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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-02-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM tours Thrace, visits Muslim minority village(ANA-MPA) -- Prime Minister George Papandreou, who arrived for a tour of the extreme northeastern province of Thrace on Friday, pledged to settle the problems faced by the local Muslim minority.On Friday he visited the village of Dimario near the Greek-Bulgarian borders, where he met with local people. This is the first time a Greek prime minister has visited the specific region. The premier stressed that the government adheres to the principle of equality before the law, underlining that "red tape is the oppressor of Christians and Muslims alike". He also stressed that the government is struggling against discrimination and "old perceptions" as regards the minority. (ANA-MPA) The education provided by the minority schools was amongst the top issues raised by local residents. The prime minister announced that no later than September, the special pedagogical academy (EPATh) for the Muslim minority school teachers will be one of the Thessaloniki Aristotle University (AUTH) faculties. Papandreou also announced that oral exams for a driver's license will be available in the Turkish language as well, while local Citizen Service Centres (KEP) will be staffed with additional Turkish-speaking personnel. Responding to requests by young people, the premier said the region's internet access will also improve rapidly. As regards religious charitable foundations, so-called vakufs, the Greek premier stated that a solution will be found with their boards, while in reference to the all-important tobacco crops, he pointed out that they will have to be preserved and boosted, and considering that it is a monoculture of Basma-type tobacco. The prime minister accompanied by a local imam to the village's mosque. (ANA-MPA) More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form  [02] Stocks surge on merger newsNews of a possible mega-merger deal between National Bank and Alpha Bank brought euphoria in the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday and pushed the composite index of the market above the 1,700 level to new year highs. The index jumped 3.16 pct to end at 1,715.13 points, for a net gain of 5.75 pct in the week. Turnover also rose to 192.174 million euros. Market authorities suspended trading in both banksâ shares. The Big Cap index jumped 4.35 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 3.41 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 3.72 pct.Hellenic Postbank (19.77 pct), Eurobank (16.89 pct), Piraeus Bank (15.43 pct) and ATEbank (10.59 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocksm, while OPAP (1.84 pct0 and Coca-Cola 3E (1.05 pct) were top losers. The Financial Services (8.77 pct), Health (7.91 pct) and Banks (7.12 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Travel (1.75 pct) and Food (0.99 pct) suffered losses. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 133 to 45 with another 51 issues unchanged. Hellenic Postbank (19.77 pct), Dias (18.52 pct) and Eurobank (16.89 pct) were top gainers, while Ilyda (15.09 pct), Compucoin (12.5 pct) and Tzirakian (9.09 pct) were top losers. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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