Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Agreement can be reached by Aug. 18 'with good will', gov't spokeswoman says

[02] SYRIZA Political Secretariat decides to convene party's Central Committee

[03] Negotiations with institutions at technical level started

[04] Heads of creditor 'quartet' due in Athens on Wednesday

[05] FM Kotzias outlines government's three options

[06] ECB payment on Aug 20 is feasible with the first ESM tranche, EU Commission spokeswoman says

[07] Skourletis rules out privatisation of ADMIE power grid operator

[08] SYRIZA deputy Lafazanis presents political plan of exiting the euro

[09] Second lawsuit filed against Varoufakis over 'Plan B' revelations

[10] Parliament Vice President Mitropoulos accuses former FinMin Varoufakis of the harsh measures

[11] New Democracy may ask for the intervention of Hellenic Data Protection Authority

[12] Former PM Samaras' associates on Varoufakis

[13] Greek delegation led by Terens Quick briefed on French tax authority methods

[14] Potami party leader meets head of Greece's bank association

[15] Health, economy ministers discuss support for healthcare sector in Greece

[16] International Economic Relations gen sec Tsipras to visit Venezuela

[17] ECB gives green light to plan for reopening Greek stock market

[18] An 87 pct of total tourism revenue stays in Greece, survey says

[19] Tax evasion thriving in Greek islands

[20] Entersoft Group says revenue up, profits down in H1

[21] Blue Flag Greek Marinas to be presented in Scandinavian market

[22] Alt. Minister Christodoulopoulou to offer hospitality to refugees camped in Athens park

[23] Former Thessaloniki mayor released from jail

[24] Patras police dismantle two gun-running outfits

[25] High temperatures on Wednesday

[26] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Agreement can be reached by Aug. 18 'with good will', gov't spokeswoman says

She ruled out the need for additional prior actions, noting that all written agreements referred only to the "two packages" that have already been passed by the Greek Parliament.

"No other proposal is officially on the agenda or the table at this time," she said.

Regarding unofficial rumours to the contrary, Gerovasili noted that a number of views were currently clashing concerning Greece:

"There are the hardliners that don't want Greece on a European course and there are, of course, others that are luckily in the majority, who want Greece to find its way within the EU," she said.

She said the goal was to sign the agreement on August 18 and for the first review to beheld after approximately three months. Another of the government's goals was to get to the start of a discussion on the debt, as was necessary.

On the issue of elections, Gerovasili said that the government's goal was to wrap up the key elements of an agreement "without change to the agenda in this direction" and then initiate other processes, including elections if these were deemed necessary.

Commenting on a meeting addressed by anti-memorandum hardliner and 'rebel' MP Panagiotis Lafazanis on Monday night, Gerovasili said that this confirmed that a minority in SYRIZA's Parliamentary group had chosen a rift with the rest of the party.

"SYRIZA, however, is not this. This is a minority view. There are decisions by 27 prefecture committees in Greece to date that have a different view," she pointed out.

The issues linked to the 'rebels' would be resolved by SYRIZA's Political Secretariat during its meeting on Tuesday afternoon, she added, noting that the dilemmas that had arisen were between staying or leaving the EU and whether the Left would stay in government or not.

On the Varoufakis plans, she confirmed that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had asked for a study on the possible impact of Greece leaving the euro as a "line of defence," given that certain European circles appeared to be pushing for a 'Grexit'. She advised reporters to wait and see "how things unfold...and what of all this has some basis."

[02] SYRIZA Political Secretariat decides to convene party's Central Committee

A majority at Tuesday's meeting insisted on following orderly procedures and holding an emergency party conference in September. Following a request for an immediate decision, proposals were submitted for either a referendum or a Standing Conference in the next few days.

The final decision will be taken by the Central Committee.

[03] Negotiations with institutions at technical level started

Around 12 officials arrived at the General Accounting Office to collect fiscal data.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Monday said that during the negotiations "we will respect both the agreement of the Eurogroup and the agreement of the summit. We will proceed with a plan and hope for a positive outcome."

Regarding a third package of prior actions on which creditors seem to insist, a senior Finance ministry official admitted that some officials have asked for further prior actions, but the Greek government replies that it will implement the Eurogroup and summit agreements where a third package is not provided.

[04] Heads of creditor 'quartet' due in Athens on Wednesday

In the meantime, intensive negotiations began on Tuesday on the level of technical teams and working groups, at the General Accounting Office.

The sources said that the two sides aimed to conclude an agreement as soon as possible, with the technical teams expected to complete their work by Friday and only have "follow-up" meetings at the weekend in exceptional cases.

They denied that there was any organisational problem relating to the negotiations, saying that the talks are taking place where the institution representatives are staying and, where necessary, meetings are held at the Bank of Greece and the General Accounting Office.

Several working groups are involved in the negotiations, which will cover fiscal indices, pensions, labour issues and the OECD toolkit.

The finance ministry sources repeated that press reports concerning a further package of prior actions have no basis in either the July 12 Euro Summit agreement or the letters sent by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos to the ESM, nor in talks to date with the institutions.

The four heads of missions arriving in Athens are the EU Commission's Declan Costello, ECB's Rasmus R?ffer, ESM's Nicola Giammarioli and IMF's Delia Velculescu.

[05] FM Kotzias outlines government's three options

"The government has three options," he estimated. The first one is to continue to govern in that way that will not last for long, he said. The second one is to incorporate the officials that seem to differentiate and this is not easy because disagreements remain and the third one is to ask the people.

Kotzias underlined that he sees elections in the near future if these officials that oppose the government do not change stance or resign from their positions in the party.

The difference of that government compared with the previous ones is that "we fight and we can impose some social and protection principles," he added.

[06] ECB payment on Aug 20 is feasible with the first ESM tranche, EU Commission spokeswoman says

The conclusion of the negotiations for the third aid program in the second half of August is feasible, deputy spokeswoman of the European Commission Mina Andreeva said on Tuesday.

She added that based on this schedule, the necessary parliamentary ratification procedures can take place in time for the ECB to be repaid on August 20 with the first tranche from the ESM.

"Progress is still being made," she stressed regarding the negotiations. Andreeva said that the cooperation with Athens is working "smoothly" and added that the head of the European Commission's mission in Athens Declan Costello arrived on Monday and leads the ongoing negotiations.

She underlined that further reforms will be needed on the side of Greece so that the first disbursement is 'unlocked'.

Regarding claims by former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis that General Secretariat of Revenues was controlled by the "troika" and "Brussels", she said that they are "unfounded."

[07] Skourletis rules out privatisation of ADMIE power grid operator

Negotiations between Skourletis' ministry and representatives of the creditor institutions (European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund and European Stability Mechanism) are due to begin on Wednesday and chiefly focus on ADMIE's privatisation and other energy market issues.

Based on the Euro Summit decision, ADMIE must either be privatised or alternative measures found that have an equivalent result for competition.

In statements after meeting the leadership of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), Skourletis said developments were leading to elections within the year, once an agreement with Greece's EU partners was signed. He also denied the existence of a 'Drachma Plan' within the government, at least on a collective policy level.

[08] SYRIZA deputy Lafazanis presents political plan of exiting the euro

Lafazanis, in an event organised by Iskra website, presented the basic principles of this plan. More specifically, he spoke of the nationalisation of the banks, the redistribution of wealth through a new tax system, the restoration of democratic legitimacy and the transparency in the media and the write off of the greatest part of the debt.

He also suggested the establishment of a national currency, stressing that the exit from the eurozone is not a disaster.

"In the first phase of transition there will be difficulties, but the exit accompanied by progressive policies will lead to the rapid restoration of the economy," he added, while proposing "the opening of the forbidden debate on the national currency within SYRIZA."

[09] Second lawsuit filed against Varoufakis over 'Plan B' revelations

The lawsuit filed with the Supreme Court public prosecutor by Athens lawyer Panagiotis Giannopoulos is against Varoufakis and any other person involved in the former minister's plan, with Giannopoulos asking justice to investigate whether Varoufakis was guilty of violating the privacy of personal data to a criminal degree.

Lawsuits against the individuals not in political office involved in the affair were also filed by another five Athens lawyers in the Athens bar association, the lawyer Antonis Gontzas and the president of the Young Lawyers' Union Kyriaki Stamadianou.

The lawyers ask that justice investigate whether these individuals have committed offences related to privacy of personal data violations, state secrets, breach of duty and whether they constitute a criminal organisation.

They also ask for an investigation into whether there have been a breach of laws on currency and attempted counterfeiting of money.

[10] Parliament Vice President Mitropoulos accuses former FinMin Varoufakis of the harsh measures

"With his lack of modesty, his naivety, his zeal to showcase his own ideas it seems that he has hurt the Greek issue," Mitropoulos said and added: "German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and the creditors were likely aware of his intentions and as a result we should now accept these harsh measures and plan."

"Probably he had confided them or had expressed them as a threat, or as one of his plans," he said in statements to private MEGA TV.

[11] New Democracy may ask for the intervention of Hellenic Data Protection Authority

After the meeting of the Youth Organisation of New Democracy (ONNED), chaired by party leader Evangelos Meimarakis, they cleared out that the main opposition will reassess its stance towards the votings of the bills in the Parliament as "things have changed since Friday."

[12] Former PM Samaras' associates on Varoufakis

[13] Greek delegation led by Terens Quick briefed on French tax authority methods

The delegation was briefed in detail on methods used by French tax authorities to monitor and enforce tax payers' compliance, which are considered the most effective worldwide, an Independent Greeks (ANEL) party announcement said.

[14] Potami party leader meets head of Greece's bank association

[15] Health, economy ministers discuss support for healthcare sector in Greece

Among others, this called for the hiring of 13,000 healthcare professionals via specialised EU programmes for six years, on the basis of 24-month employment and work experience contracts.

They also discussed the crucial issue concerning the supply of 186 urgently needed ambulances via a tender that has been on hold for the last seven years.

Stathakis promised to examine both the ministry's proposal to the European Commission and the ambulances tender very carefully.

The two ministers then met with representatives of Greece's pharmacist and pharmaceuticals sector and discussed a proposal to encourage production in the sector.

[16] International Economic Relations gen sec Tsipras to visit Venezuela

Tsipras is expected to stay in Venezuela until Saturday.

Financial News

[17] ECB gives green light to plan for reopening Greek stock market

The ECB's final recommendation is that transactions by foreign investors will be without restrictions while Greek investors will not have the option of buying shares using "old" money but will have to deposit either 'fresh' money in cash, money generated through sales of stock already in their portfolio and through cash transfers from abroad.

Local investors are up in arms over rumours that the stock market will reopen with Greek investors unable to use their existing deposit accounts to buy shares, expressing fears that free sales but controls on stock purchases will cause share prices to nosedive.

[18] An 87 pct of total tourism revenue stays in Greece, survey says

The survey, drafted for the Institute of Greek Tourist Enterprises Association (SETE), noted the importance of tourism in national and local economies. The survey showed that in 2014, a 13.2 pct of total incoming tourist revenue (excluding sea cruises) was transferred abroad (or 1.92 billion euros from a total 14.5 billion). Including sea tourism spending, this amount totaled 1.96 billion euros out of a total 15.2 billion euros in tourism revenue last year. The percentage of revenue leaked abroad was 13.3 pct for hotels (978 million euros).

The survey said that tourism was one of the basic sectors of Greek economy, ranking eighth in a total of 64 sectors. It also noted that the sum of tourist revenue remaining in Greece allowed for the support of a series of policy actions towards a stable and sustainable tourist development in the country.

SETE recommended, among others, changes of an institutional nature, such as adopting final standards and certifications of Made in Greece products, promoting vertical production of processed agricultural products, more favorable financing terms and planning of specially-designed all-inclusive packages with a specified percentage of consuming local products.

[19] Tax evasion thriving in Greek islands

The report, presenting 568 tax controls made last week in enterprises based in Piraeus and islands in the Cyclades, Northern and Southern Aegean and Crete, showed a total of 210 cases of tax breach. The tax authority is intensifying efforts to combat undeclared tax cash machines, a phenomenon thriving in Greek islands.

[20] Entersoft Group says revenue up, profits down in H1

Parent net revenue grew 5.06 pct to 3.82 million euros and pre-tax profits totaled 320,000 euros.

Retail Link, a subsidiary company reported a big increase in both revenue and profits, a trend expected to be continued in the second half of the year.

[21] Blue Flag Greek Marinas to be presented in Scandinavian market

The exhibition will give Scandinavians - one of the biggest sea tourism markets - the chance to get informed on the environmental practices and high quality services of the Blue Flag Greek Marinas.

General News

[22] Alt. Minister Christodoulopoulou to offer hospitality to refugees camped in Athens park

In an interview, the minister said that she intends to propose that the refugees be housed in a facility outside Attica during a meeting on Wednesday with the various agencies and organisations involved at the Attica Region authority.

The minister said that a proposed site will be inspected on Tuesday and, if it is found to meet the necessary requirements, the entire refugee encampment can be moved there by early next week at the latest.

Until that time, she added, the ministry was creating a mobile unit to support the refugees at the Pedion tou Areos park in the city centre and identify vulnerable population groups, such as unaccompanied minors or individuals with health issues, in order to direct them to the appropriate hospitality structures.

More such mobile 'first-reception' units will also be sent to the Greek islands to help tackle the greatly increased migrant and refugee flows and to the reception centre at Moria on Lesvos, which is expected to begin operating within the coming month, she said.

[23] Former Thessaloniki mayor released from jail

The former mayor was able to benefit from the favourable provisions of a law passed by the current government designed to decongest Greek prisons and to protect persons with disabilities, in order to secure an early release.

A Thessaloniki Misdemeanours court decided on his release, on condition that he remain in the country, acting on the recommendation of first-instance prosecutor Alexandra Andreou concerning the former mayor's petition to be released on the grounds that he was more than 67 pct disabled due to a heart problem.

The certificate issued by the Disability Certification Centre was right on the 67 pct 'limit' with an additional 1 pct added by for psychological duress and inability to adapt to prison conditions.

In statements to reporters as he was leaving, Papageorgopoulos once again proclaimed his innocence and his conviction that Greek justice would soon restore his good name. He left behind his accomplice and close associate Michalis Lemousias, with whom he had shared a cell in Diavata prison since their incarceration.

The former mayor's dealing with justice are far from over, however, since he will soon have to answer for other corruption charges relating to his days at the mayor's office.

[24] Patras police dismantle two gun-running outfits

Weather forecast

[25] High temperatures on Wednesday

[26] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: Fear over the minimum wage

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Foreigners within the same party

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Cuts in main and auxuliary pensions

ESTIA: Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' Watergate

ETHNOS: Additional working hours for school teachers

KATHIMERINI: Troika is putting pressure for further prior actions

KONTRANEWS: Enough. Work or elections to clear out the situation

NAFTEMPORIKI: Discussions need to bring result until August 11

RIZOSPASTIS: The capital's main prior action is the people's bankruptcy

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