[ana-dist] Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-04-23
HR-Net News Distribution Manager
dist at hri.org
Tue Apr 23 15:13:19 EDT 2013
Tuesday, 23 April 2013 Issue No: 4342
CONTENTS
[01] Omnibus bill containing measures agreed with troika to be tabled
in parliament on Thursday
[02] SYRIZA-EKM slams new omnibus bill as 'memorandum play re-run'
[03] Premier thanks shipowners for patrol boats to Coast Guard
[04] Prime Minister Samaras meets with visiting AKEL secretary general
Kyprianou
[05] AKEL to consider "alternative plan" leading Cyprus out of the
eurozone
[06] fYRoM 'backsliding in democratic institutions', FM Avramopoulos
[07] FM to meet with US Secretary of State on sidelines of NATO spring
meeting of FMs in Brussels
[08] US Sec. of State: US strongly encourages reopening of Halki seminary
[09] Aleppo Metropolitan Pavlos abducted, reports
[10] Public Order Minister Dendias meets with visiting Swiss Justice
Minister Sommaruga
[11] Interior Minister Stylianidis' interview with ANA-MPA WebTV
[12] Supreme Court Prosecutor grants protected status to Manolada
shooting victims
[13] European Commissioner calls for investigation into Manolada shooting
of workers
[14] Testimonies of three on Nea Manolada incident result in custody
[15] SYRIZA delegation attends European Left con'f in Sofia
[16] Independent Greeks congress opens Saturday
[17] New KKE leader warns of coming EU-based restrictions to people,
parties
[18] KKE stages anti-dictatorship march in Thessaloniki
[19] Trial of former defence minister Tsohatzopoulos opens in Athens
[20] Greek FinMin says economy to grow in 2014
[21] Piraeus Bank acquires Millennium Bank Greece
[22] Eurobank seeks full recapitalization from HFSF
[23] Emma Delta asked to improve bid price for OPAP
[24] Greece to facilitate long-term visa issue for investors from May
[25] Finance ministry decision facilitates real estate transactions to
repay debts owed to the state
[26] Minister: Tourism is a national cause'
[27] Third age tourism to be focus of new Greek campaign, tourism
minister says
[28] Greek current account deficit down 59 pct in Jan-Feb
[29] Greek public debt fell to 156.9 pct of GDP in 2012
[30] Cosco Shipping & Broking Hellas reports improved 2012 results
[31] Sources: Employment minister asks for OAED director's resignation
[32] Seamen's union calls 24-hour strike on May 1
[33] ASE suspends trading in Coca Cola Hellenic
[34] Business briefs
[35] Greek stocks end significantly higher
[36] Greek bond market closing report
[37] ADEX closing report
[38] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday
[39] President meets Ministerial Committee on Road Safety
[40] Ioannina mayor presses charges over missing 1.0 million-plus euros
[41] Trikala Prison escaped convict involved in Mandra shootout,
police said
[42] Ottoman-era monuments in northwest Greece attract interest of
Turkish tour operators
[43] Illegal migrants arrested on the island of Samothrace
[44] Man injured in tanker-truck explosion
[45] Unexploded hand-grenade found outside pawnbroker's shop in Galatsi
[46] Sun and showers forecast on Tuesday
[47] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance
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Politics
[01] Omnibus bill containing measures agreed with troika to be tabled
in parliament on Thursday
An omnibus bill containing the measures that have been agreed with the
European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International
Monetary Fund (IMF) troika of Greece's international lenders will be
tabled in parliament on Thursday, and according to Finance Minister
Yannis Stournaras needs to be passed by Sunday, after which the parliament
recesses for the Orthodox Easter holiday.
Stournaras met Monday with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, and clarified
that there will be no problem with the disbursement of the tranche of
the EU/IMF bailout loan, anticipating the disbursement in mid-May.
Stournaras will brief the representatives of the parties participating in
the three-party coalition government on Tuesday, wishing to ameliorate
the disgruntlement in the two junior partners PASOK and Democratic Left
(DIMAR) that they have had no briefing on the omnibus bill to be tabled,
what it contains and what measure have been agreed with the troika,
sources said.
According to Stournaras, there is a constant, open channel of
communication between ministry officials and the associates of PASOK
leader Evangelos Venizelos and DIMAR leader Fotis Kouvelis.
[02] SYRIZA-EKM slams new omnibus bill as 'memorandum play re-run'
Main opposition SYRIZA-EKM on Monday slammed the new omnibus bill tabled
in Parliament by the government, saying it failed to provide answers
to problems such as Greece's rising unemployment, slashed available
incomes and yawning pension fund deficits that the party said neared
4.0 billion euros.
"Watching a re-run of the same austerity-memorandum play, the government
is tabling the new package of measures it agreed with the troika as
urgent. Before the end of the celebrations for the new major national
success of completing the negotiations and the prime minister's promises
of recovery, the harsh memorandum reality of dismissals, the PPC head tax,
callousness in the face of household and business debt, returns in force,"
a party announcement said.
SYRIZA-EKM stressed that Greek society's endurance had long ago been
exhausted and that "the way out for the economy and for society can only
come about through the overthrow of memorandum policies and shaping a new
strategy for growth, investments the social state and a redistribution
of wealth".
[03] Premier thanks shipowners for patrol boats to Coast Guard
Greek shipowners understand the difficulties the nation is facting and
responded fully to the government's invitation to support the Greek
society and economy, said Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday
evening, at the presentation of a gift of two high-speed boats for the
Coast Guard's underwater missions.
The 700,000- euro gift by the Union of Greek Shipowners was presented
to the government at the Ministry of Shipping and the Aegean at the
Vassiliadis section of Greece's main port of Piraeus.
Samaras affirmed his commitment to the Shipping and Aegean Ministry,
and noted that "for Greece not to have a Shipping Ministry is like Saudi
Arabia not having an Oil Ministry."
"Today I am at the headquarters of Greek shipping which we built after
great effort and whose reconstitution was affirmed two days ago by the
drafting and voting of the relevant draft bill," he added.
Prior to his speech, the premier was given a tour of the search and rescue
centre at the Coast Guard and briefed on its operations, including those
dealing with illegal migrants in the eastern Aegean.
Theodore Veniamis, president of the Union, said the two boats would
assist the unit of underwater missions with eradicating any illegal
acts in Greek waters. Shipping and Aegean Minister Kostis Moussouroulis
said the gift would help the Coast Guard in its "systematic and arduous
efforts of patrolling the sea borders of Greece."
[04] Prime Minister Samaras meets with visiting AKEL secretary general
Kyprianou
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday received visiting secretary
general of Cyprus' left-wing AKEL party Andros Kyprianou, focusing on
economic developments.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kyprianou said that he "expressed
strong concern about the decisions imposed on Cyprus by the European
Union," adding that "they show a change in its stance as regards the way
in which banking sector problems are solved, a fact that should raise
concerns in all countries that have similar problems and not only Cyprus".
He noted that "the decisions made have virtually destroyed the Cypriot
economy, the island's entrepreneurship, and huge efforts will have to
be made to overcome the difficulties".
Kyprianou said that he briefed the prime minister on the situation and
the concerns expressed by his party. He said that "an alternative option
is being sought to allow the country to free itself from the memorandum's
suffocating embrace".
The Cyprus issue was also discussed, "an issue that concerns the people's
survival on the island," Kyprianou said, adding that he expressed "strong
concern about efforts that are likely to be made by different sides for a
hasty move that will lead to the imposition of a solution to the Cyprus
problem which will be in conflict with everything already decided."
He underlined that it was useful to exchange these views with the prime
minister, noting that "Greece, despite its difficulties, still is the
main supporter of the Cypriot people in their struggle for liberation
and reunification."
[05] AKEL to consider "alternative plan" leading Cyprus out of the
eurozone
A well documented study examining an "alternative plan" involving Cyprus'
exit from the eurozone will be discussed by the Political Office and
Central Committee of the left-wing AKEL party, its secretary general
Andros Kyprianou said on Monday, during his visit in Athens.
Speaking at a press conference, he said that if the "alternative plan"
is adopted, the party will table a request for a referendum.
[06] fYRoM 'backsliding in democratic institutions', FM Avramopoulos
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) has a democratic
deficit, that negatively affects its EU accession process, according to
an announcement by Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on Monday.
Responding to the European Commission's spring report on progress the
Skopje government is making towards its European membership, Avramopoulos
said, "During the period of time covered by the European Commission's
spring report on fYRoM, significant backsliding was seen in Skopje. This
backslide is due, to a large extent, to the political crisis that began
this past December."
"But essentially," he added, "this situation is due to, and is a crisis
in, the functioning of democratic institutions. In other words, there
is a democratic deficit."
The minister said that in its intervention, Greece "pointed up the
serious shortfalls in Skopje on issues of the freedom of the news media,
separation of powers, and political pluralism. Shortfalls and factors,
that is, that concern the Copenhagen political criteria and the core of
the conditionality of the accession process," he explained referring to
fYRoM's European Union membership application talks.
Avramopoulos added, "Regarding good neighbourly relations, we made
it clear to everyone that the problems continued and worsened," and
warned that "The bar of the European criteria must not and will not be
lowered. Europe's message must be clear. Otherwise, we should be certain
that we can expect further negative developments. And that is not in
Europe's interest, it is not in Greece's interest, and it is not in the
interest of our neighbouring country itself."
[07] FM to meet with US Secretary of State on sidelines of NATO spring
meeting of FMs in Brussels
Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos will meet with US Secretary
of State John Kerry on Tuesday morning in Brussels on the sidelines of
the Spring meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
During the meeting taw two men will discuss matters of bilateral
cooperation and current developments in southeastern Europe and the
eastern Mediterranean.
[08] US Sec. of State: US strongly encourages reopening of Halki seminary
ISTANBUL (ANA-MPA/A. Kourkoulas)
US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate at
the Phanar on Monday and discussed the reopening of the Halki seminary
and matters concerning religious freedoms in Turkey with Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew.
After the meeting, Kerry said: "It's such a privilege to talk with
somebody who has been such a voice for tolerance, a voice for interfaith
understanding, who most recently visited with His Holiness Pope Francis
and was at his investiture, and who has consistently talked out about
protecting rights of minorities, protecting religious rights, and who
is struggling for larger understanding in the world".
"He is also an ardent environmentalist and has been honored by any number
of universities, including our great University of Tufts in Massachusetts,
with honorary degrees. He has a great following. I have many, many of
his flock that I was privileged to represent for years in Massachusetts
and have attended Orthodox services in Lowell, Massachusetts and other
places, in Boston," the US official continued.
"So for me to visit here with this protector of the rights of people to
practice their religion and to try to bring people together in interfaith
understanding is a great, great privilege for me. And I want to thank
you so much, Your Holiness," Kerry added.
During a briefing on the airplane that brought Kerry to Turkey, an
accompanying State Department official said that one of the issues that
Kerry would raise with the Turkish government is the Halki seminary,
noting that the "Halki seminary was closed in 1971", and adding that
". And we have been strongly encouraging the Turkish Government to reopen
Halki seminary" which, he said "would be an important step forward in
terms of signaling Turkey's accord for openness, religious freedom,
and tolerance?.
As for Kerry's meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, the State Department
official said "clearly just the Secretary's presence there signals our
support for the important issue of reopening Halki seminary and our
commitment to religious freedom".
Bartholomew, in turn, said in the recent months and years " we have
positive progress in the attitude of the (Turkish) government towards our
Patriarchate and 9n general toward the minorities, and obviously we look
forward to the resolution of our existing problems, such as the reopening
of the Halki seminary, which is a great need for or Patriarchate, at
present and for its future," the Ecumenical Patriarch told Kerry at the
start of their meeting.
"We do not have the ability to have better-trained young people and we
do not have any other means outside the seminary, which was established
in 1844 but unfortunately closed in 1071 and despite our efforts the
government has not reopened it to date," Bartholomew said, adding that
"we are optimistic, we are convinced that there is good will on the part
of Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan".
[09] Aleppo Metropolitan Pavlos abducted, reports
Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Pavlos of Aleppo was abducted by unknown
individuals earlier Monday, the official Syrian news agency reported.
Greek diplomatic sources said that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and
Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos from Brussels, where he is due
to attend the Spring meeting of NATO foreign ministers, have contacted
Patriarch Ioannis of Antioch, brother of Metropolitan Pavlos.
The same sources added that the Foreign Ministry is on alert.
[10] Public Order Minister Dendias meets with visiting Swiss Justice
Minister Sommaruga
Migration and asylum issues, as well as closer bilateral cooperation
between Greece and Switzerland, dominated a meeting on Monday between
Public Order & Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Dendias and visiting
Swiss Justice & Police Minister Simonetta 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.
[11] Interior Minister Stylianidis' interview with ANA-MPA WebTV
Interior Minister Evripidis Stylianidis referred to Greece-Israel
cooperation on the level of local authorities during an interview
appearing on ANA-MPA WebTV on Monday and given on the sidelines of a
recent event organized by the Israeli embassy in Athens to mark the 65th
anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.
Stylianidis underlined that "the goal is to bring municipalities and
regions in Greece and Israel closer, to exchange know-how and develop
joint programmes that will be mutually beneficial".
He announced that he will be carry out a formal visit to Israel soon,
accepting an invitation from his Israeli counterpart, and added that
local authority officials will also visit the country.
Bilateral cooperation on local government level focuses on desalination
projects, boosting the local economy and updating local administration.
Referring to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) issue, Stylianidis said
that it is a high policy issue, noting that the necessary cooperation
and exchange of views is taking place focusing on common interests.
[12] Supreme Court Prosecutor grants protected status to Manolada
shooting victims
Supreme Court Prosecutor Ioannis Tentes on Monday issued an order granting
a protected status to the 35 farm laborers fired upon by their foremen in
Nea Manolada. At the same time, Tentes issued a circular giving guidelines
to Courts of Appeal and First Instance Court Prosecutors designed to
intensify inspections for the protection of local and foreign workers
and their individual and social rights.
The Supreme Court Prosecutor's order was in response to a recent incident
on a Nea Manolada strawberry farm when foreign migrant workers were shot
at during an altercation with the foremen, after demanding six months
of unpaid wages. Tens of them were injured, some seriously.
Tentes ordered the Amaliada First Instance Court Prosecutor in the
southern Greek prefecture of Ilia in the Peloponnese to issue an act
designating the 35 injured foreign workers to be "victims of human
trafficking" granting them protected status and forbidding their
deportation.
Also, in a circular addressed to Courts of Appeal and First Instance
Court Prosecutors, Tentes urges them to undertake dynamic action in
cases where individual and social rights are violated, maltreatment of
Greek and foreign workers and violations of labour law.
[13] European Commissioner calls for investigation into Manolada shooting
of workers
BRUSSELS (ANA/MPA-M. Spinthourakis)
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom called on
Greece to conduct a full investigation into the shooting on Wednesday
of 28 migrant workers after they demanded six months of unpaid wages in
Nea Manolada, northwest Peloponnese. The workers are still in hospital.
Agence Europe news agency quoted Malmstrom, responsible for migration and
security at the European Commission, after she tweeted on her official
page, "Shocking news about shooting of migrant workers in Greece. I
expect full investigation by the Greek authorities."
The agency mentioned Greek media reports about the Bangladeshi workers
living under inhumane conditions and mentioned the Greek government's
intent to take immediate measures to fight such attacks and quoted parts
of a report released last week by Council of Europe Commissioner for
Human Rights Nils Muiznieks. Following a visit to Greece earlier this
year, the Commissioner said that attacks against migrants "have been
linked to members or supporters, including parliamentarians" of the
extreme-right party Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi). Furthermore, he added,
"The authorities must firmly condemn all instances of hate speech and
hate crime and lead by example in public, migration-related debates."
[14] Testimonies of three on Nea Manolada incident result in custody
Three men aged 39, 21, and 27 charged with shooting at 28 migrant workers
in Nea Manolada, northwest Peloponnese, were remanded in custody on
Monday following their testimonies before an investigating magistrate.
A prosecutor in the main city of Amaliada has charged the three for
illegal possession and use of weapons and causing grave bodily injury,
among other charges. The migrant workers remain in hospital.
Meanwhile, the owner of the strawberry business, from whom the migrant
workers demanded back pay of six months before the shooting on Wednesday,
is also expected to testify before an investigating magistrate on Monday.
[15] SYRIZA delegation attends European Left con'f in Sofia
SOFIA (ANA-MPA/B.Borisov)
The rallying of the European Left through the promotion, support and
coordination of the citizens' movements against the neo-liberal policy
in Europe is a top priority, Greek main opposition Radical Left Coalition
(SYRIZA) party deputy Vassilis Hatjilambrou told ANA-MPA here on Monday.
Hatzilambrou was speaking after a meeting of a SYRIZA delegation with
Bulgarian Left party leader Ivan Genov and other leading party officials,
in the framework of a two-day conference of the Executive Committee of
the European Left in Sofia over the weekend.
"There can be no Europe without a plan comprising Spain, Greece, Italy,
the big countries of the South, which are now under strong attack
from the various memorandums...There can be no Europe of memorandums,"
Hatzilambrou added.
"The only thing that the neo-liberal policy can leave behind is ruins,"
he noted, adding that planning of special programmes was already under
way the to handle the poverty of 120 million of European citizens, who
are being threatened by social exclusion and isolation in the near future.
Referring to the conference, Hatzilambrou indicated that it was an
"important step towards the coordination of the European struggle,
part of which is SYRIZA and the Bulgarian Left."
On his part, Bulgarian Left party leader Ivan Genov told ANA-MPA that the
"course of the European Left, the course of SYRIZA, is also the course
followed by the Bulgarian Left party...We are waging a common struggle
for a better tomorrow of the majority of citizens and all peoples."
[16] Independent Greeks congress opens Saturday
The Congress of the Independent Greeks party will open on Saturday,
and wind up on Sunday, at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro.
The Congress was originally scheduled to open on Friday, but as the
stadium will be in use for a basketball game that day, the opening of
the Congress was postponed to Saturday.
[17] New KKE leader warns of coming EU-based restrictions to people,
parties
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) is "ever-ready and able to act under
all conditions," said on Monday Dimitris Koutsoumbas in his first public
address since being elected party secretary general on April 14, at the
Eleftherias (Freedom) Park in Athens.
Speaking at an event by the party's Attica branch on the anniversary of
the dictatorship forty-six years ago, Koutsoumbas said KKE was always
present "during both upswings of the movement and during times of
difficulty for the people, workers and youth."
Referring to the anniversary, he charged the Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi)
party with being "the natural and political offspring of the junta"
and said that party's "love of dictatorship and Nazism affirms that it
is the extreme voice of capital and of the system and plutocracy."
The secretary general also charged that "the bourgeois parliamentary
democracy, as we have known it after the dictatorship, is finished,"
and said that "the bourgeoisie keeps appearing more and more to
be unable to compromise even with the bourgeoisie democracy it has
established. Developments in the country seem to bode that a complete
about-face to reaction can end up crystallised in a new revision of
the constitution."
Koutsoumbas warned that new "Euro-unionist laws and processes are being
prepared to restrict the right to strike, while the way is being paved
to restrict parties' action and operation, by distinguishing between
parties 'within and without the constitutional range', by interventions
in parties' internal affairs and by targeting the KKE."
[18] KKE stages anti-dictatorship march in Thessaloniki
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) staged a "memorial" demonstration
and march in Thessaloniki on Monday to mark the 46th 'black anniversary'
of the declaration of the April 21, 1967 declaration of the military
dictatorship in Greece.
A banner held by the demonstrators read: "We remember, we are taught by
the past, and we are fighting for a popular alliance for the people in
power and socialism".
The march set off from the party's main Thessaloniki office and headed to
Democracy Square, passed outside the building that housed the Security
police during the dictatorship, where anti-dictatorship fighters had
been detained and tortured. Afterwards, a KKE delegation laid a wreath
at the spot, while central committee member Sakis Vardalis noted the
lessons learnt from the 7-year dictatorship, noting that international
history shows that the military dictatorships are always solutions for
the plutocracy when it is unable through parliamentary means to advance it
"anti-popular plans".
He stressed that the labor movement and the popular movement in general
must isolate the fascist, nazi ultra-right Chryssi Avghi (Golden
Dawn), which he called the physical and political descendants of the
dictatorship, "which the system utlises today to intimidate and suppress
the labor movement".
[19] Trial of former defence minister Tsohatzopoulos opens in Athens
Appearing in court on Monday, along with another 18 defendants facing
money-laundering and kickbacks charges linked to armament procurements
programmes, former Greek defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos pleaded not
guilty and denied all the charges against him. The trial began earlier
that morning before an Athens criminal appeals court.
"I absolutely and categorically deny the charges, with which there is a
systematic attempt to give the impression that there was some illegal
criminal organisation, a gang, whose purpose was to launder money
and that behind this, supposedly, was the defence minister of Greece,
when for six years we did the best that could be done for the country,"
Tsohatzopoulos said, looking stern and visibly irritated.
The former minister said he felt insulted that he was obliged to
constantly repeat the same things, claiming the existence of a "centrally
guided course" behind his prosecution.
"For 12 months I have been held on remand, myself and my wife and my
daughter; it is unfair, there is state force exercised against us,"
he complained.
He asked the court to release his wife Viki Stamati, who he said was in
prison on his account.
Unlike the minister, his cousin and long-term partner Nikos Zigras pleaded
guilty to all the charges to which he had confessed in testimony to an
examining magistrate, saying that he had been embroiled in the affair
by Tsohatzopoulos.
"I apologise to everyone and ask for your mercy," he told the court.
Speaking through her counsel, the minister's wife said that her only
crime was to marry the former government vice-president and she denied
knowing any of the other defendants with the exception of Zigras, whom
she claimed to know only on a social level.
All the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty and denied the charges
against them, while the lawyer representing Tsohatzopoulos' daughter and
ex-wife said his clients were unable to be present in the courtroom due
to their "psychosomatic condition".
Earlier, there was tension in the court when the deputy public prosecutor
Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos was reading out the charges. The defence
protested that the public prosecutor's tone was "too intense" and that
he appeared to be making an address rather than merely announcing the
charges.
Panagiotopoulos, on his part, countered that the court did not say
anything other than the words used in the indictment.
The defence has also petitioned that the Greek state be expelled from
the court as a civil party, with a court decision on the request still
pending.
The trial has now adjourned and will resume after the Easter holiday,
on May 8.
Tsohatzopoulos and another 18 defendants are accused of taking
kickbacks to grant Greek state armament contracts and of "political
money laundering".
The former minister, who is in custody pending trial, on Friday sent
letters to 10 former members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs
and Defence (KYSEA) of that period, asking them to appear in court and
testify at his trial. All were in office when the purchase of the German
submarines and the Russian-designed anti-aircraft missile system TOR
M1 was approved but none of the witnesses proposed by Tsohatzopoulos
attended.
Those on the stand, apart from Tsohatzopoulos, include his wife Vicky
Stamati, his daughter Areti Tsohatzopoulou, his German ex-wife Gudrun,
a close aide and former armaments secretary general Yannis Sbokos and 13
other individuals, for whom there is incriminating evidence indicating
active participation in the scandal.
Tsohatzopoulos is accused of laundering money using offshore firms that
he owned, which he used for real estate transactions or other investment
activities to legalize the money he received as kickbacks from military
procurement deals signed when he was defence minister. Based on the
charges against, he was assisted in his actions by businessmen, lawyers,
his former and present wife and his daughter.
Other defendants include his brother-in-law, Vicky Stamati's brother
Panagiotis, accountant Efrosyni Lambropoulou, land developer Asterios
Economidis, businessman George Sahpatzidis, lawyer Talita Tsekoura, the
representative of the Morelia offshore company Horatio Melas, alleged
co-owners of the offshore company Torcaso Constantinos Antoniadis and
Pantelis Zahariadis, alleged owner of the offshore company Nobilis
Nicos Georgoulakis.
The trial is taking place in the Areios Paghos (Supreme Court) building's
ceremonies hall.
Five defendants - Tsohatzopoulos' daughter Areti , his former wife Gudrun,
Melas, Georgoulakis and Antoniadis - did not show up for the proceedings
and were represented by state-appointed defence attorneys.
The court went into recess for approximately one hour, while the court
president informed all the witnesses present that they may leave, given
that the first day will be taken up with procedural matters.
Financial News
[20] Greek FinMin says economy to grow in 2014
For the first time, after six years, we forecast a small positive economic
growth rate in 2014," Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said on Monday.
In a radio interview, Stournaras said that a property tax -paid through
electricity bills- will be reduced by 15 pct and noted that from 2014
this tax will be replaced by a new single tax. The Finance minister said
the government's policy was to reduce tax factors from now on and noted
that if the government achieved to present a primary budget surplus in
the first half of the year, "then our arguments to reducing a VAT on
tourism will become stronger".
Stournaras reminded that the road ahead was difficult, but noted that
"it seems that the situation has stabilized. The big bet we must win now
is to combine a further fiscal adjustment with economic growth. Greece
has sector which could become champions in growth. We are beginning to
be more optimistic".
Commenting on a reform in the public sector, Stournaras said an evaluation
procedures of all public sector workers will help in upgrading the
quality of the public sector.
[21] Piraeus Bank acquires Millennium Bank Greece
Piraeus Bank on Monday announced the signing of a final agreement with
Millennium BCP (BCP) for the purchase of Millennium Bank Greece (MBG)
and BCP's participation in a forthcoming share capital increase plan by
Piraeus Bank.
In a statement, Piraeus Bank's management expressed its certainty that
the acquisition of MBG will offer significant synergies in the expanded
group and facilitated its forthcoming recapitalization. Mihalis Sallas,
the Group's chairman, commenting on the deal said: "Following the
acquisitions of the healthy part of ATEbank and Geniki Bank last year and
a recent acquisition of Cyprus Popular Bank, Cyprus Bank and Hellenic
Bank subsidiaries in Greece, Piraeus Bank continues playing a leading
role in a restructuring of the Greek banking sector. The acquisition of
MBG further improves our capital position and the possibility of creating
profits, while BPC's investment in Piraeus Bank leads to surpassing a
10 pct of a forthcoming recapitalization -the minimum participation of
the private sector to maintain the bank's private character".
This deal is part of a framework set by the Bank of Greece (BoG) and
the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) aimed at the restructuring
of the Greek banking system and strengthening of financial stability in
the country. The terms and preconditions of the transactions have been
approved by the HFSF. The transaction is expected to be completed in
the second quarter of 2013, pending approval by Greek market authorities.
Under the terms of the transaction agreement, BCP will fully recapitalize
Millennium Bank Greece, with 400 million euros. Piraeus Bank will pay 1.0
million euros for the purchase of MBG. MBG will repay its intra-corporate
funding sum in two tranches: the first, 650 million euros at the date
of completion of the transaction and the second, 250 million euros six
months after completion of the transactions. Piraeus Bank will continue
funding MBG after completion of the transaction.
Piraeus Bank said the purchase of Millennium Bank Greece will further
enhance its leading position in the Greek banking market, with a 29 pct
market share in deposits and loans. Synergies are estimated at around
531 million euros annually, pre-tax, after a period of three years. The
deal completes a 10 pct minimum requirement in the participation of the
private sector in a recapitalization plan of the bank.
Pro-forma assets totaled 103 billion euros, loans after provisions total
67 billion euros and deposits 55 billion euros. The Group' workforce
totals 25,000 and operates a network of 1,765 branches in 10 countries,
including Greece.
Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch and Lazard Fr?res act
as advisors to the deal.
[22] Eurobank seeks full recapitalization from HFSF
Eurobank's board on Monday said it will ask its shareholders to approve
a plan for the recapitalization of the bank from the Hellenic Financial
Stability Fund and said it planned to play its role as one of the four
systemic banks in Greece by merging with other smaller non-systemic
banks as part of a strategic restructuring of the Greek banking system.
Eurobank, in a statement issued after a board meeting, said that if Greek
authorities finally decided not to approve a merger plan with National
Bank, then Eurobank will present an integrated business plan aimed at
attracting private and institutional capital from Greece and abroad the
soonest possible.
The statement said that the board meeting discussed current conditions
in the market and results so-far to attracting private capital in
cooperation with Barclays Bank plc and Deutsche Bank and noted that after
assessing conditions approved a plan for the bank's recapitalization
with 5.8 billion euros from the Hellenic Financial Stabiilty Fund
and to seek shareholders' approval for the bank's immediate and
recapitalization. "This way, Eurobank will become, from next week,
the first fully recapitalized systemic bank in Greece".
The board statement said its goal was to safeguard the private character
of Eurobank, strengthening its ability to support Greek households
and enterprises, expanding its access in international markets and to
financing the Greek economy as it tried to return to positive growth
rates.
[23] Emma Delta asked to improve bid price for OPAP
Emma Delta, the only of two bids to be unsealed for a buy-out of a 33 pct
stake in state gaming company OPAP, was asked by the state privatisation
agency TAIPED to improve its offer.
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.
[24] Greece to facilitate long-term visa issue for investors from May
Foreign nationals from non-EU countries that buy property worth more
than 250,000 euros in Greece will be able to obtain five-year renewable
residence permits for themselves and their families as of May this year,
Deputy Development Minister Notis Mitarakis announced on Monday. He was
speaking at an event organised by the ministry in collaboration with
Invest in Greece SA on incentives to facilitate investment in Greece,
including greatly extended visa eligibility rules for those making
large investments.
Speakers at the event noted strong interest from Russian, Chinese,
American and Arab nationals in the purchase of property in the country,
either as a tourism investment or for use as a holiday home, and that
the new visas extending to an investor's spouse and children would be
a powerful incentive for such purchases.
On the basis of ministerial decisions and circulars going into effect
at the end of April, the five-year visas will be available for those
that either purchase property and a ten-year property time-share worth
in excess of 250,000 euros.
The minister clarified that the aim of the special residence permits was
to encourage longer-term investments in Greece and that they did not give
the holder the right to work in the country, nor would they count toward
the years of permanent residence needed to acquire Greek nationality.
Mitarakis noted that changes are continuing in the macroeconomic
environment, proving wrong predictions that Greece will exit the euro,
adding that investors should take this into account. He pointed to
changes such as reforms, recapitalisation, structural changes and
attracting investments until the end of the year, that he said will
bring a significant rise in fast-track investments.
He announced that a Central Licensing Authority will begin operating
within 2013 to speed up implementation of major investments, while
privatisations and Public Private-sector Partnerships will continue, with
the cruise ship dock at Piraeus and waste management the top priorities.
Interior ministry general secretary Angelos Sirigos explained that the
first reply to a visa application was usually issued in 15 days but,
since these were Schengen visas and liable to re-examination, the ministry
was looking into the possibility of also asking for the relevant deeds
office document among the supporting documentation, allowing the issue
of a 90-day permit until the bureaucracy was completed.
Sirigos noted that under the previous system, for direct foreign
investments exceeding 300,000 euros, only the investor was given
a residence permit in the country. The modifications broadened the
regulatory application of the law and allowed 10-year residence permits
to also be given to third-country nationals essential for carrying out
strategic investments, along with their spouses, minor children and even
assistant staff if they were persons with special needs.
For small to medium-sized investments exceeding 250,000 euros, those
carrying out such an investment will be eligible to receive a five-year
visa for themselves and their family, and a right to repeatedly renew
this as long as they continue to own the property. These will be classed
as type C visas giving right of abode and travel within the EU but not
the right to work.
Invest in Greece SA CEO Stephanos Issaias pointed to the massive interest
that exists, especially in Russia and China, saying the measures came to
"answer market demands".
Union of Hellenic Chambers (UHC) and Athens Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (ACCI) President Konstantinos Michalos, on his part, said the
country's credibility abroad had been largely restored and that this
will help investments.
"Additional actions will definitely be needed, so that this climate that
has started to form can become established and more favourable conditions
formed for exploiting opportunities; and assisting third-country nationals
that want to invest in real estate is a goal of critical importance,"
he added.
Michalos noted that this will help the development of tourist complexes
such as condo hotels, in which foreign visitors and can buy apartments
and lease these for the period when they are not in Greece.
He also noted that the new measures will greatly facilitate potential
investors from Russia, China, the United States and Arab countries,
lifting bureaucratic obstacles and allowing them to avail themselves
of opportunities in the Greek market and invest in high-value real
estate. This will raise Greece's competitiveness relative to other
EU countries offering similar incentives, such as Hungary, Spain and
Portugal, he added.
[25] Finance ministry decision facilitates real estate transactions to
repay debts owed to the state
A decision signed by Deputy Finance Minister George Mavraganis on Monday
allows individuals to sell their real estate property in order to cover
part of their debts to the state.
The real estate property of state debtors can now be sold, even if the
amount received from the transaction is lower than the total amount owed
to the state under the precondition that the remaining debt is covered
by other property assets or third party guarantees.
Up until now, similar transactions were not allowed unless the debts
to the state were fully covered by the amount in which the real estate
property was sold.
According to the finance ministry, the decision facilitates transactions
and the repayment of debts to the state.
[26] Minister: Tourism is a national cause'
The government's target is to reduce the Value Added Tax (BAT on food
services in such a way that Greece's tourism product will become more
competitive, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said in an exclusive
interview on ANA-MPA WebTV on Monday.
Tourism, she said "is a national cause", and consequently "it is the
duty of all of us to see to it that the quality of our services is the
best possible and that which we offer is the best possible".
The messages for tourism this year are "very encouraging" she said, but
added that this does not mean that we should be complacent, "we must try
even more because what is of importance is that all the visitors to our
country this year will leave with the best impressions".
"Therefore, Greece must put forward its most hospital, its best face. This
concerns all those who will come into contact with our visitors, all
those involved in the tourism sector and each and every Greek who may
greet some visitor".
Asked if Greece is competitive vis-a-vis its neighboring countries,
Kefalogianni replied: Greece is "absolutely competitive, and we see
this. A very great effort has been made on this, and naturally some more
steps need to be made, such as reduction of the tax rates, which is a
target of the government".
Asked to clarify whether he was referring to the VAT on food services,
the minister replied in the affirmative. As for whether this will be
done now, ahead of the summer season, Kefalogianni explained that the
government's target is to reduce the VAT on food services in such a way
that our tourism product will become more competitive.
[27] Third age tourism to be focus of new Greek campaign, tourism
minister says
The Greek tourism ministry is examining strategies for boosting 'third
age' tourism specifically catering for older adults with a targeted
promotional campaign, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said on Monday,
addressing an event organised by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH).
"Increasing third age tourism is a strategic target," Kefalogianni said,
outlining the changes necessary to hotel and public infrastructure to
cover the greater needs of this age group.
The event was organised to discuss a study by the Institute of Tourism
Surveys and Forecasts (ITEP), which highlighted the importance of senior
tourism as a means of extending the tourism season in Greece.
HCH President Giorgos Tsakiris noted that Greece's penetration of the
specific client group was exceptionally low and, as a result, no hotel
adapted to the needs of senior tourist had yet operated.
As baby-boomers reach retirement age, seniors are expected to comprise
24 percent of the tourism market by 2030. According to ITEP's study,
this age group is less interested in sea-and-sun holidays and travels
more often for cultural purposes.
[28] Greek current account deficit down 59 pct in Jan-Feb
Greece's current account deficit shrank by 59 pct in the first two months
of 2013, to 1.1 billion euros, the Bank of Greece said on Monday. The
central bank, in a monthly report, said this development mainly reflected
a significant reduction of the trade deficit, by 984 million euros and
the incomes deficit by 316 million euros, along with an increase of the
current transfers surplus by 246 million euros in the January-February
period this year.
In February 2013, the current account balance showed a deficit of
716 million euros, down by 410 million (or 36.4%) year-on-year. This
development is mainly due to a decline in the trade deficit.
The trade deficit contracted by 296 million euros, as a result of
decreases in all of its components, most notably a 168 million decline
in the net oil import bill. Net payments for purchases of ships dropped
by 65 million and the trade deficit excluding oil and ships shrank by 62
million on the back of a rise in export receipts, while the corresponding
import bill increased slightly (by 20 million or 1.2%).
The services surplus narrowed by 36 million euros. Travel spending in
Greece by non-residents rose by 13 million euros, while travel spending
abroad by residents fell by 8 million; as a result, the travel balance
showed a 27 million euros surplus in February 2013, up by 21 million
year-on-year. Net transport receipts fell by 43 million euros, mainly
on account of lower net receipts from "other" transport services.
The income account deficit shrank by 27 million euros, principally owing
to a decline in net interest, dividend and profit payments.
Finally, the current transfers balance showed a 122 million euros higher
surplus than in February 2012, reflecting an increase mainly in general
government net receipts (chiefly from the EU).
First two months' figures
In the January-February 2013 period, the current account deficit
narrowed by 1.5 billion euros or 59% year-on-year, to ? 1.1 billion. This
development principally reflects significant declines in both the trade
deficit (E 984 million) and the income account deficit (E 316 million),
as well as an increase in the current transfers surplus (+246 million),
while the services surplus contracted by 35 million euros.
In more detail, the trade deficit narrowed on account of a 435 million
euros (or 25%) decline in the trade deficit excluding oil and ships,
lower net payments for purchases of ships (down by 83 million, or 27%)
and a lower net oil import bill (down by 467 million, or 22%). Receipts
from exports of goods excluding oil and ships rose by 10%, while the
corresponding import bill fell by 5.8%.
In the January-February 2013 period, non-residents' arrivals rose by 6.9%;
as a result, travel spending in Greece by non-residents increased by 2.9%
year-on-year, while travel spending by residents abroad fell by 25%,
hence a 52 million EUROS surplus was recorded, against a 23 million
deficit in the same period of 2012.
The income account deficit fell by 316 million euros year-on-year, mainly
owing to a sharp decline in net interest payments on Greek government
bonds held by non-residents (following the PSI).
Finally, the current transfers balance showed a surplus of 1.6 billion
euros, up by 246 million year-on-year.
In February 2013, the capital transfers surplus fell to 641 million
euros, reflecting a decline in net transfers to general government. In
the January-February 2013 period, the capital transfers balance showed
a surplus of 631 million euros.
In February 2013, non-residents' direct investment in Greece showed
a net inflow (increase) of 35 million euros (against a net outflow of
151.5 million in the same month of 2012).
Under portfolio investment, a net inflow of 553 million euros was recorded
(against a net outflow of 1.5 billion in February 2012).
Under "other" investment, a net outflow of 1.4 billion euros was recorded
(against a net inflow of 2.4 billion in February 2012)
In the January-February 2013 period, direct investment showed a net
inflow of 1.3 billion euros (against a net outflow of 383 million in
the same period of 2012).
[29] Greek public debt fell to 156.9 pct of GDP in 2012
BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/V.Demiris)
Greece's fiscal deficit totaled 10 pct of GDP in 2012, while the country's
public debt fell to 156.9 pct, Eurostat said on Monday. The EU executive's
statistics arm, in a report published here, here that the Greek fiscal
deficit was the second largest in the Eurozone after Spain (10.6 pct)
and the highest in the EU-27 last year.
Estonia (-0.3 pct) recorded the lowest fiscal deficit in 2012, followed
by Sweden (-0.5 pct), while Germany recorded a fiscal surplus of 0.2
pct. A total of 17 member-states recorded a fiscal deficit above the
3 pct threshold, while 13 recorded a lower deficit, 12 an increased
deficit and two member-states recorded an unchanged deficit.
A total of 14 member states recorded a public debt above 60 pct of GDP
last year, six recorded an improvement and 21 a deterioration in the
public debt levels.
In a quarterly basis, Greece's public debt grew to 156.9 pct of GDP,
from 151.9 pct in the third quarter, an increase of 5.0 pct -the highest
quarterly increase after Spain (+6.8 pct). The Greek Gross Domestic
Product fell to 193.7 billion euoros in 2012, from 208.5 billion in 2011,
while its public debt fell to 303.9 billion euros or 156.9 pct of GDP,
from 355.9 billion (170.3 pct) in 2011.
[30] Cosco Shipping & Broking Hellas reports improved 2012 results
Cosco Shipping and Broking Hellas, one of the around 300 subsidiaries
of China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco), reported a 20.8 pct increase
in its 2012 income to 13.79 million euros, from 11.42 million euros
in the previous year. Pre-tax earnings rose 19.3 pct to 3.65 million
euros, from 3.06 million euros in 2011, while net profits -after taxes-
jumped 21.1 pct to 2.87 million euros. The company was founded 17 years
ago, long before the Chinese group invested in the port of Piraeus. The
company is run by Fu Haichao and Sun Zhanbo, chairman and chief executive,
respectively.
[31] Sources: Employment minister asks for OAED director's resignation
Labor, Social Security and Welfare Minister Yiannis Vroutsis has asked
for the resignation of Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) director
Elias Kikilias, sourced told ANA/MPA on Monday.
[32] Seamen's union calls 24-hour strike on May 1
The Panhellenic Seamen's Union PNO on Monday announced a 24-hour strike
for all classes of ships on the May 1 Labour Day anniversary, which this
year coincides with Holy Wednesday.
Ships will remain in port from midnight on Holy Tuesday until midnight
on Holy Wednesday.
The seamen's strike is held in protest against the shipping ministry's
omnibus bill, voted on by article in Parliament last week.
Article 19, which allows ship owners to draw up individual work contracts
with lower-ranking crew members on ocean-going ships and leisure craft,
was not passed by Parliament since the two smaller parties in the
coalition government demanded improvements. The ministry, however, has
not ruled out an attempt to reintroduce the measure after consultation
with the parties.
PNO is demanding that the omnibus bill be withdrawn, considering that
it demolishes the legal framework for those working on ferries.
[33] ASE suspends trading in Coca Cola Hellenic
The Athens Stock Exchange on Monday announced it was temporarily
suspending trading in the shares of Coca Cola Hellenic and its derivative
products until completion of a tender offer by CC HBC AG to buy the
listed company's shares.
According to a timetable announced by the company, Coca Cola HBC AG will
replace Coca Cola Hellenic in the domestic market indices.
[34] Business briefs
-- Aktor, a subsidiary of Ellaktor, on Monday signed a memorandum of
understanding with Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank for the acquisition of
AEGEK, a Greek construction company.
[35] Greek stocks end significantly higher
Greek stocks ended significantly higher in the Athens Stock Exchange on
Monday, boosted by a 18.33 pct jump in the banking index. Traders said
investors discounted a successful completion of a recapitalization plan
by more systemic banks in the country, which would allow them to remain in
private hands. Analysts, however, added that banks were trying to improve
their share price average levels to achieve better prices ahead of their
share capital increase schemes. The composite index of the market rose
1.79 pct to end at 943.33 points, with turnover remaining a low 50.305
million euros.
The Big Cap index jumped 2.80 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.49
pct higher. The Banks (18.33 pct), Commerce (4.69 pct) and Industrial
Products (2.99 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the
day, while Health (1.88 pct) and Food (0.01 pct) suffered losses.
National Bank (19.76 pct), Alpha Bank (19.25 pct), Piraeus Bank (15.58
pct) and Folli Follie (4.69 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks,
while Eurobank (4.17 pct) and Titan (0.28 pct) suffered losses.
Hellenic Fish Farms (20 pct), Forthnet (19.91 pct) and National Bank
(19.76 pct) were top gainers, while Kathimerini (19.92 pct), Kepenos Mills
(19.63 pct) and NEL (19.57 pct) were top losers.
Sector indices ended as follows:
Industrials: +2.99%
Commercial: +4.69%
Construction: +0.22%
Oil & Gas: +0.33%
Personal & Household: +0.07%
Raw Materials: +2.31%
Travel & Leisure: +1.06%
Technology: +1.60%
Telecoms: +2.15%
Banks: +18.33%
Food & Beverages: -0.01%
Health: -1.88%
Utilities: +2.39%
Financial Services: +1.32%
The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Bank of Piraeus,
Alpha Bank, OTE and EXAE.
Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:
Alpha Bank: 0.99
Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.92
HBC Coca Cola: 18.40
Hellenic Petroleum: 8.36
National Bank of Greece: 0.60
EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.23
OPAP: 7.08
OTE: 6.18
Bank of Piraeus: 0.23
Titan: 14.26
[36] Greek bond market closing report
The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds
rose slightly to 10.21 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond
market on Monday, with the Greek bond yielding 11.43 pct and the German
Bund 1.22 pct. There was no turnover in the market.
In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month
rate was 0.52 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.43 pct, the six-month rate
was 0.32 pct, the three-month rate was 0.20 pct and the one-month rate
was 0.12 pct.
[37] ADEX closing report
The June contract on the FTSE Large Cap index was trading at a premium
of 4.07 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday, with turnover
remaining a low 14.567 million euros. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled
5,158 contracts worth 8.246 million euros, with 35,039 open positions
in the market.
Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 57,469 contracts worth
6.321 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National
Bank's contracts (26,091), followed by Piraeus Bank (20,674), Eurobank
(2,687), OTE (2,149), OPAP (2,691), PPC (969), MIG (491), Mytilineos
(301), Sidenor (126), GEK (223), Ellaktor (310) and Intralot (268).
[38] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday
Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:
U.S. dollar 1.323
Pound sterling 0.869
Danish kroner 7.566
Swedish kroner 8.641
Japanese yen 131.95
Swiss franc 1.237
Norwegian kroner 7.723
Canadian dollar 1.357
Australian dollar 1.288
General News
[39] President meets Ministerial Committee on Road Safety
President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Monday received the
Ministerial Committee on Road Safety, as part of an initiative to reduce
the number of traffic accidents.
The meeting focused on all parameters of tackling the problem, which
Papoulias stressed took on "national dimensions" with an exceptionally
high death toll relative to population.
"It is astonishing that in 2012 we had 984 dead and 1,422 injured, most
of whom were rendered disabled. Our country cannot support the weight
of such losses in blood. We must do something," Papoulias stressed.
He asked all those involved to coordinate their efforts to restrict the
problem through specific measures.
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) professor and committee
member George Kanellaidis noted that the strategic road safety plan for
2011-2020 had as its goal, in line with European targets, the reduction
of road accident deaths by 50 percent from 2010 to 2020 - or less than
640 people. He stressed, however, that the most important part of the
plan was using education to raise awareness of road safety issues,
underlining that accidents could not be reduced only by the traffic
police but through the coordination of all ministries.
Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks
Minister Kostis Hatzidakis praised the president's initiative and said
all involved had to speed up their actions and coordinate even more
closely on this major issue.
Other members of the committee included Public Order and Citizen
Protection Minister Nikos Dendias, Health Minister Andreas Lykourentzos,
Education Minister Constantine Arvanitopoulos, Alternate Development
Minister Stavros Kalogiannis, Alternate Interior Minister Haralambos
Athanasiou and Greek Police Chief Lieut. Gen. Nikos Papagiannopoulos.
[40] Ioannina mayor presses charges over missing 1.0 million-plus euros
Ioannina Mayor Philippas Philios on Monday suspended the head of the
municipality's financial service and pressed charges of embezzlement
against all parties responsible, after discovering that 1.039 million
euros was missing from the municipality's coffers.
His decision was based on a report, carried out by chartered accountants
and the municipality's financial service, that was presented to the
mayor on Friday. This report was also forwarded to all the appropriate
inspection and auditing services and relevant ministries.
In a press conference two days ago, the mayor said a discrepancy in
the municipality's accounts was discovered after installing a new
accounting programme and initially attributed to glitches caused by
the transition. The company that installed the programme was called
in to help and, after scrupulously checking the accounts, determined
that the programme was not at fault. The municipality then appointed
chartered accountants and enlisted the aid of outside accountants and the
predecessor of the current financial officer to carry out a full audit,
which revealed that upward of one million euros were missing from the
municipality's coffers.
[41] Trikala Prison escaped convict involved in Mandra shootout,
police said
Authorities on Monday announced that according to evidence, the Trikala
Prison escapees involved in the bloody shootout with police in Isthmia,
Corinth earlier in the month, in which a 25-year-old woman was killed
when caught in the crossfire, were also the culprits in a recent shootout
four days ago in Mandra, Attica.
Genetic material, recovered from a stolen Citroen Xara private car used
by the gunmen, belongs to Ilir Kupa, who was also identified as one of
the four gunmen in the Isthmia shootout.
On April 18, DIAS motorcycle police officers patrolling the region of
Mandra signaled the driver of a private car with stolen license plates
to pull over. Instead of complying, the driver sped off and the car's
passengers opened fire on police with Kalashnikov assault rifles.
The officers returned fire and pursued the car which, a day later,
was found abandoned in the region of Agios Thomas, Viotia prefecture in
central Greece.
[42] Ottoman-era monuments in northwest Greece attract interest of
Turkish tour operators
The Ottoman monuments in Ioannina and Konitsa, northwest Greece, will see
the first groups of tourists from Turkey in the next two weeks, according
to the vice-president of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TURSAB who visited the region with a delegation of 30 representatives
of major Turkish tour operators and tourist media.
During their two-day visit, at the invitation of the City of Ioannina,
the members of the delegation were offered guided tours of Ottoman-era
monuments and had contacts with local tour operators and hotel directors.
[43] Illegal migrants arrested on the island of Samothrace
Twenty one illegal migrants, arrested by the Coastguard as they
disembarked from their dinghy on the coast of Angistro Cape on the island
of Samothrace, northern Aegean, will be led before a public prosecutor
in Alexandroupolis on Tuesday, authorities announced.
The vessel, which sailed from the Turkish coast, was first spotted by the
Coastguard near the rocky islet of "Zourafa" and followed. Authorities
proceeded to arrest the illegal migrants as they disembarked on the
coast of Samothrace.
All of the detainees underwent a medical examination as a precautionary
measure before they were taken to Alexandroupolis, where they are being
held pending a hearing before a prosecutor.
[44] Man injured in tanker-truck explosion
The driver of a tanker-truck was seriously injured while delivering
natural gas to a local hotel in Ammoudara, Iraklio on Crete, due to an
explosion occurring at around 3:00 p.m. on Monday.
The cause of the explosion and resulting fire is not yet known. The
flames were put out by the fire brigade and the injured man rushed to
hospital by the EKAB ambulance service.
[45] Unexploded hand-grenade found outside pawnbroker's shop in Galatsi
A hand-grenade was found Monday morning outside a gold pawnbroker's shop
in the Galatsi district of Athens.
The unexploded grenade was removed by a team of Army bomb-disposal
experts called in by police.
Attica security police are investigating the incident.
Weather forecast
[46] Sun and showers forecast on Tuesday
Cloud and brief showers are forecast in many parts of the mainland on
Tuesday, starting from the morning and continuing until the afternoon
in the west, then moving on to central and northern Greece later in the
day. Mainly sunny weather is expected in Attica and the islands of the
Aegean. Winds will blow from mainly easterly directions, ranging from 3-6
Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 5C to 26C. Sunny in Athens, with
temperatures from 8C to 24 C. Cloudy in Thessaloniki, with temperatures
from 8C to 22C.
[47] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance
DIMOKRATIA: ?Shower of political favors from the 'green' OAED (Manpower
Employment Organization)".
EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "10-day thriller".
ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "2.5 years of free work stamps".
ELEFTHEROTYPIA: ?New cut to 1 million auxiliary pensions".
ESTIA: "Political bravery is needed now".
ETHNOS: "Everything for a single target of 12 billion euro from the
troika".
IMERISSIA: "Sign of optimism - The banks secure the 10 percent
(in private participation in their share capital increases)".
NAFTEMPORIKI: "The tax bill with the seal of the troika".
TA NEA: "He stole in 2001, and was dismissed in 2013".
VRADYNI: "All revenues are declared (in the income tax statements)".
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