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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-06-07

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Tuesday, 7 June 2016 Issue No: 5180

CONTENTS

  • [01] The end of the review will end a great recessionary cycle, PM says at Posidonia opening
  • [02] PM Tsipras consludes visit to 'Posidonia 2016' with tour at exhibition kiosks
  • [03] PM Tsipras to present gov't proposals for constitutional revision on July 24
  • [04] PM Tsipras meets former President of Israel Shimon Peres
  • [05] Significant progress in completion of Greek programme review, European Commission official says
  • [06] EuroWorking Group gives Greece until Tuesday to complete 'finishing touches' to prior actions
  • [07] EC report on program review submitted to EWG is in principle positive
  • [08] Discussion on draft developmental law begins before Parliament committee
  • [09] Protection of labour relations at two Greek ports is 'key concern' for the government, say three ministers
  • [10] Greek, Albanian foreign ministers meet in Tirana, agree on road map for 'open issues'
  • [11] Kotzias urges caution when referring to Chams, in joint presser with Bushati
  • [12] Mitsotakis at 'Posidonia': ND has always supported the shipping sector
  • [13] ND leader: High taxation leads people to black economy
  • [14] Potami criticises labour minister's 'stale rhetoric' on 'red lines'
  • [15] Dep FM Amanatidis expresses confidence that upcoming Great Council of the Orthodox Church will be a success
  • [16] New Online Media Registry to stop misuse of state advertising budget, gensec for media tells ANA-MPA radio
  • [17] Amnesty International urges Greece to halt deportation of two Syrians to Turkey
  • [18] Foreign ministry condemns 'regressive' decision of Turkey to hold Koran readings in Hagia Sofia
  • [19] Migration ministry issues directives to help Muslim refugees celebrate Ramadan
  • [20] Greek shipping companies are driving force behind other economic activities, says minister at 'Posidonia'
  • [21] Foreign investors raised share in ASE capitalisation in May
  • [22] Environment ministry issues Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG licence to build TAP in Greece
  • [23] Finance ministry to unveil three bills to combat tax evasion, tobacco smuggling and corruption
  • [24] Kepenos Mills to pay 0.023 euros per share dividend to shareholders
  • [25] Greek stocks end 1.47 pct lower
  • [26] Greek bond market closing report
  • [27] ADEX closing report
  • [28] Ecumenical Patriarchate urges all Orthodox Churches to 'rise to the occasion' ahead of Pan-Orthodox Council
  • [29] Varlamis art exhibition 'Apostle Paul' opens in Thessaloniki on Monday
  • [30] Boatload of 17 migrants and refugees lands in Lesvos
  • [31] Thessaloniki University and Korea's CAPP centre sign agreement for cooperation in physics
  • [32] Pink Martini to play live in Athens on July 5
  • [33] Piraeus and Thessaloniki port employees to hold new 48-hour strike
  • [34] No trains on Thursday, including line to Athens airport, due to engine drivers strike
  • [35] Fires set at Souda migrant and refugee camp on Chios
  • [36] 52,578 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Monday
  • [37] Clouds, rain on Tuesday
  • [38] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

  • [01] The end of the review will end a great recessionary cycle, PM says at Posidonia opening

    The conclusion of the review of Greece's programme will end the great recessionary cycle of recent years and open up a new chapter for the country, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Monday, at the inauguration of the Posidonia 2016 shipping exhibition in Athens.

    The agreement on Greece's debt will finally and permanently remove uncertainty and create conditions for the country's return to the markets, he added.

    "Thanks to last year's dogged negotiations, the issue of Greece's debt is now put on a realistic basis," he said, noting that no debt can be sustainable when based on the assumption of primary surpluses exceeding 4.5 pct of GDP for decades. According to the Greek premier, the European partners realised that the project of European integration cannot proceed when, at the first difficulty, there is a return to national strategies and simplistic and moralistic distinctions between "virtuous" and "prodigal" nations.

    In addition, a joint commitment for automatic intervention to the debt whenever this is judged necessary and throughout the period of its repayment will make Greece's debt sustainable and Greece's position within the Eurozone unassailable, he added. A clause limiting annual debt repayments to not more than 15 pct of GDP will ensure that its repayment is made on sustainable terms for Greek society and the Greek economy, Tsipras said.

    "Only in this way can there be a correction of the previous years' injustices for the economically weaker [members of society] and funds found for structural investments that will allow us to converge with the industrially developed north," he pointed out.

    The prime minister also highlighted the contribution made by shipping to the Greek economy, saying that this represented at least 7 pct of GDP, and the difficulties experienced by the shipping sector as a result of the global economic crisis, where he noted that Greek shipping had successfully adapted to protect itself and absorb the turbulence of an unprecedented crisis. He noted that the growth model of the Greek shipping sector, which had allowed the Greek fleet to dominate on a global level, could act as an example for a new developmental model.

    He called on the shipping sector to "relaunch a permanent and constructive dialogue that will help strengthen the contribution of Greek-owned shipping to economic growth, to creating positions of employment and placing the country at the centre of the global shipping industry."

    Greek shipping, combined with the country's geostrategic position and the placement of its ports guaranteed the prospects for enhancing Greece's role as a strategic gateway for products and services to Europe, Tsipras noted. The prime minister also outlined plans for investments to improve infrastructure, in order to exploit yet another comparative advantage that will help the country's effort for recovery. He said that these investments would benefit tourism but also business "clusters" based on expanded shipping centres that combined port, shipping and trade services with shipbuilding activities.

    [02] PM Tsipras consludes visit to 'Posidonia 2016' with tour at exhibition kiosks

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras concluded his visit to the international shipping show "Posidonia 2016" on Monday with a tour around several international exhibitors, after his speech, accompanied by two ministers.

    During his 50-minute tour, he met and spoke briefly with delegations from Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, United States, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus, as well as representatives at the kiosks of the University of Piraeus' shipping department, the University of the Aegean, the Shipping Chamber of Greece, Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) and the Union of Greek Ship-owners.

    [03] PM Tsipras to present gov't proposals for constitutional revision on July 24

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will present on July 24 the government's proposal for a constitutional revision in a public address, ministers who attended a meeting with the prime minister said as they exited Maximos Mansion on Monday.

    The presentation will be preceded by a consultation period, during which the government will seek a discussion with the opposition parties and society, Interior Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis and Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos said. They also said the revision will include a debate on changing the electoral law to a system of proportional representation.

    "The government's aim is to implement very large and radical changes concerning the constitutional revision. We have decided to set up a team of scientists who will examine this proposal until about July 20, so that on the 24, the prime minister will announce a series of proposals that will confirm they are radical ... and will rectify a lot of issues that have to do with the operation of public life, our democracy and our state," Kouroumblis told journalists.

    On his side, Katrougalos said that talks focused on creating a "Constitution of the citizens", with talks that will start "from the bottom up, from society and will not just be a discussion among politicians."

    Commenting on press reports that the government plans to abolish the Christmas and Easter holiday bonuses, Katrougalos said that these claims are made by those who are trying to create a climate of instability as the program review reaches its conclusion.

    [04] PM Tsipras meets former President of Israel Shimon Peres

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday had a private meeting with former President of Israel Shimon Peres. During the meeting, they discussed the Greek-Israeli relations as well as the regional developments.

    On Sunday Shimon Peres met with the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, during which the President referred to the role and contribution of former President of Israel to the prevalence of peace. He also stressed that he inspires all of us "to restore peace in the Middle East and particularly in Syria and end the war in Iraq."

    [05] Significant progress in completion of Greek programme review, European Commission official says

    BRUSSELS(ANA-MPA/Ch. Vassilaki)

    The European Commission sees 'significant progress' in the completion of the Greek programme review, a European Commission official stated to ANA-MPA on Monday.

    "Significant progress has been recorded in the last days towards the total implementation of the pending prior actions," said the official adding that the progress is now confirmed by the Eurogroup's Working Group.

    [06] EuroWorking Group gives Greece until Tuesday to complete 'finishing touches' to prior actions

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/C. Vasilaki)

    The EuroWorking Group will wait for the full adoption of prior actions by Greece on Tuesday before approving the conclusion of the Greek programme review by the institutions, a European official said on Monday.

    Reporting on Monday's conference call between Eurozone finance ministry representatives, the Eurozone source told the ANA-MPA that the Greek side made a commitment to complete the finishing touches needed by Tuesday.

    "This would be very good," the official commented, noting that the final outstanding details concern certain administrative circulars, the agreement for the site of the former airport at Elliniko, an agreement between Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and Deutsche Telekom and, lastly, the draft plan of the civil aviation authority for the reforms that need to be carried out in the autumn, on which there needs to be progress.

    [07] EC report on program review submitted to EWG is in principle positive

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M.Aroni)

    The European Commission's compliance report on the Greek program review submitted to EWG is in principle positive, according to EU sources.

    The same sources said that the compliance report has already been submitted to the EuroWorking Group (EWG) with the view to give the green light for the disbursement of the 7.5 billion euro loan tranche this month. "Now it lies within the member states," the sources added.

    EU member states will be briefed on the positive report by the EWG and the ratification process from the five national parliaments will follow.

    [08] Discussion on draft developmental law begins before Parliament committee

    Discussion on a draft developmental law bill begain before the appropriate Parliamentary Commitee on Monday, with the rapporteurs of the political parties using normal procedures.

    The committee decided to summon trade unions to present their views on the bill at noon on Tuesday, while a discussion on the articles will be held on Wednesday and the second reading will take place on Thursday. The bill will then be discussed in the plenum next week.

    Presenting the bill on Monday, Economy Minister George Stathakis said it would generate more than 15,000 jobs by 2022 and provide financing incentives of 3.6 billion euros. He said that the tools for supporting investments will include the public investment programme, the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), tax incentives and modern financing instruments, such as the new developmental fund that will soon go into operation.

    Stathakis said the government wanted the state to support investments rather than abstain from all developmental processes, while announcing plans to reduce the red tape relating to business licences, so that a company can be founded in a single day and operate within three days.

    The minister said that investors will be able to benefit from the favourable laws in about three months, since that was the time needed to complete all the ministerial and other decisions required after the law is passed.

    Stathakis said the new law had three key innovations, namely it was geared toward productive enteprises and innovation, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, it simplified bureaucratic procedures and made it easier for investors to secure financing and also, for invesments greater than 20 million euros, it introduced a 12-year stable tax environment, in the case that taxation terms deteriorated but not if they became more favourable.

    For projects included in past developmental laws, Stathakis referred to a "chaotic" situation and said that a list will be drawn up with projects that can continue and be paid off. He said the law envisaged that all investment plans that were half-completed by the end of 2016 must be fully completed by 2018, while those that have made no progress will be removed from the measures. Those that are completed will be repaid over seve years, he said.

    [09] Protection of labour relations at two Greek ports is 'key concern' for the government, say three ministers

    The agreement to sell Piraeus (OLP) and Thessaloniki (OLTH) ports is binding for the government based on the deal achieved last summer with Greece's lenders but the protection of labour relations remains a key concern, three ministers said in a joint statement on Monday.

    Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Shipping Minister Thodoris Dritsas and Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos were responding to the unions of port employees who announced they are extending their 48-hour rolling strikes to Tuesday and Wednesday amid concerns about their labour rights in the new business environment.

    "The government and the relevant ministries not only defend the need to retain safe and stable labour relations at the ports, but they have for months taken a series of initiatives for their institutional and real safeguard," the ministers said.

    [10] Greek, Albanian foreign ministers meet in Tirana, agree on road map for 'open issues'

    Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati in Tirana on Monday, reaching agreement on a road map or "joint mechanism" that will work to resolve all open issues between Greece and Albania, based on a common commitment and a common agenda in order to quickly produce results.

    In a joint press conference after the meeting, Bushati said the aim of "all our actions is to find solutions," while noting that it was not easy to reach this point. Bushati noted that there was no alternative to finding solutions and that it was not in Albania's interests to not have good relations with Greece, a country that Albania considers a strategic partner.

    Kotzias noted that both sides must act on the basis of a "culture of dialogue and consensus" in a European manner, noting that the proposal for a road map is based on European Union tools.

    "The two countries must bear the great burden of the western Balkans EU accession course, shedding the baggage from the past and contributing in this direction," Kotzias added. He noted that his discussions with Bushati on the differences between the two sides were also carried out "on the basis of a culture of democratic dialogue" and adding that international agreements were based on international law and generated international commitments.

    [11] Kotzias urges caution when referring to Chams, in joint presser with Bushati

    TIRANA (ANA-MPA/ S. Aravopoulou)

    Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Monday urged caution "when talking about the Chams," noting that "we do not mean any group of Albanian citizens and naturally, we don't mean Albania."

    Speaking during a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati, Kotzias noted that some quarters were "trying to identify the collaborators of German Nazis with some group of Albanian citizens that has always lived in Albania and never lived in Greece, and then to identify these with all Albania."

    "In this sense, we say that for us there is no problem in the way that our neighbouring side approaches it. We have a different approach and all these things are known from the point of view of history," he said.

    Replying to questions, the Greek minister clarified that there were two groups of Chams: "The Albanians that live in Albania and the old Chams, the Christians converted to Islam in 1611, that are today Greek citizens." There were also some Chams that collaborated with the German occupation and had formed "committats" to control and loot the property of the other populations in Epirus, he noted. This group had then been condemned by Greek courts on the basis of Greek and international law, he added, but unlike other collaborators in Europe, they had fled the country and thus avoided execution.

    On relations between Greece and Albania, Kotzias pointed to an agreement of friendship signed by the two countries in 1996 and noted that Albania's NATO membership and its prospects of joining the European Union "make us not just friends but also partners."

    He also pointed out that any doubts on the Albanian side concerning its relations with Greece could be the subject of the discussion that was about to take place between the two countries, "where I think that we will both find a satisfactory answer to this question."

    [12] Mitsotakis at 'Posidonia': ND has always supported the shipping sector

    New Democracy has traditionally favoured the development of the shipping sector and the people employed in it, party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday during a speech at the opening of international shipping show "Posidonia 2016" in Athens.

    "This is why we are against anyone who tries to hurt its competitiveness, the Greek flag on the ships and seamanship," Mitsotakis said.

    "The 'Posidonia' show, which is an institution of international standing, certifies that Greece, as a traditional maritime power, can and must continue to contribute in the national but also European economy," he added and hailed the sector's contribution in the country's GDP and its employment of thousands of people.

    [13] ND leader: High taxation leads people to black economy

    Growth will not be achieved because the government's choices lead the country to stagnation and recession, main opposition New Democracy (ND)leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview to SKAI radio late Sunday.

    Mitsotakis claimed that taxation leads the people to black economy, does not help attract investments, businesses shut down and we have disinvestment. All these will be apparent in September and the government will come before a new impasse.

    Referring to the public sector, ND leader said that the problem lies within the irrational allocation of the staff adding that many organisations are overstaffed while there are shortages in others.

    On the Constitution reform, he said that ND was the party that opened the debate for a bold reform. On the election law, he noted "I am against the proportional representation; I support the enhanced representation because the country must have powerful governments."

    On the election of the President of Democracy, he stated he is against his direct election from the people.

    Finally, on the possibility of early elections, Mitsotakis said "Early elections will cost the country less than leaving this government at the country's helm."

    [14] Potami criticises labour minister's 'stale rhetoric' on 'red lines'

    The opposition Potami party on Monday warned Labour Minister George Katrougalos that "the citizens were tired of the stale rhetoric about proud negotiations and supposed 'red lines'," especially when they found themselves pay new taxes after very round of "hard negotiations".

    The party was commenting on Katrougalos' denial of press reports concerning plans to abolish the 13th and 14th wages in the private sector, calling them "fabricated".

    The government and the main opposition have an obligation to understand that as long as there is no specific proposal for a national patriotic plan to restore the country, the "race to the bottom" will continue and a full deregulation of labour issues will once again come with the country's back to the wall and the excuse that it needs the sub-tranche of a sub-tranche of a delayed tranche of loans.

    [15] Dep FM Amanatidis expresses confidence that upcoming Great Council of the Orthodox Church will be a success

    In para 4, line 1 replaces corrected "Speaking after a Special Committee on the HGCOC held on Monday," for incorrect "Speaking after a Special Committee on the (HGCOC) held at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Monday,". Corrected version follows:

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Amanatidis on Monday said that the upcoming Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (HGCOC) that will be held on Crete is a necessity that will demonstrate the unity of the Church.

    "The Holy and Great Council is a necessity for the Church and it needs to take place in order to prove the unity of Orthodoxy and the universality of its message," Amanatidis commented to the ANA-MPA.

    In this context, he said that the convening of the Council will be a turning point for the Orthodox Church creating a hopeful prospect, since it aimed to answer the concerns and current problems of the world.

    Speaking after a Special Committee on the HGCOC held on Monday, Amanatidis appeared confident that the Council will be a success, noting the lengthy preparation that had preceded the meeting.

    "The theological soundness and correct doctrinal perspective of the subjects and texts is guaranteed by the many years of work that have gone into their preparation by experienced clerics and theologians of all the Autocephalous Churches," he said.

    The minister also underlined that the Greek state has taken all necessary actions and precautions to ensure the safety of the participants and the organisation success of the Council.

    The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church will take place at the Orthodox Academy, in Kolymbari Chania, Crete, from 16 to 27 June. The Council is the most important event in the Orthodox Church for in the last 1,300 years, while it is the first meeting of all of the Orthodox primates and bishops since the Schism of 1054 BC. Participating in the Council will be all of the Primates (Patriarchs, Archbishops) of the 14 Autocephalous Churches, while the total number of participants is expected to exceed 500.

    According to what has been agreed upon, the subjects to be discussed concern the following six subject areas:

    The Mission of the Orthodox Church in the modern world

    The Autonomy of the Orthodox Church and its pronouncements

    The sacrament of Marriage and impediments to it

    The importance of Fasting and compliance with Fasting today

    The relations of the Orthodox Church with the rest of the Christian world

    Unanimity among the primates is required for a decision to be taken on the subjects under discussion, and a press conference on the course of the proceedings will be held at the end of each day of the Council.

    [16] New Online Media Registry to stop misuse of state advertising budget, gensec for media tells ANA-MPA radio

    A new Online Media Registry will help clean up the chaotic internet sector and stop money from the state advertising budget from ending up in "shady" companies, some of which did not even have a tax registration number, the General Secretary for News and Communication Lefteris Kretsos said on Monday, on the ANA-MPA radio station 'Praktorio 104.9 FM'.

    Kretsos said that the new registry, which Minister of State Nikos Pappas will present on Tuesday, is an initiative that will also act as a certification mechanism and give legal companies an incentive to join it.

    "What is clear is that we will not allow the money from state advertising, in other words the money of the Greek people, to be given to recipients of unknown identity on the internet," he said.

    At a later stage, he added, it will also allow the monitoring and control of media enterprises that steal news stories and transmit them on the internet. He also expressed hope that it would be a first step in launching a debate among journalists on a code of conduct for internet news.

    [17] Amnesty International urges Greece to halt deportation of two Syrians to Turkey

    Amnesty International urged Greek authorities on Monday to stop the deportation of two Syrian refugees whose asylum applications were rejected to Turkey, as well as all asylum-seekers and refugees who would be returned on the grounds that Turkey is safe.

    The two Syrians, known by their initials J.B. and M.F, are currently in police custody in Lesvos and at imminent risk of return to Turkey, where their safety and protection is not guaranteed, the organization said on its website.

    J.B. is a Christian of Armenian origin who fled Syria via Lebanon and arrived in Greece on 6 May 2016 and applied for asylum on 13 May. He was informed about the outcome of the appeal on 3 June which found that J.B. had established links with Turkey and that Turkey was a safe country for him.

    M.F. arrived in Lesvos in 29 March and applied for asylum on 5 May. He claims that he fled Turkey after being threatened by members of the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS). As in J.B.'s case, the Appeals Committee, declined to examine the substance of his asylum application. It concluded that he has links with Turkey as he holds a residency permit (until July 2016) and was previously working there and that therefore Turkey would be a safe country for him.

    Amnesty urges its supporters to write to the ministries of migration policy and civil protection to demand that the two Syrians are not sent to Turkey and to examine the substance of their asylum claims in Greece.

    [18] Foreign ministry condemns 'regressive' decision of Turkey to hold Koran readings in Hagia Sofia

    The foreign ministry condemned as "regressive" a decision by Turkish authorities to schedule Koran readings in Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul, on the occasion of the Ramadan.

    "Obsessions, verging on bigotry, with Muslim rituals in a monument of world cultural heritage are incomprehensible and reveal a lack of respect for and connection with reality," the ministry said.

    "Moreover, such actions are not compatible with modern, democratic and secular societies," it added.

    [19] Migration ministry issues directives to help Muslim refugees celebrate Ramadan

    Changes have been made to the type of food distributed in refugee centers, as well as its timing to ensure than Muslims who wish to participate in the Ramadan are able to do so, the migration ministry said in a note on Monday.

    According to the ministry, a directive has been distributed to the managers of those centers in which the ministry explains "the temporal and special interventions for those Muslims who want to exercise their religious right without affecting and being affected by the operation of the structures."

    Financial News

    [20] Greek shipping companies are driving force behind other economic activities, says minister at 'Posidonia'

    Greek shipping companies based in Greece constitute the driving force behind other relevant economic activities, Shipping Minister Thodoris Dritsas said on Monday at the opening of the biggest international shipping show, "Posidonia 2016", held annually in Athens.

    Those companies, which exceed 1,350 in number, maintain the sector's role as an important and very successful contributor to the Greek economy, adding to the country's GDP and employment.

    "Considering that shipping is affected by international macroeconomic conditions, the performance of the broader economy is reflected in the course of the shipping industry," Dritsas told the numerous participants, adding that despite the domestic and international difficulties, Greek shipping has managed to maintain its top place in the world.

    The minister continued to say that Greece holds the second largest commercial fleet in the European Union and one of the largest in the world.

    He also noted the presence of top officials in the industry, such as the General Secretary of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack Lim, the EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, as well as numerous shipping ministers, which reveal the importance of the exhibition.

    [21] Foreign investors raised share in ASE capitalisation in May

    Foreign investors raised their participation in the capitalisation of the Athens Stock Exchange in May to 60.3 pct (including the participation of Hellenic Financial Stability Fund), while excluding HFSF' s participation their share rose to 63.7 pct from 63.2 pct in April.

    Greek investors held 38.4 pct of the market's capitalisation in the month. Foreign investors were net buyers in May with capital inflows totaling 82.47 million euros, while Greek investors were net sellers with capital outflows amounting to 82.53 million. Foreign investors accounted for 58.5 pct of market transactions in May, while Greek investors accounted for 18.5 pct.

    The value of transactions reached 2.062 billion euros in May, up 77.1 pct from April and up 22.5 pct from May 2015. Average daily turnover was 103.14 million euros in May, up from 58.24 million April and from 84.22 million in May last year.

    The number of active investor codes rose to 19,777 in May, from 15,739 in April. The market's capitalisation amounted to 39.87 billion euros at the end of May, up 11.9pct from the previous month and down 6.1 pct from May last year.

    [22] Environment ministry issues Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG licence to build TAP in Greece

    The environment ministry on Monday officially issued a three-year licence to the firm Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG for the construction of the TAP pipeline in the northern Greek regional units of Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi, Kavala, Drama, Serres, Kilkis, Thessaloniki, Pellas, Imathia, Florina, Kozani and Kastoria, based on a decision by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Panos Skourletis posted in the Diavgeia website.

    The decision stipulates that the pipeline be built in accordance with the plans, budget and other details submitted by the company, with a series of conditions relating to the safety and health of the workforce, environment and the communities that the pipeline will traverse.

    [23] Finance ministry to unveil three bills to combat tax evasion, tobacco smuggling and corruption

    Greek Finance ministry plans to submit to Parliament three draft laws aimed at combating tax evasion, smuggling and corruption, Alternate Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis told ANA-MPA TV on Monday.

    Alexiadis said that the Finance ministry plans to submit the three bills soon and noted that these three bills will cover tobacco smuggling, e-transactions and the reveal of undeclared incomes.

    Referring to the bill on e-transactions, Alexiadis said it will include incentives for the use of e-payment cards and new obligatory limits for such transactions.

    [24] Kepenos Mills to pay 0.023 euros per share dividend to shareholders

    Kepenos Mills on Monday said that a regular general shareholders' meeting approved a board plan to pay a 0.023 euros per share dividend to shareholders. The company said its dividend payment will total 154,100 euros and noted that 10 pct withholding tax would be imposed. Dividend payment will be made in July 4, 2016.

    [25] Greek stocks end 1.47 pct lower

    Greek stocks ended significantly lower in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, pushing the composite index of the market below the 640-point level. Traders said selling activity focused on bank shares, while turnover fell below 40 million euros as investors remained on the sidelines awaiting the outcome of a EuroWorking Group meeting.

    The composite index fell 1.47 pct to end at 639.11 points, after rising as much as 0.68 pct early in the day. The Large Cap index fell 2.09pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.63 pct higher. Turnover was a thin 41.002 million euros, in volume of 45,277,267.

    Coca Cola HBC (0.75), Terna Energy (0.70 pct) and Hellenic Petroleum (0.48 pct) scored big gains among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (5.39 pct), Eurobank (4.37 pct) and Jumbo (2.87 pct) suffered heavy losses.

    Among market sectors, Chemicals (2.11 pct) and Food (0.75 pct) scored big gains, while Banks (4.26 pct), Personal Products (2.24 pct) and Telecoms (2.17 pct) suffered losses.

    National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 55 to 39 with another 27 issues unchanged. Iaso (16.18 pct), Galaxidi (9.93 pct) and Viokarpet (9.62 pct) were top gainers, while Evrofarma (13.43 pct), ANEK (12.79 pct) and Elgeka (9.55 pct) were top losers.

    [26] Greek bond market closing report

    The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened slightly to 7.31 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Monday, from 7.24 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 7.39 pct and the German Bund yielding 0.078 pct. There was no turnover in the market.

    In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate fell to -0.018 pct from -0.016 pct, the nine-month rate was -0.089 pct, the six-month rate was -0.157 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.262 pct from -0.265 pct and the one-month rate was -0.352 pct.

    [27] ADEX closing report

    The June contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a premium of 0.26 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 1,977 contracts with 25,913 open positions in the market. Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 39,286 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (13,728), followed by Alpha Bank (4,374), National Bank (9,347), Eurobank (3,146), MIG (7,089), PPC (486), OPAP (331), Mytilineos (209), Ellaktor (97), Viohalco (90), Hellenic Exchanges (86), OTE (96) and Hellenic Petroleum (74).

    General News

    [28] Ecumenical Patriarchate urges all Orthodox Churches to 'rise to the occasion' ahead of Pan-Orthodox Council

    The Ecumenical Patriarchate called on all Orthodox churches to "rise to the occasion" and participate in the Pan-Orthodox Council which will be held in Crete on June 19-26, following decades of preparation.

    The synod of the bishops of all the universally recognised autocephalous national churches of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, officially referred to as the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, will be the fifth in history.

    "They should rise to the occasion and participate at the meeting of the Holy and Great Council, on the scheduled dates," the Patriarchate said. "We were surprised to be informed lately about the expressed opinions and positions of sister Orthodox Churches and found that there is no institutional framework for revising the conciliar process that has already begun," it added.

    [29] Varlamis art exhibition 'Apostle Paul' opens in Thessaloniki on Monday

    The temporary exhibition 'Apostle Paul' featuring the art collection of Professor Efthymios Varlamis on the theme of St. Paul opens its doors in Thessaloniki's Museum of Byzantine Culture on Monday. The exhibition was inaugurated on Monday evening and will run until September 15, after which it will be presented at the locations that the Apostle Paul visited while teaching the gospel. Entrance to the public will be free of charge.

    The Varlamis art collection has been presented in the Austrian Museum of Art and then in the artist's home town of Veria in 2013, in collaboration with the Veria Diocese. The artist was then invited by the former Pope Benedict to put on an exhibition in the Papal Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls in Rome in 2014. In addition to the art collection, there will be a presentation of the project "In the Footsteps of Paul" - based on an idea outlined by Prof. Varlamis - that tracks the route taken by the "Apostle of the Nations" in Macedonia and seeks to promote religious tourism in Greece.

    The exhibition in Thessaloniki was organised by the Thessaloniki Diocese, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction (Macedonia and Thrace).

    Other bodies involved in organising the exhibition include the tourism ministry, the Central Macedonia Regional authority and the Regional Association of Municipalities of Central Macedonia together with companies such as Aegean Airlines, the Macedonia Palace hotel and the Samaras & Associates group.

    The exhibition is curated by the Vergina Experimental Workshop and the ART MUSEUM of Austria.

    [30] Boatload of 17 migrants and refugees lands in Lesvos

    A boatload of 17 migrants and refugees landed on Skala Sykamnia beach on the northern coast of Lesvos on Monday, raising concerns about a resumption of migrant flows to the island. The boat was the third to reach Lesvos in the space of a few days, after many months of minimal arrivals, ending a three-day stretch of zero arrivals to the island since last Friday.

    There were no arrivals in Chios during the same period, while 20 people alighted on the island of Samos in the last three days.

    The total number of migrants and refugees trapped on northern Aegean islands since the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement has reached 6,664 individuals, of which 3,180 are on Lesvos, 2,500 on Chios and 984 on Samos.

    [31] Thessaloniki University and Korea's CAPP centre sign agreement for cooperation in physics

    The Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and the Center for Axion and Precision Physics Research of the Institute for Basic Science - CAPP of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on Monday announced the launch of their collaboration in physics research and teaching, through an agreement signed by the AUTH rectorship and the Greek head of CAPP Prof. Yiannis Semertzidis.

    The agreement calls for academic, teaching and research collaboration through the exchange of staff and students, joint participation in research programmes (Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+, Horizon), organisation of labs, seminars, summer schools and other activities.

    [32] Pink Martini to play live in Athens on July 5

    American lounge-jazz band Pink Martini, a favourite of the Greek public, returns to Athens on July 5 (Tuesday) to play some of their most popular songs and rhythms for one concert in Technopolis.

    "We're like musical archaeologists who retrieve melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world and create a kind of modern music," the charismatic pianist and founder of the band, Thomas Lauderdale, said ahead of the concert.

    The group's exceptional musicians combine retro and jazz motifs with pop rhythms and elements from different culture which, along with the voice of lead singer Storm Large produce an unforgettable experience.

    [33] Piraeus and Thessaloniki port employees to hold new 48-hour strike

    Employees at Greece's two main ports, Piraeus (OLP) and Thessaloniki (OLTH), said they will continue their 48-hour rolling strikes that started last Thursday to protest the ports' planned privatization and demand the protection of their labour rights in the new environment.

    "Despite its statements that it shares the concerns of the employees and despite its reassurances that our demands have been accepted by the prime minister, the government does not assume the responsibility of ensuring stable and secure jobs ... Good intentions are not enough, we need specific actions and proof," port labour unions said in a joint statement.

    [34] No trains on Thursday, including line to Athens airport, due to engine drivers strike

    No trains will be running on Thursday, including the Proastiakos line serving the Athens International Airport, due to a strike by engine drivers protesting against plans to privatise the railway operator TRAINOSE. The strike will also affect some late-night or overnight services that start the day before, on June 8.

    The drivers are also demanding the hiring of an additional 200 drivers, noting that millions of euros were currently being lost each month due to a shortage of drivers for freight trains.

    The union promised to step up action ahead of a deadline for binding offers in a privatisation tender on June 22.

    [35] Fires set at Souda migrant and refugee camp on Chios

    Residents staying in the Souda refugee and migrant camp within the Chios Castle moat set fire to rubbish bins in the camp at 16:30 on Monday afternoon. Based on initial reports, the camp residents were protesting against being trapped on the island of Chios for the last 2.5 months, following the signature of the EU-Turkey agreement.

    The fire burned down tents, offices and utility rooms before the fire brigade arrived to put out the flames, while a platoon of MAT riot police have been sent to the scene.

    [36] 52,578 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Monday

    52,578 identified refugees and migrants were on the Greek territory on Monday while no new arrivals were recorded in the last 24 hours.

    According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 27,002 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 14,568 are hosted in the region of Attica, 8,430 on the Greek islands and 2,578 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece.

    Weather forecast

    [37] Clouds, rain on Tuesday

    Unstable weather and northerly winds are forecast for Tuesday. Wind velocity will reach 6 on the Beaufort scale. Rain in the northern parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 15C-28C. Partly cloudy with rain in the afternoon in the western parts and temperatures between 15C-28C. Partly cloudy in the eastern parts with a chance of rain in the eastern parts, 17C-29C. Mostly fair in the Aegean islands and Crete, 19C-29C. Rain in the afternoon in Athens, 18C-28C; the same for Thessaloniki, 19C-27C.

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

    EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Tirana sets the non-existent ?am minority.

    ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Full pension before the age of 62.

    ESTIA: The relocation failed.

    ETHNOS: Harsh bargaining over salaries and lay-offs.

    NAFTEMPORIKI: The shipping's heart beats at Posidonia 2016 (International Shipping exhibition)

    TA NEA: The three thorns that bleed the disbursement of the tranche.

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