Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-07-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] We are certain a better future starts for Greece, Chinese President Xi Jinping tells PM Tsipras

[02] We sealed the upgrade of Greek-Chinese relations, PM Tsipras posts on Twitter

[03] Chinese premier presents PM Tsipras with a bicycle

[04] AMNA-Xinhua pledge to deepen cooperation

[05] Beijing pleased with PM Tsipras' visit, say diplomatic sources

[06] EU-Turkey deal on migration must be respected, say Greek and German ministers

[07] Every programme review will be easier than the previous one, FinMin Tsakalotos says

[08] PM Tsipras on Greek referendum: 'A year later, we continue with our head held high'

[09] Greek people's 'no' will go down in history, SYRIZA says on anniversary of 2015 referendum

[10] ND spox on Greek referendum: 'Today marks a year since the Greek people were deceived'

[11] History will be harsh with those that nearly destroyed Greece, Potami leader says on anniversary of referendum

[12] Communist Party says Greek referendum was an excuse to usher in new austerity

[13] Interior ministry submits bill on changes to the electoral law to parliament

[14] Next stage in television licences tender begins ahead of August selection

[15] Top court to announce decision on TV licensing tender next week

[16] Labour ministry to meet with social partners next week

[17] Lebanon's Deputy PM asks Archbishop Ieronymos' assistance with 1.7 mln refugees in his country

[18] Russian Duma Chairman concludes visit to Mount Athos

[19] Initial data show increase in tourist arrivals and bookings in 2016, says minister

[20] Energean Oil & Gas signs 25-mln-US dollar loan agreement with EBRD

[21] Interest rate spread on loan/deposits unchanged in May

[22] 82 cruiseships expected to visit Chania until November

[23] Summer sales start on Monday

[24] Tax revenue up 32.9 pct in June

[25] Greek stocks end significantly lower

[26] ADEX closing report

[27] Filippi, a strong candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage monuments list

[28] A Greek mythology museum in Pagasetic Gulf

[29] Athens Flying Week 2016 to offer spectacular moments to the audience

[30] Sharp decline in tourists to Lesvos in wake of refugee crisis, local businesses report

[31] Athens tram workers decide on work stoppage instead of strike on Wednesday

[32] Police arrest three armed robbery suspects, injure one

[33] Mostly fair on Wednesday

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

[01] We are certain a better future starts for Greece, Chinese President Xi Jinping tells PM Tsipras

The Chinese President underlined that the Greek prime minister's visit to China after 10 years of partnership is held at a crucial and important moment adding that after Cosco's agreement for Piraeus port, cooperation in other sectors must also be boosted. "We are certain that a better future starts for Greece," said Xi Jinping.

"We are certain that Piraeus will open new prospects for the broadening of Greece-China's cooperation in transport, infrastructure, telecoms and shipping. We are also ready to develop cooperation in tourism, culture and sports sector and we seek the upgrading of the political dialogue," noted Xi Jinping.

On his part, Tsipras stated that "a circle in the Greek-Chinese relations closed and another one opens" and thanked China for its support.

"Our peoples struggled in the 20th century for independence and dignity. They always supported peace and the equal cooperation among the peoples," underlined Tsipras.

Tsipras and Xi Jinping discussed the prospects of further enhancement of investments in Greece within the framework of China's strategic plan and presented Greece's investment proposals in six sectors (economy, banks, tourism, research and innovation, Greek exports and culture).

Finally, the Chinese President accepted Tsipras' invitation to visit Greece.

[02] We sealed the upgrade of Greek-Chinese relations, PM Tsipras posts on Twitter

[03] Chinese premier presents PM Tsipras with a bicycle

"Our relation with China is like a bicycle. One wheel is economic cooperation and the other, cooperation in culture and education. We are the cyclists who will develop our two countries," Tsipras said.

The Greek leader will visit Shanghai where he will meet with the presidents of online retail giant Alibaba, COSCO, research and development center ZTE and investment firm Fosun, as well as with other businessmen. He will then meet the Shanghai's mayor Yang Xiong and visit the city's museum. After these meetings, Tsipras will conclude his official visit to China.

[04] AMNA-Xinhua pledge to deepen cooperation

AMNA's managing director Michalis Psilos said the agreement signed by the two public news agencies marked a strategic milestone for their cooperation.

He also expressed hope that ANA-MPA can intensify its cooperation with Xinhua in order to allow more Greek citizens to learn about China through the two news organizations.

Editor-in-Chief of China's Xinhua News Agency He Ping proposed the strengthening of cooperation between the two news agencies in areas such as information sources and human resources exchanges, based on the agreement signed, and noted that both organizations help strengthening China-Greece cooperation, and facilitating the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

[05] Beijing pleased with PM Tsipras' visit, say diplomatic sources

"The agreement on Piraeus port is the 'head of the dragon' in the Sino-Greek cooperation," the sources said, noting that this deal will lead to a wider cooperation in various sectors and will establish Greece as an important station in Beijing's strategy for "One zone, one road".

"China now considers Greece as its strategic partner in the European Union and hopes to see Athens as the 'head of the dragon' in the framework of Sino-EU cooperation," the sources added.

The reference to a "head of the dragon" relates to a Chinese proverb which states that to move the dragon, you must first move its head.

[06] EU-Turkey deal on migration must be respected, say Greek and German ministers

The EU-Turkey deal on migration must be respected and the relocation and resettlement procedure must be intensified, Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas and German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizi?re agreed on, during a meeting in Berlin, according to a German Interior ministry press release on Tuesday.

The ministry said Mouzalas thanked the German government for the assistance offered to Greece and presented the current situation in the country, saying the number of asylum applications and appeals will increase significantly. "The appeal committees will start work next week, under a new composition. This will increase the number of final rulings," he said.

On his side, De Maizi?re recognized the efforts made by Greece on the refugee issue, but added that Greece is responsible for developing better its asylum system, according to the press release. During the meeting, he assured Mouzalas he will help to increase help from the EU side to Greece and reiterated his position that Turkey is a safe third country for refugees.

The German minister also asked member-states to complete soon talks on reforming Dublin to ensure fair distribution of burdens.

[07] Every programme review will be easier than the previous one, FinMin Tsakalotos says

"The difficult fiscal matters are behind and now the matters are institutional ones," he underlined. "We will gradually have more freedom. That does not mean that there will be no conflicts," he added.

He explained that the country should not delay the negotiations for the second programme review as it seeks stability and persuade the institutions on the parallel programme with interventions in health and education.

Asked on the capital controls, he said that there is a constant procedure for their lifting adding that there will be a regulation next week to exclude "new money" from capital controls. Tsakalotos expressed his certainty that the contingent mechanism will never be set into effect as the government will meet its targets, such as a 0.5 pct of GDP primary surplus this year.

Regarding the IMF and its participation in the Greek programme, Tsakalotos said that the Fund is strict on the measures demanded, but it is also Greece's "ally" in the debt relief issue.

[08] PM Tsipras on Greek referendum: 'A year later, we continue with our head held high'

"Our people's 'No', [was] the culminating act of resistance to the Euro-priesthood of austerity, but also to the establishment that was planning to drown the country in order to return," Tsipras said

"One year later we continue with our held high. We fight for Greece to stand on its feet again with the fewer possible wounds and we open the way to large institutional changes for Greece in 2021. Fair growth, democracy, justice, prosperity," he added.

[09] Greek people's 'no' will go down in history, SYRIZA says on anniversary of 2015 referendum

"Today marks one year since the majestic 'NO' of July 5, 2015. The Greek people stood tall and, with a clear answer in the referendum, said NO to ultimatums and blackmail, NO to austerity policies. They said NO to the media propaganda and the campaign of terror unleashed by the domestic and international system," the party's announcement said.

With the same result, the Greek people shouted clear warning that an obsessive preoccupation with the numbers when peoples were suffering was a danger for Europe - a warning whose truth was now confirmed by Brexit and the rise of nationalism, the party said.

The party also turned its fire on those that had campaigned for 'yes', saying they would "go down in history in their own 'grey' way, as agents of the most extreme policies for the economy and society, as those that had promised 15,000 layoffs in the public sector, full deregulation of dismissals in the private sector, the zero deficit clause, removing protection for first homes and "outrageous" surpluses that even they admitted could not be achieved.

[10] ND spox on Greek referendum: 'Today marks a year since the Greek people were deceived'

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, party spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos described the referendum as a "monument to unreliability and irresponsibility" which cost dearly to Greeks.

"They knew all about it in the government. Mr. Tsipras was planning other things, requested other things and did other things. When people said 'No', he accepted the harsher proposals of the creditors," Koumoutsakis said.

"It's a crime because it cost dozens of billions [of euros]. It's a conscious crime. They knew its consequences. The available evidence is staggering," he added and referred to a book by American economist James Galbraith, "Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice", in which the writer said former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis had prepared a plan that foresaw declaring a state of emergency and transforming bank deposits into a new Drachma.

[11] History will be harsh with those that nearly destroyed Greece, Potami leader says on anniversary of referendum

"History will be very harsh with those that nearly blew up Greece," Theodorakis said in a statement to the state broadcaster ERT marking the anniversary of a referendum on the economic programme proposed by Greece's creditors. The revelations that were gradually coming out uncovered a "dark plan" for Greece.

"[A plan] for the country to become 'third world' with everything controlled by the state, in other words the party, or in other words their own little group," he said, adding that the SYRIZA-ANEL government was daily adding problems when the country needed bold solutions.

[12] Communist Party says Greek referendum was an excuse to usher in new austerity

"A year ago, the Communist Party had said the referendum, with the phony dilemma it posed, was a trap. That 'No' and 'Yes' would be used as an alleged approval by the people, to seal an unpopular new agreement with the troika. The rest is known to the Greek people," the party said.

"The parties of 'NO' and 'YES' jointly voted for a new memorandum, which escalates the attack against the people," it added.

[13] Interior ministry submits bill on changes to the electoral law to parliament

The bill contains proposals for the abolition of the 50-seat bonus granted to the party that receives the highest percentage in the elections and extends voting rights to 17-year-olds. The threshold for a party to enter into parliament remains at 3 pct.

[14] Next stage in television licences tender begins ahead of August selection

A process to thoroughly check each of the 11 offers has now begun ahead of the auction that will take place in early August, with the assistance of a private firm of chartered accountants.

According to sources in the secretariat, the process is expected to finish within the deadline set, in spite of the large number of offers submitted.

[15] Top court to announce decision on TV licensing tender next week

The court's decision on the request submitted by Mega channel, Antenna and Skai will be announced in the next week. The discussion was attended by the general secretary of Information and Communication Lefteris Kretsos and representatives of the TV stations.

[16] Labour ministry to meet with social partners next week

He said the position will not allow lockouts and mass layoffs and will promote the request to restore collective negotiations.

"Talks on labour issues which will start on September constitute an effort to reconnect with the normalcy of the European social model that foresees a market regulated by social rights and law guarantee," Katrougalos said.

[17] Lebanon's Deputy PM asks Archbishop Ieronymos' assistance with 1.7 mln refugees in his country

Mouqbei said he had visited the archbishop to receive his blessing and described the situation in his country as "calm" and much better than other countries that are under attack. He also asked Ieronymos for his assistance with the problems Lebanon is currently facing, especially with the refugees flooding the country. Mouqbel stressed that a country like Lebanon, with a population of 3.5 million people, cannot accept 1.7 million refugees, noting that the issue had gone beyond national to become European and global.

The Athens Archbishop noted the ties of mutual respect and appreciation between Greece and Lebanon, adding that the refugee issue was very important for Greece, which also had to deal with the serious problems caused by the economic crisis, while he also referred to the Church's assistance to those living in poverty.

[18] Russian Duma Chairman concludes visit to Mount Athos

In statements to the press after the visit, Naryshkin said he was happy to be on Mount Athos on the millenial anniversary of Russian monasticism on the peninsula, noting that the goals of Russia and Greece were for peace to prevail in the world.

According to Amanatidis, the visit served to further cement ties between the Greek and Russian peoples and their respective parliaments.

Naryshkin was expected to make his way back to Thessaloniki and depart for Moscow on Tuesday night.

Financial News

[19] Initial data show increase in tourist arrivals and bookings in 2016, says minister

The minister said the completion of the program review offers a point of reference to readapt and reconstruct the Greek tourism product on a new basis, with large and small investments.

"We send a clear signal towards lengthening the tourist season, developing specialized forms of tourism and promoting new tourist destinations, while it is also an opportunity for major reforms in the fields of tourism education and the simplification and codification of tourism legislation," Kountoura told journalists.

Information collected so far shows bookings have increased between 4 to 30 pct in key markets, while international arrivals grew 5 pct in the first five months of the year.

Concerning Russia, the aim is for visitors to exceed one million in 2016, Kountoura said, adding the ministry has signed deals with six largest tour operators in the country. On the European market, the minister said last minute reservations are expected to reach more than 20 pct compared with last year. She also noted that the next target is to reach the Indian and South American markets.

On China, she presented a plan for cooperation in tourism, noting efforts are being made to add direct flights throughout the year. The ministry also places a lot of emphasis on the Middle East markets, with Kountoura saying that the United Arab Emirates set the trend in the region, which is why efforts are being made to expand cooperation with local travel agents.

[20] Energean Oil & Gas signs 25-mln-US dollar loan agreement with EBRD

Energean Oil & Gas has already signed a 75-mln-US dollar loan with EBRD to fund its investment programme. The new funds will also cover the application of new technologies and a series of investments to improve supply and use of energy.

The contract was signed in Athens by Riccardo Puliti, Chief Executive, head of energy and natural sources in EBRD and Mathios Rigas, chairman and chief executive in Energean Oil & Gas.

[21] Interest rate spread on loan/deposits unchanged in May

The central bank, in a monthly report, said that the overall weighted average interest rate on all new deposits remained almost unchanged from the previous month at 0.43 pct. In particular, the average interest rates on overnight deposits placed by households and by non-financial corporations remained almost unchanged at 0.11 pct and 0.21 pct, respectively. The average interest rate on deposits placed by households with an agreed maturity of up to one year also remained almost unchanged at 0.85 pct. The overall weighted average interest rate on all new loans to households and corporations remained almost unchanged at 4.84 pct. More specifically, the average interest rate on consumer loans without a defined maturity (a category which comprises credit cards, open account loans and overdrafts) decreased by 4 basis points to 14.59 pct. The average interest rate on consumer loans at a floating1 rate decreased by 75 basis points to 6.99 pct.

The average interest rate on corporate loans without a defined maturity decreased by 12 basis points to 5.86 pct. The corresponding rate on loans to sole proprietors decreased by 4 basis points to 7.35 pct. The average interest rate on corporate loans with a defined maturity at a floating rate increased by 4 basis points to 4.80 pct.

In May 2016, the overall weighted average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of all deposits marginally decreased, while the corresponding rate on all loans remained almost unchanged. The spread between loan and deposit rates remained almost unchanged at 4.51 percentage points.

[22] 82 cruiseships expected to visit Chania until November

The number of cruiseship passengers that visit the city of the island of Crete is expected to exceed 55,000 by the end of the week, according to the Municipal Port Fund of Chania.

The cruiship "Celebrity Reflections" with 3,238 passengers and 1,242-member crew docked on Tuesday at Chania port of Souda while on July 7 is expected the cruiship "Rhapsody of the Seas" carrying approximately 2,000 people. A day later the "Celebrity Equinox" with 2,800 on board is scheduled to arrive at Souda.

82 cruiseships carrying approximately 100,000 passengers will visit the city of Chania until November 2016.

[23] Summer sales start on Monday

The stores will also remain open on Sunday, July 17, from 11:00 to 18:00.

[24] Tax revenue up 32.9 pct in June

A report by the General Secretariat for Public Revenue showed that net tax revenue rose 32.9 pct compared with June 2015 totaling 3.74 billion euros, while they surpassed budget targets by 1.33 pct. In the January-June period, tax revenue totaled 20.93 billion euros, up 3.72 pct from targets. The General Secretariat for Public Revenue said it expected this positive trend to continue in the coming months.

June revenue were up not only compared with the same month last year but also compared with June 2014. Tax authorities will focus on efforts to combat tax evasion during the summer months by intensifying controls in tourist areas.

[25] Greek stocks end significantly lower

Aegean Airines (2.01 pct), Grivalia Properties (1.29 pct) and Ellaktor (0.75 pct) scored big gains among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Bank (12.75 pct), Eurobank (12.33 pc), National Bank (10.53 pct) and Alpha Bank (6.85 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. Among market sectors, only Commerce ended higher (0.34 pct), while Banks (9.72 pct), Raw Materials (2.75 pct) and Food (2.61 pct) suffered losses.

National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 56 to 33 with another 19 issues unchanged. Karamolegos (26.5 pct), Kreka (20 pct) and Varvaresos (14.94 pct) were top gainers, while Selonda (29.41 pct), Piraeus Bank (12.75 pct) and Eurobank (12.33 pct) were top losers.

[26] ADEX closing report

General News

[27] Filippi, a strong candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage monuments list

The meeting will take place between 10 and 20 July and the Greek request will be discussed on July 15.

"We are optimistic about our candidacy because the consulting body's evaluation report is positive," the national coordinator for UNESCO's world heritage monuments for Greece Evgenia Geroussi said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).

The archaeological site of Filippi is a very important area in Northeastern Greece on the ancient Egnatia Odos. King Filippos II saw the strategic position of the location, built the city and named it. The battle at Filippi also affected the future of the Roman Empire because Augustus became an emperor and the city built was a copy of the Roman cities. "The city does not have any superstructures and after its abandonment it remained untouched, which means authentic", noted Geroussi.

Seventeen Greek monuments have already been included in the World Heritage Monuments list among them the archaeological site of the Athens Acropolis, the archaeological site of Delphi and the island of Delos.

[28] A Greek mythology museum in Pagasetic Gulf

Project ART.Reef is an ambitious research project, about the creation of artificial reefs from underwater sculptures. The aim of the project is to look into the possibility of using such reefs for Ecosystem Management plans and the restoration of the marine environment, but at the same time, as an exciting diving attraction too.

The sculptures will follow the mythological lore of?Jason and the legendary Argonauts. The concept is to give the opportunity to someone who dives at the reef to have the feeling that this is, literally, a?dive in the mythology.

"I have had this idea for many years. In particular, I have been thinking of it since I saw a submarine museum with sculptures by an artist in Mexico. It was something exciting and I thought that this could also happen in Greece," the project's coordinator Alexios Lolas said to the Athens News Agency.

"The goal is to make it in a sandy seabed that is desert in order to create the right conditions for microorganisms, sponges, seaweed, starfish, fish and create a biodiversity. This reef art, as we call it, seeks to combine art with science," he added and explained that "we want to study whether it has a positive effect on the ecosystem, but also be able to study the effect it will have on the local society as regards development, tourism and generally boost the local economy and promote diving tourism in Greece as it is in its infancy, or almost nonexistent."

[29] Athens Flying Week 2016 to offer spectacular moments to the audience

According to the organizers, this will be the biggest aviation event of southeast Europe for 2016, as world-renowned pilots will star in a weekend full of action and surprises.

Tom De Moortel, pilot of the Belgian Air Force, will present a solo show with an F-16, while a Soko G-2 Galeb from Serbia will fly in the colors of the former Yugoslav Air Force.

US Melissa Pemberton will surprise us for second consecutive year with her manoeuvers while flying a small single-seater acrobatic airplane, an inspiration to many young people of her age.

From our neighbouring Italy, the world champion Luca Bertossio returns with a unique acrobatic manoeuvers program-me with a glider.

From Sweden, Johan Gustafsson, is also expected to impress the audience. From Spain, Patrulla Aguila will participate with a total of seven aircraft Casa C-101 Aviojet presenting a spectacular performance of absolute synchronization.

From Italy, the group of "WeFlyTeam", confirms the power of the will, since the two pilots are stranded in a wheelchair.

The Polish Air Force participates with an F-16 and a Sukhoi-22UM3K.

Greece will participate with an aircraft Zeus F-16, and Dimitris Ververelis who performs breathtaking shows with an helicopter EC 120B.

[30] Sharp decline in tourists to Lesvos in wake of refugee crisis, local businesses report

After the floods of refugees and migrants washing up on its beaches, littering its shores with garish orange life jackets as they passed through on their way to Europe - and the iconic images of the unfolding crisis that filled the global media - arrivals of European tourists have plummetted to just a fraction of last year's levels.

According to figures released by Mytilene airport, passenger arrivals in June 2016 dropped to just 4,825, down from 15,026 in the same month last year, for a decline of 67.89 pct and an estimated loss of revenues of about six million euros. The drop in arrivals was attributed directly to the migration crisis, with troubled tourists selecting alternative destinations in the country.

In the first quarter of the 2016 tourism season, from April until June, there were a total of 9,904 arrivals, roughly a third of the 29,106 that arrived in the same period in 2015. If the trend continues until October, the island will have lost an estimated 55,000 tourists that stayed an average of nine nights each, or 495,000 stays in total.

According to a study by the Lesvos Hoteliers' Union, this will deal a severe blow to the island's tourism industry since each lost stay translates to the loss of 1.5-2 day's wages and between five and six kilos of fish and agricultural products consumed.

A small ray of hope amid a generally gloomy picture has been a rise in the number of flights from the Netherlands and Denmark, though this is not enough to offset the huge losses, hoteliers said.

Hotel owners and travel agencies said they intend to push for a series of relief measures to minimise the damage to their businesses, such as lower utility rates, tax breaks, special winter prices and others.

[31] Athens tram workers decide on work stoppage instead of strike on Wednesday

Athens commuters and drivers still face a difficult day on Wednesday, however, since a 24-hour strike by the city's metro, suburban railway (Proastiakos), electric railway (line 1) and Greek railways will still go ahead as planned.

Public transport staff, who are protesting against the privatisation of the Greek railways operator TRAINOSE and the rolling stock maintenance company ROSCO, will also carry out a protest rally outside the privatisation agency's headquarters at 8:00.

[32] Police arrest three armed robbery suspects, injure one

The alleged robbers got into a cab and were chased by a Dias motorcycle unit which was able to stop them in Ambelokipi. One of the suspects got out of the car pointing a gun at policemen and was shot in his abdomen. Although injured, he stopped another taxi and the chase started anew. He was apprehended a few blocks away and was transferred to hospital where he is being treated for his injury but is in no danger.

His accomplices who were in the first taxi were arrested and are held in police headquarters.

Weather forecast

[33] Mostly fair on Wednesday

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

DIMOKRATIA: Massacre over the TV licences

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Political fraud that cost 10 billion euros

ETHNOS: Britain and common sense

IMERISSIA: Fears of economic crash

KATHIMERINI: Galbraith's revelations for Plan B

NAFTEMPORIKI: EU Commission hardens its stance

RIZOSPASTIS: Rallies against the government's anti-labour plans

TA NEA: China's syndrome

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