Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] All pending issues on the review of the Greek programme have been solved

[02] Gov't spokeswoman on labour issues

[03] Loan tranche to Greece to be disbursed by end of June, say FinMin sources

[04] Discussion on debt relief to start after summer, says Moscovici

[05] Greece has shown genuine commitment to implementing key economic and fiscal reforms, White House spokesman says

[06] Energy Min Skourletis on agreements with third countries

[07] FM Kotzias stresses Greece's willingness to help Albania's European course

[08] FM Kotzias meets with Albanian PM Rama

[09] No taboo topics with Albania, says FM Kotzias during Tirana visit

[10] Albanian FM Bushati sees great potential in relations with Greece

[11] Russian President Putin to ANA-MPA: 'I'm a friend of Greece'

[12] Economy cannot return to growth based on these measures, ND VP Georgiadis says

[13] Foreign ministry condemns bomb attack in Istanbul

[14] ND leader expresses condolences to Turkish envoy for terrorist attack in Istanbul

[15] Hagia Sophia a world monument that must unite and not divide people, Xydakis says

[16] Greek minister urges UNESCO to protect its World Heritage site of Hagia Sophia

[17] The Orthodox Church should convene in its entirety in order to solve its problems, Ecumenical Patriarchate rep. Archbishop Job tells ANA-MPA

[18] Government unveils online media register for news websites

[19] Greece will recover, Libra Group head says

[20] Privatisation fund and Lamda Development sign MoU to proceed with Hellinikon investment

[21] Greek GDP shrank 0.5 pct in Q1, Eurostat

[22] Taxpayers' overdue debt up 694 mln euros in April

[23] Greek trade deficit up 21 pct in April

[24] Vodafone Greece announces 500-mln-euro investment plan

[25] Titan Cement announces bond repurchase plan

[26] HRADF and Lamda Development sign agreement on Hellinikon investment, sources say

[27] Hellenic Cables signs three contracts in Denmark

[28] ASE lifts suspension of trading on Druckfarben's shares

[29] Greek stocks end 2.27 pct higher

[30] Greek bond market closing report

[31] ADEX closing report

[32] ANA-MPA to inaugurate its new sports webpage on Thursday

[33] Olympic Indoor Sports Hall to be named "Nikos Galis", PM announces

[34] Benaki Museum puts on 'Ceramics from China' exhibition from Eumorfopoulos collection

[35] Palace of Nestor in the Peloponnese reopens after three years of restoration

[36] Corinth hosts international festival of architecture schools

[37] Golden Dawn trial moved to Athens Appeals Court hall of ceremonies

[38] Light quake jolts Cephalonia

[39] Greek island of Syros to be a focus of sports and tourism interest this weekend

[40] Firefighters battling blaze in western Peloponnese

[41] No metro, tram on Wednesday from 12:00 to 16:00

[42] 57,458 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Tuesday

[43] Cloudy on Wednesday

[44] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] All pending issues on the review of the Greek programme have been solved

On the issue of former Elliniko international airport, she said that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund and its contractors is expected to be held today adding that the deadline for the signing of the contract is 16 November 2016 noting that the memorandum of understanding does not mean that the negotiations between the two sides have ended.

Gerovassili clarified that the second pending issue for the completion of the Greek programme review had to do with changes in the structure of the civil aviation which has been also solved.

The government's intention is to submit to public dialogue its proposals for the revision of the Constitution on July 24 adding that the invitation for dialogue will refer to the political parties but mostly to the people and the society.

On this direction the government intends to do the same with the electoral law that is closely linked with the changes in the political system.

[02] Gov't spokeswoman on labour issues

Asked if the government has allies in the EU on the labour issues taking under consideration the huge reactions and changes in the labour in France, she said that in France exists a totally different reality than the condition in Greece and these two can't be linked .

[03] Loan tranche to Greece to be disbursed by end of June, say FinMin sources

"The recommendation of the institutions is positive," the sources added.

[04] Discussion on debt relief to start after summer, says Moscovici

He also asked them if the ESM is considering purchasing the IMF loans.

Dombrovskis said that he hoped the programme review would be concluded in the next days so that the next loan tranche will be disbursed in the following weeks. He explained that 7.5 billion euros out of the total of 10.3 billion euros will be disbursed immediately and the rest of the amount will be disbursed in sub-tranches.

Regarding the purchase of IMF loans and their replacement with loans of lower interest rates, he said that this was discussed at the Eurogroup and is one of the medium-term measures for the existing, official IMF loans.

On the primary surplus target, he said that the creditors do not intend to keep it at 3.8 percent after 2018. "The percentage will be gradually reduced so that the public debt will meet our targets."

On his part, Moscovici said that the Greek parliament has passed difficult measures in a short period of time. At least 95 percent of the reforms have already been approved by the Greek parliament. The EU Commissioner expressed his certainty that Greece will do its best to complete the rest of the reforms and close all the open issues.

He added: "We hope that the decision on the disbursement of the loan tranche will be taken next week. A great part of the 10.3 billion euro tranche will be granted in June and will help Greece return to growth. The discussion on debt relief will begin after the end of the summer (...) A year ago we were discussing about the possibility of a Grexit. This is not an issue any more."

[05] Greece has shown genuine commitment to implementing key economic and fiscal reforms, White House spokesman says

Ernest underlined that "what we've seen from the Greek government is a genuine commitment to implementing some key economic and fiscal reforms that would put Greece back on a path to sustainable debt load."

"So this is not a problem that's going to get solved overnight, and there have been various points along the way over the last six years or so where it has looked as if the relationship between Greece and the EU might go down the wrong path. I think the President was simply observing that as the Greek government continues to successfully implement these reforms, and as the EU continues to keep its commitment to supporting the Greek government, that things seem to be moving in the right direction.

And, look, the President I think also was offering some credit to leaders across the EU and in Greece for making some decisions that weren't terribly popular politically, but were critical to addressing this significant challenge that would have consequences for the global economy.

So there's been a lot of important progress that's been made, and the President is certainly pleased with the current trajectory. But there are important decisions that lie ahead, and the United States will be there to strongly support our allies and partners in Europe as they confront these significant challenges," Ernest added.

[06] Energy Min Skourletis on agreements with third countries

Skourletis spoke both for legal and for political reservations concerning the fact that ex ante control, limiting the flexibility of the member states to conclude intergovernmental agreements with third countries on energy. He suggested that this control should be left to the discretion of Member States. The minister also stressed that the country has very strong reservations about and the proposed communication requirements of gas supply contracts which, as he said, increased the administrative burden and raised concerns about the right of companies to maintain the confidentiality of the terms of their contracts.

The minister noted, however, that in principle our country supports the Commission's proposal to improve the safety of natural gas and its basic principles. He added that Greece is working consistently to improve security of supply referring to the TAP pipeline work recently launched and the promotion of Greece - Bulgaria interconnector, the flow reversal of the existing pipeline and the realization of the new terminal LNG in Alexandroupolis.

During the Council, four member states (Austria, Germany, Greece and Luxembourg) took an initiative on nuclear safety and non-financing of nuclear power stations in the EU. The four countries said that EU funding can be provided only safe and sustainable low carbon technologies, while nuclear technology is expensive and dangerous and the EU is opposed to its funding or any supportive framework for nuclear power stations.

Finally, the minister raised the issue of early ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change in order to begin its implementation faster.

[07] FM Kotzias stresses Greece's willingness to help Albania's European course

He also said that these problems must be solved with consultation, dialogue, rationality and maturity as soon as possible.

Kotzias was a keynote speaker at an event organized by the University of Tirana on the importance of Greek-Albanian relations for the European future of the region.

The Greek Foreign Minister noted that Albania's European perspective has the full support of Greece adding that the implementation of the five EU targets will promote reforms and bring the two countries even closer.

"General," Kotzias said "we should try so that the foreign policy does not become a hostage to domestic interests. On the contrary it should promote the mutual understanding between the two peoples and states.

Referring to the Pact of Friendship between the two countries, he expressed the will of the Greek government to update it and enrich it. "The pact of friendship and the preamble that will incorporate this will be the confirmation of friendship and non-conflict situation between the two states. This agreement," he added, "will provide for the cooperation of the two states, at least from our part, to support the course of Albania to the EU."

As to the rights of the Greek indigenous minority, Kotzias expressed the hope that "Albania on its way towards the EU will do on its own initiative and on time what the European laws ask for regarding the diffusion throughout the territory of the protection of rights starting from the right to property. "

"Albania is a contemporary European country," he stated. Kotzias concluded that "Albania should not forget that its future is linked with good relations with its southern neighbor. Nor do underestimate Greece's capabilities and tools even tod

[08] FM Kotzias meets with Albanian PM Rama

Kotzias said to ANA that the discussion went on smoothly and focused on the two countries' future and the situation in the wider region including the conditions in Fyrom as well as a series of bilateral issues. Rama also referred to his experience from his meetings with other Greek politicians in the past.

Kotzias briefed Rama on how the European Union is developing and on the difficulties it is facing at this period.

After his meeting with the Albanian prime minister, Kotzias will be the key speaker in an event held at Tirana University on the Greek-Albanian relations and Albania's European perspective.

[09] No taboo topics with Albania, says FM Kotzias during Tirana visit

"We came to Albania and made some positive steps ... Our foreign policy and Greek diplomacy is based on the power it has and on that it is not afraid to discuss any issue. We believe that problems have solutions and we should seek their solution, but there are some who fear resolving problems," Kotzias said.

He added that Bushati noted repeatedly during their talks that Albania has no territorial claims on the issue of the Cham Albanians. "We discussed our cooperation, we created a group of our general secretaries, who will deal with a specific timetable and roadmap of all the problems and hopefully we may resolve them by early next year," he said.

[10] Albanian FM Bushati sees great potential in relations with Greece

"Albania accepts and respects Greece as a decent neighbor. It is also grateful for is support," he underlined and added that "Albania does not have any kind of territorial claims towards Greece; it is a country that has signed the Helsinki Final Act."

Asked on the Greek minority, Bushati said "it is a minority much respected in Albania which also constitutes a bridge of cooperation between Albania and Greece as well as a major contribution to democratic institutions and developments in the country," adding that the Albanian side is "open to take further measures as regards the respect to minorities."

On the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he said that "the territorial integrity of Albania has been affected," stressing that the Albanian government "is determined to move ahead with the Greek side for a solution based on the European spirit and the international law."

[11] Russian President Putin to ANA-MPA: 'I'm a friend of Greece'

The two-day forum "New Era of Journalism: Farewell to Mainstream" is hosted by Rossiya Segodnya news agency.

Speaking after his keynote speech at the forum, Putin spoke to the President of ANA-MPA who was participating in a panel on "Censorship and Freedom of the Press" and noted, among others: "I'm a friend of Greece". Psilos and Putin also discussed the latter's recent visit to Mount Athos, with the Russian president noting the good bilateral relations.

During his main speech earlier, Putin said: "Information should be objective in all respects and not subjected to any repressive actions aimed at adjusting it."

On his side, Psilos said in his speech at the forum that censorship is found everywhere in the world. "The content of censorship clashes with the idea of democracy. The media are not of course an impartial observer in their majority, but a weapon which the most powerful can use it for their own interest. But the aim cannot be their censorship but addressing those issues that may lead to the 'necessity' for censorship," he said.

He also addressed the issue of self-censorship on the side of journalists: "A phenomenon commonly observed in conditions of high unemployment in the industry, but also because of fear of possible consequences if any information published. But there is no greater lie than that based on individual and selective use of the truth. When you hold someone in the dark and suddenly you open a window, perhaps the only thing you will achieve is to blind him."

[12] Economy cannot return to growth based on these measures, ND VP Georgiadis says

He also accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of being "pleasant" to creditors because he has accepted all their measures.

Out of the 7.5 billion euro tranche the 6.8 billion euros will be provided for the repayment of installments and less than 1 billion euros will remain for the state debt. "It is absolutely clear that these funds cannot help the Greek economy recover," Georgiadis noted.

He added that the constant delays for the conclusion of the programme review with the institutions, as a result of the government's lack of credibility, lead to national indignity.

[13] Foreign ministry condemns bomb attack in Istanbul

"We unequivocally condemn today's deadly terrorist attack in Istanbul.

In this difficult hour, we express our condolences to the families of the victims and our undivided support for our friends the Turkish people," the announcement said.

The attack occurred early on Tuesday in a historic Istanbul neighbourhood using a car rigged with explosives and cost the lives of 11 people, including seven police officers.

[14] ND leader expresses condolences to Turkish envoy for terrorist attack in Istanbul

Speaking to Kerim Uras, Mitsotakis also expressed his concern and discontent for the change of policy of the Turkish government which allowed Koran readings to take place in the World Heritage site of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. He said the monument is protected by UNESCO and changing its character creates reactions and questions.

He also commented on the EU-Turkey deal on migration by urging the country to implement it fully, which he said will be beneficial for both countries.

[15] Hagia Sophia a world monument that must unite and not divide people, Xydakis says

"Hagia Sophia must remain a world monument with timeless appeal, a monument that unites people and does not divide them," he said, adding that Greece will not follow down this "slippery path".

In this context, the discussion "about a threatened conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque must be put, not on terms of neo-Ottoman rhetoric, but on terms of respect and protection for a foremost monument of world cultural and religious heritage," Xydakis said.

The political goals of the Erdogan government were "clearly visible," Xydakis commented, and aimed at an "almighty AKP party, which ever more frequently dons the religious raiments of Islam, attempting to convert the secular Kemalic state into a neo-Islamic state with ambitions of leadership in the Islamic world.

In an earlier tweet, Xydakis had again stressed that Hagia Sophia is a world monument and that we "must be adamant on its non-conversion to a mosque."

Meanwhile, government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili on Tuesday fielded questions concerning a statement made by Xydakis regarding this issue on Monday, when he said that "a recitation of the Koran in Hagia Sophia was not a tragedy." She noted that the Greek government's position was expressed by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and that Xydakis statements on Tuesday explained what he meant and repeated the government's standing position on the issue.

She was also categoric in denying that the government has been discussing a reshuffle.

Hagia Sophia is a former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. For 917 years from the date of its construction in 537 AD, it served as an Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The building then became an imperial mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized under Kemal Ataturk and opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture". It remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520.

[16] Greek minister urges UNESCO to protect its World Heritage site of Hagia Sophia

"We look forward to UNESCO's actions to defend and protect World Heritage Sites, such as the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul," Amanatidis told Kerstin Holst, UNESCO's expert on education in emergencies.

The comment referred to a spat between Greece and Turkey over the latter's decision to hold Koran readings in the monument during Ramadan.

Holst is in Greece to act as a liaison between UNESCO and its Greek branch who are offering technical assistance to tackle the refugee crisis.

[17] The Orthodox Church should convene in its entirety in order to solve its problems, Ecumenical Patriarchate rep. Archbishop Job tells ANA-MPA

"The Orthodox Church as a whole must gather to solve its problems and to declare its unity to the world," he said adding that "we should not forget that in the history of the Church, the Synods convened to solve the problems in a synodical way."

The full interview is available in Greek for subscribers at ANA-MPA website.

[18] Government unveils online media register for news websites

According to the law, websites will be given a three-month grace period to register their legal status, number of employees, detailed shareholder information and the tax office they fall under. To be included, the company will have to be based in Greece. Registering is not obligatory, but if they don't, websites will be banned from receiving funding through state advertising.

"In our country, where media have been accused of opacity and articles are reproduced without the reporter's name, it is our belief that the Internet should operate based on regulated framework of transparency; this proves we take seriously online news," Pappas said in a joint press conference with government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili and the general secretary of information, Lefteris Kretsos.

"The government's intention is transparency and compliance with the rules of the television landscape," Gerovasili said.

Financial News

[19] Greece will recover, Libra Group head says

Every crisis has a beginning, middle and an end, with the end coming when least expected as it is difficult to be predicted, Logothetis said in a speech addressing a Woman in Business Commission conference. In his speech, he emphasized on the communication management by the state of the good news related with the country on an international level, with a specific and integrated plan and noted that by the end of 2014 Greece was showing signs of recovery. Logothtis, who heads a group comprising of 30 subsidiaries in six continents (with activities in Greek tourism through 20 hotels under the brand name Grace Hotels and Aria Hotels and in the energy and real estate sectors) emphasized on the positive role and influence that women could have on business activity and in society.

A society that does not encourage women loses 50 pct in ingenuity, ideas and dynamism, he said, adding that if there were more women leaders the world would be a better place.

Libra Group has established activities in five sectors: shipping (with a fleet of 100 ships since 2009), airlines, management and development of real estate, hotels and energy.

[20] Privatisation fund and Lamda Development sign MoU to proceed with Hellinikon investment

The MoU features various improvements to the original deal, including a significant increase of the overall investment to eight billion euros, the completion of the investment in a shorter period of time and a condition to complete 80 pct of that investment in 12 years.

The basic design includes the upgrading of the beach, residential developments, superregional and local commerce, hotel facilities and recreational areas, utilization of the Olympic facilities and the creation of new sports facilities, a new golf course, venues that highlight our cultural heritage, educational facilities and research centers. Moreover, the investors will create, finance and maintain the largest Greek, and one of the largest in the world, Metropolitan Green and Recreational Park, which jointly with the public use green areas of the site will cover and aggregate area of 2.600.000m2, or 42 pct of the entire site.

"With the signing of a new agreement for Hellinikon, we outline the implementation of an investment that will seal the country's new path to development," HRADF president Stergios Pitsiorlas said in a statement. "The significant improvement of the existing deal resolves the problems that formed the basis for objections in the previous period. In the coming years, the largest urban redevelopment project will be implemented that will create the largest urban park in Europe," he added.

On their side, the President and CEO of Lamda Development, Tassos Giannitsis and Odisseas Athanasiou respectively, said this was an important step towards the direction of investment, employment and exploitation of new opportunities. "The Project will have multiple positive effects on other sectors and activities, it will create new expertise and a very large area will gain immense utility value for millions of Greek and foreign citizens," they continued.

"Most importantly, this investment due to its size and qualitative characteristics, will install an important development axis in the economy of the country, and especially that of the Attica basin, which will become a reference point for many decades".

Government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili told reporters during Tuesday's press briefing that the memorandum improves the initial planning, with a final agreement to be signed in the coming months.

[21] Greek GDP shrank 0.5 pct in Q1, Eurostat

The Greek economy contracted by 0.5 pct in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the previous quarter, Eurostat said on Tuesday.

The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report released here, said that the Greek GDP -seasonally adjusted- fell by 1.9 pct in the January-March period, compared with the same period in 2015.

Eurostat said that the Eurozone economy grew 0.6 pct in the first quarter and the EU-28 grew by 0.5 pct in the same period from the fourth quarter of 2015, while on an annual basis, the Eurozone economy grew 1.7 pct and the EU-28 rose by 1.8 pct in the January-March period this year.

Economic growth in the Eurozone was based on household consumption (up 0.6 pct) -household consumption rose 0.3 pct in the EU-28. Exports rose 0.4 pct both in the Eurozone and the EU-28. Romania (1.6 pct), Cyprus (0.9 pct), Spain, Lithuania, Austria and Slovakia (0.8 pct each) recorded the highest growth rates in the first quarter of 2016, while Greece, Hungary (-0.8 pct) and Poland (-0.1 pct) recorded negative growth rates.

[22] Taxpayers' overdue debt up 694 mln euros in April

The General Secretariat for Public Revenue, in a monthly report, said that old overdue debt (December 31, 2015 figures) amounted to 83.5 billion euros. New overdue debt totaled 1.456 billion euros in January, 2.755 billion in February, 3.636 billion in March and 4.330 billion euros in April.

The General Secretariat for Public Revenue said that collection from new overdue debt totaled 568 million euros so far this year, while from previous debt collection totaled 1.06 billion.

[23] Greek trade deficit up 21 pct in April

The statistics service, in a report on the country's merchandise trade, said that the value of import-arrivals totaled 4.162 billion euros in April, up 7.1 pct from the same month last year (excluding oil products the value of imports grew 26.5 pct). The value of export-deliveries amounted to 2.105 billion euros, down 3.8 pct from April 2015 (excluding oil products the value of exports rose 2.2 pct).

The trade deficit totaled 2.058 billion euros in April, from 1.7 billion in April 2015, an increase of 21 pct (excluding oil products the trade deficit jumped 57.7 pct).

In the four-month period, the value of imports totaled 14.348 billion euros, down 3.7 pct compared with the same period in 2015 (excluding oil products imports grew 9.6 pct in value). The value of exports totaled 7.831 billion euros in the January-April period, down 7.5 pct from last year (excluding oil products exports grew 0.5 pct).

The trade deficit in the four-month period totaled 6.517 billion euros, up 1.4 pct from the same period last year (excluding oil products the trade deficit grew 20.8 pct).

[24] Vodafone Greece announces 500-mln-euro investment plan

Haris Broumidis, chairman and chief executive of Vodafone Greece, speaking to reporters on Tuesday said the company was successfully implementing its strategy to offer integrated communication solutions, strengthening its position in the market and creating value for the economy and the society. Broumidis said Vodafone Greece was willing to invest in new generation networks on the precondition that a necessary regulatory framework would be created first, which would not lead to monopoly conditions. "We have the will, strategy and capital to invest in these technologies, but we need an investment-regulatory environment allowing more providers to make investments, competition to work property and to avoid reasoning leading to monopoly," Broumidis said.

He said that the company has invested more than 1.5 billion euros since 2008 and noted that a new investment plan focused on: developing new generation networks for mobile and fixed-telephony to support Greek businesses and offering new services to consumers, developing television services, upgrading product and services using new technologies and upgrading Vodafone's retail network.

Commenting on a possible takeover of Forthnet, Broumidis said that a three-month extension to an agreement with Wind was given and noted that Vodafone was still interested.

Vodafone Greece has a workforce of 3,280 direct and indirect workers, supporting 12,000 positions of employment in the economy. Broumidis said Vodafone has earmarked more than 3.5 million euros for social programmes since 2010.

[25] Titan Cement announces bond repurchase plan

Titan Global Finance Plc will seek to repurchase its bonds issued in December 2012, worth 200 million euros paying a coupon of 8.75 pct, maturing in January 2017. For this purpose, Titan Global Finance Plc will issue a new bond loan worth 250 million euros, a five-year bond carrying the guarantee of Titan Cement SA, which will be listed in the Ireland Stock Exchange.

[26] HRADF and Lamda Development sign agreement on Hellinikon investment, sources say

An official announcement is expected later, while government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili told reporters during Tuesday's press briefing that the memorandum calls for changes to the initial planning, with a final agreement to be signed in the coming months.

[27] Hellenic Cables signs three contracts in Denmark

The three contracts are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

[28] ASE lifts suspension of trading on Druckfarben's shares

ATHEX said that the company's shares will be traded on the main market. The decision was taken after Druckfarben's announcement offering full information over the impact of a fire that broke out in its production unit in March 28, 2016. The company said its results were not expected to be negatively affected by the incident as its fixed equipment and inventories and any earnings loss coverage were adequately insured. Druckfarben said the damage from the fire was estimated at 8.8 million euros.

[29] Greek stocks end 2.27 pct higher

Piraeus Bank (7.22 pct), Eurobank (5.42 pct) and Lamda Development (4.68 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains among blue chip stocks, while Metka (0.92 pct), Hellenic Exchanges (0.78 pct) and Motor Oil (0.72 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Banks (4.94 pct), Food (3.77 pct) and Travel (2.88 pct) scored big gains, while Financial Services (0.59 pct) and Industrial Products (0.28 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 59 to 45 with another 17 issues unchanged. Voyatzoglou Systems (28.57 pct), Intrakat (27.67 pct) and Epilektos (12.60 pct) were top gainers, while Athina (18.29 pct), Progressive (16.36 pct) and Yalco (15.09 pct) were top losers.

[30] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was -0.018 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.090 pct from -0.089 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.161 pct from -0.157 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.2654 pct from -0.262 pct and the one-month rate was -0.357 pct.

[31] ADEX closing report

General News

[32] ANA-MPA to inaugurate its new sports webpage on Thursday

Based on ANA-MPA's responsible and timely information will offer an overall and objective information for all the important news in sports.

The webpage will be available at http://www.praktoreio-sport.gr/

[33] Olympic Indoor Sports Hall to be named "Nikos Galis", PM announces

Tsipras said the state had decided to honor the athlete in this way "in exchange for the great and happy moments we have enjoyed all these years as a country and society from a Greek sports legend." Galis' most important contribution was that "he made us love this game" and made Greeks feel proud and happy, Tsipras added.

On his part, Galis called it a great honour and thanked that prime minister, the deputy sports minister and the state for the recognition of his and his fellow athletes' contribution to Greek basketball.

"There is no greater honour for an athlete than for his name to continue after his career or even after his life," he said. "Together with the other boys - basket is a team sport - we gave our utmost to Greek sports and society and the greatest satisfaction that I ever got from all this, the greatest reward, was that we made the Greek people feel proud," he added.

In a tweet on his personal account, Tsipras called Galis "an athlete that left an indelible stamp on Greek sports" and ushered in an era of great distinctions, as well as leading generations of younger Greeks to sports.

During the meeting, the prime minister noted that Galis' legacy was continuing, with Greece continuing to produce some great athletes and Kontonis noting that two Greeks were coaching foreign teams in this year's final four.

The meeting between Galis and the prime minister was also attended by the veteran basketball player's daughter and Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis.

[34] Benaki Museum puts on 'Ceramics from China' exhibition from Eumorfopoulos collection

The exhibition is designed in such as way as to be read in two ways. One narrative explores the history and civilisation of China from the 3rd millennium BCE to the 19th century CE. Read anti-clockwise, the same objects illustrate the contact between China and the West throughout the centuries (14th-20th c. CE), with a focus on the interests of early 20th c. European collectors and experts in Chinese art.

The narrative focuses on Imperial China, exploring developments in society, economy and art from the Han dynasty (3rd c. BCE-3rd c. CE) to the last dynasty of the Qing (17th-20th c. CE).

Tang figures and models (7th-10th c. CE) animate everyday life and the transcendental universe of early China. The aesthetics of Song wares (11th-13th c. CE) set the standard for connoisseurs in China and artists in 20th century Europe alike. Ming polychrome porcelain (14th-17th c. CE) established China's dominance in the international market. Last but not least, hybrids born out of the osmosis between the East and the West from the 16th until the 19th c. CE indicate the outset of contacts between the West and China.

Special tribute is paid to George Eumorfopoulos, one of the most important collectors of Chinese and modern art of the early 20th c. His donation to the Benaki Museum, which sought to build a new cosmopolitan and 'western' profile for Greece in the wake of damage inflicted by WWI and the disastrous Asia Minor campaign of the early 20s, is unique in being a time capsule of early 20th century taste and learning of Chinese art.

Museum Director Olivier Descotes noted in a press conference on Tuesday that items in the exhibition were "great treasures from a collection of international scope" and a priceless tool for promoting the museum worldwide.

Curator George Manginis said the 90 items were selected on the basis of their historical and artistic value, representing typical categories of Chinese ceramics and some extremely rare and important pieces worldwide.

The exhibition will take place at the main building on Koumbari 1 & Vassilisis Sofias Avenue is accompanied by a publication in English with texts by George Manginis and a small booklet-guide in Greek. The exhibition is set to run until September 4.

[35] Palace of Nestor in the Peloponnese reopens after three years of restoration

Lying some four kilometers south of the village of Chora on the hill of Epano Eglianos and 15 kilometers from modern Pylos, the settlement was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl W. Blegen from the University of Cincinnati who cooperated with Greek archaeologist Konstantinos Kourouniotis.

The palace, built by King Nestor, son of Neleus, in the late Bronze Age, consists of 105 ground floor apartments, one of which has the big "throne room" with a circular clay heath and niches with numerous storage jars. It also had workshops, baths, light wells, reception rooms and a sewage system, while the walls were decorated with frescos.

Nestor himself is mentioned several times by Homer in his epic poems and is said to have participated in the Trojan War. The numerous findings brought to light by the excavations also include approximately 1,250 clay tablets written in Linear B. The site was closed for restoration in May 2013.

Culture Minister Aristidis Baltas will lead the opening ceremony which will be followed by a tour of the archaeological site and a reception in the area surrounding the museum. The event will be open for the public.

"The restored archaeological site ... integrates new navigation infrastructure, making use of new information and communication technology and providing convenient access to all audiences," the ministry said in a press release, adding that a new roof has been added to protect the palace.

[36] Corinth hosts international festival of architecture schools

The main focus of the event, hosted at the municipal theater of Corinth, will be issues concerning the Corinth canal and how to upgrade the surrounding area and the quality of life of the residents.

Speaking at the festival, city mayor of Corinth, Alexandros Pneumatikos, said the participation of different Mediterranean universities could promote a message of cooperation, in contrary to the existing rivalries in the region of the Middle East.

The event, which opened on Monday and will last until June 12, is organized by the municipality of Corinth, the Italian University of Chieti-Pescara and the prefecture of the Peloponnese.

[37] Golden Dawn trial moved to Athens Appeals Court hall of ceremonies

A justice ministry announcement said that a document sent by the Athens Appeals Court administrative council president, which ascertains the practical impossibility of completing the trial on the murder of musician Pavlos Fyssas within a reasonable space of time in the Korydallos courtroom, allowed the minister to move the trial to the large multi-purpose hall in the Appeals Court.

[38] Light quake jolts Cephalonia

According to the Geodynamics Institute of Athens National Observatory, the quake's epicentre was located 23 klm west of Argostoli.

Another earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale had been recorded at 07.50 am, 15 klm west of Argostoli.

[39] Greek island of Syros to be a focus of sports and tourism interest this weekend

Many athletes and visitors have already expressed interest, while registrations for the various activities are continuing.

The event includes various sporting and cultural activities, such as the triathlon for adults and children, 5k City Running, cycling tour, SUP Experience and also a revival of the old Olympic sport "Swimming hurdles".

[40] Firefighters battling blaze in western Peloponnese

Thirteen vehicles and 26 men have been deployed to fight the flames which is currently not threatening inhabited areas. It is not yet known what started the blaze.

[41] No metro, tram on Wednesday from 12:00 to 16:00

Another work stoppage in the same means has been scheduled for Friday from 22:00 until the end of the shift.

[42] 57,458 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Tuesday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 26,477 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 14,545 are hosted in the region of Attica, 8,230 on the Greek islands and 2,514 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece. 5,692 refugees and migrants are hosted in several facilities rented by the UNHCR.

Weather forecast

[43] Cloudy on Wednesday

[44] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: What is it?

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: EWG gives 24-hour deadline to the government

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Changes in early pensions

ESTIA: The whole truth on public sector

ETHNOS: The new lump sum.The ministerial decision

IMERISSIA: (PM Alexis) Tsipras: Invest in Greece

NAFTEMPORIKI: Program review in tranches

TA NEA: The state of SYRIZA dissolves the transport

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