Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Migration minister says hot spots, refugee shelters funded by EU

[02] We had positive results from a very difficult negotiation, Alternate Min for Migration Mouzalas says

[03] EU's Tusk: 'Refugee crisis has the potential to create tectonic changes' in Europe

[04] Creation of reception centers in Greece are part of cooperation with UNHCR

[05] Banks recapitalization to be completed by end of the year, say Stournaras and Dombrovskis

[06] EU's Dombrovskis meets with employees' and employers' unions

[07] Greek gov't seeks to implement prior actions, Alexiadis says

[08] Recent EU decisions on migration is a victory of the Greek government's policy, Alternate Min Toskas tells ANA-MPA

[09] ND leader Meimarakis calls on the government to disconnect banks' recapitalisation from evaluation

[10] New Democracy stands tall against an incompetent government, says party leader

[11] FM Kotzias meets Cyprus' President Anastasiades

[12] Issue of bizonal, bicommunal federation is to be decided by Cyprus, says Greek FM

[13] FM Kotzias to meet German FM Steinmeier on October 29

[14] Alt. FM Xydakis discusses refugee crisis with Spanish and Turkish envoys

[15] Finance minister names new head of revenue service

[16] Banks recapitalization to be completed by end of the year, say Stournaras and Dombrovskis

[17] Government wants to restore economic growth by 2016, says Economy minister

[18] Stress test results for Greek banks better than expected, BoG official says

[19] Greek budget primary surplus surpass targets in Jan-Sept

[20] Greek bank deposits slightly up in Sept

[21] Tourism, start-ups the main topics discussed between Deputy FM and U.S. official

[22] Greek stocks rally for sixth successive session

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] ADEX closing report

[25] Artist Anna Laskari to represent Greece in Caraca's First Biennale of South:People in Resistance

[26] Five terror suspects from Kalamata detained pending trial

[27] Earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale registered off the western coast of Skyros island

[28] Small tremor felt north of Crete

[29] "Blue Star 1" ferry with 1,554 refugees on board arrives at Piraeus port

[30] Panama-flagged freighter "RUNNER safely anchored in Lavrio

[31] Fair on Wednesday

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

[01] Migration minister says hot spots, refugee shelters funded by EU

"This was discussed two days ago during a meeting of European leaders and it must now take the form of a regular meeting in order to start implementing it," he said, adding that he also examined the full modernization of the hot spots being set up to cut the waiting days of refugees and migrants to two.

"No refugee who arrives here should stay more than two days. They should be recorded fast so that the person can then travel to the chosen destination," he said.

The purpose of the minister's visit to the two islands was to examine temporary solution to avoid the havoc caused during the last few days when migrants, mainly from Afghanistan, were made to wait in pouring rain. "These scenes will not take place again once we have the necessary organization so that in cases of bad weather or large number of arrivals can be easily dealt with."

Mouzalas also said that Europe has to understand that Greece is a door to refugee flows towards Europe. "Greece is part of the pathway. The door is in Turkey."

[02] We had positive results from a very difficult negotiation, Alternate Min for Migration Mouzalas says

He noted that Greece rejected the proposal to set up a camp that would host 50,000-60,000 persons on the grounds that such camps have ceased to exist since the World War II. "We faced a lot of difficulties, but we succeeded," he underlined.

He explained that the 30,000 temporary hot spots are based on a plan of the previous government. More specifically, the plan provides for 7,000 hot spots of short-term accommodation on islands, 3,000 hot spots of temporary accommodation in Athens as well as the creation of two additional hot spots of temporary accommodation for 20,000 refugees.

Regarding the financing, he pointed out that the government has submitted a plan on full emergency funding, adding that the 5.9 million euros announced by the European Commission for both the hot spots and the transfer of refugees in Athens "is not enough."

As for the relocation, he noted that the first one will involve 30 persons that will be transferred from Greece to Luxembourg in mid-November.

[03] EU's Tusk: 'Refugee crisis has the potential to create tectonic changes' in Europe

The challenges facing the European Union as a result of the refugee crisis have the potential to change the political landscape in Europe, European Council President Donald Tusk said in his address before the European Parliament on Tuesday.

"The crisis, or rather challenge, that we, all of us, as a community, as the European Union, are facing now is perhaps the biggest challenge we have seen for decades," he said. "It has the potential even to destroy achievements such as border-free travel between Schengen countries. And what is even more dangerous, it has the potential to create tectonic changes in the European political landscape. And these are not changes for the better."

The debate in parliament was held to debrief MEPs on the European Council Summit meeting of the 15th of October and the next steps ahead.

Commenting on the hot spots being created in Greece and Italy, Tusk said the goal is to make them operational by the end of November, which will require a significant acceleration of manpower and assets to Frontex, and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). He also said that resources need to be provided to "alleviate the burden from those of our member-states most affected".

Discussing the role that Turkey has to play in resolving the crisis, the head of the European Council said a deal with Turkey only makes sense if it helps stem the migratory flows to Europe. "This cooperation will not be easy. We should have no illusion than any third country, including Turkey, can replace us in protecting our borders," he noted.

[04] Creation of reception centers in Greece are part of cooperation with UNHCR

The sources noted that these centers, which are funded by the EU, are necessary because they facilitate the identification and relocation of refugees to reception countries as well as for humanitarian reasons ahead of winter.

Concerning the hospitality program for 20,000 refugees with subsidized rent, the same sources said it is also related to the relocation procedure, noting that it ensures satisfactory living conditions - especially for families with small children - and helps the owners of empty apartments and the economy as a whole.

This program, they added, creates a very different kind of hospitality and is part of the identification and relocation process, in the same way as the hotspots being created on Greek islands.

[05] Banks recapitalization to be completed by end of the year, say Stournaras and Dombrovskis

Both officials underlined that the banks recapitalizations needs to have been completed by the end of the year.

[06] EU's Dombrovskis meets with employees' and employers' unions

The representatives of employers' organizations (ESEE, GSEVEE, SEV, SETE, EVEA) rejected the idea of increasing social security contributions to meet the demand for more cash and to avoid pension reduction.

On their side, the employees' organizations (GSEE, ADEDY) expressed to Dombrovskis their complete disagreement with the policies being applied which, according to the EU official, are continuing due to the fiscal derailment of the Greek economy in 2014 and 2015, and briefed him for their upcoming general strike on November 12.

[07] Greek gov't seeks to implement prior actions, Alexiadis says

Speaking in Kavala, representing the government for the October 28th celebrations, Alexiadis referred to the "immigration" of Greek enterprises in Bulgaria, saying that solutions must be found within the European Union and noted that creation of a special tax zone in the country's northern borders could offer a permanent solution to the problem. The Greek minister stressed that combating tax evasion was a top priority for the government and announced that tax offices will gradually "close" from mid-2016 to allow a larger number of tax employees to focus on tax inspections.

Alexiadis said that a special property tax will change in 2016 based on commercial property values, although the goal for revenues from the property tax will remain at 2.6 billion euros annually.

[08] Recent EU decisions on migration is a victory of the Greek government's policy, Alternate Min Toskas tells ANA-MPA

One of the government's first priorities is to protect low income social classes, Toskas noted adding that the country's major problems should be resolved in the next two months.

Asked on the Evros fence, he replied: "The fence is a restrictive measure, which may not be seen positively, but taking into account the seriousness of the problem and the other restrictive measures, it does not play any role, because the refugees' inflow is mainly on islands, far away from the fence. Therefore, it is an issue that does not concern us right now, because it does not play any role, it does not make any sense. However, we are not in favour of its demolition, he said

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

[09] ND leader Meimarakis calls on the government to disconnect banks' recapitalisation from evaluation

He also accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of lying to the Greek people as the "red line" of first home foreclosures" has become a "decent compromise."

"Eventually the incompetence, inadequacy and continuous retractions of the government create serious problems to the economy and society. They mostly cultivate the instability and the uncertainty.The Greek citizens do not know what to do," Meimarakis said.

"They delay the evaluation and thus put at risk the banks' recapitalisation". said Meimarakis.

[10] New Democracy stands tall against an incompetent government, says party leader

"All must know that New Democracy is and will remain standing tall against a government whose incompetence and inadequacy, as portrayed in the weeks after the elections, has created uncertainty again for Greek citizens," he said on the sidelines of a series of meetings with supporters of his leadership candidacy at his office in Thessaloniki.

He said that the government must proceed quickly ahead with the recapitalization of Greek banks, a move which must be disconnected from the program review and added that Greeks must try to exit the crisis united.

On Wednesday, Meimarakis will attend the celebrations marking the national "Ochi Day" in the northern city of Serres.

[11] FM Kotzias meets Cyprus' President Anastasiades

"The Republic of Cyprus has the will, the ability and the capacity to fight for the promotion of a just solution to the Cyprus problem and has our full support," said Kotzias.

Commenting on the view that Greece, because of its economic situation, is in an unfavorable position to influence developments in the Cyprus problem, he said: "By no means does the economic weakness reduce our strategic importance and the ability and capacity to exercise foreign policy."

"We try to have a high level of foreign policy," he underlined.

Referring to his contacts in Nicosia this weekend, the Greek minister noted that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus has become more meaningful, detailed and specialized. "It is a big step in the cooperation between the two states," he said.

[12] Issue of bizonal, bicommunal federation is to be decided by Cyprus, says Greek FM

"We fully respect the Republic of Cyprus, and we do not want to leave major powers, or countries like Greece and Turkey, with the right to intervene in the internal affairs of the Republic of Cyprus. And we would be very pleased if Ankara got this message," he added.

Asked on the issue of the settlers, the minister said it is an issue negotiated by Cyprus.

He also noted that Greece wants to abolish the "anachronistic role" of guarantor power, while at the same time contribute to the withdrawal of the occupation troops at the soonest possible time.

On his side, Omirou said Greece is supporting the struggle of the Cypriots for an imminent solution which will guarantee the natural and national survival of Cypriot Greeks and the harmonious co-existence with the Turkish Cypriots. He added that the solution should end the anachronistic 1960's regime of guarantees.

[13] FM Kotzias to meet German FM Steinmeier on October 29

Before the one-on-one meeting, Kotzias will accompany Steinmeier to the Presidential Mansion, at 13:00, for an audience with the President of the Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, and then to the Maximos Mansion, where, at 13:30, Steinmeier will be received by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Kotzias and Steinmeier will initially meet one-on-one, followed by expanded talks with the participation of the two countries' delegations, as well as a working luncheon. The two ministers will make joint statements to the news media at about 14:30.

On the evening of the same day, Kotzias will accompany Steinmeier to the Evgenides Foundation, where, at 19:00, a ceremony will be held to award the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Piraeus.

[14] Alt. FM Xydakis discusses refugee crisis with Spanish and Turkish envoys

Spanish Ambassador Alfonso Lucini Mateo presented his country's experience with managing migration flows from Africa, while the two officials also discussed issues of common and European interest, with special reference to the cooperation between the two countries of the European south, both bilaterally and on the EU level.

In the meeting with Turkish Ambassador Kerim Uras, they focused on the refugee and migration issue, the situation in Syria and the need for cooperation between the two countries on issues concerning Turkey's European perspective.

[15] Finance minister names new head of revenue service

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos named Frangiskos Koutentakis new General Secretary of Fiscal Policy, a ministry statement said on Tuesday. The ministry also appointed Petros Triarchis as new head of the General Secretariat for Information Systems.

Financial News

[16] Banks recapitalization to be completed by end of the year, say Stournaras and Dombrovskis

Both officials underlined that the banks recapitalizations needs to have been completed by the end of the year.

[17] Government wants to restore economic growth by 2016, says Economy minister

He was speaking at an award ceremony for businesses, organized by ICAP Group as part of its initiative "True Leaders".

"To invest in development we need to invest in openness, to take advantage of the educated human capital of our country and invest in high added-value investments," Stathakis said in his address, adding that all funding instruments will be activated - through NSRF, Development Bank - to create a business-friendly environment, especially for young and innovative entrepreneurship.

[18] Stress test results for Greek banks better than expected, BoG official says

The central bank official said he expected private investors to cover Greek banks' capital requirements resulting from the basic scenario of the stress test. Such a development will eliminate the possibility of a haircut on bondholders.

The recapitalization process of Greek banks will have to be completed within the first 10 days of November, the official said, adding that the results of restructuring plans submitted by Greek banks would be taken into account in estimating the final capital needs of each bank.

Earlier in the day, Bank of Greece governor Yannis Stournaras, in comments made after a meeting with visiting European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis, had underlined the need to complete a recapitalization process by the end of the year.

The Bank of Greece official said that timely completion of a bank recapitalization plan, combined with the government implementing structural reforms and a privatization program, could lift capital controls by the end of the first half of 2016. He added that it was feasible for the Greek economy to return to growth in the second half of 2016.

The central bank official underlined that a new law on resolving non-performing loans should take into account households' income criteria.

[19] Greek budget primary surplus surpass targets in Jan-Sept

Primary result showed a surplus of 3.072 billion euros in the nine-month period, from a primary surplus of 2.532 billion in 2014 and a revised budget target for a primary surplus of 1.271 billion euros.

State budget net revenue totaled 34.292 billion euros in the January-September period, down 5.6 pct from revised targets, while regular budget net revenue were down 6.0 pct from targets to 32.222 billion euros (reflecting an 1.867 bln euros shortfall from ANFAs and SMPs).

Corporate tax income were 1.0 pct higher than targets in the nine-month period, while special category income tax revenues surpassed targets by 2.4 pct and property tax revenues were up 1.9 pct from targets and other transactions taxes were up 2.2 pct.

On the other hand, income tax revenues were down 3.2 pct from targets, VAT revenue were down 1.0 pct, consumption taxes fell short 16.7 pct and other non-tax revenue were down 2.6 pct from targets.

Tax returns totaled 2.022 billion euros, down 222 million from targets, while Public Investment Program revenue totaled 2.069 billion euros, down 1.0 million from targets.

State budget spending totaled 36.196 billion euros in the January-September period, down 3.881 billion from targets, while regular budget spending were down 2.642 billion from targets to 34.025 billion euros reflecting a 2.321 billion euros reduction in primary spending and a 376 million euros cut in defense spending.

Regular budget spending were down 5.3 pct in the nine-month period, while Public Investment Program spending totaled 2.170 billion euros, down 1.240 billion from targets.

In September, state budget net revenue totaled 3.526 billion euros, down 2.049 bln from revised monthly targets, while tax returns were down 472 million euros from targets to 250 million euros.

State budget spending totaled 4.327 billion euros in September, up 259 million from monthly targets.

[20] Greek bank deposits slightly up in Sept

The central bank, in a report, also said that in September, the annual growth rate of total credit extended to the domestic private sector stood at -1.5 pct, from -1.6 pct in the previous month. The monthly net flow of total credit to the domestic private sector was negative at 293 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 710 million in the previous month.

In September, the monthly net flow of credit to corporations was negative at 51 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 422 million in August, while the annual growth rate of credit stood at 0.0 pct, from -0.2 pct in the previous month. In particular, the annual growth rate of credit to non-financial corporations stood at -1.2 pct in September, from -1.4 pct in August. The annual growth rate of credit to insurance corporations and other financial intermediaries stood at 19.3 pct in September, from 18.0 pct in the previous month.

In September, the monthly net flow of credit to individuals and private non-profit institutions was negative at 237 million euros, compared with a negative net flow of 267 million in the previous month, and its annual growth rate rate stood at -3.2 pct, from -3.1 pct in the previous month.

[21] Tourism, start-ups the main topics discussed between Deputy FM and U.S. official

The two officials focused mainly on the sectors of tourism, developing start-ups, agricultural products and food.

[22] Greek stocks rally for sixth successive session

The composite index of the market rose 1.30 pct to end at 727.38 points, after falling as much as 1.55 pct early in the session. The index is up 6.17 pct in the last six sessions. The Large Cap index rose 1.15 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.39 pct higher. Turnover was a low 39.301 million euros in volume of 110,251,229.

Eurobank (9.68 pct), Piraeus Bank (8.70 pct), National Bank (8.45 pct) and GEK Terna (5.88 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while OTE (1.53 pct), Coca Cola HBC (0.96 pct) and Mytilineos (0.20 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Among market sectors, Banks (7.61 pct), Financial Services (3.74 pct) and Constructions (3.63 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (1.53 pct), Food (0.96 pct) and Technology (0.72 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 64 to 30 with another 21 issues unchanged. Hatzikraniotis (29.67 pct), Pegasus (20 pct) and Altec (15.79 pct) were top gainers, while Boutaris (19.10 pct), Lavipharm (16.40 pct) and AEGEK (15.79 pct) were top losers.

[23] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving lower. The 12-month rate fell to 0.108 pct from 0.11 pct, the nine-month rate eased to 0.047 pct from 0.049 pct, the six-month rate was 0.008 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.066 pct from -0.064 pct and the one-month rate was -0.119 pct.

[24] ADEX closing report

General News

[25] Artist Anna Laskari to represent Greece in Caraca's First Biennale of South:People in Resistance

The work of Laskari, is a3D animation, produced exclusively for the Biennale of South and symbolically depicts an image of the suffering and the harshness of living that the crisis casts upon Greece, a country served as a Guinea pig for the implementation of neo-liberal economic policies of austerity and also the resistance of the people .

According to the artist, "one could potentially add to the 'labels', which always represented the image of Greece, some new ones. Thus, on the side of emblematic terms like the 'Parthenon', the 'Acropolis' , or 'cradle of Democracy', new predicates are added, such 'insecurity', 'fear', 'anger', 'social turmoil', communal and alternative practices of solidarity'.

In the 2 minutes of its duration, the 3D animation shows the panic of a cat, trapped on a balcony of a closed office somewhere in the commercial center of Athens. The cries of the cat, which initially revealed her despair, are gradually escalated to a threatening roar, staring insistently the spectator, who although no participating to the drama he can't help not to be moved by it. Finally, the cat disappears, leaving an encapsulating, trapping, emptiness, a void.

The organization of the Biennale was an initiative of the Venezuela's Ministry of Popular Power and is materialized under the auspices of the Institute of Representational and Spatial Arts (IARTES). The objective of this ambitious international event is to bring together creative people from the South, but of a South transcending any notion of geographic border, with the scope of building?a common space to communicate their desires, their dreams and their needs. According to Biennale's curator Morella Jurado, IARTES' general director, this common field could work as an artistic platform for a fruitful exchange of "political experiences and new aesthetic proposals in the view of building a common battlefront, outside the commercial rings and forging its own character".- George-Byron Davos

[26] Five terror suspects from Kalamata detained pending trial

The five men are the believed to be the core members of terrorist group "Epsilon Ef" in whose houses police found a large number of assault weapons.

This morning, a 52-year-old man who police say is the leader of the group and the four members gave their testimonies to the prosecutor on two explosions caused by improvised explosive devices in Kalamata and Mystras in the early hours of last Friday.

[27] Earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale registered off the western coast of Skyros island

The epicenter was at sea 20km west of Skyros at a depth of about 10km.

[28] Small tremor felt north of Crete

The epicenter is located 40 klm north of Chania, at a focal depth of 10 kilometers. No injuries or damages were reported.

[29] "Blue Star 1" ferry with 1,554 refugees on board arrives at Piraeus port

1,383 of the refugees embarked on Lesvos island and 171 on Chios.

[30] Panama-flagged freighter "RUNNER safely anchored in Lavrio

The cargo ship had 16 crew members aboard, one of whom of Greek nationality, and is not carrying any cargo.

Weather forecast

[31] Fair on Wednesday

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

DIMOKRATIA: Is Greece a favela of migrants?

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Don't disturb the employers

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: 23 pct VAT on education and the 'bomb' of home foreclosures

ESTIA: Greece trapped in the refugees issue

ETHNOS: Higher labour contributions a burning issue

IMERISSIA: They have won the bet

KATHIMERINI: Loosening of the memorandum due to the refugees issue

NAFTEMPORIKI: The solution for pensions lies in new taxes

RIZOSPASTIS: Cut in lower than 1,000 euro pensions

TA NEA: Window for evictions

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