Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-07-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Need for just and viable solution to Cyprus issue more current than ever, PM Tsipras comments in tweet

[02] FM Kotzias' statement on the 42nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[03] A reunified Cyprus can only restore justice, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[04] Clarification on Ambassador's statement regarding the extradition case of Turkish military personnel

[05] PM Tsipras to meet USTreasury Secretary Lew on Thursday

[06] Third memorandum the only way to return to growth, Parliament report says

[07] Turmoil in Turkey makes debt relief for Greece more important than ever, U.S. Treasury Secretary tells FT

[08] ND leader's meeting with Meimarakis 'completely cloud free', party source reports

[09] Government meeting on repercussions of coup attempt in Turkey held at defence ministry

[10] Defence ministry sources deny that Turkish jets entered Greek airspace

[11] FM Kotzias exchanged views with academics on situation in Turkey, sources say

[12] FM Kotzias sets up working group, interministerial committee on Brexit

[13] Gov't to decide on measures offsetting loss of EKAS benefit next week, minister says

[14] Greece wants feta protected in CETA agreement, agriculture minister tells ANA radio

[15] Mardas supports reform of UNCTAD at ministerial session in Kenya

[16] Potami leader tables question for PM over million-plus working without getting paid in Greece

[17] Chalkidiki hotels offer extended stay to Turks

[18] Sallas retires as chairman of Piraeus Bank Group

[19] ICAP: Greek hotels report revenue growth in 2013-2015

[20] Greek, Cypriot capital markets to expand cooperation

[21] Industrial turnover index down 13.4 pct in May

[22] ADEX closing report

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] Greek stocks end 1.06 pct higher

[25] New hotels in Athens promise to attract more tourists

[26] Neohori blaze brought under control

[27] Five ethnic Greek villages in southern Albania threatened by wildfire; Greece's aid requested

[28] Kyparissia, Gargaliani to install two water-access beach ramps for the disabled

[29] Nine, including infant, rescued from burning building in Piraeus

[30] National Opera to stage 'Carmen' at Herodes Atticus Odeon from Sunday

[31] Fair on Thursday

[32] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Need for just and viable solution to Cyprus issue more current than ever, PM Tsipras comments in tweet

Using the official account of the Greek premier (@PrimeministerGR), Tsipras had earlier retweeted a post by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on the anniversary, adding the comment "42 years since the Attila invasion and the occupation, the need for a just and viable solution is more current than ever."

[02] FM Kotzias' statement on the 42nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

"The repercussions of the Turkish invasion include the uprooting of over 200,000 Cypriots from their ancient hearths, the humanitarian tragedy of the missing, the systematic and - according to Turkish Cypriot protests - still ongoing Turkish settlement, and looting of the Greek and Christian heritage, of the occupied areas.

Greece does not and will never accept the consequences of the Turkish invasion. It has made it clear to all sides that the elimination of the anachronistic system of guarantees and the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation forces - which, as the recent events in Turkey confirmed, undermine rather than ensure constitutional order and democratic normalcy - are an integral part of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

A constant concern and chief pursuit of our foreign policy is the ending of the ongoing Turkish occupation, which assails not only the rights of the Greek Cypriot community, but also those of the Turkish Cypriot community. Our goal is the achievement of a just, viable, comprehensive and agreed solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN resolutions and the implementation of the community acquis throughout the territory of Cyprus.

Today, we bow to the memory of our brothers who fell in Cyprus in 1974. We express our respect for and patriotic gratitude to all the defenders, Cypriots and Greeks, of the Republic of Cyprus.

Greece is and will remain at Cyprus' side, assisting and supporting Cypriot Hellenism and the whole of the Cypriot people," according to the announcement.

[03] A reunified Cyprus can only restore justice, ND leader Mitsotakis says

"On the contrary. They have rendered our determination to fight, together with Cyprus, stronger in order to end the illegal occupation and achieve the reunification of the island. As it is required by our historical and national responsibility and as it is provided for in the international law, the resolutions of the UN and the European acquis," he underlined.

He also expressed his strong belief that a reunified Cyprus, an EU member, without occupation forces and outdated intervention rights and guarantees, is the only way to restore justice to the benefit of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that can and should live peacefully in Europe.

"Above all, I believe that these 42 years of ordeal for Hellenism are for all of us a demand for national unity and an obligation to refuse any division and populism. Especially nowadays in these conditions of uncertainty prevailing in Turkey and the wider region," he concluded.

[04] Clarification on Ambassador's statement regarding the extradition case of Turkish military personnel

Therefore, a clarification is presented below:

"The Ambassador emphasized that the Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece in a military helicopter after the weekend coup attempt would have a fair and transparent trial back home.

He stated that Turkey's expectation is an immediate extradition of the military personnel back to Turkey. This would have very positive repercussions on the relations of both countries. On the other hand, a negative decision might cause negative feelings in the Turkish public opinion and naturally that this is something he does not desire, as his primary duty as Ambassador is to improve bilateral relations and keep things stable.

The Ambassador also thanked the Greek authorities at the highest level for the timely support and cooperation they gave in face of the coup attempt, and in our efforts to reinstate democracy and the rule of law."

A swift return of the eight from Greece will be 'very positive' for bilateral relations, Turkish ambassador says Public opinion in Turkey was closely following the case of the eight Turkish soldiers that fled to Greece after a failed coup attempt, Turkish Ambassador in Athens Kerim Uras said in a press briefing on Tuesday. A swift resolution that returned them to Turkey "would be very positive" for bilateral relations but the opposite case "would not help at all," he said.

Briefing reporters on events in the aftermath of the failed coup, said it was a "historic and extraordinary" time in the neighbouring country, while thanking friendly peoples and governments for their support.

He especially mentioned the stance adopted by Greece, noting that "we are touched by the support and sympathy that we received from the Greek people," and also from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, noting that both had voiced their support from early hours of the coup attempt.

"This is very significant, since after the events have unfolded it is easy to give support but while they are underway this support was very valuable for us," he added.

Uras said the coup had only limited support within a small section of the Turkish military and also outlined the reasons why it had failed, emphasising the reaction of the people, the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the role of the media.

Regarding the helicopter with the eight Turkish military personnel that fled to Greece and landed in Alexandroupolis airport, the ambassador said the decision to give landing permission had been a "mistake to begin with". Given that everyone knew what was happening in Turkey, he pointed out, it was clear that they were escaping from the law and had participated in the criminal action that was underway, "so there was a high probability that they were terrorists fleeing justice."

While international aviation rules required that landing permission be given in response to a distress call from an aeroplane, which requires a runway to land, the same was not true in the case of a helicopter, he pointed out. If the distress call had been genuine, the helicopter should have been advised to land as quickly as possible in its own country, rather than given permission to fly to Alexandroupolis.

Even after their landing in Alexandroupolis, Uras said, Turkey would have preferred them to be deported without any lengthy process. "When the authorities discovered that these people were criminals that took part in the coup, in uniform, they should have been sent back," he said.

Pointing out that four or five Turkish television channels were now broadcasting live from the court, he expressed hope that the stages of due process will be swiftly concluded in Greece and the "terrorist elements return to face justice in Turkey," while offering assurances that this would be done in a fully transparent manner, in accordance with international norms and respect for their human rights.

"But they must be returned. If the trial is concluded quickly and in a positive way, in other words if the eight Turkish soldiers are returned as quickly as possible, this will be something very positive in our bilateral relations. If not, this will not help at all," he said.

The ambassador denied reports that Turkish military aircraft and ships were missing, saying all Turkish military equipment was accounted for, and dismissed suggestions that the failed coup might affect the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees and migrants, saying no change had been observed.

[05] PM Tsipras to meet USTreasury Secretary Lew on Thursday

The meeting will take place at Maximos Mansion, at 14.00.

[06] Third memorandum the only way to return to growth, Parliament report says

They noted, however, that a series of crucial decisions were still pending over the next few months until the November 2015 review. "These are decisions in extremely sensitive sectors which will most likely create new turbulenece," the report said, noting that the next months will bring the government and the opposition parties to new tests, referring to changes in the labour market.

The report underlined the positive points of a new memorandum, but noted that crucial questions were whether this process of changing direction and institutions will continue and whether Greece could avoid the risk of stalemate default. Among the negative points of the memorandum, the target for primary surpluses of 3.5 pct of GDP after 2018 was characterised as unrealistic, while postponement of a final debt relief deal was fuelling uncertainty.

The report noted that the third memorandum safeguarded the necessary money to service the operation of the public sector avoiding a default, channeling money to the private sector and included a series of reforms in the state and the economy which will facilitate growth. The report mentioned problems in competition due to state regulatory interventions which protected specific groups, or tolerance towards monopoly practices.

Resolving the non-performing loans issue was crucial, the report said and stressed that any changes in the labour market should be dealt with carefully by avoiding any comments over "red lines" which could cause new uncertainties in September, slowing down economic recovery and improvement of employment. Intelligent policies were needed, the report noted.

The Parliament's Budget Office stressed that the introduction of an automatic fiscal correction mechanism was another cause of concern.

[07] Turmoil in Turkey makes debt relief for Greece more important than ever, U.S. Treasury Secretary tells FT

"I would hope [the recent regional upheaval] would change the climate in which discussions of debt relief happen, just because it's the right thing to do on its own, and at a time when Greece is in a position [of] geopolitical significance that's a good time to reinforce their fiscal future," Lew said.

Even before Turkey's attempted coup, the U.S. Treasury Secretary noted, Greece's pivotal role as a transit point for refugees surging into Europe from Syria, Iraq and elsewhere had led to a renewed focus on the country's geopolitical significance.

"You have to fix the foundation to have a strong Greece," he said, calling on Greek leaders to become more proactive in implementing reform alongside any debt restructuring programme.

In the interview, Lew expressed relief that the Eurozone and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) now appeared to have agreed, at least in principle, to a debt restructuring that would not reduce the amount repaid to creditors.

"I think we have crossed a threshold in that there's been broad agreement that there does need to be debt restructuring," Mr Lew said, adding: "The specifics will obviously matter a great deal."

[08] ND leader's meeting with Meimarakis 'completely cloud free', party source reports

"Even if there had been some small clouds in relations between them, they do not exist any longer. The skies for ND are clear. ND does not have the luxury, especially in times of battle, of not having Vangelis Meimarakis on the front line," the same source said.

[09] Government meeting on repercussions of coup attempt in Turkey held at defence ministry

Taking part were Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, Alternate Defence Minister Dimitris Vitsas, Alternate Minister for Citizen Protection Nikos Toskas and Shipping-Island Policy Minister Thodoris Dritsas.

[10] Defence ministry sources deny that Turkish jets entered Greek airspace

Citing a despatch of the Turkish news agency DHA, "Hurriyet" reported that Turkish fighter aircraft had conducted an operation against two Turkish coast guard vessels in Greek territorial waters.

Talking to the ANA, the defence ministry sources said there was a "natural mobilisation" on the Greek side in response to developments generally, as part of the effort to monitor and supervise the country's sea borders.

[11] FM Kotzias exchanged views with academics on situation in Turkey, sources say

In a wide-ranging meeting with analysts and prestigious members of the academic community, with which the foreign ministry is in constant contact, there was a discussion on developments in Turkey and the new security environment in the region, the sources said.

[12] FM Kotzias sets up working group, interministerial committee on Brexit

The Working Group to study European developments and the repercussions of the British referendum will operate within the framework and under the coordination of the Foreign Ministry's Scientific Center for Analysis and Planning (EKAS), with the participation of ministry personnel and university professors.

The also unsalaried Special Coordinating Interministerial Committee on the same subject will function on the level of secretaries general, under the chairmanship of the foreign ministry, with the participation of the ministries of interior and administrative reconstruction, economy, development and tourism, finance, shipping and island policy, as well as of the Economic Cabinet of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Vice President of the Government. Also to participate in the committee, in certain cases, are representatives of agencies, organisations and authorities of the public or private sectors, as well as specialised scholars and scientists.

During the first meeting of the working group, which took place today at the foreign ministry, there was an exchange and recording of views on the impact of the British referendum, while priority was given preparation of the foreign ministry ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Special Coordinating Interministerial Committee.

[13] Gov't to decide on measures offsetting loss of EKAS benefit next week, minister says

On the upcoming negotiations on labour law reforms, following the signature of a joint statement by the social partners on Tuesday, Katrougalos repeated that these will concern collective bargaining and collective labour agreement, mass layoffs and the laws governing trade union activity. He also clarified that there was no question of abolishing the 13th and 14th wages in the private sector.

The minister said the aim was to "isolate" the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the most extreme participant in the negotiations by creating a solid national front and with support on an international level. Efforts to secure the latter will be made during an international conference that will take place in Athens on September 16-17 that the labour ministers of Italy, Portugal and Austria have been invited to attend as leaders in the defence of the European social model.

Katrougalos also announced that reductions to supplementary pensions will be carried out in two installments in August and September, as the system was unable to complete the recalculation of all supplementary pensions within the next few days. The backdated cuts from June will then be withheld in October, November and December.

[14] Greece wants feta protected in CETA agreement, agriculture minister tells ANA radio

"Feta is a product that we want to see protected by the European Commission, exactly in the way that it protects the products of other countries," Apostolou said, outlining the case he presented at the agriculture and fisheries ministers' meeting held in Brussels about the lack of protection under the draft CETA agreement that is soon to be accepted for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) feta cheeses.

"We are just before the acceptance of an agreement that essentially leaves unprotected mostly feta and less so two other Greek products, Kalamon olives and Samos wine. We insist on feta, however, because it is a product that is the banner of geographic indications, not just in our country but in the European Union," Apostolou said.

It would be very hard for the specific agreement to be accepted by Greek society and, of course, it would not be easy for it to pass in the Greek Parliament, he added.

[15] Mardas supports reform of UNCTAD at ministerial session in Kenya

During the UNCTAD plenary, Mardas expressed Greece's support for reforming the Organization's institutional framework with the aim of simplifying the decision-making process, enhancing effectiveness and increasing the potential for implementing projects through securing the requisite resources.

He also stressed that, in view of the 2030 Agenda, immediate practical solutions must be found to strengthen connectivity between southern and northern states, the effectiveness of governments and, in general, international cooperation. At the same time, he referred to the factors that promote or hinder trade transactions between the north and south, and he proposed ways to improve industrial cooperation between enterprises of industrial and developing states.

Mardas also had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kenya, during which the excellent level of bilateral relations was reaffirmed and there was a discussion of ways to further deepen these relations in all sectors.

During his visit to Kenya, the minister was accompanied by Larissa MP and chairman of the Greece-Kenya Friendship Parliamentary Group Nikolaos Papadopoulos and a Greek business mission to Nairobi, where meetings were arranged between Greek entrepreneurs already active in Kenya or interested in becoming active there and representatives of the Kenyan public and private sectors. Accompanied by entrepreneurs, Mardas met with the Minister for East Africa, Labor and Employment, the Physical Planning Minister, the Deputy Tourism Minister, and the Vice President and CEO of Kenya's National Chamber of Commerce.

The 14th UNCTAD Ministerial Session was held in Nairobi on July 17-22.

[16] Potami leader tables question for PM over million-plus working without getting paid in Greece

"Is the government considering the possibility of providing an insecure employment benefit to unpaid workers?" Potami's leader asked, while he also suggested the option of allowing banks to extend loans to businesses owed money by the Greek state, to be used exclusively to cover the firm's payroll.

According to Theodorakis, the problem was generated during the years of crisis, while the government was responsible for the massive dimensions it had reached on in recent months. He also asked the prime minister to explain "when and in what way the state intends to settle its overdue debts to businesses."

He cited figures collected by the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) Labour Institute and other research bodies, as well as the labour ministry, indicating that more than a million workers in Greece were providing their services without receiving due payment, while only one in every two businesses met its obligation to pay wages fully and on time.

According to Theodorakis, this was partly the result of the extended recession and also a raft of new taxes and charges that were "strangling" previously profitable concerns, coupled with the state's own failure to make due payments, such as tax rebates, Community fund payments and others.

Meanwhile, while some employers delayed meeting their obligations in hope of "favourable settlements" and high unemployment made employees insecure and too afraid that they would lose their jobs if they reported their employer, continuing instead to work without payment, Theodorakis said.

[17] Chalkidiki hotels offer extended stay to Turks

In the aftermath of the coup attempt in Turkey, the Hotel Association of Chalkidiki took the initiative to help the around 250 Turks who were already spending their holidays in the region.

"We did what we ought to do as professionals. They are still the same good customers as they were before July 10," the president of the association Grigoris Tasios said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

The Turkish embassy in Thessaloniki thanked the association for this initiative. According to the latest data, no Turkish tourist has filed a request so far.

Financial News

[18] Sallas retires as chairman of Piraeus Bank Group

Addressing a board meeting, Sallas said that despite a positive review from the Financial Stability Fund "I have reached certain decisions which I wish to announce today. I have completed a cycle of 25 years as chairman of the bank and 30 years in the creation and management of banks and other financial companies.

"In these 25 years in Piraeus Bank an extraordinary work was made. Beginning in December 1991, with a personnel of 200 and market share of only 0.1 pct in the Greek banking market, we created a significant in size bank, with more than 20,000 staff and a market share around 30 pct. We have played a vital role in the restructuring of the banking system, we developed innovative products and services, we supported the business community and contributed in economic progress. E-banking, green banking, agricultural contracts are only a part of it.

"However, it is obvious that after the last recapitalization exercise a new corporate and economic environment was emerging for the banking system and of course for Piraeus Bank. In this new environment it is necessary to have the experience of older executives but mostly the powers of young people, new managers, which will take over the task to lead the bank to a new era. Having judged the new data, I have already informed all related institutions since early 2016 of my intention not to participate in the new organisational form of the Group. I could not, however, announce my decision earlier since the bank's board was under review. Today, after completion of the review by HFSF and the selection of the biggest part of board's members, I decided to announce my decision to leave the bank's board," Sallas said.

The bank's board, unanimously agreed to offer the title of honorary chairman of the group to Mihalis Sallas, acknowledging his contribution to the bank's development. The board also appointed professor Hariclia Apalagaki as interim chairman of the board.

[19] ICAP: Greek hotels report revenue growth in 2013-2015

Total foreign tourist arrivals reached a new level "record" of 23.6 million in 2015, an increase of 7 pct compared to 2014. More specifically, turnover in all three hotel categories (luxury, A and B category) increased, according to an ICAP research.

More than 80 percent of reservations in Greek hotels are made by foreigners, according to the same research.

An average of 74 million overnight stays were made in 2014 while occupancy rates in hotels reached 47.3 pct compared to 45.2 pct in 2013.

[20] Greek, Cypriot capital markets to expand cooperation

Representatives of the two authorities met in Nicosia and discussed developments in the European capital markets in the aftermath of a poll vote in the UK. The two Commissions agreed that although challenges arising basically from macro-economic level were significant, the capital market could become a strong -alternative of the banking system- tool to promote growth in the two countries. This work is facilitated by the adoption of an updated European legislation on capital markets, such as a new framework on investment services, market abuse and the introduction of new investment tools, such as crowd-funding.

Chr. Gotsis, president of the Greek Capital Market Commission, expressed his satisfaction over his contacts in Nicosia and said that conditions prevailing in the Greek economy and a negative and unstable international environment "demanded we must seek new roads to help for the recovery of the economy. As long as banks are unable to support real economy with adequate and cheap capital, seeking alternative tools and their introduction in the Greek market are not only imperative but a survival test for several enterprises. With the exchange of views and experience between the two regulatory authorities we move to proposals for processing and the introduction of these tools on a solid basis".

D. Kalogirou, president of CySEC underlined the very closer cooperation already existing between the two Commissions and said "we are working to expand and deepen further to significantly enhance efforts made to achieve our common goal of having an efficient supervision, safeguarding investor protection and a healthy development of the capital market".

[21] Industrial turnover index down 13.4 pct in May

The statistics service, in a report, attributed this development to a 3.7 pct increase in the mining turnover index and a 13.7 pct decline in the manufacturing turnover index. The domestic market turnover index fell 10.3 pct and the external market index dropped 17.2 pct in May.

[22] ADEX closing report

[23] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate rose to -0.057 pct from -0.061 pct, the nine-month rate rose to -0.124 pct from -0.125 pct, the six-month rate was -0.192 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.301 pct from -0.299 pct and the one-month rate was -0.376 pct.

[24] Greek stocks end 1.06 pct higher

Titan (4.86 pct), Hellenic Petroleum (4.42 pct) and Motor Oil (4.19 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (2.22 pct), OTE (1.73 pct) and Piraeus Bank (1.23 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. Among market sectors, Oil (4.26 pct) and Constructions (4.19 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (1.73 pct) and Banks (0.44 pct) suffered losses.

Piraeus Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 58 to 30 with another 21 issues unchanged. Douros (20 pct), Sato (19.23 pct) and Euroconsultants (14.74 pct) were top gainers, while Kreka (20 pct), Boutaris (17.24 pct) and Alumil (13.91 pct) were top losers.

General News

[25] New hotels in Athens promise to attract more tourists

The 4-star Athens Tiare Hotel, at Omonia Square, with a capacity of 111 rooms, run by the company Mage Hotels and Resorts, is expected to officialy open its doors at the end of the month. "The hotel, which has just opened, is fully booked, although it has not yet been advertised," the management said in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Electra Metropolis, a new 5-star hotel of Electra Hotels & Resorts Group, on Mitropoleos Street is also expected to start its operation in the coming days. The hotel will have a capacity of 216 rooms - 19 of which are suites and 18 family rooms.

Wyndham Hotel will take its first step into Europe with the opening of a hotel at Karaiskaki square, Athens, in the first quarter of 2017. It will have a capacity of 273 rooms, and amongst others will have 2,500 sq.m. total space for conference rooms - its largest conference room will have a capacity of 650 people - and a 450 sq.m. roof garden, a swimming pool and 360? view across Athens.

Moreover, the sale of the hotel complex of Astir Palace, for over 400 million euros, from the National Bank and the HRADF in Apollo Investments Hold Co, is estimated to have been completed by September. The sale of the Athens Hilton is also underway.

[26] Neohori blaze brought under control

There are eight fire engines with 23 men in the area in order to bring the fire under total control and rule out the possibility of resurgence. According to first estimates, the fire has burnt some 3,000 acres.

[27] Five ethnic Greek villages in southern Albania threatened by wildfire; Greece's aid requested

Residents had to leave their homes in Dhiver, Ajios Andreas, Kulurat and Theologo, the mayor said, while reports said that some houses were ablaze. The five fire engines sent from Sarande, Gjirokastr and Igoumenitsa in Greece were unable to control the situation, which was deteriorating constantly due to the strong winds, he said.

Albanian authorities have asked Greece for help with airborne fire-fighting equipment, which has yet to arrive.

[28] Kyparissia, Gargaliani to install two water-access beach ramps for the disabled

The cost of the equipment is 11,335.46 euros for each ramp and wheelchair.

[29] Nine, including infant, rescued from burning building in Piraeus

An ambulance was on the scene to take the baby to a children's hospital in Athens as a precaution.

[30] National Opera to stage 'Carmen' at Herodes Atticus Odeon from Sunday

One of the most emblematic operas, Carmen still challenges its audience as much as when it was first staged, 140 years ago. The eponymous heroine defends her freedom and her right to choose her lovers instead of her being chosen by them. She is a menace for patriarchic societies, dominated by men. Her choices threaten the foundation of these societies. The only solution is to exterminate her. A task that is undertaken by the love-stricken and "betrayed" Don Jose.

In the GNO's new and exciting production of this revolutionary opera, the famous British director Stephen Langridge has remained faithful to the ideology and high standards of Carmen, setting the story in modern-day Europe. Well-known for his unconventional performances in British high security prisons among other things, Langridge exploits the realism of George Bizet's legendary opera to explore the limits that are being imposed on us, in every imaginable area of our lives, now more than ever. This is Langridge's third collaboration with the GNO after The Possessed by Vrontos (2001) and Gluck's opera Orfeo ed Euridice (2007).

Sets and costumes have been designed by the renowned set designer Giorgios Souglides, born in Cyprus, who lives and works in France.

Two of the most successful Carmens of our times, Rinat Shaham and Geraldine Chauvet, star in what is an exceptionally demanding leading role, both in terms of voice and stage presence. Israeli mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham first performed Carmen in 2004 at Britain's famous Glyndebourne Opera Festival, garnering glowing reviews from music critics. Since then, she has performed this role around the globe in Rome, Catania, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Vienna, Lisbon, Minnesota, Montreal, Tel Aviv, Miami, New York, New Zealand, New Orleans, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Hong Kong, Sao Paolo and Sydney, and on a tour of Japan, to mention a few. She is considered the archetypal Carmen of our time worldwide. One indication of her impact is that the theatrical work Carmen Disruption was written by Simon Stephens about her life and career, and staged with great success in Cologne and London.

The second cast stars the French mezzo-soprano Geraldine Chauvet, who caused quite a stir with her passionate, powerful performance of Carmen at the Arena di Verona in 2009 directed by Franco Zeffirelli, with Placido Domingo conducting. The following year, this time with the renowned tenor as Don Jose, they presented Carmen with immense success at the Tokyo Opera. Her Metropolitan Opera debut, where she performed the demanding role of Sesto in Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, received glowing praise from the New York Times. She has also starred as Carmen at the Washington National Opera.

The production's outstanding cast includes acclaimed Greek and foreign soloists. The role of Don Jose in the first cast will be sung by the Italian-American tenor Leonardo Capalbo, student of the legendary Marilyn Horne, who has previously sung La Boheme at the GNO (produced by Graham Vick) and comes from the Royal Opera House, London, where he performed alongside our own Dimitris Platanias in Nabucco. In the second cast is GNO's tenor Dimitrios Paksoglou who performs the role. The role of Escamillo is performed by two outstanding, new generation baritones in turn, the Greek rising star Dionyssis Sourbis and the Italian Omar Kamata. The role of Micaela is performed by the Spanish soprano Saioa Hernandez and the young Greek Anna Stylianaki, who we enjoyed recently in the role of Mimi in La Boheme at the Olympia Theatre. Alongside them are young and well-established GNO soloists Petros Magoulas, Nikos Kotenidis, Maria Mitsopoulou, Maria Kokka, Eleni Davou, Diamanti Kritsotaki, Kostis Rasidakis, Yannis Selitsaniotis, Alexandros Tsilogiannis and Christos Kechris.

With the Orchestra, Chorus, Ballet Members and Children's Chorus of the GNO within the framework of its educational programme.

Tickets are available from 25 euros in the upper tier to 100 euros in the VIP zone.

Weather forecast

[31] Fair on Thursday

[32] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Turkey's provocation

ETHNOS: Cash machines online with the Tax Bureau

ESTIA: Opportunist electoral law

IMERISSIA: 50 billion euros lost

KATHIMERINI: Ankara's pressure

NAFTEMPORIKI: Common line on labour issues

RIZOSPASTIS: A trap of deception on labour issues

TA NEA: Is the new electoral law a political bubble?

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