Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-07-05

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece is entering a new phase, PM Tsipras says

[02] Greece, China discuss six investment proposals

[03] Greece-China relationship of strategic importance, PM Tsipras says

[04] FM Kotzias and Chinese counterpart discuss 'new chapter in Greek-Chinese relations'

[05] Economy minister signs 3-year deal on tourism in Beijing

[06] President Pavlopoulos outlines EU integration problems

[07] Greece is an old and reliable friend of Russia, says Duma chairman

[08] ND leader Mitsotakis on three-day tour of London and Frankfurt from Monday

[09] Submission of bids in TV licence tender a 'step forward' in meeting key SYRIZA election pledge, Pappas says

[10] Fifty ND MPs ask government to publish correspondence with Commission on TV licensing

[11] European Commission says letter to Greece relates to telecoms regulator, not TV content licences

[12] Labour minister: Government negotiating on only three issues with creditors on labour laws

[13] Democratic Coalition backs electoral law changes, slams SYRIZA and ND

[14] Athens 'unequivocally condemns' terror strike in Baghdad, expresses condolences

[15] Iraqi Embassy opens book of condolence in Athens

[16] 6,029 second generation migrants granted Greek citizenship in last year

[17] Insurance premium production down 5.8 pct in 2015, IBHS report

[18] Air passenger traffic up 4.0 pct in June

[19] Greek stocks end lower

[20] ADEX closing report

[21] El Al plane makes emergency landing at Athens International Airport

[22] Chania top choice for Swedes and Norwegians

[23] Rodrigo Garcia presents "4" in Athens Festival

[24] Sea Cloud; the most romantic sailing boat afloat in the Gulf of Nafplio

[25] Wildfire in the area of Messara on Crete

[26] Serb national wanted on international warrant arrested on Crete

[27] 57,076 identified refugees and migrants in Greece on Monday

[28] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

[01] Greece is entering a new phase, PM Tsipras says

On his part, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang underlined that the Greek-Chinese relations are completely honest and stressed that Chinese companies take a positive view of the investment market in Greece. "China will help Greece to become stronger in a strong Europe," he said.

Referring to the new agreement struck between Greece and its European partners, Tsipras said that this will "help our country get back on its feet and meet its obligations promptly, but without crushing Greek society."

"The sustainability of Greece's debt has the supportive guarantee of our European partners, whenever this is judged expedient, while there is a clear-cut clause that the cost of servicing [the debt] will not exceed 15 pct of GDP in the medium- and long-term," he told the forum.

The above decisions and the clarifications expected to follow "send a strong message to international markets that Greece is permanently entering a new phase...We are dynamically entering a new period of recovery and regaining the confidence of investors in the prospects of the Greek economy," Tsipras said.

Greece was in the midst of a programme to reform the state and the country's growth orientation, seeking to use its geopolitical position and comparative advantages in a series of sectors supported by a recently passed developmental law, he added.

"We are giving emphasis to generous tax exemptions based on performance, rather than direct subsidies with dubious results. We are linking EU funding with the above developmental directions," he said, also noting efforts to remove bureaucratic obstacles and fight tax evasion.

The government's aim was to create an "a public and private investment 'shock' to combat divestment and reduce unemployment," Tsipras added.

Greek-Chinese cooperation

Tsipras insisted that he was not trying to paint a "rose-tinted" picture of the situation in an attempt to "sell" Greece to Chinese investors but sought "to show that your confidence in the Greek economy during the tough years of deep recession was justified." Referring to a contract with COSCO for Piraeus port that was ratified by Greek MPs four days earlier, he said the cooperation with COSCO had proved mutually beneficial for both sides, opening paths for Chinese companies but also benefiting the Greek economy.

"The significant support of Greek tourism, cooperation between Greek and Chinese universities, mutual cultural and educational exchanges, exports of our fine agricultural products to China, the building of Greek ships in ultra-modern Chinese shipyards and the transfer of Chinese citizens to Crete during the crisis in Libya, among others, confirm that we are strategic partners and not just opportunist collaborators," the Greek prime minister told the forum.

Greece and China were linked by their long history, since each had made a decisive contribution to the world's cultural heritage within their geographic and historic boundaries, Tsipras pointed out. The paths of the two countries were at times parallel and at other times intersected decisively, he noted, with each helping in the development of philosophical thought but also through their trade ties and cultural exchanges, such as on the legendary Silk Road that had passed through Greece to Europe after 127 A.D.

China can depend on Greece, "the soul of the Mediterranean," for its new silk road, the "one belt one road of today that brings us closer," Tsipras added, expressing certainty that this strategy was not at risk following the Brexit vote in the UK.

Referring to the result of the UK referendum, Tsipras said this caused justified concern in global markets but also took a more optimistic view. European institutions will enter into a period of fertile negotiations with the UK to ensure the smoothest possible exit and a regime that will govern EU-UK relations, he said.

"The message that as Europe we must not underestimate is that the Union is not something to take for granted, but that there are objective crisis factors that must be faced with a sense of urgency and mutual support," he said.

[02] Greece, China discuss six investment proposals

The proposals, to which the Chinese side appeared very positive towards, concern:

Investments at the Thriasio Freight Center (for which a tender for its concession is currently underway), the shipyards and Kastelli, and specifically the participation of Chinese companies in tenders for Thriasio and Kastelli, as well as exploring the possibility of ship repair activity in Greece

Investments in banking sector

Expanding exports of agricultural exports and food to China

Research and innovation; creating research and development center in Greece

Investment in tourism real estate; increase of tourism and introduction of direct flight between Athens and Beijing

Cooperation in cultural sector and education

To promote these proposals, the two sides agreed to create a permanent Greek-Chinese committee to monitor and examine the next steps in each issue

[03] Greece-China relationship of strategic importance, PM Tsipras says

Earlier on Monday, Tsipras met with the President of the People's Congress, Zhang Dejiang. During their meeting, the Greek prime minister stressed the strategic importance of the Greek-Chinese relationship adding that this relationship is based on the economic cooperation on the one hand and the cooperation in culture and education on the other hand.

Tsipras underlined that his visit to China coincides with Greece's exit from the crisis and added that it aims to constitute a pole of stability, growth and promotion of cultural values and humanism.

Greece's relations with China are developing on a mutually beneficial basis. China has the strategic goal of a policy of "one zone, one way," and Greece aims the development in all sectors. China has set a strategic goal of the revitalization and Greece aims at its national renaissance by 2021, Tsipras said.

On his part, the president of the People's Congress underlined that China is the cradle of the eastern and Greece is the cradle of the western civilization.

Dejiang expressed his pleasure that Greece received a positive programme review and added that he would suggest a meeting between the presidents of the two parliaments.

[04] FM Kotzias and Chinese counterpart discuss 'new chapter in Greek-Chinese relations'

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Monday had a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the sidelines of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' official visit to China.

Among others, they discussed ways in which China could assist in a resolution of the Cyprus issue as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with respect to the guarantees issue and the presence of foreign troops.

Other issues discussed during the meeting included an idea for establishing an international organisation of countries with great civilisations that had been a precursor of modern civilisation. Kotzias informed his counterpart that he had conversed with and obtained the agreement of 9+1 countries that will participate in this organisation and they agreed that preparatory work on setting up such an organisation should begin.

Also discussed were issues of international and maritime law, where Kotzias explained the EU operating framework that helped settle disputes, such as not issuing announcements before a court ruling is announced or issuing resolutions before these are examined in depth, since such decisions touched on fundamental national interests.

Finally, Wang accepted an invitation to visit Greece in the near future.

[05] Economy minister signs 3-year deal on tourism in Beijing

Stathakis is in China as part of the Greek delegation headed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras who is visiting the country. Speaking at the China- Greece Maritime Cooperation Forum to Fuel Growth, Stathakis noted the possibilities opening up for the Greek economy through its cooperation with China, emphasizing tourism and infrastructure.

The deal signed foresees:

-Mutual promotion of the two countries

-Exchange of know-how at the level of special sectors of tourism, such as cultural, wedding, medical, wellbeing and conference.

-Cooperation in the mutual promotion of film and television tourism with a view to attracting film and television productions in both countries.

-Tourism education and training, through the organization of intensive Greek and Chinese language courses for professionals and employees in the industry.

- Mutual information on existing investment programs and incentives for new investment opportunities in the tourism sector

- Plans to launch direct scheduled and non-scheduled flights between Athens and Beijing

- Strengthening cooperation within international organizations like the World Tourism Organization

[06] President Pavlopoulos outlines EU integration problems

Pavlopoulos was speaking at a dinner held in his honor by the kings of the Netherlands, as part of his official visit to the country.

He referred to the excellent level of bilateral relations between Greece and the Netherlands, noting that "our two peoples can and must work together to succesfully address the major challenges, which pose huge risks for the future and the completion of our common European home, the European project."

The President outlined the biggest challenges -- the refugee issue and the ISIS terrorism -- as well as the centrifugal forces within the European Union, as recently demonstrated by the unfortunate outcome of the UK referendum.

[07] Greece is an old and reliable friend of Russia, says Duma chairman

Naryshkin said Russia's thousand-year relation with Greece "can be found in Crimea" where the Russian ruler, Tsar Vladimir, "adopted the Greek faith and was baptized Orthodox Christian".

He also commented indirectly on Britain's referendum results, saying 27 countries will participate in the meeting, "the same number that will stay (in the EU) after Britain exits", adding that Greece also voted a year ago and "the whole world watched anxiously how the Greeks voted for a way out of the crisis".

[08] ND leader Mitsotakis on three-day tour of London and Frankfurt from Monday

While in London on Monday and Tuesday, he will meet representatives of large financial institutions, including Pimco, Blackrock, KKR, Blackstone, Paulson & Co, Soros, Capital and others. During the meeting with Draghi, ND's leader will present a proposal for an alternative agreement between Greece and its European partners, with lower primary surplus targets of around 2 pct, emphasis on structural reforms and growth targets of about 4 pct of GDP.

He is also to have meetings with the Financial Times on Monday and Deutsche Welle on Wednesday.

Mitsotakis considers that Greece needs to attract private investments of at least 100 billion euros in the next five years in order to recover from the crisis, appearing confident that this is a feasible goal.

[09] Submission of bids in TV licence tender a 'step forward' in meeting key SYRIZA election pledge, Pappas says

"The successful conclusion of the submission of bids in the tender for licencing private channels is a big step forward in the direction of implementing a key pre-election pledge of the SYRIZA government. After 25 years of lawlessness, the television landscape in the country will for the first time operate with terms of legality. We have put an end to the corrupt triangle of television channels, banks and politicians," he said.

The companies submitting bids for one of the four content licences for national television channels on offer included the broadcasters Skai, Star Channel, Antenna TV, Dimera Media Investments Ltd, Alpha, Ioannis Vladimiros Ch. Kalogritsas, Alter Ego, Epsilon TV, Independent Television Content Provider, Mega Channel and City News.

The process of unsealing the bids, carried out by a five-member special committee, will begin one hour after the deadline in the presence of legal representatives of the 11 candidates.

Pappas welcomed the successful solution of the bids-submission phase, saying the 11 bids were "the best reply to those that fought to prevent the tender taking place." The next stage of the process, he added, which will culminate in the selection of the four private channels that will broadcast nationally in Greece from the following season will take place in early August.

[10] Fifty ND MPs ask government to publish correspondence with Commission on TV licensing

In its question, directed to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Ministers of State, Nikos Pappas and Infrastructure Christos Spirtzis, New Democracy accuses the government of "trying to manipulate the media" which raises a "serious issue on Democracy".

"Unfortunately, the dangerous ball of thread that the SYRIZA-ANEL government has weaved for our country is gradually being unraveled. A dangerous game, not just for the control of the radio and TV landscape, but for the overt intervention in the fundamental democratic right of citizens to be informed freely," the party MPs said.

[11] European Commission says letter to Greece relates to telecoms regulator, not TV content licences

A recent European Commission letter to the Greek government about an infringement proceeding concerned the country's telecoms sector and not the procedures for granting content licences to Greek television channels, European Commission spokesperson Nathalie Vandystadt said in a press briefing on Monday.

"This infringement proceeding is not related to the licences of content providers in Greece. The procedures for the granting of content licences for television channels have not been harmonised at an EU level," she said.

"Member states are free to operate licensing regimes in line with domestic requirements, if these comply with EU law, including the freedom to provide services and establishment set out in the treaty of the European Union," she added in response to questions about whether the Commission's letter would affect the tender for granting licences in Greece.

Vandystadt had earlier explained that the European Commission's letter on June 16 had formally notified Greece of concerns over recent legislative changes in the telecoms sector, which the Commission feared were not in line with the requirements of EU law, in particular those that guarantee the independence of the national telecoms regulator.

[12] Labour minister: Government negotiating on only three issues with creditors on labour laws

"In negotiations on labour laws, we are discussing only three issues: restoring collective bargaining, which has been put forward by the government, mass layoffs and the laws on unions, which has been proposed by the other side," he said, adding that the government will not accept any talks on establishing flexible forms of work such as the "mini jobs", or restrictions on the right to strike.

Commenting on mass layoffs, Katrougalos said the government's tactic will be to isolate the extreme views of the IMF, as was the case during the negotiations on social security reforms.

[13] Democratic Coalition backs electoral law changes, slams SYRIZA and ND

"In DIMAR we've steadily supported establishing proportional representation. It should be noted this is one of the 50 positions of the party, which was decided in the recent meeting in May. This position ... will be supported, as it is our position," the party said.

DIMAR also criticized SYRIZA, saying the ruling party has realized they will probably lose in the next election because of their dead-end policies and this is why it has brought forward this change in the law, to accommodate "petty party interests".

It also said New Democracy is trying to maintain the "unacceptable" 50-seat bonus to achieve once again "an artificial parliamentary majority".

[14] Athens 'unequivocally condemns' terror strike in Baghdad, expresses condolences

"We unequivocally condemn yesterday's deadly terrorist attack in Baghdad, which cost the lives of hundreds of innocent people. It is yet another example of the abhorrent and barbaric terrorist activity of the ISIS/Daesh organization.

We express our condolences to the families of the victims and our support for the friendly people and government of Iraq," the announcement said.

[15] Iraqi Embassy opens book of condolence in Athens

Iraq has declared three days of mourning after the bomb attack in central Baghdad on Sunday, in which more than 200 civilians were killed.

[16] 6,029 second generation migrants granted Greek citizenship in last year

According to ministry data, the 6,029 applications approved were among a total of 27,720 submitted around the country, while the rest 21,691 are being examined.

"The citizenship procedure for the second generation immigrants in Greece proceeds with leaps and bounds, despite minor delays due to problems in the computer systems of the interior ministry," the ministry said, adding that the procedure for pending applications from 2010 were have almost been completed.

Financial News

[17] Insurance premium production down 5.8 pct in 2015, IBHS report

Alexis Nikolaidis, Economic Research & Sectorial Studies Senior Analyst, said economic conditions deteriorated in 2015 as an early general elections in January, extended negotiations between the Greek government and its creditors raised concern over a possible Grexit from the Eurozone. In addition, July's events (bank closure, capital controls and a poll vote) negatively affected the insurance market, and as a result premium production fell by 5.8 pct to 3.58 billion euros in 2015, reflecting a 7.6 pct decline in damage insurance premium production and a 3.9 pct in life insurance premium production.

IBHS said insurance broker activity fell in 2015. The report said that premium production was up 1.8 pct in the first half of 2015 (reflecting a 15 pct rise in life insurance production), but the imposition of capital controls in July had a dramatic effect on the market.

The report analyzed the balance sheets of 147 companies. Accumulated turnover was 148 million euros in 2014, up 10.3 pct from 2013, helped by increase in production of the three largest insurance companies, while the 62 pct of companies recorded a decline in sales. EBITDA grew 22 pct to 43.62 million euros, while EBITDA margin fell to 14.5 pct.

[18] Air passenger traffic up 4.0 pct in June

Domestic passenger traffic rose 3.9 pct and international passenger traffic was up 4.0 pct in the month, while Greek passengers jumped 21 pct and foreign passengers eased 3.0 pct. Domestic passenger totaled 687,027 in June, while foreign passengers totaled 1,269,583. In the January-June period, passenger traffic totaled 8,68 million, up 8.9 pct compared with the same period last year. Domestic traffic was up 13.1 pct and international traffic rose 6.5 pct.

The number of scheduled flights totaled 85,242 in the first half of 2016, up 6.6 pct from the same period in 2015. Domestic flights grew 7.1 pct and international flights rose 6.2 pct.

In June, the number of flights was 18,745, up 4.1 pct from June 2015.

[19] Greek stocks end lower

The Large Cap index fell 1.22 pct and the Mid Cap index dropped 2.24 pct. Turnover was a low 40.889 million euros in volume of 91,032,358.

Lamda Develompent (3.10 pct), Mytilineos (2.56 pct) and Aegean Airlines (1.89 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (5.81 pct), Eurobank (5.09 pct) and Hellenic Petroleum (3.95 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Raw Materials (2.56 pct) and Travel (1.50 pct) scored big gains, while Banks (3.90 pct) and Personal Products (1.98 pct) suffered losses. Piraeus Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 46 to 39 with another 18 issues unchanged. ANEK (14.75 pct), Euroconsultants (9.86 pct) and Mathios (9.68 pct) were top gainers, while Dromeas (20 pct), Lavipharm (11.11 pct) and Attica Holdings (10.08 pct) were top losers.

[20] ADEX closing report

General News

[21] El Al plane makes emergency landing at Athens International Airport

According to sources, the pilot of the Boeing 737-800 asked to make an emergency landing saying that they are facing a technical problem.

The plane is currently undergoing a throrough check up while the passengers and the crew are safe.

[22] Chania top choice for Swedes and Norwegians

According to airport data, 60,631 out of 169,017 tourists that arrived at Chania by plane are from Norway (30,484) and Sweden (30,147).

Moreover, in a total of 986 international flights at "Ioannis Daskalogiannis" airport, 167 came from Norway and 153 from Sweden followed by United Kingdom (129) and Denmark (124).

Tourist arrivals rose 7.46 percent compared to 2015 and flights also increased 8.35 percent in the same period.

[23] Rodrigo Garcia presents "4" in Athens Festival

Four actors, tied together with a thin rope like a spider web, wander the stage creating powerful images on a taboo subject: child sexuality.

Garcia combines seemingly unrelated and contradictory elements: the memories of the author from his childhood coexist, among others, with a kind of samurai from Kurosawa's films, an oversized Marseilles soap and a drone by the sounds of the Fourth symphony.

The performance is scheduled for July 4-5.

[24] Sea Cloud; the most romantic sailing boat afloat in the Gulf of Nafplio

The sail boat was the first, after the Civil War, US battleship which had a fully intergrated crew. The Sea Cloud is 109 meters long 15 metres wide while its mainmast is 54 metres high and 32 luxurious cabins was built in Kiel in 1931.

The ship was bought in the '50s by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillio who renamed it Angelita after his daughter. After Trujillo's assassination the luxurious ship under the name "Patria" was purchased by Operation Sea Cruises Inc.

Hartmut Paschberg and a group of Hamburg associates purchased it once again naming her Sea Cloud. Paschberg and thirty-eight other men sailed the ship to Europe, arriving in the Port of Hamburg on November 15, 1978. Sea Cloud spent eight months undergoing repairs in the now-named Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard, the very yard she was built in. It was redesigned with a sixty-four passenger capacity for a crew of sixty. The ship set sail on her first cruise in 1979 and has since been described by the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships as "the most romantic sailing ship afloat."

[25] Wildfire in the area of Messara on Crete

10 fire engines with 20-member crew as well as firemen on foot are battling the blaze. However, gusty winds blowing in the area hinder the firefighters efforts to contain the fire.

[26] Serb national wanted on international warrant arrested on Crete

The foreign national is facing charges of grant theft that took place in October 1998 in Serbia.

[27] 57,076 identified refugees and migrants in Greece on Monday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 23,571 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 10,375 are hosted in the region of Attica, 8,612 on the Greek islands and 1,939 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece. 6,351 refugees and migrants are hosted in several facilities rented by the UNHCR, 4,728 are staying in non-organised facilities while approximately 1,500 persons are living outside organised facilities.

Weather forecast

[28] Mostly fair on Tuesday

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

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Pension at 50 in banks, public entities

ESTIA: In the hands of foreign funds

ETHNOS: New tricks with tapped pipes

NAFTEMPORIKI: Explosion of overdue payments

TA NEA: Great Wall against the new electoral law

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS

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