Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] The most crucial discussion on investments and growth starts now, PM Tsipras

[02] PM Tsipras: 'Greece needs a boost in investment and growth'

[03] Concluding Greece's review only way forward, EU Commission's Katainen says after meeting PM

[04] Greek gov't will implement July's agreement; nothing more, nothing less, says Gerovassili

[05] Discussion on fiscal targets must come after review is concluded, gov't sources insist

[06] Government sources: It is everyone's desire to reach an in principle agreement by the Eurogroup

[07] The momentum should not be lost, EU Commission says

[08] Germany hopes Greek programme's review will be completed by Orthodox Easter

[09] President Pavlopoulos receives French parliament MPs

[10] ND leader, EC Vice President Katainen discuss Juncker Investment Plan

[11] FinMin Tsakalotos denies Potami party's predictions regarding additional measures

[12] FM Kotzias requests promised assistance to Greece on refugee crisis, asks for assurances

[13] Greece has been offered significant support with refugee crisis, EC spokesperson says

[14] Greek authorities transfer 400 from Piraeus port to Skaramangas temporary hospitality centre

[15] Frontex: Number of migrants arriving to Greece fell more than half in March

[16] Railway tracks at Idomeni open after 30 days

[17] 53,824 identified refugees in Greece on Monday

[18] President of Serbia Nikolic visits Corfu

[19] Seamens' Federation to strike when pension bill is tabled in parliament

[20] Journalists announce 48-hour strikes against social security reforms

[21] EU's Katainen talks to ANA-MPA about promoting investments via Juncker Plan

[22] EIB can help private companies get financed, EU Commissioner Katainen says

[23] Investment proposals intended for 'Juncker Plan' will be fast-tracked, says minister

[24] Culture minister refutes Ryanair accusations of ignoring requests for lower airport levy

[25] Two HFSF non-executive members resign

[26] An increase in VAT rate will bring additional burdens to households, report says

[27] Hellenic Post obtains electricity energy supply license

[28] Greek exports to UAE down in 2015

[29] British Airways adds Chania and Kalamata to its summer schedule

[30] Greek stocks end flat on Monday

[31] Greek bond market closing report

[32] ADEX closing report

[33] Greeks trust locally-made drugs but don't know they are cheaper, survey shows

[34] Seriously injured refugee rushed to hospital from Idomeni; tension as camp residents attack police van

[35] One injured in brawl among migrants and refugees at Piraeus

[36] Argolida wildfire under control after burning bushy grassland

[37] Sunny on Tuesday

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

[01] The most crucial discussion on investments and growth starts now, PM Tsipras

"After years of discussions on measures and austerity, it is time we spoke for growth, investments and employment," Tsipras said.

The Greek prime minister explained that the primary surplus target of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2018 will be reached provided there is growth momentum.

Katainen, who is also European Commissioner for Employment, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said that the European Committee holds discussions with the private sector in order to find the suitable financing tools for its support adding that they also hold discussions with the Greek banks to persuade them to finance businesses and particularly small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).

[02] PM Tsipras: 'Greece needs a boost in investment and growth'

"Glad to meet @jyrkikatainen. After six years of austerity now is the time for investment, employment and growth," the prime minister tweeted. "Greece needs a boost in investment and growth."

[03] Concluding Greece's review only way forward, EU Commission's Katainen says after meeting PM

"Greece deserves stability," Katainen added, in a brief statement to reporters.

[04] Greek gov't will implement July's agreement; nothing more, nothing less, says Gerovassili

"All macroeconomic and fiscal figures reflect the progress of the Greek economy since July 2015, much better than all predictions. The economic figures are expected to be confirmed by EUROSTAT in the following days. We expect the conclusion of the agreement at technical level before the Eurogroup based on the Greek side's proposals," she said and announced that "in the following days two very important reforms will be tabled in the Greek parliament's committees that bear the stamp of the government's policy on insurance and taxation."

On the disagreement of the institutions on the primary surplus target in 2018 as well as the necessary debt restructuring, Gerovassili said, "we reiterate that July's agreement is clear, first the review and then the discussion and agreement on the debt."

[05] Discussion on fiscal targets must come after review is concluded, gov't sources insist

Their criticism of the IMF position was centred mainly on the fact that IMF forecasts have failed to be confirmed before and the likelihood that this would happen once again, as well as the fact that economic figures were better than expected.

They also noted that the European Central Bank's decision to allow Greek banks to join the ECB quantitative easing programme was expected to facilitate bank lending and boost liquidity in the Greek market, while Eurostat was expected to release figures in the next few days showing that the Greek economy was performing better than initially forecast.

In light of this, the government sources said that an agreement with the institutions on the level of technical teams before the Eurogroup meeting scheduled on April 22 was both a reasonable and realistic target.

The sources also noted that the Staff Level Agreement that will be discussed at the Eurogroup will include the Greek proposals for pensions and taxes, since there were no objections to the government proposals during the negotiations.

They said the government was steadfastly aiming to complete the review and striving for its conclusion by the next Eurogroup so that a discussion on relieving the country's debt can begin. At this stage, the only thing that can happen is the implemen-tation of the July agreement, nothing more and nothing less, the same sources insisted.

[06] Government sources: It is everyone's desire to reach an in principle agreement by the Eurogroup

The same sources said that there is a level of convergence, while important differences still exist in the negotiations such as if Greece can reach a primary surplus target of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2018. They also said that the German side considers an agreement can be reached with the IMF participation even if a debt relief is not on the cards. However, the IMF insists on an essential debt relief in order to participate in the programme.

According to the sources, a positive development is that creditors seem to understand the government's red lines regarding pensions and the tax free threshold.

Among the proposals submitted in order to achieve convergence is the imposition of additional measures that will be implemented only if Greece does not meet the 3.5 percent surplus target in 2018.

The government sources underlined that the "Greek side has not yet accepted this proposal and its decision will depend upon the full 'package' set on the table of the negotiations, that will likely include a deft relief that, according to the July agreement, will be decided after the first program review."

[07] The momentum should not be lost, EU Commission says

The discussions on the Greek program held in Washington were "constructive", European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Monday.

He noted that the heads of the institutions return to Athens "today and tomorrow" in order to "conclude the first program review as soon as possible."

Asked if he considers an agreement at technical level possible by Friday, he said that the European Commission will not make speculations and added that negotiations are well on track. As he said, they are seeking an agreement on a package of measures that will be "credible" and "socially fair" and stressed the importance of meeting the fiscal targets set in July's agreement.

"We are working closely with the Greek authorities and the other institutions to rapidly conclude the review. Progress has been recorded and the momentum should not be lost," he underlined. Schinas added that the "success" of the mission depends on "all involving sides, and not only on the Committee."

[08] Germany hopes Greek programme's review will be completed by Orthodox Easter

The German government hopes that the Greek program review will have been completed by Easter, the spokesperson of Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Monday adding that Berlin considers necessary IMF's participation in the programme.

"We hope that an agreement on the current program review will have been reached by the Orthodox Easter in early May," Friederike von Tiesenhausen replied when asked whether the program review can be concluded by April 22.

Regarding the German position of the IMF participation, she reiterated: "We still believe that the IMF participation in the third Greek programme is necessary."

[09] President Pavlopoulos receives French parliament MPs

"Greece will rise to the challenge as it has already done despite the huge problems we are facing as a country," he stated. "We behave to the refugees as we should to behave to a human being and always based on the principles of the European culture and the European democracy," said Pavlopoulos.

Addressing the French deputies, he urged them to focus on the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement on the refugees crisis.

Referring to Greece's commitments, he stressed the need for the relocation system to work properly, the immediate revision of the Dublin's agreement and the immediate establishment of the European Coastal and Border Guard with respect to each country's sovereignty.

[10] ND leader, EC Vice President Katainen discuss Juncker Investment Plan

Mitsotakis and Katainen agreed on the need to speed up promotion of investments through the Juncker plan, using the financing tools from the Commission and the European Investment Bank.

Sources said that Mitsotakis promised ND initiatives and support for actions promoting a faster and more effective use in Greece of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and EIB funding. He also informed the Commissioner of ND plans for a working meeting with organisations and businesses, aimed at securing the technical assistance of EIB experts in drawing up investment plans.

The meeting was attended by the head of the European Commission Representation in Greece Panos Carvounis and ND Vice-President Adonis Georgiadis and other party echelons.

[11] FinMin Tsakalotos denies Potami party's predictions regarding additional measures

"The European institutions and the Greek government might have estimates differing from those of the IMF concerning the fiscal targets of 2018 but the same cannot be said about Potami! In its announcement, Potami fully adopts the IMF estimate that additional measures of 3.6 billion euros will be required," he commented.

The Potami announcement said that the differences between Greece's European partners and the IMF concerning the Greek programme had been "bridged" in the worst possible way for Greece and that Tsakalotos was returning from Washington with a requirement to take additional measures to the tune of 3.6 billion euros.

"The new 'tough negotiation' has led to the worst scenario. The political ineptitude and technocratic inadequacy of SYRIZA-ANEL has cost many billions for the last 15 months, which the citizens are paying in taxes and closures," the Potami announcement said.

[12] FM Kotzias requests promised assistance to Greece on refugee crisis, asks for assurances

"We concluded that we need to move ahead to the adoption and implementation of a number of measures for stepping up operation SOPHIA, but we made it clear to everyone that this cannot be extended to the east without guarantees to Greece, and we explained our conditions and requirements," the minister said, adding that the meeting on the refugee issue and the flows coming to Europe from the central Mediterranean - especially from Libya.

Kotzias also said that the Greek side reminded the Commission and member-states that a number of EU commitments - such as the relocation of 160,000 refugees and settlement of 50,000 refugees on the Western Balkan route, funding for Greece, which has spent almost two billion to tackle the refugee issue - have not been met, just as many of the aspects of the decisions of 25 October have not been implemented. "As a result, they need to be implemented. We also talked about EU-Turkey relations and the way to implement the two sides' joint decisions," he added.

[13] Greece has been offered significant support with refugee crisis, EC spokesperson says

The European Commission has so far offered Greek authorities significant assistance in coping with the refugee and migration crisis, both in terms of providing funding and in terms of expert help, EC spokesperson for migration issues Tove Ernst said on Monday. Responding to a reporter claiming that there was only a single case worker handling hundreds of asylum seekers on the island of Chios, she noted that the Commission's figures on deployment were very different.

"Firstly, we'd like to highlight that the reception conditions in Greece are the responsibility of the Greek authorities. And we are supporting the Greek authorities, as well as international organisations and NGOs operating in Greece in managing the refugee and humanitarian crisis," she commented.

According to Ernst, Greece has been awarded 181 million euros in emergency funding, "notably to improve the reception capacity." She noted that this amount was given "on top of the 509 million they will receive or they have received in the context of their multi-annual programme."

She also reported that an additional 62 European Asylum Support Office (EASO) officers had been deployed in Greece this week, in additional to the 31 already there and 37 interpreters.

"So you have a number of case officers working together with the Greek authorities to assess the asylum applications. In total, you have more than 1,000 Frontex and EASO officers deployed currently in Greece, on the Greek islands and on the mainland," Ernst told reporters.

In response to other questions, she said that a total of 96 Syrian refugees have so far been resettled from Turkey under the 1:1 resettlement scheme and noted that the European Commission was trying to increase the numbers for both relocation and resettlement and wanted more European Union countries to "step up" in this effort.

[14] Greek authorities transfer 400 from Piraeus port to Skaramangas temporary hospitality centre

Most individuals boarding the coaches had papers stamped by the Hellenic Coast Guard during their stay in Piraeus. The boarding procedure was organised by coast guard officers assisted by volunteer organisations.

The process of transferring those at Piraeus to Skaramangas and other centres will continue in coming days.

[15] Frontex: Number of migrants arriving to Greece fell more than half in March

According to the agency, 26,460 migrants arrived to Greek islands last month. "Some 3,500 migrants arrived in Greece in the last 11 days of March. This compares to 22,900 people who were detected illegally crossing the borders on the Greek islands and the rest of the Eastern Mediterranean route between March 1 and March 20."

Two more contributing factors to the noticeable reduction were the stricter border policies applied by FYROM at its border with Greece and the new NATO operation in the Aegean, Frontex added, noting however that the number of arrivals was still three times the number from the same months in 2015.

[16] Railway tracks at Idomeni open after 30 days

The police asked the refugees to remove the tents they had set up on the tracks in order to protest against the closure of the borders. According to police, the operation was completed without any tension.

[17] 53,824 identified refugees in Greece on Monday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 29,289 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 10,323 of them are in Idomeni camp, 14,825 are hosted in the region of Attica, 7,353 on the Greek islands and 2,357 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece.

[18] President of Serbia Nikolic visits Corfu

Nikolic is visiting Corfu on the occasion of a series of events for the 100th anniversary since the arrival of Serbian soldiers and citizens on the island during WWI.

Upon his arrival, the Serbian president referred to the close friendship relations between his country and Greece and mostly with Corfu and reiterated Serbia's gratitude for the Greek people's support during the period of the Serbs refugeeism.

Nikolic and his wife will attend a memorial service at Serbian World War I soldiers' mausoleum on Vido islet.

[19] Seamens' Federation to strike when pension bill is tabled in parliament

The Federations asks for the withdrawal of the bill.

[20] Journalists announce 48-hour strikes against social security reforms

According to the announcement, newspapers, magazines, online media, ANA-MPA news agency, the General Secretariat of Information and Communication and all press offices will strike from 06.00 (local) on Thursday (April 21) until 06.00 on Saturday (April 23). Public and private TV channels and radio stations will strike from 06.00 on Friday (April 22) to 06.00 on Sunday (April 24).

On April 22, the governing council of the Greek Federation of Journalists will convene again to decide on further action.

Financial News

[21] EU's Katainen talks to ANA-MPA about promoting investments via Juncker Plan

"One possibility is to use the European Strategic Investments Fund to set up Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), and for this reason I am meeting with representatives of banks, given that we will always need an intermediate legal link for the financing of these businesses," he said.

Speaking to Greek business people at the event, Katainen had earlier analysed the ways in which the Juncker Investment Plan aimed to help promote investments and create jobs without state or bank financing and in addition to the funding provided by European Structural Funds.

Katainen said that the results of funding SMEs had been very satisfactory thus far, with more than 136,000 businesses currently receiving financing in this way in Europe.

"I want, therefore, to encourage Greek banks to use the European Strategic Investments Fund for the creation of SMEs but also private investors to contact the offices of the European Investment Bank (EIB) here in Athens, in the event that they need funding," he told ANA-MPA and ERT.

Commenting on Katainen's visit, the head of the European Commission's Representation in Greece Panos Carvounis highlighted its significance and noted that the first project had received advance approval, with the name of the company to be announced within the coming week:

"The visit by European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen is important because he came to Greece to promote [European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's] Investment Plan. It is one additional opportunity for Greek businesses to carry out investments in our country with money that comes neither from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) nor from the Greek banking sector. It is an additional possibility to carry out investments and boost employment. We must exploit this possibility in our country and for this reason, there is an important interlocutor, which is the EIB, which can provide every kind of information with regard to exploiting this possibility. It is, I would say, a private-sector opportunity, there are no quotas, one does not go via the state but directly addresses the EIB."

[22] EIB can help private companies get financed, EU Commissioner Katainen says

"We are here to help you. It is very important that you, as legislators, carry this message to private investors," Katainen underlined in the Greek parliament.

"Our delegation can help financing private sector in Greece. It is not necessary for someone to go to Brussels or Luxembourg. The European Fund for Strategic Investments can help private investors in Greece. It is a risk financing tool and a good vehicle to finance businesses. They need to be informed that they can request funds without the approval of the Greek government," he said.

Presenting his plan for growth, the EU vice president emphasized on the creation of new jobs, and spoke of the four basic steps to be taken to promote growth in our country:

- Contacts with the Greek banks in order to get to know how they can use the investments strategic fund to strengthen the Greek economy.

- Gathering ideas from businesses on investment needs and organizing an investment platform to proceed with the funding from the European Fund.

- A campaign on how to "exploit" the European Investment Bank office.

- Re-opening of the Greek Investment Fund, which could be a good vehicle to channel investments.

[23] Investment proposals intended for 'Juncker Plan' will be fast-tracked, says minister

Charitsis said the Economy ministry is preparing the relevant legislation and noted that the main aim of the plan should be to overcome the disinvestment trend evident in Greece in the last few years, as well as in Europe.

[24] Culture minister refutes Ryanair accusations of ignoring requests for lower airport levy

Kountoura said the airliner has indeed requested repeatedly from numerous governments to reduce the airport levy and cut it altogether for Kos, but noted that she explained to the company representative that such a request will have to be raised with the competent ministries which have the authority to alter taxes.

"I have previously thanked Ryanair's representative and I thank him once again publically for his intention to bring an extra five million passengers to Greece, in the next few years. And, of course, I stressed that I support any action that makes tourism in our country more competitive," she said.

In an interview published in To Vima newspaper on Sunday, Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer, David O'Brien, announced the Irish company would cut the summer season flights to Greece two months earlier than planned, starting with the island of Kos. Ryanair's decision would leave Greece without eight flights per day and two months before the end of the season, he said.

The CCO said the airliner had proposed since early 2014 that the government reduces fees and taxes in the low season, and exempts small airports from the Airport Modernization and Development levy which amounts to 12 euros per passenger, for five years. It also proposed reducing the same tax by 50 pct for Athens' International Airport. In return, the company pledged it could bring an additional two million passengers to Athens and another 3.5 million in regional airports. O'Brien said his company never received a negative or positive answer.

[25] Two HFSF non-executive members resign

The selection and replacement of both members of the General Council will be assigned by the Selection Panel to an international consultancy firm, HFSF said.

[26] An increase in VAT rate will bring additional burdens to households, report says

IELKA said that annual burden per household for food purchase would be 25 euros, as food prices were expected to rise by 0.45 pct. The report noted that despite an increase in VAT rates, an expected economic recession in the country is projected to lower VAT revenues this year by 1.56 pct and by 0.13 pct in 2017. IELKA said annual food purchases by Greek households in 2015 totaled 22.6 billion euros (including VAT), remaining on a downward trend for the last five years, although the rate of decline slowed after 2012. Average monthly food purchases per household was 380 euros, the report said.

[27] Hellenic Post obtains electricity energy supply license

[28] Greek exports to UAE down in 2015

The report, based on data compiled by Hellenic Statistical Authority, said that oil products along with fur/leather goods topped the list of Greek exports to UAE in 2015, accounting for 40 pct of total exports, down from 64 pct in 2014 and 49 pct in 2013.

Olive oil exports jumped 92.6 pct, exports of fruit rose 40 pct, vegetables grew 121 pct, strawberries were up 340 pct, yoghurt rose 79 pct, pharmaceuticals rose 56 pct, cosmetics rose 21 pct, while food exports grew strongly with the exception of fisheries, which eased slightly in 2015.

[29] British Airways adds Chania and Kalamata to its summer schedule

Starting on April 28, the airliner will fly to Chania (Crete) and Kalamata (in Messinia, southern Peloponnese) twice a week from Heathrow and Gatwick.

BA will also increase weekly flights to Corfu to six per week, four per week to Santorini, five to Heraklion, four to Thessaloniki and two to Kos, Rhodes and Mykonos, to satisfy increased demand.

[30] Greek stocks end flat on Monday

Viohalco (5.61 pct), GEK Terna (2.40 pct) and Terna Energy (2.26 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (3.02 pct), National Bank (1.89 pct) and Grivalia Properties (1.06 pct) suffered heavy losses. Among market sectors, Health (9.39 pct), Insurance (4.58 pct) and Telecoms (1.66 pct) scored the biggest gains while Banks (1.65 pct) and Real Estate (1.04 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 52 to 45 with another 22 issues unchanged. Evrofarma (22.56 pct), Vioter (18.75 pct) and MIG (10.49 pct) were top gainers, while Euromedica (20 pct), Progressive (19.64 pct) and Livanis Publications (19.15 pct) were top losers.

[31] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate fell to -0.012 pct from -0.011 pct, the nine-month rate was -0.073 pct, the six-month rate rose to -0.139 pct from -0.140 pct, the three-month rate was -0.249 pct and the one-month rate was -0.342 pct.

[32] ADEX closing report

General News

[33] Greeks trust locally-made drugs but don't know they are cheaper, survey shows

According to the nationwide survey, eight in 10 Greeks trust Greek pharmaceuticals and this percentage rises to 84 pct of those over 45 years old, who are the main consumers of medicinal drugs.

Asked why 80 pct of pharmaceuticals consumed in Greece are imported, 43 pct blamed "pressures from multinational companies" on governments, 24 pct blamed doctors for promoting imported drugs, 18 pct blamed bad policies, 10 pct blamed misinformation and 3 pct said promotion by pharmacists was responsible.

Regarding the recent government measures on pharmaceutical policy, 73 pct consider that these are damaging for the Greek pharmaceutical industry and should be withdrawn, while 27 pct consider that they are correct.

The survey additionally showed that Greeks are largely unaware that Greek-produced generics are, on average, 65 pct cheaper than imported brand-name originals. Only one in 100 of those taking the survey were aware of this large price difference and only a minority of four in 10 was aware that Greek generics were cheaper than their imported brand name counterparts, though not by how much.

The other six in 10 people taking the survey either had no idea what price relationship there was between Greek generics and imported brand name drugs (32 pct) or else wrongly believed that Greek-produced drugs were more expensive than their brand name counterparts (28 pct).

[34] Seriously injured refugee rushed to hospital from Idomeni; tension as camp residents attack police van

The incident sparked tension in the camp, where residents attacked a police van that they considered was somehow involved, throwing stones and causing damage to the vehicle.

[35] One injured in brawl among migrants and refugees at Piraeus

According to sources, a Lebanese was injured and was sent to hospital.

Piraeus port authorities have not made any arrests.

[36] Argolida wildfire under control after burning bushy grassland

The blaze scorched several square meters but no villages or archaeological sites were affected. Firefighters will remain in the area until the flames are fully extinguished.

Weather forecast

[37] Sunny on Tuesday

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

ETHNOS: New pensions for the public sector

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Pensions from the age of 55 in the public sector

ESTIA: The end of the youth (referring to the article 29 of the Greek Constitution)

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Clause of captivity

TA NEA: Additional measures

KONTRA NEWS: It's enough. The negotiation must end

NAFTEMPORIKI: Yes to new measures but under conditions

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