Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras and Iranian VP Jahangiri confirm intention to upgrade cooperation between the countries

[02] Commission to publish 4 more reports on migration on Wed., says spokeswoman

[03] Hotspots and relocation centres for migrants and refugees will be ready by Feb. 15, Kammenos says

[04] Hotspots almost ready, says Alt. Defence Minister Vitsas

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis: The hotspots will not resolve the problem

[06] Alternate FM Xydakis pays three-day visit to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

[07] Greek-Turkish borders must close, refugees should be sent back, says Austrian minister

[08] Italy's Parliament President Laura Boldrini to visit Greece on Friday

[09] First review of economic programme must be concluded by end-February, Greek FinMin says

[10] Labour minister presents 'improved' proposals on pension contributions of self-employed

[11] Serious public administration reform requires continuity, President Pavlopoulos says

[12] It's unthinkable to hold elections now, says government source

[13] Plummetting stock market 'confirms our worst fears,' ND's Koumoutsakos says

[14] ND is unaware of what happened in European stock markets - PM's office

[15] Farmers toughen stance, announce will close Tempi Valley indefinitely on Tues.

[16] Larisa farmers to extend blockades to minor roads, alternative routes

[17] Foreign ministry condemns North Korea's launch of missile

[18] Economic conditions improving, SEV report

[19] Greek state overdue debt to the private sector down in Dec

[20] Car registrations up 3.7 pct in Jan

[21] Greek stocks suffer dramatic fall on Monday

[22] Greek bond market closing report

[23] ADEX closing report

[24] Greece needs a National Research Program, NASA researcher Romanos tells ANA-MPA

[25] Mediterranean monk seals make comeback in Aegean, no longer 'critically endangered'

[26] Journalist bodies condemn attack against Greek reporter, call for investigation

[27] EU anti-fraud body seizes 55 mln smuggled cigarettes in Greece, Cyprus in Jan

[28] Six detained in new clashes on Kos island

[29] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

[01] PM Tsipras and Iranian VP Jahangiri confirm intention to upgrade cooperation between the countries

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier signed a series of agreements aiming at upgrading the two countries' diplomatic relations.

These agreements provide for:

1. A memorandum for political deliberations

2. An agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passports

3. A roadmap for the improvement of bilateral cooperation

The two leaders stressed the importance of combating violence and extremism, dealing with the Islamic state and strengthening cooperation with the view to safeguard the stability in a sensitive area of the world.

Jahangiri pointed out that the visit of the Greek prime minister constitutes a milestone for the bilateral relations of the two countries and referred to the decisions taken aiming at strengthening cooperation in the economic sector.

Tsipras said that his contact with the first vice president of Iran opens new grounds for cooperation. "We are two peoples who know how to fight for their independence and dignity," the prime minister said and referred to a strategic upgrading of their bilateral relations.

Their common goal, Tsipras noted, is the fact that both countries come out of a long crisis and new possibilities open for the return to growth with mutually beneficial results.

The prime minister also referred to the refugee issue saying that the crisis in Syria has an impact on Greece due to refugee flows, adding that we must all contribute so that stability is restored and the Islamic state is dealt with efficiently. To this direction, Iran can play a role, Tsipras added.

According to sources, the Iranian vice president stressed the importance of making up for lost time in the two countries' relations. On his part, Tsipras outlined Iran's role in the region and stressed his determination on the development of high level bilateral relations. He also spoke of the geopolitical importance of Greece-Iran's cooperation.

?The leaders expressed their content over the cooperation in the energy sector, while the Greek Prime Minister said that due to the embargo, bilateral trade fell below 30 million euros in 2015, thus suggesting that there is much room for development and cooperation. He also proposed to organize joint economic committees in order to explore other areas of cooperation and overcome more quickly any obstacles.

The two delegations discussed a range of technical issues in order to facilitate cooperation on the financial sector, the field of medicine and health in general, culture and education, infrastructure, transport and the construction industry.

General information

Areas of cooperation:

a. Trade: Great potential for strengthening bilateral contacts.

Greek areas of interest: processed food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, cosmetics, agriculture equipment, building materials and construction equipment, chemical, software, development of retail chains, restaurant chains. b. Services: Construction, maritime transport (oil, petroche-micals), refining Iranian oil in Greek refineries, medical services in Greece, tourist flow from Iran to Greece, real estate services (interest in Greece's real estate market) road transport (Greek trucks crossing Iranian territory) c. Agricultural sector: Aquaculture. d. Energy: Oil (procurement, processing and storage in Greece).

Natural Gas: Transportation of liquefied natural gas via Greece

Renewable energy sources - photovoltaics. e. High Tech: Environmental management, water resources management f. Areas of Iranian investment interest (there are several funds in Iran looking for investments):

Real estate sector, Tourism, Pharmaceutical g. Culture:

Cultural, cultural exchanges. h. Mutual support and strengthening cooperation in bilateral institutions

[02] Commission to publish 4 more reports on migration on Wed., says spokeswoman

The European Commission will publish on Wednesday four reports on the implementation of the measures proposed for migration, Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told a news briefing on Monday.

The reports, which will be presented by Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, will concern the progress made in the construction of the so-called "hotspots" and the implementation of other measures in Greece and Italy, the implementation of emergency civil protection measures in the West Balkans route (hospitality centers, the provision of logistical and health assistance etc.) and finally the implementation of the action plan agreed with Turkey.

The conclusions of these reports will be used as a base in the discussions on migration during the Summit meeting next week in Brussels, Andreeva said.

Concerning the recommendations made by the Commission to Greece in a previous report, which said the country needs to do more to protect its external borders, the spokeswoman said that they will be approved by the Council of the relevant ministers from Schengen countries next Friday, which is when the three-month deadline for Greece will come into effect.

[03] Hotspots and relocation centres for migrants and refugees will be ready by Feb. 15, Kammenos says

Reporting on the progress of work underway to prepare the seven centres, Kammenos said the defence ministry was not involved in selecting the sites and that this was the responsibility of the ministry of state and the migration policy ministry.

On the local opposition to the centres at Diavata, the minister said that the ministry was "open to dialogue with the mayors on a mutually acceptable solution, since these are not permanent installations but portable (tents, etc).

Regarding the clashes on the island of Kos, where local residents had pitched battles with riot police, the defence minister noted that the site selected was 50 pct owned by the Greek Church and the rest to private owners, and had been suggested by the island's mayor, who later withdrew his suggestion.

He also repeated that those taking part in protest action were "far-right elements and some 50 to 80 individuals that have a [financial] interest in finding the refugees wandering around the island so they can exploit them."

Kammenos said that this could not be allowed to continue and that the flow of 'black money' must stop.

"The country must be seen to honour its commitments, for its own good," he added.

The minister said the site chosen on Kos was the semi-operational army camp 'Lazari' where the necessary facilities were 30 pct complete. He said the police would decide the number of refugees that will be registered and housed there, giving priority to those most vulnerable. Kammenos explained that the migrants and refugees would stay at the hotspots for 24 hours, except for special cases, such as pregnant women, children and those with health problems, and at the relocation centres for 72 hours.

The minister pointed our that 960,000 refugees and migrants and passed through Greece in the last year alone, while the cost of the refugee crisis to Greece in the last 2.5 years had reached 2.7 billion euros.

He also announced that he was now working with EU officials in order to prepare legislation that will be passed by Parliament as an Act of Legislative Content. This is needed so that Greek management authorities will supply the EU with the information needed to start releasing 400 million euros in EU funds pledged to Greece for managing the refugee crisis for four years.

Kammenos said that 32 million euros were currently deposited at the Bank of Greece for this purpose.

[04] Hotspots almost ready, says Alt. Defence Minister Vitsas

"I am deeply sorry when the fear prevails in the mind and the people's actions," he said speaking to private TV Mega on Monday.

Vitsas said that the aim is migrants and refugees "have a place to stay and eat for up to 48 hours after the identification and then to be transferred."

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis: The hotspots will not resolve the problem

Mitsotakis is paying a visit to Mytilene and specifically to the refugee reception centre to be briefed on the situation.

The leader of the main opposition congratulated the staff of the Greek Police, the Frontex, the NGOs, the international organizations and government services for the super-human effort made to face an extremely acute, as he described it, problem.

As he said it is a serious problem with humanitarian dimensions which has, unfortunately, worsened over the last year as a result of the government's mismanagement. According to Mitsotakis, the government must honour its commitments over the construction of the hotspots on the five islands of the Aegean. However, he expressed the opinion that the construction of the hotspots, by itself, will not solve the problem.

He also sent a message to Europe, noting that an organised effort from the side of the European Union is needed. "We need the EU member states to honour their commitments towards the refugees, who will relocate in Europe," he said.

Finally, Mitsotakis called on Turkey to honour its own commitments, stressing that "the problem can not be solved unless there is substantial involvement from the Turkish side."

[06] Alternate FM Xydakis pays three-day visit to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

On Monday, Xydakis will visit Vienna, where he will meet with Austrian Foreign Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner and the Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Dr. Michael Linhart.

On Tuesday, Xydakis will leave for Bratislava, where he will meet with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia Miroslav Laj
?k and the Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ivan Kor
ok.

Xydakis will complete his tour on Wednesday, in Budapest, where he will meet with Hungary's Foreign Minister S?ndor Pint?r, Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs Tak?cs Szabolcs Ferenc, and Economic Diplomacy Minister Levente Magyar.

Xydakis' aim is to brief his colleagues on Greece's positions and explain that Greece is guarding its borders, which are also Europe's borders, together with the European organization Frontex adding that Greece does not sink boats carrying refugees because this would be a flagrant violation of European values and of the international law.

The minister will highlight Greece's contribution to the refugee issue (escuing, in collaboration with Frontex of over 105,000 persons) and will ask for the implementation of the European Council's recent decisions on the joint handling of this historic crisis, with proportionality and solidarity. He will also ask for further material and moral assistance from the European partners; assistance that contrasts with any thought of suspending the Schengen Agreement, closing borders or hanging a new iron curtain, which would greatly jeopardize the historic endeavour of the European Union.

[07] Greek-Turkish borders must close, refugees should be sent back, says Austrian minister

The borders between Greece and Turkey must close and the refugees caught trying to cross over into Europe should be sent back to Turkey, Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner was reported as saying to Austrian newspaper "Der Standard", in statements published on Monday.

Mikl-Leitner is scheduleled to meet Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis in Vienna later in the day.

"Rescuing [refugees] must naturally come first, but the automatic entry into the EU must not follow in second place. People should be transported back to Turkey. They will then immediately stop the dangerous (maritime) approaches," she was quoted as telling the paper.

The Austrian minister has threatened Greece with expulsion from the Schengen area in the last two weeks if "Athens doesn't finally do more for securing the EU's external borders."

[08] Italy's Parliament President Laura Boldrini to visit Greece on Friday

The president of Italy's parliament Laura Boldrini is to arrive in Athens on Friday for an official visit, during the second leg of a tour of Cyprus and Greece.

Boldrini will spend Thursday in Nicosia for talks with Cyprus' leadership, while on Friday she is scheduled to meet President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and her Greek counterpart Nikos Voutsis. On Saturday, she will carry out a visit to the Greek island of Lesvos, which has received a higher number of refugees in recent months than any other location in the Mediterranean.

While on the island, she will witness the situation at first hand, talk with local mayor Spiros Galinos, as well as with representatives of aid organisations and of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). She is also scheduled to hold a joint press conference with Greece's Alternate Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas.

Boldrini was the UNHCR representative for Southern Europe from 1998 until 2012.

[09] First review of economic programme must be concluded by end-February, Greek FinMin says

Speaking in Parliament, Tsakalotos also expressed his concern in the case that negotiations were prolonged until May or June.

The Greek finance minister said he was more optimistic now than he had been before the start of negotiations on pension reform and income tax issues. While acknowledging that there were still hurdles to be overcome, he noted that there was agreement "on the basic architecture of these two big reforms". Tsakalotos said the heads of the institutions will return to Greece next week while technical delegations of the institutions were continuing negotiations with Greek authorities. "We expect them to return in a reasonable space of time. Not this week, maybe next week. From that point, we will have two weeks to wrap up all pending issues. This will allow the start of talks on debt, which will help create conditions to turn a page and for investments to return," the Greek FinMin said. "There are thorns in negotiations. It is very significant to conclude the first review," he noted.

"Both the pension and the income tax reforms have a structural nature. They are significant changes that need to be made since they both contribute to the basic goal, which is to agree that in 2018 we will have a primary surplus of 3.5 pct of GDP. We must convince them. There are many discussions over measures we have not yet implemented. There are disagreements which we will continue discussing. But we agree on their basic architecture," he said.

Tsakalotos stressed that labor reform was not part of the first review of the Greek economic policy programme.

[10] Labour minister presents 'improved' proposals on pension contributions of self-employed

Presenting the changes, the minister noted that the draft law had included very favourable measures for the more vulnerable categories from the outset.

"For example, all workers employed on a freelance basis will pay 6.5 pct of the contributions, with their employers paying the rest," he said. The prime minister had also announced additional measures for young scientists and professionals, following a meeting with their respective associations, in order to stop the 'brain drain' and the loss of highly skilled young people abroad, he added.

Katrougalos said that those now embarking on their career will enter a special insurance category for the first five years of their professional life, which will be the same as that for farmers. They would pay 786 euros a year in main pension contributions for the first two years and 954 euros a year for the next three. Those who suspended the exercise of their profession would be able to apply to be exempted from paying contributions.

For other freelance professionals, the ministry proposed a three-year transitional period, during which the new contributions will be significantly reduced. The reduction will start at 50 pct for those with an income up to 10,000 euros and will be adjusted downward by 1 pct for every 1000 euros in additional income.

The rates will then be reviewed and their performance assessed at the end of this transitional period, the minister added, noting that 66 pct of freelance workers will see their available income rise as a result of the changes.

Katrougalos said that the new system starting on January 1, 2017 will require all freelance professionals to pay social insurance contributions amounting to 20 pct of their average income in the previous tax year, regardless of how long they had been professionally active. Under the current system, the amount paid in contributions rises according to the number of years of professional activity, regardless of the amount of income declared. The minimum amount paid each month will be equivalent to 20 pct of the basic wage for an unskilled labourer, he said.

Another major change is that the social insurance rates for the self-employed will be the same as those for employees "as must be the case in a unified social insurance agency." If the rates were different, Katrougalos added, there would be transfers from the sector with the higher rates to that with smaller rates, which would mean that employees would be "subsidising" the pensions of the self-employed.

Where there was no other social insurance payment - either in contributions for a supplementary pension or for a lump sum - the new system would lead to smaller contributions for those earning less than 12,000 euros a year, who made up the majority, he said. "Only 11 pct of freelance professionals declared an income higher than 40,000 euros," Katrougalos added.

[11] Serious public administration reform requires continuity, President Pavlopoulos says

In the opposite case, he added, "they remain quasi-incomplete agreements of their makers that, in addition to tarnishing their legacy, greatly exacerbate the chronic dysfunction of public administration, with consequences for society, the economy and democratic institutions."

According to the president, many of the reforms attempted in Greece during the memorandum years should have been carried out by the country of its own accord, as more or less self-evident.

Properly planned and organised reforms could lead to a drastic reduction in the running costs of the state machinery, without affecting its efficiency, and also help stamp out bureaucracy and its "evil twin" corruption, he added.

He said a campaign against corruption should be linked to that of reducing the cost of public administration since "it was common knowledge that corruption, especially in our country, is exceptionally high and also acts as a hindrance to the entire process of growth."

The conference was organised by the State Budget Office in Parliament.

[12] It's unthinkable to hold elections now, says government source

The comment was made by the official during brief talks with journalists in Tehran, where Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is leading a large delegation of ministers and business people on an official visit to Iran, which started on Saturday.

A country cannot hold elections every three months, the official added.

Asked about the farmer's strikes, the same source said that "the government has nothing to offer" them, noting the draft legislation against which they are protesting concerns the entire society, the unemployed and the pensioners. The source also described their refusal to hold talks with the government as "selfish".

[13] Plummetting stock market 'confirms our worst fears,' ND's Koumoutsakos says

"We are most deeply worried by the dramatic downward course of the Hellenic Exchange," he said, noting that this was "linked to a sense of increasing political uncertainty that is triggered by the governing majority itself."

He called on the government to immediately change course and policy, since it would otherwise bear heavy responsibility toward the country and the Greek people.

[14] ND is unaware of what happened in European stock markets - PM's office

"Mr. Koumoutsakos [ND spokesman] is apparently not aware of what is happening today in European stock markets, which recorded 16-month lows, in view of economic and political world events," the prime minister's office said in a press release.

"As much as Mr. Koumoutsakos wants to attribute the global market turmoil to the Greek government, we fear that reality and common sense refute him," it added, noting that the government is working for the recovery and stability of the economy.

[15] Farmers toughen stance, announce will close Tempi Valley indefinitely on Tues.

Following this decision, they suspended their plan to close the road at 21.00 (local) this evening. Earlier, along with their colleagues at the blockade of Mikrothives, they presented specific proposals for social security and pension reform which they plan to send to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and said they are open to dialog on the basis of their proposals.

[16] Larisa farmers to extend blockades to minor roads, alternative routes

Tractors from the Nikaia roadblocks in Larisa will block the old Larisa-Volos national highway for three hours at the Platykambos junction, from 16:00 in the afternoon. The Larisa-Agia road will close for two hours from 18:30 to 20:30 at Gerakari and the Larisa-Kozani road will from 16:00 until midnight at Argyropouli in Tyrnavos.

They are also mobilising for a mass descent on Athens with their tractors on Friday, where they intend to camp out in Syntagma Square outside Parliament for at least two days. Until Friday, the farmers have decided to keep closing alternative routes to the highway throughout the week.

The farmers at the Tempi valley temporarily suspended their road block at 15:00 on Monday afternoon until 21:00, at which point they will resume their blockade for a further 24 hours.

[17] Foreign ministry condemns North Korea's launch of missile

"DPRK's missile launch poses a tangible threat to int'l security. Greece welcomes the unanimous condemnation by UNSC," according to the Twitter.

Financial News

[18] Economic conditions improving, SEV report

SEV based its analysis on the winter economic forecasts released by the European Commission which envisaged a lower-than-expected recession (0.0 pct in 2015 and -0.7 pct in 2016) compared with previous estimates and a forecast for a return to positive growth rates in the second half of 2016.

SEV stressed that a faster implementation of an adjustment programme was necessary to avoid the risk of upsetting stability achieved so far, adding that "a trend to stabilize economic activity, which began in the last two months of 2015, continued in January, with business climate improving but still remaining at a relatively low level. At the same time, various challenges put this stability at risk as completion of a first review of the economic programme is delayed with the issues of pension reform and non-performing loans remaining unresolved". The Federation stressed that this delay is heightening concern in the market as reflected in a deterioration in consumer confidence and retain sales. At the same time, lack of liquidity and low demand continued pressuring economic activity and risked hurting a recovery and job creation, the report said.

[19] Greek state overdue debt to the private sector down in Dec

The report said that municipal authorities accounted for the biggest part of state debt to the private sector (2.771 billion in December from 2.848 billion euros in November), followed by state hospital debt (931 million from 1.118 billion euros), while pending tax returns to individuals rose to 739 million euros in December from 715 million in November.

[20] Car registrations up 3.7 pct in Jan

The statistics service, in a report, said that car registrations were up 12.8 pct in January 2015. New car registrations totaled 6,248 in January, down 4.3 pct from the same month last year.

Motorcycle registrations fell 11.7 pct in January to 1,713, from 1,941 in January 2015. New motorcycle registrations amounted to 1,573 in January, down 13.9 pct from the same month last year.

[21] Greek stocks suffer dramatic fall on Monday

Selling focused on bank shares, with the bank index losing around 25 pct to end at a new historic low level. Analysts expressed concern over developments in the market after the composite index broke the 470-point technical support level. The index plunged 7.87 pct to end at 464.23 points, off the day's lows of 460.56 points. The index is down 26.47 pct so far this year, while the bank index has lost 59.37 pct over the same period. The Large Cap index dropped 10.21 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 8.23 pct down. Turnover was an improved 97.588 million euros in volume of 229,482,169.

All blue chip stocks ended lower, led by Eurobank (29.20 pct), National Bank (29.06 pct), Piraeus Bank (27.21 pct), Alpha Bank (17.65 pct), PPC (12.50 pct), Piraeus Port (9.66 pct) and Viohalco (9.60 pct). National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities.

The Insurance index was the only one to end higher (6.35 pct), while Banks (24.26 pct), Utilities (8.73 pct) and Health (8.01 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 104 to seven with another 15 issues unchanged. Nafpaktos (25.20 pct), Druckfarben (10 pct) and Aeoliki (8.55 pct) were top gainers, while Eurobank (29.20 pct), National Bank (29.06 pct) and VIS (28.95 pct) were top losers.

[22] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving lower. The 12-month rate fell to -0.005 pct from -0.002 pct, the nine-month rate was -0.058 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.107 pct from -0.104 pct, the three-month rate dropped to -0.169 pct from -0.162 pct and the one-month rate fell to -0.235 pct.

[23] ADEX closing report

General News

[24] Greece needs a National Research Program, NASA researcher Romanos tells ANA-MPA

Romanos is one of the members of the educational and scientific-research community in Greece and the Diaspora that the Education Ministry has chosen to participate in the National Dialogue Committee on Education, which is in progress.

The Greek scientist stressed the importance of reorganizing and modernizing the administrative and management services of Greek universities and proposed the participation of donors under public control and full transparency to ensure the democratic access to research. She recommended the better education of teachers, the further experience of students, the attraction of teachers and students from other countries and the improvement of graduate programs.

She also underlined that the necessary conditions should be created so that many of the scientists living abroad return to Greece.

The full interview is available in Greek at ANA-MPA's website.

[25] Mediterranean monk seals make comeback in Aegean, no longer 'critically endangered'

The monk seal has now dropped down one category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, from 'critically endangered' to 'endangered'.

MOm announced the news after it was informed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which made the decision based on a reassessment of the species' status carried out by MOm researchers, based on specific biological criteria.

MOm worked with experts throughout the world to collect and evaluate the most recent data available concerning the conservation status of the monk seal, an MOm announcement said. They also noted positive developments in recent years in at least three of the four main regions of the monk seal's range, among them Greece. At the same time, there have been significant advances in knowledge concerning the biology and threats faces by the species.

"What seems to have played a decisive role in improving the status of the species is the now positive approach of the majority of citizens, as a result of information, environmental training and general sensitisation," MOm noted.

They warned, however, that the danger to the species has not been eliminated since the populations remain small and vulnerable and the threats they face - such as habitat degradation and competition from human fishing - remain significant.

"The Mediterranean seal is still at risk of extinction but a step has been made in the right direction for its protection and we are seeing signs of recovery," MOm scientific coordinator Alexandros Karamanlidis told the ANA-MPA, noting that Greece hosted the largest and most important monk seal colony at present.

[26] Journalist bodies condemn attack against Greek reporter, call for investigation

Reporter Demitrios Perros, working as a freelance for municipal radio Athens 9,84FM, was severely attacked while covering the protest rally organized by the country's two largest unions, GSEE and ADEDY.

The bodies also joined their Greek affiliate, the Journalists' Union of Athens Daily Newspapers, in asking for a prompt investigation of the incident.

"We stand in solidarity with our Greek colleagues and call upon the authorities to immediately condemn this brutal attack to journalist Demitrios Perros and to open a prompt investigation in order to find and punish the perpetrators," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha.

On its side, the EFJ said this is a clear case of journalists being targeted. "It is in the public interest for journalists to cover public events like this to inform the citizens about government policy debate. The authority must ensure the safety of journalists," Mogens Blicher Bjerreg?rd, the EFJ President said.

Both Federations will submit the case to the Council of Europe Platform to promotion the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.

[27] EU anti-fraud body seizes 55 mln smuggled cigarettes in Greece, Cyprus in Jan

"Thanks to the close cooperation with the Greek General Secretariat against corruption (AFCOS Greece), Greek and Cypriot customs, 33 million cigarettes, were seized at the end of January," OLAF said in a press release. "An additional seizure of almost 21 million cigarettes had already taken place at the Port of Piraeus, bringing the total number of seized cigarettes in Greece in the course of these 2 recent investigations to over 55 million."

The body said that European cigarettes which legally set sail to Asia end up finding their way back into Europe illegally. This was the largest of five operations in which a total of more than 75 million cigarettes were seized in Greece, Russia, Germany and Spain between December 2015 and January 2016, it added.

Cigarette smuggling causes huge yearly losses to member-states and the EU in evaded customs duties and taxes. Smuggled tobacco undermines anti-smoking and public health campaigns and violates the strict rules that the EU and member-states have on manufacturing, distribution and sale.

OLAF described this as a "promising start" to the New Year which builds on "the remarkable results the office achieved in 2015", when over 600 million cigarettes were seized.

[28] Six detained in new clashes on Kos island

The residents threw firebombs and stones at the police officers who made use of tear gases.

Six persons were detained while attempting to flee with a car. On their possession police found clubs, three firebombs, hammers and gloves smelling gas.

The detained aged from 17 to 24 as well as the father of the the younger one were arrested and will be sent to Kos prosecutor.

Turmoil prevails on Kos over the construction of a hotspot for refugees and migrants.

Weather forecast

[29] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Next blockade at Syntagma square

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: 10 social security traps for public sector employees and uniform personnel

ESTIA: Early elections on the foreground

ETHNOS: Heavy penalties on companies that do not receive credit cards

KONTRA NEWS: Well known politician with 4,000,000 euro 'black money' in a Swiss bank

NAFTEMPORIKI: Taxes and social security contributions make an explosive mix

TA NEA: They raise obstacles

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