Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-03-03

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] Economic Policy Council discusses reforms to be presented to Monday's Eurogroup

[02] Government sources confirm PM's plan to hold debate on loan agreement in Parliament

[03] Parliament will debate agreement with Greece's lenders but not vote on it, gov't spokesman says

[04] Memoranda ended on Jan. 25, say gov't sources

[05] Government to table draft laws within the week

[06] Measures against the humanitarian crisis to be included in draft bill

[07] If an extraordinary contribution is imposed, it will concern those who did not pay taxes although they could, FinMin says

[08] Alt. Social Insurance Minister: People's needs come first

[09] German Chancellor Merkel: 'Greece can complete its loan programme successfully'

[10] Eurogroup head Dijsselbloem proposes funding for reforms-Financial Times

[11] German FinMin: If Greece does not keep its commitments it will have to face the consequences

[12] No ambiguities in Eurogroup decisions on Greece, German finance ministry says

[13] Government issues list of ministers with assignments already set

[14] Admin. Reform Alternate Minister Katrougalos gets portfolio duties formally set by PM Tsipras

[15] ESM clarifies relation between Memorandum of Understanding and extended MFFA

[16] Turkey revokes Notam about military exercise; gov't spokesman speaks of 'quiet diplomacy'

[17] Nat'l Defence Minister Kammenos on the Turkish Notam; visits the islands of Kythera, Antikythera

[18] ND calls for a meeting of the National Council on Foreign Policy

[19] Potami on the Turkish Notam and the Greek government's reaction

[20] KKE condemns Ankara's recent NOTAM

[21] Russian president's spokesman on the embargo on EU farm products affecting Greece

[22] Alt. ForMin Tsakalotos meets Azerbaijan's envoy, discuss TAP, economy

[23] Alt. Tourism Minister meets Russian ambassador, discusses tourism issues

[24] Productive Reconstruction Minister Lafazanis meets with governor of Seoul province Nam Kyung-Pil

[25] New Democracy criticises government for not bringing loan deal to parliament

[26] 'Potami' party leader has asked for meeting with PM Tsipras

[27] The government adopting practices similar to those of previous government, KKE says

[28] Government's refusal to bring the loan agreement extension to Parliament is a violation of the Constitution, PASOK says

[29] PASOK leader criticises government decision to not ratify loan agreement extension in Parliament

[30] Deputy State min Quick visits Samos island

[31] ND spokesman tables question on govt's intention to re-establish ERT and rehire 2,500 people

[32] Appeals Court adjourns Vatopedi land swaps trial to March 23

[33] Minister Stathakis at EU Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels

[34] There are alternative solutions for handling liquidity issues in March, finance ministry source says

[35] Hellenic Federation of Enterprises proposes tripartite negotiation over minimum wage

[36] Greek economic sentiment index up in Feb

[37] Greek prime office prices down 31.6 pct in 2014

[38] Greek PMI edge up to 48.4 points in Feb

[39] Alpha Trust reports higher 2014 earnings

[40] Greek stocks extend decline for fourth successive session

[41] Greek bond market closing report

[42] ADEX closing report

[43] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[44] University student, two more suspects appear before examining magistrate for terror case

[45] Wanted student alleged to be Xiros' close associate arrested on Salamina

[46] Police arrest mother, companion of detained terror group members for harbouring Angeliki Spyropoulou

[47] Convicted terrorist Tsakalos to appear before examining magistrate on Tuesday

[48] Twenty-one to face trial for the 2013 arson attack on the Skouries goldmine

[49] Alt. Culture minister on Turkish writer Yasar Kemal's death

[50] Deaths from flu outbreak in Greece reach 70

[51] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

[01] Economic Policy Council discusses reforms to be presented to Monday's Eurogroup

Dragasakis said that the finance minister will head for next Monday's Eurogroup armed with specific and costed proposals for reforms that "promote efficiency and social justice in the sector of the economy."

Asked whether the proposals will concern draft legislation currently being prepared, Dragasakis said they will "also include new things".

"The government has its own programme of reforms. It is a broad field that contains both our own programme and the agreement with the institutions. The agreement is a subset of the government's programme," he said.

He denied rumours that technical teams from the institutions (European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) will be arriving in Athens on Wednesday, saying that he had not been informed of any such visit.

The meeting included the government's full economic policy team, among them Varoufakis, Productive Reconstruction Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, Alternate Finance Ministers Nadia Valavani and Dimitris Mardas and Alternate Foreign Minister Euclid Tsakalotos.

Earlier on Monday, Varoufakis and Mardas also met with the head of Greece's Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) Stelios Papadopoulos to discuss ways to cover state financing needs. On the sidelines of this meeting, a senior finance ministry source noted that there were "alternative solutions for handling liquidity issues in March".

[02] Government sources confirm PM's plan to hold debate on loan agreement in Parliament

"All political party leaders and MPs will therefore publicly have the opportunity to be briefed, to put questions and receive answers," the same sources noted. They underlined that the new Greek government's respect for transparency and democratic procedures was "non-negotiable, in contrast with previous governments that excelled in untransparent handling."

The government sources also clarified that the new agreement arising at the end of the current four-month extension will be sent to Parliament for ratification.

Regarding current developments, they made the following points:

1. The new Greek government has not signed a new loan agreement but simply extended the expiration date of the current agreement until the end of June.

2. The extension of the loan agreement has already been signed by all parties involved since last Thursday. The ESM has not required any ratification by the Greek Parliament since there is no international demand and considers the signature of the finance minister in office sufficient. This has also been cleared by the Legal Council of State.

3. The German Parliament did not ratify any loan agreement but simply gave its approval to the Eurogroup decision and the list of the reforms sent by the Greek finance minister.

4. The central goal (and a key election pledge made by SYRIZA) is and remains the abolition of the memorandum and the renegotiation of the loan agreement. The first stage (the memorandum) has been achieved. In relation to the second, the loan agreement, the country has now received the necessary extension (bridge) in order to negotiate on terms that are sustainable for the country and the people. The aim is that a new agreement in June will be accompanied by a new loan agreement that does not contain commitments and terms, such as those in the present agreement, that are unilateral with respect to the country's interests.

"The demand, therefore, for a renewed ratification of the existing agreement by Parliament, without this being demanded, is not as innocuous as it sounds. Some people are seeking to extract decisions and commitments from the present Parliament that will create negative faits accomplis during negotiations," the government sources commented.

5. No extension of the memorandum follows from an extension of the loan agreement. The memorandum is already abolished since the notorious "current programme" is not expected to be "successfully completed".

6. The new agreement arising at the end of the four-month period will come to Parliament for ratification.

7. The draft bill relating to the humanitarian crisis was tabled in Parliament on Monday, while others will follow that will make more specific the list of reforms and action sent by the finance minister to the Eurogroup.

[03] Parliament will debate agreement with Greece's lenders but not vote on it, gov't spokesman says

"Public opinion should not be worried about that. The Greek government all these days has been considering the solutions and has put forward solutions so as not to have the slightest problem with the repayment to the International Monetary Fund and the country's other financial obligations within March," he noted.

He said the government's economic team is in contact with investors regarding the issue of Greek Treasury bills scheduled for this week and also with the partners so as not to have any problems.

Sakellaridis referred to the issue of the agreement with the lenders, announcing plans for an initiative to be taken up by the prime minister aiming to bring the issue to Parliament for a debate.

He said the government did not plan the agreements to Parliament for ratification but that the prime minister "is himself willing and determined to raise this issue in Parliament, so as to have a debate with the premier himself, during which he will present the agreement. From that point onwards, there will be a debate so that everything is out in the open. We are not afraid of the dialogue. We are not the ones who said different things before the elections."

Asked whether a vote will also take place, Sakellaridis said: "Right now, the reason that we are avoiding holding a vote is not that we are afraid of internal party reactions...The reason why the government right now chooses not to bring the agreement to Parliament for ratification has to do with the fact that it is simply the extension of an existing loan agreement."

[04] Memoranda ended on Jan. 25, say gov't sources

"The memoranda ended on January 25," the sources said, following a press release by the ESM on the relation between the Greek Master Financial Assistance Facility Agreement (MFFA) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The same sources accused main opposition New Democracy (ND) of "siding with the [Greece's international] lenders and not Greek society" and called on the party to appear in parliament to discuss the extension of the loan agreement to inform themselves of what was signed and what the new government cussedded.

[05] Government to table draft laws within the week

The draft law on the humanitarian crisis includes specific regulations for free electricity and food to 300,000 households. The same bill will include the regulation for the start of the housing programme for 30,000 citizens with subsidy per person and with provisions for the limitation of evictions that have multiplied in the five years of the memorandum.

The second bill on the overdue debts to the State will include a settlement on the debts to social security funds while the government will also proceed with the lifting of the standing flagrante delicto, the arrest, detention and imprisonment for up to 50,000 euros debt to the State.

Moreover, the government will table legislation that will implement its commitment on the protection of primary residence in order to "put a halt to thousands of citizens, pensioners and labourers' agony, who are facing the risk of losing their home" as Tsipras said.

Finally, the draft law for ERT will be tabled in parliament on Thursday. The prime minister also announced that a proposal on the setting up of an examination committee for the memoranda will be submitted to parliament to investigate the conditions and the political responsibilities of all those that played a role in the country's bankruptcy.

[06] Measures against the humanitarian crisis to be included in draft bill

The draft bill provides for rent support to roughly 30,000 people with no income and up to 300 KW free electricity a month to 300,000 households on the social residential tariff. The rent benefit will amount to 70 euros per person and up to 220 euros for a family of four.

Also, 300,000 people will be eligible for food stamps in cooperation with the Church of Greece, local administration organisations (OTA) and non-governmental organisations.

Those eligible for the above benefits are individuals and families whose annual income, based on their tax statement, is up to the poverty line. The measures will be made more specific through ministerial decisions.

According to figures released by the Greek statistical authority ELSTAT for 2013, a total of 35.7 pct of Greece's population are at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The poverty limit is 5,023 euros a year for a single individual and 10,547 euros for a family of four.

[07] If an extraordinary contribution is imposed, it will concern those who did not pay taxes although they could, FinMin says

Responding to Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Varoufakis noted that "We will not take the tranche if the price is the continuation of the memorandum. We could have gotten it; we could have signed the so-called Hardouvelis e-mail and received the money. However, this is not what the people voted for."

[08] Alt. Social Insurance Minister: People's needs come first

Referring to the funding of the draft laws on the humanitarian crisis, Stratoulis clarified that "they are separate from whatever negotiation we are making". The issue is not whether our partners and the institutions agree with the specific bills but "that SYRIZA and Independent Greeks deputies will vote for them", he said expressing also the hope that "New Democracy and Communist Party deputies will also vote for them."

He underlined that there will be no problem with the memorandum's commitments and that as a minister he will send "nothing to the institutions since the bills have no fiscal cost".

Stratoulis explained that "each minister is not obliged to talk with the institutions. There is no troika anymore and the Finance Minister talks with the institutions".

The minister also revealed part of the regulations such as free electricity to up to 300,000 households and clarified that the specific measure will be applied under conditions saying that the cost will reach 58 million euros, which as he said, is easy to be found. He also referred to a rent subsidy to 30,000 families which will stand at 70 euros per person and 220 euros for the four-member families and will be offered to those close or under the poverty line as well as to coupons for food to up to 300,000 citizens in cooperation with the local authorities.

Stratoulis said that all citizens-tax payers are eligible to these measures regardless of their nationality. Referring to the zero deficit clause he said that it will be included in the one of the next bills noting that there will be not more cuts in the supplementary pensions.

According to Stratoulis, there will be no additional taxes to cover the latter but those "who have never paid" will pay and referred to the so-called Lagarde and Lichtenstein lists.

[09] German Chancellor Merkel: 'Greece can complete its loan programme successfully'

Greece has the opportunity to bring its loan programme to successful completion, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a European Investment Bank meeting in Berlin earlier on Monday.

"Greece has submitted the initial proposals for reforms," she said, "now these proposals must become more specific and for this there must be cooperation with the European Central Bank, the IMF and the European Commission," she said, adding, "On this basis I wish Greece a good future," in reference to the successful resolution of economic crises in Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

The crisis in Europe can only be overcome with a strong and competitive economy, she said, and called on member-states to show willingness to coordinate more on economic policy. Strengthening monetary union is as important as fiscal health is, she said, but the monetary union would not have been possible without an economic union.

[10] Eurogroup head Dijsselbloem proposes funding for reforms-Financial Times

"My message to the Greeks is: try to start the programme even before the whole renegotiation is finished. There are elements that you can start doing today. If you do that, then somewhere in March, maybe there can be a first disbursement. But that would require progress and not just intentions," he said.

"If we spent two months talking to each other and not doing anything, at the end of April there are major problems," he added.

[11] German FinMin: If Greece does not keep its commitments it will have to face the consequences

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told German TV station ZDF that what he is interested in is the commitments of the Greek side.

"If they do not keep them, they will have to face the consequences," he said referring to public statements made by Greek government's officials. "If the Greek government asked for my advice, I would say: you need to behave in such a way so as to gain the best possible trust, because you need the trust of the investors and of the banks. The way they behave or as this is perceived by the international media, I do not feel that strengthens the trust and that leaves me speechless, because in my opinion, this is not in the interests of Greece," he noted.

In another interview with German TV station ARD, he said he understands the lack of trust that the German public opinion shows towards Greece's reform plans. He also expressed the wish that the Greek government would make use of the four-month extension that was given so as to complete the reforms.

"It is in Greece's interests and also of Europe's; but mainly of Greece. If they want aid, they need to do what has been agreed. Greece has lately made its position rather difficult, with a rhetoric which is difficult to be understood outside Greece," he said.

Asked whether a statement by his Greek counterpart Yanis Varoufakis on Greece's payments to the ECB constitutes a threat or even blackmail, Schaeuble said: "It is none of the two, because Greece has signed to keep all its commitments in full and in time. He knows - and he should know, since he is Greece's Finance minister and an Economics professor, therefore he knows all that - that the moment he does not make the first payment in time, this would mean a credit event. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes and be responsible for what would then happen to Greece."

[12] No ambiguities in Eurogroup decisions on Greece, German finance ministry says

The Eurogroup's decisions on Greece still apply and do not contain ambiguities, German finance ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said on Monday.

The spokesman for German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaueble said that every step in the implementation of the process agreed jointly with Athens will be carefully monitored.

Referring to Schaeuble's interview on Sunday, when the German finance minister spoke of a "credit event" in the case that Greece failed to promptly make payments to the European Central Bank (ECB), Jaeger said that Schaeuble was simply explaining the facts.

He also said the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had made a "very unusual mistake" by EU standards in accusing Spain and Portugal of wanting to drive Greece to "economic asphyxiation" during the recent negotiations, noting that such things were not done in the Eurogroup and that "we must not interfere in the affairs of our partners' governments."

The spokesman said that Spain and Portugal were partners with whom there was very close cooperation and that Germany recognised their achievements in terms of reforms in recent years.

[13] Government issues list of ministers with assignments already set

Those of the three ministers of State - for combatting corruption (Panagiotis Nikoloudis), coordinating government operations (Alekos Flambouraris) and State (Nikos Pappas) - are set.

Those of the two deputy ministers to the prime minister - Gavriil Sakellaridis (also government spokesman) and Terens Quick (in the ministry of State for coordinating government operations) - are set.

Twelve of a total 16 of those of alternate ministers had been set on Feb. 27 (Friday) - George Katrougalos (administr. reform), Yiannis Panousis (civil protection), Thodoris Dritsas (shipping), Elena Kountoura (tourism), Nadia Valavani and Dimitris Mardas (both finance), Nikos Xydakis (culture), Tasos Kourakis (education), Theano Fotiou (social solidarity), Rania Antonopoulou (combatting unemployment), Nikos Chountis (European affairs) amd Euclid Tsakalotos (international economic relations). The responsibilities of another two, Yiannis Tsironis (environmen) and Vangelis Apostolou (rural development), both under the productive reconstruction, environment and energy minister (Panagiotis Lafazanis) will be announced later tonight (March 2).

In terms of deputy ministers, the related ministers are responsible for speeding up the decisions.

Once the decisions are issued, they must be published in the Government Gazette to go into effect.

[14] Admin. Reform Alternate Minister Katrougalos gets portfolio duties formally set by PM Tsipras

Katrougalos will assume the portfolio of the former ministry of administrative reform and electronic governance, and the oversight of government agencies of both private or public nature, and of decentralised public services.

He will also be responsible for the general directorate of reform policy and electronic governance, the general directorate of administration and human resources (including all their directorates and sections) and the National Printing Office.

The administrative reform alternate ministry is one of four sections under the interior-administration reconstruction ministry, headed by Nikos Voutsis. There are three alternate ministers - for administrative reform (Katrougalos); for civil protection (Yiannis Panousis); for migration policy (Tasia Christodoulopoulou) - and a deputy minister for Macedonia-Thrace (Maria Kollia-Tsarouha).

The main opposition had complained this past week about the government's delay in assigning him his specific duties.

According to the administrative reconstruction ministry, there is an acceleration of the procedures by which those laid off from the state under the previous administration will be reinstituted. Katrougalos had announced earlier that those laid off would be placed in positions that were in urgent need of being filled.

[15] ESM clarifies relation between Memorandum of Understanding and extended MFFA

In this, it notes that the MoU did not need to be extended because "it has no termination date" and is a document that is "often updated" following a review to reflect new circumstances.

The full announcement is appended below:

"The Greek Master Financial Assistance Facility Agreement (MFFA) is a legal contract between the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the Greek government, the Greek central bank, and the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF), which is Greece's national bank recapitalisation fund. It specifies the terms and conditions of the financial assistance to Greece, regarding e.g. the loan amount, availability period, fees, interest and repayment. It is signed by the EFSF CEO and the Greek Finance Minister.

The provision of financial assistance under the MFFA is conditional upon Greece's compliance with policy reform measures set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was agreed by Greece, the European Commission, and the ECB. The MoU is a separate and self-standing document, but is linked to the MFFA - no disbursement can be made without MoU compliance, which is assessed by the institutions.

The Greek MFFA originally expired on 31 December 2014. But on 19 December 2014, the EFSF Board of Directors decided to grant a technical extension until 28 February 2015. On 27 February 2015 the EFSF Board of Directors decided to further extend the Greek MFFA by four months until 30 June 2015.

In addition, it should be noted that the MoU is a document that is often updated when a review takes place, potentially reflecting new circumstances and the need to adapt the list of policy measures to be implemented. The MoU (unlike the MFFA) did not have to be extended because it has no termination date."

[16] Turkey revokes Notam about military exercise; gov't spokesman speaks of 'quiet diplomacy'

"The revocation of the Notam, by which Turkey tied up a large area of the Aegean Sea for military exercises until the end of the year," government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis said on Monday, "proves that effective diplomacy is carried out quietly, decisively and with a plan, without drums rolling."

Criticising earlier statements by former prime minister Antonis Samaras who called for the convening of the national council of foreign policy, the spokesman said, "Samaras' hurry to ask for the council's convening a few hours before Greek diplomacy brought results and the Notam was revoked, exposes him."

Sakellaridis also said that "it is also very impressive that the leader of the main opposition party requested a briefing of the military leadership directly, not of the political one... Somebody who a month ago was prime minister should be more careful with issues of foreign policy."

The diplomatic result came after communication between Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and PM Alexis Tsipras. Initially, the Turkish government responded by removing the area of Limnos island, and later issued a new Notam revoking it.

Diplomatic sources in Athens commented that common sense prevailed and said that by the revocation Turkey contributes constructively to dialogue and good neighbourliness between Greece and Turkey.

[17] Nat'l Defence Minister Kammenos on the Turkish Notam; visits the islands of Kythera, Antikythera

The visit of the armed forces medical personnel was carried out following a request to the ministry of national defence by Metropolitan Seraphim in response to the fact that the Kythera hospital is understaffed and Antikythera residents had to undergo medical examinations.

Kammenos also commented on the Notam issued by Turkey (revoked later), saying that "the foreign ministry has done everything in compliance with international regulations and international law after the Civil Aviation Authority under the authority of which the issue falls." He also said that "the ministry of national defence and the country's armed forces guarantee readiness and defend national sovereignty."

It is clear, he said, that "when we have violations and infringements of the national airspace the aircraft committing the violations and infringements, are intercepted. Ships violating international regulations are also intercepted. The country's defence doctrine and the orders given, the specific ones in particular, have not changed. We will not tolerate any violation of the national airspace or the country's territorial waters."

According to Turkish Notam 889/15, from March 2 until the end of the year, the airspace over a large section of the Aegean Sea, from the island of Skyros to that of Limnos, is designated as an area where Turkey will conduct military exercises and use it as a firing range.

[18] ND calls for a meeting of the National Council on Foreign Policy

ND leader Antonis Samaras earlier in the day contacted the head of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Mikhail Kostarakos so as to be briefed on the situation arising after the issue of the NOTAM by Turkey on February 27.

[19] Potami on the Turkish Notam and the Greek government's reaction

The party announcement underlined that "Greece rightfully denounced to the UN, NATO, EU and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) the unprecedented and arrogant initiative on behalf of Turkey to 'engage' for ten months the centre of the Aegean Sea in order to carry out military exercises."

Potami also repeated its proposal to establish a National Security Council comprising the parliamentary political party leaders chaired by the prime minister.

[20] KKE condemns Ankara's recent NOTAM

KKE underlined that the Turkish NOTAM 889/15 includes part of the Athens FIR, violates Greek airspace and causes problems to relevant air corridors."

"This provocation escalates the actions systematically adopted by Turkey for a long period of time in the context of the dispute of Cyprus' EEZ and the Greek borders, which are in line with the Aegean Sea division policy encouraged by relevant NATO designs and practices," KKE underlined.

"At the same time, the SYRIZA-ANEL government pledges allegiance to imperialist organisations while the Greek armed forces continue to participate together with the Turkish armed forces in NATO exercises and joint training programmes, which are part of the imperialist designs and rivalries in the region," the KKE announcement added.

The Greek government's demarches to NATO and the EU cannot hide that once again it is proven in practice that Greece's integration into NATO and the EU cannot safeguard the country's sovereign rights, creates risks and create new troubles for the people.

[21] Russian president's spokesman on the embargo on EU farm products affecting Greece

Greece, being a member of the EU, cannot be excluded from the countermeasures imposed by Russia on its farm production, but other forms of cooperation could be discussed, including the supply with Greek raw materials of food-sector joint ventures on Russian soil, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said.

Responding to a question on the talks held recently in Thessaloniki between Alternate Minister for Rural Development Panagiotis Sgouridis and Russian Federation's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) representative Alexey Alekseenko and the request made publicly to exclude the Greek fruits and vegetables from the Russian countermeasures, Peskov told the newspaper Izvestia that the rules of the World Trade Organization are clear and Russia, as a member of the organisation, cannot engage in preferential treatment.

"You cannot impose sanctions on the EU member states and choose to exclude one of them," he said, adding that "in the specific case, we could work on a plan that will not include direct exports but the supply of raw material through investments in the Russian food processing sector."

The newspaper report focused on Greek strawberries, which had a 50 pct market share and appeared on Russian supermarket shelves in early March. Now, Greek strawberry imports are banned in all forms, fresh or processed. Certain presidential decrees ban strawberry imports even in the form of raw material further processed by the Russian food industry. According to Peskov, "the issue will be examined," therefore, there is room for a partial review of the Russian embargo under the precondition that there will be Greek interest in the creation of joint ventures and in further negotiations.

[22] Alt. ForMin Tsakalotos meets Azerbaijan's envoy, discuss TAP, economy

[23] Alt. Tourism Minister meets Russian ambassador, discusses tourism issues

A ministry announcement said the meeting referred to planned meeting of the Greece-Russia Mixed Ministerial Committee due to be held in the second half of 2015 and the joint promotional action that can be taken by both sides in the context of a year dedicated to Greece in Russia and Russian year in Greece planned for 2016.

The ambassador congratulated Kountoura on taking on her new duties as minister and both sides reaffirmed the historically close bonds of friendship between Greece and Russia.

[24] Productive Reconstruction Minister Lafazanis meets with governor of Seoul province Nam Kyung-Pil

The two officials focused on the need for the relations between Greece and the Republic of Korea to develop in all sectors and particularly on the issues of economy, tourism and cultures.

Nam Kyung-Pil was accompanied by the ambassador of Korea to Greece Shin Gil-Sou, the ambassador Lee Yong-Joon, responsible for the international relations of the metropolitan province, as well as other officials.

[25] New Democracy criticises government for not bringing loan deal to parliament

"[The government] is not bringing the agreement to parliament either because it is afraid to publically admit what it signed, or because it doesn't trust its lawmakers," ND spokesman Kostas Karangounis said.

"The Eurogroup agreement itself explicitly refers to the memorandum and its mechanisms, which is also expressed in the official announcement of the ESFS which notes the direct link between what the government signed and the memorandum, stressing in fact that a loan installment cannot be released without the implementation of the memorandum," he added.

[26] 'Potami' party leader has asked for meeting with PM Tsipras

"There are worrying messages in Europe," he said, which he hoped to discuss with Tsipras, as well as the apparent division within the ranks of the ruling coalition's leading party SYRIZA, where 55 members of the party's central committee voted in favour of Tsipras' decisions and 45 voted against. Theodorakis expressed hope that this division would not also be expressed within the government, noting that "there are signs that the government ministers are behaving more like faction leaders rather than ministers in a national government".

He went on to deplore "wrong messages" sent abroad when ministers were talking about emergency taxes at the same time "as they 'sort out' friends and supporters, give raises to trade unionists that apply pressure and others that helped them and saying that they will hire them back in the public sector."

Theodorakis also urged the government to bring the agreement for a four-month extension of the programme to Parliament, adding "I think we will have better results than the 55-45 in SYRIZA's Central Committee".

[27] The government adopting practices similar to those of previous government, KKE says

"The pretenses that it uses to avoid the self-evident obligation simply aim at concealing from the people the fact that the government, by continuing the policy of the New Democracy-PASOK governments, has not only pledged to keep the obligations and implement memorandum laws but has also adopted practices similar to the ones of the previous governments in order to impose them," it added.

[28] Government's refusal to bring the loan agreement extension to Parliament is a violation of the Constitution, PASOK says

PASOK said the government's refusal to bring the extension to the parliament is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and an insult to the Parliament's legislative jurisdiction.

It also accused the government of sending out an unprecedented message of "fraudulent use and degradation of national and European institutions," a message "that the government does not have the concession of its deputies to what it has been doing," that "the deputies of the (parliamentary) majority disagree with the government's policy and the country's commitments" and that "we want foreign parliaments to vote for the Greek programme, whereas in Greece we are looking for legal pretexts, because the government is afraid of its own majority in parliament."

[29] PASOK leader criticises government decision to not ratify loan agreement extension in Parliament

"The government, unfortunately, via Mr. Varoufakis and in violation of the Constitution and the special laws, has signed the main loan agreement - in other words, the memorandum, the programme, wanting to avoid Parliament, violating Parliament's rights, because the government itself does not trust its MPs," he said.

Replying to reporters' questions, Venizelos said that this was something unprecedented "which exposes the country internationally but is also a major issue of democracy and Parliamentarianism."

"Is it possible for us to have a Parliamentary majority that says: do what you like, sign the extension of the memorandum, just don't make me get my hands dirty? Is this how the country will proceed? With such lies to the people? To the international community?"

[30] Deputy State min Quick visits Samos island

Quick met with Deputy Governor of Samos Nikos Katrakazos, the Metropolitan Eusebius and the mayor Michalis Angelopoulos.

During a press conference, the Deputy Minister said among others that the first bill that was sent electronically to him related to the handling of the humanitarian crisis.

[31] ND spokesman tables question on govt's intention to re-establish ERT and rehire 2,500 people

In a question to State Minister Nikos Pappas tabled in Parliament, Mitsotakis also asked how the government how high it would raise the state broadcaster fee paid by taxpayers (this is currently collected through electricity bills); how it expected to cover critical vacant positions when it would reach the ceiling of 1,500 hirings for 2015 by rehiring the ERT people; and how it would guarantee that the new broadcaster will not return to its old patterns of serving political and trade union interests.

The old state broadcaster ERT was shut down by the previous government and replaced by Nerit.

[32] Appeals Court adjourns Vatopedi land swaps trial to March 23

The court adjourned the case so as to find a court room large enough for the 13 persons accused in the case - one of those originally indicted to trial passed away - among them Vatopedi Monastery Abbot Ephraim and monk Arsenios.

The Greek state's legal representatives stated in court they would attend the trial as part of civil action, since the state is claiming the amount of 234 million euros. They said this amount relates to the true value of the 76 property items that the Greek state swapped with real estate in Vistonida lake, while in the indictment file their value based on the contract prices is set at 69.4 million euros.

Financial News

[33] Minister Stathakis at EU Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels

Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism Minister George Stathakis represented Greece at Monday's meeting in Brussels of the EU Competitiveness Council, which focused on Single Market issues.

In his intervention, Stathakis called for brave measures in licensing, fighting corruption and managing state procurements and pointed out "significant delays" in the EU which "prevent the maximum effectiveness of its obligations."

He also pointed out that it was important to pay attention to labour relations and the environment before they become deregulated, "whenever member-states inevitably operate under different regulatory conditions."

Stathakis also called for the protection of consumers and SMEs, as they were the backbone and power engine of EU competitiveness and growth.

[34] There are alternative solutions for handling liquidity issues in March, finance ministry source says

[35] Hellenic Federation of Enterprises proposes tripartite negotiation over minimum wage

"SEV represents big, medium and small-sized enterprises and is interested in having the right labour relations," Fessas said after the meeting and added that "the regulation of labour relations is to the benefit of all sides, the employees, the state and the businesses."

"The issue of the minimum wage is sector-dependant," he noted and added "there are sectors that pay higher salaries compared to the minimum wage currently in effect and sectors which will not be competitive by paying a higher minimum wage."

[36] Greek economic sentiment index up in Feb

IOBE, in its monthly report, said that almost all business sectors recorded weakening expectations, while consumer confidence improved emphatically, rising to the highest level in six years. The report noted that consumer confidence grew to its highest level since October 2009, right after the general elections.

More analytically, business expectations in the manufacturing sector improved over current demand, while expectations over inventories falling slightly and forecasts over new orders and demand weakening.

In the services sector, expectations over current demand and short-term demand were negative, in the retail sector, positive expectations over current sales weakened, while estimates over short-term sales improved slightly.

In the construction sector, employment forecasts gained ground, while estimates over the works program deteriorated slightly.

Greek households' estimates over the country's and their finances in the next 12 months improved, along with intention to save and estimates over unemployment developments.

[37] Greek prime office prices down 31.6 pct in 2014

The central bank, in a report, said the decrease was similar in Athens (31.7 pct), Thessaloniki (31.8 pct), and the rest of the country (31.5 pct). Particularly, in the greater Athens area, the cumulative decrease in the prices of prime office premises from their peak before the onset of the crisis up to the first half of 2014 is estimated at 38.7 pct. It is estimated that office prices (in nominal terms, provisional data) for the country as a whole decreased by 6.9 pct in the first half of 2014 in relation to the first half of 2013, a rate of decline lower than in the first half of 2013 (-11.7 pct) and the second half of 2013 (-9.0 pct). The respective change for the greater Athens area is estimated at -10.0 pct.

The central bank also said that according to provisional data, in the country as a whole, the cumulative decrease in prime office rents averaged 26.9 pct in the first half of 2014 compared with the first half of 2010, while the respective rate for the greater Athens area is estimated at 29.6 pct. The total fall in office rents came to 22.4 pct for Thessaloniki and 24.8 pct for the rest of Greece in the respective period.

In the first half of 2014, prime office rents declined in the country as a whole by 10.7 pct in relation to the first half of 2013.

Also, according to provisional data, in the country as a whole, the cumulative drop in prime retail prices averaged 28.8 pct in the first half of 2014 compared with the first half of 2010. The corresponding rates for Athens, Thessaloniki and the rest of Greece are estimated at 30.5 pct, 31.4 pct and 25.3 pct respectively.

In the first half of 2014, prime retail prices (in nominal terms, provisional data) for the country as a whole declined by 9.1 pct in relation to the first half of 2013.

[38] Greek PMI edge up to 48.4 points in Feb

According to unconfirmed data, the survey said that "political uncertainty provoked a turmoil negatively affecting demand, while sales abroad fell because of a reluctance of customers".

The PMI, compiled by Markit, measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector, while readings below 50 a shrinking sector.

[39] Alpha Trust reports higher 2014 earnings

Turnover rose 1.8 pct to 6.60 million euros, while EBITDA fell to 1.65 million euros in 2014, from 3.67 pct in 2013 (results were boosted by the sale of the group's UK subsidiary for 380,000 euros last year).

Alpha Trust said he appointed Chris Aisopos as chief executive of the group, while Phaedon Tamvakakis remains as executive vice-chairman of the company. The company said a decision on a dividend payment will be taken in the next few months.

[40] Greek stocks extend decline for fourth successive session

The composite index of the market fell 2.45 pct to end at 858.95 points, off the day's lows of 852.06 points, returning all the previous week's gains. The index is down 8.42 pct in the last four sessions. The Large Cap index fell 2.68 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 2.97 pct lower.

Turnover shrank to 84.15 million euros. OPAP (5.10 pct), Titan (4.03 pct), OTE (2.81 pct) and GEK Terna (1.34 pct) scored big gains among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Bank (11.80 pct), National Bank (11.19 pct), Alpha Bank (10.0 pct) and MIG (8.59 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Media (7.0 pct), Travel (3.89 pct) and Telecoms (2.81 pct) scored big gains, while Banks (9.91 pct), Health (5.12 pct) and Utilities (5.0 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 81 to 41 with another 14 issues unchanged. Nakas (29.61 pct), Pegasus (20 pct) and Andromeda (9.98 pct) were top gainers, while Sato (20 pct), Pasal (20 pct) and Kathimerini (19.54 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -9.91%

Insurance: -1.46%

Financial Services: -2.00%

Industrial Products: -1.81%

Commercial: +0.98%

Real Estate: -4.72%

Personal & Household: -2.55%

Food & Travel: -1.05%

Raw Materials: -1.51%

Construction: -2.37%

Oil: -2.40%

Chemicals: -0.58%

Media: +7.00%

Travel & Leisure: +3.89%

Technology: -0.50%

Telecoms: +2.81%

Utilities: -5.00%

Health: -5.12%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Piraeus Bank, Cyprus Bank and OTE.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE

Large Cap index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.333

Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.51

Coca Cola HBC: 15.97

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.46

National Bank of Greece: 1.19

OPAP: 8.65

OTE: 9.15

Piraeus Bank: 0.501

Titan: 23.50

Grivalia Properties: 8.68

Aegean Airlines: 7.40

[41] Greek bond market closing report

The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened to 9.23 pct from 8.92 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 9.56 pct and the German Bund yielding 0.33 pct). There was no turnover in the market.

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate eased to 0.230 pct from 0.233 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.161 pct, the six-month rate was stable at 0.11 pct, the three-month rate was unchanged at 0.039 pct and the one-month rate stable at -0.005 pct.

[42] ADEX closing report

Volume on the Big Cap index totalled 7,815 contracts with 36,201 open positions in the market. Volume in futures contracts on equities totalled 46,120 contracts with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (13,792), followed by Eurobank (10,115), Piraeus Bank (9,674), Alpha Bank (7,366), OTE (1,277), MIG (1,257), PPC (832), OPAP (462), Mytilineos (217), Titan (179), Ellaktor (136), GEK (95), METKA (87) and Hellenic Exchanges (95).

[43] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.1227

Pound sterling 0.7294

Danish kroner 7.4633

Swedish kroner 9.3436

Japanese yen 134.47

Swiss franc 1.0724

Norwegian kroner 8.6085

Canadian dollar 1.4025

Australian dollar 1.4433

General News

[44] University student, two more suspects appear before examining magistrate for terror case

She was followed by 60-year-old mother of two detained members of the "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire" terror group, Christos and Gerasimos Tsakalos, as well as the latter's 26-year-old companion. The two women are expected to be charged with harbouring a criminal.

Spyropoulou's defence lawyer asked and received a postponement for Thursday to be briefed on the case, while the other two women will reappear before the examining magistrate on Tuesday.

[45] Wanted student alleged to be Xiros' close associate arrested on Salamina

[46] Police arrest mother, companion of detained terror group members for harbouring Angeliki Spyropoulou

The two women were arrested earlier on Monday for harbouring 22-year-old university student Angeliki Spyropoulou who was captured earlier today at the house of the 60-year-old woman on the Saronic Gulf island of Salamina, off the coast of Attica.

Police arrested the mother of the Tsakalos brothers outside the Athens court, where she had been summoned by the special investigating magistrate to testify on the case of a 36-year-old woman, also was arrested on Salamina on Sunday in relation to Xiros' case.

[47] Convicted terrorist Tsakalos to appear before examining magistrate on Tuesday

Tsakalos will give testimony on the escape plan for the members of the Conspiracy group detained in Korydallos prison which was revealed following the arrest of convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xiros in early January.

[48] Twenty-one to face trial for the 2013 arson attack on the Skouries goldmine

The defendants face charges of forming a criminal organisation, while individually they are accused of attempted homicide, possession of explosives, explosion and arson, among others.

Goldmine guards were assaulted and installations were set on fire, while vehicles and offices were destroyed by fire when hooded assailants broke into the premises of the gold mining company in February 2013.

All the defendants are northeast Halkidiki residents and members of the movement against the goldmine investment. After their arrest, four of them had been held in custody but later they were released with conditions. In their testimonies before the examining magistrates all the defendants had denied any involvement in the February 2013 attack.

All charges against one of the defendants were dismissed by a Council of misdemeanour court judges in Poligiros, Halkidiki.

In the days to follow, the judicial council will decide if 29 defendants, in another case concerning a number of incidents in 2013 in regions of northeast Halkidiki associated with protests against the gold mining activities, will face trial.

The indictment concerns incidents allegedly committed in the regions of Lakkos Karatza, Megali Panagia and in the greater region of Ierissos. All defendants face felony charges.

[49] Alt. Culture minister on Turkish writer Yasar Kemal's death

"One of Turkey's most prominent writers, Yasar Kemal was a friend of Greece and was loved by Greek readers. His sensitivity and his fights for human rights are reflected in his prolific work, which connected the past and present of the Mediterranean," Xydakis said.

[50] Deaths from flu outbreak in Greece reach 70

Patients who have been hospitalized in intensive care units since the start of the flu season have reached 149. Of those, 28 continue to be monitored in those units.

Weather forecast

[51] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The first measures against poverty.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Who will not be affected by the new retirement age limits in public sector.

ETHNOS: The 7 changes in pensions.

TA NEA: The European south 'eats its own flesh'.

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