Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-04-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis, Putin phone conversation on energy issues

[02] PM to chair Inner Cabinet meeting; departs for Warsaw on Wed.

[03] DM Meimarakis holds talks with Gates at Pentagon

[04] Gov't retort to Papandreou, PASOK

[05] PASOK spokesman replies to government spokesman on Papandreou's LSE speech

[06] Gov't on Pavlidis case; PASOK reax

[07] BoG report on Vatopedi case finds no involvement by politicians

[08] ND Central Committee secretary chairs intersecretarial meeting

[09] SYRIZA Parliamentary group meeting

[10] Gov't: No swine flu instances in Greece

[11] Varvitsiotis on two-day visit to US

[12] Employment minister hosts luncheon for Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency chairman

[13] Crossborder Cooperation Committee convening in Thessaloniki on Wednesday

[14] EUFOR political advisor Limonier addresses Thessaloniki event

[15] Smoking ban without loopholes from July 1

[16] Deputy Health minister addresses Social Affairs, Equality, Youth, Human Rights Committees

[17] Open dialogue on education via ministry blog

[18] Former PM Simitis addresses Social Reform Association event

[19] Greece fully covered its 2009 borrowing requirement plan

[20] NBG on bldg. sector stimulus

[21] Deputy development minister addresses Adriatic-Ionian Forum

[22] Libyan proposal for turning desert heat into electricity

[23] PASOK criticises government measures for construction sector

[24] Intracom Telecom signs 45-mln-euro supply contracts in Russia

[25] IT companies say turnover down 50 pct because of crisis

[26] Kastoria fur exhibition

[27] Greek stocks end 0.95% down

[28] ADEX closing report

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday

[31] Prof. Fama presented with inaugural Onassis Prize for Economy, Commerce and Shipping

[32] Hellenic Aid-funded school to be inaugurated in Zambia

[33] Armed robbery at EDOEAP journalists' insurance organisation

[34] Man shot by escaping burglar

[35] Bank robbed in Kammena Vourla

[36] Zoniana trial opens in Athens

[37] Horseback ride for peace

[38] Cloudy, rainy on Wednesday

[39] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[40] Cyprus government welcomes ECJ ruling on Apostolides vs Orams case

[01] Karamanlis, Putin phone conversation on energy issues

Karamanlis noted the Greek side's desire to continue cooperating with Russia in the vitally important energy sector and his satisfaction with the progress of negotiations between Gazprom and Greece's DESFA (Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator S.A.) for the Southstream natural gas pipeline.

He assured Putin that Greece will take all necessary steps for the completion of these negotiations.

Regarding the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the Greek premier stressed the need to update a study for the project and the two leaders expressed conviction that work on the pipeline will proceed according to existing schedules.

In terms of bilateral relations, Karamanlis said that Greece sees in Russia a "major friend and strategic partner", while Putin underlined the importance placed by Russia on relations with Greece and its desire to further deepen and expand these.

They agreed that cooperation had been further strengthened through the Greek chair of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), during which Russia's supportive and constructive stance had been crucially important in resolving outstanding matters that concerned the organisation.

[02] PM to chair Inner Cabinet meeting; departs for Warsaw on Wed.

Following the meeting, the Greek prime minister will depart for Warsaw, where he will take part in a meeting of the European Peoples' Party (EPP).

Karamanlis will also meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, before attending a reception hosted by Poland's ruling party.

Karamanlis is due back in Athens on Thursday morning.

[03] DM Meimarakis holds talks with Gates at Pentagon

Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis held 30-minute talks with his US counterpart Robert Gates at the US Pentagon here on Monday.

"I had the opportunity of discussing with Mr. Gates and his associates all the issues that preoccupy public opinion today, issues regarding global peace and on how, in a world that is constantly changing, we can jointly deal with the new dangers arising. Because it is a fact that these new dangers cannot be handled by each country in an isolated fashion, but with overall action within the framework of international organisations. At the same time, I had the opportunity of presenting once again our views on the issue of Cyprus, on Greek-Turkish relations, on NATO enlargement and on the issue related to Skopje (the fYRoM "name issue") as well as for a better understanding in Greek-US relations," the minister said after the meeting.

On Tuesday, Meimarakis will be received by National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones at the White House.

Meimarakis will also be meeting on Wednesday with the US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns and later, together with Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiades Varvitsiotis, he will meet with Congress' Hellenic Caucus.

The Greekdefence minister will complete his three-day visit to Washington with a meeting with the US Senate's Armed Forces Committee chairman, Carl Levin.

[04] Gov't retort to Papandreou, PASOK

"Everything they say reveals that they are consumed by their insatiable thirst for power," Antonaros said, adding that the PASOK leader "has turned the slandering of the country abroad into a profession ... it appears that he has forgotten that he used to be foreign minister.

"It took the main opposition party months to realise the existence of the economic crisis and now it falters," Antonaros stated, accusing PASOK of zero contribution to efforts aimed at weathering the crisis.

[05] PASOK spokesman replies to government spokesman on Papandreou's LSE speech

Papaconstantinou added that Antonaros "has also exceeded long ago the limits of common logic, since he says that Mr. Papandreou refers to issues that he and his party have arbitrarily christened scandals."

The spokesman also said that "we heard the Employment minister say that in 2007 the social insurance funds had increased their reserves by two billion euros. The truth is that over the past 18 months the social insurance funds have lost eight billion euros from their property and this is so before the international economic crisis came."

[06] Gov't on Pavlidis case; PASOK reax

Asked to confirm press speculation that the prime minister has allegedly stated that general elections will be unavoidable if Pavlidis is indicted and chooses not to resign, Antonaros responded that "imagination in this area appears to run wild".

"Our intention is to let the parliamentary procedure evolve," he stated, underlining that the subject of the vote is specific.

PASOK

On its part, main opposition PASOK MPs participating in the special parliamentary committee investigating the case of ruling New Democracy (ND) MP and former minister Aristotelis Pavlidis requested the record of bank deposits made to his brother's Anastasios Pavlidis' account by businessman Klearchos Routsis.

They also requested the records of money withdrawals made from the same bank account by Aristotelis Pavlidis.

Routsis testified before the committee earlier on Tuesday while Anastasios Pavlidis appeared for re-examination. The Bank of Greece experts who probed the controversial bank accounts of Pavlidis and shipowner Foris Manoussis will testify in the afternoon session of the committee.

PASOK deputies call for Special Parliamentary Committee to probe Pavlidis issue, government spokesman comments

A total of 78 deputies of the main opposition PASOK party requested on Tuesday the creation of a another Special Parliamentary Committee to probe former Aegean minister Aristotelis Pavlidis.

They are requesting in their proposal the holding of a preliminary investigation "on the possible perpetration, by the former Aegean and Island Policy minister Aritotelis Pavlidis, of the offence of violation of duty and the lack of faith in performing his duties."

The deputies further stressed that "since the present Parliament is already going through its second regular session and its dissolution is very possible, its move is urgent according to the process of article 86 of the Constitution, so that Parliament's responsibility regarding time will not expire and acts that were perpetrated during the previous Parliamentary period will not avoid a judicial probe."

Commenting on this development, government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that "we are not participating in the process of an orchestrated ridiculing of Justice and of the country's political life."

Antonaros added that PASOK "is once again proving that it lacks a policy and that it disregards institutions. The only path that it knows is the ruthless conservation of scandal talk, aiming at degrading everything. We are not participating in any case in this process of an orchestrated ridiculing of justice and of the country's political life."

[07] BoG report on Vatopedi case finds no involvement by politicians

In an announcement, Sioufas said the report was a follow-up of a similar report submitted on Dec. 4, 2008, copies of which had then been handed over to the chairman of the Parliamentary examining committee on the Vatopedi issue and all the political parties in Parliament.

"The documents that came to Parliament by 19 December 2008 that contained bank accounts had been given to the Parliamentary groups of the parties. They were sent to the Bank of Greece and, using them, the Bank of Greece drew up the present, fuller report," he added.

He said that a copy of the latest report and attached tables had again been sent to each Parliamentary group and noted that an analysis of the bank accounts did not point to the involvement of political figures, according to the auditors.

[08] ND Central Committee secretary chairs intersecretarial meeting

Zagoritis said in a statement that a big ND delegation headed by party leader and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will be leaving for the EPP's conference and stressed that discussions will be held and decisions taken at the EPP on important issues of Greek interest, such as relations of good neighbourliness with countries desiring to join the European Union, defence, the coast guard, etc.

Asked about the Pavlidis case, Zagoritis said that he is waiting for the report which will also be assessing the evidence.

[09] SYRIZA Parliamentary group meeting

Speaking after a SYRIZA Parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, he criticised the two major parties, saying that the country "is sinking in an economic crisis," while "Parliament has been turned into a courtroom and MPs have become judges".

Both Alavanos and SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman Fotis Kouvelis pointed out the urgent need to amend legislation on ministers' accountability and elections for top judicial officials.

Opinion poll

Main opposition PASOK was leading by 4.6 percentage points over ruling New Democracy in voter intent with respect to national elections and by 3.7 percent with respect to European Parliament elections, according to the results of a GPO opinion poll released late Monday night on private Mega television channel.

Regarding voter intent on national elections, PASOK was preferred by 32.6 percent of the respondents over ND with 28 percent, while 7.8 percent preferred the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), followed by the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) with 7.2 percent, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party with 5.5 percent, and the Ecologists-Greens with 4.6 percent.

Regarding Euroelections, PASOK was leading wityh 30.7 percent of the respondents' preference over 27 percent for ND, followed by SYRIZA with 8.1 percent, the KKE with 8 percent, LAOS with 6.5 percent, and the Ecologists-Greens with 5.8 percent.

To the question of who was the most suitable for prime minister, ND leader and premier Costas Karamanlis was preferred by 42.5 percent of the respondents against 36.1 percent who preferred PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Also, 78.6 percent of the respondents stated that they would cast votes in the June 7 Europarliament elections in Greece, while 67.2 percent stated that the June vote should send a message against the government's policy.

On the Pavlidis affair, 86.4 percent of the respondents stated that the former minister should resign his seat in parliament in the event that the parliamentary probe committee voted to refer him to a special court (on ministers' accountability), while the respondents were divided on whether his referral or resignation should prompt early general elections, with 48.1 percent in favor of early elections and 48 percent against.

Further, 70.3 percent of the respondents had a negative impression of the government, 57.1 percent of the prime minister, and 63 percent of the main opposition party.

[10] Gov't: No swine flu instances in Greece

Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos made the statements shortly after international wire stories carried statements by the EU Commissioner for health, namely, that Greece was amongst the EU countries "under investigation".

Avramopoulos said four suspected instances were investigated, after the individuals came forth voluntarily to report flu-like symptoms. Of the four, two had recently travelled to Mexico as tourists. Tests did not, however, reveal any evidence of swine flu strains, he said.

[11] Varvitsiotis on two-day visit to US

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis began a two-day visit to the United States on Monday, during which he will meet with members of the U.S. government and congress.

Varvitsiotis was due on Monday to speak at the Woodrow Wilson Center on the translatlantic relations between Greece and the United States, after which he was to visit the American-Hellenic Institute and meet Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the office of Europe and the Middle East Christopher Wilson and the head of USAID's Europe and Eurasia bureau Ken Yamashita.

Other scheduled engagements during the visit include attending a Greek conference organised jointly by the Institute of Foreign Policy Analysis (IFPA), the Constantine Karamanlis Foundation and the Greek national defence ministry on "A New NATO, Euro-Atlantic Security and the Greek-American Partnership".

On Tuesday, Varvitsiotis will attend a working breakfast at the German Marshall Fund and take part in a discussion on the approaches to the economic crisis on either side of the Atlantic.

Afterwards, with Greek National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, who is also in Washington, they will meet with members of the "Hellenic Caucus" in the U.S. Congress.

Varvitsiotis is next scheduled to visit the U.S. State Department for talks with the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the bureau of European and Eurasian affairs, Marcie Ries, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for South-central Europe Stuart Jones.

[12] Employment minister hosts luncheon for Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency chairman

"The visit to Greece by the Bosnia-Herzergovina Presidency Chairman shows the common ties that the two countries have, it confirms the common background from the long suffering region of the Balkans, but it also shows us the need to deepen even further our cooperation in all the main sectors of the economy, entrepreneurship and trade," Petralia said in her address during the luncheon.

"Over the past years, Greece's relation with Bosnia-Herzegovina has been in an orbit of development. Political cooperation combined with economic cooperation has given these relations particular importance and, at the same time, it has created new preconditions for their further development," she added.

Petralia concluded by saying that "Bosnia-Herzegovina is aware that Greece and its citizens are its friends, they are its allies, they are their fellow travellers in the joint effort to enable the region of the Balkans to become a region of development and prosperity."

Apart from Petralia, the Greek delegation included Deputy Employment and Social Solidarity Minister Sofia Kalantzakou, Deputy Defence Minister Ioannis Plakiotakis, the Greek Ambassador in Bosnia Prokopis Mantzouranis and the deputies Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Vassilis Kedikoglou.

[13] Crossborder Cooperation Committee convening in Thessaloniki on Wednesday

The first meeting of the Joint Supervision Committee of the Crossborder Cooperation programme between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which is financed by the European Union's pre-accession aid apparatus, will be held in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, on Wednesday, according to an announcement by the European Commission's office in Skopje (FYROM).

The Committe is composed of officials from the two countries and from regions that are participating in the programme, as well as representatives of the society of citizens.

A budget totalling 3,592,269 euros has been earmarked for activities that will be carried out in regions of FYROM, over the next three years. The corresponding amount on the Greek side is 5,543,466 euros.

According to an announcement by the European Commission, the aim of the programme is to strengthen convergence in crossborder regions, through the promotion of viable local development.

[14] EUFOR political advisor Limonier addresses Thessaloniki event

Limonier said inter alia that the EUFOR had succeeded in enhancing peace, security and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the wider region.

He noted that, since 2004 and up to the present, the European force in the region had managed to gather up a substantial number of weapons from the population and to curb organised crime in Bosnia-Herzegovina, thus strengthening stability.

Limonier further explained that the global financial crisis had also reached Bosnia-Herzegovina's doorstep, resulting in a 25 percent drop in exports, but added that the citizens were optimistic that the repercussions would be confronted.

The French diplomat also outlined the work accomplished by the EUFOR commanders from 2004 to the present, as well as force's structure and operation, while also noting the particularities and problems faced by Bosnia-Herzegovina due to the different "constituent" entities that need to work together so that the country's accession course to NATO and the EU may move forward.

The event was organised by the Foundation and the French Consulate General in Thessaloniki.

[15] Smoking ban without loopholes from July 1

The minister was speaking at a special event of the "National Alliance Against Smoking", where he presented the actions and measures taken by the ministry as part of a new anti-smoking campaign begun in collaboration with Harvard University, under the auspices of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.

Avramopoulos said the measures would be a break with a "sinful past" at a time when smoking was responsible for 700,000 days of hospitalisation burdening the national health system and diseases that cost the welfare state 2.14 billion euros a year.

"Our fellow citizens that are smokers will have the choice of smoking in their private homes or outdoors but we need them near us. We need an alliance with them because smokers themselves know better than non-smokers that their lives and the lives of their families are at risk because of their habit," he noted.

He underlined that the law would be enforced without exceptions, since the health ministry had prepared a national plan for its enforcement and for a comprehensive anti-smoking campaign.

The minister especially referred to a measure that required small venues (less than 70 square metres) subject to hygiene code regulations to be either smoking or non-smoking. Avramopoulos stressed that the ministry had not backed down to pressure groups in passing the measure but had followed similar examples from abroad, such as in Spain and Portugal, which showed that a gradual transition for smokers to a new system was successful and assisted the targeted fight against passive smoking.

According to a survey unveiled by the Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine, six out of 10 smokers and almost all non-smokers consider that the measures to ban smoking in public places are positive, while 10 percent of smokers believe that they will stop smoking as a result of the new measures and 43 percent believe that they will cut down.

Speakers noted that the law going into force on July 1 will force Greeks to revise their smoking habits in accordance with European standards and the help meet country's obligation to protect non-smokers from "enforced" passive smoking at work, when using public transport and in places of entertainment.

[16] Deputy Health minister addresses Social Affairs, Equality, Youth, Human Rights Committees

The Committees are preparing the Health ministry's draft law with which the 1993 Hague Treaty on the protection of children and cooperation concerning interstate adoption will be ratified with the consensus of the Parliamentary parties, with the exception of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Salmas said that the Health ministry is already going ahead with the reforming of the institutional framework on establishing not only the certification but the assessment as well of Non-Governmental Organisations that are active in the sector of Health and Social Solidarity.

"There are questions as to whether the money that they receive from the state goes to the beneficiaries and, furthermore, what possibility does the state have in order to exercise control over them, where do the amounts of money for partnership responsibility go," the deputy minister said.

Representatives from the foreign ministry, the "Mitera" Babies Centre, the "Child's Smile" and the Child's Advocate have been summoned to voice their views on the bill next week.

[17] Open dialogue on education via ministry blog

Inviting people to contribute their views and opinions, Spiliotopoulos stressed that no step in the right direction was too small and stressed that "education concerns me and concerns us all".

[18] Former PM Simitis addresses Social Reform Association event

Simitis, on the occasion of his book titled "The crisis", referred to the international crisis, stressing that "in Greece, recessions last much longer and are much more intense, and as a result when international recovery begins the Greek economy does not have the possibility of utilising it."

On the question of prospects, the former prime minister mentioned the uncertainty of international analysts and stressed in particular that, first of all, there is the danger of disinflation (as was the case in Japan for 10 years) and, secondly, the danger of hyperinflation (as was the case in Germany in the '20s) and, thirdly, of virtual stagnation.

"With the beginning of international recovery, Greece will have to handle both the crisis and its lagging behind and a plan is necessary. An improvement is necessary in productivity, the elements of production, the rate of investments, but what is mainly necessary is registering priorities in planning expenditures," Simitis noted.

Financial News

[19] Greece fully covered its 2009 borrowing requirement plan

In a statement to the press, Papathanasiou said this favourable development rejected doomsayers' talk, a few months ago, that Greece would not be able to borrow money from international capital markets or predicting that the country would have to seek money from the International Monetary Fund. The Greek minister stressed that the government managed to cover all its borrowing requirements for the year during the first four months of 2009 and noted that the government opted to raise another 8.0 billion euros from the market to further strengthen the country's position amidst a global economic crisis, raising a total of 50 billion euros so far this year. "We are, effectively, creating a safety zone, acting responsibly and to the benefit of the country," Papathanasiou said.

[20] NBG on bldg. sector stimulus

Speaking to reporters, Arapoglou said National Bank's loan portfolio grew by more than 10 pct in the first months of 2009, surpassing targets set for the Greek banking market and noted that the bank continued funding Greek households and enterprises. The Greek banker said non-performing loans were within normal limits and that there was no reason for concern.

Commenting on the on-going global economic crisis, Arapoglou said developments were related to US economy figures, ones showing the first signs of stabilisation. Commenting on the Greek economy, he said the near future would depend on the performance of the tourism sector and stressed that a strong shipping industry, a large public sector, a large number of family-owned businesses and a strong informal economy sheltered the economy.

[21] Deputy development minister addresses Adriatic-Ionian Forum

Bougas urged "private agencies, and the business world in particular, to follow this cooperation that has been activated by the governments."

He stressed that the crisis is shaping a new reality that signals the increase in the interdependence of the European countries and it must direct countries towards improving relations between them, creating joint infrastructures and encouraging trade and business relations and cooperation.

"In this context, the Greek government backs the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative as a considerable framework for consultations and cooperation between the countries of the Adriatic in such sectors as the economy, the protection of the environment and culture, and also supports joint initiatives and actions that strengthen the extroversion of the chamber institution," Bougas concluded.

[22] Libyan proposal for turning desert heat into electricity

An engineer and chairman of the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, Dr. Gaddafi said the concept was to convert desert heat into winds with a strong and constant flow, thus providing a safe and environmentally-sustainable source of electricity capable of covering global energy requirements.

A more detailed technical analysis of the method will also be made by senior engineer Muftah Elarbash, from the company Wave Environmental Co, who will take questions and provide clarifications.

The Athens Summmit 2009 is an event hosted by FT Global Events in collaboration with the Institute for Climate and Energy Security and is taking place under the aegis of President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, as part of the international initiative for debate on climate change and energy security entitled "The Road to Copenhagen: Managing Climate Change and Energy Security in Southeast Europe and Beyond".

The conference will be officially opened by Papoulias, while the speakers will include Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, formerly a minister of development, main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou, Environment Minister George Souflias and current Greek Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, as well as ministers of other countries in the region.

[23] PASOK criticises government measures for construction sector

"The New Democracy government is once again moving along the same policy lines it has followed for the past five years. It is adopting "targeted" measures that favour higher incomes, those that have the opportunity today to buy a second or third home, those interested in acquiring a large, expensive house or interested in taking out a large housing loan," she said.

[24] Intracom Telecom signs 45-mln-euro supply contracts in Russia

The two contracts have a duration of 12 months and will be implemented by Intracom Svyaz, a subsidiary of Intracom Telecom in Russia. "This new big project is a significant step in a successful cooperation with one of the largest telecoms operators in Russia and further strengthens our position in the region," A. Manos, Intracom Telecom's chief executive said.

[25] IT companies say turnover down 50 pct because of crisis

Speaking to reportetrs on the sidelines of a seminar on MEDLAB European Programme in Thessaloniki, Anastasios Tzikas, head of the Thessaloniki Technopolis, said a decision to cut investments in technology was a wrong business move and stressed that "technology during crisis created new opportunities".

Tzikas urged for a better relation between banks and IT companies and for speeding up of operations of the Small and Very Small Enterprises Guarantee Fund.

[26] Kastoria fur exhibition

This year's exhibition will be the largest ever, with 130 exhibitors from Greece and another 11 countries covering an exhibition space of approximately 2,000 sq. metres.

Representatives of the fur fair organizer, the Kastoria Fur Association "Prophet Elijah", stressed in a press conference, held on the occasion of the event, that roughly 300 commercial visitors are expected from Russia alone.

Most of the fur attire manufactured in Greece, reaching 98 pct of the overall production, is exported to Russia while the remaining 2 pct is sent to west European countries and the United States. Only a tiny portion remains in the Greek market.

[27] Greek stocks end 0.95% down

Most sectors moved lower, with the Chemicals (3.94 pct), Insurance (3.83 pct) and Raw Materials (3.82 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Health (6.76 pct), Technology (2.39 pct) and Financial Services (1.64 pct) scored gains.

The FTSE 20 index eased 1.12 pct, the FTSE 40 index fell 0.63 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 1.63 pct lower. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 156 to 69 with another 34 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -3.83%

Industrials: -3.03%

Commercial: -0.82%

Construction: -1.77%

Media: -0.50%

Oil & Gas: +0.09%

Personal & Household: -0.62%

Raw Materials: -3.82%

Travel & Leisure: -0.71%

Technology: +2.39%

Telecoms: -3.19%

Banks: -1.59%

Food & Beverages: +0.70%

Health: +6.76%

Utilities: -0.76%

Chemicals: -3.94%

Financial Services: +1.64%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), National Bank, Vovos and Public Power Corp (PPC).

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

Alpha Bank: 6.55

ATEbank: 1.17

Public Power Corp (PPC): 14.30

HBC Coca Cola: 11.80

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.94

National Bank of Greece: 14.12

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 5.56

Intralot: 4.18

OPAP: 22.00

OTE: 10.93

Bank of Piraeus: 6.18

Titan Cement Company: 17.82

[28] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,683 contracts worth 10.426 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (2,887), followed by Eurobank (1,058), OTE (2,439), Alpha Bank (920), Intracom (1,702), Marfin Popular Bank (1,558) and Cyprus Bank (651).

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month Euribor rate was 1.74 pct, the six-month rate was 1.57 pct, the three-month 1.38 pct and the one-month rate 0.97 pct.

[30] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.309

Pound sterling 0.897

Danish kroner 7.508

Swedish kroner 10.833

Japanese yen 126.08

Swiss franc 1.515

Norwegian kroner 8.834

Canadian dollar 1.604

Australian dollar 1.865

General News

[31] Prof. Fama presented with inaugural Onassis Prize for Economy, Commerce and Shipping

Eugene Fama, professor of finance at Chicago University's Graduate School of Business received the inaugural Onassis Prize for finance at an official banquet on Monday night at the City of London's Guildhall, which was attended by more than 700 distinguished guests from all over the world.

Fama, the founder of the efficient market hypothesis, is the first recipient of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation's newly-instituted Aristotelis Onassis Award for the Economy, Commerce and Shipping, in recognition of the leading academic's lifetime contribution to the study of finance.

The new biennial award is named after the late Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who in his hand-written will bequeathed half his fortune for the establishment of the Foundation, named after his son Alexander who died in private plane crash, for the purpose of providing funds in a wide range of areas such as medicine, education, literature, religion, science, journalism, art and exploration, and for the promotion and encouragement of Hellenic culture and studies.

"The Onassis Prizes are evolving into an international institution with immense recognition," Foundation president Anthony Papadimitriou said after the award ceremony.

Professor Fama, in a brief acceptance speech, referred to the present global financial crisis and stressed that the crisis was not over yet, and the markets be left free to adjust to the new realities without governmental interventions.

City University, London Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Costas Grammenos, the driving force behind the new award, noted that "today we inaugurated an institution that will become very significant over time" as "it has all the elements of success because working together for the promotion of the institution are three important factors: the City of London, the City University of London, and the Onassis Foundation".

"This award is a tribute to Aristotle Onassis, who had distinguished himself in the City of London with his business activities".

[32] Hellenic Aid-funded school to be inaugurated in Zambia

The project's construction that lasted four years was undertaken by the non-governmental organization European Audiovisual Network (EURONEM). The 750-sq.m facility features seven classrooms and two teachers' lounges.

[33] Armed robbery at EDOEAP journalists' insurance organisation

According to reports, two unidentified individuals wearing motorcycle helmets rushed into the ground floor of the EDOEAP building in Ilissia, hit the security guard over the head with a pistol and fired two shots in the air, before grabbing an as yet unknown sum of money from the two cashiers.

The robbers had also demanded that the safe be opened, but because of a delay due to the fact that the safe opens with a combination lock they abandoned the effort and fled on a motorcycle.

[34] Man shot by escaping burglar

The incident occurred when the man's 23-year-old son became aware of a group of three burglars that were attempting to break into the apartment above him. The thieves, who spoke Albanian amongst themselves, threatened him at gunpoint and ordered him to keep quiet while two of them got away.

When the third man started to leave the young man started shouting, waking his parents and neighbours, at which point the third of the burglars opened fire and hit the 55-year-old owner that had come out of his house. All three burglars escaped.

[35] Bank robbed in Kammena Vourla

Police have launched an investigation to locate them.

[36] Zoniana trial opens in Athens

The court will examine eight cases stemming from a bloody ambush of a police convoy headed to the village on Nov. 5, 2007, an incident that led to the serious injury of one of the officers. The raid was conducted following the arrest of a Zoniana man on Oct. 30, 2007 on drug possession and peddling charges. A subsequent police probe unravelled a web of alleged criminal activity in the broader central prefecture of Rethymno.

Fourteen of the defendants are also charged with robberies of bank ATMs; 12 are accused of attempted murder of peace officers; six face drug and weapons charges and 14 are accused of money-laundering.

The defendants are represented by more than 20 defence lawyers while roughly 150 people expected to take the stand.

[37] Horseback ride for peace

All members of a not-for-profit organization of nature lovers and friends of horses dedicated their venture to ancient and modern time Olympic champions, particularly to the ancient Greek chariot driver Kleosthenis, originally from the northwestern province of Epirus.

This is the third time that they have engagde in such an undertaking. In 2007, they followed the steps of Alexander the Great from the site of ancient Dion in the north to Alexandroupolis in the northeast, while in 2008 they travelled from the archaeological site of Delphi to the fire ravaged village of Zacharo in the Peloponnese, southern Greece, in a show of support for the wildfire victims.

Weather Forecast

[38] Cloudy, rainy on Wednesday

[39] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "State guarantee for 25 percent of mortgage loans - The measures announced by Papathanassiou to boost the construction sector".

APOGEVMATINI: "Four support measures for building sector - Government plan to boost the real estate branch and shield 400,000 jobs".

AVGHI: "Both (ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK) are 'paying' for their scandals - GPO opinion poll: 7 in 10 citizens accuse ND of cover-up attempt and PASOK of scandal-mongering, while the two mainstream parties collectively draw just 60 percent with respect to voter intent".

AVRIANI: "The public fed up with the scandals - ND and PASOK percentages falling, according to new GPO nationwide opinion poll".

CHORA: "Mortgage loans with State guarantee - The state guarantees 25 percent of the loan".

ELEFTHEROS: "New Democracy MPs' new outburst against Pavlidis, urging that he leave the party".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Global terror over the killer virus (swine flu) - Scattered cases throughout the world - Death toll reaches 149 people".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The businessman who was making deposits into Pavlidis' brother's bank account called to appear before the parliamentary probe committee".

ESTIA: "The exit from the crisis - The first indications of a recovery on the horizon".

ETHNOS: "Mystery with the account 'supplier' - Remittances, in installments, to Pavlidis' brother by businessman".

KATHIMERINI: "Package of measures to boost the real estate market - Tax-free ceiling for mortgage loan interest doubled to 40 percent".

LOGOS: "Alert, measures and prohibitions - Europe's first case of swine flu recorded in Spain".

NIKI: "Flood of depositions - Money deposited daily in Pavlidis' brother's account".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The people must change path, thus punishing ND and PASOK in the European Parliament elections".

TA NEA: "A 'home benefit' thrown into the battle of the elections - Tax deductions on mortgage loan interest for primary and second homes".

TO VIMA: "Black autumn ahead - Brussels regulating the developments - Barroso (European Commission president) in Athens, Greece in excessive deficit procedure".

VRADYNI: "Mortgage loans with State guarantees - Package of measures to boost building construction announced by Papathanassiou".

Cyprus Affairs

[40] Cyprus government welcomes ECJ ruling on Apostolides vs Orams case

The government of Cyprus has welcomed the Judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Communities on Apostolides vs Orams case.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Tuesday that the Court of Justice of the European Communities, by implementing the European Law, with its Judgment on the Orams case, has defended the property right of the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, as EU citizens, irrespective of whether the property is located in the free or in the occupied areas.

Stephanou noted that through its Judgment, the Court of Justice of the European Communities has overthrown the efforts to attach political significance to the case. If such an approach was adopted, while the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, the lawful inhabitants would have been deprived of any international legal measures of protection of their properties, which are located in the occupied areas, he added.

Stephanou noted that the Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities confirms that the suspension of the acquis in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, as envisaged in Protocol 10, does not inhibit the competency of Cypriot courts to decide on property rights in the occupied areas.

''In effect, the Judgment disallows any member state court to refuse to recognize or execute a decision taken by a Cypriot court in relation to properties in the occupied areas irrespective of whether the Government of Cyprus is unable to excersize effective control over the said territory,'' Stephanou noted.

As he said, the government of Cyprus welcomes the Judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Communities, ''which justifies the principled stand supported by the Greek Cypriot side on the property issue, in the direct negotiations.''

The European Court of Justice ruled Tuesday that a judgment of a Court in the Republic of Cyprus must be recognized and enforced by the other EU member states even if it concerns land situated in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The Court's ruling refers to the Apostolides vs Orams case and came after a dispute has arisen before the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, which has requested a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice, between Greek Cypriot refugee Meletis Apostolides, and British couple David and Linda Orams, in relation to the recognition and enforcement of a judgment of the District Court of Nicosia.

The court in the government controlled southern areas of Cyprus had delivered a judgment ordering the Orams couple to vacate an area of land in the Turkish occupied north and to pay various monetary amounts.

The British couple had purchased the land from a third party and built a holiday house on it. According to the findings of the court in Cyprus, however, the rightful owner of the land is in fact Apostolides, whose family was forced to leave the north as a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the occupation of the island's northern third.

Cyprus President: ECJ ruling is very important

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said that the ruling issued on Tuesday by the European Court of Justice on Apostolides vs Orams case is very important and vindicates the Republic of Cyprus, noting however that "we must not be thrilled" by the decision and consider that everything will be solved after this decision.

Christofias said that the court took its decision rightfully and vindicates EU citizens and an EU member state as well as the positions "which we are putting forward at the bicommunal talks on the issue of property."

Asked if something will change at the negotiations after this decision, he said that negotiations continue and "we must not be thrilled and consider that everything is solved in the blink of an eye after the decision of the court."

Christofias also noted that this is a very important decision which is based on the European law, adding however that "we must not think that Turkey will raise its hands.

"We will strive, using all arguments provided by the international law, the European law and any other international conventions," he added.

Law Office: ECJ's ruling preventive for usurpers of g/c land

The Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus has hailed the decision taken today by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over the Apostolides vs Orams case.

The Law Office issued a press release in which it states that the "ECJ's ruling allows Cypriot displaced people to defend in an effective manner their property rights against the usurpers of their properties, before civil courts of the Republic".

It furthermore notes that "the serious and existing danger faced now by each foreigner, who seeks to 'buy' Greek Cypriot land in the occupied areas, will constitute a serious preventive factor against the illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot land".

It is also noted that the Court's decision enhances the prospects of the solution of the Cyprus problem, since the creation of further illegal faits accomplis is prevented.

The Law Office of the Republic adds that the ECJ ruled that the Courts of the Republic of Cyprus have the exclusive jurisdiction regarding such cases of property issues and that "thus, the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and the competence of the Republic's authorities on the whole territory of Cyprus are once more being reaffirmed".

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