Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-11-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek economic growth to exceed EU average in 2009-2010

[02] Gov't on economy, bank support package

[03] PASOK spokesman on economy

[04] PM Karamanlis arrives in Brussels

[05] Informal EU FMs Council

[06] Papandreou at Stiglitz Comission meeting in Vienna

[07] Papandreou statements after Stiglitz Commission session

[08] Papandreou in Brussels on Tuesday

[09] PM Karamanlis confers with health minister

[10] Papandreou newspaper interview

[11] PASOK spokesman on American elections

[12] Employment minister holds talks with Cyprus President Christofias

[13] Petralia meets with Cyprus counterpart

[14] Karamanlis congratulations to Canada's Harper for re-election

[15] Prosecutor in Vatopedi probe requests assistant

[16] FYROM president replaces name issue representative

[17] More than 30 bidders participate in OA privatisation procedure

[18] Greek PMI shrank to 48.1 points in October

[19] Kerasma and Partenariat conference ends

[20] German-Hellenic Business Association conference in Stuttgart

[21] Thessaloniki chamber head decorated by Emperor of Japan

[22] Eurobank most active securities firm in October

[23] Mytilineos, Motor Oil in energy joint venture project

[24] United Textiles S.A. financing process continued

[25] ASE president addresses int'l conference in New York

[26] Greek stocks end 2.83% up

[27] ADEX closing report

[28] Greek bond market closing report

[29] Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday

[30] Ecumenical Patriarch laments Patriarchate's continued problems in Turkey

[31] Pella archaeological site inaugurated

[32] Greek conductor awarded by Russian president

[33] More strikes by teachers in highschools, TEI

[34] Sixty seven illegal migrants arrested in Aegean

[35] ATM thieves chased away by police

[36] Transport ministry agreement for 2011 Special Olympics signed

[37] Fair on Tuesday

[38] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[39] Christofias and Talat discuss the executive and legislature

[40] Czech House President urges Turkey to recognise Cyprus Politics

[01] Greek economic growth to exceed EU average in 2009-2010

The EU's executive said it expected Greek GDP to grow by 2.5 pct in 2009 and 2.6 pct in 2010, sharply up from 0.1 pct and 0.9 pct in the Eurozone over the same period, respectively and growth rates of 0.2 pct and 1.1 pct in the EU-27. Greek economic growth was 3.1 pct in 2008, the Commission said.

The country's fiscal deficit was 3.5 pct of GDP in 2007 and was expected to fall to 2.5 pct of GDP this year. The Commission forecasts that the Greek fiscal deficit would fall to 2.2 pct in 2009 only to rise again to 3.0 pct in 2010. Public debt was 94.8 pct of GDP in 2007 and was expected to ease to 93.4 pct in 2008, 92.2 pct in 2009 and 91.9 pct in 2010. Greek unemployment is forecast to rise to 9.0 pct in 2008 (7.6 pct in the Eurozone and 7.0 pct in the EU-27), rising to 9.2 pct in 2009 (8.4 pct and 7.8 pct in the Eurozone and in the EU-27) and to 9.3 pct in 2010 (8.7 pct and 8.1 pct, respectively).

The EU executive also forecast that Greek inflation would rise from 3.0 pct in 2007 to 4.4 pct in 2008 and to fall to 3.5 pct in 2009 and 3.3 pct in 2010).

European Union economic growth should be 1.4% in 2008, half what it was in 2007, and drop even more sharply in 2009 to 0.2% before recovering gradually to 1.1% in 2010 (1.2%, 0.1% and 0.9%, respectively, for the euro area). The Commission's autumn forecasts show that the EU economies are strongly affected by the financial crisis, which is aggravating housing-market correction in several economies at a time when external demand is fading rapidly. While the important measures taken to stabilise financial markets have begun to restore confidence, the situation remains precarious and the risks to the forecasts significant. As a result, employment is set to increase only marginally in 2009-2010, after the 6 million new jobs created in 2007-2008, and unemployment is expected to rise by about 1 pp. over the forecast period after being at its lowest for more than a decade. More positively, inflationary pressures are diminishing as oil prices fall, and the risks of second-round effects fade away. After reaching the best position since 2000, the overall budgetary position is also set to deteriorate while the rescue packages could raise public debt.

"The economic horizon has now significantly darkened as the European Union economy is hit by the financial crisis that deepened during the autumn and is taking a toll on business and consumer confidence. Emerging economies are holding up better than the EU and the US, so far, but even they are unlikely to escape unscathed. We need a coordinated action at the EU level to support the economy similar to what we have done for the financial sector. The Commission last week set out a framework for recovery that aims to boost investment, sustain employment and demand. We are looking forward to hearing Member States' views and, especially, for a joint approach at the EU level ", said Joaquín Almunia, Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner.

The Commission's economic forecast projects EU economic growth to drop sharply to 1.4% in 2008. It was 2.9% in 2007. In 2009 the EU economy is expected to grind to a stand-still at 0.2% before recovering to 1.1% in 2010. The equivalent figures for the euro area for the period are 1.2%, 0.1% and 0.9%. In 2007 it was 2.7%.

[02] Gov't on economy, bank support package

Antonaros also underlined that the forecast regarding the country's growth rate was provided by European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia and is close to that of the Greek government.

Regarding domestic banks' participation in a support programme announced by the government, he stressed that participation is voluntary and banks will have to realise that their own interests lie with the society's interest.

"The fact that certain banks are not interested in participating in the programme attests to the strictness of terms," he stressed.

[03] PASOK spokesman on economy

Papaconstantinou said that the report's chapter on Greece bears the title "the double deficits are persisting" and added that what is predicted for Greece "is a slowdown in the growth rate, an increase in confidence and competitiveness, as well as an increase in inflation and unemployment."

"If these predictions are considered positive by the government, how should they be to be considered negative," the PASOK spokesman wondered.

Papaconstantinou pointed out that with regard to the growth rate (based on the report's predictions), "at the end of 2003 (when PASOK was in office) the growth rate was 5 percent, having a difference of 4.2 units from that of the eurozone, which was 0.8 percent."

According to predictions for 2008, as he said, the growth rate in Greece will be 3.1 percent, compared to 1.2 percent in the eurozone, "meaning a difference of 1.9 units. Every year that the New Democracy (ND) party is ruling, the country's growth rate is decreasing and our difference from the eurozone is increasing," the spokesman noted.

[04] PM Karamanlis arrives in Brussels

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis arrived here on Monday afternoon and shortly afterwards met with European People's Party (EPP) President Wilfried Martens.

Their talks focused on the repercussions of the international economic crisis on the European economy and on developments in the Balkans.

Karamanlis will be meeting on Tuesday morning with Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker and he will then be addressing, together with European Commission President Jose Barroso and European Parliament President Hans Pettering an event on the 10th anniversary of the death of statesman and New Democracy (ND) party founder Constantine Karamanlis.

[05] Informal EU FMs Council

A day before elections in the United States and with the participation of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, the European Union's 27 foreign ministers adopted a text proposal to the United States regarding cooperation on major international issues in which, as it was stressed, transatlantic relations will change chapter and that "American friends" remain "a great power but not dominant" in "a world that is complicated now."

The common European position is set out in a six-page text that summed up the informal Council that convened here on Monday afternoon to examine the situation in light of new developments, namely the international economic crisis and elections in the U.S.

The text underlines the complexity of the new international system, in which the Europeans were called on to play an active role in light of the crisis in Georgia and the international economic crisis.

It further pointed out that the Middle East chapter must constitute a top priority, including Iran and Iraq, while also referring to Afghanistan where "we Europeans are sharing a common vision with the United States and we already have many years of experience with our presence in the region."

Lastly, it focused on relations with Russia, a power that has changed and with which there must be dialogue.

[06] Papandreou at Stiglitz Comission meeting in Vienna

Main opposition PASOK and Socialist International President George Papandreou on Monday said that Socialist International had to provide its own answer for a policy of "global democratic governance" that re-empowered citizens and allow a fair redistribution of wealth.

"We must, with our own answer, give back power to the citizen and place him at the centre of our policy, through a policy that highlights democratic institutions in our country and on an international level, through a global democratic governance that makes the call for social justice a priority," he said.

Papandreou made the statements after taking part in a meeting of the SI Commission headed by Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz, a former World Bank vice-president, which was set up by SI to examine alternative ways for the world to weather the current financial crisis and feared recession.

In his statements, Papandreou emphasised the need to focus on the real economy and not profits, particularly on 'green growth' that allowed sustainable development and protected the environment.

Commenting on the crisis, Stiglitz was highly critical of the policies followed by the outgoing Bush administration in Washington, saying that these had failed to address the root of the problem and created difficulties for smaller and middle-sized businesses that weakened the economy, increased unemployment and led to many people losing their savings.

He stressed that the basic outline of the social-democratic answer would be based on the principles of social justice and transparency, while emphasising the problems faced by developing countries that were now dealing with the repercussions of a crisis generated in the United States.

[07] Papandreou statements after Stiglitz Commission session

Main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou, speaking to reporters on Monday at the end of a Stiglitz Commission's meeting, said that the social democrats' proposals will play an important role in the overcoming of the world economy crisis.

Papandreou said nobody can predict the extent and the consequences of the crisis, but stressed that unless measures are taken in time there shall be a danger of wars for the control of energy sources and great pressures by waves of immigrants.

Referring to the presidential elections in the United States, Papandreou expressed the hope that Barrack Obama will win and assessed that "in such a case considerable ground will be created for shaping a policy based on the social democrats' proposals," while adding that, according to a briefing by Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz, conflicting views exist in the U.S. Democract Party on the handling of the crisis.

Papandreou termed the Vienna discussion "very productive" saying that at presdent "bankers and investors are withdrawing their money from the developing economies and are bringing it back to main centres, resulting in economic asphyxiation being created in a number of countries."

Referring again to the Stiglitz proposals, he spoke of a new agency to supervise the international monetary system and of the proposal for the creation of an international social protection fund, under whose umbrella 500 million people will be placed, while its budget will only amount to 50 billion dollars.

PASOK's leader also commented on the EU's Maastricht Treaty, saying that he did not desire a slackening of the Maastricht criteria but support for small and medium-size businesses and protection for the unemployed since, as he said, the problem lying ahead will not be inflation but recession, while noting that certain ideas of John Meynard Kames must be utilised again.

Representatives of Germany, France, Chile, Brazil and Morocco were absent from Monday's Stiglitz Commission session. Attending the session were representatives from Europe, Africa, India, Asia, Latin America and Russia, while also present was Socialist International Secretary General Luis Ayala, and Papandreou said that a proposal was made by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to host the Commission's next session in London. Lastly, a future session will be taking place in Geneva, where contact will also be made with the heads of international organisations.

[08] Papandreou in Brussels on Tuesday

Main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou will be leaving the Austrian capital for Brussels on Tuesday to meet European Commission President Jose Barroso, the Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas and EU High Commissioner for Common Foreign Policy and Defence Javier Solana.

Papandreou will be meeting on Wednesday with the members of PASOK's Europarliamentary Group and the President of the European Parliament's Socialist group Martin Schultz, while he will then be participating in the special meeting of European socialist party leaders.

[09] PM Karamanlis confers with health minister

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Avramopoulos said that problems that have been chronic in recent years in the health sector were reaching the stage of resolution.

Regarding the problem of duty shifts at hospitals, Avramopoulos stressed that the goal was to sign, in a few days, a collective labor agreement with the doctors so that the relevant EU Directive may be implemented in Greece.

He also said that there was agreement with the economy and finance ministry for additional hirings in the health sector afterwards.

Asked whether doctors were threatening to close the hospitals, Avramopoulos said that the ministry was in the final stage of its discussions with the doctors' unions in order to resolve the problem with the duty ships, stressing that a new collective agreement must be signed.

The ministry, he continued, has reached agreement both with the doctors and the economy ministry, and this outstanding issue was nearing its end, so that the Community Directive could be applied in Greece.

[10] Papandreou newspaper interview

Outlining his own party's proposals for the economy, Papandreou said that they included:

- Support measures only for those banks needing them, and only with the ensurance of guarantees of the state's role in their decisions, with the benefits being passed on to the real economy.

- Support of the medium and low incomes brackets through an extraordinary "solidarity subsidy", a heating subsidy, increase in the VAT rebate rate to farmers, and expansion of the recipients of the EKAS low-pension benefit.

- Support of development and particularly the SMEs with the reinstatement of the tax-free ceiling for self-employed professionals, reinforcement of the gurantees system and public investments.

- Support of the unemployed through incentives for the absorption of youths on the job market, subsidized social work, particularly for older dismissed employees, and increasing the unemployment benefit.

- Measures for the protection and relief of borrowers, including a freeze on the loan obligations of the financially weaker brackets and the SMEs up until the end of 2009.

Regarding dialogue with the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary alliance and collaboration on individual issues aimed at building a social state, Papandreou said that with SYRIZA "we want a dialogue without conditions and coercion from any side".

"We believe in dialogue. We don't fear it," Papandreou said.

"Let's be frank, it is very easy to find those points that divide us from SYRIZA. But what we want is to find those points that unite us, points that concern the citizen: reinforcement of income, building a social state, the new decentralization of the state, environmental issuesand to build around them a collaboration that I believe will be beneficial for the country, that will guarantee deeper and solid changes," Papandreou added.

[11] PASOK spokesman on American elections

Replying to a relevant question on Monday, party spokesman George Papaconstantinou said that PASOK "expects change, which is the Democrat candidate's main slogan."

Papaconstantinou added that it expects "a different economic policy," pointing out that the crisis started from there. It also expects "a different foreign policy and hopes for this" and of course "the shaping of a progressive majority in the world."

[12] Employment minister holds talks with Cyprus President Christofias

Greece's Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, commenting on Monday on the European Commission's prediction that unemployment in Greece will reach 9 percent in 2008 (7.6 percent in the eurozone and 7 percent among the "27") and 9.2 percent in 2009, said that the Greek economy has endurance and that the policy of stability and mild adjustment being applied by the government has produced results.

Replying to a relevant question after meeting Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, Petralia stressed that while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts a growth rate of 0 percent for the eurozone, for Greece it predicts 2 percent.

The Greek minister said her meeting with President Christofias was "very interesting" and, as she said, it focused on the preparation of policies from both countries to prevent an increase in unemployment.

Petralia announced that the president of Cyprus will be visiting Athens soon and stressed that the Greek government is a steadfast supporter of his efforts to achieve a viable and just solution to the issue of Cyprus.

She added that such a solution must respect the principles of international law absolutely and must be fully in line with the values of the European acquis communautaire.

[13] Petralia meets with Cyprus counterpart

She made the comments after a meeting with her Cyprus counterpart Sotiroula Haralambous in Nicosia.

The two ministers signed a two-year collaboration programme on employment, exchange of know-how, vocational orientation, rights of the disabled, security and health in work relations.

The Cyprus employment minister thanked the Greek government for its assistance and stressed that Greece and Cyprus share common interests in the European Union.

[14] Karamanlis congratulations to Canada's Harper for re-election

Karamanlis, in his letter, refers to the strong historical, political and cultural bonds between the two countries, which, he said, are reinforced even more by the existence of prosperous and dynamic Greek-Canadian communities in Canada.

[15] Prosecutor in Vatopedi probe requests assistant

According to reports on Monday, the prosecutor has submitted an official request with her superior, Appeals Court Chief Prosecutor Kyriakos Karoutsos, who is now considering her request.

Spyropoulou has apparently found large discrepancies between the assessed values of land involved in the deals according to evaluations by tax offices and those of a body of sworn public evaluators.

She is also about to request the findings of a disciplinary hearing conducted by a lower court into the involvement of the notary Katerina Peleki, wife of former minister George Voulgarakis, in the drafting of the contracts for the land swaps.

[16] FYROM president replaces name issue representative

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Branko Crvenkovski, addressing Parliament on Monday during an off-the-agenda discussion on the issue of the country's name, announced that he has decided to end the tenure of ambassador Nikola Dimitrov as the country's representative in the UN sponsored negotiations with Greece on FYROM's "name issue".

President Crevenkovski added that in Dimitrov's place he was placing Martin Protoger, director of FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's office.

He explained that he was doing this with the purpose of overcoming "the absurd situation" in which his country had found itself in the negotiations on the pending name issue, "where the country had two representatives and the impression was being created that the country lacked a unified position on the name issue."

Financial News

[17] More than 30 bidders participate in OA privatisation procedure

Speaking to reporters, Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis said more than 30 business and investment groups expressed interest in buying Olympic Airlines' three companies, namely, its flight activities, the carrier's Athens airport technical base and the ground services operations.

A deadline for submitting bids ended Friday at midnight. with submitted bids currently evaluated by the government's investment advisors. An inter-ministerial privatisations commission will meet after the evaluation is completed to unveil the names of bids, probably within the next few days.

Hatzidakis said airline companies, investment funds and other groups are included in the 30 bidders, while he added that Greece-based Aegean Airlines and Lufthansa are not included. He did not comment on a reporter's question on whether Air France was in the list.

[18] Greek PMI shrank to 48.1 points in October

The sharp decline in the index reflected a shrinking production, employment and inventories, as the Greek manufacturing sector suffered from the effects of a global credit and financial crisis. New orders declined for the first time in two years.

The Purchasing Managers' Index measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector and readings below 50 a shrinking activity.

[19] Kerasma and Partenariat conference ends

The event was held thanks to the support of the Finance and Economy ministry, under whose auspices the conference was held, and thanks to cooperation between OPE and all the food, wines and beverages federations in the country.

The conference was attended by over 100 super market representatives, large scale distribution networks and people influencing public opinion in 18 overseas market-targets. In addition, 90 of the most important Greek businesses in the food, wines and beverages sectors had the opportunity of presenting their products and to highlight their special characteristics.

The aim of the conference was the creation of preconditions for the development of cooperation between Greek and foreign businessmen and informing foreigners on the special characteristics and the nutritious value of Greek food and wines, as well as the presentation of other possibilities in using the products.

[20] German-Hellenic Business Association conference in Stuttgart

The conference will provide information to real estate owners in Greece who reside in Germany.

[21] Thessaloniki chamber head decorated by Emperor of Japan

The chamber president received the award in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and Greece, according to a statement issued by the Japanese embassy in Athens.

[22] Eurobank most active securities firm in October

Investment Bank maintained its leading position in the January-October period, with a market share of 20.90 pct), followed by Eurobank (15.58 pct), National-P&K (14.92 pct), Piraeus (8.07 pct), Euroxx (6.49 pct), Alpha Finance (6.31 pct), Kappa (4.60 pct), Eurocorp (3.47 pct), Proton (3.33 pct) and HSBC (2.56 pct).

[23] Mytilineos, Motor Oil in energy joint venture project

The two companies signed a joint venture agreement, under which Motor Oil Hellas SA will have a 35-pct equity stake in Corinth Power, with the remaining 65 pct owned by Mytilineos SA is expected to comprise part of the Endesa Hellas energy portfolio in Greece.

[24] United Textiles S.A. financing process continued

According to an announcement made in the general assembly meeting held on Oct. 31, "the company is still in a critical stage considering the significant delays recorded and the immediate completion of the process is deemed as imperative."

[25] ASE president addresses int'l conference in New York

Addressing the conference, Kapralos said the impact from a current credit crisis would be felt in the real economy. "History has tought us that financial crises are accompanied by a general economic recession," he said, adding that listed enterprises should be very cautious during this period in order to exit the crisis unharmed, while he underlined the need to raise liquidity, replanning their borrowing obligations, investment plans and cutting operating spending.

The president of the Athens Stock Exchange also presented investment opportunities in the Greek market, saying that the composite index of the market was currently at its lowest levels in the last decade, as a percentage of the country's GDP, while dividend return of several enterprises was at the highest level in the last few years.

Kapralos also met with international fund managers, while he rang the closing bell in the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, 31 October.

[26] Greek stocks end 2.83% up

All sectors moved up, with the exception of the Travel sector which ended 0.21 pct down. Healthcare (11.54 pct), Food/Beverage (8.34 pct), Raw Materials (6.99 pct), Utilities (6.01 pct), Constructions (4.37 pct), Media (4.33 pct) and Technology (4.32 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE 20 index rose 2.47 pct, the FTSE 40 index was 4.37 pct up and the FTSE 80 index rose 3.32 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 225 to 30 with another 32 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.65%

Industrials: +3.09%

Commercial: +3.00%

Construction: +4.37%

Media: +4.33%

Oil & Gas: +3.68%

Personal & Household: +1.39%

Raw Materials: +6.99%

Travel & Leisure: -0.21%

Technology: +4.32%

Telecoms: +0.18%

Banks: +2.76%

Food & Beverages: +8.34%

Health: +11.54%

Utilities: +6.01%

Chemicals: +3.28%

Financial Services: +0.77%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, EFG Eurobank Ergasias, OPAP and PPC.

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

Alpha Bank: 11.58

ATEbank: 1.85

Public Power Corp (PPC): 10.32

HBC Coca Cola: 11.80

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.76

National Bank of Greece: 17.98

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 8.30

Intralot: 4.12

OPAP: 16.94

OTE: 11.06

Bank of Piraeus: 9.96

Titan Cement Company: 13.94

[27] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,193 contracts worth 10.995 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (2,474), followed by OTE (619), PPC (1,154), GEK (2,043), Marfin Popular Bank (1,211), Mytilineos (980) and Hellenic Postbank (1,391).

[28] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates eased slightly. The 12-month Euribor rate was 4.85 pct, the six-month rate 4.78 pct, the three-month rate 4.73 pct and the one-month rate 4.41 pct.

[29] Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.292

Pound sterling 0.803

Danish kroner 7.503

Swedish kroner 9.93

Japanese yen 127.39

Swiss franc 1.495

Norwegian kroner 8.547

Canadian dollar 1.546

Australian dollar 1.925

General News

[30] Ecumenical Patriarch laments Patriarchate's continued problems in Turkey

Bartholomew again touched on the difficulties faced by the ancient Patriarchate in exercising its duties and in the preservation of the millennia-old Christian Orthodox heritage in the neighbouring country, an EU hopeful.

Addressing the event on Sunday evening hosted by the Bishopric of Drama and the local prefecture and municipality, the Ecumenical Patriarch pointed out that "Turkey is still searching for its identity".

"Unfortunately, we suffer the consequences of the fermentation and conflicts underway in the country, both those out in the open and those that take place unnoticed," the Ecumenical Patriarch said, before reiterating his standing support for Turkey's EU accession, despite whatever reactions expressed by a segment of the Turkish populations and certain institutions, as he said.

Bartholomew made a special reference to the Church-owned orphanage on one of the Marmara Sea islands, Büyükada or Prinkipo, the largest of the Princes Islands. The case involving the Patriarchate orphanage was recently adjudicated by the European Court of Human Rights, with a ruling handed down in favor of the Patriarchate.

The Patriarch said the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate will prefer to have the landmark building returned instead of any monetary compensation, while he also promised to seek recourse to the Turkish courts over 24 Greek Orthodox charitable estates (Vakufs) confiscated by the Turkish state in previous years.

The Patriarch on Monday was set to arrive in the western port city of Patras to attend a series of civil and Church events in his honor.

[31] Pella archaeological site inaugurated

Pella was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon. The city was founded by Archelaus (413-399 BC) as the capital of his kingdom, replacing the older palatial settlement of Aigai (Vergina).

Pella was later the seat of King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great.

[32] Greek conductor awarded by Russian president

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev bestowed, through a presidential decree, Russia's Medal of Friendship to Greek artistic director and conductor of the Novosibirsk Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre Theodoros (Teodor) Currentzis.

According to the decree, the medal is being bestowed to Currentzis and a number of other international artists, including theatre and opera director Peter Stein and Venice Film Festival director Marco Müller "for the great contribution to the conservation, development and popularization of Russian culture abroad."

Currantzis is very popular in Russia and has received three times the Russian National Theatre award "Golden Mask".

[33] More strikes by teachers in highschools, TEI

Piraeus TEI president Lazaros Vryzidis warned that the TEI would likely be unable to accept the roughly 1,200 students expected to apply for transfers.

TEI teaching staff unions are already planning to turn out for teacher protest rallies in all towns and cities having TEIs and in Athens on November 6, on which day there will be a work stoppage, while 24-hour strikes are being planned for November 19 and November 25.

Highschool teachers will take part in the November 6 rally outside Athens university gates and will hold a two-hour work stoppage on the same day from 12:00 to 14:00 for staff on the morning shift and 14:00 to 16:00 for those on evening shifts.

[34] Sixty seven illegal migrants arrested in Aegean

According to their testimonies, the migrants had set sail from the Turkish coast.

In a separate incident on Sunday in the sea region northeaste of Agathonissi islet, a Coast guard patrol spotted a dingy with a 19 year old illegal migrant. The suspect's questioning revealed that he had left from the Turkish coast together with 13 other illegal migrants who had already disembarked on Agathonissi and were arrested by the local police.

All the illegal migrants were sent to local hospitals for a check up. The local authorities are carrying out a preliminary investigation

[35] ATM thieves chased away by police

The automated teller machine was installed in the front entrance of a supermarket store and the culprits had used wire rope to remove it. The three took off with a car that had no license plates.

Special Olympics

[36] Transport ministry agreement for 2011 Special Olympics signed

The minister noted that this was a big athletic event that required a lot of preparation, especially on the part of the transport and communications ministry. According to Special Olympics organising committee president Gianna Despotopoulou, an estimated 7,500 athletes and 2,500 coaches were expected to come to Greece for the games, in addition to some 3,000 officials from 1,832 countries, 25,000 volunteers, 40,000 family members of the athletes taking part and 3,000 journalists covering the event.

Weather Forecast

[37] Fair on Tuesday

[38] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Window for benefits for low incomes".

APOGEVMATINI: "Medicines free for all low pensioners - Government will offer immediate support to the weaker".

AVRIANI: "Depositions and detentions begin on the Siemens and frigate scandals".

CHORA: "The cooking pot revolution - Original protest in the struggle against the high cost of living".

ELEFTHEROS: "The ministries are 'independent states' - Several ministers forging personal strategy".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Cry of agony from pensioners, doctors, home owners".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The hour of the State - Interview/intervention by George Papandreou on the crisis and the future".

ESTIA: "Social-statism revives in Greece - Article by (former minister) Stefanos Manos on the plan for the banks".

ETHNOS: "One million home-owners in line - After the co-ownership tax, the ETAK opens up new wounds".

TA NEA: "Extortion by banks with immense interest rates - Now they don't want the 28 billion euros help package".

VRADYNI: "The box of social benefits opens - 'Relaxation' of Stability Pact being prepared by the European leaders".

Cyprus Affairs

[39] Christofias and Talat discuss the executive and legislature

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat continued here Monday their discussions on the federal executive and had a preliminary exchange of views on the legislature.

In a statement to the press, after their three hour meeting, UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said the two leaders will have two meetings again next week, one on Tuesday November 11 and the other on Friday November 14.

Invited to say if there has been a narrowing of the gap on the executive, Zerihoun said he could not get into details, adding that "indeed they are dealing with these issues. There are many complicated issues you know better than I, and they are moving forward, I can assure you about that," he added.

Asked if the UN will have a more energetic role in case there is no impressive progress by the end of the year, the UN diplomat said that it was a bit too early.

"We are here at the request of the parties, we have offered the SG's good offices and we are flexible to the needs and desires of the parties", Zerihoun said, adding that this is a decision the SG will have to make at any rate, "but we will help in any way they want us to help them."

Zerihoun said the leaders started Monday's meeting with a one hour tete-a-tete. They then took up their discussions on the federal executive and again instructed their representatives to continue the discussions in an effort to narrow remaining differences, he added.

Following that, he said, the leaders continued with a preliminary exchange of views on the legislature.

He also said that during the next meeting cameras and video will be invited in to take pictures to update media footage.

[40] Czech House President urges Turkey to recognise Cyprus

Czech President of Parliament Miloslav Vlcek has said that Turkey must fulfill its EU obligations including the a priori recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Vlcek, who is in Cyprus for a three-day official visit, heading a parliamentary delegation and a group of businesspeople, discussed Monday with President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian the Cyprus issue, Turkey's EU course, bilateral relations, as well as the Czech Republic's assumption of the next EU Presidency.

The Czech official said that one of the main reasons of his visit is to listen to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the Cyprus issue, the possibilities for a viable and just solution as well as "to offer help and contribution towards this direction".

"I would be very happy if the Czech Republic, during its EU Presidency, could contribute to the promotion of the solution of the Cyprus problem", he added.

Referring to Turkey, Vlcek said that Turkey's EU accession could help efforts to reach a solution, provided that Turkey fulfills all obligations it has undertaken, including the a priori recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

In his statements, the President of the Cypriot House of Representatives expressed conviction that the Czech EU presidency would be a successful one and said that Cyprus agrees with the priority issues to be promoted by the Czech Republic during its six months term.

He said that the Czech Republic has always been following policies based on principles, adding that there is no doubt that during its six months rotating Presidency Prague will be successful in matters concerning the EU, Cyprus and Turkey.

Garoyian also referred to the Cyprus problem, saying that the Greek Cypriot side demonstrates good will and undertakes initiatives to achieve a solution, noting that the solution should be functional, viable and just.

He said that Turkey illegally occupies the northern part of Cyprus, has brought over the years more than 160,000 illegal settlers, violates daily the human rights of Cypriots as well as the provisions of international law, ignoring at the same time the European law and acquis communautaire.

In addition, Garoyian referred to the importance of Vlcek's visit to Cyprus and said that beginning of December he would be visiting Prague.

"We are convinced that this exchange of visits will give a new impetus to our relations and will mark the beginning of more close and productive ties for a better coordination of our Parliaments", he said.

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