Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-10-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece will make no concessions in defending its rights, despite crisis, Pavlopoulos says

[02] President Pavlopoulos speaks against extreme neoloberalism in university speech

[03] A meeting on the impact of refugee crisis on Chios to be held at Maximos Mansion

[04] Obama's visit reflects the multidimensional foreign policy of Greece

[05] Migrant flows to Greece down 98 pct after EU-Turkey deal, Tusk and Juncker inform European Parliament

[06] Funds worth 3.0 bln euros channeled to Greek economy through Juncker Plan

[07] Discussion on pensions will not reopen, despite IMF pressure, Katrougalos says

[08] Institutions request from health ministry a timeframe for implementation of measures

[09] Government's first round of talks with institutions to wrap up on Thursday

[10] Commission's front-loaded funding of NSRF projects in Greece will boost real economy, says EC's Karvounis

[11] Justice minister: Government must implement any CoS decision on TV licensing

[12] Council of State starts its fifth session on legality of TV licensing law

[13] New Democracy will 'speak language of truth' to voters, Mitsotakis tells visiting foreign journalists

[14] EU-Arab World Summit to be held in Athens on Nov. 3-4

[15] Alt. FM welcomes Turkey's new ambassador to Greece

[16] Germans are interested in investments in Greece, Dr. Felbermayr (Ifo) tells ANA

[17] China's State Grid submits higher bid for ADMIE, says PPC

[18] Kountoura represents Greece in 18th World Economic Forum Leaders WIL Women

[19] Hellenic Petroleum Group to invest up to 1.0 billion euros in next five years

[20] State budget revenue surpassedt targets in Sept

[21] Greek households' available income down 0.7 pct in Q2

[22] Greece to expand in the Lebanon market

[23] Civil Aviation Authority launches tender for 10 subsidized remote airline destinations

[24] Greece promotes health tourism

[25] Coca Cola HBC, Savvidis Group to battle for control of Souroti

[26] Germanos to upgrade 100 stores

[27] FF Group launches new Collective store in Bucharest

[28] Greek stocks edge higher

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] ADEX closing report

[31] Events in Athens to mark the 'Ohi Day' on October 28, 1940

[32] KAS opts to keep both medieval and ancient sections of Acropolis' northern fortifications

[33] Fighting breaks out between migrants, refugees at Chios hotspot

[34] Holocaust taught in four schools of Magnesia prefecture in pilot program

[35] Traffic adjustments and road closures for October 28 celebrations

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

[01] Greece will make no concessions in defending its rights, despite crisis, Pavlopoulos says

Speaking at a dinner given in his honour at the Thessaloniki Officers' Mess by Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, Commanding General, C Army Corps/NRDC-GR, Pavlopoulos made clear that the crisis will not affect the way Greece defends its rights and territory.

"We say to our neighbours and to everyone, that in spite of the crisis for us Greeks there can be no concessions when it comes to defending our history, our present and our future. We claim nothing that does not belong to us but we also do not intend to give away the things that do belong to us, based on our history and the legal order that governs the global community and the EU," he said.

Anyone imagining that the crisis would undermine the morale of the Greeks and the Greek armed forces would be making a great mistake, as others had done in the past, he added.

In a message to Skopje, Pavlopoulos underlined that "Macedonia is one and it is Greek," and that history was based on facts, not fantasies. "Claims on territories and names violate European law. As long as they continue to make such claims, they will never join the EU and other international organisa-tions," he said.

Addressing Ankara, he noted that the Lausanne Treaty was similarly part of international law and that there were sanctions for any failure to implement and adhere to it. "Greece will not tolerate either direct or indirect dispute of its national sovereignty," Pavlopoulos said.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the president said that the continued presence of Turkish occupation troops on Cyprus was a source of shame for the EU and international community.

"Cyprus and Greece will not allow a repetition of the adventure with the Annan plan.... they say no to the solution of a confederation, because a confederation within the EU is inconceivable. The Cyprus issue can only be solved on the following terms: a single international personality, single nationality, full sovereignty, no occupation armies and no guarantees," Pavlopoulos said.

[02] President Pavlopoulos speaks against extreme neoloberalism in university speech

Pavlopoulos said the prevalence of extreme neoliberal notions has hit the welfare state and warned that the rupture of the social fabric has fostered neo-Nazi parties.

"The prevalence of extreme neoliberal economic views over genuinely liberal ones, especially in recent decades, has suffered strong blows against ... representative democracy and the welfare state," he said.

[03] A meeting on the impact of refugee crisis on Chios to be held at Maximos Mansion

The meeting, that will take place at the Maximos Mansion, will focus on the refugee issue and how it has affected the island. Regional deputies, the local governor, the deputy local governor and the mayor of Chios have been invited to the meeting.

"The discussion should not be general and vague, but it needs to be substantial so that solutions are found," SYRIZA's deputy Andreas Michailidis said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

[04] Obama's visit reflects the multidimensional foreign policy of Greece

The same sources said that Greece's role is strengthened as a result of regional developments and increased instability.

Moreover, the sources said, that the decision of the US President to visit Athens first on November 15-16 and then Berlin before the end of his tenure at the White House attaches great importance to this visit. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew recently said that the US aimed at the settlement of Greek debt by the end of Obama's term.

They added that this visit is the result of a multi-dimensional foreign policy which includes cooperation and contacts with important regional and global "players" from Israel and Palestine to Egypt and Iran. From China and Russia to the traditional European powers and the US. With respect, however, to the necessary balance and universal recognition of the role of Greece as a pole of stability in Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. It is also a recognition of the enhanced role and effective and multi-dimensional foreign policy of Greece, and the unprecedented number of Alexis Tsipras' contacts with world leaders.

Obama will meet with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The two government delegations will have extended discussions. Among the issues to be discussed will be the Greek debt relief, the progress of the economic programme, the Cyprus issue and the refugee crisis.

According to a White House's statement, Obama will meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and reiterate "his support for ongoing efforts to place the Greek economy on a path to sustainability and renewed prosperity."

With the intercommunal talks entering a critical phase and Greece having a say in safety issues and guarantees, Cyprus will also be a key issue in the talks with the American President, stated the government sources.

In addition, the refugee crisis remains a hot issue worldwide triggering developments with huge impact on the international system and the EU. The US has repeatedly expressed its support for and recognition of Greece's humane and effective management of refugee flows. Obama's visit is expected to be another sign of the US support to the Greek efforts.

Moreover, the agenda will include US investments in Greece (the US President will be accompanied by numerous businessmen) and the issue of Democracy. "The international position of Greece is enhanced," the same sources stressed.

[05] Migrant flows to Greece down 98 pct after EU-Turkey deal, Tusk and Juncker inform European Parliament

There has been a dramatic reduction in the refugee flows reaching Greece, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

According to Tusk, this reduction was as high as 98 pct relative to the same period in 2015, while Juncker presented specific figures to illustrate the results of the EU-Turkey agreement. A total of 739,000 migrants and refugees had reached Greece in the six months prior to this agreement, he said, while the figures fell to just 18,000 in the six months that followed.

The European Commission president also reported an impressive drop in the numbers killed trying to cross the Aegean, noting that 582 people drowned or went missing between April and October 2015, whereas this number fell to 48 during the same months in 2016. While every death was significant, he added, the first good results from the agreement could not be overlooked and Europe must continue to help Greece. This meant sending more staff to ensure protection of unaccompanied minors, speeding up relocation processes, as well as the resettlement from Turkey to Europe, he said.

Juncker also noted the need to reform the European asylum regime and the Dublin treaty mechanisms, in order to build an efficient European system.

On combatting the causes of migration on a central Mediterranean axis, Juncker stressed the need for progress in cooperation with the African countries participating in the Migration Pact, including Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia.

Replying to an MEP about the 60,000 migrants and refugees currently trapped in Greece, Tusk said he was fully aware of the situation in Greece and that it was clearly "premature to talk about a success in the migration issue." He urged the European Parliament to imagine, however, what the situation on the Greek islands might have been if the 98 pct reduction in migrant arrivals had not taken place.

[06] Funds worth 3.0 bln euros channeled to Greek economy through Juncker Plan

Economy Minister George Stathakis, in a recent speech in Parliament, said that funds worth 533 million euros from European Investment Bank earmarked for projects budgeted at 854 million euros have been included in a Juncker Plan, ranking Greece sixth in exploiting the Plan.

EIB has also approved funds worth 60 million euros to ProCredit and another 100 million euros to National Bank to be offered as loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises, while EIB announced the signing of credit facilities with National Bank, Eurobank and Pancretan Cooperative Bank offering funds worth 545 million euros to SMEs.

Funds approved in the framework of Juncker Plan total 1.238 billion euros, of which 700 million referred to loans to SMEs. The Economy ministry expects the signing of new agreements worth 1.0 billion euros soon.

Greece and Italy agreed to draft a joint plan to support SMEs, during a recent visit by Economy Minister George Stathakis to Rome.

Three new funding tools are expected to be activate by the end of the year. A Fund of Funds, with funds worth 400 million euros, a "New Save" program with funds worth 500 million euros and a new Entrepreneurship Fund with funds worth 1.0 billion euros.

[07] Discussion on pensions will not reopen, despite IMF pressure, Katrougalos says

"The IMF is not happy. It wanted blood and we didn't give it any. Everything we did in the reforms had a leftist hallmark and left sensitivity," Katrougalos told the radio station. The IMF did conform to a European social model and would be isolated, as it was the previous time, he added.

"The more extreme ask for extreme things and insist," Katrougalos noted, and also ruled out any reduction of the tax-free allowance, saying there was no issue concerning the tax system.

"The government is trying to pass social measures on a national level. With respect to social insurance, for example, we succeeded in neutralising the negative things that were taken for granted, via the national pension and other measures that we took," he said.

According to the labour minister, the social insurance system had been in a state of "chaos" when the present government took over and had run up such high deficits that the government had been forced to adjust the highest pensions downward. "It is unfair that we should be criticised for the chaotic situation we found," he added.

Regarding wages, Katrougalos said the aim was to improve wages through collective bargaining. Wages had fallen to a level where people earned next to nothing and this inevitably dragged pensions down as well, he pointed out. "We need to break this vicious circle. We guaranteed that no one will fall below 1,300 euros gross in pensions but there are much worse situations. An issue of survival arises when workers receive 100 euros a month. Our aim is to have decent wages," he said.

[08] Institutions request from health ministry a timeframe for implementation of measures

The ministry submitted specific data on the development of the state-run health insurer EOPYY and presented the government's priorities to support public healthcare and make structural changes and reforms that guarantee the reorganization of the health system, the quality of care and control of expenditure.

[09] Government's first round of talks with institutions to wrap up on Thursday

The schedule is as follows:

10.00-11.30 - Labour market (follow up)

11.30-12.00 - Developments in pension reform

13.00-15.30 - Financial sector issues (follow up)

15.30-17.30 - Fiscal issues

17.30-19.30 - Review and conclusion

The representatives of the institutions will then leave Athens and return in mid-November.

[10] Commission's front-loaded funding of NSRF projects in Greece will boost real economy, says EC's Karvounis

"The decision by the European institutions to extend the front-loaded funding of NSRF's investments projects which are being implemented in our country constitutes an important injection of liquidity into the real economy," he said, adding this will allow the country to fully utilize the investment opportunities provided by the program.

"This help, which amounts to a temporary increase in European payments by 10 percent, is added to last year's EU decision to pay to Greece an increased deposit by 1 billion euros, to accelerate the start of new development projects this year," he said.

[11] Justice minister: Government must implement any CoS decision on TV licensing

"The government must implement any ruling that may emerge. This doesn't mean we have to accept the old situation," Paraskevopoulos said. "That situation also included some established conditions which were also against the Constitution. For example, it was completely against the Constitution for members of independent authorities to keep their positions for a long time after the end of their term, or to use TV frequencies without a license."

"Therefore, in the case of a ruling that will possibly impose some legislative change, the parliament will have to correct the previous situation which was also against the Constitution," he added.

[12] Council of State starts its fifth session on legality of TV licensing law

According to judicial sources, it is possible the court will not issue a final ruling, but a temporary one, that would give the government time to set up NCRTV'S new board and then convene again to discuss the issue anew.

It is also not certain that this will be the court's last session on the issue.

[13] New Democracy will 'speak language of truth' to voters, Mitsotakis tells visiting foreign journalists

"Ninety percent of Greeks believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction," Mitsotakis said, noting that Greeks did not currently trust the political system.

"Our aim is to restore this trust. They way we will achieve this is by telling the truth. Many times, what we say makes the citizens feel uncomfortable. We do not want to promise things that we cannot deliver," Mitsotakis said.

According to ND's leader, in order for Greece to exit the crisis it was necessary to carry out deep structural reforms, which included privatisations and changes in the operation of the public sector, which must become more efficient and less connected to whichever party was in power. Among others, Mitsotakis stressed the need for evaluation and transparency in public administration.

ND's leader also pledged to lower taxes by two billion euros if elected and, in order to meet this target, said he had tabled proposals for generating this amount through spending cuts. "Regaining our credibility demands honesty," he said.

Regarding the refugee crisis, Mitsotakis described the EU-Turkey agreement as 'fragile' and warned that the situation on Greek islands was critical, with hotspots unable to fit more arrivals.

There must be more and smaller reception centres so that living conditions for migrants and refugees improve," he said.

[14] EU-Arab World Summit to be held in Athens on Nov. 3-4

The Summit will be held under the auspices of President Prokopios Pavlopoulos and endorsed by the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras who will also deliver a keynote address at the event.

Thematically, the conference will center around two dimensions: the economic - investments, energy, infrastructure, trade - and the political - security, migration and political stability.

The 40-plus confirmed speakers at the event include: Prime Minister of Lebanon Tammam Saeb Salam, President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, the Vice President of the Foreign Investors Association of Bahrain Hisham Ayoub and the Secretary General of the Federation of GCC Chambers Abdul Rahim Hassan Al Naqi.

On Greece's side, speakers will include Nikos Kotzias, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Stathakis, Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras, New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas and alternate Minister for Tourism Elena Kountoura.

On the EU's side, speakers will include Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

[15] Alt. FM welcomes Turkey's new ambassador to Greece

During their meeting, the two officials noted that Greece and Turkey must maintain steady relations in an extremely unstable geopolitical environment, where peace, stability and productive dialog will have the main role.

Xydakis stressed the importance of ending the war in the Middle East and of implementing the EU-Turkey deal on migration from all sides.

Financial News

[16] Germans are interested in investments in Greece, Dr. Felbermayr (Ifo) tells ANA

"As long as Greece is not on the front page of German newspapers, this has a positive impact on economic relations," he underlined and added: "A lot of people take for granted the possibility of cooperation with the current left government. The fact that the political situation is stable, of course, is significant, it helps, but it is not enough by itself."

Asked what Greece can do to attract investments, he said that "the indices of the World Bank show that in recent months there is an upward trend," but "Greece needs to increase its productivity in order to prosper. For this reason, a number of measures, such as changes in labour relations, are required."

He estimated that the current difficult situation is "a result of the wrong decision taken in 2010" and wondered whether "the decision to stay in the eurozone was a good one or it had better leave." As he said, himself and the Ifo believe that it would probably be better for everyone, the creditors, the German banks and Greece, to leave the eurozone provided that this was followed by a debt write off, as it was the case with Argentina."

The Professor stressed that what Greece needs is a real viable model so that it can tell Europe: "This is our plan for a new Greece and we are asking for your support."

Greece should say "we will return provisionally to our national currency, our debt will be written off unconditionally, and we will implement a viable growth plan."

He also considered that the austerity policy imposed on Greece is not incompatible to growth.

According to Felbermayr, those that insist on Greece remaining in the eurozone, they are doing so because "the real problem is not Greece, but Italy, Spain and maybe France. The situation is not exactly the same, but it is similar. The euro is not the proper currency for them, and the same applies to Germany as well."

However, he is not in favour of abolishing the euro, but "the eurozone should be a free union which a member state, under specific conditions, can provisionally abandon and return to its national currency and then come back again."

In order for that to succeed, Felbermayr underlined that the withdrawal should be coordinated and the process be monitored, so that a country can return to the eurozone only when the needed structural reforms have been implemented.

The full interview is available at ANA's website.

[17] China's State Grid submits higher bid for ADMIE, says PPC

The other candidate was a consortium led by Italy's Terna.

PPC's board of directors said it will validate the offer on Monday while a final decision will be made on November 24, during PPC shareholders' general assembly. At the end of the procedure, the State will control 51 percent of ADMIE, while its CEO will be appointed after an agreement between the State and the strategic investor.

[18] Kountoura represents Greece in 18th World Economic Forum Leaders WIL Women

Kountoura referred to the role of women in leadership positions in economic, business, political and social activity. She also referred to the high performance of Greek tourism and the strategy for strengthening the competitiveness of the Greek the tourist product, and analyzed the policies and operational activities over the last two years to protect tourism from external factors and international developments.

The 18th Global Women in Leadership (WIL) Economic Forum was attended by more than 500 business leaders, institutional representatives and policy makers in order to discuss and cooperate in developing policies for the economic empowerment of women. Kountoura also gave interviews to media in the United Arab Emirates for the promotion of Greece as an attractive holiday destination and an area of investments.

[19] Hellenic Petroleum Group to invest up to 1.0 billion euros in next five years

Tsotsoros said he expected the group's significant profitability to continue in 2016, with EBITDA estimated at 700 million euros, from 758 million in 2015, despite low international margins and adverse conditions prevailing in the domestic market. He added that Hellenic Petroleum has already made a necessary financial restructuring to safeguard funding of this investment program. The group repaid and refinanced all of its debt for the period 2016-2018, worth around 1.5 billion euros, while an improvement in terms and conditions of previous bonds and loans it is expected to offer financial savings worth 30 million euros annually. Hellenic Petroleum returned to international capital markets recently, despite a prohibitive country risk, as a new bond issue was oversubscribed and the issue drained 375 million euros from the market at an interest rate of 4.875 pct from 8.0 pct of the previous bond loan.

Tsotsoros referred to a negative economic environment and rapid changes currently underway on an international level, to a geopolitical instability particularly in Southeastern Europe and noted that an economic crisis was evolving into a social and political crisis with visible risks of destabilizing the European structure.

Commenting on the fact that Greece lagged behind in all competitiveness and corruption indices among EU member-states and other Balkan countries, Tsotsoros said that the country needed a widespread consensus over a systematic reform and modernization of state bureaucracy and of regulatory framework.

He said that lower demand and increasing competition led to the closing down of more than 20 European refineries in the last decade and noted that Hellenic Petroleum Group implemented a wide investment plan to upgrade its refineries in Elefsis, Thessaloniki and Aspropyrgos, worth 2.5 billion euros, a plan which safeguarded its competitive presence.

He said the group's strategic plan for the period 2016-2021 envisaged spending 400 million euros to improve energy efficiency and integrating new technologies to keep its refineries at the 25 pct of top competition units, revising commercial policy with the aim to expand the group's presence in the domestic and international markets, implementing an integrated program to transform operations of sales units as by 2030 profits beyong oil products will cover 50 pct of total profits of fuel stations, according to estimates. The group will also plan investment actions and set medium-term targets for increased participation in renewable energy sources, electricity power and natural gas, along with implementing an investment plan on research and production of hydrocarbons.

Tsotsoros said early results from 3D research at the Patraikos Gulf confirmed the existence of primary geological targets which could have oil reserves up to 100 million barrels. He said the data processing continued and final decisions on executing a drilling in the region were expected by July 2017.

[20] State budget revenue surpassedt targets in Sept

Budget revenue (pre-returns) totaled 5.6 billion euros in September, up from a provisional estimate of 5.512 billion.

Budget revenue (pre-returns) for the January-September period surpassed budget targets by 4.03 pct, up from a provision estimate for an increase of 3.79 pct. Net revenue for the nine-month period surpassed targets by 4.34 pct, up from a 3.15 pct increase according to provisional figures.

Budget net revenue in September surpassed targets by 23.31 pct, up from a provisional estimate for an increase of 19.33 pct.

"These figures offer a documented response to all those who spoke of a derailing in public revenue," the General Secretariat said in an announcement.

Net revenue in September totaled 5.273 billion euros, up from 3.519 billion in the same month in 2015, an increase of 49.84 pct. Net revenue in the January-September period totaled 34.914 billion euros, from 32.128 billion euros in the same period last year, for an increase of 8.67 pct. In September, income tax revenue grew 32.86 pct, while property tax revenues soared 2,497.56 pct. Tax returns grew 30.71 pct in September and grew by 21.89 pct in the nine-month period.

[21] Greek households' available income down 0.7 pct in Q2

The statistics service, in a report, said that final consumption spending eased 1.1 pct to 31.8 billion euros in the April-June period, while the saving rate rose slightly to -7.2 pct in the second quarter from -7.6 pct in the same period last year.

On the other hand, private investments grew significantly, with gross fixed capital investments by non-financial enterprises rising 18.3 pct to 3.026 billion euros, while gross fixed-capital investments as a percentage of gross added value grew to 22.1 pct in the second quarter from 18.4 pct in the same period in 2015.

The statistics service also said that the external balance of goods and services recorded a deficit of 400 million euros in the second quarter, from a surplus of 100 million last year. Imports totaled 12.7 billion euros (down 1.8 pct) and exports fell 2.4 pct to 12.2 billion euros.

[22] Greece to expand in the Lebanon market

Tryfonopoulos inaugurated the "Greek Tourism Workshop" with the participation of tourism businesses to enhance tourism cooperation between Greece and Lebanon. The workshop was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as GNTO. He also met with representatives of the largest tour operators in Lebanon for the promotion of the Greek tourist product.

Lebanon is one of the major markets that Greece is aiming to expand as part of its policy to attract high income visitors. Lebanon has already shown increased interest in thematic forms of Greek tourism, with emphasis on city break, gastronomy, entertainment, shopping and yachting.

[23] Civil Aviation Authority launches tender for 10 subsidized remote airline destinations

The authority invited interested community airlines to submit bids for the operation of 10 regular airline flights: Thessaloniki-Corfu, Thessaloniki-Skyros, Alexandroupolis-Sitia, Aktio-Sitia, Corfu-Aktio-Cephalonia-Zakynthos, Limnos-Mytilene-Chios-Samos-Rhodes, Rhodes-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Astypalea, Athens-Mylos, Athens-Naxos, Athens-Sitia.

These airline destinations will be offered for the period from April 1, 2017 until March 31, 2021.

The maximun financial annual subsidy per line is set at 312,000 for the Thessaloniki-Corfu, 260,000 for Thessaloniki-Skyros, 416,000 for Alexandroupoli-Sitia, 416,000 for Aktio-Sitia, 800,000 for Corfu-Aktio-Cephalonia-Zakynthos, 1,100,000 euros for Limnos-Mytilene-Chios-Samos-Rhodes, 800,000 euros for Rhodes-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Astypalea, 924,000 euros for Athens-Milos, 484,000 euros for Athens-Naxos and 484,000 euros for Athens-Sitia.

[24] Greece promotes health tourism

Members of the scientific and business communities will analyze the growth potential of health tourism in Greece, focusing on areas of medicine, including Robotics Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, the IVF, Dentistry and Spa Tourism.

"Medical tourism is an important growth pillar. Greece has great scientific professionals, while the medical services of the health sector are of the highest standard worldwide," said the president of the Medical Association of Athens and the Department for Medical Tourism of the Institute of Panhellenic Medical Association George Patoulis.

He underlined that medical tourism can attract patients from around the world strengthening the economy and creating new jobs, while growth will affect other sectors of the Greek economy such as tourism. For that reason, he said, "we are about to start a series of acts at global level aiming at creating an international framework for the development of health tourism in Greece."

[25] Coca Cola HBC, Savvidis Group to battle for control of Souroti

The battle officially began on Tuesday after Ivan Savvidis group expressed interest in buying a majority stake in Souroti for one euro per share. Dimera said a decision to submit an offer for Souroti came as a response to relative calls by the local society, workers and minor shareholders in the company.

Coca Cola HBC aquired a 15 pct stake in Souroti last September, during a liquidation of a stake held by Mystras SA. The auction was made by Piraeus Bank, while Coca Cola HBC bought an additional 5.0 pct stake from minor shareholders.

The final outcome of the business battle is expected to be known in the next few days when minor shareholders are expected to choose sides, not based on the best price since both candidates offer the same price: one euro per share.

Coca Cola HBC said it was expecting minor shareholders interested in selling their shares at the Nikopolis hotel on October 27 and 31, November 2 and 4.

Savvidis Group called minor shareholders at the Macedonia Palace hotel in the period November 1-8.

Despite the fact that Souroti does not operate at its full production capacity, it remains a leader in its sector in the Greek market. Souroti operated its new state-of-the-arrt production unit in eastern Thessaloniki in June 2002.

"The goal of the investment is to further develop Souroti, with full respect of its Greek origin, local characteristics and its contribution to the prosperity of the region. With respect to the 100 years of its history, with faith in the value and international growth potential of its products, that will create multiple synergies in the wider spectrum of Ivan Savvidis' group of companies and in countries with established activities," Savvidis group said in an announcement.

[26] Germanos to upgrade 100 stores

The project envisages the upgrading the stores focusing on modern design and more high-tech products, smart gadgets (wearables, VR glasses, drones, action cameras, 4K/HD cameras, smart TVs, gaming & consoles).

OTE Group, in an announcement, said the project aims to put customer at the heart of technology offering an exciting experience. The new stores are designed in zones to promote product categories and a wide range of products with digital signalling, interactive touch screens and live demos of products.

"In Germanos we understand the people we serve. We listen to their needs, follow international trends, constantly changing to become better. Our vision is to put customer at the heart of technology offering the latest technological product in every neighborhood, each customer, with the same quality and credibility characterizing Germanos network all these years," Kostas Nebis, chief commercial officer consumer segment OTE Group said.

[27] FF Group launches new Collective store in Bucharest

Collective, offering the perfect mix of top brands from around the world combined with the store's design, has become a top choice for fashion lovers. Collective stores have modern and minimal characteristics, highlighting products and brands through exclusive furniture completing the avant-garde environment of the store.

"With the opening of our new Collective store in eastern Bucharest, we establish our position in the Romanian capital, keeping our promise to offer to fashion lovers the best fashion mix from the most favorable and better international brands," Pavlos Kalamaridis, commercial director activewear, fashion business unit, FF Group, said.

Collective stores offer the latest collections from top international brands such as: Calvin Klein Jeans, Armani Jeans, Boss Orange, G-Star Raw, Converse, Franklin & Marshall, Juicy Couture, Nike, UGG Australia, Pepe Jeans London, Scotch & Soda Maison Scotch, Steve Madden, Ted Baker, Gant ??? Hamaki-Ho.

[28] Greek stocks edge higher

Lamda Development (3.55 pct), OPAP (2.84 pct) and Mytilineos (2.15 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Jumbo (3.72 pct), Folli Follie (1.68 pct) and Titan (1.33 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, Travel (2.53 pct) and Raw Materials (2.15 pct) were top gainers, while Personal Products (2.96 pct) and Commerce (1.68 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Eurobank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 52 to 37 with another 25 issues unchanged. Yalco (18.97 pct), GE Demetriou (18.75 pct), Athina (10.87 pct) were top gainers, while Elinoil (29.90 pct), Nexans (15.50 pct) and Alpha Trust (10 pct) were top losers.

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate rose to -0.070 pct from 0.071 pct, the nine-month rate was -0.131 pct, the six-month rate was -0.212 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.313 pct from -0.312 pct and the one-month rate was -0.372 pct.

[30] ADEX closing report

General News

[31] Events in Athens to mark the 'Ohi Day' on October 28, 1940

It will be followed by hoisting the national flag on the Acropolis Hill and a celebratory service at the Athens Cathedral. In 10:40, officials will place wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and at 11:00 the student parade will start.

Events will conclude at 18:30 with the lowering of the flag on the Acropolis.

[32] KAS opts to keep both medieval and ancient sections of Acropolis' northern fortifications

The issue was first discussed by the council last month, when a proposal to remove the medieval repairs and reconstruct the classical-era fortifications met with strong objections. The disagreement was resolved by a decision that KAS archaeologists should examine the particular section of the wall themselves before reaching a decision. The visit to the Acropolis took place a few days earlier and a recommendation was made to preserve and restore both the older part of the wall built in the 5th century B.C. and the newer section built in the 14th century A.D.

A new, modified study will now be sent to the KAS, which has also requested a general plan for the walls that notes the location of embedded architectural elements. Some of these are derived from the Older Parthenon, a temple that was under construction when the Persians sacked Athens in 480 B.C.

According to the new head of the Acropolis Restoration Service Prof. Manolis Korres, who took over from the late Charalambos Bouras, the drafting of such a plan was already underway but its completion will require a lot of work and time. For this reason, KAS was informed that its use will not be a prerequisite for work on the monument.

[33] Fighting breaks out between migrants, refugees at Chios hotspot

Staff have been evacuated and MAT riot police sent in, along with fire men to put out the fires. According to Chios police, the incidents were on a smaller scale than those in the Moria hotspot in Lesvos three days ago. MAT riot police were also sent in to the Moria camp to act as a "deterrent" on Wednesday, with prosecuting authorities fearing that the recent riots at hotspots "might be acting as a domino effect, with possibly very unpleasant prospects."

[34] Holocaust taught in four schools of Magnesia prefecture in pilot program

The program was organized by the University of Thessaly, the Jewish Community of Volos and "Kaleidoskopio" editions. The aim of the program is to teaching the Holocaust and the corresponding historical period through interactive activities, compatible with the mental age and the students' level of knowledge.

"The teaching of the Jewish Holocaust has constituted an internationally acclaimed educational approach for many years. Through the teaching of the Holocaust, students come into contact with a dark period of world history and think about the causes that led to it," the organizers said in a press release.

[35] Traffic adjustments and road closures for October 28 celebrations

In Athens, traffic will stop from 09:00 and until the end of the parade at Amalias avenue, Panepistimiou Street and Vassilisis Sofias avenue in the section between Panepistimiou and Sekeri, in both traffic lanes.

Around the Athens Cathedral, Mitropoleos street will be closed from 06:00 until the end of festivities and Vasilisis Olgas avenue, in both traffic lanes.

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

KATHIMERINI: Negative climate at Maximos Mansion

ESTIA: The landmine of private debt

ETHNOS: (US President Barack) Obama's mission in Berlin, Athens

IMERISSIA: 8 billion euro public debt

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: One salary less through the new untaxable income threshold

NAFTEMPORIKI: 3+1 threats for surplus

RIZOSPASTIS: A call to labour unions to decide a strike on November 24

TA NEA: The white, the black and the grey

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