Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis calls for front against profiteering, adulteration and fraud

[02] Negotiations with Deutsche Telekom in very advanced stage, FinMin says

[03] Papandreou unveils new strategic plan for growth

[04] Daskalopoulos says Greek businesses support changes

[05] Inner Cabinet considers interior ministry issues

[06] Cyprus House Speaker concludes talks in Athens

[07] Education minister on reforms

[08] Papandreou tables question on OTE for PM

[09] PASOK: Government's air pollution plan a PR gimmick

[10] PASOK leader Papandreou meets wildfire victims delegation

[11] PASOK on the university faculty elections

[12] PASOK Political Council to convene Wednesday

[13] KKE leader tables question in Parliament on NATO

[14] SYRIZA leader holds talks with wildfires coordinating body

[15] Synaspismos's Political Secretariat convenes

[16] European foreign ministers meet in Paris

[17] Gov't on alleged attacks against FYROM drivers

[18] Government repeats support for Souflias

[19] Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens, visits Archbishop Ieronymos

[20] Statue of Patriarch Constantine VI unveiled

[21] Minister visits Air Force aircraft unit at Elefsina

[22] Alogoskoufis promotes Greek business presence in SE Europe

[23] Greek exports to African countries are on the rise

[24] Ferry services affected by truckers strike

[25] Inquiry into cancelled ferry journeys

[26] Dimitris Daskalopoulos re-elected SEB president

[27] Court rules against union request for delay in OTE deal

[28] Santorini favored by readers of Spanish cruise magazine

[29] Intracom Telecom signs 40-mln-euro contract in Syria

[30] Intralot wins tender for Ohio lottery

[31] Greek industrial import price index up 7.9 pct in March

[32] Greek stocks jump 1.59 pct on Tues.

[33] ADEX closing report

[34] Greek bond market closing report

[35] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[36] Culture ministry to hire 900 seasonal staff via ASEP

[37] Botsis journalism awards bestowed

[38] Thousands of English words have Greek origin

[39] Foreign national arrested for series of thefts

[40] Gov't on latest instance of doping

[41] Cloud, scattered showers on Wednesday Politics

[01] PM Karamanlis calls for front against profiteering, adulteration and fraud

The prime minister sent a message to businessmen, noting that a free market "does not mean an unaccountable market".

Karamanlis called on all agencies related to the market "to contribute so as to avoid second stage negative repercussions from imported inflation, to see that our products will reach the consumer with high quality and low prices and to prove in practice that a free market does not mean an unaccountable market."

He further said that "all have responsibilities regarding the smooth operation of the market, that is the state, through the continuous support for its regulatory and supervisory role, as well as businesses through the avoidance of oligopolic practices."

Referring to foreign investments in the country, the prime minister stressed the need for it to be understood that the increase in investments, the extroversion of firms, the competitiveness of the economy and the attractiveness of Greece jointly shape the most crucial preconditions for securing strong growth.

Karamanlis underlined that the main targets of the government's policy are the creation of necessary conditions to increase wealth produced, the tackling of unemployment and the fairer distribution of social dividends.

He also focused on the international crisis and the surge in prices caused by the upsetting of the balance between supply and demand in food, the vibrations from the fiscal crisis and the slowdown in the economy of the United States which are being conveyed, as he said, to the economies of the entire world and, lastly, the chain increases in oil prices which from 26 dollars in 2003 have reached 126 dollars today and are intensifying even more, as he added, uncertainties in the modern-day world.

The prime minister also referred to the economic situation prevailing all over Europe where, as he said, growth rates are receding, while inflation is being strongly felt and the European Commission is revising its assessments for the worse.

"The path to the future, for all European countries, is becoming more demanding. Certainly, however, the economies of the eurozone are proving to be more durable in their confrontation with international pressure," he said.

Karamanlis also stressed that he shall "continue the policy of reforms which have shielded the economy to a considerable degree, secured high growth rates and are restricting unfavorable repercussions."

Lastly, he said that "the latest assessments by the European Commission certify that growth will continue in our country with rates that are double the average of the eurozone, employment will increase by more than 1 percent per year and unemployment will continue to decrease."

[02] Negotiations with Deutsche Telekom in very advanced stage, FinMin says

Addressing an annual general assembly of the Federation of Hellenic Industries, the Greek minister referred to the strong performance of the economy, with a growth rate still double the Eurozone average this year and in 2009 despite an international slowdown. Greek economic growth is projected at 3.4 pct in 2008 and 3.3 pct in 2009, compared with growth rates of 1.7 pct and 1.5 pct in the Eurozone, respectively.

The government's top priority continues to be strengthening social cohesion, Alogoskoufis said and noted that opposition political parties strongly opposed every reform efforts aimed at improving economic competitiveness, while social partners, including businesses, seemed to expecting everything from the state.

Commenting on the inflation rate, said the government was making great efforts to contain consumer prices and urged businesses to contribute also towards strengthening competition, combating monopolies and containing prices hikes.

Alogoskoufis said the government's privatization program on Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation aims to forge a strategic alliance with a significant European telecoms group. "Negotiations are already in very advanced stage. With this partnership we seek OTE's growth and modernization, not only in Greece but in the wider geographical area, while also ensuring our national and defense interests," he said.

The Greek minister reiterated that further privatization were due, including ports and airports. "Upgrading infrastructure was a necessary precondition to exploit our strategic advantages. With our policy we put Greece back into the world investment map," Alogoskoufis said.

"Our goals is achieve balanced budgets the soonest possible. We know it will not be easy, but we must fight to achieve this goal," he said.

[03] Papandreou unveils new strategic plan for growth

Addressing the annual general assembly of the Federation of Hellenic Industries, Papandreou also criticized the govern-ment's economic policy.

"A strategic agreement for growth proposed by PASOK is a necessary preconditions to put a brake on the downhill course. It is a road map to exit the country from crisis," Papandreou said underlining the four basic principles of this agreement: changing a growth model, to a "green" growth model, supporting purchasing power of Greek households, combating bureaucracy and corruption and the need for consultation and consensus.

PASOK recommends the introduction of a single progressive tax scale, based on the inflation rate, which will not create counter-incentives in the labour market. "The Greek product and services market operates in the wrong way, pushing prices up and creating disparities," Papandreou said, adding that a government must follow a consistent policy against cartels and "hidden" business deals, combating views that lead to higher prices and reducing production.

"We need another economic and social policy, based on bold interventions to boost competitiveness, and supporting great reforms for the transition to the knowledge economy, tax measures to support weaker classes and upgrading a social state," PASOK's leader said.

Papandreou noted that the Greek economy, despite strong growth rates, was heading towards a structural crisis and underlined that uncertainties grew not only for workers, but for young people, pensioners and for businessmen as well. Inflationary pressures were ignited by the government's policies, through increases in indirect taxes, unjustified increases in electricity bills, higher school fees, and rapid increases in shipping fares and pharmaceutical product prices.

He accused the government of overshooting in consumer spending, while he said that PASOK's main policy was that the Greek state's role was to defend the interests of the society and to ensure the distribution of benefits to all citizens. Commenting on a government plan to sell the management of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation to Deutsche Telekom, Papandreou said the Greek state must maintain its leading decision-making and planning role in enterprises of national strategic importance.

[04] Daskalopoulos says Greek businesses support changes

Addressing an annual general assembly of the Federation, Daskalopoulos underlined that the main targets were opening the Federation to the society and promoting a philosophy and action of healthy business activity.

The business community was a vital part of the society, he noted, adding that it represented an organic, powerful and dynamic part of the country's productive forces, alive and healthy elements of the society, which faced the future without any fears. "And for this reason we have increased obligations of participating and contributing to common causes," Daskalopoulos said.

He stressed, however, that in order any interventions made by the Federation to be convincing "our members must actively promote all initiatives over the restructuring of a business and of business activity and to strictly adhere to corporate governance and corporate social responsibility rules".

Referring to the Federation's strategy and actions in the next two years, Daskalopoulos pledged that during this period the presidency will implement a strategy of expanding the Federation, upgrading its role, and is participation in a dialogue over the country's future.

[05] Inner Cabinet considers interior ministry issues

Pavlopoulos said the draft law will settle civil servant hierarchy issues stemming from the 2001 Constitutional revision and subsequent changes made the 164/2004 presidential decree, which recruited higher-qualified personnel to the public sector. The latter, according to the current system, cannot be promoted.

The interior minister briefed the inner cabinet on a prefectural government code, which will be ready by the end of 2008 and reminded that in the past four years the ministry promoted codes on citizenship, civil servants and municipal employees.

[06] Cyprus House Speaker concludes talks in Athens

On Monday evening Karoyan also met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, who said her party followed "with great interest and support, the efforts by the Cyprus Republic to give a new impetus to the process for a just solution to the problem, on the basis of the well-known UN resolutions."

"We understand that the solution does not depend only on the Cyprus side. There exists Turkey's ongoing intransigence. We consider that the international balance of power is negative and we persist in our solidarity and support to the people of Cyprus," Papariga added.

Alavanos told reporters after his meeting Tuesday with Karoyan that "Turkey's intransigence must be tackled on a European Union level as well. EU admonitions are not enough, a policy which will make Turkey feel pressure is needed."

On his part, Karatzaferis said his party "placed confidence in Cyprus's leadership and states that it will be standing by this course towards the island republic's reunification."

[07] Education minister on reforms

Education minister Evripides Stylianidis, replying to press questions after the meeting if he feared unrest in the education sector due to the government's planned reforms, said that the State had done its duty, and that the educational reform created the institutional tools that consolidate the autonomy of the AEI (higher education institutions).

"Now, every side must assume its share of the responsibility," he said, adding that "the rectors, the academic community, the students' movement and groups must assume their responsibilities so that the Greek public university will win the battle of democracy and functionality".

[08] Papandreou tables question on OTE for PM

PASOK's leader underlined that the government is selling out OTE and handing over the organization's management to a foreign, essentially state-run, telecommunications company, without explaining the reasons for such a decision and the likely benefits for OTE, consumers and the Greek economy.

Specifically, Papandreou asked the prime minister why the government has followed underground procedures for handing over OTE's management to Deutsche Telekom, thereby abolishing state control and undermining public interest through the imminent deal.

Papandreou's concerns were echoed by the head of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) Parliamentary group, Alekos Alavanos, who also tabled a question for the prime minister on similar lines.

Alavanos stressed that SYRIZA opposed the selling off of public enterprises, such as OTE and Greece's major ports, by the ruling New Democracy government and questioned the wisdom of placing key tools for government intervention in the hands of foreign interests at a time when the world was entering a global financial crisis.

A question for the prime minister was also tabled by the head of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party George Karatzaferis, who called for a revision of government policy for the health sector, stressing what he called major deficiencies on all levels.

[09] PASOK: Government's air pollution plan a PR gimmick

Party officials accused environment ministry services of displaying "inertia and dullness" and charged a lack of coordination within the government as a whole, repeating a proposal for an independent environment ministry, separated from the public works portfolio.

As examples of this lack of coordination they cited the idea of changing vehicle road tax system without prior consultation with the finance ministry and the announcement of measures for central heating systems on the same day that a development ministry bill on energy efficiency in buildings was being discussed in Parliament.

They also dismissed many of the measures announced to limit air pollution as "wishful thinking" and a "PR gimmick".

Among such they listed the idea of renewing Greece's fleet of vehicles, again without having discussed the necessary financial incentives with the other ministries involved, talking about imposing municipal road tolls when local authorities were still unable to settle more straightforward issues like public transport, cycle paths and pedestrian roads.

On the measures for industry, finally, they said that these "had to be answered by specific administrative acts after the warning letter for failure to implement the EU's IPPC directive for pollution prevention and control.

[10] PASOK leader Papandreou meets wildfire victims delegation

"The criminal abandonment of the wildfire stricken in Ilia by the New Democracy party government reveals, firstly, its harsh and clientele image, which has neither the will nor a plan to help the wildfire stricken, whom it is deceiving, and, secondly, its cold indifference towards the problems of the Greek people," he said after the meeting.

Papandreou said that despite the fact that nine months have passed since the period of the disastrous wildfires "the victims of the wildfire are continuing to stay in containers. On the other hand, we saw photographs published with the country houses of arbitrariness, which are sprouting now in the heart of Parnitha."

The PASOK leader added that the delegation conveyed to him the "desperation of the inhabitants" and "described to him their dramatic situation: Farmers without produce, farmers without an income, stockbreeders without food for the animals, young people who are leaving their villages, burnt forests, without any substantive protection."

Papandreou spoke of "peculiar movements of huge amounts at the Emergency Handling Fund, instead of wildfire victims having been supported" and stressed that these movements "create many and serious questions" to which the government must reply "with clear and specific answers."

[11] PASOK on the university faculty elections

"The statements made by the minister of education, who referred to the necessity of a major shock in public education through non-public universities, and fears expressed by the university rectors concerning the imminent faculty elections, followed by student and trade union statements toward this direction, remind of war communiqu�s," Diamantopoulou, a former EU commissioner, stated.

[12] PASOK Political Council to convene Wednesday

[13] KKE leader tables question in Parliament on NATO

Papariga referred to the briefing of departments of the University on the possibility of practical exercising for its students at NATO's headquarters in Brussels. She termed "unacceptable" the involvement of universities in the ideological and military objectives of NATO and stressed that "the government must assume its responsibilities."

[14] SYRIZA leader holds talks with wildfires coordinating body

Speaking after the meeting, Alavanos said that "unfortunately, Ilia and other parts of Greece are in the flames today and they are flames that are not creating the sensitivity and the support of people. They are flames of indifference, flames of incompetence and flames of an extreme partisanship by the New Democracy party government, which did not utilise at least the possibility of a different course existing after the disaster that took place."

Alavanos added that what is necessary is different planning, the activation of all the forces of the state apparatus and funding to enable infrastructure projects to be carried out.

He also termed a "terrible failure" of the government the fact that while the Destruction Restoration Fund exists, that amounts to 170 million euros, "at the same time terms presented to those experiencing damage are such that this money cannot be utilized."

Alavanos announced that SYRIZA will be taking an initiative and will be tabling a draft law in Parliament on tackling the situation in Ilia, calling on the main opposition PASOK party and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) to jointly sign it.

[15] Synaspismos's Political Secretariat convenes

The Political Secretariat discussed economic issues and decided on the staffing of the Substantiation Policy Committee.

Regarding OTE and the ports, the party said its aim "is the taking back by the public sector the strategically important businesses and the acquisition of at least 51% of their operation with a new developmental and social plan under labor and social control, beyond party, clientele expediencies and the influence of private interests."

[16] European foreign ministers meet in Paris

The issue of Lebanon was expected to be discussed at the "informal working dinner" on Tuesday night, attended by eleven European foreign ministers, invited by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, in light of the French EU presidency starting on July 1.

Attending the dinner is also Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Regarding the issue of Lebanon, at a press conference that preceded the dinner, the French foreign minister said that although he has received a mandate by President Nicolas Sarkozy to start anew a tour and visit all the protagonists, nevertheless, he will wait so as not to obstruct the efforts of the Arab League.

He said that on Monday he took part in a "gigantic telephone communications" between the foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Lebanon and members of the Arab League.

[17] Gov't on alleged attacks against FYROM drivers

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros made the statement in response to press questions at his regular briefing in Athens, where a significant portion of the queries on Tuesday involved an ongoing truckers' and tanker truck owners' strike throughout the country.

A bevy of reports, all by media outlets based in FYROM, reported the incidents over the past few days, adding fuel to continuing anti-Greek rhetoric by some quarters in the land-locked country after its NATO membership was blocked by Athens in early April.

[18] Government repeats support for Souflias

Responding to a question about a claim by the Markopoulos town planning department that a building permit obtained by Souflias was in violation of town planning regulations, the spokesman said the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry had already provided a reply concerning this issue on Monday evening.

He did not specify whether the government agreed with a counter-claim by Souflias that the specific town planning department was "prejudiced" against him.

Asked whether the government considered Souflias "infallible", Antonaros said that the charges against the minister, given his principles and integrity, were without basis. When another reporter pointed out that similar accusations against Souflias had also been made by European Commissioner for the environment Stavros Dimas, he said that this was "old news and reheated food, which has no taste after so many days".

[19] Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens, visits Archbishop Ieronymos

The Patriarch is due to visit the city of Larisa in central Greece to attend celebrations for St Achilleios on Wednesday, while his visit to Greece is expected to end on Saturday.

In a speech during the dinner, Bartholomew referred to the Greek Archbishop's visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fanar, Istanbul just days before and praised Ieronymos highly, describing him as a "good shepherd, an honest servant of the Church, a brilliant theologian, a distinguished scientist, a man of open horizons, contemporary concerns and great visions."

Stressing that they had known each other for decades, the Patriarch also expressed conviction that relations between the Church of Greece and all the other Orthodox Churches would be greatly enhanced while Ieronymos was archbishop.

Replying, Archbishop Ieronymos stressed the need to make use of the bonds and ties between the Churches in order to "live in the unity of faith and communion with the Holy Spirit" and stressed the need to join in "redefining" the role of the Church to make it relevant to the needs and demands of the present day.

During Ieronymos' visit to Istanbul, the two Church leaders appeared to achieve much higher levels of agreement on issues that had seriously strained relations between the two Churches in the past, such as a spat in 2004 under the late archbishop Christodoulos concerning a bid by Fanar to establish greater control over the administration of the so-called 'New Lands' dioceses in northern Greece.

Ecumenical Patriarch arrives

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos arrived in Athens on Tuesday, with a Turkish airlines flight to the Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport, where he was greeted by deputy foreign minister Theodoros Kassimis.

On Tuesday, the Ecumenical Patriarch will visit the 100th Battle Wing, and then on to Larissa to attend celebrations of the feast of Aghios Achilleios.

The Ecumenical Patriarch will receive the Award for Public Service "as the First Primate and Spiritual Leader of the world-wide Orthodox Church, which has more than 3 million devout followers around the globe", in recognition of "his commitments to the environment, to international peace and human rights, and to eradicating racism", according to a Wilson Center announcement

The Center stressed that Bartholomew "currently serves as the patron of a series of environmental symposia that began in 1995, which, along with his efforts to place the strength of the Patriarchate behind environmentalism, has earned him the reputation as 'The Green Patriarch'," and noting that he has received the highest honors from the presidents of Lebanon, Romania, Greece, Estonia, and Hungary" and was awarded the Sophie Prize of Norway, the Award of the Binding Institute of Liechtenstein, and the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress.

"In an act of compassion and philanthropy, he donated the monies from these awards to aid children in Africa and help alleviate the effects of poverty," the Center announcement continued.

During the same ceremony, the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship will be given posthumously to the late businessman George Paraskevaides, in recognition of his "distinguished business career and service to his fellow Cypriots".

[20] Statue of Patriarch Constantine VI unveiled

During the unveiling ceremony, Vartholomeos hailed the work of Patriarch Constantine VI who was elected in 1924, "two years after the Asia Minor disaster, that is, in times difficult for Hellenism".

A dinner was hosted in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Nea Filadelfia.

[21] Minister visits Air Force aircraft unit at Elefsina

During the visit, he also repeated the government's intention to improve the heliport at Elefsina in order to make it safer for crews to approach, saying that a team of experts would be visiting all heliports in the country to begin the process of upgrading these.

The minister was briefed on the activities carried out at the 112th combat wing, which is in charge of fire-fighting aircraft, C-130 transport planes and 'Super Puma' rescue helicopters. He also observed an exercise in fire fighting from the air and an exercise simulating a search and rescue operation where a 'Super Puma' helicopter hovered above the runway and sent down crew members to pick up a patient from the ground.

Financial News

[22] Alogoskoufis promotes Greek business presence in SE Europe

Alogoskoufis added that some 4,000 Greek enterprises, representing 15 billion euros in investments, have been active outside the country's borders in SE Europe.

[23] Greek exports to African countries are on the rise

The figures were presented by Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) President Konstantinos Michalos, addressing the "Africa Day" Conference in Athens which aims at highlighting the possibilities and opportunities for cooperation for the economic and social development of the countries of Africa.

Most of the Greek investments on the African continent are in the financial, shipping and food sectors, while investment opportunities are available in the sectors of agriculture, timber industry, fishery, fish farming and energy.

The importance of the EU-Africa partnership relation in the sector of infrastructures was also underlined as well as the efforts that need to be made to consolidate peace and security in Africa.

[24] Ferry services affected by truckers strike

Among these the car ferry "Ierapetra" that remains stranded in the port of Piraeus since Monday evening, when it was scheduled to set sail for the islands of Milos, Thera, Agios Nikolaos, the Cretan city of Sitia, Kassos, Karpathos, Diafani, Halki and Rhodes.

Also stranded in Piraeus is the car and passenger ferry "Anthi Marina" that is due to set sail at 17:00 on Tuesday evening for Patmos, Leros, Kos and Rhodes, and the car and passenger ferry "Milena" that is due to depart at 22:00 for Paros, Naxos, Agios Kyrikas, Fourni, Karlovassi and Vathy.

In Kavala, the passenger/car ferry "Panagia Soumela" did not depart for Limnos and Lesvos on Monday evening, as scheduled, while a planned trip by the "Skiathos Express" leaving from Volos for the islands of Skiathos, Glossa, Skopelos and Alonissos was also cancelled.

The strike by the owners of public-use trucks, including tanker trucks carrying fuel, has now entered its ninth day and is having widespread repercussions on Greek markets everywhere, leading to shortages of fuel but also other goods. The key demand being made by truck owners, who operate on the basis of a license given by the government that then control their haulage rates, is a 13 percent increase in their rates, as opposed to 5 percent offered by the government. In addition, they want to be allowed to use national highways at weekends and have demands related to their social insurance contributions and pensions.

[25] Inquiry into cancelled ferry journeys

The inquiry for the ships "Skiathos Express", "Daliana", "Anthi Marina", "Milena" and "Ierapetra" will be handled by the central harbour master at Piraeus, who has called the skippers and engineers of the specific ships to testify, as well as representatives of the shipping firms that own them.

The investigation is expected to wrap up before the end of this week.

[26] Dimitris Daskalopoulos re-elected SEB president

Evripidis Evlogimenos, Nikos Karamouzis, Haris Kyriazis, Thanassis Lavidas, Vassilis Spiliopoulos and Theodoros Fessas will be vice presidents in the new board.

[27] Court rules against union request for delay in OTE deal

The union, OME-OTE, requested a two-day injunction, ahead of a court hearing on June 2, in order to demand more information from OTE and the government over the pending agreement, expected to be unveiled this week.

[28] Santorini favored by readers of Spanish cruise magazine

Readers of the Spanish magazine "Cruceros y Destinos", which specializes in cruise holiday reporting and coverage, have voted the island of Santorini as the best cruise destination in the Mediterranean.

The head of the Greek National Tourism Organization's (GNTO) office in Madrid, Dora Makri, received the award on Monday from the magazine's director, Feliz Gonzalez.

St. Petersburg, Russia was voted as the best destination in northern Europe, while the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten as the best destination in the Caribbean.

[29] Intracom Telecom signs 40-mln-euro contract in Syria

The project will use Tetra technology, by Italian company Selex Spa, and it is expected to be completed in 22 months.

[30] Intralot wins tender for Ohio lottery

Under the contract, Intralot will supply 8,800 new terminals and 2,000 self-service terminals.

[31] Greek industrial import price index up 7.9 pct in March

The statistics service said the 7.9 pct increase in the index reflected a 2.3 pct rise in import prices from Eurozone states and a 16.2 pct jump in import prices from other countries.

The energy goods price index jumped 28.5 pct in March, the intermediate goods index was up 2.8 pct, the durable consumer price index rose 1.5 pct and capital goods index was up 1.3 pct.

[32] Greek stocks jump 1.59 pct on Tues.

Most sectors moved higher with the Food/Beverage (2.38 pct), Banks (2.28 pct) and Oil (1.86 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Utilities (1.29 pct), Chemicals (0.75 pct) and Constructions (0.50 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index jumped 1.73 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.41 pct higher and the FTSE 80 index eased 0.05 pct. United Textiles (10.0 pct), Klonatex (9.52 pct0 and Lykos (6.47 pct) were top gainers, while Elbisco (9.20 pct), Kyriakoulis (9.17 pct) and Ideal (8.81 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 119 to 114 with another 52 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.18%

Industrials: +0.99%

Commercial: -0.46%

Construction: -0.50%

Media: +0.50%

Oil & Gas: +1.86%

Personal & Household: +0.34%

Raw Materials: -0.14%

Travel & Leisure: +1.50%

Technology: +0.69%

Telecoms: +0.78%

Banks: +2.28%

Food & Beverages: +2.38%

Health: +0.49%

Utilities: -1.29%

Chemicals: -0.75%

Financial Services: +0.31%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank , OTE, Alapis and OPAP.

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

Alpha Bank: 22.36

ATEbank: 2.71

Public Power Corp (PPC): 26.42

HBC Coca Cola: 28.92

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.16

National Bank of Greece: 35.68

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 19.26

Intralot: 11.86

OPAP: 25.20

OTE: 20.60

Piraeus Bank: 22.40

Bank of Cyprus: 9.04

Marfin Popular Bank: 5.96

[33] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 9,093 contracts worth 99.826 million euros, with 30,612 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 104 contracts worth 2.605 million euros, with 260 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 15,534 contracts worth 37.227 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Hellenic Telecoms' contracts (5,283), followed by Eurobank (713), Marfin Investment Group (565), National Bank (563), Intracom (1,141), Marfin Popular Bank (2,141), Mytilineos (726) and ATEbank (1,107).

[34] Greek bond market closing report

In the interbank market, interest rates moved higher. The 12-month Euribor rose to 4.95 pct from 4.94 pct on Monday, the six-month rate was 4.87 pct, the three-month rate 4.85 pct and the one-month rate 4.38 pct from 4.30 pct.

[35] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.559

Pound sterling 0.800

Danish kroner 7.522

Swedish kroner 9.368

Japanese yen 162.0

Swiss franc 1.635

Norwegian kroner 7.908

Canadian dollar 1.568

Australian dollar 1.653

General News

[36] Culture ministry to hire 900 seasonal staff via ASEP

The move partially satisfies demands made by guards at Greek archaeological sites, who have threatened to go on strike on May 18 unless more permanent staff are taken on.

[37] Botsis journalism awards bestowed

The honored professionals included TV investigative reporter Sotiris Danezis for his reports on international conflicts, mostly aired in the programme "War Zone"; correspondent Michalis Ignatiou, for his reports from the United States regarding Greek national issues; George Melikis for his research into traditional Greek culture; Fotini Nassou for her coverage of last summer's devastating wildfires in the Peloponnese, and Andreas Roumeliotis for his satiric writing.

The Foundation also awarded a special honorary distinction to veteran left-wing politician and celebrated WWII resistance fighter Manolis Glezos.

The honour was bestowed by Papoulias.

[38] Thousands of English words have Greek origin

A news report in the Brisbane newspaper The Courier Mail refers to the considerable number of English words with a Greek root.

According to Oxford Dictionary, a total of 11,555 words have a Greek origin, pointing out that although several of them are no longer in use, a still a significant number of words that originate from the ancient Greek are included in the English language after making their way into the English vocabulary through Latin and French.

The news report analyzes the characteristics of English words that prove their Greek origin by using relative examples.

[39] Foreign national arrested for series of thefts

The man was arrested by the Southeast Attica police on Monday morning and is alleged to have burgled banks and businesses, either by tunneling through from adjacent buildings or by forcing open their doors and windows, after first disabling their alarm systems.

He was caught in the act inside the store room of a Glyfada supermarket from which he had earlier stolen 1,300 euros.

Police are charging him as a suspected in the robberies of two branches of a well-known cosmetics chain, a mobile phone shop in Pallini, the unsuccessful burglary of a bank in Patras where he was unable to break into the vault and an electronic goods shop in Glyfada.

In his possession, police found many stolen goods and burglary tools, a 200 volt electric prod and a BMW-5 car.

The arrested man was taken before a public prosecutor on Tuesday to be charged, while police are still investigating his possible involvement in other offences.

Sports

[40] Gov't on latest instance of doping

Alternate spokesman Evangelos Antonaros also said that the very few instances of proved doping should not sully the efforts of all Greek athletes and those active in sports.

The well-known Greek athlete, whose name was not officially announced, had a urine sample test positive. The sample, according to reports and the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), was taken on March 6, 2008, and initially found negative.

Following a request by an Athens prosecutor for a second testing, amid the ongoing probe into a doping scandal involving the national weightlifting team, the same sample was tested on April 1, and particularly in order to detect the banned steroid Methyltrienolone (MT).

The testing was ordered by Greece's National Council for Combating Doping (ESKAN) and conducted at the OAKA laboratory facility.

Weather forecast

[41] Cloud, scattered showers on Wednesday

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