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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-04-27Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] KYSEA cancels buying of four C 27 aircraftAMNA--The Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), that convened on Thursday afternoon under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, decided to cancel the buying of the remaining four C 27 transport aircraft.According to relevant government sources, the 8 of the 12 that Greece has ordered from an Italian company have already been received, but only one is in full operational readiness.amna Consequently, according to the same sources, a consultation is under way with the Italian Alonia company, so that instead of the four aircraft, Greece to obtain spare parts for the functioning of the seven that have been received but for which there are not enough spare parts for them to function fully. It is estimated that about 58 million euros will be saved from this change.amna KYSEA also approved the new manual on the handling of crises based on the armed forces new structure, as well as Greece's response to the obligation to provide officers for NATO's rapid intervention forces. In another development, Papademos will address a conference of the Exporters Federation at 12 noon on Friday, while later, at two in the afternoon, he will chair a cabinet meeting focusing on the recapitalisation of banks. [02] Interview with KKE leader Aleka PaparigaAMNA--The Communist party (KKE) aspires to win strong support in the upcoming general elections on May 6, the party's general secretary Aleka Papariga on Thursday stressed in an interview with AMNA.She underlined that the day after the elections, KKE will focus its attention on the trade unionist movement, pointing out that important steps need to be made to be reorganized and regenerated, stressing that the capital will dominate politically and economically regardless of the election outcome. amna The KKE general secretary outlined the reasons for which her party will not cooperate with other political powers focusing her criticism on the stance adopted by the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) and stressing that there is no room for common ground with SYRIZA or the Democratic Left (DIM.AR). Referring to the phenomenon of the ultra-rightists of Chryssi Avgi, she put the blame on the capitalists, the state mechanisms and the political parties that support and reinforce such reactionary groups and organizations which have as a goal to deliver a blow to the popular movement. amna Papariga stated that those forces are trying to use Chryssi Avgi in an attempt to apply the so-called "theory of the extremes" that "threaten democracy", when in fact they are trying to disorientate and intimidate the workers. [03] Venizelos accuses Samaras of avoiding debateAMNA--PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos accused New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras of trying to avoid the television debate among the political leaders, in what he described as "unprecedented behaviour".Venizelos noted that for the first time a fundamental procedure of democracy is being undermined, and charged that Samaras "appears not to want any dialogue".amna Moreover, he characterized Samaras' stance as "phobic" and accused him of "undermining democracy itself". [04] The Friday edition of Athens' dailiesThe Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe presentation of New Democracy's (ND) programme for society, SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras' call to the Left parties and the Independent Greeks to join forces for the May 6 general elections, and the remand in custody pending trial of former minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos' daughter Areti Tsohatzopoulou mostly dominated the headlines on Friday in Athens' newspapers. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Samaras: We will change everything". AVGHI: "SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras: Ôhey divide, we unite". DEALnews: "European measures touch Greece". DIMOKRATIA: "Divine Justice". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Brussels give....grace to the Memorandum's countries". ESTIA: "The whole truth on taxation". ETHNOS: "Europe wakes up from lethargy". IMERISSIA: "Eurozone's outstanding summit on development". KATHIMERINI: "Testimony 'burns' Tsohatzopoulos". LOGOS: "Troika (European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund) in Athens for new measures". NAFTEMPORIKI: "Extra period for adjustment for the Memorandum countries". NIKI: "PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos' turn to the Left roots". RIZOSPASTIS: "Communist Party (KKE) direct proposals to relieve the youth". TA NEA: "Tsipras' flirt with Papariga (KKE leader) and...Kammenos (Panos, leader of Independent Greeks)". VRADYNI: "Samaras: Armed forces special payrolls to be restored". [05] Athens Stock Exchange opening: Small declineEquity prices were declining at the opening of trade on Friday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the basic share price index down 0.39 percent, standing at 694.57 points at 11:00 am, and turnover at 1.165 million euros.The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 0.24 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 0.41 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 0.20 percent. Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward, with the only gains in Travel and Recreation, up 0.94 percent and Financial Services, up 1.64 percent. The biggest losses were in Construction, down 2.08 percent; and Health, down 1.72 percent. Of the stocks traded, 17 were up, 13 were down, and 8 were unchanged. [06] Immediate freezing of tax evaders' bank depositsAMNA--The tax authorities will be proceeding with the immediate freezing of bank deposits of taxpayers who are detected tax evading.This is pointed out in a circular of the Finance ministry that has been sent to all tax offices in the country and in which it is stressed that freezing will be taking place before the taxpayer's summoning for a hearing.amna The Finance ministry is going ahead with this measure for the immediate safeguarding of the state's interests in cases of tax evasion and to prevent phenomena of bank deposit withdrawals by people accused of tax evasion. [07] EU says Greece's special rights in OTE-DT deal incompatibleAMNA--The European Commission on Thursday acted to ensure that Greece complies with its obligations to implement EU rules on free movement of capital and the right of establishment. The non-compliance with EU law results from the application of a State measure, adopted in the context of Deutsche Telekom's (DT) participation in the Hellenic Telecommunication Organisation (OTE) and granting special rights ("golden share") to the Greek State. The Commission's request to Greece takes the form of a reasoned opinion. If the national authorities do not reply satisfactorily within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.Greece and Deutsche Telekom (DT) entered into a share purchase agreement (SPA) for 3.03% of the Hellenic Telecommunication Organisation's (OTE) shares and a Shareholders' Agreement (SA). Upon completion of the SPA, Greece and DT each held 25% plus one of OTE shares. On 11 July 2008 the aforementioned agreements were ratified by national law. amna The Commission contests the provisions of the above-mentioned law that: · introduces special rights for the State such as: the possibility for the State, even as a minority shareholder, to appoint half of the members on OTE governing bodies, · includes a wide range of veto rights on corporate and business matters such as a company's dissolution or merger, transfer or conversion of a strategic company's assets, changes in a company's nationality or capital,amna · requires prior approval by the Greek authorities for the transfer of OTE shares by DT and a change of control clause. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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