Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis unveils leaner gov't with several new faces

[02] New Greek government announced

[03] Opposition parties comment on new government

[04] Draft Presidential Decreee approved for merger of four ministries into two

[05] 'Democratic party has strength and procedures to find solution', Papandreou says

[06] PASOK top official Venizelos responds to party leader

[07] Top PASOK cadres comment on party's leadership issue

[08] PASOK's Venizelos says party must 'rebuild' links with society

[09] PASOK Political Council to meet Thursday

[10] PASOK leader George Papandreou chooses Achaia prefecture seat

[11] Foreign leaders congratulate PM Costas Karamanlis on election victory

[12] Turkish PM Erdogan conveys congratulations to Karamanlis

[13] Athens on Gul visit to Cyprus' occupied north

[14] Burns again calls for Halki seminary's reopening

[15] Greek market surpasses 4,900 level on Tuesday

[16] Unemployment rate drops to 8.2% in June

[17] Greek merchant marine fleet totals 2,028 vessels, report

[18] ELBIO announces accession to Morphic Technologies group

[19] Greek export price index in farm sector up 1.5% in July, yr/yr

[20] ADEX closing report

[21] Greek bond market closing report

[22] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[23] Cruise ship 'Dream' tilts, passengers stay at Rhodes hotels

[24] Patriarch Theodoros II inaugurates French-speaking seminary in Kinshasa

[25] Two hundred birds killed by toxins at Lake Koronia

[26] More illegals intercepted on Samos

[27] SNMG2 ships sail into Piraeus

[28] Olympiakos draws 1-1 with Lazio at home in Champions League match

[29] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

[30] British diplomat assures efforts for Cyprus progress will continue Politics

[01] Karamanlis unveils leaner gov't with several new faces

Key ministers retaining their posts include Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, who remains at the helm of the country's efforts for economic reform; Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who now also assumes the public order portfolio (law enforcement, the fire brigade and the newly established rural force); Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis as well as Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias. In terms of the latter ministry, one of the main tasks in the coming period will be construction of crucial flood-protection works in Greece's fire-ravaged areas.

Another ministerial 'hot seat' is that at the education ministry - whose previous head, Marietta Yiannakou, failed to win re-election to Parliament - where the government remains committed to revising Article 16 in order to allow non-state, non-profit universities in the country, as well as the issue of the 6th form history book still pending. This goes to former deputy minister Evripidis Stylianidis.

Following the merger of the Interior, Decentralisation and Public Administration ministry with the Public Order Ministry and the merger of the Merchant Marine ministry with the Aegean and Island Policy Ministry, the number of ministries overall has dropped from 19 to 17.

In total, there are 17 ministers and 23 deputy ministers with no alternate ministers in the new cabinet. The new government has 41 members including the prime minister - as that following a reshuffle in 2006 - but two ministers have been replaced by deputy ministers.

The number of women has been reduced from three to two - with Dora Bakoyannis the only female minister - and the only ministry whose leadership remains unchanged is the environment, town planning and public works ministry.

Former junior ministers who have been entrusted with a top ministerial post in the present cabinet include the new Development Minister Christos Folias, Evripidis Stylianidis and Alexandros Kontos, who remains at the agricultural development ministry while replacing his predecessor Evangelos Bassiakos.

Also moving to a higher position in the government hierarchy are Yiannis Papathanasiou, formerly deputy minister of commerce and now deputy finance minister, and former Parliament vice-president Sotiris Hatzigakis who takes over the justice ministry.

Former Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas will not assume a post in the new Cabinet but has been nominated for Parliament president, which is the third highest office in Greece after that of president and prime minister.

Two members of the previous cabinet, Mihalis Liapis and George Voulgarakis, have been moved from their previous ministries to the culture ministry and the merchant marine & island policy ministry, respectively.

Apart from Sioufas, there are 16 outgoing ministers and deputy ministers, including Vyron Polydoras, Anastasios Papaligouras, Manolis Kefaloyiannis, Fani Palli-Petralia, Marietta Yiannakou, Evangelos Bassiakos, George Kalantzis and Aristotelis Pavlidis. Deputy ministers who will not be part of the new government are Apostolos Andreoulakos, George Kalos, Gerassimos Giakoumatos, George Orfanos, Vassilis Mihaloliakos, Thanassis Yiannopoulos, Ioannis Lambropoulos and Anastasios Nerantzis.

[02] New Greek government announced

Prime Minister: Costas Karamanlis

Ministry of Agricultural Development and Foods

Minister: Alexandros Kontos

Deputy Minister: Costas Kiltidis

Ministry of Culture

Minister: Mihalis Liapis

Deputy Minister for Sports: Yiannis Ioannidis

Ministry of Development

Minister: Christos Folias

Deputy Minister: George Vlachos

Deputy Minister: Stavros Kalafatis

Ministry of Economy & Finance

Minister: George Alogoskoufis

Deputy Minister: Antonis Bezas

Deputy Minister: Yiannis Papathanasiou

Deputy Minister: Nikos Legas

Ministry of Employment & Social Protection

Minister: Vassilis Magginas

Deputy Minister: Sofia Kalantzakou

Ministry for the Environment, Town Planning & Public Works

Minister: George Souflias

Deputy Minister: Stavros Kalogiannis

Deputy Minister: Themistoklis Xanthopoulos

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Dora Bakoyannis

Deputy Minister: Yiannis Valinakis

Deputy Minister: Petros Doukas

Deputy Minister: Theodoros Kassimis

Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity

Minister: Dimitris Avramopoulos

Deputy Minister: George Papageorgiou

Deputy Minister: George Constantopoulos

Ministry for the Interior, Public Administration, Decentralisation

Minister: Prokopis Pavlopoulos

Deputy Minister: Athanassios Nakos

Deputy Minister: Christos Zois

Deputy Minister: Panayiotis Hinofotis

Ministry of Justice

Minister: Sotiris Hatzigakis

Ministry of Macedonia - Thrace

Minister: Margaritis Tzimas

Ministry of Merchant Marine & Island Policy

Minister: George Voulgarakis

Deputy Minister: Panayiotis Kammenos

Ministry of National Defence

Minister: Evangelos Meimarakis

Deputy Minister: Constantinos Tassoulas

Deputy Minister: Yiannis Plakiotakis

Ministry of National Education & Religious Affairs

Minister: Evripidis Stylianidis

Deputy Minister: Spyros Taliadouros

Deputy Minister: Andreas Lykourentzos

Ministry of State and Press, as well as government spokesman

Minister: Theodoros Roussopoulos

Ministry of Tourism Development

Minister: Aris Spiliotopoulos

Ministry of Transport & Communications

Minister: Costas Hatzidakis

[03] Opposition parties comment on new government

The spokesman added that "in any case, however, what is important is the political orientation, it is the political options of the government."

Raggousis further said that during the new government's policy statements "we shall have the opportunity to formulate our sustained alternative proposal, we shall have the possibility of proving our claim on the existence of a secret agenda which, while never presented for judgement by the Greek people, will begin to be implemented immediately. A secret agenda that, as we are certain, serves the few and the strong and turns against the many and the weak."

Lastly, Raggousis said that PASOK, "faithful to its principles, its positions and with the sole criterion being the interests of the majority of the Greek people, will exercise responsible opposition and will stand by the side of every Greek woman and every Greek man, the Greek family, as well as the youth of the country."

On his part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an announcement that "to the New Democracy (ND) government should not be given the slightest margin."

"Its anti-popular policy will continue, because the ND is a party of the Capital and has undertaken committments for the implementation of reactionary reforms which bring about reachness to the few and intensified exploitation, decrease in income and a life without rights to the many...The KKE will do what it had promised before the elections: It will put all its forces at the side of the people," the announcement added.

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) representative Nikos Hountis, referring to the same issue, said that "more or less, the same persons were selected again to implement the same policy, as if elections did not take place, as if no message was received from the decrease in New Democracy's strength, from the social struggles that preceded and from the huge environmental and economic destruction experienced by the country."

Hountis went on to say that "it appears that the environment will have to wait for a long time its riddance from the disastrous embrace with public works. The prime minister and the government will find the working people and youth against them. They will find against them the forces of the Radical Left Coalition in Parliament and in the social movements."

[04] Draft Presidential Decreee approved for merger of four ministries into two

Earlier in the day, the government tabled the Decree, signed by prime minister Costas Karamanlis, ahead of the announcement of the new Cabinet following the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's re-election in Sunday's general elections.

The draft Decree foresees the merger of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation ministry with the Public Order ministry into an Interior ministry, and also the merger of the Merchant Marine ministry with the Aegean and Island Policy ministry into a Merchant Marine, Aegean and Island Policy ministry.

The ruling will be forwarded to the prime minister and then to President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias for his signature, after which it will be published in the Government Gazette.

[05] 'Democratic party has strength and procedures to find solution', Papandreou says

Speaking to reporters at the party's headquarters in the wake of the main opposition's defeat in Sunday's general elections and amidst intense debate regarding changes in party leadership, the PASOK leader rejected proposals for procedures being guaranteed by third persons, stressing that he himself guarantees procedures. He added that "the guarantors of the unity of PASOK are collectiveness, the responsible bodies, the president, the members and the cadres and other guarantors are not necessary." He further said that the charter, the party's history and its democratic conscience will be a guide.

He promised an open dialogue and procedures whose sole criterion will be the interests of the party and of the country. Papandreou had pledged, in a statement made on Sunday night, that he would soon ask the party's renewal of confidence in his person as party leader.

Papandreou also referred Tuesday to PASOK's autonomy, considering it to be a fundamental principle for its operation and activity. He also referred to his father and the party's founder Andreas Papandreou, pointing out that "Andreas Papandreou and the people consolidated PASOK as a democratic and autonomous party, always with the belief that every authority has its source in the people, expresses the people and serves the people."

Moreover, he underlined that PASOK "clashed with those who wanted Greece to stay back and not to change and with those who wanted to dictate policies or even people without the people's consent." He added that political autonomy will be secured now as well.

Papandreou said "it is clear to all that PASOK cannot be manipulated and he who decides on who will rule the country is the people and nobody else."

The PASOK leader insisted on the self-sufficiency and autonomy of PASOK, noting that it will wage "this struggle" and "we shall win it united."

Lastly, Papandreou appealed to "the democratic and progressive citizens of the country who feel bitterness and pain and who are anxious about the course of the party and of the country." He said that the people want everything to be said and promised that everything will be said and all the responsibilities will be assumed by all, concerning what and how things happened.

[06] PASOK top official Venizelos responds to party leader

Venizelos, who has widely indicated since late Sunday evening that he intends to challenge Papandreou for the party's leadership after PASOK's election defeat in the September 16 general elections, added that Papandreou "with the ethos which characterises him and the European culture he disposes, can distinguish the role of the (party) president from the role of the presidential candidate who is not an arbitrator on procedures, but a participant in a collective democratic competition."

"I am an ardent of the autonomy of politics, because we do not let society be represented through non political procedures only when we possess a strong political discourse. But in order to achieve this, we must, as parties and as persons, represent society which feels choked and not being represented by today's political discourse. This is what Sunday's vote showed, which was a forced and blackmailed vote, and for this reason it was detrimental to PASOK," Vevizelos added.

[07] Top PASOK cadres comment on party's leadership issue

According to veteran member and former Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis, for example, PASOK needed to remain united and choose its leadership with "democratic and absolutely transparent processes."

"We must redefine, with self-criticism and democratic dialogue, within and outside party organisations, [the party's] ideological and political identity; clearer and more distinct for the ordinary citizen, both from the Right and the traditional Left," Kaklamanis added.

Costas Laliotis, a former minister and veteran PASOK member who oversaw much of the party's 2007 campaign, said he had given Papandreou an outline of his positions regarding the present and future of PASOK, saying he would make this document public only after Papandreou had announced his decisions.

PASOK political council member Vasso Papandreou, another veteran member and long-time minister, warned against "hasty decisions", calling for an extraordinary party conference as soon as possible to take decisions on the political framework and changes to the party's charter.

"Based on these decisions, we must also elect the president of the movement (i.e. PASOK)," she added.

Another former minister, Miltiadis Papaioannou, condemned what he called "psychological and other kinds of pressure now being applied to PASOK" and called for a calm approach to the election result.

According to former minister and European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, any final decisions for PASOK should not create further confusion or send messages with "centre-right or neo-liberal characteristics".

In a written statement, Papoutsis repeated calls for the party to remain united, and said it had to face the messages from the latest election result head-on.

"We must not repeat the political mistake of avoiding discussion on the real causes of the defeat, of criticism and self-criticism, as we did after the defeat in the 2004 elections and after the municipal elections of 2006. The result was to repeat all the mistaken political practices, allowing those who never assumed their responsibilities to now appear as critics on all levels," Papoutsis said.

Finally, he clearly expressed his backing for George Papandreou as party leader, saying it was a matter of "political morality and abiding by my political conscience".

[08] PASOK's Venizelos says party must 'rebuild' links with society

"I do not seek a position occupied by Mr. Papandreou. Both of us as comrades, jointly, are fighting for the good of the party. We therefore want to use this opportunity to once again become close with the people, to bring society into PASOK and to put PASOK back in society," Venizelos said.

He also claimed that the present majority enjoyed by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the re-elected New Democracy party was "false, artificial and still-born".

Venizelos said he backed calls for an election for the leadership of PASOK as soon as possible, following a meeting of PASOK's National Council.

"Let us go this Sunday to an election by all the citizens that want to take part. In other words, anyone who wants can come, enrol as a member or a friend with their identity card, with transparency and the help of Singular and the infrastructure it developed for the national parliamentary elections, so that we have a strong result and mass participation," Venizelos said.

Replying to speculation that PASOK's leadership may have been undermined from within, Venizelos stressed that this was something that remained to be judged:

"Who has contributed to the standing and cleanness of PASOK and who has, unwittingly, reduced its appeal is an issue that we will judge," Venizelos said, adding that Papandreou had "fought with all his strength" for victory.

"We all fought from the position we held and in the framework that was allowed us in the best possible way," Venizelos added.

[09] PASOK Political Council to meet Thursday

[10] PASOK leader George Papandreou chooses Achaia prefecture seat

Being the party's leader, he has the right to choose between two prefectural seats in the elections. The other seat he could have chosen in the Thessaloniki A constituency will be taken by Ioannis Mangriotis who was the runner-up.

[11] Foreign leaders congratulate PM Costas Karamanlis on election victory

President Putin expressed his "sincere congratulations on the clear victory of the New Democracy party in the elections" and stressed that "I keep in mind the meetings with you, that are always distinguished by the climate of a genuine partnership relation and of confidence. Thanks to our joint constructive work, we achieved in substantively promoting cooperation between Russia and Greece entirely, to start very big projects in the energy sector, whose implementation will permit the energy security of Europe to be secured in a reliable manner in the future. I am also pleased because bonds in the field of humanitarian action are being widened steadfastly as well, which is so important for our peoples, who have common cultural roots."

The Russian President further said that he looks forward to the ccontinuation of the positive mementum in relations between Russia and Greece in the future and expresses confidence that the further development of the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries has positive results for Europe and the world in general.

The prime minister was also congratulated by phone by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jeane Claude Juncker, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapaterro, the Dutch and Slovenian prime ministers, Cyprus House of Representatives Speaker Demetris Christofias and the Archbishop of Albania Anastasios.

[12] Turkish PM Erdogan conveys congratulations to Karamanlis

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday conveyed his congratulation to Costas Karamanlis over the latter's re-election on Sunday as prime minister of Greece.

According to the semi-official Anadolu news agency, Erdogan spoke by phone with Karamanlis, with the issue of a meeting between the two leaders in near future also discussed.

[13] Athens on Gul visit to Cyprus' occupied north

Asked to comment on Tuesday's illegal visit to the Turkish-occupied north by Turkey's new president, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said "the priority now is the substantial preparation for the resumption of a process within the United Nations' framework, one that will retain guarantees of success towards finding a just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus issue, which is primarily an issue of illegal military occupation.

"What is needed is speedy implementation of the July 8, 2006 Agreement, and not unproductive -- as to their essence and symbolism -- moves which are, on the one hand, in opposition to international legal order, as defined by UN Security Council resolutions relevant to the problem of Cyprus, and on the other, against the European commitment of EU hopeful Turkey for a normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus," Koumoutsakos added.

During a July 8, 2006 meeting in the presence of then UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and T/C leader Talat agreed to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues affecting the day-to-day life of people on the island republic, and concurrently, substantive issues contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

[14] Burns again calls for Halki seminary's reopening

Under Secretary of State for political affairs Nicholas Burns reiterated here on Tuesday that Washington continues to support the re-opening of the Halki seminary, a long-standing demand by the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Burns, who arrived in Turkey for an official visit and talks with Turkish leadership, made the statement during a meeting in the Bosporus metropolis with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos (Bartholemew).

He also added that the Patriarchate and Turkish authorities should be left to work out a deal allowing the seminary - summarily ordered closed by Turkish authorities in 1971 - to re-open.

Burns, a former US ambassador to Greece and the NATO alliance, also praised the Patriarchate and Vartholomeos.

Financial News

[15] Greek market surpasses 4,900 level on Tuesday

Sector indices moved upwards, with the Commerce (6.10 pct), Travel (1.74 pct) and Industrial Products (1.09 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Utilities (1.03 pct), Insurance (0.95 pct) and Healthcare (0.69 pct) suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.74 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.52 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 0.41 percent.

Sprider (23.58 pct), Hellenic Fish Farming (13.38 pct) and Viosol (10.71 pct) were top gainers, while Euroline (12.08 pct), Paperpack-Tsoukaridis (9.73 pct) and Euroholdings (7.53 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 130 to 114 with another 52 issues unchanged.

[16] Unemployment rate drops to 8.2% in June

The service, in its monthly report, said the number of employed people in the country totaled 4,529,233 and that the non-active population reached 4.27 million out of a total population of roughly 11 million.

The number of employed individuals grew steadily in the period from 2004 until today, while the number of unemployed people fell steadily each year, NSS said.

The service said the unemployment rate fell from 9.9 pct in June 2004 to 9.5 pct in June 2005; to 8.3 pct in June 2006 and to 8.2 pct in June 2007.

[17] Greek merchant marine fleet totals 2,028 vessels, report

A total of 624 vessels were cargo ships, another 495 were tankers and 909 were passenger ships.

[18] ELBIO announces accession to Morphic Technologies group

ELBIO SA is a high technology company, headquartered in the Scientific Park in Patra, and specialises in the development and production of ecological, non-pollutant electric power and heat production systems.

The Morphic Technologies AB group is composed of industrial companies that specialise in systems producing energy from renewable sources and in high productivity accessory production systems.

[19] Greek export price index in farm sector up 1.5% in July, yr/yr

The index was up 3.3 percent in July from June, after declines of 3.6 pct and 7.5 pct in the corresponding months in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The statistics service also said that the import price composite index in the agricultural sector rose 4.7 percent in July, compared with the same month last year, after increases of 3.9 pct and 4.9 pct in the corresponding months in 2006 and 2005, respectively. The index was up 0.5 pct in July from June.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.95%

Industrials: +1.09%

Commercial: +6.10%

Construction: -0.04%

Media: -0.07%

Oil & Gas: +0.73%

Personal & Household: +0.41%

Raw Materials: +0.46%

Travel & Leisure: +1.74%

Technology: +0.04%

Telecoms: -0.04%

Banks: +0.86%

Food & Beverages: +0.92%

Health: -0.69%

Utilities: -1.03%

Chemicals: +0.10%

Financial Services: +1.05%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Eurobank, OTE and Alpha Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 24.32

ATEbank: 3.80

Public Power Corp (PPC): 24.00

HBC Coca Cola: 38.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.38

Emporiki Bank: 20.48

National Bank of Greece: 44.38

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 24.50

Intralot: 26.22

Cosmote: 23.50

OPAP: 26.18

OTE: 24.50

Titan Cement Company: 34.00

[20] ADEX closing report

The September contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 0.34 percent while the August contract on the FTSE 40 index at a premium of 0.29 percent. Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 36,946 contracts worth 477.122 million euros, with 43,526 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 796 contracts worth 24.561 million euros with 1,241 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 29,610 contracts worth 40.891 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Intracom contracts (5,140), followed by Marfin (658), OTE (885), Piraeus Bank (842), National Bank (1,190), Alpha Bank (1,468), Marfin Popular Bank (3,220), GEK (2,383), Post Savings Bank (2,776) and ATEbank (2,841).

[21] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate eased to 3.60 percent from 3.70 percent on Monday, the two-day rate rose to 4.20 percent from 3.80 percent, the one-month rate rose to 4.45 percent from 4.43 percent and the 12-month rate rose to 4.72 percent from 4.68 percent.

[22] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.397

Pound sterling 0.700

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 9.369

Japanese yen 161.44

Swiss franc 1.661

Norwegian kroner 7.869

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.434

Australian dollar 1.672

General News

[23] Cruise ship 'Dream' tilts, passengers stay at Rhodes hotels

The ship tilted 10 degrees on its right side at 3 p.m.

A tug boat is at hand for any eventuality.

The passengers will stay at the hotels overnight.

The vessel will not sail until it is restored to its proper position and all the necessary inspections are made.

[24] Patriarch Theodoros II inaugurates French-speaking seminary in Kinshasa

The seminary will formally open on Sunday, with roughly 400 theology students from various central African countries as students.

Patriarch will be received by Metropolitan Ignatios of Central Africa, while he will also meet with the country's leadership. He is also scheduled to visit remote regions hosting Greek Orthodox churches in Congo, as well as in Rwanda and Burundi.

Patriarch Theodoros will depart for Egypt on Oct. 3 after visiting the Metropolis of Axum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[25] Two hundred birds killed by toxins at Lake Koronia

The lower water levels and high temperatures resulted in an increase in the concentration of toxic substances that normally exist in the water and these were ingested by the birds in their food, the head of the Thessaloniki prefecture's animal health and veterinary department Evangelos Trevlopoulos said.

Among the suspected culprits for the birds' demise are cyanobacteria found in the lake water and botulism from Clostridium but both these theories need to be corroborated by taking samples from live birds.

Scientists have ruled out avian flu as a possible cause of death, however, according to the results of initial tests, with virus tests due in on Wednesday.

They also noted that the deaths were not a surprise but more or less expected given the what they called the "tragic state of the lake, which is on the verge of desertification". They pointed out that similar mass deaths have also occurred in previous years though it is uncertain how the phenomenon will develop in the future.

[26] More illegals intercepted on Samos

Sixteen illegal migrants and a Turkish smuggler were arrested at Cape Prasso, while an inflatable boat was seized.

Another 20 illegal migrants of various nationalities were intercepted soon after they landed on the island on Tuesday morning, although the migrant smuggler evaded arrest.

[27] SNMG2 ships sail into Piraeus

On Tuesday, the fleet's commander, Sinan Ertugrul gave a press conference on the Turkish frigate Orucreis, during which he referred to the stabilizing role and activitty of this NATO rapid deployment force.

SNMG2 also offers humanitarian aid, evacuates regions and combats illegal trafficking.

The six vessels, including the Greek "Egeo" frigate, will depart from the port on Wednesday.

Soccer

[28] Olympiakos draws 1-1 with Lazio at home in Champions League match

The Greek club's goal was scored by Luciano Galletti in the 55th minute.

Lazio's equaliser came fom a goal scored by Luciano Zauri in the 77th.

Weather Forecast

[29] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[30] British diplomat assures efforts for Cyprus progress will continue

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council support the continuation of efforts to implement the July 8 Agreement, said here Tuesday British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millet.

The British diplomat was speaking after meeting Acting President of the Republic and President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias where he assured the latter that efforts for progress for a Cyprus solution will continue.

According to an official statement, Christofias expressed his appreciation for the firm support of the five permanent members of the Security Council, noting that the delay in making a positive step towards this direction was due to the Turkish stance.

He also appealed to the permanent five to maintain a firm position on the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos met Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at the residency of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative Michael Moller on 5 September. The two agreed on the need for the earliest start of the process and discussed other issues leading to a comprehensive settlement.''

The meeting came 14 months after the two agreed on July 8 last year, in the presence of senior UN official Imbrahim Gambarri, to set up technical committees and working groups to discuss issues that affect the day to day life of the people and substantive issues of the question of Cyprus. Their top aides, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, have held over 50 meetings in the past 14 months to this effect. So far, this has not been achieved.

The July agreement 2006 also provided for periodic meetings between Papadopoulos and Talat to help push the process forward.

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