Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign investors' participation in ASE unchanged in Oct.

[02] Athens on Erdogan letter

[03] Stocks end 1.17% higher

[01] Foreign investors' participation in ASE unchanged in Oct.

Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in October, with capital inflows totaling 97.96 million euros, while off-shore companies and corporations were net sellers with capital outflows totaling 38.16 million and 45.92 million euros, respectively.

Greek investors were net sellers, with capital outflows totaling 80 million euros. Foreign investors accounted for 47.33 pct of total turnover in the market, down from 50.96 pct in September and 52.96 pct in October 2008.

The value of transactions totaled 6.287 billion euros in October, up 13.8 pct from the previous month. The Athens Stock Exchangeâs capitalization totaled 99.8 billion euros, up 1.03 pct from September and 27.9 pct higher from October 2008.

[02] Athens on Erdogan letter

Spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras also reminded that the Greek prime minister's decision to visit Istanbul highlighted the new government's intent to undertake initiatives. He said the messages sent out went to three directions namely, Balkan states, showing them that Greece supports and wants to facilitate their EU accession course; the Turkish people, by displaying a readiness for a meaningful improvement of bilateral relations for the benefit of regional stability as well as to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, by showing that the Greek government supports firmly its position and demands.

Responding to a relevant question, Delavekouras said the Turkish PM's letter constitutes "routine practice" and that the prime minister will send his reply shortly.

As regards the contacts of Turkey's Minister of State and chief negotiator for the EU, Egemen Bagis, with the Greek government, Delavekouras stated that they will take place in view of December's Summit meeting when Turkey will undergo "objective and strict evaluation". He also said that "everything is possible. Greece is waiting for Turkey's tangible response to the EU criteria and prerequisites and the commitments it has undertaken," pointing out that there will be "no shortcuts".

Referring to the operation of Frontex, Delavekouras pointed out that "Greece wants Turkey's cooperation with Frontex," considering that no such agreement has been signed yet despite Ankara's statement that it will do so.

He underlined that such a development would be "crucial" in dealing with the illegal migrant wave Greece is faced with and expressed the wish that the visit by EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, to Turkey on Thursday will contribute toward this direction.

He also reminded that Greece has signed a migrant readmission protocol with Turkey since 2001 which, however, "is not being observed by Turkey". Referring to the harassment incidents targeting Frontex aircraft, he pointed out that it is an "illegal behaviour" and Greece has made the necessary moves.

[03] Stocks end 1.17% higher

Most sectors moved higher, with the Insurance (3.82 pct), Banks (2.75 pct) and Telecommunications (2.63 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Food/Beverage (2.89 pct), Travel (1.27 pct) and Chemicals (1.15 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index rose 1.70 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.63 pct higher and the FTSE 80 index rose 0.16 pct. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 100 to 87 with another 59 issues unchanged.

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