural resources, the reason that Athenians chose the site to begin with as a colony, and its significance continued to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era."

The ministry was not the discoverer of Amphipolis, she reiterated, but has been involved in the site for many years, as proven by the EU-funded works at the ancient gymnasium and the Byzantine tower, which have absorbed about two million euros she said, in National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funds. "The publicity and promotion of this specific monument, and its existence, is a wonderful opportunity for the developmental future of this area, a unique environment, and a rich cultural resource that can contribute significantly to the local and national economy," she added.

[47] University of Crete included in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014 - 2015

The top ten includes only US and British universities, while the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) got the highest score for a fourth year in a row.

The Times Higher Education World University rankings are published every year and along with the QS World University Ranking and Shanghai's Academic Ranking of World Universities-ARWU are considered among the most prestigious and influential rankings in the world. Universities are evaluated on four main criteria: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Under the QS World University Ranking, published a few weeks ago, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) was the highest ranked Greek university (positions 441-450) followed by the University of Crete (451-460). In the 2013 ARWU rankings, two Greek universities, those of Thessaloniki and Athens, were included in 500 top universities of the world (positions 301-400).

[48] Panorama of European Cinema to be held in Athens Oct. 16-26

Seventy films from the European and International cinematography will be screened at Asty and Aavora theatre in downtown Athens.

The film "Queen and Country" directed by John Boorman will open the festival while European films will take part in the competition section among them "The Smell of Us" by Larry Clark and the "Incompresa" by Asia Argento.

A large number of noted personalities of the world of cinema have been hosted and awarded in the 27 years of the festival's existence. Among them Francis Ford Coppola, Michelangelo Antognoni, Arthur Penn, Harold Pinter, Ken Loach, Christopher Lee, the Monty Pythons, Wim Wenders, Costas Gavras, Steven Frears, the brothers Taviani, Emir Kusturica and others.

[49] Former businessman Koskotas acquitted of instigating-murder charges

Both Koskotas and Sideris were represented by their lawyers in court. Tthe charges related an attack by three unknown men on November 15, 2007 while he was parking his car in an underground garage in Paleo Faliro, on the western coast of Attica. One of the three had shot Sideris twice and injured him on his hand and shoulder.

According to the case file, the incident appeared to be related to a real estate transaction between Koskotas and Sideris worth 1.8 billion drachmas, the currency at the time, although Sideris' wife expressed doubt that the perpetrators were related to Koskotas.

[50] Journalists from Turkey's biggest newspapers visit Halki seminary

Media representatives were welcomed by the abbot of the School, Metropolitan of Bursa Elpidoforos, who talked about the preparations being made for the day the School will reopen.

He said a team is preparing the digitization of the School's valuable library which will be then uploaded on the internet.

Asked by journalists if there's any legal impediment for the opening of the School, Elpidoforos said there isn't and that it's a matter of political will.

[51] Booby-trapped envelope found in ASE building

The envelope was found in the mail distribution office and was considered to be suspicious. The employees called the police that found the explosive device and defuse it.

According to initial information, the A4 envelope was mailed from Corfu with sender a non-existent publishing house.

The remains of the explosive device were sent to the CSI for examination.

Meanwhile, police sources said that the envelope bears no resemblance with other booby trapped envelopes that have been sent in past by terror groups.

[52] Seven foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested on Crete

The suspects were sent to Heraklio prosecutor.

[53] Stolen post-byzantine icon repatriated

The head of the 19th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities Krystallia Mantzana said to ANA-MPA thatshe was informed in 2011 by the Culture Ministry that the post-byzantine icon was located in London and was identified after a detailed examination of the archive material.

[54] National press federation (POESY) opens annual congress in Athens

The congress will run until Sunday at the Athens Journalists Union (ESIEA) premises in downtown Athens.

The focus of the congress was the sector's survival during the crisis, especially the losses in revenues affecting the insurance branch of the sector.

[55] Three foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested at Kalamata airport

The arrested will be taken to Kalamata prosecutor.

[56] Police arrests criminal group involved in illegal medical prescriptions

Police arrested a 60-year-old doctor, two pharmacists aged 51 and 64 and a 66-year-old medical visitor. A third pharmacist also appears to be connected to the case.

According to the investigation, the doctor wrote out 2,500 medical prescriptions for 900 patients which included 10,000 drugs, all of which were sold in the stores of the arrested pharmacists.

Authorities estimate the state suffered losses of more than 52,000 euros.

[57] Top court annuls freeze order of businessman's bank accounts for being 'too vague'

In 2011 SDOE blocked a number of bank accounts and banking products of the businessman who traded agricultural machinery in Thrace, northern Greece.

But the Council of State, Greece's highest administrative court, ruled the move is unconstitutional because "it leaves too much to the discretion of the management and uses vague concepts."

The court said the order didn't specify the extent or duration of the freeze and didn't provide judicial insurances for its enforcement or its repeal.

It also said that while freezing bank accounts can indeed serve the public interest, it is not enough to justify such a serious intrusion into the constitutionally-protected property of the audited tax payer.

[58] 4.1-magnitude earthquake hits southeastern Aegean

The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km in the sea, 57 klm southwest of the island.

[59] Young Briton found dead in Plaka harbour near Leonidio on Thursday

Initial signs point to an accident, sources said, but an investigation has been launched by the Leonidio Harbour Station, which has asked for an autopsy to be carried out by a Nafplio coroner.

Weather forecast

[60] Cloudy with a chance of rain

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

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: A starting point for developments

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Get aligned, otherwise we are lost

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Maximos Mansion puts a break on election scenarios and steps on the gas for '180' deputies for February

ESTIA: Government asks for a vote of confidence

ETHNOS: Double break with the vote of confidence

IMERISSIA: Up to 50 pct reduction on tax penalties

KATHIMERINI: A vote of confidence for a clear political stage

LOGOS: Businesses to pay VAT only after they have collected it

NAFTEMPORIKI: Bad loans settlement plan

RIZOSPASTIS: Social insurance system: each reactionary change a cause for war

TA NEA: Government pulls the break on the way to elections

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