Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-08-05

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras invites leaders from six EU countries to Athens in September

[02] Agreement between EU and Turkey must be applied, says Alt. Migration Min. Mouzalas

[03] Mouzalas denies he told Bild 'Europe needs a Plan B' if Turkey pulls out of migrant deal

[04] After Lesvos, Chios shows plunge in tourist arrivals due to last year's refugee crisis

[05] Greek parliament agrees to speed up construction of Athens mosque

[06] Respect for human rights boosts Greece's international presence, says minister on mosque vote

[07] Access to files of dissidents kept by Greek police approved, under conditions

[08] Culture minister to visit 'Elefthernas Museum' in Crete on Monday

[09] Large number of hosted buyers to participate in Travel Trade Athens 2016

[10] PanCretan Cooperative Bank says profits sharply up in H1

[11] Tax arrears reached 89.832 bln euros in June

[12] Frigoglass reports lower results in H1

[13] Foreign investors net buyers in ASE last month

[14] Greek stocks end higher

[15] ADEX closing report

[16] Boat with migrants and refugees capsizes off the coast of Mytilene

[17] Migrants rescued off Kythira island

[18] Two missing refugees found safe

[19] 54 refugees arrived on the Greek islands in the last 24h

[20] Students of ASCSA visit Distomo, Delphi

[21] Car with counterfeit euro coins located at Kipi customs

[22] Woman attempted to smuggle 2.5 kilos of cocaine into Greece

[23] Fire burning pine forest in Argolida

[24] The passion for the Olympic Games in a collection

[25] Mostly fair on Friday

[26] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] PM Tsipras invites leaders from six EU countries to Athens in September

The conference, which is currently being organized, will include France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta. According to government sources, the meeting will constitute an effort to create a common front to tackle these challenges.

The conference is planned a few days ahead of the EU Summit in Bratislava on September 16, where Europe's future will be discussed, following Britain's decision to leave the Union.

[02] Agreement between EU and Turkey must be applied, says Alt. Migration Min. Mouzalas

Speaking to SKAI television on Thursday, Mouzalas underlined that Turkey complies with the agreement and European Commission as well as other European leaders are trying to do the same every day.

"We will be tried hard if the agreement collapses. If the flows start again then no country will be able to deal with them...We are afraid, we are getting prepared and we are aware that if the problem returns then we will be tried hard" he said.

Mouzalas also said that from the 60,000 refugees and migrants in Greece, 30,000-40,000 are entitled to leave for Europe but there are delays. "4,000 persons have been relocated and we have another 4,000 ready to leave but there are no vacancies in Europe".

He underlined that Idomeni is one of the decorations that should be awarded to Greece because in two months the camp was evacuated very smoothly without any violence.

Referring to the non-organised camp at Elliniko, he said that he is responsible and feels bad about it adding that the services offered are good, however, he did not commit on when the facility will be evacuated.

He called German Chancellor Angela Merkel's stance very progressive adding that she supported and continues to support us and has closed a number of loopholes".

[03] Mouzalas denies he told Bild 'Europe needs a Plan B' if Turkey pulls out of migrant deal

In a press release sent by the ministry, when asked by the paper whether Europe needs to come up with a "Plan B" in case Turkey backs down from the EU-Turkey deal on the refugee crisis, following similar statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Mouzalas answered:

"Greece is focused on the EU - Turkey Agreement, an agreement which is dependent upon the European support on the one side, and the obligation of Turkey to abide by what has been agreed on the other. Up to now the agreement has been kept. We have a refugee flow, which cannot be an indication of non-compliance. More precisely, the number of refugees arriving on the islands, some days is zero, some days is close to one-hundred. It is a number of people upon which we keep an eye one way or another."

And continued: "But, as an example, I have to mention that the percentage of people (arriving) in relation to the same period last year is 95-97 percent reduced. Of course, we are following (the events) closely, of course we are worried, but up to now, I repeat, the number of people arriving on our islands is not an indication of non-compliance towards whatever has been agreed. The Greek government has informed in time all the European institutions about the dangers which are simmering after the recent developments in Turkey. The refugee issue, as the EU has officially accepted during this period of time, is a European problem and its solution is a European responsibility."

Mouzalas also said the main issue is to put an end to the war. "From that point on, we, as the European Union, must support these countries which are close to those facing the problem. We have to contribute so that Jordan, Lebanon and other neighboring countries find themselves in a position to welcome and host refugees on their territories always in respect of human rights," he said.

Apart from this, refugees coming from Turkey should be distributed in EU countries based on their population and other criteria, the minister told the paper. "The same should be applied for Greece, so that they are distributed in the EU countries proportionally."

The sentence "we need in any case a Plan B" was not included in Mouzalas' response, the ministry noted.

[04] After Lesvos, Chios shows plunge in tourist arrivals due to last year's refugee crisis

According to the data, arrivals from abroad totaled 535 last month which correponds to 18 flights, versus 1,887 tourists and 50 flights last year.

On Wednesday, the airport of Lesvos announced a 62.8 percent drop in international arrivals in July, which corresponded to 6,841 visiting European nationals who arrived in 47 flights. Last year, the same numbers were 18,373 and 130 respectively. Samos, the third large island in the southeastern Aegean and part of the Dodecanese cluster, experienced a lower 16 percent drop in international tourist arrivals from Europe.

Both Chios and Lesvos - and Samos to a lesser extend - were at the center of an unprecedented refugee influx which erupted last summer in Greece when both islands received daily hundreds of refugees who arrived in flimsy boats from Turkey.

[05] Greek parliament agrees to speed up construction of Athens mosque

During the roll call vote requested by Golden Dawn, SYRIZA, New Democracy, the Communist Party, Potami and the Centrists' Union voted in favour, while Golden Dawn and the Independent Greeks (ANEL) voted against it.

The provision was included in a draft bill on boosting renewable energy.

[06] Respect for human rights boosts Greece's international presence, says minister on mosque vote

"Its construction will end the weakening of our country's international image and credibility, both bilaterally and in many international organizations and forums, in which a regular dialogue is conducted on issues of religious freedoms," Amanatidis said.

[07] Access to files of dissidents kept by Greek police approved, under conditions

In a press release on the issue, the body said that people involved in political and social struggles or important, high-profile trials from 1945 until the fall of the Junta in 1974 can access their files which are kept in the Interior ministry. However, the authority blocked complete or partial access to files pertaining to national security or serious crimes. Researchers and journalists will require a special permit from the data authority for access to personal files of people who are still alive.

The decision follows the upcoming issuing of a ministerial decision which will allow access to those they concern.

[08] Culture minister to visit 'Elefthernas Museum' in Crete on Monday

During his visit at noon, Baltas will tour the site which presents findings from the city and the Orthi Petra cemetery which allow visitors to understand life throughout the 4,500-year history of Eleftherna.

Earlier (at 11:30), the minister will visit the Arkadi Monastery and its relics exhibition.

Financial News

[09] Large number of hosted buyers to participate in Travel Trade Athens 2016

Over 100 hosted buyers are expected to participate in the event that is organised by the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau and Athens Municipality Tourist and Development Promotion Agency in cooperation with the European Tour Operators Association.

The aim of the series of Travel Trade Athens events is to develop the cooperation between Greek tourism entrepreneurs with the international tourist market as well as to promote Athens' tourist product to the participants.

[10] PanCretan Cooperative Bank says profits sharply up in H1

PanCretan Cooperative Bank said that the accounting value of each share grew to 15.91 euros from 14.81 euros, while non-performing loans fell by 13 million euros in the six month period, a trend likely to continue in the coming months. The bank said an expected GDP increase in the second half of 2016 would further improve the bank's results.

[11] Tax arrears reached 89.832 bln euros in June

The total number of taxpayers with overdue debt to the state were 4,003,372.

Meanwhile, the state's overdue debt to the private sector grew further to 5.909 billion euros in June from 5.786 billion in May, while pending tax returns rose to 1.311 billion euros from 1.259 billion in May.

[12] Frigoglass reports lower results in H1

The group said a recovery in West European markets continued helped by increased demand for professional coolers ICOOL from Coca Cola bottlers (+27 pct compared with last year), but the market fell in Russia, while a currency devaluation in Nigeria hit the glass sector.

Nikos Mamoulis, chief executive of Frigoglass, commenting on the results said that the group decided to change its operating model in Asia, a move which will allow the improvement of the production base in the region, reducing costs and strengthen competitiveness in the long-term. Mamoulis said that the rest of the year, a weak commercial environment in Russia and adverse currency fluctuations will continue affecting Frigoglass' results.

[13] Foreign investors net buyers in ASE last month

Greek investors' share in the market capitalization fell to 40.2 pct. Foreign investors were net buyers in July with capital inflows totaling 24.57 million euros, while Greek investors were net sellers with capital outflows of 24.57 million. Foreign investors accounted for 55.0 pct of transactions in the market, down from 55.3 pct in June. Turnover amounted to 860.98 million euros in July, down 48.3 pct from the same month last year, while average daily turnover was 41 million euros, down from 79.3 million in July 2015.

The number of active investor codes dropped to 13,398 in July from 20,360 in the previous month. The market capitalization was 35.43 billion euros at the end of July, up 4.0 pct from June, but down 13.6 pct compared with the same month last year.

[14] Greek stocks end higher

National Bank (4.65 pct), Eurobank (4.47 pct) and Alpha Bank (3.55 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Port (1.15 pct), OTE (0.81 pct) and Ellaktor (0.76 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Banks (3.62 pct), Financial Services (2.59 pct) and Raw Materials (2.11 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (0.81 pct) and Constructions (0.48 pct) suffered losses. Piraeus Bank and Eurobank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 65 to 29 with another 19 issues unchanged. Alpha Astika (19.82 pct), Kreka (19.35 pct) and ANEK (18.33 pct) scored big gains, while Attica Publications (21.28 pct), Sato (19.05 pct) and Dionic (18.33 pct) were top losers.

[15] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 49,368 contracts with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (16,780), followed by Alpha Bank (4,084), Piraeus Bank (14,211), Eurobank (10,782), MIG (2,698), OTE (229), PPC (114), OPAP (102), Mytilineos (83), Corinth Pipeworks (45), Motor Oil (36), Hellenic Exchanges (33) and Titan (28).

General News

[16] Boat with migrants and refugees capsizes off the coast of Mytilene

Coast Guard rescued 50 persons while according to witnesses two or three persons are missing.

A rescued operation is underway while the rescued are being transferred to the port of Mytilene.

[17] Migrants rescued off Kythira island

Later, the coast guard vessel collected three more persons that were on a dinghy and a rescue barrel. The rescued informed the authorities that a person that was with them on the sailboat was missing.

Two patrol vessels assisted by a Greek army helicopter searched the area and located the missing person safe on a rocky coast.

Two of the 38 rescued were arrested alleged to be the traffickers.

[18] Two missing refugees found safe

Coast Guard initially rescued 68 persons who informed the authorities on the missing persons.

The refugees were sent to Mytilene port and afterwards to Moria hotspot. A pregnant and an infant that were among the passengers were sent to Mytilene hospital for precautionary reasons.

[19] 54 refugees arrived on the Greek islands in the last 24h

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 22,090 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 10,121 are hosted in the region of Attica and 2,606 are hosted in facilities of central and southern Greece. 7,497 refugees and migrants are hosted in several facilities rented by the UNHCR, 2,849 in non-organised facilities 2,200 persons are living outside organised facilities.

9,662 refugees and migrants were recorded on the eastern Aegean islands.

[20] Students of ASCSA visit Distomo, Delphi

ASCSA is one of the leading research and educational institutions in the world for the study of the Greek world from antiquity to the present day. The School was founded in 1881 by a consortium of nine American universities in collaboration with leading businessmen. Since then, it has provided a welcoming base for study and research in Greece to scholars and graduate students from around 170 affiliated colleges and universities in North America by sponsoring and promoting archaeological fieldwork, providing resources for scholarly work, and disseminating research.

Generations of American archaeologists have trained and specialized in the fields of scientific research and excavation in Greece and every year it conducts research and educational activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

[21] Car with counterfeit euro coins located at Kipi customs

According to the announcement, the customs squad after a check in a car with German plates with driver a Turkish national who is a permanent resident of Germany located 27,577 counterfeit two-euro coins.

The perpetrator had hidden the coins at the bottom of a jar with olives. The driver was arrested and sent to Alexandroupolis prosecutor while evidence indicates that the case is related to an international counterfeit ring that Interpol is also investigating.

[22] Woman attempted to smuggle 2.5 kilos of cocaine into Greece

The woman that arrived from Rio de Janeiro via Zurich had in her luggage 2kg and 495grams of cocaine in 21 sachets of powder ice cream.

The investigation revealed that the suspect is member of a drug dealing ring that smuggles drugs, mostly cocaine, from Latin America to western European countries.

The suspect was sent to Athens prosecutor.

[23] Fire burning pine forest in Argolida

Authorities said 18 fire-fighting vehicles with 36 firemen, a land unit of 20 men and four aircraft have been dispatched to battle the flames. They also said although no villages are currently at risk, there are several summer houses in the wider vicinity.

Olympic Games

[24] The passion for the Olympic Games in a collection

For that reason, these passionate persons, who do not regard the Games piecemeal and like to recollect the history, are prone to collect anything that has to do with all the editions of the Olympiads, not just the present, both in forms of the official memorabilia and the personal effects of the athletes as well as the general literature that envelops the events.

Stylianos family belongs to that particular genre of 'hidalgos' who turned their vivid interest in the Olympic Games into a lifelong family pursue for passion and inspiration. Dedicated to their cause for many years, they have managed to build up an impressive collection of more than 6,700 items, some of them unique in their kind, since the first Olympics Games in Athens in 1896. The first catalogue of the events, Olympic medals of these Games, photos and literature. And not just that: their collection goes even earlier, to the preparations of the Olympic movement and to the personal history of its leading figures. Also, the often ignored Mid-Olympiade, has its own place in this collection.

"The philosophy behind the creation of this collection is to preserve the historic prestige of fair competition through the athletes' efforts and to shed light on little-known personal details / aspects of the participants in this global event that unites the nations of the world", underline the collectors on the essence of their initiative "which has direct educational effect on the younger generations and preserves the memories of those who experienced - either as athletes or as fans - specific highlights of the games."

The most salient exhibits of this collection are the torches of the Olympic flame since the beginning of the ceremony in 1936 and what goes with it: the uniforms of the bearers, the photos of the ceremony and the relevant literature. Even the dresses of the priestesses, or the ceremonial urn of the 2004 Olympics which marked the return of the Games to their homeland, are part of Stylianos collection.

Another significant part of the collection are the imposing singular items of the Berlin Olympics: one of the first torches in the history and the authentic carriers uniform, the impressive posters of the Nazist propaganda for the Games, the very same measuring tape that marked the historic record of Jesse Owens in the long jump-- one of this legend's four victories that forced Adolf Hitler to abandon the stadium in order to avoid giving him the gold medal and honour a coloured athlete. A Jesse Owens handwritten dedication can be seen on his photograph included in the Stylianos collection. But even more impressive is the unique film Leni Riffenstal, the famous director and photographer, the avant-guard artist and one of the spearheads of Hitler's propaganda, had prepared for the 1936 Olympics and is considered as one of the gems of the collection.

But of equal importance are also some other items of the collection. For example, 110 m hurdles winner Colin Jackson's training suit, or the superathlete of our times Usain Bolt's shoes (both of them with a dedication by his own hand) are among the more important exhibits. Numerous other autographs from epic athletes, who excelled both in Summer and Winter Olympics and wrote the History of the Games.

Also the Greeks and their achievements in the Olympic athletic field occupy a significant part of the collection.

"I spent a lifetime and, I admit it, much of my family's money to make my dream true and fulfil my passion", stated to AMNA the collector, proud of the volume and the significance of his achievement. "It's like another child to me", he added.

Nevertheless, the efforts to maintain the precious, but vulnerable to time and the atmospheric conditions, pieces of his collection in good situation must be constant and endless and the cost insurmountable. The specific attention and the money an individual collector has to spend to safeguard this important part of the universal history is huge and overimposing to the limited budget of a person, who is not endowed with the fortune of a magnate.

The complete coverage of the time period from the Olympiads (1859-1889) to the present day, the complete collection of (45) authentic torches with torchbearers' outfits, the priestess' outfit as worn at the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony in the 1950's, the original ceramic bowl/"urn" used in the lighting ceremony with which the High Priestess gave the Light during the opening ceremony in Olympia are part of the more than 6,700 memorabilia. Also unpublished photos, official reports, diplomas, audiovisual materials, documents and more than 700 authentic autographs, a complete set of mascots, banners and pins.

Regretfully, this precious collection remains unknown to the public and within the limited grounds of the private premises of its owner, lacking an appropriate and more accessible space for the 'aficionados' of the Olympic Games to enjoy the history and to admire these unique items. Until then, AMNA's website is always available.... - George -Byron Davos

Weather forecast

[25] Mostly fair on Friday

[26] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Lower the Real Estate tax (ENFIA) and correct the mistakes in property tax statement.

ETHNOS: Shield for 146,000 insured.

IMERISSIA: The economic environment (in Greece) sends the investors away.

KATHIMERINI: Extension for changes in ENFIA.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Alarm bell and in August (on the state revenues).

RIZOSPASTIS: 'Code' against the heavily indebted working class households.

TA NEA: The same story again and again.

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS

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