Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-06-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Govt't to present national development plan next month, EconMin says

[02] EWG to officially confirm Greece has concluded prior actions on Thursday, say gov't sources

[03] Gov't spokeswoman Gerovassili on constitutional revision

[04] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for different policy mix to get the country out of the crisis

[05] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos stresses need to turn migration into an asset for the economy

[06] FinMin Tsakalotos to speak at Brussels Economic Forum on Thursday

[07] President Pavlopoulos: 'We must build our own future and not rest on our laurels'

[08] Deputy FM Amanatidis: Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO

[09] Turkish FM calls unacceptable Greek FM statement on Koran reading in Hagia Sophia

[10] Greek foreign ministry sources reject Turkish criticism over Muslim rights in Greece

[11] New Democracy spox slams Turkish FM comment on minority rights in Greece

[12] All islands to have fully developed asylum services by end June, refugee service spokesman Kyritsis says

[13] BoG governor: Completion of programme review will significantly reduce borrowing cost for Greek banks

[14] Greece needs new round of debt relief, says ECB's Coeure

[15] Privatisation agency chief talks to Vima radio about changes made to Hellinikon agreement

[16] Independent analysts DiaNEOsis propose 2.7-billion-euro package against poverty

[17] DNV GL executive tells ANA-MPA Greece needs legislation to develop use of LNG in shipping

[18] Pressure on Greek exports eased in April, report

[19] Greece drains 2.95 bln euros with T-bill auctions

[20] Bank rescue fund HFSF announces appointment of new member in general council

[21] Lockheed Martin proposes upgrading all Greek F-16s

[22] Cruise ship association urges government to help with port strikes

[23] PPC to begin offering 15 pct discount to consistent customers from July 1

[24] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

[25] Greek bond market closing report

[26] ADEX closing report

[27] Fifty-five new migrant-refugee arrivals on the island of Samos in last day

[28] Asylum Service starts pre-registration of refugees in Athens and Thessaloniki

[29] Thessaloniki architecture students build shelters out of discarded refugee life-jackets

[30] 56,975 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Wednesday

[31] Bulgarian woman remanded in custody, charged as accomplice in murder

[32] Partly cloudy on Thursday

[33] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Govt't to present national development plan next month, EconMin says

"Beyond this agreement, beyond these three pylons, the stability of the Greek economy creates a macro-economic environment which focuses on something else. The recovery of the Greek economy. This growth should be fair and democratic, to distribute benefits in a fair way to social groups. This goal is adopted by a development plan currently drafted and which is expected to be unveiled next month. The plan's goal is to lay out the strategy to exit the crisis, the framework and priorities, extroversion of the economy, the dynamic sectors with an international competitive environment. To determine through a dialogue with social partners, the strategy to exit the crisis," the Greek minister said.

Stathakis said that the main idea of a new development law is to create an economy with clear orientation, extrovert, capable of producing goods and services based on the country's real comparative advantages. He said that a new development legislation offers four new innovations. It is not horizontal, it is focused and seeks to support productive activity, innovation and small- and medium-sized enterprises. It is excessively simplifying bureaucracy, introducing more automatic procedures and introduces new funding tools. Also, for big investments, surpassing 20 million euros -domestic or foreign- it offers a 12-year period of safe tax environment.

The Greek Economy minister said that Greece was the only country to have begun running EU-funded programmes for the period 2014-2020. He noted that Greece was currently at around 25 pct of all new programmes and it was expected to activate around 50 pct of programmes by the end of September, distributing 8.0 billion euros to the real economy, of which 6.0 billion were co-funded projects, 750 million euros were the national leg of a Public Investment Programme and the remaining 1.25 billion euros other funding tools through international credit institutions.

[02] EWG to officially confirm Greece has concluded prior actions on Thursday, say gov't sources

The EWG will then inform the national parliaments of member-states so that they can approve the disbursement, the sources added.

[03] Gov't spokeswoman Gerovassili on constitutional revision

"Nobody has implied and nobody has thought to bypass the constitutional process for the revision of the Constitution," Gerovassili said.

Regarding the agreement on former international airport Elliniko, Gerovassili said: "No one celebrates. We negotiated and achieved improvements for the benefit of the Greek state. In the summer we took a deal and fought for better conditions. This agreement also included the term of privatisation."

On the program review, she said that it will be concluded in the next days and the disbursement of the loan tranche will follow. "All prior actions have been completed. Now it lies on EU parliaments to approve it, where needed," she explained. "We are doing what we have promised to do in order to get out of the crisis with constant fight and the society on its feet."

Asked on the negotiations on labour issues, the government spokeswoman said that the issue of the abolition of the two extra salaries has not been raised. "We follow certain steps, methodically, to reach the desired result. The left party was the one fighting for the rights of workers and as a government it is doing the same thing," she noted.

[04] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for different policy mix to get the country out of the crisis

Mitsotakis, who was speaking at a conference organised by Naftemporiki newspaper, accused the government that it sinks the Greek economy into recession if it sticks on the same policy.

He explained that the conclusion of the negotiation will not bring growth as the government's policy mix is not recessionary. "It puts emphasis on higher taxes and reduced expenses," he said adding that public expenditure can be reduced by easing tax rates.

"We have proposed measures to reduce expenditure assuming the political cost. The government's policy will hit consumption and enterprises. These measures will boost tax evasion. This is already happening," he stated.

"There is a significant loss of confidence in government. The credibility of a government is the cheapest development measure. Only a government that inspires confidence in its intentions and its effectiveness can convince investors to invest substantial funds," he added stressing the need to attract investments of more than 100 billion euros in the next five years. "Spasmodic actions cannot change the climate," he said.

[05] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos stresses need to turn migration into an asset for the economy

The revision of the European "blue card" system for the work permit that the European Commission's plan provides for "will make the relocation and employment of third countries' highly skilled citizens to the EU easier and more attractive and will boost economic growth, Avramopoulos underlined.

He cited two reasons why the revision of the "blue card" system is needed: The increasing skills shortages in areas such as healthcare and informatics, as well as the reduction and aging of workforce.

The long-term aim of this policy is, however, the proper management of migration, the Commissioner noted. "We should all begin to take steps for the benefit of all," he stressed.

[06] FinMin Tsakalotos to speak at Brussels Economic Forum on Thursday

The panel discussion is scheduled for 13:30-15:00 (Brussels time).

In an interview with Bloomberg published earlier today, the minister said Greek bonds will soon become eligible for the European Central Bank's asset-purchase program (known as QE) which will open the way for an easing of capital controls and a gradual restoring of investor confidence. "QE could follow as soon as July's maturing debt is paid ... I feel confident Greek debt will be eligible" by September, he noted.

[07] President Pavlopoulos: 'We must build our own future and not rest on our laurels'

"We have no right to rest on the laurels of our ancestors, but we have to build our own future based on and with guided by their own unquestionable universal, heritage and legacy," he said.

Pavlopoulos said the museum is emblematic and apart from its big archaeological value, "it will operate of all modern Greeks and the next generations as a luminous direction indicator".

[08] Deputy FM Amanatidis: Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO

He clarified that Greece's adamant position on the issue is the recourse to international organisations adding that Athens expects the world community's actions via UNESCO.

"The specific action does not comply with Turkey's European course, with the European acquis, the respect to the diversity and the religious freedom," said Amanatidis adding that Hagia Sofia is a world heritage monument protected by UNESCO.

On the Cham issue and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements, he reminded that at his recent meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias he did not set the issue and noted that the Greek side made clear to the Albanian government that if they want to succeed, the country's accession to the EU must move on a specific roadmap.

[09] Turkish FM calls unacceptable Greek FM statement on Koran reading in Hagia Sophia

The Turkish Foreign Ministry described as "unacceptable" the announcement of the Foreign ministry regarding the Koran reading in Hagia Sophia during a live show broadcast by the Turkish public TV on the first day of Ramadan.

In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, it noted: "We call on Greece to show prudence in its statements as it has not allowed the construction of a mosque in Athens and constantly interferes in the religious freedoms of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and confuses the opposition to Islam with modernization."

"Among the values of modern, democratic and secular societies, there is also respect towards other religions and cults," the Turkish Foreign ministry added.

The Greek Foreign ministry had condemned as regressive the Turkish authorities' announcement on the scheduling of a Koran reading in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, on the occasion of Ramadan.

"Obsessions, verging on bigotry, with Muslim rituals in a monument of world cultural heritage are incomprehensible and reveal a lack of respect for and connection with reality. Moreover, the Greek Foreign Ministry's announcement noted that such actions are not compatible with modern, democratic and secular societies," the announcement said.

[10] Greek foreign ministry sources reject Turkish criticism over Muslim rights in Greece

"If Turkey has not yet understood or is not making efforts to respect its commitments for the protection of world cultural heritage monuments, this means that the country has not yet reached the 21st century," the ministry sources said.

It was widely known that there is equality before the law and respect for citizens in Thrace, where democracy functions in a model fashion and more than 320 mosques operate without hindrance, they added.

The sources were reacting to a Turkish foreign ministry announcement saying that Greece "has for years not permitted the construction of a mosque in its capital" and accusing Athens of "constantly interfering with the religious freedoms" of a Muslim minority in western Thrace and "confusing opposition to Islam with modernisation". The Turkish side was in turn reacting to Greek foreign ministry condemnation of the Koran readings in Hagia Sophia for the purposes of a Turkish Ramadan television programme as "regressive" and "not compatible with modern, democratic and secular societies."

"Obsessions, verging on bigotry, with Muslim rituals in a monument of world cultural heritage are incomprehensible and reveal a lack of respect for and connection with reality," the Greek foreign ministry said about the 'sahur' programmes in the Byzantine monument, which was secularised and made a museum in the 1930s by the Kemalic state.

[11] New Democracy spox slams Turkish FM comment on minority rights in Greece

"Turkey cannot give instructions on issues of tone, democratic functioning of the state and respect for individual freedoms and rights, particularly when relating to minorities," Koumoutsakos said.

"More so concerning Muslim Greek citizens of Thrace, for whom the principles of equality before the law apply fully," he added.

[12] All islands to have fully developed asylum services by end June, refugee service spokesman Kyritsis says

Kyritsis said that from this week and by the end of the month, the now underperforming asylum services on the Aegean islands of Chios and Samos will be reinforced. The government's aim was for every hotspot to examine 200 cases a day after the end of June.

The spokesman admitted that the extended stay of refugees and migrants on the island created problem, but noted that there was no other way to handle the problem apart from speeding up the process of examining asylum applications.

Financial News

[13] BoG governor: Completion of programme review will significantly reduce borrowing cost for Greek banks

Addressing an event organized by the graduates of London Business School and Stanford Club in Athens, the Greek central banker underlined that with a successful completion of the first review, a series of benefits could arise for the banking system, such as restoring a waiver on Greek bonds by the European Central Bank, allowing Greek state bonds to be accepted as collateral in refinancing transactions in the Eurosystem. Additionally, Greek banks are expected to participate in a new funding tool offered by ECB, offering long-term refinancing (TLTRO). These developments, combined will significantly reduce funding costs for Greek banks, he stressed, adding that Greek bonds could become eligible for ECB's QE programme.

Stournaras said that a decline in bond yield spreads (yield difference between Greek and German benchmark bonds) will positively affect the banking system as the borrowing cost for the state determines largely the interest rate in the money market.

"However, there is no room for complacency. The system continues facing challenges, as macro-economic environment remains fragile, limitation in capital movements (capital controls) remain valid and the market is characterized as largely unstable," Stournaras said.

[14] Greece needs new round of debt relief, says ECB's Coeure

According to the report, Coeure said a new round of public debt relief is needed for the country, despite two previous restructuring efforts. He also recognized the criticism leveled against Europe for delaying this relief for too long.

[15] Privatisation agency chief talks to Vima radio about changes made to Hellinikon agreement

"I have to say that there was very good will on the part of the investors and the result is, I think, very good," Pitsiorlas said, explaining that the development of the site will begin in 2017, with 80 pct scheduled to be completed in 12 years.

"In the first five years a large part of the infrastructure construction will be carried out and 50 pct of the price will be paid by 2018," he added, noting that this was urgent for the state to meet commitments.

Referring to the changes to the initial agreement negotiated by the government team, led by Minister of State for Coordinating Government Operations Alekos Flambouraris, Pitsiorlas noted that these had greatly increased the size of the investment relative to the initial agreement, with investors agreeing to carry out a series of projects that were not included in the previous deal.

"The size of the investment will exceed 7.0 billion euros. This is very very big," he noted.

The agreement had also clarified issues such as access to the waterfront in front of Hellinikon, allaying fears of rampant housing development along the 3km stretch of coastline that would block access to the sea. "There will be 15 pct coverage of the beach front, large sections will be open and there will be free access of citizens to the sea," he said, while there was also a commitment that at least half of the 600-hectare site will be open and green spaces, again with free access to all.

"There will be a huge network of cycle paths and walkways that will link all areas with all points of the site," he said.

[16] Independent analysts DiaNEOsis propose 2.7-billion-euro package against poverty

Its proposals include increasing those receiving regular unemployment benefit, higher child support benefits and extending a minimum guaranteed income throughout the country - measures that it calculates will reduce the percentage of the very poor by 37 pct, lift 600,000 out of extreme poverty and reducing the "poverty gap" for those under the poverty line by 55 pct.

According to the findings of the DiaNEOsis survey, 95 pct of Greek residents state that they "get by with difficulty". It calculates the income-level of a householdin extreme poverty as ranging from 182 euros a month for a single person living in their own home in a rural or semi-rural area to 905 euros a month for a couple with two children living in Athens and paying rent or a mortgage.

On this basis, the percentage of those living in extreme poverty in Greece during 2015 was at 15 pct, up from 8.9 pct in 2011 and 2.2 pct in 2009. Young people were hardest hit, according to the survey, with the percentage of children living in extreme poverty at 17.6 pct and for young people aged 18-29 at 24.4 pct. For pensioners and those aged over 65, by contrast, only 2.7 pct had an income below the extreme poverty level.

Families with children were also more vulnerable, as were families living in rented accommodation or with a mortgage.

Specifically, DiaNEOsis proposed extending the period for which people get unemployment benefit, currently received by only 9.5 pct of jobless, to cover up to 40 pct of those out of work, increasing the child support benefit from 40 euros per child to 60 euros per child and extending the minimum guaranteed income to all areas of the country with small but crucial changes in its design.

[17] DNV GL executive tells ANA-MPA Greece needs legislation to develop use of LNG in shipping

Speaking on the sidelines of the international shipping show "Posidonia 2016" held in Athens, Teriakidis said LNG can also be used for other purposes - to supply electricity, or in businesses and hotels. He said there are currently many European research programs running, based on scientific studies, which when completed will provide enough information for the implementation of this action in Greece.

[18] Pressure on Greek exports eased in April, report

An analysis of provisional trade data offered by Hellenic Statistical Authority showed that the value of exports fell 3.8 pct to 2.1 billion euros in April, but excluding oil products, the value of exports grew 2.2 pct in the month. This development helped four-month exports to ease by 7.5 pct to 7.81 billion euros, from 8.46 billion last year, although excluding oil products the value of exports grew 0.5 pct in the January-April period.

Christina Sakellaridi, president of the Association, said that "Greek exports course reflected largely the fragile balance prevailing in the market, in anticipation of the stabilization of the economy and lifting of uncertainties regarding the implementation of reforms in the country". She added that a forthcoming vote in Parliament on a new development law and expectations that the country's creditors will release a long-awaited loan tranche offered the country another chance to move forward. A basic precondition, however, was to immediately begin repayment of the state's debt to the private sector and to unlock all large investment plans related with the exploitation of state assets, she added.

Exports to third countries fell 10.1 pct in April, while exports to EU member-states rose 1.3 pct, while excluding oil products, exports to Third countries eased 1.0 pct and exports to EU rose 3.8 pct. Six product categories recorded declines in exports in April, compared with April 2015, while only four recorded increases. Food exports grew 9.7 pct, raw materials rose 6.9 pct, machinery jumped 13.1 pct and industrial products rose 18.4 pct. On the other hand, alcohol/tobacco fell 4.0 pct, oil products fell 18.4 pct, olive oil dropped 15.7 pct and confidential products fell 26.1 pct.

The Association said that imports rebounded in April, to 4.12 pct, up 7.1 pct from the same month last year, while excluding oil products imports grew 26.5 pct. In the four-month period, Greek imports fell 3.7 pct to 14.34 billion euros, while excluding oil products imposed grew 9.6 pct.

As a result, the country's trade deficit grew 1.4 pct to 6.51 billion euros in the January-April period, while excluding oil products, the trade deficit jumped 20.8 pct.

[19] Greece drains 2.95 bln euros with T-bill auctions

[20] Bank rescue fund HFSF announces appointment of new member in general council

Maetze's tenure started in June and will be completed in June 2017, the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) said in a press release.

He has 30 years of banking experience having held senior management positions in Commerzbank, Dresdner Bank and HypoVereinsbank (now UniCredit Bank AG) in Germany and Singapore. He is a proven expert in Financial Institutions business, actively participated in the two largest bank mergers in Germany and oversaw various business transformation exercises and the development as well as the implementation of successful business unit strategies during the financial crisis and in post-merger situations.

From 2007 to 2015 he was member of Commerzbank's Executive Management Board with responsibilities including the global Financial Institutions business of Commerzbank. Prior to this he was Global Head of Financial Institutions at Dresdner Bank.

Maetze holds a BSc. from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and participated in various management programs at Harvard Business School, Institut Europ?en d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD), International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Management School St. Gallen, as well as Baden-Badener Unternehmergespraeche (BBUG).

[21] Lockheed Martin proposes upgrading all Greek F-16s

Speaking during a presentation in Athens, company executives said the proposal would involve upgrading F-16's (Block.50, Block.52+ and Block.52+ Adv) to F-16V level. Older types of F-16 aircraft (F-16 Block 30) could be upgraded to an F-16M6 level, which is at the level of the most modern F-16 Block.52+Adv, using existing material which will be removed from the aforementioned F-16s.

The cost of the program was not specified as talks with the Greek side are at an early age.

[22] Cruise ship association urges government to help with port strikes

In a letter sent to the relevant ministries, the union says the strike coincides with the approaching peak in tourist traffic and has already resulted in revenue losses from cruise ship tourists. It said cruise ship crews have to carry the luggage of tourists themselves and suppliers for ships are having difficulties performing their services, all of which create a negative image for the country's biggest ports.

"We all have a duty, today, to do our best not to lose the great opportunity to balance the initially reduced traffic in the port of Piraeus," the union says.

[23] PPC to begin offering 15 pct discount to consistent customers from July 1

Panagiotakis said the 15 pct discount will be offered to 5.0 million consumers who pay their bills on time, while another 2.1 million consumers with overdue debt could be included after settling their debts. Overdue debt from large enterprises amounted to 380 million euros, another 260 million euros were debt by state agencies and 1.85 billion euros from small- and medium-enterprises and households, totaling around 2.5 billion euros. Around 1.3 million consumers had debt up to 500 euros (totaling 150 million), another 280,000 had debt of 500-1,000 euros (another 150 million), while 180,000 consumers have settled their debt totaling 575 million euros.

Panagiotakis said PPC will make everything possible to ensure that a compensation for ADMIE would be fair and will make specific proposals to avoid any financial loss. "We face unprecedented and difficult conditions with serious management problems," Panagiotakis said, adding that PPC would not consider selling power production units.

In Albania, PPC will set up a subsidiary company to begin activities in hydro-electric power.

[24] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

Coca Cola HBC (3.87 pct), Folli Follie (3.19 pct) and Viohalco (2.01 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while National Bank (4.76 pct), Eurobank (3.73 pct) and Piraeus Bank (3.55 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Food (3.86 pct) and Commerce (3.19 pct) scored big gains, while Banks (2.76 pct) and Chemicals (2.58 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 55 to 48 with another 25 issues unchanged. Kepenos Mills (28.49 pct0, Hatzikraniotis (19.70 pct) and Domiki Crete (18.65 pct) were top gainers, while Ekter (11.59 pct), Viokarpet (9.75 pct) and Intrakat (9.11 pct) were top losers.

[25] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was -0.018 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.091 pct from -0.090 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.162 pct from -0.161 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.265 pct from -0.262 pct and the one-month rate was -0.357 pct.

[26] ADEX closing report

General News

[27] Fifty-five new migrant-refugee arrivals on the island of Samos in last day

[28] Asylum Service starts pre-registration of refugees in Athens and Thessaloniki

The procedure, which is conducted in cooperation with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was inaugurated at the makeshift camp of Hellinikon and the port of Thessaloniki.

Asylum Service officials handed out wristbands to refugees which include information on the day and time they will have to go for the pre-registration. The process will also include refugees from other centers in the cities.

The aim of the program is to register about 49,000 people who entered the country from January 2015 until March 19, 2016 and are staying at refugee centers in the mainland, the office said. The procedure is expected to last until the beginning of July and will form the first step in submitting an application for international asylum in Greece.

[29] Thessaloniki architecture students build shelters out of discarded refugee life-jackets

Huddled under one of their shelters, in the grounds at the bank of the university's Polytechnic School, the students and the head of the architecture school Prof. Nikos Kalogirou, explained the thinking behind it.

"These are toxic wastes that form mounds on the Greek islands but also have a heavy emotional burden so the aim was to sensitise public opinion about the refugee problem and make use of these unusual materials," he said.

The project was carried out as part of a life-long-learning programme on "Sustainable Architectural Applications" organised by Thessaloniki University's architectural school and the Environmental Architectural Design Postgraduate Department. It was designed and built by students in three days, while the material was collected and donated by the Lesvos municipality.

According to Kalogirou, if the idea attracts interest, the experimental architectural construction using recycled life-jackets can be a basis for the construction of more permanent shelters.

[30] 56,975 identified migrants and refugees in Greece on Wednesday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 26,461 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 14,586 are hosted in the region of Attica, 8,184 on the Greek islands and 2,517 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece. 5,227 refugees and migrants are hosted in several facilities rented by the UNHCR.

[31] Bulgarian woman remanded in custody, charged as accomplice in murder

The young woman has been charged as an accomplice to the murder, carried out by Kokkinis' 49-year-old former wife, also from Bulgaria. Police have issued a warrant for the older woman's arrest after tracking her down to the Bulgarian city of Varna.

According to the lawyer representing the 26-year-old, his client has retracted her earlier statements to the arresting officers, when she had claimed that she was in the apartment at the time the murder took place, keeping the couple's young child out of the way.

Testifying to the magistrate, the suspect on Wednesday said that she had never met the little boy and asked that the child be examined by experts to confirm that he did not know her.

Apart from the victim's former wife, police are also seeking a Romania man suspected of assisting in the murder, while a second man now incarcerated in Nigrita prison in Greece is suspected of involvement and has been charged with harbouring a criminal.

In her earlier statements to police, the 26-year-old denied involvement in the killing and claimed that she had helped the victim's former wife after she was told that the seaman was sexually abusing the couple's young child. She claimed not to have believed the older woman when she said she wanted to kill her husband, thinking she was exaggerating, and had thought she simply intended to frighten him so that he would not do it again.

The 26-year-old is accused of bringing the culprit in contact with the Romanian and his accomplices, who were offered 14,000 euros to help in the attack on the slain husband. In her earlier statement to police, she claimed the older man had been beaten but seemed to still be breathing when she left the apartment. She said that she learned of his death two or three days later, in a meeting with the 49-year-old and her child, during which the older woman asked for her help in finding a freezer. According to the 26-year-old, she hadn't understood why the woman wanted the freezer and had given her the number of a Bulgarian removal man and a friend, who she later learned was given 3,000 euros to put the dead man inside the freezer.

Weather forecast

[32] Partly cloudy on Thursday

[33] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: SYRIZA's comment

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Scandal over the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP)

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Tax returns to be "confiscated" in case of ENFIA debt

ESTIA: Double 'no' for Albania-Skopje

ETHNOS: Everything changes on auxiliary pensions as of June

IMERISSIA: Economic suffocation

KATHIMERINI: Up to 40 pct cuts in auxiliary pensions

NAFTEMPORIKI: The first step for the former Elliniko airport

RIZOSPASTIS: Benefits for the capital, loss for the people

TA NEA: The deception over the Constitution

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