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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-01

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Thursday, 1 May 2008 Issue No: 2881

CONTENTS

  • [01] Inner cabinet discusses education issues, South Stream pipeline
  • [02] Greek-Russian energy agreement will have a duration of at least 30 years
  • [03] Good coverage of Greek PM's visit in Russian media
  • [04] European Commission on South Stream natural gas pipeline
  • [05] PASOK on South Stream pipeline agreement
  • [06] Communist Party questions South Stream deal
  • [07] SYN on Greece, Russia energy deal
  • [08] FM Bakoyannis signs commentary in "Washington Times"
  • [09] PASOK leader congratulates Serbian president
  • [10] PASOK official on party's initiatives
  • [11] PASOK invites Chinese Communist Party delegation
  • [12] Synaspismos's Political Secretariat convenes
  • [13] Combatting of organised crime in SE Europe
  • [14] May Day message by ND Central Committee secretary, PASOK leader
  • [15] Trade unions urge public to take part in Labour Day events
  • [16] Public transport workers to join Labour Day strikes
  • [17] Three separate Labour Day rallies in Thessaloniki
  • [18] Suspects in Siemens case given until May 7 to prepare testimony
  • [19] U.S. State Department on terrorism
  • [20] Government reports major progress in talks with DT
  • [21] Alogoskoufis - Hatzidakis meeting
  • [22] Greek retail sales index down 0.8 pct in February
  • [23] Greek Producer's Price Index up 9.9 pct in March
  • [24] AB Vasilopoulos opens seven new supermarket units
  • [25] Velti buys 33 pct stake in China's CASEE for 3.0 mln US dollars
  • [26] Greek stocks jumped 2.24 pct on Wednesday
  • [27] Greek bond market closing report
  • [28] Composer Marios Tokas laid to rest
  • [29] Telemedicine services for gypsy communities in Trikala, Sofades
  • [30] 54th 'Flower Exhibition' in Athens' Kifissia suburb
  • [31] Liapis met with Special Olympics national football team players
  • [32] Mostly fair on Thursday
  • [33] The Wednesday edition of Athens dailies at a glance

  • [01] Inner cabinet discusses education issues, South Stream pipeline

    Education-related issues were the main focus of an inner cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday. Cabinet ministers were also filled in on the details of the Greek-Russian agreement for the South Stream natural gas pipeline by Development Minister Christos Folias.

    "The strategy we followed was once again vindicated and proved that it is moving in the right direction," Folias said, stressing that the major effort over the last four years was to ensure adequate energy supplies and a diversity of energy supplies to the country by connecting Greece with international energy networks.

    Another target was to support Greece's EU partners through the country's now very active role as a transit route for energy in southeastern Europe, he added.

    Regarding the economic benefits arising from the pipeline, Folias said that the main benefit was to ensure adequate energy supplies for Greece, with all that this entailed for markets, both for industries and private consumers.

    Questioned on the exact route that the pipeline would take, Folias said that the company would decide the entry and exit points from Greece under the agreement.

    The development minister also denied that there was displeasure in Washington over the deal:

    "There is no question of displeasure. Both we and the Americans agree that a diversity of energy sources for our country is necessary," the development minister said.

    Replying to questions on rising prices, meanwhile, he said that the problem was "being dealt with and we will soon see results".

    Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis told reporters that he had outlined his ministry's draft bill for reforms concerning disabled persons, prepared in consultation with organisations for the disabled.

    He described the new legislative act as "a clean bill without amendments, with ready-prepared presidential decrees that can go into effect immediately after the legislative processes are completed."

    According to the minister, the draft bill introduces a series of reforms that currently apply throughout Europe and make education mandatory for all people with disabilities.

    It also introduces an inter-disciplinary approach to caring for people with special needs, early examination of children facing problems and life-long state care, as well as continual assessment of children as they developed, so that they might be returned to the general education system where this was possible.

    Stylianidis said that the bill adopted the vast majority of the demands made by the disabled community and the carers of disabled persons in the past 20 years, while its overall aim was to create an environment providing equal opportunities for education and work for people with disabilities.

    The cabinet was also briefed on the negotiations underway regarding the management of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) by Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis.

    [02] Greek-Russian energy agreement will have a duration of at least 30 years

    The Greek government on Wednesday unveiled the basic points of an Energy Agreement signed between Greece and Russia for the construction and operation of the South Stream natural gas pipeline on Greek territory.

    The Greek section of the natural gas pipeline will begin from the Greek-Bulgarian borders carrying natural gas to Italy. The agreement will have an initial duration of 30 years, carrying around 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually. Greece will absorb part of this quantity and will also receive transit fees. Under the agreement, Gazprom and Desfa will soon sign an agreement to set up a joint venture to take over construction and operation of the natural gas pipeline.

    The Energy Agreement seeks to upgrade energy security in Europe, supports the creation of a new natural gas pipeline system from the Russian Federation through the Black Sea, to supply Greece and other European countries. It also seeks to create the necessary conditions to plan, build and operate this system according to national legislations and international treaties.

    Under the plan, the new company will be preferably based in Greece, with both parts sharing an equal 50 pct.

    [03] Good coverage of Greek PM's visit in Russian media

    Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' trip to Moscow received extended coverage from the Russian media, most of which devoted several columns and minutes of air-time to the visit and the signature of the South Stream gas pipeline agreement on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    The general consensus was that the visit and the agreement opened new horizons in cooperation between Greece and Russia and it was viewed as a final diplomatic success for Vladimir Putin before his departure from the presidential office to become Russia's prime minister.

    The Greek premier also received record amounts of airtime in Russia's electronic media, such as the main television networks and the English-language satellite channel "Russia Today", which spoke of a "new page in strategic cooperation" between Greece and Russia and an "impressive improvement in bilateral relations in the last three-four years".

    According to one Russian newspaper, for example, the South Stream pipeline made Greece an important link in Europe's energy policy, while it noted that Athens and Moscow had built on historic and cultural ties to become close partners in the energy sector.

    [04] European Commission on South Stream natural gas pipeline

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Spinthourakis)

    The South Stream pipeline is not a competing one but it is supplementary in relation to the Nabucco pipeline and, consequently, there is no problem on the part of the European Union.

    This was stated on Wednesday by the European Commission's representative in Brussels, when asked whether the South Stream pipeline, whose construction is entering the final phase, also following Tuesday's agreement between Greece and Russia, constitutes a problem in relation to the Nabucco pipeline, whose construction is being backed by EU funds.

    The Commission's representative said that the EU is backing Nabucco with the aim of strengthening Europe's energy supply from non-traditional sources. He added that the South Stream concerns supply from traditional sources and, consequently, it does not have a competing but a supplementary role with Nabucco, regarding Europe's energy security.

    [05] PASOK on South Stream pipeline agreement

    Main opposition PASOK party spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis, commenting Wednesday on the signing, in Moscow Tuesday by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Russian President Vladimir Putin, of a an agreement for the construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline, said that his party would wait for a "full briefing by the prime minister in order to draw its conclusions whether these developments are substantive for Greece and to what degree the government's communicative exaggeration extends."

    [06] Communist Party questions South Stream deal

    The Greek people should be wary of the government's triumphant claims regarding the agreement signed with Russia for constructing and operating the South Stream natural gas pipeline in Greece, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an announcement on Wednesday.

    "This pipeline, as with the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, if they are built, will belong and will be exploited by the powerful business groups with the sole aim of massive profits at the expense of the peoples' interests. Thus energy will continue to be hugely expensive for the people," KKE said.

    It also disputed claims that the passage of this and other pipelines through Greece and the Balkans would increase security, saying that they might well become a factor for heightening already emerging "intra-imperialist conflicts and competition".

    The announcement also warned Greek people against "confusing the role of the present Russian state with the peace-loving and anti-imperialist contribution of the Soviet Union to the peoples. Capitalist Russia is today interested exclusively and only in profits and extending the influence of Russian capital."

    [07] SYN on Greece, Russia energy deal

    The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party on Wednesday expressed support for energy cooperation between Greece and Russia, following the signature of a bilateral agreement for the construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline in Greek territory, while opposing what it said were U.S. pressures against the deal.

    "SYN, in full disagreement with the policy and pressures of the U.S., supports the boosting of our country's but also Europe's energy cooperation with Russia as absolutely necessary. We also support a multiplicity of oil and natural gas energy transfer routes and the diversification of energy supply prices, to which the South Stream pipeline can contribute positively," a party announcement said.

    It also noted, however, that SYN could not share the "triumphant government tones" about the South Stream deal signed in Moscow because the specifics of the agreement had not yet been unveiled and there were still serious questions that remained to be answered about whether the specific terms would be beneficial for Greece and the Greek people.

    SYN would reserve judgement on the agreement until after the full text and any additions had been made public, the announcement added.

    [08] FM Bakoyannis signs commentary in "Washington Times"

    WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA / A. Ellis)

    In the aftermath of the NATO Bucharest Summit a significant issue remains unresolved: that is, the invitation to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to join the trans-Atlantic family, pointed out Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis in her commentary published in the April 29, 2008 issue of the "Washington Times".

    "All members of NATO, including Greece, look forward to the day that an invitation is extended to FYROM, as we believe this will further strengthen regional security. Such an outcome is particularly important to Greece, considering the geographic proximity, the traditional ties and the links between our peoples," stressed Bakoyannis. "During this summit, however, the Alliance made it abundantly clear that accession is contingent upon respect for NATO shared values and principles; that alliances and partnerships can be forged among countries only when there is good will, mutual trust and good neighborly relations. So FYROM's aspiration to join NATO came to an inevitable halt, as it failed to take steps toward normalizing relations with Greece - a neighbor, major foreign investor and future ally," she pointed out.

    "Greece has been a NATO member since 1952, ranking high in defence expenditure, reaching almost 2.67 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, participating with numerous personnel, means and capabilities in all major NATO missions and operations, and providing critical facilities. At the same time, it is committed to regional dialogue and stability, using soft and smart power to bring countries closer together. Greece is not only a major investor in its region, but it has also actively supported development in South-Eastern Europe through developmental assistance, building of infrastructure and other projects financed by a special fund," Bakoyannis stressed.

    "For many, a name expresses little more than a right to self-determination. This, I am afraid, is an oversimplification, as this is a complex issue, interwoven with a rich historical background - as is always the case in our part of the world - and with the sensitivities of the peoples living in the area. The term "Macedonia" defines a wider geographic region, only a part of which is in FYROM. One might wonder whether FYROM has territorial claims to the entire region. Its leaders claim they have no such plans, and we want to believe them. Yet, we wonder why official FYROM maps and other state documents depict the region of Macedonia in Greece - which they call "Aegean Macedonia" - as "occupied" territory belonging to FYROM that will one day be "liberated." And why are such maps and documents widely used? Why are these geographic and historical inaccuracies found in their school textbooks, propagating a distorted reality? At the very least, such actions - which emanate from the state - "poison" the political climate of our bilateral ties and, even worse, the ties between our peoples," the foreign minister underlined.

    "Let us remember that the name resonates not only for the people of FYROM, but for the Greek people as well. Greece has taken bold steps toward a solution. In an unprecedented turn, we have come to negotiations prepared to accept a composite name, with a geographical qualifier for the term "Macedonia." All we ask of the other side is that they meet us half way. We are not alone in our expectations of FYROM. In the U.S. Congress, 116 members, both Republicans and Democrats, recently co-sponsored House Resolution 356, which expresses the "sense of the House of Representatives that FYROM should stop hostile activities and propaganda against Greece, and should work with the United Nations and Greece to find a mutually acceptable official name." Sens. Robert Menendez, Olympia Snowe, Barack Obama, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow have introduced a similar resolution in the Senate," she stressed.

    "On the fresh momentum of the NATO Summit aftermath, with our expressed readiness to resume negotiations immediately under United Nations auspices, I would like to send a clear and unequivocal message to FYROM: Our will to find a mutually acceptable solution is firm. Greece invites FYROM anew to display the resolve and political spirit that will secure its accession to NATO and, if all requirements are met, to the European Union tomorrow. FYROM's future lies in its own hands. The name issue is not a game of skill. It is one of common sense, where fair is fair for all, and rules apply to all. This was made unanimously clear to both NATO members and aspirants in Bucharest," FM Bakoyannis concluded.

    [09] PASOK leader congratulates Serbian president

    Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader and Socialist International (SI) president George Papandreou in a message on Wednesday congratulated Serbian President Boris Tadic over the signing of the Stability and Association Agreement between the European Union and Serbia.

    "I wish to personally congratulate you and the Serbian people for yesterday's (Tuesday) signing of the Stability and Association Agreement with the European Union. It is the necessary positive message towards the people of Serbia for their European future. It is indisputably a historic step in the country's course to the European Union," Papandreou said in his letter of congratu-lations.

    [10] PASOK official on party's initiatives

    Main opposition PASOK party National Council Secretary Yiannis Ragoussis held two-hour talks with party leader George Papandreou and his Political Bureau director Nikos Athanasakis on Wednesday, saying that "the health of the president of PASOK is going well, just like the doctors had said."

    Ragoussis said that the talks focused on the president's directives regarding the initiatives that PASOK will be assuming in the future, which will aim at the problems of the citizen concerning "his standard of living, high prices, inflation and the overloaning of households".

    He further said that the first taste of how PASOK will move in the future will be given in Papandreou's May Day message, adding that the party's campaign on high prices will continue and reminded that a relevant question raised by party deputies will be discussed in Parliament on Monday.

    [11] PASOK invites Chinese Communist Party delegation

    A seven-member delegation of the Communist Party of China arrived in Athens on Wednesday at the invitation of the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).

    PASOK's deputy spokeswoman Maria Karaklioumi said that the aim of the visit is to brief the Chinese delegation on the manner of operation of PASOK and on its policies, as well as on issues regarding research and education.

    [12] Synaspismos's Political Secretariat convenes

    The Political Secretariat of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) convened on Wednesday and discussed the international economic crisis and its repercussions on Greece, as well as energy issues.

    The Secretariat assessed that "the international economic crisis is a result of the supra-accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few, but also of the overwhelming profiteering activity of capital, in the financial sphere and in the production of raw materials (oil) and basic foodstuffs."

    Regarding Greece, Synaspismos's Political Secretariat stressed that "the economic situation is getting even worse as the government's policy shapes a framework in which high cost of living prevails, salaries are low and people owe to banks."

    [13] Combatting of organised crime in SE Europe

    SOFIA (ANA-MPA - B. Borisov)

    Bulgarian Interior Minister Mikhail Mikov, addressing the meeting of justice and interior ministers of southeastern European countries here on Wednesday, said that the globalisation of organised crime is taking place in our times, that knows no borders and is taking advantage of the possibilities provided by advanced technology.

    Greek Deputy Interior Minister Panayiotis Hinofotis said in his address that "criminal organisations and terrorists are using all the modern means provided by technology. For this reason, their combatting requires political, legal and operational tools, as well as organising and coordinating apparatuses."

    After reminding that combatting organised crime in southeastern Europe has constituted a major target for the European Union since 2003, when at the EU summit in Thessaloniki the countries of the region had promised to develop the necessary legislative infrastructure, Hinofotis expressed Greece's willingness to continue to offer neighbouring countries its expertise regarding the implementation of the European acquis communautaire in this sector.

    He further stressed the need for the countries in the region to improve systems for managing immigration and combatting illegal immigration on the basis of European norms.

    Lastly, Hinofotis expressed support for Slovenia's initiative concerning the planning of joint measures for combatting organised crime coming from the region of the Western Balkans.

    [14] May Day message by ND Central Committee secretary, PASOK leader

    Ruling New Democracy (ND) party Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis said in a May Day message on Wednesday that the anniversary of labour May Day signals the demands, the struggles and the sacrifices of working people for social solidarity and social justice.

    Zagoritis noted that the axis of ND's policy "is the working man, the man of toil, of creation," adding that it "respects the struggles of the working people and heeds the anxiety of the unemployed, of young people and of pensioners and, in the framework of real developments and the possibilities of the economy, it is working hard to meet their expectations."

    The ND secretary also pointed out that its primary aim is social cohesion, in practice and with specific policies and not with slogans and proclamations.

    Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou said in his own message that working people "are currently in the most difficult position of the past years. Their limited purchasing power, the deadlock in the country's economy and, above all, uncertainty over their working environment are what characterises current reality."

    Papandreou further said that the social security and pensioning rights of working people "have been undermined".

    "This summer, working people will face the implementation of the most hostile social security law for their interests. Thousands of working people are semi-employed because they cannot find full employment and many others have no access to the labour market," he said.

    The PASOK leader stressed that "today Greece needs a government that will show solidarity to the citizen and his problems". He added that "may this year's May Day signal a new beginning for the struggles of working people for a just society and a strong Greece."

    [15] Trade unions urge public to take part in Labour Day events

    The General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), Greece's largest umbrella trade union organisation covering private-sector workers, and the civil servants' union ADEDY on Wednesday invited the workers and pensioners to come out in force and take part in Labour Day events on Thursday.

    The two union federations, which together represent the majority of the Greek work force, will hold a rally at Pedion tou Areos in central Athens at 11:00 in the morning, followed by a march to Syntagma Square opposite Parliament and then to the Economy Ministry.

    In an announcement, they called on Greece's workers and pensioners to fight against the government reforms to the social insurance system, privatisations and attempts to introduce flexible labour laws, and to struggle to protect their income against austerity measures and high prices, their right to steady employment and their right to strike and freely unionise.

    Among those who will be participating in Thursday's Labour Day strikes will be public transport workers, except for the Metro and electric railway that will run during the day to allow people to attend the strike rallies in the city centre.

    Workers at ports and airports will join the strike action, while Olympic Airlines has announced that it will only carry out one flight per domestic destination and one flight to each foreign country in its network on Thursday.

    The trade union faction PAME affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will hold separate Labour Day events, starting with a rally at Syntagma Square at 10:30, as will the Initiative for the Class Celebration of Labour Day, with a gathering a Omonia Square at 11:00 in the morning.

    [16] Public transport workers to join Labour Day strikes

    There will be reduced or no services on most public transport networks on Thursday due to the participation of workers in the Labour Day general strike.

    Among those going on a full 24-hour strike will be staff on ETHEL buses, which will not run throughout the day, including services to Athens international airport. Also going on a full strike will be staff on the Proastiako suburban railway and the Athens tram.

    Trolley buses will run as normal from 7:30 in the morning until the end of their shift and the ISAP electric railway will operate from 9:00 in the morning until the end of the shift. There will be two work stoppages on the Athens metro, from the start of the shift until 9:00 in the morning and from 7:00 in the evening until the end of the shift.

    Greek Railways Organisation (OSE) staff will also hold a 24-hour strike and only the so-called 'social needs' trains will run on Thursday. Specifically, these are the E500 and E501 lines from Athens to Thessaloniki and back, the 604, 613 services between Thessaloniki and Dikaion, and the 741, 765, 766, 746 services from Thessaloniki to Florina and Kozani to Thessaloniki, as well as the 4324/302 and 305/4357 services between Piraeus, Kiato, Patras, Kalamata, Kiato and Piraeus.

    [17] Three separate Labour Day rallies in Thessaloniki

    The Trade Union Centre of Thessaloniki and the Union of Civil Servants' Organizations of Thessaloniki called on all workers to participate in the Labour Day rally to be held on Thursday, with main demands being the adoption of measures against high prices, unemployment, social security reform and privatizations.

    The demonstration will be held in Aristotelous Square in downtown Thessaloniki to be followed by a march to the Worker's Monument where trade union and local government officials will lay wreaths in memory of the workers killed in class struggles.

    Two separate rallies will be held by PAME trade union group and leftist groups.

    [18] Suspects in Siemens case given until May 7 to prepare testimony

    Three people being questioned as suspects in the Siemens bribery case had the deadline for preparing their testimony extended until May 7 by first-instance court public prosecutor Panagiotis Athanassios when they appeared before him on Wednesday.

    The prosecutor is also expected to hear testimony from two more people involved in the case on May 5 and May 6.

    The summons issued by Athanassiou concerns a contract signed between Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and Siemens in 1997 for the digitalisation of the OTE network, worth approximately 800 million euros.

    Seven people have beens summoned to appear before the prosecutor as suspects in a bribery case, among them former and current executives of Siemens Hellas and former OTE executives.

    [19] U.S. State Department on terrorism

    WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA/T.Ellis)

    With improved counterterrorism infrastructure in place following the 2004 summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece continued to fight international and domestic terrorism, according to a US State Department Report on Terrorism in the world for the year 2007.

    In the report, released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on Wednesday, the State Department notes that "there was concern that Greece, because of its long coast line and proximity to the Middle East, could be used as a transit route for terrorists traveling to Europe and the United States. Greek authorities cooperated with U.S. officials to address the problem."

    "Cooperative efforts included information sharing, training of Greek security and customs officials, training of judicial personnel, and improving border and cargo-container security through such programs as the Container Security Initiative (CSI)." the report says.

    The report also refers to the action of the dismantled November 17 terrorist organisation during the seventies, eighties and nineties, while mentioning also the emergence of "a new domestic terrorism group calling itself Revolutionary Struggle (RS)".

    Financial News

    [20] Government reports major progress in talks with DT

    The government on Wednesday reported major progress in talks between the Greek State and the German telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom on striking a deal over the management and future of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), the state-run phone utility.

    In a joint announcement issued by the economy and finance ministry and the transport and communications ministry, the government said the talks wout continue into the coming week.

    [21] Alogoskoufis - Hatzidakis meeting

    Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis met Wednesday with Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis to discuss the issue of the negotiations with Deutsche Telekom as regards the state telephone utility OTEtelecoms.

    [22] Greek retail sales index down 0.8 pct in February

    Greece's retail sales turnover index fell 0.8 pct in February 2008, compared with the same month last year, after an increase of 7.7 pct in the 2007-2006 period, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.

    The statistics service attributed the decline in the retail turnover index to a 2.1 pct fall in foodstore sales and a 3.2 pct decline in other store sales. Clothing-footwear turnover fell by 10.2 pct in February.

    The statistics service said retail sales volume fell 4.3 pct in February compared with the same month last year, after an increase of 4.0 pct in the 2007-2006 period. The decline reflected a 3.2 pct fall in the foodstore volume index and a 5.0 pct decline in the other store index.

    [23] Greek Producer's Price Index up 9.9 pct in March

    Greece's Producer's Price Index, measuring both the domestic and external markets, jumped 9.9 percent in March 2008, compared with the same month last year, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.

    The statistics service, in a report, said the Producer's Price Index rose 1.1 pct in March from February, while the average index in the 12-month period from April 2007 to March 2008 rose 5.2 pct compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.

    The statistics service said the 9.9 pct jump in the index mainly reflected a 20.3 pct rise in the energy goods index and a 9.6 pct increase in the intermediate goods price index.

    [24] AB Vasilopoulos opens seven new supermarket units

    AB Vasilopoulos on Wednesday announced it has opened seven new supermarket units in the first four months of 2008, two in Athens, two in Thessaloniki, and one in the islands of Tzia, Cos and in the city of Trikala.

    The company said its branch network totaled 164 units, of which 117 were retail units, 10 wholesale units and 37 franchising units.

    [25] Velti buys 33 pct stake in China's CASEE for 3.0 mln US dollars

    Velti, a software solutions and mobile telephony services company, on Wednesday announced the purchase of a 33 pct equity stake in CASEE, China's largest mobile advertising company, for 3.0 million US dollar, and said it has ensured guarantees for the purchase of an additional 17 pct stake in the company for another 3.0 million US dollars raising its participation in the Chinese company to 50 pct.

    Alexandros Moukas, Velti's chief executive, commenting on the deal, said Velti's investment in CASEE was part of a strategy to expand activities, offering international services to customers and becoming a pioneer in mobile marketing channels.

    [26] Greek stocks jumped 2.24 pct on Wednesday

    Greek stocks ended sharply higher on Wednesday, propelled by strong buying interest for blue chip stocks, particularly banks. The composite index of the Athens Stock Exchange jumped 2.24 pct to end at 4,214.16 points with turnover rising to 364.8 million euros, of which 18.5 million euros were block trades.

    Most sectors moved higher with the Banks (3.38 pct), Telecommunications (2.80 pct), Technology (2.76 pct) and Financial Services (2.52 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Oil (0.93 pct), Healthcare (0.52 pct) and Media (0.27 pct) suffered losses.

    The FTSE 20 index rose 2.75 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 1.05 pct up and the FTSE 80 index rose 0.84 pct. Spider (12.50 pct), Mesohoritis (12.0 pct) and ANEK (10.56 pct) were top gainers, while Aeoliki (8.93 pct), Ippotour (5.66 pct) and Douros (5.65 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 188 to 57 with another 45 issues unchanged.

    Sector indices ended as follows:

    Insurance: +1.53%

    Industrials: +1.21%

    Commercial: -0.03%

    Construction: +2.12%

    Media: -0.27%

    Oil & Gas: -0.93%

    Personal & Household: +2.06%

    Raw Materials: +0.99%

    Travel & Leisure: +1.23%

    Technology: +2.76%

    Telecoms: +2.80%

    Banks: +3.38%

    Food & Beverages: -0.22%

    Health: -0.52%

    Utilities: +1.94%

    Chemicals: +1.56%

    Financial Services: +2.52%

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

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

    Alpha Bank: 21.90

    ATEbank: 2.81

    Public Power Corp (PPC): 27.08

    HBC Coca Cola: 28.90

    Hellenic Petroleum: 9.72

    National Bank of Greece: 35.56

    EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 19.88

    Intralot: 12.90

    OPAP: 25.70

    OTE: 19.12

    Titan Cement Company: 28.68

    Marfin Popular Bank: 5.72

    [27] Greek bond market closing report

    Turnover in the Greek electronic secondary bond market totaled 942 million euros on Wednesday of which 626 million euros were buy orders and the remaining 316 million were sell orders. The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20,2017), was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 300 million euros.

    The Greek bond yielded 4.59 pct.

    In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.25 pct, the two-day rate 4.10 pct,the one month rate 4.42 pct and the 12-month rate 4.98 pct.

    Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

    Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

    U.S. dollar 1.566

    Pound sterling 0.796

    Danish kroner 7.521

    Swedish kroner 9.432

    Japanese yen 163.92

    Swiss franc 1.627

    Norwegian kroner 8.037

    Canadian dollar 1.581

    Australian dollar 1.674

    General News

    [28] Composer Marios Tokas laid to rest

    Cyprus-born composer Marios Tokas, who died of cancer on Sunday at the age of 54, was buried at the Athens First Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, Cypriot and Greek party representatives, Greek government and opposition parties representatives, former associates, relatives and friends.

    Theodoros Kassimis, who represented the Greek government, said in a statement that Marios Tokas "gave a great deal, with very great modesty and with love for man."

    President Christofias said that "he was a man of struggle, of love for the motherland and a sensitive man. I am certain that he will live eternally through his notes, his music. Marios's flesh has gone, but his spirit and his soul will remain."

    Attending the funeral from the main opposition PASOK party were the Deputies Theodoros Pangalos, Christos Papoutsis, Maria Damanaki and Miltiades Papaioannou, from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Spyros Halvatzis, from the Coaliton of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Panos Trigazis and from the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party its leader George Karatzaferis.

    Friends, associates, singers and songwriters nad lyric writers comforted his wife Amalia Petsopoulou and their three children, Hara, Kostis and Angelos. They included Marinella, Anna Vissi, Paschalis Terzis, Stelios Dionysiou, Yiannis Spanos, George Hatzinasios, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Andreas Neofytidis and Antonis Kaloyiannis.

    [29] Telemedicine services for gypsy communities in Trikala, Sofades

    An e-health and telemedicine service will be available soon, supporting the Medical-Social Clinics established in the gypsy communities in the regions of Trikala and Sofades, central Greece, it was announced on Wednesday.

    The two clinics will be supplied with medical equipment providing telemedicine services by transferring medical information via telephone, the Internet or other networks for the purpose of consulting or allowing for medical procedures or examinations.

    The service will be compatible with the Telewelfare Centre in the Trikala municipality to utilize existing experience and save resources while relying on experienced and highly-trained personnel capitalizing on existing infrastructures.

    [30] 54th 'Flower Exhibition' in Athens' Kifissia suburb

    The 54th Flower Exhibition opened on Wednesday evening at Athens' northern suburb of Kifissia.

    On display are more than 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers.

    The exhibition, which will last until May 18, will be flanked by a number of cultural events focusing on the environment.

    Sports

    [31] Liapis met with Special Olympics national football team players

    Culture Minister Michalis Liapis on Wednesday visited the Special Olympics World Games Committee facilities in Goudi, Athens on the occasion of the departure of the Greek national football team for Austria where the Special Olympics European Football Cup 2008 will be held on May 2-7.

    Liapis met with the athletes and wished them success. The Greek team ensured its participation in the competition in October 2007 by winning the gold medal in the World Games held in China.

    Twenty four teams from across Europe and Eurasia have qualified at national level to compete in the Cup. All matches will take place in communities situated around Lake Constance. Opening ceremonies will be held in Bregenz, Austria on May 3 and the finals will take place in St. Gallen, Switzerland on May 7.

    Liapis also used the opportunity to remind those present that Greece will be hosting the next Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2011.

    Weather Forecast

    [32] Mostly fair on Thursday

    Mostly fair weather is forecast in most parts of the country on Thursday, with wind velocity reaching 3-5 beaufort. Temperatures will range between 13C and 26C in Athens, and in Thessaloniki from 13C to 24C.

    [33] The Wednesday edition of Athens dailies at a glance

    The signing of an agreement for the South Stream natural gas pipeline between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow and rising prices for consumer goods dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens newspapers.

    ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Dangerous food import orgy - Blockade for 641 tons of food unfit for consumption".

    APOGEVMATINI: "Karamanlis' doctrine :We belong to the West but we also look to the East - The card of multi-dimensional Greek foreign policy was played in Kremlin".

    AVGHI: "Labour day struggle against unemployment, high cost of living and uninsured labour".

    AVRIANI: "US stung that Karamanlis is making major deals with the Russians in the interests of our country - Americans see Greece as playing dangerous games with Putin".

    CHORA: "From Russia with...gold - The new energy agreement brings glut of Russian capital".

    ELEFTHERI ORA: "They (Karamanlis, Putin) signed the South Stream agreement and a Russian air blows over Greece".

    ELEFTHEROS: "Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis nonplussed by Karamanlis' game - The prime minister playing the European and Russian card strongly".

    ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "70 million car thieves - Thousands of underaged kids trapped in a virtual reality of violence in Greece also [article on the video game Grand Theft Auto]".

    ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Labour Day. Oh Daddy, what a world! Global rage over widening inequality, the offspring of neoliberalism".

    ESTIA: "Overture to Russia - Karamanlis' -Putin's meeting on Tuesday".

    ETHNOS: "5 thorns in the way of nationwide university entrance examinations - Bar raised for 94,600 candidates".

    KATHIMERINI: "Bonds between Russia and Greece strengthen after Karamanlis-Putin agreement".

    LOGOS: "Historic agreement between Karamanlis and Putin - The pipeline of challenges and opportunities".

    NIKI: "Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis' miracles - The government audit, reform and economy's black hole".

    RIZOSPASTIS: "1st of May, Labour Day with PAME (KKE-affiliated trade union group) - Class unity and social coalition against plutocracy and imperialism".

    TA NEA: "High cost of living leads to 'diet' in everything - Households in despair".

    TO VIMA: "The Moscow overture irritates Washington - Karamanlis'- Putin's rapprochement and US' reactions".

    VRADYNI: "They signed the future - Historic agreement between Karamanlis and Putin for the South Stream pipeline".

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