Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Public Order Minister Dendias meets with visiting Swiss Justice Minister Sommaruga

[02] Emma Delta asked to improve bid offer for OPAP

[01] Public Order Minister Dendias meets with visiting Swiss Justice Minister Sommaruga

The Swiss minister, who visited the northeastern Greek region of Evros on Sunday, visited the Orestiada Center of Operations, the Land Border Control Center in Nea Vyssa and Filakio Reception Center.

Dendias briefed Sommaruga on the moves made by Greece within the framework of a National Action Plan on migration and asylum, the measures approved by the EU and the establishment of 20 committees to examine asylum requests for the purpose of processing all pending cases by mid 2014.

He also underlined the enormous burden shouldered by Greece as a result of the inflow of migrants who cross into the country from the Evros region's borders. Referring to the readmission issue, he noted the difficulties faced by Greece in securing the cooperation of consular authorities of the countries where most illegal migrants originally hail from, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He referred to the situation in Syria and the greater region (North Africa, Sahel region, Iraq and Afghanistan), which raises great concerns as regards the migration pressures exerted on Greece.

On her part, the Swiss minister acknowledged the continuous migration pressures endured by Greece and praised the country for the progress made in the sectors of migration and asylum. She also expressed a wish for closer bilateral cooperation on a political and police level to tackle illegal trade and trafficking in humans.

[02] Emma Delta asked to improve bid offer for OPAP

The only other bid, by US-based Third Point, was not unsealed because its offer was conditional, which consultants to TAIPED said was not allowed by the bidding terms, such as the option of selling OPAP shares, without a time limit.

According to sources, Emma Delta offered 620-630 million euros, while the state includes in the final amount it will receive the dividends for 2012, which amount to 60 million euros.

Emma Delta's major shareholders are Jiri Smejc (66.7 pct) and Melissanidis Group (33.3 pct), while sources said that Lottomatica Gorup was also included.

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