Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-04-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece is turning a corner and the doomsayers will be proved wrong, PM tells Parliament

[02] Debate in parliament on citizens safety meaningless, claims Defence Min Kammenos

[03] Greece and institutions agree on 1.8 bln indirect taxation package

[04] 'Best case scenario' is for deal to be achieved between Greece and institutions next week, says official

[05] 2016 will be the year of the implementation of the growth plan, says gov't spokeswoman Gerovassili

[06] German Chancellor's office confirms call to Tsipras but not its content

[07] Labour Min Katrougalos optimistic over an agreement in April

[08] Refugee issue is the biggest challenge for Europe, President Pavlopoulos says

[09] President Pavlopoulos notes 'tragic experience' of April 21st 1967 coup

[10] SYRIZA, Communist Party remark on the April 21st 1967 coup

[11] European Commission: Substantial reduction in refugees and migrants flow from Turkey to Greece

[12] IOC chief: Decision to invite refugee team in Rio Games inspired by Greek solidarity

[13] FM Kotzias to meet French counterpart Ayrault

[14] Stratos Efthimiou appointed new foreign ministry spokesman

[15] Athens mayor Kaminis in Amsterdam

[16] ANA-MPA to strike Thursday and Friday

[17] Central govt cash balance shows a surplus of 524 mln euros in Q1

[18] Greek current account deficit down in Jan-Feb

[19] HFSF seeks to replace two non-executive board member positions

[20] Insurance contract production down 6.6 pct in Feb

[21] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[22] Greek bond market closing report

[23] ADEX closing report

[24] Actor Giannis Voglis dies

[25] Dress rehearsal of the Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony held in Ancient Olympia

[26] Catamaran "Hellenic Highspeed" to reach Santorini in 5 hours

[27] Ancient kouros figurine valued at 1.3 million euros found in Heraklion

[28] Freighter runs aground off Lesvos

[29] Refugee remains critical after police car accident in Idomeni

[30] Fire at Diavata refugee centre extinguished, no injuries

[31] 53,978 identified refugees and migrants in Greece on Wednesday

[32] 176 refugees and migrants arrive at north Aegean islands

[33] Rescue teams searching for missing Afghan migrant in Pinios river

[34] Mostly fair on Thursday

[35] The Wednesday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] Greece is turning a corner and the doomsayers will be proved wrong, PM tells Parliament

"This is the first debate that [Mitsotakis] has asked to be held in Parliament. ND did not ask for a debate on the economy, the refugee problem, unemployment, pensions or the country's growth prospects. I do not underestimate the issue [of security] but I wonder...What does this initiative seek to achieve; my question is rhetorical because the motives are clear," Tsipras noted.

A linking of citizens' security with the refugee crisis "was the argument of the most reactionary forces in Europe. The position of those raising walls in Europe," Tsipras added, noting that ND was a adopting a xenophobic line.

Replying to Mitsotakis, he said the ND leader's address was a "monument to danger and doom-mongering" and rejected all suggestion of a relationship between the Left and terrorism, stressing that leftists do not have and have never had relations with anti-establishment and other groups "that do not respect the value of human life."

The prime minister also replied to criticism regarding the ongoing negotiations to conclude the first review of the Greek programme, saying "ND should not bet all its money on the government's failure." Replying to other centre-left opposition leaders, namely PASOK's Fofi Gennimata and Potami's Stavros Theodorakis, he urged them to take stock of what was happening in Europe and support the government "because there can't be a centre-left without a left."

The review will be completed and the figures due to be released by Eurostat on Thursday will show that there is no basis for ND's claim that the SYRIZA-ANEL government's negotiation "destroyed" the economy, Tsipras said. He pointed to Wednesday's interview given by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who said that there was no need for emergency measures for Greece and challenged ND to state its own position at the "difficult turning point."

Tsipras attributed the better-than-expected results to an increase in tourism and the government's decision to vote the 100-installment settlement schemes for debts to the state, as well as the 98 pct absorption of EU funds that injected five billion euros in the Greek market.

"The 'Cassandras' will be proved wrong. The review will be concluded. We will overcome this obstacle and the very crucial discussion on reducing the debt will begin," he said, urging the political forces to enter into a discussion on how the country can return to growth.

Wrapping up the debate, he said the message emerging from the discussion in Parliament was that Greece remains a safe country, with a culture of deeply held universal human values that the Greek people had demonstrated during the unprecedented refugee crisis, opening up their arms to welcome what was different and allowing solidarity and humanity to prevail.

"Having this surplus of values as a compass, I believe that we will succeed. This year Greece will break all records for foreign visitors and after six years, Greece will begin the great effort for an exit from the crisis," he emphasised.

In his own address in Parliament, Mitsotakis said that the state was "absent" on issues of security and public order and referred to the recent events with refugees on the country's border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which had prompted FYROM authorities to carry out acts of policing on Greek territory.

"At the most sensitive point of the borders there was an absence of the forces of law," he said.

He criticised the government's handling of the refugee crisis, saying it had allowed "favelas" to spring up in Piraeus and elsewhere, with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) stepping in to do the work of the Greek state.

"The story about so-called humanitarianism must stop; take a walk around Idomeni and Piraeus to see where the humanitarianism is," he added, particularly criticising the "indefinite" closure of the railway line at Idomeni by protesting refugees and migrants. Mitsotakis also criticised the situation in the Athens district of Exarchia and suggested there was an "open line of communication between some of your echelons and the anti-establishment scene."

PASOK party leader Fofi Gennimata, in her address, accused the prime minister of "leaving the country on automatic pilot, heading straight off a cliff" and urged him to wrap up the negotiations.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas blamed a "skein" of mistaken political choices and decisions by present and previous governments for the "security or the insecurity felt by citizens." Potami's Theodorakis said that SYRIZA, after feeding the voters' fear and insecurity from the opposition, was trying and failing to present everything as ideal. "Your policy is a mixture of leftist populism with a little bit of battle fatigues and power-mania. Your leftist populism, in spite of the battle fatigues, gives birth to new insecurities," he said.

[02] Debate in parliament on citizens safety meaningless, claims Defence Min Kammenos

It is a crime to discuss issues of safety in a safe country and even more when the tourist season opens, he said speaking at the 3rd Annual Economic Forum of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Association.

In his address, Kammenos said he supports the Union's proposals but the problem is, as he said, the corruption and accused publishers that took 100-200 million euro loans with a field with almond trees on Aegina island or basements in Athens' districts as a guarantee.

Kammenos said that his party (Independent Greeks) support initiatives on low taxation on islands and exclusive industrial zones.

A debate on the safety of citizens called by main opposition New Democracy is underway in parliament.

[03] Greece and institutions agree on 1.8 bln indirect taxation package

The same source said that this package provides for the increase of the core VAT from 23 to 24 percent while the lower 13 percent VAT rate will remain the same.

However, the negotiation on the fiscal figures is still in progress and there is no agreement on the income taxation.

The same official said that the government's economic staff insists on the tax free threshold at 9,091 euros while IMF demands it is reduced to 8,182 euros. European lenders propose its gradual reduction.

[04] 'Best case scenario' is for deal to be achieved between Greece and institutions next week, says official

The "best case scenario" is for Greece and the institutions to converge significantly until next Friday's Eurogroup, so that the latter can return to Athens immediately after the meeting and reach an agreement on a technical level on an overall package "quite quickly", a senior Eurozone official said on Wednesday.

In this case, he added, an emergency Eurogroup could be held to approve the deal "in the next week". He noted however that for this scenario to be plausible there would have to be "significant progress" on all the open issues in the next few hours.

The official also clarified that an overall package would have to include fiscal measures, additional measures in case the targets for 2018 are not achieved, and also measures on the non-performing loans (NPLs), the privatization fund etc.

Asked on the draft bill on social security reforms tabled by the Greek government without the approval of the institutions, the same official said it differs significantly from the position of the institutions, but this will not affect negotiations significantly.

[05] 2016 will be the year of the implementation of the growth plan, says gov't spokeswoman Gerovassili

Gerovassili referred to the change of the development law with aim the attraction of investment, of an extroverted policy and the promotion of the country's digital upgrading with the establishment of a Digital Policy General Secretariat and alternative means of financing small and medium size enterprises via the Development Bank.

She said that the government succeded, for the first time in the last six years, to increase the public investments programme and faciliated that synergies between private and public sector and in parallel it takes advantage of the so-called Juncker package for important investments.

"Emphasis will be put on development and not on restrictive measures. This is the only way to recover and be self-reliant in the market," underlined Gerovassili adding that "the outstanding issue of the review hinders the immediate implementation of the growth plan."

Referring to the negotiations with the institutions she noted: "Despite the fact that we presented complete proposals on the pension and tax reform, the disagreements among the institutions delay the completion of the procedure," she said adding that "Our intention is to meet August's agreement and that's all."

[06] German Chancellor's office confirms call to Tsipras but not its content

A spokesperson for German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday confirmed that the Chancellor had spoken with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on the telephone the previous day, though declining to comment on what was discussed, following standard practice for the Chancellor's office.

Deputy government spokesperson Christiane Wirtz repeated that she could not refer to the content of a confidential discussion after she was asked to confirm whether it was true - as Athens' claimed - that Merkel had "shown understanding" when presented with the possibility that the majority needed to pass additional measures might not be found. Wirtz noted, however, that the position of the German government on the issue of reforms and support for Greece was made quite clear.

[07] Labour Min Katrougalos optimistic over an agreement in April

"I am optimistic that in the second half of the year and when the uncertainty is lifted, the Greek economy will register high growth rates while unemployment will gradually start reducing," Katrougalos underlined.

Commenting on reports that the creditors will put pressure for the imposition of harsher measures, he cleared out that since the Greek economy has met its targets, "nobody can force us to take additional measures."

[08] Refugee issue is the biggest challenge for Europe, President Pavlopoulos says

It is an existential issue for the European Union since its commitment to the founding principles and values is tested via the stance of European institutions and European Peoples towards the refugees. Above all, the principles and values of humanism and solidarity, he added.

Referring to Greece's stance, the President reiterated that "Greece, all Greek people have proved that, faithful to the heritage of the Ancient Greek Spirit and culture, we have faced, we are facing and will face the refugees according to the aforementioned fundamental European principles and values of humanism and solidarity."

He underlined that the rest of our EU partners should adopt the same behaviour as well as third countries aspiring to join the European family.

[09] President Pavlopoulos notes 'tragic experience' of April 21st 1967 coup

"The abolition of democracy that took place with the criminal coup of April 21st 1967 constitutes, as always, a tragic experience which teaches us in perpetuity ... that the defence of all human rights, especially social rights in this conjuncture, is everyone's duty, but above all the State's. Any negligence in this direction is a direct attack on democracy and the welfare state," the President said.

[10] SYRIZA, Communist Party remark on the April 21st 1967 coup

"Particularly in our days, when racism, xenophobia and nationalism are spreading in Europe, and where those who are harking back to the junta, the enemies of democracy, are trying again to lift their head in our country ... should be certain that this people has a memory and will push them back into the margins," the part said.

The Communist Party said the military dictatorship "was supported by sections of the rich, by members of the middle class in our country, by the United States, which proves that the middle class and its state, in order to serve their interests and the needs of the exploitation system can still support military and political coups."

[11] European Commission: Substantial reduction in refugees and migrants flow from Turkey to Greece

A substantial reduction in the number of persons that illegally cross the Aegean from Turkey to Greece, is recorded in a European Commission's report on the course of the implementation of March's agreement between EU and Turkey.

The report sees 'satisfactory progress' as a result of the 'Greek and Turkish authorities common efforts and the contribution of the state-members and the European organisations. However, it underlines the need the efforts and engagements to continue by all sides on the relocation and readmission operation.

[12] IOC chief: Decision to invite refugee team in Rio Games inspired by Greek solidarity

"The IOC wants to send a message of hope to the whole world and particularly to refugees. This is why we decided to invite a team of refugees to participate in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro," Bach told journalists. "And with this opportunity, I'd like to thank Greece and Greeks for the solidarity they showed to the thousands of refugees who came here. And I can tell you that the solidarity you showed inspired us for our actions."

[13] FM Kotzias to meet French counterpart Ayrault

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on his second day of visit in Paris will meet with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault to discuss issues related to the refugee crisis, the peace efforts in the Middle East, the role of Europe and its relations with Turkey since the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement on March 18.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 17.15 (Athens time).

On Tuesday, Kotzias met with French Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for European Affairs Harlem D?sir. Addressing Desir, Kotzias noted: "Today we honour Harlem, a man of the Enlightenment, with great contribution to our country, who stood beside us in all difficult moments."

"France cannot do without Greece, but nor can Europe without Greece. In July 2015, defended Greece was as if defending Europe," replied D?sir.

[14] Stratos Efthimiou appointed new foreign ministry spokesman

Efthimiou, born in 1978, has served in the ministry's Information and Public Diplomacy Service and in the Greek embassies in Ankara and Moscow.

He speaks English, French, Turkish, and Spanish and holds language degrees in the German and Russian.

[15] Athens mayor Kaminis in Amsterdam

On Thursday, Kaminis will be the keynote speaker of the event "The refugees issue and the role of the Cities in the integration policies" that will focus on Athens' initiative to form the "Solidarity Cities Network" and the need for its support.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS:

[16] ANA-MPA to strike Thursday and Friday

The strike will also affect the electronic Bulletins that are issued.

Financial News

[17] Central govt cash balance shows a surplus of 524 mln euros in Q1

The central bank, in a report, said that during this period, ordinary budget revenue amounted to 10,893 million euros, compared to 10,049 million in the corresponding period of last year. Revenue of 43 million euros regarding Securities Markets Programme (SMP) income transfers from the Bank of Greece is excluded. Ordinary budget expenditure amounted to 11,708 million euros, from 11,865 million in January-March 2015.

[18] Greek current account deficit down in Jan-Feb

The central bank, in a monthly report, attributed this development to an improvement in the balances of primary and secondary income accounts, while the balance of goods and services recorded a deficit of 2.2 billion euros in the January-February period, almost unchanged from the same period in 2015. In total, the value of exports of goods and services fell 22.2 pct, and the value of imports declined by 16.7 pct.

The deficit of the balance of goods fell by 432 million euros in the January-February 2016 period, due to an improvement in all sub-accounts. As already mentioned, the fall in oil prices resulted in a significant improvement in the oil balance, while the reduction in transactions concerning purchases and sales of ships is largely due to the fact that they are conducted outside the Greek banking system, following the imposition of capital controls. Finally, it should be noted that exports of goods excluding oil and ships remained practically flat, while the corresponding imports declined by 1.4 pct. The surplus of the services balance narrowed in the January-February 2016 period, as net transport receipts registered a decline, which is also largely attributable to capital controls. This development was offset to a small extent by an improvement in the travel and other services balance. It should be noted that total non-residents' arrivals decreased by 11% and the corresponding receipts by 5.6 pct. In the same period, the primary income account showed a surplus of 613 million euros, up by 129 million year-on-year, due to lower net interest, dividend and profit payments, as well as lower payments for wages and salaries. This improvement offset the contraction of the surplus of the other primary income account. Finally, the secondary income account also improved.

In the January-February 2016 period, residents' net assets from direct investment abroad rose by 91 million euros, while the corresponding liabilities that represent non-residents' direct investment in Greece dropped by 32 million.

Under portfolio investment, a net increase of 1.9 billion euros in residents' external assets is mainly due to a rise of 2.2 billion in their holdings of foreign bonds and Treasury bills.

At the end of February 2016, Greece's reserve assets stood at 6.4 billion euros, compared with 5.7 billion in the corresponding month of 2015.

[19] HFSF seeks to replace two non-executive board member positions

A commission will choose and recommend a list of candidates to the Finance minister who will decide on the appointment of the two members.

[20] Insurance contract production down 6.6 pct in Feb

The Union of Greek Insurance Companies, in a report, said that premium production continued falling since July 2015 after the imposition of capital controls in the country.

[21] Greek stocks end moderately higher

Titan (5.49 pct), Piraeus Bank (3.06 pct) and Motor Oil (2.76 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of month blue chip stocks, while Lamda Developoment (2.52 pct), Coca Cola HBC (1.51 pct) and PPC (1.0 pct) suffered heavy losses. Among market sectors, Insurance (7.05 pct), Constructions (4.31 pct) and Oil (2.23 pct) scored big gains, while Health (2.45 pct) and Food (1.51 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 59 to 42 with another 17 issues unchanged. Alpha Astika (19.91 pct), Revoil (19.45 pct) and Tzirakian (19.44 pct) were top gainers, while Livanis Publications (15.94 pct), Sarantopoulos Mills (10 pct) and Attica Publications (9.99 pct) were top losers.

[22] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate was -0.011 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.074 pct from -0.072 pct, the six-month rate eased to -0.141 pct from -0.139 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.249 pct from -0.250 pct and the one-month rate rose to -0.342 pct from -0.343 pct.

[23] ADEX closing report

General News

[24] Actor Giannis Voglis dies

Voglis was born in Athens in 1937 and studied drama at Pelos Katselis school.

He became widely known with his roles in the films "Girls in the sun" (1968) and "Blood on the Land" (1966) which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

[25] Dress rehearsal of the Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony held in Ancient Olympia

The weather was ideal and preparations began early in the morning, with the arrival of the first visitors coming to the Ancient Olympia archaeological site.

They included several coaches of schoolchildren that had come to watch the dress rehearsal, which was led by actress Katerina Lehou in the role of High Priestess.

The official torch-lighting ceremony, held every two years at the ancient site where the Olympic Games began nearly 3,000 years earlier, will take place on Thursday, when the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay begins.

Police had taken heightened security measures for the dress rehearsal, both inside and outside Ancient Olympia, even though Wednesday's dress rehearsal was open to the public free of charge.

[26] Catamaran "Hellenic Highspeed" to reach Santorini in 5 hours

The vessel will reach the port of Mykonos in 2 hours and 30 minutes and Santorini in 5 hours and 50 minutes.

The Hellenic Highspeed was constructed in Italy in 1997, can reach up to 35 knots and can carry 165 vehicles and 724 passengers along with a 60-member crew. It was fully restored in Perama Shipyards and its acquisition and restoration cost 2 million euros.

The official inauguration of the vessel will be held on Wednesday in the presence of Hellenic Seaways managing director Antonis Agapitos.

[27] Ancient kouros figurine valued at 1.3 million euros found in Heraklion

The figurine, which depicts a young man and is 30 cm tall, is valued at 1.3 million euros. A commission set up by the ministry to carry out the evaluation, arrived at this price estimate based on the figurine's age, material and structural features but mostly on its unusual size, noting that it was the largest of its kind ever found.

The four men were arrested for violation of laws concerning antiquities and cultural heritage protection. According to the police, the four suspects had put the figurine up for sale.

[28] Freighter runs aground off Lesvos

According to initial information, the seven member crew freighter's destination is not yet known as well as the port it had left from.

Authorities have not confirmed if the ship is carrying refugees and migrants.

A coast guard patrol vessel is currently at the spot while a frontex vessel, and an open seas patrol vessel is rushing to the area.

[29] Refugee remains critical after police car accident in Idomeni

According to "Papageorgiou" hospital, the man remains intubated in the intensive care unit.

On Tuesday, police said the refugee was injured while doing some work outside his tent, when he lost his balance and fell backwards on the side of a passing police van, which was driven by a 46-year-old police man. The exact causes and circumstances of the incident are being investigated by Kilkis traffic police.

[30] Fire at Diavata refugee centre extinguished, no injuries

No refugees were injured but some of them suffered respiratory problems and were given first aid. The causes of the fire, which caused agitation among the hundreds of refugees and migrants living in the centre, are still under investigation.

The fire service deployed five vehicles and 15 men to fight the flames.

[31] 53,978 identified refugees and migrants in Greece on Wednesday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 29,291 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 10,257 of them are in Idomeni camp, 14,715 are hosted in the region of Attica (3,318 hosted at Piraeus port), 7,645 on the Greek islands and 2,327 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece.

[32] 176 refugees and migrants arrive at north Aegean islands

More specifically, 84 arrived at Lesvos, 79 at Chios and 13 at Samos.

[33] Rescue teams searching for missing Afghan migrant in Pinios river

According to accounts given to police, five Afghans living in the open hosting center of Koutsohero went for a walk to Pinios to bathe, but when they came out they realized one of them was missing. They notified the camp administration who called the fire department.

Weather forecast

[34] Mostly fair on Thursday

[35] The Wednesday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: We have money only for the NGOs

ETHNOS: Taxes and pensions

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Higher taxes, lower pensions

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The cost of new measures

IMERISSIA: Higher contributions, lower pensions

KATHIMERINI: The cost of (Prime Minister Alexis) Tsipras' new measures

TA NEA: Who will be affected by the new tax measures

RIZOSPASTIS: 48-hour general strike

NAFTEMPORIKI: Double hit

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