Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM briefs Inner Cabinet on Nimetz proposal

[02] Greece studying Nimetz proposal, government says

[03] PASOK briefed on Nimetz proposal

[04] Bakoyannis briefs KKE SG

[05] FM Bakoyannis briefs Coalition leader Tsipras

[06] FM briefs LAOS leader

[07] PM meets with UN envoy for FYROM name issue

[08] Deputy foreign minister tours Germany

[09] KKE again urges rejection of Kosovo independence

[10] Greek presidency of Human Security Network holds meeting on climate change

[11] Alavanos to visit Turkey

[12] Second psychiatrist's report on Zachopoulos blackmailing suspect's condition

[13] PM Karamanlis inaugurates 'Panagis Papaligouras' Hall at Finance Ministry

[14] Inner Cabinet meeting focuses on Commission assessment

[15] Commission says no additional fiscal measures needed for Greece

[16] Hubner: Greece's absorption rate of EU funds at 85%

[17] FM Bakoyannis to chair Economic Mediterranean Forum

[18] Employment minister discusses social insurance reforms with EBEA

[19] Bank of Greece sees limited economic slowdown, higher inflation in 2008

[20] Greek companies in Barcelona and Dubai exhibitions

[21] Greek harmonised CPI up 3.9 pt in January

[22] Aegean Airlines says profits up 39 pct in 2007

[23] Protesting farmers block national highway

[24] Emporiki Bank focuses to services to SMEs

[25] Four bidders in sale of Rodopi Dairy SA

[26] Building materials' cost index up 5.1 pct in January

[27] Greek stocks end 1.56 pct lower

[28] ADEX closing report

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[31] Parliament President visits New Acropolis Museum

[32] President's message for Law School uprising anniversary

[33] Liberation anniversary for city of Ioannina

[34] San Marino FM to honour Theodorakis, hold talks in Athens

[35] Last book on Palaeologus trilogy released

[36] Political Protection General Secretariat on U.S. satellite

[37] Presentation of European Road Safety Charter in Athens

[38] Strong earthquake in Methoni region

[39] Moderate earthquake jolts Kythira

[40] Explosion at former minister's offices

[41] Cloudy on Thursday

[42] Russia's stance on Cyprus problem unchanged Politics

[01] FM briefs Inner Cabinet on Nimetz proposal

During the Inner Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by prime minister Costas Karamanlis, Bakoyannis outlined in detail the contacts of the Nimetz proposal presented to Greek and FYROM negotiators in the name talks, Ambassadors Adamantios Vassilakis and Nikola Dimitrov, respectively, during Tuesday's session of the Nimetz-mediated talks.

Speaking to reporters after the Inner Cabinet meeting, Bakoyannis said the negotiation was now entering into "the substance", adding that she will present the same briefing on the Nimetz proposal and Greece's negotiating position to the leaders of the political parties represented in parliament, with whom she is to meet separately later in the day.

Asked whether Nimetz intended to "impose" a name, the foreign minister stressed that "no one can impose anything on a country".

"We all know that Mr. Nimetz -- whose role we particularly appreciate -- came here at the mandate of the United Nations, as its mediator on the Skopje name issue, aiming at a mutually acceptable solution," she added.

[02] Greece studying Nimetz proposal, government says

"The [Nimetz] text is being studied by the government in view of the next stage of negotiations, which will be particularly complex and difficult," Roussopoulos stressed. He underlined that Athens would continue to respect the confidential nature of the process with the conviction that this will contribute to the effort to resolve the issue.

He added that Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis had already briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias regarding the proposal, while the leaders of the political parties would be briefed within the day.

"It is certain that briefing the leaders of the political parties serves to brief all the political trends in Parliament, as these were expressed in the last elections," he added.

He also confirmed that the issue had been discussed extensively with government ministers during Wednesday's inner cabinet meeting.

The spokesman refused to elaborate on details of the Nimetz proposal, such as whether it satisfied Greek demands for a single name for FYROM for all uses, underlining the need to respect the confidentiality of the negotiations.

Asked when and whether the government intended to inform the electorate regarding the outcome of the talks, Roussopoulos said that in a Parliamentary system the representatives of the parties essentially represented the voters themselves. He also categorically ruled out any possibility that the final decision would be put to a national referendum.

"The government follows a policy that leads to briefing the representatives of the parties at the highest level on these issues and this briefing will be direct on all major foreign policy issues as long as New Democracy is in government," he added.

He said that Bakoyannis would ask the political party leaders to observe the same confidentiality as the government.

Roussopoulos stressed the government's condemnation of incidents targeting Greek reporters and the Greek Embassy in Skopje, saying that they did not help in the effort underway to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Finally, when asked if Greece was still determined to veto FYROM's NATO accession if no acceptable solution were found, the spokesman stressed that "everything we have said still applies".

[03] PASOK briefed on Nimetz proposal

Conveying PASOK's positions in statements after the briefing, Pangalos said that these had not changed significantly as a result of the information presented by Bakoyannis.

"We have our positions that arose yesterday at our Political Council and we are sticking with these," Pangalos stressed.

Regarding the briefing, the MP added that the foreign minister had supplied plenty of information for the main opposition party to use in order to formulate its position, while the Nimetz proposal in itself was a brief document without very much detail, presented more for discussion than as the final form of any agreement to be reached.

He also noted that the minister had referred to important "counter-proposals or modifications" to be suggested by Athens. "I don't know how she will describe them herself," he added.

Asked to comment on the stance the government intends to adopt in the upcoming negotiations over the name issue and whether it was backing down from a threat to veto FYROM's entry into NATO in the event that negotiations failed, Pangalos stressed that Athens should make sure that it retained all its negotiating advantages during the course of the talks now beginning. "This is in the interests of the country," he stressed.

Turning to the latest developments concerning Kosovo, the MP described them as most unfortunate. He pointed out that the Serb enclave in Kosovo, where Serbs from other areas had been transferred after what he called acts of ethnic cleansing by the Albanian majority in the province, had a shared border with Serbia.

"The information we have is that, at this moment, an effort is underway to station a NATO force to control the border, or whatever one calls it. We consider that this would be a most unfavourable development for the smooth course of relations of communities in the region and we consider that Greece, which participates in NATO and because by coincidence the section of our forces stationed in Kosovo are in this region, should undertake a strong and effective initiative so that the border between the part of Kosovo inhabited by the Serbs, in other words the Mitrovica region, and the rest of Serbia remain open," he said.

[04] Bakoyannis briefs KKE SG

"We remain steadfast to the position we formulated back in 1992 regarding conditions that must be met on the issue of the name of FYROM," Papariga told reporters at the end of the meeting, which took place at the foreign ministry.

"If the term 'Macedonia' is to be used, it must be absolutely acknowledged as a purely geographical term, otherwise a 'Pandora's Box' may open, with an issue regarding changes of frontiers, or even a 'Macedonian' ethnic entity or minority in Greece arising," the KKE leader added.

Regarding the possibility of a "double name" solution, Papariga said:

"I am afraid that it would not be functional, and that it would reproduce the problem, because it (FYROM) would have one name for internal use and another one for external use, in which case they might feel the need to replace the second with the first."

Papariga also charged that Balkan peoples "have become a 'punching bag' in the antagonism between the United States, the European Union and Russia, with the latter having become a "player in the energy game."

"Greece is also part of this 'punching bag'," she said.

[05] FM Bakoyannis briefs Coalition leader Tsipras

Speaking after the meeting, Tsipras said that the party will examine the Nimetz proposals and will be formulating clear positions.

"For a very long time, over the past 15 years, we have been in favor of a mutually acceptable solution and we have spoke of a composite name with a geographical determination. Unfortunately, Greek foreign policy has lost valuable ground, refusing when it could have agreed to a composite name with a geographical determination," he said.

Tsipras added that the country "is now in the unfavorable position of coming behind the priorities of the United States and of NATO in the region." He reiterated the position that for his party the enlargement of NATO is not a framework for a solution to the dispute.

"During the meeting, we expressed our concern to the minister over the negative development of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and we explained to her that we are opposed to whatever correlation of our position on the name with the recognition of Kosovo," Tsipras said.

Asked whether he considers the convening of a council of party leaders necessary, he replied that the initiative is up to the government and reminded that his party had already requested this, without any response, for the wildfires in the summer and for the issue of unemployment among young people.

[06] FM briefs LAOS leader

"Since what will happen these days concerns our country and history, I do not think that it is an easy issue which the parties can undertake. We must resort to the Greek people," Karatzaferis said after the meeting.

Karatazaferis invoked public opinion surveys according to which over 80 percent of the Greek people "do not want concessions which harm the dignity of the country," adding that "I side with the majority of the Greek people."

He stressed that the minister briefed him, but "we stayed at our disagreement." Referring to the parties, he said that some accept a geographical term, others something else, but underlined that "we are opposed."

"If you are right, you insist," he said.

Asked, lastly, on the usefulness of the Council of Party Leaders being convened, he said he considers it "essential."

[07] PM meets with UN envoy for FYROM name issue

During the meeting, which was also attended by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, the PM was briefed on the mediator's proposal regarding the FYROM name issue.

No statements were made afterwards.

UN-brokered talks between Athens and Skopje regarding the FYROM "name issue" took place in the Greek capital on Tuesday, with both sides' representatives and UN mediator Matthew Nimetz saying afterwards that each government will now study details of a new proposal submitted by Nimetz during the session.

[08] Deputy foreign minister tours Germany

The aim of the visit is to outline Greece's positions on the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Kosovo to German politicians and public figures, as well as Germany's large Greek expatriate communities.

In Munich, Kassimis had a meeting with the Minister of State for European Affairs and Regional Relations for the Bavarian government Eberhard Sinner, its Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection minister Dr. Otmar Bernhard, German MEP Reinhold Bocklet and Munich's Mayor Christian Ude.

In Frankfurt, he held talks with the Hessen government's Minister for Federal and European Affairs Volker Hoff and was officially received by Frankfurt City Parliament Chairman Karlheinz B�hrmann.

Kassimis underlined Greece's decision to work toward a mutually acceptable name for FYROM, stressing that the country's further progress toward the EU and Euro-Atlantic structures would "not make sense" unless this was achieved.

Regarding Kosovo, he said that Greece's chief concern was to ensure stability and security in the western Balkans and that any decisions taken by Athens in light of the latest developments would be taken at the next stage and in the context of Greece's interests.

[09] KKE again urges rejection of Kosovo independence

Speaking at a press conference given on the issue in Thessaloniki, KKE central committee member Theodosis Konstantinidis cited a joint statement backed by 15 communist and labor parties, according to which "Kosovo's independence will lead the Balkans to uncontrollable situations and a new round of confrontations, armed conflicts and imperialist interventions".

Meanwhile, KKE general secretary Aleka Papariga will meet on Feb. 27 with Greek President Karolos Papoulias to discuss the issue.

A demonstration against Kosovo's independence will be held on Thursday in Thessaloniki at the initiative of KKE and KNE, the party's affiliated youth movement.

[10] Greek presidency of Human Security Network holds meeting on climate change

The Greek presidency of the Human Security Network held a meeting on Tuesday on the theme "Repercussions of climate change in migration".

The meeting was held in Geneva under the presidency of the Foreign Ministry's International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Secretary General, Theodoros Skylakakis.

Taking part were hundreds of representatives of Geneva's diplomatic community and officials from international organisations and international environmental groups.

Among the speakers were the Director General of the International Organization on Migration (IOM), Brunson McKinley, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary General Michel Jarraud and the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang.

The decision of the Greek presidency to choose as its main theme climate change, which constitutes one of the major international challenges of our era, was warmly welcomed.

[11] Alavanos to visit Turkey

During his three-day visit to Turkey, Alavanos will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, the Turkish National Assembly President and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

On Friday, Alavanos is scheduled to visit Istanbul and meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch.

He will also have contacts with Turkish labor union leaders and university professors and visit Greek minority foundations.

[12] Second psychiatrist's report on Zachopoulos blackmailing suspect's condition

Wednesday's development follows this week's announcement that a 35-year-old woman at the centre of the blackmailing case will be questioned on Monday by a special examining magistrate, her first questioning since ordered jailed late last year on extortion charges.

Evi Tsekou, who is accused of two felony counts and one misdemeanour, was due to face the judicial investigation on Monday, Feb. 18, an appearance that was re-scheduled to inclement weather conditions.

According to her attorney, Tsekou has prepared a 40-page written statement explaining her positions on the charges against her.

Tsekou was the former assistant of culture ministry former general secretary Christos Zachopoulos, who attempted suicide last December, after a DVD surfaced showing the pair's intimate moments together.

A day earlier, the first of the two psychiatry professors appointed by the magistrate's office to examine Tsekou's erstwhile lawyer said the latter would be able to answer questions regarding his alleged felonious involvement in the case in "three to four weeks."

The psychiatrist, Yiannis Papadatos, visited Nikolitsopoulos at an Athens psychiatric ward where he has been voluntarily hospitalised since last month, suffering from what doctors there initially termed "suicidal idealisation".

Papadatos, who visited the man twice, added that the attorney could answer judicial officials' questions in three to four weeks "assuming his condition didn't worsen".

Another court-appointment psychiatrist is also scheduled to examine Nikolitsopoulos.

[13] PM Karamanlis inaugurates 'Panagis Papaligouras' Hall at Finance Ministry

Karamanlis noted that through this event, "we honor the first parliamentary minister, but also all those who served as ministers at the Economy ministry." He added, "we honor the struggles of the first post-junta period when Constantine Karamanlis was opening the road towards the European Economic Community (EEC)."

Referring to Panagis Papaligouras, he said that "he responded worthily in the country's accession in the European family." He also said Papaligouras had "sharp judgment," humor, was modest and was an intellectual. "Since then, democracy was consolidated, divisive conflicts were overcome and Greece with its participation in the EEC and the Economic Monetary Union (EMU) strengthened its international position." Karamanlis said all Greeks of all the political forces contributed in these successes. Concluding, the premier said that "only through reforms can we have a self-sufficient economic growth."

The event was also addressed by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and former minister Anastasis Papaligouras, Panagis Papaligouras' son.

Financial News

[14] Inner Cabinet meeting focuses on Commission assessment

After the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Alogoskoufis said the assessment by the European Commission is absolutely consistent with government assessments on the course of the Greek economy.

"The progress recorded in the past few years in the areas of fiscal deficit reduction, economic growth and unemployment reduction is being acknowledged," he said.

The European Commission underlined the need to press on with government priorities, namely, full implementation of the state budget and planned tax reforms, as well as adoption of measures against tax evasion and high-profile social security reforms.

[15] Commission says no additional fiscal measures needed for Greece

The European Commission on Wednesday said a report issued on Tuesday on the Greek economy included by mistake a recommendation over the need for additional fiscal measures this year for the country to achieve a medium-term goal of presenting balanced budgets by 2010.

Amelia Torres, a spokeswoman for EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joacqin Almunia, told reporters that a new statement was issued offering the necessary corrections to the text.

[16] Hubner: Greece's absorption rate of EU funds at 85%

The absorption rate of available funds from a 3rd Community Support Framework programme (for the period 2000-2006) by Greece totals 85 percent, EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a visit to Thessaloniki on Friday to present the priorities of the 4th Community Support Framework programme, Hubner said the absorption rate rose to 85 percent after Greece submitted payment applications with EU authorities. The European Commission on Feb. 12 had announced that the country's absorption rate was 74 percent.

The Commission expressed her optimism that Greek authorities will have completed absorption of all available EU funds by Dec. 31, 2008, when a deadline expires. She also expressed her satisfaction over the cooperation level between Community and Greek authorities, noting that during her visit in Thessaloniki she will announce community measures to support regions hit by devastating wildfires late last summer.

[17] FM Bakoyannis to chair Economic Mediterranean Forum

"Greece, due to geography, history and because it has a specific view on regional growth and cooperation, attributes particular importance to the Mediterranean," a foreign ministry press release also noted.

"For this reason, from the first moment Greece showed its interest in participating in the procedures which will lead to the founding of the Union for the Mediterranean and of course, aims at utilizing every opportunity through the Union in question for the strengthening of Greek businesses and the competitiveness of the Greek economy" it added.

The event will be held at a central Athens hotel.

[18] Employment minister discusses social insurance reforms with EBEA

Palli-Petralia, commenting on a ruling of the plenum of the Auditing Council, concerning personnel of local government organizations, said that the Council's recommendation has nothing to do and does not concern social insurance reform being advanced by the government.

The employment minister underlined that the social insurance reforms only concern social insurance, noting that social insurance is determined only by national legislation.

[19] Bank of Greece sees limited economic slowdown, higher inflation in 2008

The report, submitted to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, was presented by Nikos Garganas, the central bank's governor on Wednesday.

The Greek central banker recommended a self-restrain in wage increases, saying that a loss of income resulting from an increase in oil prices could not be counterbalanced with equal nominal wage increases, since it would further undermine Greek households' purchasing power. Garganas expressed, however, his understanding over phenomena of poverty and social imbalances prevailing in the Greek society and urged for constant reforms to combat such phenomena. The central banker declined to comment on the government's proposals to reforming the social insurance system, saying he was awaiting for the government's final draft legislation. He noted, however, that the current system was unfair and ineffective.

The Bank of Greece, in its report on monetary policy, said the country's GDP was expected to rise by 3.7 pct this year, from 4.0 pct in 2007, although he did not exclude a growth rate below 3.7 pct due to increased international uncertainties. "The times are difficult for economic forecasts," he said. Garganas said economic growth would be based mainly on domestic consumption, while the external balance of payments would have a negative impact with the current accounts deficit expected to surpass 14.0 pct of GDP.

The central bank expects the inflation rate to rise further this year, to 3.4 pct, from 3.0 pct in 2007, reflecting higher international oil prices, while the domestic labor cost per unit product ratio is projected to remain above the Eurozone average.

The report said a higher Greek inflation has led to a decline in the country's international competitiveness in the seven-year period from 2001 to 2007, with consumer prices up 15 percent in Greece, compared with its main trade partners, while the labor cost per unit product rose by 19 pct in the economy in general and by 41 percent in manufacturing. The central bank said the decline in international competitiveness was responsible for the jump of the current accounts deficit to record levels in 2007.

Garganas urged that trade imbalances should become the focus of economic policy in the country. Commenting on domestic fiscal developments, the central banker said a fiscal consolidation drive would need long-term efforts to achieve a significant primary surplus ensuring a decline in public debt -the second largest in the EU.

Commenting on the impact of a global crisis on the domestic banking system, Garganas said it remained limited and indirect. However, he underlined the need to further cut non-performing bank loan rates to 3.5 pct of outstanding loans, from 5.0 pct currently. The report said that borrowing debt of Greek households remained low (45.3 pct of GDP) compared with the EU average rate (60.4 pct).

[20] Greek companies in Barcelona and Dubai exhibitions

The Greek participation is part of the HELEXPO exhibition program abroad.

A total of 35 companies from the Ionian Sea islands, Florina, Kozani and Thessaloniki will have the opportunity to explore cooperation potential with international supermarket chains.

Meanwhile, the Small Industry Chamber of Thessaloniki (VETH) will fund the participation of its members in the International Exhibition "Hotel Show" to take place in Dubai on June 8-10. The Greek participation will be organized by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board, HEPO.

[21] Greek harmonised CPI up 3.9 pt in January

The statistics service said the harmonized consumer price index was down 0.3 pct in January from December 2007. NSS said the January figure reflected an 11.6 pct increase in housing prices, a 6.0 pct rise in transportation, a 4.6 pct rise in education, a 4.3 pct increase in hotel-coffee-restaurant prices and a 5.2 pct rise in food and beverage prices.

[22] Aegean Airlines says profits up 39 pct in 2007

Aegean Airlines said passenger traffic totaled 5.2 million in 2007, up 18 pct from the previous year, of which 3.4 million were domestic passengers (up 10 pct) and the remaining 1.9 million were international destination passengers (up 35 pct).

The airline company said its improved results came despite strong competition in west European markets and the negative impact of a rapid rise in oil prices. Aegean Airlines is currently implementing a fleet renewable program. It has already received five new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

[23] Protesting farmers block national highway

Trade unionists and representatives of livestock breeder associations from central Greece, Epirus and Macedonia gathered outside the offices of the Greek Milk Organization in Larisa at noon, pouring milk onto the Larisa-Athens highway to underline their complaints, and presented a resolution to the Thessaly Region general secretary.

Speakers demanded that the development ministry intensify market inspections.

A meeting has been set on Monday between representatives of farmers and the ministers for development and agriculture to discuss issues concerning the milk market. A delegation of farmers is also due to visit Parliament next week to meet the leaders of the political parties and to seek a meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.

The dairy and meat farmers' main demands are an increase in the wholesale price of milk to 1.25 euros per kilo for sheep's' milk and 0.80 euros per kilo for goats' milk. They are also seeking an increase in wholesale meat prices, which they say have remained at roughly the same levels for the past 20 years.

Other demands are for more government subsidies, more frequent market inspections and less red tape for farmers trying to set up or improve stabling facilities, as well as the return of fuel taxes given to farmers of crops.

[24] Emporiki Bank focuses to services to SMEs

Speaking to reporters during a news conference, Krontiras said the bank planned to open 11 new business centers, exclusively for SMEs, by May this year raising the network's branch number to 21 to geographically cover all the country.

The Greek banker said the programme of transforming the bank was one of the biggest and most significant in the country over the last few decades, while he stressed that Credit Agricole's two billion euros investment to acquire Emporiki Bank was the largest foreign investment in the country.

Emporiki Bank aims to acquire significant market shares in services to SMEs. Its goal is to raise its market share in the lending sector to 8.3 pct in 2008, from 7.0 pct currently, and to 10.90 pct in 2011. In the factoring sector, the goal is to raise market share to 17.50 pct in 2011 (from 3.6 pct in 2007) and in the leasing sector to 9.30 pct in 2011 from 6.0 pct last year.

Krontiras said expansion of activities in the small- and medium-sized enterprises sector will be based on the quality and speed of services offered and not with an aggressive pricing policy.

[25] Four bidders in sale of Rodopi Dairy SA

The bank said the four bidders are Evrofarma ABEE, Friesland Hellas AEBE, Neogal SA and Tyras SA.

ATEbank said Deloitte Business Solutions, the consultant to the sale, will immediately evaluate all four offers.

[26] Building materials' cost index up 5.1 pct in January

[27] Greek stocks end 1.56 pct lower

All sectors, with the exception of the Food/Beverage sector which ended 2.71 pct higher, ended lower with the Telecommunications (4.02 pct), Financial Services (3.77 pct) and Raw Materials (3.07 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The Big Cap index fell 1.99 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 1.50 pct down and the Small Cap index eased 0.52 pct. Diekat (9.76 pct), Kekrops (7.54 pct), Euroholdings (6.0 pct) were top gainers, while Elton (9.91 pct), Boutaris (8.49 pct) and Ideal (8.45 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 179 to 69 with another 50 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.71%

Industrials: -2.53%

Commercial: -0.99%

Construction: -0.91%

Media: -0.10%

Oil & Gas: -2.71%

Personal & Household: -2.21%

Raw Materials: -3.07%

Travel & Leisure: -1.62%

Technology: -0.23%

Telecoms: -4.02%

Banks: -1.80%

Food & Beverages: +2.71%

Health: -1.09%

Utilities: -1.75%

Chemicals: -0.65%

Financial Services: -3.77%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, OTE and Eurobank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 20.58

ATEbank: 3.46

Public Power Corp (PPC): 30.30

HBC Coca Cola: 28.92

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.46

National Bank of Greece: 36.70

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 18.44

Intralot: 12.94

OPAP: 24.28

OTE: 20.40

Titan Cement Company: 30.56

[28] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 8,213 contracts worth 91.610 million euros, with 27,042 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 190 contracts worth 4.946 million euros with 418 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 6,966 contracts worth 11.760 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Hellenic Telecoms' contracts (2,129), followed by Eurobank (382), Marfin Investment Group (391), GEK (467), National Bank (915), Alpha Bank (343), Intracom (369), Marfin Popular Bank (652) and Sidenor (139).

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.05 pct, the two-day rate 4.05 pct, the one-month rate 4.20 pct and the 12-month rate 4.39 pct.

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.477

Pound sterling 0.760

Danish kroner 7.513

Swedish kroner 9.394

Japanese yen 159.59

Swiss franc 1.624

Norwegian kroner 7.94

Canadian dollar 1.501

Australian dollar 1.615

General News

[31] Parliament President visits New Acropolis Museum

Sioufas, who was offered a guided tour of the museum by Culture Minister Michalis Liapis, was accompanied by members of the parliament's Standing Committee on Cultural and Educational Affairs.

The parliament president stated that he was overwhelmed by the new museum, stressing that it "constitutes a reference point for culture worldwide". He also thanked the archaeological academic community and all those, Greeks and foreigners, who contributed to the realization of the endeavor.

Culture Minister Michalis Liapis stated that the museum is modern, functional and secure and that the transfer of antiquities from the old museum will be completed in roughly a month. He added that the formal inauguration of the museum will take place in early autumn.

Liapis described the new museum as a national wager for the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles.

[32] President's message for Law School uprising anniversary

The uprising indicated the students' determination to call for an end to the suppression of human rights, political underdevelopment and the national dangers to which the country had been led had to, Papoulias added.

Its message also showed that resistance to the junta in Greece would no longer come only from organized resistance in Greece and abroad but also from mass youth movements that did not hesitate to go out into the streets of Athens and to defy state violence, possible arrest and torture, the interruption of their studies and the possible negation of their career prospects.

"The uprising of the Athens Law School prepared politically and organisationally the conditions that led to the Polytechnic uprising and their political echo filled students and young people with confidence. Today, 35 years later, we have achieved many goals but all of us must continue to struggle for greater social justice, to give the current generation of 700 euros [monthly wage] prospects and hope. This is the essential message of the student uprising against the dictatorship and is a message that is always up to date," Papoulias stressed.

[33] Liberation anniversary for city of Ioannina

"The liberation of Ioannina, as well as all the battles waged by our people, reflects the collective will, reflects the common will of the Greeks for us to forge ahead, placing first those things that unite us," President Papoulias said in his address.

Events commemorating the city's liberation will come to an end on Thursday with a parade including pupils, students and scouts, as well as the armed and security forces.

The government is being represented at the events by Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos.

[34] San Marino FM to honour Theodorakis, hold talks in Athens

A ministry press release also noted that Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Stolfi will hold talks on bilateral relations, followed by statements to the press.

[35] Last book on Palaeologus trilogy released

"When I mentioned to the prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, that I would write a book on the fall of Constantinople, he told me that the issue was repeatedly researched, and that I should write about the aftermath of the conquest. As a result, I began a new round of research in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)," the author said.

The trilogy is published by the Livanis publishing house.

[36] Political Protection General Secretariat on U.S. satellite

According to the message, an American satellite is returning to earth and it might have a possible landing anywhere on the planet, the Political Protection General Secretariat stressed in a relevant announcement.

"The satellite is carrying dangerous materials which might have repercussions for whatever person coming into contact with them. More specifically, the satellite contains fuel tanks and metal tanks that are composed of dangerous materials and they might be saved even after entry into the atmosphere. Every part of its debris could be dangerous and nobody must come into contact with it, or move or touch it," the announcement said.

"The government of the United States decided on the destruction of the satellite that has become faulty and is uncontrollable before its entry into the atmosphere of the earth, as it was announced in Washington during a press briefing on February 14, 2008. According to the mass media, the United States is planning to strike the satellite on February 21, 2008, when it will be crossing the Pacific Ocean," it added.

[37] Presentation of European Road Safety Charter in Athens

"We still have a long way to go. We must wage the battle, utilizing the experience of the other countries of the EU and we must influence the mentality of the citizens," Transport and Communications Minister Costas Hatzidakis said on the occasion, and announced a series of new measures that will reverse the country's unfavorable factors on the issue of road safety.

Hatzidakis said that it is a life challenge for all that must be handled very seriously in Greece as well, that has much higher death rates than the European average.

Main points have already been promoted with the 2nd strategic framework on Road Safety for the 2006-2010 period, such as the new traffic code that has begun to produce results since, as it appears from data concerning the last six months in 2007, the victims of traffic accidents have decreased by 13 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.

[38] Strong earthquake in Methoni region

The quake was felt in the entire prefecture of Messinia and the broader region, causing alert among inhabitants, as it followed a moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale in the region of the island of Kythira in the first hours of Wednesday.

[39] Moderate earthquake jolts Kythira

According to the Athens Observatory's Geodynamics Institute and the Thessaloniki Aristotelion University's Geophysics Laboratory, the quake was recorded at 1:15 a.m., at a distance of 230 kilometers southwest of Athens, with its epicentre in the sea region west of Kythira and south of Methoni.

[40] Explosion at former minister's offices

An inquiry has been launched by the Athens police.

Weather Forecast

[41] Cloudy on Thursday

Cyprus Affairs

[42] Russia's stance on Cyprus problem unchanged

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has said that his country supports negotiations aiming at the unification of Cyprus.

Lavrov also said that Russia would not change its stance regarding the role of the UN and its respect towards UN resolutions in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan, Lavrov said ''we will support the negotiating process so that the sides agree on how to implement UN resolutions and how to restore Cyprus' unity with consensus and taking into consideration the interests of all sides.''

According to the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti, Lavrov said that Moscow's stance on a Cyprus settlement remains the same. "A solution should be sought on the basis of UN decisions and with the agreement of all interested sides," he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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