Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras: Greek program review must end by April 22

[02] Greece, institutions conclude first meeting in new round of talks

[03] IMF's Lagarde responds to PM Tsipras over Wikileaks concerns

[04] The strategy of delays in negotiations in order to cause credit event is nonsense, gov't says

[05] Head of Greek intelligence service says agency operates in line with Greek law

[06] EU Commission aims to conclude program review as soon as possible, its spokesman says

[07] President Pavlopoulos urges for an end to war in Syria in meeting with Robert F. Kennedy HR head

[08] First returns to Turkey, refugee resettlements to EU launched on Monday, EU Commission announces

[09] Greece returns 202 migrants and refugees to Turkey with Frontex's assistance

[10] Refugees at Idomeni showing greater interest in relocation programmes, UNHCR staff report

[11] Refugees and migrants refuse to leave Piraeus port for other hosting facilities

[12] Protesting refugees block Evzones-Thessaloniki national highway

[13] 4,800 refugees stranded at Piraeus port

[14] Turkish General Consul Okan visits refugees in Idomeni

[15] Government spokeswoman meets Russian counterpart in Moscow

[16] "We must move quickly", says newly appointed Hellenic festival director Theodoropoulos

[17] Multiple airspace violations by Turkish military aircraft in Aegean

[18] Greek unemployment eased to 24.0 pct in Dec 2015, Eurostat

[19] Lufthansa includes seven more Greek destinations in its summer schedule

[20] Greek stocks continue decline on Monday

[21] Greek bond market closing report

[22] ADEX closing report

[23] Athens Science Festival opens its doors in Gazi's Technopolis Centre on Tuesday

[24] Migration minister admitted to hospital after feeling unwell

[25] Mostly fair on Tuesday

[26] The Monday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] PM Tsipras: Greek program review must end by April 22

Commenting on the letter sent to the government by IMF head Christine Lagarde following the leak of a telephone conversation between senior IMF officials by Wikileaks on Saturday, Tsipras said that he agreed that a tactic to delay negotiations between Greece and the institutions to pressure the country to back down is 'nonsense'.

"I completely agree with this view and I'm glad that at least this common ground between the Greek government and Mrs. Lagarde is recognized," he said.

"At the same time, I wonder whether the others agree with this view, and I hope that in the next few days we will not see an intention to handle the negotiations between Greece and the institutions in a foolish way. Because it will not be the first time. Besides, since 2010, a lot of foolish things have happened," he added.

The prime minister also said that after the Wikileaks revelations he contacted foreign leaders and officials, including U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden and French President Francois Hollande, from which he understood that "there's widespread support for the Greece's position that a review that should already had concluded must conclude by April 2."

He then noted the confrontation between the IMF and the European institutions and said: "We won't allow Greece and the Greek people to become the victims in this confrontation." He acknowledged however that "the situation is crucial and serious" and that the seriousness of the situation is recognized by everyone in Europe.

"Greece is no longer alone in its efforts to make a fresh start and create a prospect of recovery," he added.

Tsipras went on to criticize the main opposition, New Democracy, for "siding with the IMF", saying that the party chooses to identify "with the most extreme views" of the Fund. He said ND wonders why the government doesn't identify with the published demands of the Director of the IMF's European Department, Poul Thomsen. "His [Thomsen's] position doesn't just say there should be a debt haircut. But that it must be done in exchange for a general attack on rights and conquests that in reality blows up the July agreement," he said, noting that the deal foresees a specific commitment in debt restructuring without the extreme measures now demanded by Thomsen.

"I ask, what exactly do they want? To adhere to the view that requires a debt haircut at all cost?" he said.

Commenting on the revelations made by the Panama papers, he said that nobody from New Democracy or anywhere else described these data as "nonsense". In fact, he continued, countries like France have stated they will investigate the information provided to find possible tax evaders, money laundering cases and other illegal activities.

[02] Greece, institutions conclude first meeting in new round of talks

According to the finance minister, there was no discussion regarding the Wikileaks transcript released at the weekend. Asked if the government was troubled by the fact that the European side appeared to be siding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tsakalotos declined to comment.

Alternate Finance Minister George Chouliarakis also attended the meeting at the Hilton Hotel, which was surrounded by protestors taking part in a rally organised by the civil servants' union federation ADEDY against austerity measures, with slogans demanded that the IMF leave Greece.

There was stringent security around the hotel, with riot police preventing protestors from approaching, while one lane on Vassilisis Sofias Avenue was closed.

[03] IMF's Lagarde responds to PM Tsipras over Wikileaks concerns

Reiterating an earlier statement by the Fund, Lagarde said that Greece and the IMF were "still a good distance away from having a coherent program that I can present to our Executive Board", saying the lender could "only support a program that is credible and based on realistic assumptions, and that delivers on its objective of setting Greece on a path of robust growth while gradually restoring debt sustainability."

"Of course, any speculation that IMF staff would consider using a credit event as a negotiating tactic is simply nonsense," she said, while standing by the decision that "if it were necessary to lower the fiscal targets to have a realistic chance of them being fully met, there would be an attendant need for more debt relief. In the interest of the Greek people, we need to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion."

Referring to the prime minister's concerns over recently released Wikileak documents, she in turn expressed concern "as to whether we can indeed achieve progress in a climate of extreme sensitivity to statements of either side." Lagarde added her full backing of the IMF team and said that "for them to be able to do their work, as you have invited us, it is critical that your authorities ensure an environment that respects the privacy of their internal discussions and take all necessary steps to guarantee their personal safety."

She concluded by saying that "the IMF conducts its negotiations in good faith, not by way of threats, and we do not communicate through leaks," and said she was releasing her letter to the Fund's website "to further enhance the transparency of our dialogue."

[04] The strategy of delays in negotiations in order to cause credit event is nonsense, gov't says

"The strategy of delays in the negotiations in order to cause a credit event in Greece before the Brexit referendum is indeed great nonsense. Nonsense that we all need to prevent," according to a government announcement issued after the meeting.

"The negotiation must be concluded soon, without unrealistic demands for additional measures, beyond those agreed in July's agreement," the announcement added.

Regarding security, the "Greek government ensures that Greece is a totally safe country, more than other countries where the vast majority of the WikiLeaks has occured."

[05] Head of Greek intelligence service says agency operates in line with Greek law

"The mission of the National Intelligence Service is to protect national security and national sovereignty," Roubatis said in a press release. "NIS operates in line with Greek laws which always require an order by the prosecutor to tackle criminal activity or other threats," it added.

[06] EU Commission aims to conclude program review as soon as possible, its spokesman says

The European Commission wishes Greece's first program review to be concluded as soon as possible, its spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Monday.

"We are committed to our work, we work feverishly and in good faith to successfully conclude the program review as soon as possible and meet our targets," Schinas said adding that the Commission is committed to the agreement reached in August. He added that the Commission wants to help the Greek economy return to sustainable growth, stable fiscal figures while boosting competitiveness and employment.

Asked if the Commission and the IMF share the same view on the program review, Schinas noted that the heads of the institutions are in Athens in order to continue negotiations and conclude the review as soon as possible.

Asked to comment on the release of a secret transcript by Wikileaks, he declined to comment. "The Commission does not comment on leaks," he stated.

[07] President Pavlopoulos urges for an end to war in Syria in meeting with Robert F. Kennedy HR head

"Please relate to your country, the United States ... that the entire civilized world should have two aims at this point: First, finishing with ISIS. It is inconceivable for civilization and our democracy to have this new outbreak of barbarism, called ISIS. And secondly, the war must end immediately so that refugees can return to their homes," Pavlopoulos told Kennedy.

"These refugees didn't leave [their country] looking for a better fate in other European countries. They left because there was a war," he added.

On her side, Kennedy mentioned the way Greeks have welcomed refugees despite the economic crisis. "The day before yesterday I was fortunate enough, because Mrs. Vardinoyiannis and I were able to visit Schisto [refugee camp]. And I have to admit that, considering the economic crisis facing Greece, it is very impressive the fact that Greeks were so accepting and open towards these refugees," she said. "The compassion t=Greeks showed towards them is impressive."

Vardinoyiannis also commented on her visit to Schisto, saying it was emotional and also expressed her satisfaction with Kennedy's assessment that the camp was well organized.

She also said that her institution is willing to cooperate with the State to organize a center that will accommodate unaccompa-nied refugee children, adding this issue was discussed in a meeting with Interior Minister Panos Kouroum-blis earlier today. "This center will be a model for other such centers abroad," Vardinoyannis said.

[08] First returns to Turkey, refugee resettlements to EU launched on Monday, EU Commission announces

European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas on Monday announced the launch of two parallel processes for refugees and migrants, with returns to Turkey from the Greek islands and the resettlement of refugees in Turkey in European Union member-states. According to the spokesman, the aim was to make clear that attempting a clandestine entry into to the EU was both dangerous and pointless.

Schinas said that Monday's returns and resettlements were the "first visible step" in the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement of March 18, which sought to put an end to illegal migration and the "business model" of the migrant traffickers.

According to the Commission spokeswoman for migration issues Tove Ernst, the returns on Monday were exclusively of individuals that had not wished to submit asylum applications in Greece and therefore had no right to stay, regardless of nationality. She was unable to confirm the nationalities among those returned on Monday.

Schinas noted that Monday's operation was conducted smoothly, without incidents and was properly organised, with an adequate presence by the EU border agency Frontex and adequate safeguards. He also pointed to a UNHCR tweet saying that UNHCR staff had informed the individuals involved about their rights to request asylum.

According to the Commission, the returns of asylum seekers whose applications have been turned down by Greece will begin once the required legal and other measures are in force, both in Greece and Turkey. Spokespersons for the Commission also repeated that no asylum seeker would be returned unless they have fully exercised their rights to request asylum in Greece and their application has been examined on an individual basis, including any possible appeal.

In Greece this meant that the legislation passed the previous Friday must be in force, while Turkey must sign the legal measures on the protection status to be given to Syrians, Ernst said. The Commission was also waiting for guarantees from Turkey that returnees of other nationalities, in addition to Syrians, will have access to asylum processes. Schinas noted that European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos would be in Ankara on Monday and Tuesday for meetings to settle all the above issues.

The first refugee resettlements from Turkey to the EU also began on Monday, with 32 Syrians resettled in German and 11 in Finland. A third group of Syrians is due to leave for the Netherlands on Tuesday.

"For every shipload that returns migrants to Turkey, an airplane of refugees will leave Turkey for Europe," Ernst said, adding that the refugees will be selected based on UNHCR "vulnerability criteria".

The Commission also announced that 206 Frontex escort officers had arrived in Greece over the weekend, in addition to 32 European Asylum Support Office (EASO) staff and five permanent employees, while an additional 30 were expected to arrive by Wednesday.

[09] Greece returns 202 migrants and refugees to Turkey with Frontex's assistance

The operation, which included 180 escort officers deployed by Frontex, as well as Greek officers, is coordinated between the Greek and Turkish authorities.

According to information provided by the Greek authorities, 136 people boarded from Lesvos - 135 and one woman - of the following nationalities: 124 Pakistanis, 3 Bangladeshis, one Iraqi, 2 Indians, 4 Sri Lankans and 2 Syrians. Another 66 people boarded in Chios - 56 men and 10 women: 42 Afghanis, 10 Iranians, 6 Pakistanis, one Indian, one Somali, one from the Ivory Coast and 5 from Congo.

None of the migrants and refugees who were readmitted applied for an asylum in Greece, including the two Syrians who asked to return to Turkey. The readmission operation will continue in the coming days.

[10] Refugees at Idomeni showing greater interest in relocation programmes, UNHCR staff report

"I would say that before there was a sense that the borders will open and they did not show a great interest in obtaining information. Now that it is becoming clear that this prospect does not exist and that the borders will not open, they are starting to consider 'Plan B'," she added.

In addition to those interested in the relocation programme, there were those considering applying for asylum in Greece and those seeking to be reunited with their families. In all three cases, she added, the refugees had to understand that things would not happen overnight. This was hard for them to accept, Veide noted, since they had already been in Greece for a long time and that made the UNHCR's role in explaining the situation even harder.

Commenting on a break-in at the UNHCR storage facility in Idomeni, containing dry food and other items, Veide said that the police had been informed and that the UNHCR had asked for increased security.

[11] Refugees and migrants refuse to leave Piraeus port for other hosting facilities

Port authority officials assisted by translators are trying to persuade the refugees to get on board a bus, however, they are called to overcome the refugees and migrants insecurity and mistrust.

Some refugees told ANA-MPA that they wish to go elsewhere if the conditions are better while other expressed the fear that if they are sent elsewhere, everyone will forget them.

They also expressed concern over their future after they got informed that the readmission process to Turkey has started. Four buses are currently parked at Piraeus waiting for refugees to get on board while at the same time UNCHR officials provide information to those refugees who want to seek asylum.

According to the latest official report, 4,725 refugees and migrants remain at the port of Piraeus.

[12] Protesting refugees block Evzones-Thessaloniki national highway

Police had earlier given over one of the Evzones lanes to cars heading in the opposite direction, toward Thessaloniki, but the protestors then occupied that side of the road as well, once they realised what had been done. Police attempted to prevent them but the protesting refugees succeeded in occupying the entire road in both directions.

[13] 4,800 refugees stranded at Piraeus port

Another 73 refugees from Samos were transferred on Sunday night by "Nisos Mykonos."

According to the latest data, 4,800 refugees are now stranded at Piraeus port.

Despite the fact that three buses arrived at the port on Sunday to transfer migrants and refugees to accommodation centres, nobody boarded. Many of the refugees and migrants fear that the centers are far from the city and expressed their concern that they would be trapped there.

[14] Turkish General Consul Okan visits refugees in Idomeni

According to information, the Turkish consulate went to Idomeni to inspect the condition in Idomeni.

[15] Government spokeswoman meets Russian counterpart in Moscow

Earlier, Gerovasili attended the opening of the photographic exhibition titled "Athos: The Holy Mountain", which took place at a hall of the Duma, saying it is an important cultural exhibition.

[16] "We must move quickly", says newly appointed Hellenic festival director Theodoropoulos

"I accepted the position at a crucial time for the course of the Festival and because I believe that this year's Festival should not be cancelled" stated Theodoropoulos to ANA-MPA.

"Today (Monday) I will be informed if former director Giorgos Loukos has submitted a programme for 2016 and if contracts have been signed, otherwise, we must move quickly and choose responsibly from the proposals sumbitted. Being aware of the Greek theatrical landscape, I am certain that a lot of worthwhile proposals will have been submitted. If I will be able to put my personal mark to the Hellenic Festival, it will be something that will be seen next year," he said.

"The task of the new artistic director is difficult, but we are sure that he will work constructively with the board of the Hellenic Festival and the Greek artists to have the best possible result under the current circumstances. And always with the eyes set on the future," the Culture ministry said in an announcement.

Theodoropoulos was appointed curator of the Festival after the resignation of Jan Fabre on Saturday.

[17] Multiple airspace violations by Turkish military aircraft in Aegean

Sixteen of the Greek airspace violations were committed by a Turkish CN-235 naval cooperation aircraft that flew north to south from the island of Limnos to the island of Rhodes. Four violations of Greek airspace were committed by six Turkish fighter planes and one airspace violation by a Turkish helicopter flying south of the Aegean island of Samos. According to Turkey, helicopters patrol the region in response to the refugee crisis.

In all cases, the Turkish aircraft were identified and intercepted by Hellenic Air Force fighter jets. Two of the Turkish planes were armed.

Financial News

[18] Greek unemployment eased to 24.0 pct in Dec 2015, Eurostat

Greek unemployment rate eased to 24.0 pct of the workforce in December 2015, from 24.4 pct in November, Eurostat said on Monday.

In a report, the EU executive's statistic service said that the unemployment rate in the Eurozone was 10.3 pct in February 2016 compared to 10.4 pct in January, the lowest level since August 2011.

The unemployment rate was 8.9 pct in the EU in January 2016.

There were 1.15 million people unemployed in Greece in December.

[19] Lufthansa includes seven more Greek destinations in its summer schedule

The group announced on Tuesday that it will carry out seven more flights with destination Corfu, Zakynthos, Mykonos, Iraklio, Kos, Rhodes and Santorini along with the flights to Athens and Thessaloniki.

According to the group's general director in Greece Constantinos Tzevelekos the group's airlines will carry out approximately 200 flights per week from Greece. The flights will be carried out by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Edelweiss.

Asked on the refugees crisis effect on the Greek tourism and the ticket reservations, Tzevelekos said that a drop in the reservations for the northeastern Aegean islands has been observed, however, "We estimate that it will be counterbalanced by the reservations for Crete and the Ionian islands".

[20] Greek stocks continue decline on Monday

The composite index fell 1.19 pct to end at 564.75 points, after falling as much as 2.09 pct to 559.6 points earlier in the day.

The Large Cap index fell 1.58 pct and the Mid Cap index fell 1.72 pct lower. Turnover was a very low 41.246 million euros in volume of 257,702,556.

Folli Follie (2.06 pct), Coca Cola HBC (1.66 pct) and OPAP (1.27 pct) made the biggest gains among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Bank (8.48 pct), National Bank (5.51 pct) and Eurobank (4.81 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day.

Among market sectors, Commerce (2.06 pct), and Foods (1.66 pct) scored gains, while Banks (5.35 pct), Insurance (3.97) and Technology (3.39 pct) had the greatest losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 68 to 37 with another 16 issues unchanged. Boutaris (19.57 pct), Nafpaktos Mills (9.71 pct) and Fieratex (9.63 pct) were top gainers, while Mathios Pyrimaha (29.86 pct), Lavipharm (15.32 pct) and Viokarpet (12.57 pct) were top losers.

[21] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate rose to -0.001 pct from -0.002 pct, the nine-month rate was -0.068 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.132 pct from -0.131 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.246 pct from -0.245 pct and the one-month rate was -0.339 pct.

[22] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 41,711 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (15,452), followed by Alpha Bank (5,783), National Bank (13,170), Eurobank (4,374), MIG (656), PPC (419), OPAP (387), OTE (554), GEK (79), Mytilineos (121), Hellenic Petroleum (207), METKA (70), Motor Oil (76), Ellaktor (40) and Viohalco (35).

General News

[23] Athens Science Festival opens its doors in Gazi's Technopolis Centre on Tuesday

Among the topics to be explored in the 2016 ASF are life and matter, the making of 'smart' machines, the human brain, fighting disease, new materials with 'magical' properties, climate change and many others.

Svante Paeaebo, Director of Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany will give the opening talk on Tuesday evening on the topic "Your Internal Neanderthal", followed by the MIT's Michalis Bletsas speaking about "Internet Connectivity."

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet 'Troopy' - a humanoid robot built by high school student Dimitris Hatzis from Kavala in northern Greece - and a chance to learn more about 3D printing and its uses, such as for building a robot arm.

Entrance to the ASF is free of charge but talks by some of the speakers may need tickets. The full programme is available at the website http://www.athens-science-festival.gr.

The ASF is organised by the educational organisation SciCo, the British Council, the Onassis Foundation Scholars Association, the General Secretariat for Research and Technology and the Technopolis Centre, while it is supported by Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation - EPAnEK and the EU's 2014-2020 National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) and a host of research and academic institutions.

[24] Migration minister admitted to hospital after feeling unwell

Mouzalas was first led to the parliament's clinic where he was given first aid but the symptoms did not pass, it was decided to admit him to hospital for further medical checks, where he remains until now.

Weather forecast

[25] Mostly fair on Tuesday

[26] The Monday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: IMF bomb

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: New pension limits for women

ESTIA: Ten questions for government, IMF

ETHNOS: Three scenarios after the IMF gate

KONTRANEWS: Poul Tomsen and Delia Velculescu are criminals

NAFTEMPORIKI: At the shadow of IMF gate

TA NEA: Confusion over the lines

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