Browse through our Interesting Nodes of the Hellenic Government Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-04-02

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Tuesday, 2 April 2013 Issue No: 4324

CONTENTS

  • [01] Foreign minister briefs PM on foreign policy issues
  • [02] Public sector reform not a "thorn" in negotiations with the troika, minister says
  • [03] Stournaras briefs PASOK, DIMAR on resumption of talks with troika
  • [04] DIMAR calls for actions to deal with unemployment
  • [05] SYRIZA leader: 'investors will never come to a collapsing economy'
  • [06] ND, SYRIZA lash out at each other over the economy
  • [07] Ind. Greeks party leader on visit to Cyprus
  • [08] KKE calls for abolition of extraordinary surtax on real estate via electricity bills
  • [09] Greek descent MPs abroad intensifying action for Greece's recovery
  • [10] Justice ministry sources reveal drive to tighten security in Greek prisons
  • [11] Greek ombudsman urges new transliteration rules for Greek IDs, passports
  • [12] Zetta Makri sworn in as Magnissia deputy
  • [13] Macedonia-Thrace Minister Karaoglou visits Promahonas, Evzoni border stations
  • [14] Appeal to Imvrians to return
  • [15] Local authorities record cash surplus in first two months of 2013
  • [16] Recapitatlisation of systemic banks enters final stage
  • [17] Greek banks recapitalization process underway, HFSF says
  • [18] Greece to begin privatization process for TrainOSE in June
  • [19] Greek gov't rapidly repaying overdue debt to private sector
  • [20] Belgian energy secretary Wathelet meets Greek energy ministry officials
  • [21] Greek National Natural Gas System 2013-2022 development programme announced
  • [22] Greek PMI fell in March
  • [23] National Insurance returned to profitability in 2012
  • [24] Korres Group reports mixed 2012 results
  • [25] Job Fair Athens 2013 at Technopolis
  • [26] Business briefs
  • [27] Greek bond market closing report
  • [28] Second suspect in Isthmia armed robbery shooting also an escaped prison inmate
  • [29] "The unknown front of the Balkan Wars" exhibition in Parliament
  • [30] Exhibition on life of Alexander the Great in Germany
  • [31] Boutaris welcomes Muslim students at 'Yeni Mosque'
  • [32] Man killed after falling onto Metro train tracks at Ambelokipi station
  • [33] Bank robbery in Exarchia
  • [34] Wildfire in Koumousta, Laconia prefecture
  • [35] Super League result
  • [36] Rainy on Tuesday
  • [37] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

  • [01] Foreign minister briefs PM on foreign policy issues

    Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who briefed him on developments in foreign policy issues and the results of the minister's recent trips abroad.

    The meeting was mainly dominated by discussion of Greek-Turkish relations, in the wake of a series of provocative statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

    Avramopoulos also briefed the prime minister on preparations being made at the foreign ministry for Greece's upcoming European Union presidency, which it takes over in January 2014.

    [02] Public sector reform not a "thorn" in negotiations with the troika, minister says

    Public sector reform is not a "thorn" in negotiations with the troika of Greece's lenders (European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund), Administrative Reform Minister Antonis Manitakis repeated on Monday, addressing reporters on the sidelines of an event at the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government.

    The issue of layoffs has not been raised by the troika, which instead called for a qualitative upgrading of the public sector, an effort already launched by the ministry five months ago under the pressure exerted by the country's lenders and time, Manitakis noted.

    He described administrative reform as a "titanic effort" that needs a lot of time to be completed successfully.

    Manitakis said that the 25,000 public sector employees that will be affected by the labour reserve measure have not been found yet, noting that it is an important task that needs to be performed with caution and in a systematic way.

    The new organizational charts of the last three government ministries participating in the process will be ratified within the next few days, Manitakis said, adding that by the end of the year the central administration organizational charts will also be completed.

    [03] Stournaras briefs PASOK, DIMAR on resumption of talks with troika

    Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras met with representatives of PASOK, Filipos Sachinidis and Democratic Left (DIMAR) party, Dimitris Chatzisokratis on Monday evening, in view of the resumption of negotiations with Greece's troika of international lenders - EC, ECB, IMF - due to arrive in Athens on Wednesday.

    According to reports, Stournaras briefed the two officials on all issues that still remain pending in talks between the government and the troika, over the reimbursement of the next tranche of the country's rescue loan.

    A central point in the meeting was the special property tax (EETIDE), collected through electricity bills, which the troika wants to apply also for 2013.

    [04] DIMAR calls for actions to deal with unemployment

    Democratic Left (DIMAR) on Monday called for the immediate taking of actions to deal with spiraling unemployment, which it said has taken on "nightmarish proportions".

    DIMAR, in an announcement, said that the party's proposals, announced recently, also include a proposal for actions with programmes immediately creating jobs of a public benefit nature, programmes that chiefly concern unemployed of families which do not have any adult working members.

    DIMAR added that the financing of these actions and programmes could be effected through re-channeling funds from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

    [05] SYRIZA leader: 'investors will never come to a collapsing economy'

    Investors will never come to put their money into a collapsing economy caught in a 'death spiral' of austerity and recession, main opposition SYRIZA-EKM leader Alexis Tsipras stressed on Monday as he addressed 'rented' staff at the company Ethnodata, employed via other firms (ICAP, MELLON), and workers in the local Ethniki union.

    Tsipras underlined that a condition for saving the country - and therefore attracting investments - was a stable labour regime, a stable and fair tax regime and the opportunity for recovery that could only come about by increasing the minimum legal wage, so that those who spent all they earned could carry out the consumer spending that might drive the economy.

    Commenting on the arrival later this week of officials representing Greece's troika of lenders - the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund - the main opposition leader said this carried the risk of launching a new round of 'blackmail' against Greece due to the 'financing gap' for Greece's banking sector and the public deficit of 2.7 billion euros caused by the austerity measures.

    Gov't reply

    Commenting on Tsipras' speech, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglour responded by stating that the "government is steadily guiding the country away from the dangerous rocks of SYRIZA's populism" and accused the main opposition of indulging his "weakness for being alarmist".

    "He has been doing this continually since last summer and is invariably proved wrong. That will be the case this time as well," Kedikoglou added.

    [06] ND, SYRIZA lash out at each other over the economy

    The New Democracy (ND) party (the leading partner in the coalition government) on Monday lashed out at main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA-EKM) in response to statements made by its cadres concerning the economy and the country's presence in the eurozone.

    The ND statement underlined that "SYRIZA wants to tax bank accounts, nationalize the banks and lead the country back to the drachma".

    ND called on SYRIZA leader Alexis "Tsipras and his 'component-members of irresponsibility' to stop speaking or before speaking to carefully consider the consequences of their statements that bring fear to the Greek citizens and traumatize the credibility of the Greek economy. Unless, this is their goal after all..."

    In response, SYRIZA likened ND's statements to a bad April Fools' Day joke, adding that "in reality the government seizes bank accounts, wages and pensions of citizens who owe more than 1,000 euros to the state, imposes new extraordinary surtaxes and promotes layoffs in the public sector."

    [07] Ind. Greeks party leader on visit to Cyprus

    NICOSIA (AMNA - A. Viketos)

    Independent Greeks party leader Panos Kammenos on Monday carried out a trip to Cyprus for the April 1 anniversary of the island republic's revolutionary struggle for independence and hold meetings with the island's political leadership and Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

    During the meeting with the archbishop, they exchanged views on the difficult conditions currently faced by Greeks in both Greece and Cyprus, agreeing on an anti-memorandum struggle.

    Kammenos attended a mass celebrating the anniversary of the 1955-1959 and laid wreaths at monuments for EOKA freedom fighters and at the 'Tomb of Makedonitissa' for the Greek officers and the privates fallen during the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

    He arrived in Cyprus accompanied by Ind. Greeks Parliament Vice-president Maria Kollia and the party's Parliamentary spokesman Terens Kouik. Kammenos will also be received by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, the Cyprus Parliament's speaker and the island's political leadership.

    [08] KKE calls for abolition of extraordinary surtax on real estate via electricity bills

    Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Monday accused the coalition government of looking for excuses and ways to continue collecting a punitive 'emergency' surtax on real estate via electricity bills, adding that this confirms its position that it was not a temporary measure.

    According to KKE, people should refuse to make any more sacrifices "for the sake of plutocracy and the country's presence in the eurozone".

    [09] Greek descent MPs abroad intensifying action for Greece's recovery

    As Greek decent members of parliament around the world are intensifying action aimed at helping Greece's economic recovery, deputy Foreign minister Costas Tsiaras hosted a working dinner on Monday for the board of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), currently on a visit to Athens.

    "We must coordinate our action in the best possible way, particularly at this crucial period for Greece. It is imperative to activate all the forces of ecumenical Hellenism and seek the way in which we can attain the best possible results," Tsiaras told AMNA.

    "This can be confirmed at political level, in an effort to strengthen Greece's relations with the countries they (WHIA members) represent and have political activity, in the promotion of issues or sectors in which there can be further cooperation, such as trade and tourism," he added.

    WHIA president and member of parliament in the state of Victoria, Australia John Pantazopoulos said "wherever we reside, we are Greeks," adding that "in such moments we must all do what we can to help Greece, to help the economy of Greece and to strengthen Greece. This is our aim."

    [10] Justice ministry sources reveal drive to tighten security in Greek prisons

    The justice ministry is taking steps to clean up and tighten security in Greece's ailing prison system, which include the automatic suspension from duty of 39 prison employees on disciplinary grounds during the past seven months, sources within the ministry revealed on Monday.

    The same sources compared this figure with the 22 prison guards suspended in total throughout the previous seven years, from 2005 until 2011, noting that eight of the 39 were now being held in custody, six of them for drug-related offences.

    In addition, the ministry will announce heightened security measures for the country's prisons in the next few days, in a bid to keep pace with the methods and means now used by criminals that prison guards and perimeter guards were ill-equipped to deal with.

    In an interview with the state television channel NET, Deputy Justice Minister Constantinos Karagounis referred to a report in a Sunday newspaper showing a series of photographs in which a Korydallos prison inmate climbed out of his cell window to pick up something left in the yard and then climbed back in.

    The minister said the incident was recorded the previous December and prompted a full-blown internal investigation, with the case sent to a public prosecutor.

    According to Karagounis, organised crime in Greece had evolved to take on "military-style" organisation and he unveiled plans to build a maximum-security facility and to equip most prisons with bullet-proof windows in guard posts, as well as wires to prevent escapes by air. Among the ministry's priorities, he added, was to equip perimeter guards with heavy-duty weaponry, systems to prevent use of mobile phones, more frequent inspections with the assistance of the police force and the hiring of an additional 500 prison guards, to make up for the 20 percent of the workforce lost through early retirement.

    [11] Greek ombudsman urges new transliteration rules for Greek IDs, passports

    In a report issued on Monday, the Greek ombudsman has asked the public order ministry to re-examine current rules for transliterating Greek names into Latin script on IDs and passports issued in Greece, following numerous complaints from citizens.

    The independent authority noted that deviation from the approved transliteration model ELOT 743 has until now only been allowed if it was requested by the interested part and there was a previously existing public document using the alternative version, issued either in Greece or by a foreign authority.

    The current rules, based on a past ruling of the Legal Council of State, forbid any deviation from the transliteration model that could be seen as a 'loose translation', with the additional of nonexistent letters or changes to the ending of the surname in the female and male forms or the omission of letters. Effectively, this means that the Greek Police, which is the body responsible for issue IDs and passports, has completely abolished the originally foreseen option of deviating from ELOT 743.

    The ombudsman then sought and obtained a new ruling from the Legal Council of State on this issue in 2011, which allowed a double rendition of the document holder's name in Latin script, one in the 'approved' ELOT 743 version and the second in the previously established form.

    The authority notes that this has 'cancelled out' the option to request an alternative rendition of one's name in the form already established in other documents and creates problems for the document holder, especially with transactions abroad.

    The Greek Police, however, have replied that the problem has been resolved by adopting the 2011 ruling prompting the ombudsman to demand that the ministry re-examine the issue.

    [12] Zetta Makri sworn in as Magnissia deputy

    Zetta Makri was sworn in at the Parliamentary Plenum and assumed the duties of New Democracy party Magnissia deputy, taking the seat of the deceased Athanassios Nakos.

    Makri was the first runner-up on ND's ticket in the last national elections.

    [13] Macedonia-Thrace Minister Karaoglou visits Promahonas, Evzoni border stations

    Macedonia-Thrace Minister Theodoros Karaoglou on Monday visited the border stations of Promahonas at the borders with Bulgaria and Evzoni at the borders with FYROM.

    Karaoglou pledged that works for the restoration of Promahonas border station will get underway immediately in an initiative undertaken by the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace that will fund the project.

    In Evzoni border station, upgraded in 2004, Karaoglou met with personnel representatives and discussed issues concerning the station's operation.

    [14] Appeal to Imvrians to return

    ISTANBUL (AMNA/A. Kourkoulas)

    The representative of the non-moslem minorities in the board of Turkey's benevolent foundations Pantelis Vingas on Monday extended an appeal for the repatriation of of ex-residents on Imvros island.

    In statements to the newspaper Sabah, Vingas said the Imvrians who have emigrated to Greece, Australia, the United States, France and even South Africa, must now return to their homes. "Here, the school opened. The island is waiting for you," Vingas remarked.

    Turkish Education Minister Nabi Avci announced on Friday that the licence for the operation of the Greek Orthodox elementary school on the island Imvros has been approved.

    In a statement to the Turkish news agency "Anadolu", Avci said that the school had begun to operate in 1951 and closed in 1964 following a relevant request by the school's founder.

    Financial News

    [15] Local authorities record cash surplus in first two months of 2013

    The integrated local administration budget presented a cash surplus of 362.3 million euros in the first two months of 2013, Interior Minister Evripidis Stylianidis stated on Monday.

    He clarified that "the counterbalancing of public spending, the introduced spending cuts, and the increase in municipal revenues from sources other than state coffers created a surplus of 362.3 million euros in the first two months of 2013, further reinforcing the economic independence of Local Admini-stration Organizations (OTA)."

    Particularly, the surplus in February 2013 reached 180.1 million euros, while a satisfactory collection of revenues and spending cuts implemented in compliance with the 2013-2016 Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy, are continuing.

    "The new reality created in local administration on a daily basis as a result of systematic work and cooperation lays the foundations for a new model, free from past dependencies. This will give a greater economic and administrative independence to municipalities and regions," Stylianidis said.

    The cash surplus recorded was the result of increased revenues from municipal taxes and fees - given that state budget subsidies have been considerably reduced (12 pct) compared with the first two months of 2012 - and a 13 pct reduction in spending compared with the same period in 2012.

    [16] Recapitatlisation of systemic banks enters final stage

    The process of recapitalisation of the major systemic banks in Greece enters into its final stage on Monday, the successful completion of which will render the banking system capable of contributing to the great wager of restarting the growth of the economy.

    Already, the central Bank of Greece (BoG) has sent letters to the systemic banks asking the administrations of National Bank (NBG), Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank to proceed at a rapid pace with the procedures for completion of their recapitisation, asking that by the end of next week at the latest they will have proceeded with the convening of their General Assemblies to approve share capital increases in the context of the recapitalisation.

    The BoG has asked the banks to detail, by mid-April at the latest, their strategy on how they will cover the 10 percent private participation, in other words to indicate whether or not they will be in a position to put together the 10 percent in private participation, to finalise the terms of the increases and to submit the relevant Informational Letter to the Capital Market Commission by the end of April.

    The banks have a time margin of up to mid-June to complete the share capital increases, at least those banks that have grounded hopes of putting together the 10 percent private participation. The banks that do not collect the 10 percent private participation, the total of the share capital increase will be covered by the Fiscal Stability Fund (FSF), and thus will pass into the full control of the FSF.

    [17] Greek banks recapitalization process underway, HFSF says

    A possible high equity participation of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund in Greek commercial banks -currently under recapitalization- will not result to a nationalization of these institutions, HFSF said in a report submitted to Parliament on Monday.

    At the same time, the Bank of Greece stressed that a transitional recapitalization of systemic banks has already begun contributing to a gradual restoring of confidence among markets and depositors. Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, in a report to the Parliament, noted that the basic legal framework covering Greek banks' recapitalization plan has been completed and that the whole process should be completed in the coming months. A memorandum of economic and financial policies agreed between Greek authorities and the troika envisages that a bank recapitalization plan is expected to be completed by the end of April 2013.

    The Bank of Greece, in a report to Parliament, said that a bank recapitalization plan will be made in three stages: 1) a bridge recapitalization by the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (advance payment of future share capital increases scheduled by the end of April 2013. This advance payment was made in December 2012). 2) issuing contingent convertible bonds -CoCos- by systemic banks (to be fully covered by HFSF). 3) completing share capital increases plans by the end of April.

    The central bank also noted that non-systemic banks must be recapitalized through private capital or merge by the end of April 2013. If private investors failed to support these banks, the Bank of Greece will take all necessary actions to ensure a smooth restructuring process not later than June 2013, in a way safeguarding financial stability and the interests of depositors.

    The central bank also stressed that private shareholders will maintain control of systemic banks on the precondition that they cover up to 10 pct of the new shares to be issued. In any other case, HFSF will take control of the banks' management.

    [18] Greece to begin privatization process for TrainOSE in June

    A privatization process for the sale of TrainOSE will begin by June with the aim to complete a tender by the end of 2013 or early 2014, Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis said on Monday.

    Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the management of Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and the managements of Hellenic Railways, TrainOSE, ErgOSE, GaiaOSE and Rosco, the Greek minister said following the transfer of TrainOSE's shares to HRADF, a privatization process has begun and stressed that the future investor in the company should have not only the necessary capital, but experience in railway transport and a strategy as well.

    "There has been a long-term process which began with a restructuring of Hellenic Railways in 2008, many steps have been made to have a fully restructured company in 2012 and to report positive results," Hatzidakis said, adding that things were progressing well, after a settlement of legal issues with the European Union.

    The minister said Hellenic Railways reported slight profits in 2012, it was debt-free and offered expertise and know-how. He added that the troika recently approved a plan to offer 50-million-euros in subsidies to under-performing railway lines, while TrainOSE expanded its activities with the signing of an agreement with Hewlett-Packard and Cosco.

    Hatzidakis said he will sent a letter to EU Commissioner Joaquin Almunia seeking to settle any pending legal disputes regarding Hellenic Railways. He confirmed there was investment interest for the company, although he declined to offer more details and left the door open that a tender could be in separate parts.

    HRADF's chief executive, Yiannis Emiris, said a privatization process will be a swift and tight process, noting: "Our ambition is that the tenders of Rosco and TrainOSE run in parallel and they have to".

    [19] Greek gov't rapidly repaying overdue debt to private sector

    The Greek government has repaid 1.5 billion euros in overdue debt to the private sector in the period December 2012-March 2013, Finance Alternate Minister Christos Staikouras said on Monday.

    Staikouras said that the state was rapidly covering its debt repayment obligations to the private sector contributing in boosting liquidity in the market. In a report, the minister said that final payments totaled 790 million euros in March, adding to payments worth 730 million euros made in the December 2012-February 2013 period.

    Staikouras said repayment process will be even better in April.

    [20] Belgian energy secretary Wathelet meets Greek energy ministry officials

    Visiting Belgian Secretary of State for the Environment, Energy and Mobility Melchior Wathelet Jr on Monday had meetings in Athens with Greek Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Evangelos Livieratos and Deputy Environment Minister Makis Papageorgiou.

    The meeting with Papageorgiou focused on potential coope-ration between Greece and Belgium in the energy sector, while they also exchanged views on the integration of the EU's internal energy market, especially for renewable energy sources.

    Wathelet later paid a courtesy call on Livieratos, during which they discussed the potential for expanding bilateral cooperation between Belgium and Greece.

    [21] Greek National Natural Gas System 2013-2022 development programme announced

    The Greek National Natural Gas System 2013-2022 development programme that includes investments of 1.6 billion euros, was presented for public debate by the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) on Monday.

    The largest project, the Komotini-Thesprotia pipeline, with a budget of 1.1 billion euros, is the land section of the Greece-Italy pipeline which is still in the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator S.A. (DESFA) plans, despite the fact that it has been rejected by the Shah Deniz Consortium. According to plans, it will be completed in 2018 but a decision for its implementation has not been finalized yet.

    DESFA has also undertaken to prepare the necessary infrastructure for the reception and operation of the other pipelines that may pass through Greece, namely, the natural gas Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Greece-Bulgaria pipeline.

    Other important projects include, the 159-million-euro upgrading of Revithoussa liquid natural gas terminal scheduled to be completed in 2015, the construction of Agii Theodori-Megalopolis pipeline that will supply the new Public Power Corp. S.A. (PPC S.A.) natural gas plant in Megalopolis to be in operation in September and a number of projects designed to supply electricity production plants.

    [22] Greek PMI fell in March

    Greece's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell to 42.1 points in March from 43 in February, remaining in a shrinking course for the 43rd month in a row, Markit said on Monday.

    Production in Greek manufacturing units fell significantly in March, hit by a decline in production in intermediate goods and capital goods, reflecting lower levels of new orders. Demand -both from domestic and foreign markets- also fell although the decline rate of new orders was the slowest in almost 12 months.

    Employment levels fell at a more rapid rate in March, while enterprises in the construction sector continued cutting their pending works. Supply levels fell in March, although at the slowest pace since September 2012, while average factory prices fell significantly hit by intense competition in domestic markets.

    The PMI is a composite index measuring business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector, while readings below 50 a shrinking sector.

    [23] National Insurance returned to profitability in 2012

    National Insurance Group on Monday reported pre-tax earnings of 89.5 million euros last year, after pre-tax losses of 521.5 million euros in 2011.

    The parent company also reported pre-tax earnings of 87.9 million euros in 2012, from a pre-tax loss of 519.4 million euros in the previous year.

    Consolidated pre-tax and asset write down earnings totaled 118.1 million euros in 2012, from 109.7 million in 2011, while parent pre-tax and asset write down earnings rose to 116.5 million euros last year from 111.5 million in 2011.

    National Insurance said its equity capital was boosted by 115 million euros last year. Premium production totaled 651.1 million euros in 2012, from 848.8 million euros in 2011, while parent premium production fell to 617 million euros from 814.2 million euros over the same periods, respectively.

    [24] Korres Group reports mixed 2012 results

    Korres Group on Monday reported an increase in its gross profit margin and adjusted EBITDA in 2012, although after tax and minorities results were negative in the year.

    Consolidated sales fell to 40 million euros in 2012, from 42.7 million in 2011, reflecting lower sales in foreign markets (Johnson & Johnson produces and sells Korres brand products in North America, while the group restructured its activities in core markets such as Germany and Spain). Gross profit margin rose to 62 pct last year, from 60 pct in 2011, while net results after tax and minorities showed a loss of 4.2 million euros, from a loss of 3.4 million in 2011.

    The group said its domestic sales eased 1.6 pct although it raised its market share in pharmacies.

    [25] Job Fair Athens 2013 at Technopolis

    The annual "Job Fair Athens" will take place at the Athens municipality's Technopolis facility on Wednesday and Thursday, for the 3rd consecutive year.

    In the previous two Job Fairs, more than 60 companies and 2,000 students and graduates of polytechnic, technological and economic schools took part in the event, which is organised by the student organisations EESTEC LC Athens (Electrical Engineering STudent European assoCiation) and IEEE NTUA S.B. (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), in collaboration with more than 100 higher-education students from all over Greece, under the auspices of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA-Athens Polytechnic) and the Secretariat General for Research and Technology (GGET).

    The purpose of the event, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days, is to brief visitors on the conditions on the job market, and for them to find jobs or internships with the participating companies.

    [26] Business briefs

    -- Intrakat on Monday said its consolidated turnover fell 2.1 pct to 124.3 million euros last year, while pre-tax results showed a loss of 743.500 euros in 2012, from profits of 3.4 million euros in 2011.

    [27] Greek bond market closing report

    The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds remained unchanged at 11.02 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Monday, as European markets remained closed for the Easter holidays, freezing transactions in the Greek market. The Greek bond yielding 12.63 pct and the German Bund 1.28 pct.

    In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 0.54 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.44 pct, the six-month rate was 0.33 pct, the three-month rate rose to 0.21 pct and the one-month rate was 0.12 pct.

    General News

    [28] Second suspect in Isthmia armed robbery shooting also an escaped prison inmate

    Police on Monday announced that a second suspect in last Thursday's armed robbery at Isthmia was identified as one of 11 convicts that escaped from Trikala Prison on March 22. The robbery ultimately resulted in the death of a 25-year-old woman, who was hit by a stray bullet fired by the robbers against police in pursuit. The woman was driving through Isthmia on the old Athens-Thebes national road late on Thursday night when a bullet shot by the robbers went through her car and killed her.

    The suspect's fingerprint was found on the back left window of the restaurant owner's SUV, which the three robbers stole to flee the scene and later abandoned in a rural area near the village of Solomos in Corinth, southern Greece.

    The suspect was identified as Ermal or Litor Drebata or Lita, an Albanian national, whose mugshot was released after the bloody jailbreak and who is wanted, along with another eight escaped convicts. He was held in Trikala Prison for armed robberies.

    Police have also identified another Isthmia robbery suspect, 36-year-old Marko Kola from Albania, as an escaped inmate from Trikala Prison.

    [29] "The unknown front of the Balkan Wars" exhibition in Parliament

    On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Balkan Wars, the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarianism and Democracy is staging an exhibition titled "The unknown front of the Balkan Wars: The administrative incorporation of the New Lands", which focuses on another, lesser-known struggle of that era which commenced in tandem with the liberation and annexation of the new "new lands".

    Photographs, newspapers, administrative decisions, official correspondence, tables and charts of the times are contained in the exhibition, which outlines the difficulties, the achievements but also the problems of Greek administration in its effort for smooth incorporation of the populations of Macedonia, Epirus, Crete, and Samos, the islands of the northeastern Aegean and Thrace into the state mechanism.

    The narration of the exhibition begins with a historical review of the military, diplomatic and political events of the 1912-1922 decade through the fundamental areas of concern to the country's administrative mechanism, the recording of the populations, the administrative organization and its staffing, education and the economy.

    The material comes from the National History Museum, the Historic and Diplomatic Archives of the Foreign Ministry, the Historic Archives of Macedonia and Thrace, the 'Eleftherios Venizelos' National Research and Studies Foundation, the Library of Parliament, the Gennadeios Library, and private collections for all over Greece where important documents of the country's history are preserved.

    The exhibition will run through the end of May, and is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Foundation's exhibition hall (14 Amalias Boulevard) off Syntagma Square.

    [30] Exhibition on life of Alexander the Great in Germany

    MUNICH (AMNA)

    An exhibition on the life and work of Alexander the Great, with 450 archaeological exhibits for which 42 museums from all over the world cooperated, will be taking place until November 3 at the Lokschuppen exhibition premises in the Bavarian city of Rosenheim.

    The exhibition is being organised by the Archaeological Museum of Munich, in cooperation with the Munich Sculptures Museum and the Louvres, London and Berlin museums as well as another 37 museums.

    The exhibition portrays the vision of Alexander the Great to unite culturally the known world at the time and includes big maps and charts on his course, items of his daily life and describes, with the assistance of audiovisual material, the war operations and the construction of projects in peace time.

    [31] Boutaris welcomes Muslim students at 'Yeni Mosque'

    Thessaloniki's "Yeni Mosque", a unique monument of the devotional tradition of Jewish converts to Islam, has again - after 90 years - been turned into a prayer site. The Mosque was on Monday visited by 50 students of the Komotini Moslem Seminary, along with their teachers, and they were welcomed by Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris.

    The Mosque, built in 1902, was a worship site for Muslim Jews living in the northern Greece city, but following the Greece - Turkey population exchange of 1922 it was used for three years as accommodation to refuges. Between 1925 and 1963, it was used as an archaeological museum, and is currently an exhibition venue.

    Its courtyard houses a rich collection of marble sculptures from the Roman period and the early Christian era.

    [32] Man killed after falling onto Metro train tracks at Ambelokipi station

    A 50-year-old man was killed when he fell onto the Metro train tracks at the Ambelokipi station half an hour after noon on Monday.

    The man's body was recovered by the Fire Brigade and transferred to hospital.

    The incident is being investigated by police.

    The Ambelokipi station has been temporarily closed, with trains bypassing the station.

    Athens metro back to normal operation after Ambelokipi accident

    Normal train services resumed on line 3 of the Athens metro by Monday afternoon, following a roughly two-hour interruption due to a fatal accident at Ambelokipi station earlier the same day.

    [33] Bank robbery in Exarchia

    An armed robbery took place Monday morning at a Eurobank branch on Solonos street in the downtown Athens district of Exarchia.

    Two unidentified gunmen stormed the branch, fired once in the air for intimidation, and made off with an as yet undetermined amount of money.

    Police are investigating.

    [34] Wildfire in Koumousta, Laconia prefecture

    A large wildfire is raging since noon in the region of Koumousta at Xirokambi in the Laconia prefecture in the Peloponnese. The blaze is being tackled by 21 manned fire brigade vehicles and locals using machinery.

    While not threatening residential areas, the fire is hard to control owing to the region's inaccessibility, on the slopes of Mt Taygetus.

    Soccer

    [35] Super League result

    Panionios Athens beat Asteras Tripoli 2-1 at home in a Super League game played on Monday evening.

    Standings after 27 weeks of play:

    1. Olympiacos 70

    2. Asteras 53

    3. PAOK 53

    4. Atromitos 42

    5. PAS Yiannina 38

    6. Panathinaikos 35

    7. Xanthi 35

    8. Panionios 34

    9. Platanias 33

    10. OFI 31

    11. Levadiakos 31

    12. AEK 30

    13. Veria 30

    14. Panthrakikos 27

    15. Aris 26

    16. Kerkyra 20

    NOTE: Panathinaikos has had two points deducted.

    Weather forecast

    [36] Rainy on Tuesday

    Rainy weather and southerly winds are forecast in most parts of the country on Tuesday. Winds 3-8 beaufort. Temperatures between 7C and 24C. Slightly cloudy in Athens with local showers and southerly 3-6 beaufort winds and temperatures between 11C and 21C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures between 9C and 18C.

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

    EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "Government's seven burning fronts ahead of troika's (EC,ECB,IMF) arrival in Athens".

    ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Companies from Cyprus gained 700 million euros from the haircut".

    ELLADA AVRIO: "National Bank of Greece (NBG) in troika's vise".

    ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Pension at the age of 55 for 350,000 insured in IKA (major state social security fund) ".

    ESTIA: "Iphigenia of populism".

    ETHNOS: "The scenarios for the (extraordinary real estate) surtax and the reserve labour".

    NAFTEMPORIKI: "The 'haircut' of the external debt reached 437 billion euros".

    TA NEA: "Thorns with the troika".

    36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS


    Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ana2html v2.01 run on Tuesday, 2 April 2013 - 19:51:13 UTC