Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-09-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU ministers agree to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece

[02] New emergency meeting of EU ministers on refugees on Sept. 22

[03] Alt. FM Flogaitis discusses refugee crisis with EU's Mogherini, Avramopoulos

[04] Caretaker government achieved 'small miracle' in managing 29,000 arriving migrants, interior minister says

[05] Greece has submitted documents on authority to manage EU funds for migration, EU Commission says

[06] Red Cross/Red Crescent visit to refugees in Eidomeni, northern Greece concluded

[07] Treating refugees like trash is no solution to migration problem, SYRIZA's Tsipras tells Euronews

[08] SYRIZA spokeswoman: People must vote to decide their future for themselves

[09] Tsipras to hold main campaign rally on Friday

[10] ND leader Meimarakis: Tsipras is trying to find excuses not to cooperate

[11] Meimarakis: 'If ND wins the elections I'll first ask Tsipras to form government'

[12] "It was a good debate" say SYRIZA sources

[13] ANEL leader Kammenos: If we fail to enter the Parliament, I will retire from politics

[14] 'It was the debate of political nothing' Potami leader Theodorakis says

[15] Popular Unity leader: TV debate was a rehearsal for a coalition government

[16] Varoufakis was no drachma supporter, former finmin Dimitris Mardas tells ANA-MPA radio

[17] Singular Logic will once again be in charge of relaying elections results

[18] Caretaker health minister asks finance ministry to increase budget for healthcare, hospital supplies

[19] Council of State to rule on Skouries, Olympiada gold mines after elections

[20] Prosecutors examine names of suspects in criminal gang related to Lagarde list

[21] Greek employment up 1.2 pct in Q2, Eurostat

[22] European Sustainability Academy to host 3rd Annual Women Empowerment Conference on Sept 25-26

[23] Chinese arrivals to Greece up 20 pct

[24] Turnover in Greek services sector mixed in Q2

[25] Beer exhibition in Athens in October

[26] Greek stocks end 1.36 pct higher

[27] Greek bond market closing report

[28] ADEX closing report

[29] Rufus Wainwright presents Prima Donna: A Symphonic Visual Concert

[30] Seven alleged traffickers arrested for Sunday's fatal migrant shipwreck near Farmakonissi

[31] Light quake jolts Crete

[32] Mostly fair on Wednesday

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

[01] EU ministers agree to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece

Interior Ministers of the European Union adopted on Monday the first proposal of the European Commission for the relocation of 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece, the EU announced.

"This is an important political message. Indeed, the first relocations of people in need of international protection can start quickly. At the same time, the "hotspots" in Italy and Greece now have the necessary legal basis to start working," Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister for Immigration and Asylum and president of the EU Council said, adding however that the country of relocation has only been determined for 34,000 refugees.

Concerning the second Commission proposal on relocating 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and Hungary, which was presented last week, the Council only agreed on principle. The proposal will be discussed anew in the next meeting of EU interior ministers on October 8.

"For our proposal on 120,000 we did not have the agreement we wanted," EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramo-poulos said, noting that member-states agreed in their majority, but there was no unanimity.

"The European Commission is determined to take action," he said. "The world is watching us. Now is the time for each and every one to take responsibility."

[02] New emergency meeting of EU ministers on refugees on Sept. 22

The 28 ministers, who failed on Monday to come to a unanimous agreement for the relocation of 120,000 additional refugees, will meet again in Brussels in an effort to convince the member-states opposing the proposal of the European Commission. At the same time, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, announced he will propose on Wednesday's session to add the temporary measures that concern the relocation of asylum seekers from Italy, Greece and Hungary in the daily agenda. If the proposal is accepted, the vote in parliament could take place on September 17, at 11.00.

[03] Alt. FM Flogaitis discusses refugee crisis with EU's Mogherini, Avramopoulos

Flogaitis met with Commissioner on Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos and European Commission vice-president Federica Mogherini, with who he examined ways for the European Commission and the Foreign Affairs Council to assist Greece to tackle the crisis and its underlying causes.

[04] Caretaker government achieved 'small miracle' in managing 29,000 arriving migrants, interior minister says

"Greece, as a member of the EU, did everything within its power in the framework of European treaties. I believe that Europe must now recognise the efforts we made, responding and assisting this work so that we can deal with this in cooperation with the EU. It is a huge issue that we cannot face alone," Manitakis said, commenting on the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on Monday.

He also thanked the Greek police force and coast guard for their "superhuman efforts", in collaboration with the Greek armed forces and the fire brigade, in order to register the arriving migrants, transport to safety and to create reception hubs.

[05] Greece has submitted documents on authority to manage EU funds for migration, EU Commission says

The European Commission on Tuesday announced that Interior Minister Antonis Manitakis has sent all relevant documents concerning the formation of the authority that will manage EU funds for dealing with migration.

Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said that the Commission was examining these documents as a matter of urgency in order to immediately disburse the first 30 million euros of a total of 450 million euros that Greece is set to receive for handling the migrant crisis.

Greek authorities have also informed the Commission of their intention to submit an official request to activate the civil protection mechanism, Schinas said, adding that the Commission had asked the Greek side to do this sooner.

Commission spokeswoman on migration issues Natasha Bertaud, in statements concerning the "hotspots" set up in Greece and Italy to register migrants, clarified that these were neither reception nor detention centres. She said that personnel from Europol, Frontex and the European Asylum Support Office will be sent to the two centres, one in Sicily and one in Piraeus, to help authorities conduct rapid actions to locate, record and take finger prints of incoming migrants, before moving on to smaller hotspots.

[06] Red Cross/Red Crescent visit to refugees in Eidomeni, northern Greece concluded

The team recorded the needs of the migrants and refugees in the area and will make recommendations concerning the amount of financial assistance and the organisation of volunteer teams that are needed.

The head of the Greek branch of the Red Cross Antonis Avgerinos said the international organisation had sent 300,000 Swiss francs for the period from May until September, which had covered the distribution of 10,000 aid packages to vulnerable refugees and migrants arriving on the islands of the eastern Aegean.

The new funding package of about 2.7 million euros was expected to cover the needs of an additional 45,000 migrants through the distribution of food, water and personal hygiene products, he said, as well as emergency health care, a family reunification services and psychosocial support actions.

The Greek Red Cross will also be assisting authorities after the recent tragic accident off the shores of Farmakonissi, in which at least 34 people lost their lives. Employees of the charity will travel to Leros to monitor the situation of the survivors and to Rhodes, where the dead bodies were taken, in order to cover the communications needs of the survivors and to organise efforts to determine the number of those missing,assist in the identification of the dead and inform their next-of-kin.

[07] Treating refugees like trash is no solution to migration problem, SYRIZA's Tsipras tells Euronews

The solution to the migration problem was not to treat refugees like trash but integrate theim in European societies, he added.

"This needs funds, the reinforcement of infrastructure, it needs a different policy that Europe unfortunately does not have at present," he said.

Tsipras' interview with Efi Koutsokostas will be broadcast on the Euronews programme 'Global Conversation' at 21:40 on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, in the latest tragedy to play out in the waters of the Aegean, another 22 people died in the effort to reach the Greek island of Kos from the Turkish shore, including four children. The Turkish coast guard managed to rescue 211 people and a search for survivors is continuing.

[08] SYRIZA spokeswoman: People must vote to decide their future for themselves

"Citizens have a responsibility and must vote so that their future is not decided in absentia," she was quoted as saying. Turning to young viewers who were present, she said that voting is a political choice of great importance and responsibility.

[09] Tsipras to hold main campaign rally on Friday

[10] ND leader Meimarakis: Tsipras is trying to find excuses not to cooperate

"He's trying to find excuses. Why doesn't he want to cooperate with us if he is second? To criticise us from the opposition?" he asked, while adding that the two parties may cooperate after all, as Tsipras has signalled he may quit the leadership of SYRIZA if he comes second with low percentages.

Discussing a possible renegotiation of the third bailout agreement, Meimarakis said that this will only be possible after the first six months and if the government has shown that it can put its house in order, noting that anyone who says otherwise is lying.

He went on to criticize Tsipras for calling elections, stressing that since the former premier has now said he may cooperate with Potami or PASOK, he could have used the exploratory mandate to avoid snap elections.

"Tsipras has changed since he signed the memorandum. He has done cheap things which are unbecoming. This is why I ask him to commit to the program and the path first - then we can talk about forming a government," he said and reiterated his position that if ND is first in the elections, he will turn to SYRIZA, PASOK and Potami to form a coalition government.

[11] Meimarakis: 'If ND wins the elections I'll first ask Tsipras to form government'

"If ND wins the elections, I will first go to Alexis Tsipras to form a government," he told private radio station Vima FM.

"We have a very tough reality which cannot be tackled with supposedly leftist or center-right ideas. There might be better people out there, but luck has it that the people must decide between Tsipras and me," he added.

Meimarakis however was very critical of Tsipras and SYRIZA, arguing that "they are involved with vested interests to their core, just like their [former] colleagues revealed."

[12] "It was a good debate" say SYRIZA sources

"It was a good debate," said party sources.

"Alexis Tsipras did not answer to Mr. Meimarakis, but to the citizens to whom he spoke with honesty for the day after," estimated the same sources.

Referring to New Democracy leader Evangelos Meimarakis, they said that he did not give specific answers, but he was vague on the issues raised" and finally he mostly addressed ND supporters and sometimes the extreme right audience particularly with his answers on the migration and refugees issue".

[13] ANEL leader Kammenos: If we fail to enter the Parliament, I will retire from politics

"I will retire from politics. If the Greek people does not want our voice in parliament, I have no reason to remain in the country's politics. I accept the democratic procedure. Things are crystal clear. We have showed honesty in our cooperation," said Kammenos speaking to ANT1 TV.

Asked if this means the dissolution of the party, Kammenos said "The party will not dissolve, it is a movement it will move on'.

He also clarified that he will not participate in the same government with PASOK and Evangelos Venizelos. "If SYRIZA cooperates with PASOK, I will not do so."

[14] 'It was the debate of political nothing' Potami leader Theodorakis says

"I do not think that somebody won in the debate. I think that they both lost. They were asked with whom they would govern and they did not say. It was a political fraud," he added.

Theodorakis called on Greeks to vote for Potami so that the party gets a high percentage and has the chance to influence things in the following day.

[15] Popular Unity leader: TV debate was a rehearsal for a coalition government

"Last night's debate between Tsipras and Meimarakis was a rehearsal for a coalition government that was played in the form of discussion and shadowboxing. The shadowboxing couldn't hide the fact that there is substantial political concurrence and that the joint program of the two parties and the two leaders in the post-election period is the third memorandum," he noted.

[16] Varoufakis was no drachma supporter, former finmin Dimitris Mardas tells ANA-MPA radio

"There were some mistakes made on his part, both in terms of communications issues and on issues of strategy," Mardas admitted, but noted that the former Greek finance minister had been a scorching critic of the so-called "drachmaists" in SYRIZA's Parliamentary group.

Mardas said that SYRIZA had a draft bill to combat tax evasion ready and waiting, which it could pass in October if elected to power. He explained that this draft legislation had been "stuck" in the last two months of SYRIZA's term in power, since it was unable to proceed with anything without the institutions' consent.

Commenting on his relations with Parliament President Zoi Konstantopoulou and the friction caused by his refusal to implement the conclusions of the debt truth committees she had set up, Mardas questioned whether a Parliament president was empowered to force a government to turn the decisions of a Parliamentary committee into law.

"The Parliament president cannot simply turn up with a manifesto and say implement this," he noted, commenting that the contents of the committee's report included some interesting conclusions and some that were simply impossible to enforce.

[17] Singular Logic will once again be in charge of relaying elections results

The company will receive the sum of 2,398,500 euros for its services.

[18] Caretaker health minister asks finance ministry to increase budget for healthcare, hospital supplies

[19] Council of State to rule on Skouries, Olympiada gold mines after elections

The court heard the company's arguments against an order to suspend the mine's operation, made by former productive reconstruction minister Panos Skourletis before elections were called. Skourletis justified the decision by saying that Hellas Gold had violated terms of the technical tests to check the safety of mine procedures, which said these should be carried out within the Olympiada and Skouries mines in Halkidiki. The tests were actually held in mining facilities owned by the company Outotec in Finland.

Hellas Gold claims that the minister's decision to revoke approval for the mines' technical studies is unconstitutional and illegal and have asked that the minister's order be first 'frozen' and subsequently suspended and cancelled.

The claims of the company and mine employee unions are contested by local Halkidiki groups and associations based in the villages and settlements surrounding the mines.

The court declined to issue a temporary 'freeze' of the minister's decision and requested additional information from the legal counsel representing the company and the Greek state. The state's lawyers supported the minister's decision on the grounds that the technical study did not even in agreement with the results of the tests in Finland. They also disputed the size of the damage claimed by Hellas Gold.

The main case seeking the cancellation of the minister's decision will then be discussed on October 2.

[20] Prosecutors examine names of suspects in criminal gang related to Lagarde list

Falciani is said to have submitted to the four prosecutors who travelled to Paris to question him, data on specific people who are alleged to have been involved in a money laundering ring.

Altough authorities are still examining the information on the stick, legal sources said that it already appears that there were individuals and companies which in many cases played the role of the intermediate in transferring money.

Financial News

[21] Greek employment up 1.2 pct in Q2, Eurostat

Greek employment grew by 1.2 pct in the second quarter of 2015, compared with the first quarter of the year, Eurostat said on Tuesday.

In a report released here, the EU executive's statistics office said that according to seasonally-adjusted employment figures, Greece along with Portugal (+1.3 pct) recorded the highest percentage increase in employment in the April-June period, followed by Ireland and Spain (0.9 pct each) and Estonia (0.8 pct). Employment fell in Finland (-0.3 pct), the UK (-0.2 pct), Bulgaria and Lithuania (-0.1 pct each).

The number of employed people grew 0.3 pct in the Eurozone and 0.2 pct in the EU-28 totaling 228.8 million men and women of which 151 million in the Eurozone in the second quarter of 2015, compared with the previous quarter. Employment rose 0.8 pct in the Eurozone and 0.9 pct in the EU compared with the second quarter of 2014.

[22] European Sustainability Academy to host 3rd Annual Women Empowerment Conference on Sept 25-26

The conference will give women entrepreneurs the opportunity to contact influential business people around the globe.

"Against the backdrop of the economic crisis in Greece, and its sheer need for business development and job growth, ESA founder Sharon Jackson is determined to provide inspiration and international business support to the local community and economy in manifold ways," according to the announcement.

The goal is for it to evolve into a platform on which business-boosting and innovation initiatives for both men and women entrepreneurs will be built and launched, as to also attract international business leaders, academics and promote sustainable tourism in Crete.

ESA provides training and development programmes for business managers, owners and organisational leaders to learn about sustainable business and Corporate Social Responsibility.

[23] Chinese arrivals to Greece up 20 pct

One of the main problems of Chinese tourists in Greece, however, is the air link, Spyros Galiatsatos, member of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, said to ANA-MPA, adding that the Chinese are particularly interested in cruises.

The president of Santorini Hoteliers Association Manolis Karamolengos underlined that Santorini is one of their favourite tourist destinations and many of them hold their wedding ceremony on the island. He also referred to the fact that Chinese extend the touristic season period as quite often they decide to visit the island in March, April or October.

For these reasons, Karamolengos added, celebrations have been planned for the Chinese New Year, which in combination with the organization of conferences, are expected to keep Santorini among the top tourist destinations.

At this period of time, Santorini has reached 100 percent occupancy rate, Karamolengos said.

[24] Turnover in Greek services sector mixed in Q2

The statistics service, in a report, said that architect and engineer services turnover grew 28.5 pct in the April-June period, IT turnover was up 20 pct, research services rose 10.3 pct, legal and accounting services rose 3.7 pct and data processing services turnover was up 0.5 pct. On the other hand, turnover fell 21.1 pct in publishing services, 14.4 pct in advertising, 7.9 pct in office support services, 4.8 pct in postal services and 0.3 pct in telecommunication services.

[25] Beer exhibition in Athens in October

According to an announcement, the exhibition will host breweries and microbreweries from all over Greece and beers of high quality either imported or domestic.

Zythognosia addresses to beer fans, consumers and professionals and identifies itself as an exhibition of "Microbreweries and Premium Beers" with aim to showcase the small Greek breweries and all beer products of high quality that are available in the Greek market.

Microbreweries have already opened or are planning to open on the islands of Corfu, Evia, Tinos, Crete, Santorini, Paros, Folegandros, Chios and Cephalonia.

Moreover, the major and historic breweries are making new brand names on the premium category to satisfy the needs of an increasing beer fan audience.

All visitors will be offered a special test glass and can taste as many beers as they want.

Moreover, as series of events will take place throughout the week (12-18) October in several points in Athens, part of the "Athens Beer Week".

[26] Greek stocks end 1.36 pct higher

Athens Water (5.86 pct), Hellenic Exchanges (5.77 pct), Ellaktor (4.86 pct), Viohalco (4.24 pct) and Mytilineos (3.96 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (3.45 pct), Eurobank (2.63 pct), Grivalia Properties (0.96 pct) and Piraeus Bank (0.90 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Financial Services (5.40 pct), Utilities (3.73 pct) and Raw Materials (3.72 pct) scored big gains, while Banks (1.77 pct), Health (1.59 pct) and Travel (0.46 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 59 to 31 with another 17 issues unchanged. Yalco (18.60 pct), Dromeas (17.95 pct) and G.E.Demetriou (16.67 pct) were top gainers, while PC Systems (20 pct), Altec (15.79 pct) and Dionic (12.50 pct) were top losers.

[27] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates moved lower. The 12-month rate eased to 0.155 pct from 0.157 pct, the nine-month rate fell to 0.086 pct from 0.088 pct, the six-month rate was unchanged at 0.037 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.036 pct from -0.038 pct and the one-month rate was -0.104 pct.

[28] ADEX closing report

General News

[29] Rufus Wainwright presents Prima Donna: A Symphonic Visual Concert

Prima Donna, the central character of which is inspired by Maria Callas, was first presented in 2009 at the Manchester International Festival but its visual concert adaptation will premiere in Athens.

The first half of the performance is comprised of a 60-minute concert version of Prima Donna, coinciding with a showing of the film. The second half of the performance features Wainwright singing highlights from his acclaimed oeuvre as a songwriter with full orchestra accompaniment. Opera singers will also make an appearance for a couple of songs.

[30] Seven alleged traffickers arrested for Sunday's fatal migrant shipwreck near Farmakonissi

The seven foreign nationals arrested on trafficking charges will be led before a public prosecutor on the island of Kos to be formally charged.

Arrangements are now being made to transfer the 99 survivors of the fatal shipwreck from the island of Leros to the island of Rhodes, where the bodies retrieved from the water have already been taken and authorities are expected to begin the process of identifying the victims.

[31] Light quake jolts Crete

According to the Geodynamics Institute of Athens, the quake's epicentre was located in the sea region south of Herakleion, Crete.

Weather forecast

[32] Mostly fair on Wednesday

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

DIMOKRATIA: What is that you don't understand?

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: 'Irritation' decides who wins

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: New Democracy got bigger

ESTIA: The debate left open questions

ETHNOS: Operation of polarization

IMERISSIA: Extreme polarization in a heated debate

KATHIMERINI: They agreed on the third memorandum, the disagreed on the rest

KONTRANEWS: SYRIZA's Alexis Tsipras close to parliamentary majority

NAFTEMPORIKI: A window for fiscal relaxation of the Pact

RIZOSPASTIS: There is a solution out the EU and the NATO

TA NEA: Polarization is the winner of the debate

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