Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-21

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus gov't spokesman confirms PM Samaras' visit to Cyrpus on Nov. 7

[02] PM Samaras visits Fire Brigade station in Halandri

[03] FM Venizelos' statement on the presence of the Turkish research vessel Barbaros within the Cypriot EEZ

[04] New Democracy MEP Kefalogiannis: Turkey is violating Cyprus' exclusive economic zone

[05] KKE condemns entry of Turkey's seismic survey vessel 'Barbaros' into Cyprus EEZ

[06] Deputy Foreign Minister Gerontopoulos on a two-day visit to Romania

[07] Gov't spokeswoman: Markets reaction frightened SYRIZA

[08] SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman Lafazanis on memorandum and the party's policy

[09] Gov't spokeswoman lashes out at SYRIZA parliamentary group spokesman Lafazanis

[10] Gov't irresponsible and has achieved nothing, SYRIZA's Skourletis claims

[11] No public employee risks having a wage cut, Administrative Reform min says

[12] Municipal workers hold protest outside the Administrative Reform ministry

[13] Wages of public employees already in service cannot be changed, PASOK parliamentary group sec says

[14] President Papoulias attends ceremony for the launch of the submarine 'Okeanos'

[15] Former Synaspismos leader Konstantopoulos' testimony postponed on Tuesday

[16] KKE comments on gov't-SYRIZA controversy on markets

[17] DIMAR president Kouvelis meets with Attiki Regional Authority Governor Dourou

[18] Energy Minister Maniatis, Norwegian ambassador discuss positions on climate change

[19] AJC applauds efforts by PM Samaras, judicial authorities to send Golden Dawn members to trial

[20] Trial of Piraeus Golden Dawn members postponed until April 1

[21] Anti-fascist rally outside the Piraeus court

[22] British Ambassador to Athens John Kittmer addresses Battle of Navarino events

[23] Greek Parliament's budget slightly down in 2015

[24] Biggest challenge for Greek tourism in 2015 to extend season to 12 months, says Tourism minister

[25] Tax returns and debts offsetting system is a great institutional breakthrough, Labour Min Vroutsis says

[26] BoG governor, insurance companies meet

[27] Gov't to launch 1.0-billion-euro programme to improve public building energy efficiency

[28] Gov't to present draft bill opening energy market, facilitating switch from heating oil to gas

[29] Exports of fruit and vegetables up 5.7 pct in volume in Jan-July

[30] High taxes on tourism sector hurt demand, says Development minister

[31] Chinese delegation meets Panhellenic Exporters Association head Sakellaridis

[32] Northern Greek petrol station owners cautiously optimistic about heating oil consumption

[33] IME-GSEVEE and ADGI-INERPOST to collaborate in researching SME issues

[34] Industrial turnover index down 4.2 pct in August

[35] Prison staff contest sale of Kassandra Farm Prison land at Council of State

[36] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[37] Greek bond market closing report

[38] ADEX closing report

[39] Foreign exchange rates - Monday

[40] Culture Minister Tassoulas replies to query over the statue of Alexander the Great

[41] More Britons say 'yes' than 'no' to returning Parthenon Marbles to Greece, YouGov poll finds

[42] Intriguing Phaistos Disk a tribute to Minoan Crete's mother-goddess, professor claims

[43] Cost of Amphipolis archaeological dig does not exceed 590,000 euros, gov't says

[44] Archaeologists to hold 48-hour strike on October 22-23

[45] Underwater excavation of 16th-century Spanish shipwreck off Zakynthos completed for this year

[46] Greek Ombudsman, CoE chair meeting on legal recognition of transgender people

[47] Albanian man held for fatal central Athens accident to remain under house arrest

[48] Orionids meteor shower at their peak on Tuesday dawn

[49] National Archive of Monuments Directorate to organise exhibition, conference

[50] Police arrest suspects for drug dealing, confiscate nearly 14 kilos of heroin

[51] Municipality crews complete Athens University clean-up, remove 5.5 tonnes of rubbish from campus

[52] Thessaloniki prosecutor to investigate allegations of 'dangerous' filters for kidney patients

[53] Mostly fair weather on Tuesday

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

[01] Cyprus gov't spokesman confirms PM Samaras' visit to Cyrpus on Nov. 7

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on November 7 will visit Cyprus ahead of the trilateral summit in Cairo, Cyprus' government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides said.

Asked whether the trilateral summit in Egypt essentially finalizes the cooperation of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt in the energy sector, the government spokesman said that this is a very important meeting, which is expected to come to some conclusions. Christodoulides also said that there are already advanced consultations at the level of Foreign Ministers of the three countries, who will meet in Nicosia on October 29 in preparation of the Cairo meeting.

The Cyprus government spokesman did not rule out the broadening of this dialogue with other neighboring countries, pointing out the great comparative advantage of Cyprus, due to its excellent relations with all the countries of the region except Turkey.

[02] PM Samaras visits Fire Brigade station in Halandri

Addressing a review meeting on this year's firefighting season, Samaras said the crisis was coming to an end in Greece. "Our country can only get ahead when each person does his or her duty," the premier said. "We will then go ahead, and we are conclusively leaving behind us, in the past, at the end of this crisis we are experiencing now, all hardship. There is a future opening up widely ahead of us and you serve as the example that a young Greek can follow today."

According to data released by the Fire Brigade's arson investigation division (DAEE), 3,661 fires broke out in Greece in June, July and August, 676 fewer than last year, or a drop of 15.6 pct, while a total of 15,000 hectares (150,162 stremmas) were burnt from January to October in 2014.

The extent of burnt land was reduced by 44.6 pct from the year before and by 71 pct in terms of the average of the last 16 years, while the majority (96.76 pct) were land plots smaller than 10 hectares (100 stremmas).

There were 20 large fires burning over 100 hectares (1,000 stremmas) each, most of which (12) were in Thessaly, central Greece.

According to information to date, there are 3,917 court case files for fires that broke out in rural and forest areas and 194 files on individuals. Six have been detained. According to DAEE, 48.63 pct of the fires were due to arson; 22.70 pct due to negligence; 12.33 pct due to natural causes; another 12.33 pct due to unknown reasons; and 4.01 pct were accidental.

Samaras attended with Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias. Both made special reference to the efforts fire fighters exert and to the loss of firefighter Mattheos Mantzios during his attempt to save a woman trapped in an apartment in Paleo Faliro, south of Athens.

Samars added that the government had initiated the process of acquiring another 372 fire trucks, the upgrading of existing equipment was near completion and 600 new fire fighters have joined the Fire Brigade.

[03] FM Venizelos' statement on the presence of the Turkish research vessel Barbaros within the Cypriot EEZ

"Unfortunately, Turkey did not listen to the voice of the international community, did not listen to the voice of the UN and the European Union, did not listen to the voice of international legality.

Its vessel, Barbaros, is in the region of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and will attempt to carry out exploration that is obviously a flagrant flouting of the International Law of the Sea, because in this region there is no question as to the delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkey is not claiming anything there. Turkey appears to be acting in the name of the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state. Thus, the core of the case is Turkey's refusal to recognize the existence and the international legal personality of the Republic of Cyprus. But the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the UN, of the European Union and of the Eurozone; a state that is recognized globally by all the members of the UN, apart from Turkey," Venizelos said.

"If Turkey does not see that the Republic of Cyprus exists, it is itself throwing up insuperable obstacles to its European course and perspective. If Turkey does not see that the Republic of Cyprus exists, there is no framework for the negotiations regarding the future of the Republic of Cyprus and the coexistence and symbiosis of the two communities.

Turkey is undermining the dialogue in Cyprus and creating a crisis hotspot at a time when the international community's attention is focused - and must be focused - on Kobani, on ISIS, on the fight against international terrorism and the crises Europe is facing in its southern and eastern neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, the front is being ruptured, and Turkey's responsibility in this matter is huge.

That is why we call on Turkey to reverse course, not just with the vessel, but also in its foreign policy, and to manoeuver within the framework of international legality, to assist and support the negotiations in Cyprus, and to move within the framework of legality, which is the secure framework both for our bilateral relations and for Turkey's European course," he added.

[04] New Democracy MEP Kefalogiannis: Turkey is violating Cyprus' exclusive economic zone

"Cyprus has the right to take advantage of the resources found within its EEZ and its continental shelf as stated in the UN Convention on International Maritime Law, which forms part of the Community acquis," Kefalogiannis said after the meeting.

"Turkey, with its recent NAVTEX directive for exploration within in the maritime zone of Cyprus violates the sovereign rights of the Cyprus Republic, undermines international law and also works against stability in the Southeastern Mediterranean, at a time when security in the Middle East and Africa is extremely fluid," he added.

The two officials also discussed the signing of the Greek-Cypriot agreement on research and rescue, progress on the trilateral agreement with Egypt and developments in the Middle East.

[05] KKE condemns entry of Turkey's seismic survey vessel 'Barbaros' into Cyprus EEZ

"This action consists of an implementation of Turkish threats to begin seismic surveys and drilling within the Cypriot EEZ and is a dangerous development, which linked to an escalation of competition in the region for control of mineral wealth. The KKE condemns Turkey's provocativeness, which violates the territorial rights of Cyprus and perpetuates using all means the occupation regime of the greater part of the island," the announcement said.

[06] Deputy Foreign Minister Gerontopoulos on a two-day visit to Romania

On Tuesday morning, he will inaugurate the new building of the Greek School "Athina" in Bucharest and meet with the school's teachers and members of the parent-teacher association.

He is also scheduled to meet with the President of the Hellenic Union of Romania and Romanian MP Dragos Zisopoulo and in the afternoon of the same day he will inaugurate the new offices of the Greek-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On Wednesday, Gerontopoulos will visit the cities of Braila and Galati, where he will meet with representatives of the local Greek communities and visit Greek churches.

[07] Gov't spokeswoman: Markets reaction frightened SYRIZA

Voultepsi said even SYRIZA was frightened by the markets' reaction and was forced to change its stance.

The government spokeswoman defended the government's line that a debate on the 'day after' should open because the European support programme ends in late 2014 and only the IMF programme that ends in March 2016 remains.

Regarding the presidential elections, she noted "at the end of the day when all the details and the information are available, the government will have the 180 votes needed for the election for the President in order for the country to be saved."

[08] SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman Lafazanis on memorandum and the party's policy

He noted that SYRIZA's programme, which Alexis Tsipras announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), will be implemented as of the first day of governance without any discussion or negotiation with the lenders.

"We will not take a sponge and erase it; we will claim the write off of the largest part," he said referring to the debt. He said the debt was not viable and termed SYRIZA's arguments on a comprehensive solution "strong".

"The country is falling apart," he said. "This compels us to implement a radical policy to deal with acute problems."

"We don't owe, they owe us," he noted.

[09] Gov't spokeswoman lashes out at SYRIZA parliamentary group spokesman Lafazanis

Voultepsi noted that Lafazanis said in an interview to private Mega TV on Monday that his party will not accept financing for the country to which commitments will be attached. Among other things, he said that his party would abolish the memorandum unilaterally and its related laws through a law voted in Parliament, demand a writeoff for the greatest part of the debt (saying "they owe us, we don't owe them"), disengage from any guardianship and not follow "the boss," as he called the markets.

Voultepsi said Lafazanis admitted that the consequences by implementing the SYRIZA programme could be painful. "These painful consequences are the exit from the eurozone, the confiscation of bank accounts and finally bankruptcy. This is where SYRIZA's catastrophic policy leads. And indeed the new inflationary one-thousand-drachma banknote will have Lafazanis' portrait on it," Voultepsi added.

[10] Gov't irresponsible and has achieved nothing, SYRIZA's Skourletis claims

"You cannot do politics and each time blame your opponent's positions as the cause of the problems..." Skourletis stressed. He noted that after four years and more of austerity policies that had "wiped out an entire society," it was "again the opposition's fault, not because its policies were implemented but because the government's policies were implemented."

"But the opposition must not disagree with this because when it disagrees the markets get fierce. How convincing is that?" Skourletis added.

He accused the government of being contradictory and irresponsible, saying that promises for unilateral tax cuts were never carried out, while the prime minister's announcement of an 'exit' from the memorandums had been followed by that of government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi that "there is no exit from the memorandum without the troika's consent".

"Let them make up their minds. You can't carry out a plan for an exit from memorandums if you don't back this up in practice, when you enforce all the implementing laws," he said.

SYRIZA's spokesman said Greece was actually having to discuss a whole raft of essentially new austerity measures with its creditors, things that concerned the coming years, and noted that a sense of insecurity and instability had been rampant throughout society.

"Was there anyone in Greece that felt secure in his job, concerning his income? Was there any positive prospect? Was it not a constant state of social anomaly? National interests, if they does not include the sense of the interests of the many and the larger part of society are devoid of meaning," he added.

He repeated a call for elections, stressing that the present government could not continue "without society" and that ruling coalition leader New Democracy "cannot guarantee an exit from the memorandum," which would come via the Greek people's vote and the ballot box.

[11] No public employee risks having a wage cut, Administrative Reform min says

"The public sector payroll is extremely congested. Employees start working at high wages compared to the private sector and end up with lower wages compared to the private sector. We should calmly discuss how to deal with this issue...There should be a new introductory wage only for the newly hired employees for a two-year trial period; this is provided for by the employees code but it also needs to be implemented," he noted.

Responding to PASOK criticism, he called for a dialogue on the public sector and not a discussion with "leaks" or "reports". He added that the cross-checking of fake certificates and labour contracts that were illegally converted to indefinite ones would continue in 2015.

Referring to the main opposition, he accused SYRIZA of being a "clearly divided party", as there are wings, he said, that have not yet made clear whether they want the country to remain in the Eurozone or not and referred to the case of Panagiotis Lafazanis.

[12] Municipal workers hold protest outside the Administrative Reform ministry

The lay-offs are being based on a 2011 report by the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP), which found irregularities regarding the implementation of the Presidential Decree 164/2004 on granting a permanent labour status to contract workers.

POE-OTA has announced labour action as this is the first case of lay-offs that are based on the cross-checking of contracts that were converted from fixed-term to indefinite ones.

It has also called on the Interior ministry to "immediately intervene so as to terminate any procedure that will lead to the employees' lay-off and the dismantling of the departments at the Keratsini-Drapetsona municipality."

[13] Wages of public employees already in service cannot be changed, PASOK parliamentary group sec says

It should be explained to public sector employees that any change would not result in overall cuts, he said.

"Some may see their wages being cut and some others may see their salaries going up. All that is discussed in details...on a government level and then they come out as official announcements and official positions of the government," he said.

Asked if there is a cooperation issue between PASOK and the Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Rigas noted:

"Several times we have had a serious and honest conversation with Mitsotakis and other ministers. What we made clear from the very beginning is that we cannot discuss some issues on the table, agree that if they are not discussed in detail they will not take the form of a bill and then see things happening in a hasty manner. I know we cannot discuss indefinitely and get into endless debates; I accept that. What I cannot accept, however, is not having an extensive discussion on some issues, which are of major interest."

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

[14] President Papoulias attends ceremony for the launch of the submarine 'Okeanos'

The president was received by National Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who underlined in his address that the country's deterrence capability is being reinforced with the addition of "Okeanos" submarine to the Greek Navy fleet.

He also said that the necessary work on the remaining two submarines will be completed ahead of schedule, while the missile boats under construction in Elefsina Shipyards will join the Greek Navy very soon, with the missile boat "Ritsos" expected to be launched first.

The defence minister underlined that the launching of two submarines, "Pipinos" and "Okeanos", in the past two weeks is a proof of the potential of the country's shipbuilding sector.

Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis referred to the submarine's technical characteristics that are close to the specifications of 214-type submarines.

The launching ceremony was attended by the country's military leadership, government ministers, MPs and foreign dignitaries, among others.

[15] Former Synaspismos leader Konstantopoulos' testimony postponed on Tuesday

Konstantopoulos was initially scheduled to testify on Monday, but his deposition was postponed as a result of the witness' prior commitments.

Konstantopoulos seems to have been the first one to speak of benefits towards deputies so as to avoid early elections. More specifically, Konstantopoulos told Parapolitika newspaper in early September: "Behind the scenes efforts are being made so as not to hold elections, with pressures, promises, benefits and exchanges that remind of old, sinful periods of time."

DIMAR deputy Ioannis Panousis will also testify on Tuesday.

[16] KKE comments on gov't-SYRIZA controversy on markets

Both parties are hiding, however, that the markets' "reassurance" requires new unpopular measures, either via the current troika or through EU mechanisms and preventive support, it added.

[17] DIMAR president Kouvelis meets with Attiki Regional Authority Governor Dourou

In a meeting lasting over an hour, Dourou briefed the DIMAR leader on the regional authority's problems and priorities, noting that they shared the same views on most issues.

On his part, Kouvelis underlined that they had a substantive discussion and that he was briefed on pending issues and problems that concern the regional authority.

[18] Energy Minister Maniatis, Norwegian ambassador discuss positions on climate change

Maniatis said that Greece is in favour of a 40 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 30 pct contribution of renewable energy sources (RES) to Greece's energy balance (higher than the EU's 27 pct) and 30 pct in energy savings by 2030.

The ambassador expressed interest in fossil fuel exploration and oil pipeline projects in Greece, as well as other energy issues, and plans to link the Greek islands to the mainland electricity grid and to install 'smart meters' in all Greek households by 2030.

[19] AJC applauds efforts by PM Samaras, judicial authorities to send Golden Dawn members to trial

The American Jewish Committee (AJC), a body which advocates globally on Jewish issues, hailed the efforts of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to bring the members of the extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party to justice as well as the state prosecutor's decision to send its leading members to trial.

"Prime Minister Samaras and Greece's law enforcement and judicial authorities have pursued Golden Dawn with admirable courage and determination, demonstrating principled leadership," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

"The Golden Dawn party threatens the very foundation of Greece, the cradle of democracy. Bringing party leaders to justice for their criminal activity is important for the well-being and security of Greek society," he added.

AJC said the prosecutor, Isidoros Doyiakos, announced that 70 Golden Dawn party members, including imprisoned party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and 17 other deputies, should stand trial for murder, weapons offenses and multiple attacks on immigrants, leftists and gay people.

A panel of three judges received the prosecutor's 700-page document and is expected to issue indictments within weeks. The charges cover more than 30 years of criminality.

The body notes that Golden Dawn has used "violence, intimidation and neo-Nazi symbolism to promote its racist ideology, which targets immigrants, Jews and others deemed to be 'non-Greek.'"

AJC also mentioned statements by the Greek premier made during an AJC reception in New York in September 2013, when he vowed to "deracinate" the Golden Dawn party.

[20] Trial of Piraeus Golden Dawn members postponed until April 1

The court postponed the hearing on the grounds of one of the defendants having been illegally summoned.

Two members of the Piraeus Golden Dawn organisation are facing charges for grievous bodily harm in relation to the case. One of the defendants is remanded in custody pending trial as he is also facing charges for participating in a criminal organisation. According to the Appeals Prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos, he is also facing charges for blackmailing shop owners in Piraeus and Athens.

The lawyer of the Piraeus' Anti-Nazi Initiative Thanassis Kambagiannis said that four people attacked the anti-fascist organizations' members, two of which have been identified after the lawsuit filed against them by the victims.

The lawyers of the two accused Golden Dawn members said that their customers were defending themselves as they had been earlier attacked on their way to a cafeteria.

According to a representative of the Piraeus Anti-Nazi Initiative, there are dozens of incidents of violence by members of the Golden Dawn, which have never been brought to justice despite the fact that they had been reported to the authorities.

Members of the Piraeus' Anti-Nazi Initiative and "KEERFA-United Movement Against Racism and the Fascist Threat" earlier on Monday held an anti-fascist rally outside the Piraeus court.

[21] Anti-fascist rally outside the Piraeus court

A case file has been formed against two members of the local organisation of Golden Dawn who are facing charges for grievous bodily harm. One of the defendants is kept in custody pending trial as he is also facing charges for participating in a criminal organisation. According to the Appeals Prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos, he is also facing charges for blackmailing shop owners in Piraeus and Athens.

The lawyer of the Piraeus' Anti-Nazi Initiative Thanassis Kambagiannis said that four people attacked the anti-fascist organizations' members, two of which have been identified after the lawsuit filed against them by the victims.

According to a representative of the Piraeus Anti-Nazi Initiative, there are dozens of incidents of violence by members of the Golden Dawn, which have never 'arrived' to justice despite the fact that they had been reported to the authorities.

[22] British Ambassador to Athens John Kittmer addresses Battle of Navarino events

Ambassador Kittmer referred to the bravery and self-sacrifice of the men who were inspired by the liberal ideals of the Greek Revolution and gave their lives for Greece's independence.

He underlined that in Navarino Bay, Greece stopped being an idea and became a nation-state and since then, his country and Greece never stopped being friends, adding that now the two countries are united as partners and allies in their economic and military alliances, just as in 1827, and should continue being united in the years to come.

[23] Greek Parliament's budget slightly down in 2015

The draft budget, envisaging spending worth 139.922 million euros, was voted by all government parties. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) party voted against, while main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) and extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) reserved the right to present their cases during a debate in the assembly. Democratic Left (DIMAR) deputies said they were present, while Independent Greeks (ANEL) and other independent deputies offered a white vote.

The Greek Parliament's regular personnel totals 1,395 staff with an average basic salary of 1,368 euros, rising to 2,238 euros per month if extra benefits were added.

Financial News

[24] Biggest challenge for Greek tourism in 2015 to extend season to 12 months, says Tourism minister

Kefalogianni said 2015 will be a good year for the sector, not just in terms of arrivals and revenues, but also in investments. "2015 is a crucial year and no success should be wasted," she noted at the two-day conference titled "Greece's Strategic Advantages: Investments and Growth", which was organized by the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE).

Kefalogianni added the ministry is working towards attracting investment and the response has so far been positive.

To achieve that, the ministry is mulling a new policy towards the cruise industry and initiatives to place Athens at the capital of Greek tourism, the minister said.

Kefalogianni also rejected claims that Greece's good performance in tourism this year is coincidental, saying it's the result of having a clear vision, a plan and the political will to promote the industry.

Crete's Regional Authority chief, Stavros Arnaoutakis, said the upgrade of the island's infrastructure is helping tourism, noting the government's planned tender for the construction of a new airport in Kasteli. He also said athletic and cultural events would increase tourism arrivals in popular Cretan destinations throughout the year.

Macedonia's Regional Authority chief, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stressed the need for a joint development strategy that will include all regions.

Juan Jose Riveiro, Principal at the Boston Consulting Group in Spain, said the city of Murcia is a great example of how to combat seasonality.

Riveiro said Murcia focused on tourism for the elderly and made investments based on this strategy, adding it's important for a city or region to differentiate itself from the usual tourism model of "sun and sea" and to create a unique identity. Murcia achieved that by taking advantage of the local infrastructure in real estate, as well as gastronomy and culture.

He also mentioned the example of Bilbao, an industrial city in the north of Spain, which managed to become a tourism destination by building an important museum. Since then, revenues from the museum have jumped to 200 million euros.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to address the conference on Tuesday.

[25] Tax returns and debts offsetting system is a great institutional breakthrough, Labour Min Vroutsis says

In his statement, Vroutsis noted that as of now the "tax return procedures for citizens will be conducted in a transparent and fair way, without any problems or delays, while the procedures for the collection of the amounts are drastically simplified as citizens are not required to submit a tax clearance certificate."

According to the minister, citizens who don't owe money to their social security funds will be the first ones to benefit from the new mechanism.

Moreover, the revenues of social security organizations are being further strengthened and the country's social security system is being shielded, the minister said.

"This institutional change constitutes another step that confirms our political determination to solve problems of decades once and for all," he added.

[26] BoG governor, insurance companies meet

According to sources, the agenda covered all issues of the sector and the meeting was held in a good climate. Insurance companies have entered the phase of solvency II, preparing for the transition into a new supervisory environment. The sector estimates that the insurance industry has performed satisfactory despite the heavy blows it suffered with the PSI programme and the economic crisis and is confident that private insurance has the ability to play an even more important role in pension and healthcare services.

[27] Gov't to launch 1.0-billion-euro programme to improve public building energy efficiency

The meeting also decided to set up a working group coordinated by the Special Secretary for Public-Private Partnerships Nikos Mantzoufas, which will make proposals concerning the optimal financing scheme for such investments.

Maniatis said the programme would seek to invest in features generating energy savings and would include hospitals, schools, pumping stations, swimming pools and street lights on municipal and national roads. The cost of the investments will be offset by the savings in energy, which are estimated to be as high as 40 pct.

The energy efficiency programme will absorb 220 million euros from the new NSRF and is one of three pylons of the national energy efficiency strategy, along with a similar programme targeting business premises and the continued 'Savings at Home' programmes financed by the previous NSRF.

Maniatis stressed that programmes of this sort benefited both energy consumers but also the environment, while boosting the construction sector and creating jobs that benefited the economy. He emphasised the fact that up to 70-75 pct of the materials used for energy-efficiency refits were made by Greek industry and noted that his ministry's proposal for a 15,000-euro tax exemption on energy efficiency investments was prompted by environment ministry estimates that this would result in a net increase in tax revenue.

[28] Gov't to present draft bill opening energy market, facilitating switch from heating oil to gas

According to information, the new draft bill will state that in order to switch from heating oil to gas, or to install individual gas systems (by apartment), apartment owners will have to hold a general assembly. The bill also suggests that any apartment that disconnects from the heating oil boiler will still have to contribute a small amount to the heating oil bill; however this point is still being discussed.

Existing regulations by apartment buildings state that all owners will have to agree with the changes in order to move ahead with the switch.

Concerning the deregulation of the energy market, the bill will provide for the separation of urban networks from trading. Today, both activities are managed by the Gas Supply Companies of Attica, Thessaloniki and Thessaly. It will also gradually allow customers to choose their provider.

The draft bill was posted on the ministry's website on Monday but was withdrawn, due to technical problems.

[29] Exports of fruit and vegetables up 5.7 pct in volume in Jan-July

In a report, Incofruit Hellas said that exports of fruit and vegetables rose 5.7 pct in volume to 891,421 tons and fell by 8.6 pct in value to 516,542,234 euros in the January-July period, compared with the same period in 2013

Vegetables grew 8.1 pct in volume to 135,628 tones worth 112,028,131 euros, boosted by a 7.6 pct increase in cucumbers and a 60.2 pct jump in tomatoes.

Fruit exports totaled 756,153 tons (+5.3 pct) worth 404,512,089 euros (-8.05 pct), boosted by a 63.7 pct rise in peach exports, a 59.5 pct jump in oranges, apples (67 pct), while water melons fell 4.3 pct, kiwis fell 26.1 pct, cherries fell 22.6 pct and strawberries fell 0.5 pct in the seven-month period.

Incofruit Hellas said this performance reflected largely a positive development in fruit and vegetable consumption in large EU markets, such as Germany and neighboring Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Romania) and third countries such as Russia (before a Russian embargo on European imports was imposed early in the summer).

[30] High taxes on tourism sector hurt demand, says Development minister

"The tourist product should be treated as the most exportable national product and, as such, it should be protected," Dendias said in his speech, adding: "The prime minister himself has pledged to set a unified tax rate of 15 percent for businesses, a promise which will be kept."

The minister also said Greece is considering making changes to the visa entry requirements, saying proposals made by SETE are in the right direction.

Discussing the real estate market, Dendias said property should be viewed as a modern form of investment. He noted that while property investment is widely developed abroad, "in Greece we are still reluctant, although property has a huge potential as a tool for growth."

Dendias also said the next batch of EU funds will focus on promoting quality tourism that combines nature and culture.

[31] Chinese delegation meets Panhellenic Exporters Association head Sakellaridis

SFA representatives said there was strong interest in imports of fish and fishfarm products, food industry additives and raw materials, as well as healthy snacks and sweets.

The two sides agreed to sign a cooperation agreement for joint actions to boost bilateral trade between the two countries for the benefit of export-oriented companies, thus making PEA a key partner for SFA in the search for Greek products and a means of direct networking for Chinese importers.

The SFA was founded in 1982 and its membership includes 447 large groups that account for 70 pct of the turnover for Shanghai province in all stages of the food industry.

[32] Northern Greek petrol station owners cautiously optimistic about heating oil consumption

As they said, as of October 15, when the supply of heating oil started, there have been more orders compared to last year while prices are 30 percent lower, because of a reduction in the special consumption tax, but if the downward trend of international prices stops, there are fears that the market will again "freeze".

For the current year and unless drastic changes occur, Northern Greek petrol station owners expect an increase in their heating oil related activities of up to 10 percent.

[33] IME-GSEVEE and ADGI-INERPOST to collaborate in researching SME issues

The agreement signed by GSEVEE-IME President Georgios Kavvathas and ADGI-INERPOST President Gerassimos Arsenis calls for the formation of working groups to investigate cost elements for Greek SMEs, export prospects and to promote policies for financing investments and improving conditions of liquidity.

[34] Industrial turnover index down 4.2 pct in August

The statistics service, in a report, attributed this development to a 28.5 pct drop in the mining turnover index and a 3.8 pct decline in the manufacturing turnover index. The domestic market index rose 0.9 pct and the external market turnover index fell by 10.3 pct in August.

[35] Prison staff contest sale of Kassandra Farm Prison land at Council of State

The prison staff ask that the transfer be cancelled as illegal and unconstitutional, on the grounds that the land transferred to Greece's privatisations agency includes the well providing the prison's water supply and the water reservoir where it stores water for irrigation and to water the farm's livestock. The prison employees stress that the livestock and agricultural produce raised on the farm generate income that is used to run the prison, improving the food, healthcare and supply of necessities, such as clothes and medicine, for the inmates.

They also note that the land was not listed by name in the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy as an asset of the Greek state, making its transfer not legal and in violation of the 2011 law.

Other obstacles to the transfer listed in the case are the existence of a recognised archaeological site on the property and the failure to issue a presidential decree to authorise the transfer.

[36] Greek stocks end moderately higher

The composite index of the market rose 1.09 pct to end at 941.93 points, after rising as much as 2.36 pct during the day. Turnover shrank significantly to 91.37 million euros.

The Large Cap index rose 1.16 pct and the Mid Cap index rose 0.83 pct. Piraeus Bank (7.55 pct), Alpha Bank (3.51 pct), Athens Water (3.08 pct), Eurobank (2.64 pct) and MIG (2.56 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains among blue chip stocks, while Intralot (3.88 pct), Ellaktor (3.13 pct), OTE (2.90 pct) and Viohalco (1.68 pct) suffered losses.

Among market sectors, Banks (3.23 pct), Utilities (1.93 pct) and Raw Materials (1.83 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (2.90 pct), Real Estate (1.28 pct) and Personal Products (0.42 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 75 to 37 with another 20 issues unchanged. Progressive (18.75 pct), Altec (18.18 pct) and Nakas (9.92 pct) were top gainers, while NEL (20 pct), ANEK (15.91 pct) and Fieratex (9.57 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: +3.23%

Insurance: +1.42%

Financial Service: -0.29%

Industrials: -0.25%

Retail: +0.05%

Real Estate: -1.28%

Personal & Household: -0.42%

Food & Beverages: +0.48%

Raw Materials: +1.83%

Construction: -0.19%

Oil: Unchanged

Chemicals: +1.59%

Mass Media: Unchanged

Travel & Leisure: +0.88%

Technology: -0.08%

Telecoms: -2.90%

Utilities: +1.93%

Health: +0.44%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.59

Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.55

Coca Cola HBC: 16.02

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.50

National Bank of Greece: 2.05

OPAP: 8.93

OTE: .71

Piraeus Bank: 1.14

Titan: 18.00

Grivalia Properties: 8.52

[37] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate eased to 0.337 pct from 0.34 pct, the nine-month rate was unchanged at 0.256 pct, the six-month rate eased to 0.184 pct from 0.185 pct, the three-month rate was stable at 0.081 pct and the one-month rate unchanged at 0.006 pct.

[38] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totalled 46,429 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (16,471), followed by Eurobank (8,748), Alpha Bank (7,840), National Bank (7,563), GEK (2,901), OTE (1,332), PPC (1,302), OPAP (614), Mytilineos (517), Hellenic Petroleum (337), Korinth Pipeworks (281), MIG (251), Hellenic Exchanges (192), METKA (137), and Terna Energy (155).

[39] Foreign exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.2773

Pound sterling 0.7914

Danish kroner 7.447

Swedish kroner 9.1969

Japanese yen 136.62

Swiss franc 1.2064

Norwegian kroner 8.39

Canadian dollar 1.4381

Australian dollar 1.456

General News

[40] Culture Minister Tassoulas replies to query over the statue of Alexander the Great

Tassoulas was replying to a query by 24 deputies of New Democracy (ND) asking for the placement of a statue of Alexander the Great in Athens.

"In 1993 the Culture Ministry, with an initiative of the Culture Minister at the time Dora Bakoyiannis, purchased the statue of Alexander the Great, work of the late sculptor Yiannis Pappas and granted it to the municipality of Athens with a view to be placed in a public open space in Athens," Tassoulas noted.

"The issue has been repeatedly raised in the municipality of Athens which is responsible for the open public spaces where the statue could have been placed," the minister said adding that the municipality's proposal for the statue to be put in a place nearby the Thision electric train station was not accepted by the Greek Central Archaeological Council (KAS) in April 2012 as it was not in harmony with the monuments of the surrounding area.

[41] More Britons say 'yes' than 'no' to returning Parthenon Marbles to Greece, YouGov poll finds

A new poll by YouGov showed that 37 pct of Britons think the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, which is more than the 23 pct who favour keeping them in the British Museum. Another 32 pct don't mind either way, and another 7 pct don't know how they feel about it.

The opinion poll was conducted on October 16-17 on a sample of 1,966 Britons, soon after the publicity given to the issue of the sculptures' return after human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin visited Greece to discuss the case with the Greek government.

A total of 36 pct say that one of the best arguments for returning the sculptures is that they "are a single work of art, and they should be reunited along with the rest of the Parthenon sculptures in Greece". Another 34 pct are swayed by the argument that the sculptures belong in Greece due to their importance as a part of Greek cultural heritage.

Most of the 23 pct who are in favour of keeping them in the British Museum either say that Lord Elgin took the sculptures legally with the permission of the Ottoman Empire, while 9 pct think it is a good argument that Britain should be able to keep the Parthenon Marbles, even if they were taken illegally, simply because they were taken 200 years ago.

[42] Intriguing Phaistos Disk a tribute to Minoan Crete's mother-goddess, professor claims

What he described as "the first Minoan CD-ROM," the disk was discovered in 1908 at the palace of Phaistos, in the northeastern part of the Aegean Island of Crete.

The round clay object, tentatively dated close to 1700 B.C., displays an unknown language on both sides which is carved in a circular fashion, from outside to the centre. According to Dr. Owens, there is one complex of signs found in three parts of one side of the disk spelling I-QE-KU-RJA (YGEIAN + AGAPI), with I-QE meaning "great lady of importance" while a key word appears to be AKKA, or "pregnant mother," according to the researcher. One side is devoted to a pregnant woman and the other to a woman giving birth, he said.

"The most stable word and value is 'mother'," and in particular the mother-goddess of the Minoan era, to whom the disk is dedicated, Owens said.

More information is available on the institution's web site (www.teicrete.gr/daidalika). According to the site, there are a total of 242 signs on both sides of the disk, based on 45 different signs, "too many for them to constitute an alphabet and too few for them to constitute a truly ideographic script, as is the case with Chinese."

[43] Cost of Amphipolis archaeological dig does not exceed 590,000 euros, gov't says

The document was sent in response to a question regarding the cost of the dig tabled by Independent Greeks MP Nikos Nikolopoulos.

It listed the amounts given in state funding for the excavation every year since 2010, either by the Serres prefecture, the Macedonia-Thrace ministry or the culture ministry. The amounts reached 240,000 euros in the period 2010-2013, with a further 150,000 given by the ministry in 2014, matched by another 150,000 donated by NBG. The DESFA and Hellenic Petroleum sponsorship (35,000 and 25,000 euros, respectively) have not yet been activated, the document said.

[44] Archaeologists to hold 48-hour strike on October 22-23

The association of culture ministry employees POE-YPPO has called on its members to participate in the October 22 mobilisation.

The representatives of the archaeologists' trade union underlined that the new organisational chart, published in the Government Gazette last August, was drawn up without a prior dialogue with institutional interlocutors and scientific bodies, noting that the smooth operation of the archaeological service is being jeopardised.

[45] Underwater excavation of 16th-century Spanish shipwreck off Zakynthos completed for this year

An announcement by the ministry of culture noted on Monday that this year's excavations showed that the ship's hull is preserved to a considerable degree, allowing archaeologists to study 15th- and 16th-century shipbuilding techniques.

The ship dates back to the era shortly after the Nafpaktos Naval Battle and based on the silver coins and the engraved handle of a weapon with a cross that have been recovered, is the only shipwreck of the period of the Spanish domination of the seas under Philip II that has been discovered in Greek territorial waters.

The culture ministry announcement noted that findings include shipbuilding structural elements and ship equipment used by seamen in their daily lives, while the large quantity of hazelnuts found scattered at the bottom of the sea as part of the ship's cargo is preserved in an excellent condition.

The ship's wooden hull is preserved to a considerable degree, which is rare considering the Mediterranean ecosystem, and is protected in situ covered by an erosion control blanket.

Also, a three dimensional prototype profiling method for a 3D reflection of the sea bottom has been applied on the shipwreck on a trial basis.

The underwater excavation was conducted from mid-September to October 6 and financed by the Piraeus Port Authority, with the technical support of the Zakynthos Coastguard and the contribution of City of Piraeus and Piraeus Museum personnel.

[46] Greek Ombudsman, CoE chair meeting on legal recognition of transgender people

The meeting was held in the context of consultation and cooperation aimed at the incorporation of CoE recommendations and the adoption of measures by member-states to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

An emphasis was given to the legal recognition of gender, while they also focused on the exchange of good practices and legislation practices on the rights of transgender people in Greece.

The meeting attended representatives of organizations and specialists from Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Sweden.

[47] Albanian man held for fatal central Athens accident to remain under house arrest

The examining magistrate and public prosecutor handling the case failed to agree on whether the prisoner should be remanded in custody or whether he should be released with restrictions, such as reporting to a police station twice a month, handing in his passport and a ban on leaving the country.

The final decision will now be made by a council of justices and, until that time, the Ervis will remain under house arrest following his discharge from hospital and be forbidden from leaving the country.

[48] Orionids meteor shower at their peak on Tuesday dawn

The most convenient hours for observation are after midnight and before dawn with eastwards direction provided that the sky is clear from clouds. Fortunately, in 2014, the thin lunar crescent will allow observers to fully enjoy the spectacle.

The Orionids were named after the constellation of Orion and are debris left behind by comet Halley. Tens of meteors (usually 20-25 per hour) enter into earth's atmosphere where they vaporize at some 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

[49] National Archive of Monuments Directorate to organise exhibition, conference

The opening of the exhibition is to take place on Wednesday evening (19:00 at the Archive building, Psarmiligou 22, Keramikos) as part of a three-day conference on "Archaeology in Greece in the 19th century through the sources of the Archaeological Service Archive" that ends on October 24.

[50] Police arrest suspects for drug dealing, confiscate nearly 14 kilos of heroin

The arrests were made in a police operation taking place in both Athens and Thessaloniki. Three Greek nationals and two Albanians were taken into custody, while another two Albanians are being sought. The suspects were led before an Athens misdemeanours' court prosecutor.

[51] Municipality crews complete Athens University clean-up, remove 5.5 tonnes of rubbish from campus

The problem first emerged roughly six months earlier, when janitorial staff were entered the "availability" scheme and were suspended from their jobs.

A process in currently underway to choose a service to take over cleaning services at the university through an open tender, while the Athens University Council that is due to meet on Friday had offered its support to the university's rectors to go ahead with any necessary direct assignments of cleaning work needed until a contractor is selected via open tender.

[52] Thessaloniki prosecutor to investigate allegations of 'dangerous' filters for kidney patients

Weather forecast

[53] Mostly fair weather on Tuesday

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

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Toxic waste at our door.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: New confusion in the tax returns.

ESTIA: Citizens hurt by ENFIA (Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax) will vote for SYRIZA

ETHNOS: "Law and order" operation at Universities.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Amortization payments to skyrocket as of 2020.

TA NEA: 31,000 'delayed' lump sums unblock.

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS

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