Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-12-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cooperation with Egypt rests 'on very firm foundations,' Greece's PM says after meeting Egyptian president

[02] Greece and Egypt to sign agreements linking ports, PM announces after meeting Egyptian president

[03] We do not claim anything from anyone, says Greek President Pavlopoulos

[04] Conference discusses Greek-Egyptian cooperation in energy, tourism and constuction

[05] Greece and Egypt sign agreements on air transport, inter-port links

[06] Tsipras on refugee crisis: 'We do our job very well. Greece is not open to all-comers'

[07] New Democracy accuses PM of not rising to the occasion

[08] Gov't spokeswoman welcomes statement by German embassy in Athens

[09] The Grexit belongs to the past, German ambassador to Greece Schoof says

[10] Refugee crisis needs to be tackled as a European problem, agree Greek, German ministers

[11] FinMin Tsakalotos: Greek programme on the right track

[12] Institutions' representatives arrive in Athens on Tuesday

[13] Talks between Greece, institutions on ADMIE to be resumed on Wednesday, sources say

[14] Foreign ministry condemns attack on DEB party in Komotini

[15] Greek citizen protection and migration ministers meet Dutch defence and immigration ministers

[16] Greek police investigate Syrian in Lesvos for possible ISIS link

[17] Greek coast guard dismisses alleged ISIS-linked arrest in Kalymnos

[18] Greek women still face major hurdles entering politics, Gerovasili tells gender equality event

[19] Alternate Finance Min Alexiadis dismisses reports on retrospective tax increases

[20] German State Minister Roth discusses Church's charitable work with Archbishop Ieronymos

[21] Vodafone Greece signs contract to conduct New Democracy party elections

[22] ESM releases 2.71 bln euros for recapitalization of National Bank

[23] HRDAF presents Greece's privatization programme for 2016

[24] Piraeus Bank ready to contribute to economic growth

[25] Capital Market Commision extends short selling ban on bank shares

[26] Greek exports down 12.5 pct in October

[27] Greek employers expect little change in their workforce in Jan-March 2016

[28] Chania Cooperative Bank agrees with strategic partner

[29] Greek stocks plunge to lowest levels since Aug 24

[30] Greek bond yields continue moving higher

[31] Greek bond market closing report

[32] ADEX closing report

[33] Greece ranks 33rd worldwide for climate change policies in 2015 CCPI report

[34] Greek archaeologists criticize 'unacceptable' charges against prominent German historian

[35] Ambulance workers to walk off the job on Wednesday

[36] 2,276 refugees arrive at Piraeus port on Tuesday

[37] Mostly fair on Wednesday

[38] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance: Politics

[01] Cooperation with Egypt rests 'on very firm foundations,' Greece's PM says after meeting Egyptian president

Arriving for the meeting, the Egyptian president expressed hope that the trilateral cooperation launched between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus will form a "nucleus for cooperation" throughout the region and referred to the need for stability in the Middle East.

In reply to reporters, Tsipras again repeated that the coopera-tion between Greece and Egypt, as well as the trilateral cooperation with Cyprus, was not aimed at any other country in the region.

"We are cooperating so that, on the basis of international law, we can exploit our national wealth and proceed with initiatives for joint development," he said, when asked about a delay and delineating the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the two countries and whether this was because of possible reactions from Turkey.

"I would say that we have not delayed," Tsipras commented, noting that each step required careful preparation.

He noted that the discussion with Egypt's president had been an opportunity for a broad review of relations between Greece and Egypt, as well as developments in the region. Among the issues covered were the prospects of cooperation in the energy sector, in delineating sea boundaries, connections between ports, in the construction sector and infrastructure, he said.

He particularly emphasised developments in the energy sector and the expansion of the Suez Canal, which he said made closer cooperation between the two countries especially important.

According to el-Sisi, Egypt was interested in developing its cooperation with Greece and "as in the case of delineating the sea borders" was taking action on the basis of international law.

[02] Greece and Egypt to sign agreements linking ports, PM announces after meeting Egyptian president

[03] We do not claim anything from anyone, says Greek President Pavlopoulos

Pavlopoulos referred to the exceptional cooperation of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt adding that the trilateral meeting will focus on a series of matters and particularly on the delimitation of the EEZ.

The Greek president underlined that the trilateral cooperation constitutes a model because it fully respects that international law in and the written and customary law and noted that Turkey can learn a lot regarding its cooperation with Greece and Cyprus.

He underlined that "we do not claim anything from anyone but, we will not retreat in issues referring to our national issues."

Pavlopoulos also referred to Egypt's stability role in the wider region and stressed that the war in the Middle East and Syria must stop and the refugees issue to be treated with humanism and ISIS terrorists and murderers to be confronted.

[04] Conference discusses Greek-Egyptian cooperation in energy, tourism and constuction

Economy, Development and Tourism Minister George Stathakis said Greece and Egypt have achieved stability, noting that Greece is initiating a new productive model based on widening the export base and specialization of labour.

He also said the Suez Canal creates economic benefits for Greece, but also highlights that the two countries "are pillars of stability for peace and prosperity in the region, beyond economic cooperation and against the darkness of religious fanaticism."

Stathakis also noted the two countries can increase trade and work closer in energy, tourism, logistics and construction.

On his side, the head of the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, Hussein Sabbour, said the economic cooperation between the two countries should be wider and stressed the importance his country places in renewable sources of energy, a sector where Greece could play a role.

Greek-Egyptian Business Council president, Hani Berzi, said Egypt has entered a new phase of economic development, adding that there's a wide range of possibilities for bilateral cooperation in energy, tourism and construction.

[05] Greece and Egypt sign agreements on air transport, inter-port links

[06] Tsipras on refugee crisis: 'We do our job very well. Greece is not open to all-comers'

"The official voice of the German government in Greece, the German embassy, completely dismissed the report," Tsipras said, adding that the story doesn't represent the official German government but that conservative circles never miss an opportunity to attack the government.

"Our country is not only implementing its commitments, but has also achieved very difficult milestones. What was threatening our country is off the table," he noted, adding that Greece has allies.

Die Welt cited an alleged report of the German Embassy in Athens which described Greece as a "rudderless ship" and accused the government of delaying the implementation of reforms.

On the refugee crisis, the prime minister said the issue of relaxing the strict economic measures doesn't only concern Greece and was also noted by the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz at the European Council. He said the cost of the 24-hour management of the refugee flows is "massive" and added the government has submitted a plan with its needs which will need to be backed with funds for the next year.

Responding to criticism leveled against Greece on its handling of the refugee issue, he said the government has submitted requests to Frontex - for staff, vessels, identification machines - to which the EU border protection unit has not responded. "We do our job very well here. Greece is not open to all-comers," he noted and stressed that the country is the last pillar if stability in the region.

Asked about the divisive issue of Frontex patrolling Greece's border with FYROM, he said "there will be no operation in our northern borders".

Asked whether he is considering widening the government coalition, he said he "feels very safe" with the current parliamentary majority of 153 MPs and clarified his intention was not to create a unity government, as Greeks have only recently expressed their will.

"This government is a government with a 4-year mandate and this should be in everyone's mind," he said, noting that the opposition parties should indulge in some self-criticism.

Tsipras explain the government is instead interested in forging a wider consensus in society, which "may also be mirrored at a parliamentary level" on major issues such as pension reform, the refugee crisis and a review of the constitution.

"We don't need support. We want parties to table their proposals on big issues which extend beyond the 4-year mandate, such as the pension system reform, which is a national issue, and say 'No' to horizontal cuts, to draw a national red line," he said.

Commenting on the issue of vested interests, the prime minister said the triangle formed by the political, banking and media system will be crushed. "We've reached a point today where politicians are supported by media groups," he said, adding that the government will introduce rules which will apply to all. "SYRIZA and I have gone through the hoop," he said, pointing to attacked he has faced from media.

He also wondered why the main opposition has not presented any proposals for the formation of the independent TV regulators, such as the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) and warned that if nothing is contributed by the meeting of the parliament's council, the government will take its own initiatives by altering the law to stop New Democracy from blocking the process.

Asked about the laws the government has already passed through parliament, the premier said they are all "the best possible result of a tough negotiation", and attacked the opposition for "pretending to be anti-memorandum" although they also voted the bailout in the summer.

Turning his attention on the hot topic of pension system reforms, Tsipras said it would be pointless to cut pensions further and pledged not to do it. "Our position is that there must not be any cuts in main pensions. A twelfth cut in pensions will have no result. I commit on that," he said, while he admitted this will be a difficult battle in which he'd like to have the support of the opposition and even of employers' unions.

He said the government has a concrete proposal for the pension reforms which are now being discussed in Economic and Social Council of Greece and noted: "We have to find decent jobs to the unemployed and at the same time not plunder pensioners."

Tsipras also revealed that the government will have "important developments" on the privatization of Piraeus' Port (OLP), which will exclude the area of Drapetsona, which will be "handed over to the residents".

On the ongoing recapitalization of the country's systemic lenders, Tsipras said the government avoided a haircut on bank deposits while not one bank will have to be liquidated. Commenting on the low price of National Bank's stock, he said it will rise once the recapitalization is complete and the economy returns to growth.

Asked on the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) participation in Greece's program, he said: "The government never asked for its participation because we believe as a principle that Europe must face its problems alone and we don't believe there are some people with better know-how that ours." He continued to say that it also depends on what the Fund wants to do noting that it is waiting to see if the country's debt will become viable.

He also expressed the opinion that its participation will not be necessary after the successful recapitalization of Greece's lenders as the amount it would have to pay has been covered.

[07] New Democracy accuses PM of not rising to the occasion

"Once more, Mr. Tsipras proves he cannot rise to the occasion and is in a dead end," he said. "At a time when responsibility and important initiatives are needed, Mr. Tsipras resorts to cheap tactics for communication purposes," he added.

[08] Gov't spokeswoman welcomes statement by German embassy in Athens

"We welcome the reply of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens which sets the record straight and restores the truth. However, the question remains: Which are those circles who find an opportunity of contribute in press reports of questionable value and accuracy to cause Greece problems?" she wondered in a statement to public broadcaster ERT.

Die Welt cited an alleged report of the German Embassy in Athens which described Greece as a "rudderless ship" and accused the government of delaying the implementation of reforms.

[09] The Grexit belongs to the past, German ambassador to Greece Schoof says

Schoof was speaking at an event organised by the "Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe."

"The issue of Grexit belongs to the past. Neither the German Chancellor not the German Finance Minister wanted that," Schoof stated and added: "We faced a situation that was not intentional. But the monetary union itself as it has been established based on the Maastricht treaty, presents significant deficiencies."

Schoof cleared out that the single currency was not a mistake. "Within the framework of the geopolitics, it was a correct idea. But these deficiencies are now obvious and we did not work sufficiently in order to correct them."

Referring to the refugee issue, he stressed that "if the EU borders cannot bear any more pressure, the Schengen treaty will somehow come to naught."

The German ambassador also noted that there is no conflict between Germany and Greece on the refugee issue and underlined that Greece should not be left alone.

According to Germany, he said, the solution lies within the combating of traffickers, the fair distribution of refugees in EU member states and the change of Eastern Europe's attitude towards the refugees' issue.

[10] Refugee crisis needs to be tackled as a European problem, agree Greek, German ministers

Roth, who completed a two-day visit in the Greek capital, said Germany is ready to support Greece on the issue, noting that Greece, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria are close allies and need to find "a sustainable to find a sustainable, European solution".

"This is not just a national challenge, this is a European one and we agreed in order to cooperate in a much better way. Germany is ready to support Greece and nobody stands alone," he said after his meeting with Xydakis.

He noted however that solidarity is always a two-way street in the European Union and a lot still needs to be done "to convince our friends and partners all over Europe" to deal with the crisis united.

Roth also said member-states like Greece who are in charge of the protection of the external borders of the EU need support, because "this is not just a national obligation, this is a European obligation" while he also hailed Frontex's cooperation with the Greek government. "Germany is supporting this initiative but this is just the starting point for a European concept for a common migration and asylum policy in the European Union," he added.

Apart from the refugee issue, the two officials also discussed issues of bilateral and European policy.

In the same spirit, Xydakis said he asked Roth for Germany's ethical support in Greece's struggle with the ongoing refugee crisis noting that both countries are working hard on the issue. He also mentioned the mini summit meeting on Dec. 17 in Brussels, which will be held ahead of the regular European Council meeting.

[11] FinMin Tsakalotos: Greek programme on the right track

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said that the Greek programme is moving in the right direction adding that the government will continue the hard work.

Upon his arrival to the Ecofin meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Tsakalotos stressed that the Greek issue was discussed at Monday's Eurogroup and specifically the progress made regarding the prior actions and those that must be done before Christmas . "Less and less time is needed for the Greek issue, something that I consider a good sign" he said adding that "I believe that the programme is on a good course and we will continue to work hard as we have been doing in the last months".

Moreover, Tsakalotos underlined that other issues will be discussed at Ecofin meeting on Tuesday such as the tax on financial transactions.

[12] Institutions' representatives arrive in Athens on Tuesday

The list of prior actions include the settlement of bad loans, measures to combat illicit trade, public sector employees' salaries, the new regime for the General Secretariat of Public Revenues, the timetable for the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) and the strategy for the setting up and operation of the Privatisations Fund.

The social security issue is also likely to be discussed in the meetings between the government and institutions' representatives, but it will not be included in the second package of prior actions.

[13] Talks between Greece, institutions on ADMIE to be resumed on Wednesday, sources say

The Greek side has once again raised the possibility of transferring 100 pct ownership of the Greek power grid operator ADMIE from the Public Power Corporation (PPC) to the state, the sources said. Greek negotiators argued that community law does not make ADMIE's privatisation mandatory. They noted that the only discussion underway was to split ADMIE from the parent company PPC as a measure that will lead to equivalent results for competition, as required by the existing agreement with the institutions.

The same sources noted that the network was developed under a regime of state ownership, while the financing of new investments that are planned can be secured with state control of the company, pointing to agreements for 285 million euros in loans signed with the European Investment Bank in early November.

There is still no agreement between the two sides on the form of compensation to be given to PPC for the split from the transmission network or on whether the new company's management should be under state control, as the Greek side wants.

Despite the disagreements, Greek sources said that the meeting was conducted in a good climate and expressed hope that an agreement will be reached within the next few days.

[14] Foreign ministry condemns attack on DEB party in Komotini

"Incendiary actions such as this are in full opposition to the spirit of peace and cooperation that have long characterized the coexistence of Christians and Muslims in Thrace.

The competent Greek authorities will immediately proceed to the necessary actions to get to the bottom of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice," a ministry announcement said.

The assailants attacked the newly-built offices of the Komotini Muslim minority party during the night, spraying the message 'Guards of Thrace' on the walls, as well as breaking windows and office equipment.

[15] Greek citizen protection and migration ministers meet Dutch defence and immigration ministers

The two Dutch ministers are visiting Greece ahead of the Netherlands assuming the European Union presidency on January 1.

[16] Greek police investigate Syrian in Lesvos for possible ISIS link

According to the source, the man arrived with other refugees and migrants from Turkey to Lesvos on Monday and was taken at Moria's identification and registration center. During the check, police found the picture on his mobile phone. The Syrian claimed he served at the Syrian army until he defected and joined the free Syrian army.

A team of Greece's National Intelligence Service is examining the man to establish if he has any links to ISIS.

Earlier, media reports falsely claimed a man had been detained in Kalymnos for alleged links to ISIS, but police clarified he was only suspected of refugee trafficking.

[17] Greek coast guard dismisses alleged ISIS-linked arrest in Kalymnos

"No arrest has taken place by the coast guard in Kalymnos which is related to Islamist ISIS fighters," a senior coast guard official said.

Instead, the coast guard issued earlier in the day an announcement saying two traffickers had been located and arrested on a sail boat off the coast of the island, after they had disembarked a large number of refugees. Both men are being held at Kalymnos' coast guard office.

[18] Greek women still face major hurdles entering politics, Gerovasili tells gender equality event

Relating her own experiences as an aspiring female politician, she noted that she was the only woman to be elected as a municipal councillor in her native Arta in 1998 and the first woman to run for mayor in the city in 2006.

"Do you think that there were not extremely capable, active and politicised women living in Arta before 2006. Of course there were, but they lived in a society whose status discouraged them," she noted. Similarly, when she was elected an MP in 2012, she was the first woman to represent the Arta prefecture in Parliament and this reflected the still extremely low percentage of women participating in Greek politics.

She pointed out that the number of women who ran in the recent Parliamentary elections was 35 pct and only 19 pct - or one in five MPs - was currently a woman. She noted that SYRIZA's percentage of women was the highest among all the political parties in Parliament at 23 pct.

Even SYRIZA's percentage was not fully satisfactory, she added, since it was far below the percentage of women in the general population, while the participation of women in the government was especially low, with just 7 pct of women making up the cabinet. In spite of this, a great many more women elected with SYRIZA were used in positions of high political responsibility than in other parties, she said.

According to Gerovasili, involvement in politics was even harder for women, involving many sacrifices with respect to family life, and could not be accomplished without support and help from a woman's family.

[19] Alternate Finance Min Alexiadis dismisses reports on retrospective tax increases

"The are no plans for retrospective tax increases. This is a lie," he said in statements to Real FM.

Alexiadis noted that there will only be small changes in tax declarations in the next few days. "What we are planning are small changes in tax declarations which will be submitted to Parliament in the next days so that tax declarations will be prepared soon," he underlined.

[20] German State Minister Roth discusses Church's charitable work with Archbishop Ieronymos

Roth said the Church's work "helps maintain social cohesion in the country" and thanked the Archbishop for his contribution in managing the refugee crisis with humanity and solidarity.

On his side, the Archbishop noted Europe must return to its roots and adopt values such as solidarity and justice and avoid turning into a Europe of economic interests. He also asked the German minister and his government for assistance in tackling poverty in Greece and also the causes of the refugee crisis.

Responding to this plea, Roth said Greece cannot handle this problem alone and needs Europe's help.

On Tuesday, Roth is scheduled to meet Alternate Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis.

[21] Vodafone Greece signs contract to conduct New Democracy party elections

Financial News

[22] ESM releases 2.71 bln euros for recapitalization of National Bank

"With the recapitalisation of National Bank, the four systemic banks in Greece should now all be able to stand on their own feet again. Healthy banks play a crucial role in a country's economic recovery, by providing new loans to businesses. An important contribution from the private sector has also helped strengthen the stability of the banking sector, a key objective of the third assistance programme to Greece," said Klaus Regling, Managing Director of the ESM.

The European Central Bank's Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) earlier conducted a comprehensive assessment of Greece's four systemic banks. In this process, it identified a 4.6 billion euros shortfall at National Bank. In recent weeks, the bank has covered 1.5 billioneuros of that gap by private means and 120 million through positive third quarter results. In addition, 302 million euros in preference shares will be bailed in before the bank receives state aid. This means that National Bank has raised sufficient capital to cover the gap identified by the SSM under the so-called baseline, but not the adverse, scenario. The Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) will cover the remaining 2.71 billion shortfall.

After the ESM' s disbursements to the HFSF, ? 4.6 billion remains available from the original 10 billion euros designated for the Greek banking sector. These funds are held in a segregated account at the ESM.

[23] HRDAF presents Greece's privatization programme for 2016

Pitsiorlas said he expected almost the completion of nine privatizations in the first half of 2016, privatizations which have attracted international and domestic investment interest. He presented the timetables and progress made on a number of privatizations and state asset exploitation, such as the 14 regional airports, Piraeus Port, DESFA, Thessaloniki Port, TrainOSE, Astir Hotel Vouliagmeni, Hellinikon, Athens International Airport and two tourist projects, Afantou (Rhodes) and Kassiopi (Corfu).

Pitsiorlas said that in the next few days HRDAF will proceed with the signing of an agreement with Fraport for the 14 regional airports. "It is a very significant project because it carries a very high price, it will offer very significant annual revenues and because it is an investment on the crucial sector of tourism. We will proceed with the signing of the contract within the next 10 days. The price is 1.230 billion euros, while annual revenue and investments approach 350 million euros," he noted.

He said that a deadline for submitting binding offers for Piraeus Port was December 21. "There are three candidates for Piraeus: chiinese Cosco, danish ARM Terminals and ICTS from the Philippines," Pitsiorlas said.

Referring to the privatization of DESDA, the natural gas network operator, he said that "SOCAR, the winner of the tender, must transfer at least 16 pct of DESFA to another company, preferably European, with experience in natural gas network operation. Belgian Fluxys and Spanish Enagaz along with Italian Snap are interesting in buying 16 pct of DESFA...I expect that this process will be completed in the first quarter of 2016".

Binding offers for Thessaloniki Port are expected to be submitted in early April 2016. "There are eight candidates, very strong players in the transport sector," he said.

Pitsiorlas said that the privatization process for TrainOSE will be delayed and that a binding offer procedure should have been completed by mid-February next year. For Astir Hotel Vouliagmeni, he said that the price agreed was high, adding that both sides have been working on a new agreement to meet requirements set by the State Council. A process for implementing the Hellinikon project has began while talks to improve contract details with investors were expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016.

HRDAF will begin procedures for extending a contract for the Athens International Airport for another 20 years, while the Fund has also the option to sell a 30 pct equity stake in the airport at a later stage.

[24] Piraeus Bank ready to contribute to economic growth

Speaking during a special event on the occassion of the listing of the bank's new shares in the Athens Stock Exchange, Lekkakos said that Greek investors accounted for more than 40 pct of the bank's shareholders.

ASE president Socrates Lazaridis said it was a significant day for the stock market and stressed that historically the Greek banking system continued offering increased liquidity in the market.

[25] Capital Market Commision extends short selling ban on bank shares

The market watchdog based its decision on the fact that a bank recapitalization process was still underway. This temporary ban includes intraday transactions on shares and transactions on ADRs or GDRs and all warrants. The ban does not include primary dealers' transactions on stock shares included in the FTSE/ASE Bank index, derivatives on these shares, warrants on these shares and ETFs.

[26] Greek exports down 12.5 pct in October

"In an extremely changeable international environment, the country must emerge as a factor for stability in the wider region. To achieve this, a climate of trust must be created immediately and decisively inside and outside the country, supported by a consensus to create a stable business environment, focused on export activity," Christina Sakellaridi, president of the Panhellenic Exporters' Union said on Tuesday.

The Union, in a report, said that exports - excluding oil products - fell by 2.3 pct in October but rose 9.7 pct in the January-October period (falling from an 11.1 pct increase in January-September).

Sakellaridi said that the October export figures confirmed the Union's estimates about the medium- and long-term impact of the imposition of capital controls in the country, while she added that reemerging talk of political instability in the country or an exit from the Schengen Treaty were additional discouraging factors.

The Panhellenic Exporters' Union report showed that the October decline in exports reflected an 18.3 pct decline from Third Countries, while exports to the EU fell by 6.3 pct in the month. Excluding oil products, exports also fell 3.6 pct to Third Countries and by 1.6 pct to the EU in October.

In the 10-month period, the value of exports grew 7.8 pct to the EU and fell by 17.2 pct to Third Countries, while excluding oil products the value of exports rose 11.9 pct to the EU and by 5.6 pct to Third Countries.

Oil Products (29 pct) recorded the highest percentage decline in exports in October, while olive oil (94.1 pct) and machinery (24.2 pct) recorded big gains.

Imports grew 0.3 pct in October to 4.27 billion euros, while in the 10-month period imports fell by 9.8 pct to 36.1 billion euros.

[27] Greek employers expect little change in their workforce in Jan-March 2016

From the 750 employers participating in the survey, an 11 pct expects an increase in the number of workers, an 11 pct expects a decline, a 71 pct expects there will be no change in the workforce, while a 7.0 pct said they did not know whether there would be any change in the next quarter.

Employment prospects rose by 11 percentage points to +4 pct, compared with the previous quarter, but down four percentage points compared with the same period last year. "The survey reveals improved intentions for hiring in the first quarter of 2016," Dr Venetia Kousia, chairman and chief executive of Manpower Group said in a report.

The Financial, insurance, real estate, services and tourism sectors showed improved employment prospects for the first quarter of 2016, while employment prospects are expected to fall in the agricultural sector and to remain unchanged in the construction sector.

Employers in the wider Attica region expect a mild increase in their workforce in the next three months, while employers in Northern Greece expect a stable labor market. Large enterprise employers were more optimistic over employment prospects, while employers from very small enterprises see zero changes in their workforce.

[28] Chania Cooperative Bank agrees with strategic partner

Chania Cooperative Bank said the participation of the institutinal investor will have a long-term horizon while the bank's partners will have to secure the capital needed to ensure the bank's satisfactory capital base. The institutional investor will have a participation in the bank's board and will play the role of strategic partner.

[29] Greek stocks plunge to lowest levels since Aug 24

Bank shares, such as Piraeus Bank and National Bank and other blue chips, were at the focus of selling activity, while Eurobank managed to escape. Piraeus Bank began trading of its 8,672,163,482 new common nominal shares in the market, at a start price of 0.659 euros. The share fell 29.89 pct to end at 0.462 euros.

The composite index of the market fell 4.43 pct to end at 581.90 points, which was the lowest since the index reached 568.38 on August 24. The Large Cap index dropped 4.60 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 3.08 pct lower. Turnover was an improved 92.262 million euros in volume of 50,930,847. The market's capitalisation fell by 3.143 billion euros compared with Monday.

Eurobank (0.56 pct) was the only blue chip to end higher, while Piraeus Bank (29.89 pct), National Bank (19.67 pct), Ellaktor (11.33 pct), Viohalco (11.23 pct) and Terna Energy (8.95 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

All sectors ended lower, led by Commerce (8.55 pct), Construction (7.66 pct), Utilities (6.89 pct) and Industrial Products (5.56 pct).

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 80 to 18 with another 28 issues unchanged. Vioter (20 pct), Kreka (19.51 pct) and AEGEK (17.86 pct) were top gainers, while Piraeus Bank (29.89 pct), Ekter (28.60 pct) and National Bank (19.67 pct) were top losers.

[30] Greek bond yields continue moving higher

[31] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate rose to 0.067 pct from 0.066 pct, the nine-month rate eased to 0.013 pct from 0.014 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.033 pct from -0.031 pct, the three-month rate was -0.0116 pct and the one-month rate fell to -0.178 pct.

[32] ADEX closing report

General News

[33] Greece ranks 33rd worldwide for climate change policies in 2015 CCPI report

The CCPI ranks the policies adopted by 58 countries that are top polluters and, taken together, account for 90 pct of world energy-related carbon emissions.

Greenpeace and WWF attributed Greece's low ranking to a lack of investment in clean forms of energy and an insistence on using lignite coal to produce power, the high risk of forest fires, as well as lack of progress on policies to reduce the carbon footprint in areas such as transport. They noted that 19 of the top 20 countries in the CCPI rankings are in Europe, including small and relatively poor countries like Cyprus, Ireland and Portugal (ranking 9th, 12th and 19th, respectively).

"Greece, unfortunately, appears not to understand that tackling climate change is not only a necessity but an opportunity," said WWF's Nikos Mantzaris. Both Mantzaris and Greenpeace's Takis Grigoriou noted that the small steps taken by Greece in linking up the islands to the national grid and to promote small-scale photovoltaics through net metering were not enough to improve the country's position.

According to Germanwatch, the Climate Change Performance Index "is an instrument supposed to enhance transparency in international climate politics," seeking to identify the countries that have failed to take ambitious action on climate protection and highlight countries with best-practice climate policies. It uses standardised criteria, with 80 percent of the evaluation based on objective indicators of emissions trend and emissions level. The other 20 percent of the index results are built upon national and international climate policy assessments by more than 200 experts from the respective countries.

[34] Greek archaeologists criticize 'unacceptable' charges against prominent German historian

The prosecutor used Greece's new law against racism passed in 2014 to claim that Richter's book includes passages which constitute "denial of crimes of Nazism against the Cretan people with defamatory content".

"The Association is deeply concerned about the prosecution of German historian and university professor Heinz Richter under Article 2 of the antiracist law. It also considers it unacceptable to prosecute a historian for the views expressed in a scientific publication," the union said.

"Regardless of any scientific disagreements on Dr. Richter's work, freedom of expression and scientific research must be a given and self-evident, as mandated by the Constitution," it added, noting that scientific dialog is always conducted through an exchange of arguments and without criminalizing views.

Richter, known for his work on the history of World War II in the Balkans, the history of modern Greece and Cyprus, was presented in 2000 by the then Greek President Konstantinos Stefanopoulos for his "services to Greek history," with the Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix.

[35] Ambulance workers to walk off the job on Wednesday

The EKAB staff union said its members had authorised a strike on Wednesday over unpaid holiday and overtime work owed to ambulance service workers from as far back as December 2014.

[36] 2,276 refugees arrive at Piraeus port on Tuesday

"Blue Star 1" carried 1,231 refugees from Mytilene and Chios and "Nisos Rhodos" carried 1,045 refugees also from Mytilene and Chios.

Weather forecast

[37] Mostly fair on Wednesday

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

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: My name is Costello and I do whatever I want

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Higher taxes for 2015 incomes

ESTIA: Strategic coalition with Egypt and the USA

ETHNOS: Tax changes for 2015 incomes

IMERISSIA: Return to the Athens stock exchange

KATHIMERINI: Retrospective tax for 2015

KONTRANEWS: Turkish invasion in Mosul

NAFTEMPORIKI:The port of distress

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