Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece sends a message of power, PM Samaras says

[02] PM Samaras, Cyprus President Anastasiades discuss Turkish provocations in Cyprus' EEZ

[03] FM Venizelos talks by phone with Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades and FM Ioannis Kasoulides

[04] Parliament's regular plenary session starts, vote of confidence proposal submitted

[05] It will be a good year for Greece, PM Samaras says

[06] PM Samaras' proposal for vote of confidence submitted to parliament

[07] The vote of confidence will not stop the government's progressive decay, SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman says

[08] SYRIZA again urges gov't to seek 'vote of confidence from electorate'

[09] Gov't spokeswoman slams Tsipras statement on vote of confidence

[10] Government spokeswoman criticises SYRIZA for trying to misinform the public

[11] DIMAR decides not to give vote of confidence to government

[12] No agreement reached between Development ministry and troika officials

[13] Venizelos to address Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs conference; meeting with U.S. Congress delegation

[14] Deputy FM Kourkoulas meets with a U.S. House of Representatives delegation

[15] German ministry of labour on the contacts between Asmussen and Greek political party officials

[16] Bulgarian President Plevneliev visits Thessaloniki

[17] Bulgarian president praises Greek PM's work

[18] Education Minister tables draft law on research, technological development and innovation

[19] Administrative Reform min completes establishment of European interoperability platform

[20] SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman Dritsas on the Hellenic Shipyards case

[21] Gov't to hire successful civil service exam candidates, ministry announces

[22] Greece's top court: Candidates to military schools need to have Greek citizenship, not descent

[23] Greek economy to grow by 2.9 pct in 2015, draft budget

[24] KKE on the draft state budget

[25] Development Minister Dendias says OECD to prepare a real estate 'road map' for Greece

[26] Dep. development minister says Greece can attract investments from abroad in real estate

[27] Employee 'perks' to count as taxable income in 2015, finance ministry circular announces

[28] HRADF investments in property correspond to 10 bln euros, Prodexpo told

[29] More than half of Greeks see green enterprise as solution for growth, survey finds

[30] Citizens and businesses have exhausted their tax paying capacity, head of Chambers association says

[31] Spanish investments in Greece in 1993-2013 came to 2.93 bln euros, Spanish authorities reports

[32] National Pangaea to invest 1.5 bln euros

[33] Greek stocks end significantly lower

[34] Greek bond market closing report

[35] ADEX closing report

[36] Foreign exchange rates - Monday

[37] Truck driver responsible for car crash on Egnatia highway sent to prosecutor

[38] Driver, foreman charged over Egnatia pile-up given extensions to prepare testimony

[39] Health ministry leadership extends condolences to the victims' families; praises health personnel for its response

[40] Infant and toddler injured in car crash out of danger

[41] Migrant smuggling gang members arrested in Corfu and Athens

[42] Two Russians arrested for performing parkour on the Acropolis archaeological site

[43] Migrant trafficking ring busted on Crete

[44] Rainy weather on Tuesday

[45] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Greece sends a message of power, PM Samaras says

The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and the government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Samaras underlined that the government once again proves that it has the will and the power to safely lead the country to the post-crisis era, "in the name of a responsible national mission".

"The money people paid has been put to good use," he said. "The building of this ultra-modern weapons system took place in Greek shipyards, by Greek hands," Samaras added.

"It's unimaginable for a marine superpower like our country not to have the equivalent shipbuilding infrastructure it already has."

Commenting on the launch of the submarine, he stressed that after 12 years, the Greek people's money has brought results. He noted that a lot of people and a lot of governments had worked in order to achieve the launch of "Pipinos" on Monday.

On his part, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos stressed that the entire handling of the submarines' case shows the importance of political agreement on national issues.

This result, he added, showed that maintaining our capacity in infrastructure and human resources should be a central pillar of our defence and development policy in the future.

"Adding the submarines to our fleet strengthens the important geopolitical role of our country in the service of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean," Avramopoulos said, adding the navy will soon acquire three more submarines.

[02] PM Samaras, Cyprus President Anastasiades discuss Turkish provocations in Cyprus' EEZ

Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides announced that the discussion focused on the Turkish provocations within Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), noting that they talked in the light of developments in the region and the relevant announcements by the Turkish foreign ministry.

President Anastasiades and Samaras discussed further steps and measures, in coordination between the two governments, Christodoulides said.

On Friday, Turkey issued a directive to seafarers (NAVTEX) designating certain areas within Cyprus' EEZ as reserved. In turn, Nicosia has warned of serious repercussions in the Cyprus talks in case Turkish provocations within Cyprus' EEZ continue and the companies active in the region are harassed.

[03] FM Venizelos talks by phone with Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades and FM Ioannis Kasoulides

The issue of their phone contact was the further coordination of the moves of Greece and Cyprus regarding the new Turkish provocations in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, the announcement noted.

[04] Parliament's regular plenary session starts, vote of confidence proposal submitted

It is one of the most critical Sessions of the current parliamentary term, with the procedure for the election of the new President of the Republic starting in 2015.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' proposal for a vote of confidence to the government was submitted to the office of the president of parliament Evangelos Meimarakis, even before the blessing ceremony.

Under the Constitution and the standing orders of the parliament, the debate on the vote of confidence starts on Wednesday so as to be concluded on Friday midnight with the actual voting process.

The proposal is signed by the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Meimarakis announced the submission of the proposal after the blessing ceremony and told parliamentarians that the Plenary would convene on Tuesday to elect Secretaries and Deans.

[05] It will be a good year for Greece, PM Samaras says

Samaras' proposal for a vote of confidence to the government was submitted earlier in the day to the office of the president of parliament Evangelos Meimarakis.

[06] PM Samaras' proposal for vote of confidence submitted to parliament

[07] The vote of confidence will not stop the government's progressive decay, SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman says

"A government so distant from the society cannot be a stable one," he said.

Asked on whether the result of the procedure of confidence vote is predetermined, he said that a widely shared belief in the Greek society is that this move on the part of the government is simply trying to restore the cohesion of the government and the two governing parties. "Therefore, it is not a movement of prospect, from which the Greek people can have any expectations," he said.

The full interview is available for subscribers at the ANA-MPA website.

[08] SYRIZA again urges gov't to seek 'vote of confidence from electorate'

"It is the people that finally give the vote of confidence and the government will not avoid this evaluation; the true evaluation by the people and not the evaluation that it supposedly wants to carry out on public-sector employees in order to push people into unemployment," he said while speaking on the private television channel Star.

According to Skourletis, the 'road map leading out of the memorandums' cited by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, in reality only led "deeply and permanently, to an extended austerity, an established memorandum regime for Greece in the coming decades."

With respect to the draft budget unveiled on Monday, he predicted that this would be tabled and in all likelihood passed but not be implemented by the present government. "It will be a fake budget, which will give Samaras the room to say whatever he likes, promise very many things but never be called to account for them. There is an expiry date for this government and that is the start of the process for electing the president of the Republic," Skourletis said.

According to the party's economic sector, meanwhile, the draft budget for 2015 actually increased the tax burden on low and middle incomes in comparison with that of 2014, with the tax cuts announced having minimal impact.

"At the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Samaras handed out glass beads and mirrors to the natives but the truth was soon revealed," an announcement said.

It pointed to the conversion of the Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax (ENFIA) into a permanent levy that overtaxed small and middle-sized property while retaining the revenue targets intact, the transformation of the 'emergency' Solidarity Contribution also into a permanent tax, continued excessive taxation on heating oil that the marginal reductions did little to alleviate, and increased indirect taxation (VAT), which had a higher proportional impact on low incomes.

[09] Gov't spokeswoman slams Tsipras statement on vote of confidence

"What he said, namely that 'a vote of confidence is given by the people,' disputes the principle of the Parliamentary majority. How does SYRIZA sit in an 'delegitimised Parliament' as he calls it?" Voultepsi said on SKAI television.

The spokeswoman stressed that the vote of confidence sought by the government "is a reply to the irresponsibility of SYRIZA and Tsipras personally, who are leading the country to election speculation." She also stressed that SYRIZA would have no reason to exist once the memorandums were over and that the government was negotiating with its EU partners on everything.

"I don't know if SYRIZA has found a machine that makes money. When your financing depends on someone, you naturally negotiate with them and there is no need to fill people's heads with fairy-tales, to say 'we will go it alone, strike the knife with our fist and the knife will break,'" she said.

She also noted that SYRIZA politicians were making contradictory statements concerning the handling of the debt: "There are sections of SYRIZA that steadfastly support unilateral actions to relieve the debt, while others point out that unilateral actions are not part of the main opposition's strategy. Mr. Tsipras in his speech on Sunday showed that he is falling in with the Lafazanis' line."

[10] Government spokeswoman criticises SYRIZA for trying to misinform the public

"SYRIZA claims there will be a tax raid in 2015. Where did they see it? The increase in revenues derives from the process of returning the economy to economic growth. Therefore, it (the budget) foresees an increase in revenues, without any additional tax burdens on the people," Voultepsi said.

"Unfortunately for SYRIZA, when the truth is not convenient, then all the worse for the truth," she said, adding the party's predictions keep proving wrong.

Voultepsi said in 2014 the country will achieve, for a second year running, a high primary surplus, a positive growth rate, having also returned to the international capital markets for its mid- and long-term borrowing.

[11] DIMAR decides not to give vote of confidence to government

DIMAR's parliamentary group decided not to offer vote of confidence to the government following its leader Fotis Kouvelis' recommendation, according to a party announcement.

[12] No agreement reached between Development ministry and troika officials

"There was no point of disagreement but there was no agreement either," the official said, adding that the two sides will not reach an agreement by Tuesday, when the troika leaves the country, but meetings will continue between technical teams.

During the meeting, troika officials requested more guarantees and checks on settling non-performing loans for big debtors - those owing dozens of millions - the same official said.

The ministry believes these guarantees can be easily provided, but it is not known when the government will be able to provide troika officials with details on the fiscal impact of the measures to complete the agreement.

"Since we have not closed related negotiated issues on non-performing loans it is not possible to close just this issue," the same official said.

[13] Venizelos to address Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs conference; meeting with U.S. Congress delegation

Afterward, he will meet at the foreign ministry with a U.S. Congress delegation comprising Gus Bilirakis (R-Fl), Michele Bachmann (R-Minn), Jack Kingston (R-Ga), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY).

[14] Deputy FM Kourkoulas meets with a U.S. House of Representatives delegation

During the meeting, the excellent level of bilateral relations was ascertained, and the members of the House of Representatives expressed their appreciation of Greece's efforts toward a definitive exit from the crisis and of the country's contribution to stability in the Balkans and the greater region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Special mention was made of the active role played by the Greek-American community as a bridge of friendship and an important tool in deepening cooperation between the two countries.

[15] German ministry of labour on the contacts between Asmussen and Greek political party officials

The information that German Deputy Labour Minister and former ECB executive board member Joerg Asmussen met recently with political officials from Greece was confirmed on Monday by ministry spokesman Christian Westhoff. The spokesman was responding to a question on likely contacts between the German government and SYRIZA, with Asmussen acting as liaison.

He clarified, however, that he is not aware whether it was a SYRIZA delegation and pointed out that Asmussen did not participate in the meeting in his formal capacity.

German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said that the German mission in Athens meets its duties, that include talks with the Greek government and other contacts, noting that - without having specific knowledge or being able to confirm it - in these contacts belong relations with other political parties in Greece which are currently in the opposition. This is totally normal and self-explanatory, he said, adding that is the practice in many other countries as well.

[16] Bulgarian President Plevneliev visits Thessaloniki

President Plevneliev laid a wreath at the relics of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria, kept at the museum, marking the 1,000th anniversary of his death. The relics were discovered in 1969 during excavations at Saint Achillios basilica in the Prespa Lakes region, northwest Greece.

The Bulgarian president expressed gratitude for the dignified way in which the relics are being kept and, responding to a question on whether Greece and Bulgaria have reached an agreement on the exchange of relics, he said that this is not a new idea. He underlined that a decision will be made after both countries consult experts on the issue.

On his part, Culture Minister Costas Tassoulas noted that "issues of mutual interest - because there are many Greek monuments, cultural treasures in Bulgaria - will be handled in the context of our good bilateral relations; the good bilateral relations of two European countries".

He said that they talked about the excavations in ancient Amphipolis and also about excavations carried out in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian president met with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Orfanos and Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris.

He was accompanied by former prime minister and ex-King of Bulgaria Simeon II Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, caretaker Culture Minister Martin Ivanov, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) president Stefan Vodenicharov and representatives of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Greece.

[17] Bulgarian president praises Greek PM's work

"The Greek prime minister has shown an exemplary behavior, he ignored the political cost and implemented the right reforms sparing the country from a nasty adventure," Plevneliev said during a lunch with Culture Minister Kostas Tasoulas and Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris, at the city's Byzantine Museum.

"I wish other leaders follow his example," Plevneliev added.

Earlier, President Plevneliev laid a wreath at the relics of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria, kept at the museum, marking the 1,000th anniversary of his death.

[18] Education Minister tables draft law on research, technological development and innovation

The bill establishes a new framework for the areas of research, technological development and innovation as well as a framework for the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. Among others, it provides for the drafting of a National Strategy for Research, Technology and Innovation, under the supervision of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology. As for the National Strategy for Research and Technology Innovation, there will be an Action Plan that will be submitted as a law to Parliament and this Plan will be updated every seven years.

[19] Administrative Reform min completes establishment of European interoperability platform

The European interoperability hub has been developed within the European project ?Secure identity across borders linked 2.0? (STORK 2.0) for electronic identification.

The interface between suppliers of electronic services and the new hub will allow the electronic identification without requiring the users' physical presence for the obtainment of passwords.

In this way, the ministry pointed, an important step is taken for the creation, for the first time, of a single mode of access to electronic services provided by public as well as private entities. People will be gradually relieved of the obligation to go to public services - and private ones- in order to identify themselves and get an access account for each separate online service, provided they have already done so in the past.

[20] SYRIZA parliamentary spokesman Dritsas on the Hellenic Shipyards case

He said that SYRIZA welcomes the progress made, adding that his party is looking forward to the quick and successful completion of the trials at sea before the submarine becomes part of the Greek Navy fleet.

Dritsas said that the prime minister gave political backing indiscriminately to all those who are responsible for the Skaramangas shipyards scandal and, in essence, announced his intention to put a lid on the ongoing investigation. Dritsas underlined that the case of the Hellenic Shipyards scandal remains open for SYRIZA.

[21] Gov't to hire successful civil service exam candidates, ministry announces

Specifically, the ministry said that public-sector hiring process for 2014 will begin with the procedure for hiring 773 individuals with higher education qualifications that had passed the ASEP exam.

With the publication of the relevant ASEP proclamation, all those whose names were included in final charts of those eligible for appointment published in the government gazette after January 1, 2009 can now apply to fill 705 permanent positions for university graduates, 68 positions for Technical Educational Institute graduates.

[22] Greece's top court: Candidates to military schools need to have Greek citizenship, not descent

The Council of State, interpreting Article 4 of the Constitution on the equality of citizens ruled that the legislation that requires "as a qualification for access to public institutions the Greek origin as well as Greek citizenship" is contrary to the aforementioned article 4.

The judges said article 4 "guarantees the equal access of all Greeks to public institutions: and doesn't allow discrimination of citizens based on national descent.

Financial News

[23] Greek economy to grow by 2.9 pct in 2015, draft budget

"We submit for discussion to the Parliament's Permanent Economics Commission the 2015 draft budget, a process which will be held in an environment of stabilizing the country's public finances and restoring its international position and credibility. We achieve our fiscal goals -for the third successive year- we implement structural changes, chronic interior and external imbalances are eliminated, economic competitiveness is improving, a bank recapitalization program is completed, the country is gradually returning to capital markets and enterprises gain access to capital on better terms. We create the preconditions for a long-term sustainable growth of the Greek economy," Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said.

The draft budget envisages:

1- The country will return to economic growth rates this year after six years of recession, with the Gross Domestic Product expected to grow by 0.6 pct, from -3.9 pct in 2013. This estimate is based on evidence of a stabilization in private consumption, a recovery in investments and strengthening of exports. "The next two quarter the country is estimated to have positive growth rates," Staikouras said.

2- The unemployment rate will ease, although slightly, with the balance of wage employment flow in the private sector remaining positive. The country's average unemployment rate is estimated to be around 27 pct of the workforce.

3- Fiscal goals are achieved for the third successive year. A primary surplus is expected to reach 3.6 billion euros in 2014, or 2.0 pct of GDP, significantly higher from a target of 1.5 pct of GDP and from 0.8 pct of GDP in 2013. This goal will be achieved despite higher social spending, such as a payment of a social dividend (525 mln euros), restoring salaries and pensions of certain categories of workers, a reduction in a special consumption tax on heating oil and a cut in social contributions. This figure does not include the transfer of state bond yield holdings by European central banks, nor the money from a Securities Market Programme of the European Central Bank. If these figures were included, the primary surplus could reach 6.1 billion euros, or 3.3 pct of GDP.

4- The general government deficit is projected to fall to 0.8 pct of GDP, from 1.9 pct in 2013 and 5.8 pct in 2012.

5- The public debt stabilizes. It is expected to fall to 318.6 billion euros, or 175 pct of GDP, almost unchanged from 2013, while interest spending continues falling to 5.7 billion euros, helped by a significant decline in the interest rates of Treasury bills. Interest spending will fall by 53 pct compared with 2012 and by 65 pct compared with 2011 to 3.1 pct of GDP, from 6.3 pct in 2012 and 7.8 pct in 2011.

Regular budget net revenue, after tax returns, is expected to reach 49.7 billion euros this year, down 1.0 billion euros compared with a goal set in the medium-term program. Regular budget primary spending is expected to reach 42.5 billion euros, down 128 million euros from a medium-term program goal and down by 1.7 billion euros compared with 2013.

Public Investment Programe's payments will total 6.8 billion euros, of which 6.1 billion euros will be distributed to co-funded projects.

Finally, in 2014 Greece will achieve a high primary surplus, for the second successive year, it will return to positive growth rates after six year of deep recession and has returned to international capital markets after four years.

The 2015 draft budget envisages a GDP growth rate of 2.9 pct, resulting from a recovery in private consumption and a strengthening of investments and exports, higher investments, repayment of overdue debt to the private sector, a further improvement in competitiveness and a strengthening of international confidence to the Greek economy. Liquidity conditions is expected to show a significant improvement, while positive impact is projected from an anticipated large increase in tourism in 2015. On the other hand, there were high and increased risks and uncertainties from abroad.

The unemployment rate, is expected to fall to 22.5 pct of the workforce in 2015, from 24.5 pct in 2014, based on national account figures, while employment is projected to rise by 2.6 pct.

The general government's primary surplus is projected to reach 5.4 billion euros, or 2.9 pct of GDP, helped by higher tax revenues, without any additional tax burdens on citizens.

The general government' budget will be balanced, with a fiscal deficit of 0.2 pct of GDP in 2015, from 0.8 pct in 2014 and 1.9 pct in 2013. The draft budget acknowledges there were uncertainties and risks, focusing on general government's agencies, social contribution revenues, pension spending and healthcare spending.

The general government's debt will reach 316 billion euros, or 168 pct of GDP next year, down by seven percentage points compared with 2014, reflecting the achievement of a significant primary surplus and an economic growth. Interest spending will totaled 5.9 billion euros, down 200 million euros from targets.

Net state budget revenue will reach 50.7 billion euros, up by 1.0 billion euros from 2014, while primary spending will reach 41.8 billion euros, up 380 million from targets. The Public Investment Program will totaled 6.4 billion euros.

"The country is entering a long period of sustainable growth rates and primary surpluses, which will raise employment, reduce unemployment and improve the living standards for all citizens," Staikouras said.

[24] KKE on the draft state budget

The KKE announcement noted that the draft budget took into consideration the new EU Economic Governance and the fiscal discipline regulations for each member state.

[25] Development Minister Dendias says OECD to prepare a real estate 'road map' for Greece

Dendias said that the OECD has been asked to prepare a comprehensive model for the exploitation of Greek real estate property over a period of more than 10 years, adding that "without a transparent and clear framework for real estate property the country cannot attract the investments it anticipates."

Referring to the efforts for a national cadastre, he said that a major effort to this end has been continuing for the past ten years, overcoming many mistakes and failures.

Dendias underlined that real estate is a major developmental tool for Greece, noting that the country's coastline equals the size of Africa's coastline and that the sector can support dozens of professions and activities.

[26] Dep. development minister says Greece can attract investments from abroad in real estate

"Greece is a country that can attract significant funds from abroad for investments in all kinds of property, gradually boosting demand in the domestic market," Mitarachi said during a conference for Growth and Property Development (PRODEXPO 2014), adding that revenues have so far reached 790 million euros.

The minister also said 519 citizens from countries outside the EU have acquired a permanent residence permit, taking advantage of a law that allows foreign nationals who want to buy property in Greece to stay in the country if the value of the property exceeds 250,000 euros.

The total value of their combined property is estimated at 200 million euros, he added.

Mitarachi said the tourism boom, which in 2014 is expected to be translated to 22.5 million tourists, provides an excellent opportunity for the country to take advantage of the momentum to attract buyers, especially in tourist areas.

According to data from Omniture Discover and the online real estate platform Realtor.com, Greece in August entered the top 10 in property searches in the United States.

[27] Employee 'perks' to count as taxable income in 2015, finance ministry circular announces

Savvaidou said that any benefit received by an employee or a family member are considered taxable income at their market value, provided the total amount of goods exceeds 300 euro per tax year.

With the exception of benefits linked to loans, stock options and provision of a residence - on which there is no restriction in terms of value - all other benefits in kind over the value of 300 euros a year will be considered income from salaried employment.

The types of benefits will include items bought on a company credit card that are not bought for the company's use, the cheaper or free utilities given to employees of utility companies and cable television firms, direct payments by the employer to third parties (such as school fees or the cost of seminars, magazine subscriptions, gym fees or medical expenses), as well as the lower fees charged by schools to staff children.

For company cars, the amount is calculated at 30 pct of the cost of depreciation, road tax, repair and maintenance costs and the cost of the lease or purchase as listed on the company's books. If this is nil, the amount is estimated at 30 pct of the average for the past three years.

[28] HRADF investments in property correspond to 10 bln euros, Prodexpo told

He emphasised a programme to securitise state-owned real estate, saying this was the first time that a transition was being attempted from exploiting individual properties to exploiting dossiers of properties, which aimed to raise investor interest through a combination of investment tools.

Kondylis reported that the HRADF privatisation programme had so far collected five billion euros, while the fund had help lift 100 regulatory and administrative obstacles in the last three years in order to speed up processes, completing 18 privatisations and with another 18 tenders now underway. In addition, a record of more than 80 properties had been created in the HRADF data base.

He said that HRADFA aims to secure revenues of 35-40 million euros on an annual basis for electronic tenders via www.e-publicrealestate.gr, that had so far raised 13 million euros, while state property abroad was expected to bring another 50 million euros.

[29] More than half of Greeks see green enterprise as solution for growth, survey finds

According to the survey, 56 pct sees green businesses as a means to growth, nearly seven in 10 (65.9 pct) consider it will provide a solution to youth unemployment and 62.8 pct would be prepared to pay more for something, if they knew it was environmentally friendly. More than half, or 55.4 pct, said they would agree or probably agree to protests against investments when these might prove harmful to the environment.

The survey was carried out ahead of the 7th Innovation and Growth Conference due to be held in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on October 10-11. The survey was based on a sample of 808 adults throughout Greece.

Other findings showed a preference for support policies but not subsidies for green economy businesses. Specifically, 56.8 pct were in favour of tax reductions, 41.1 pct supported easy loan access and lower-interest loans, 27.5 pct urged support through development loans and 23.9 pct called for support via National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funds. Only 9.9 pct voted in favour of subsidies to hire staff.

The overwhelming majority of those asked (83 pct) have not considered investing in green economy activities. Of those who have, 45.2 pct have considered investment in solar energy, 25 pct in recycling and 15.3 in alternative tourism.

[30] Citizens and businesses have exhausted their tax paying capacity, head of Chambers association says

"It is encouraging to see that the 2015 draft budget forecasts a return to growth, with 2.9 percent rate, after six years of recession. However, in order for this optimistic prediction to become a reality, it should be enhanced with major initiatives and changes in the applied policy mix," he said.

"Unfortunately, the draft budget does not provide for a reduction, even gradually, of the tax rates for businesses while for one more year the public investment programme spending is inadequate.

The draft budget predictions for increased revenues are also optimistic, as they are mainly based on direct and indirect taxation of persons and legal entities and the fight against tax evasion.

Taxpayers and businesses, however, have now exhausted their taxpaying capacity, while an effective solution to the gangrene of tax evasion has not been found yet.

The tax reliefs that the draft budget provides for regarding the reduction of the solidarity contribution and the special consumption tax on heating oil by 30 percent and the maintaining of the VAT on restaurants at 13 percent are of course an indication of the government's intentions.

The draft budget provision to promote an amendment for the repayment of arrears to the state in several installments is also important," he added.

[31] Spanish investments in Greece in 1993-2013 came to 2.93 bln euros, Spanish authorities reports

According to the Madrid bureau, this was due to the uncertainty caused by the debt crisis, while the "deep and extended recession of the Greek economy" was another factor discouraging investors.

In 2011 and 2012, almost all Spanish capital inflows into Greece were directed at the financial sector (80 pct and 96 pct, respectively), while in 2013 they were exclusively concentrated in the real estate market (100 pct). The main sectors for Spanish investments in that time in Greece were in cement manufacture (1.3 billion euros), energy (288.1 million euros) and the retail sector (96.5 million euros) based on figures released by the Spanish economy and competitiveness ministry.

[32] National Pangaea to invest 1.5 bln euros

National Pangaea's investment programme totaled 250 million euros in the last few years, with assets totaling 1.5 billion euros, listing the company among medium-sized enterprises in the sector in Europe. The company seeks to list its shares in the Athens Stock Exchange.

[33] Greek stocks end significantly lower

The Large Cap index fell 1.29 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 1.87 pct down. Eurobank Properties (2.17 pct), Ellaktor (1.95 pct) and GEK Terna (1.88 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Jumbo (3.88 pct), Titan (3.38 pct) and Terna Energy (3.27 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, Telecoms (1.44 pct), Real Estate (1.29 pct) and Chemicals (0.76 pct) were top gainers, while Personal Products (3.40 pct), Commerce (2.42 pct) and Financial Services (2.22 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 68 to 44 with another 20 issues unchanged. Altec (16 pct), ETEM (11.16 pct) and Nakas (9.94 pct) were top gainers, while Tzirakian Profil (20 pct), Medicon (19.66 pct) and AEGEK (18.75 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -1.52%

Insurance: -0.71%

Financial Services: -2.22%

Industrials: -1.52%

Retail: -2.42%

Real Estate: +1.29%

Personal & Household :-3.40%

Food & Beverages: -0.92%

Raw Materials: -0.13%

Construction: -1.26%

Oil: -1.29%

Chemicals: +0.76%

Mass Media: unchanged

Travel & Leisure: -2.63%

Technology: +0.27%

Telecoms: +1.44%

Utilities: -0.79%

Health: -1.01%

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

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.620

Public Power Corp (PPC): 8.86

Coca Cola HBC: 16.80

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.72

National Bank of Greece: 2.19

OPAP: 10.58

OTE: 10.55

Piraeus Bank: 1.27

Titan: 20.00

Eurobank Properties: 8.94

[34] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates moved lower. The 12-month rate eased to 0.334 pct from 0.335 pct, the nine-month rate rose to 0.251 pct from 0.249 pct, the six-month rate fell to 0.179 pct from 0.180 pct, the three-month rate eased to 0.079 pct from 0.081 pct and the one-month rate rose to 0.007 pct from 0.006 pct.

[35] ADEX closing report

[36] Foreign exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.2565

Pound sterling 0.78575

Danish kroner 7.4439

Swedish kroner 9.0773

Japanese yen 137.25

Swiss franc 1.212

Norwegian kroner 8.1575

Canadian dollar 1.4078

Australian dollar 1.4381

General News

[37] Truck driver responsible for car crash on Egnatia highway sent to prosecutor

The 39 year-old Romanian is charged with involuntarily serial manslaughter and is expected to be sent to a magistrate to give his testimony. The 42-year-old supervisor left in charge by the contractor carrying out the roadworks on Egnatia who is also facing charges in connection with transport offences will be also sent to the prosecutor.

The tragic accident occurred on the Egnatia Odos national motorway near the village of Messi, at the intersection between Veria and Kouloura, at 10:20 am on Sunday morning. It was caused when a truck with Romanian license plates crashed into a line of cars brought to a standstill by roadworks. According to police, the truck was loaded with 19 tonnes of freight.

Central Macedonia Fire Brigade commander Chyssanthos Athanassopoulos told ANA-MPA that more than 30 cars were involved in the collision, which happened on the Veria-Thessaloniki lane, among them three large trucks. The cars were smashed together into a single mass and some caught fire.

The response by emergency service was immediate, with authorities rushing to the scene to extricate people trapped in the wreckage. Four people pulled out dead at the site of the accident, including two Greek women aged 53, a 42-year-old Greek man and a Bulgarian national of unknown age. A fifth man who was seriously injured died on the operating table at a Thessaloniki hospital later the same day.

Thirty two people with injuries were taken to hospital, either in ambulances or in private cars. Latest informations said that two infants that were among the injured are out of danger.

The fire brigade commander also said that two vehicles, a private car and a truck, were destroyed by fire and charred remains were found in the private car.

Police arrested the 39-year-old driver of the truck that caused the accident, as well as the 42-year-old supervisor left in charge by the contractor carrying out the roadworks. Under questioning, the driver said that he had seen electronic signs warning motorists of the roadworks ahead, as well as two workers with flags, but that his brakes blocked and he was unable to reduce speed, especially since the road was downhill at that point.

[38] Driver, foreman charged over Egnatia pile-up given extensions to prepare testimony

The truck driver was given until Thursday to prepare his testimony on charges of causing the accident, while the foreman put in charge of the works by the contractor will appear before an examining magistrate on Tuesday. Both suspects will remain in custody until they testify.

Earlier, the two suspects were led before a Veria public prosecutor that read out the charges against them and referred them to an examining magistrate.

[39] Health ministry leadership extends condolences to the victims' families; praises health personnel for its response

The minister also praised the rescue teams and the hospital and ambulance personnel for their swift response.

Similar messages were also sent by Alternate Health Minister Leonidas Grigorakos and Deputy Health Minister Katerina Papakosta.

[40] Infant and toddler injured in car crash out of danger

A 25 year-old woman from Bulgaria that was transferred to AHEPA hospital along with six more injured persons is also out of danger.

AHEPA hospital manager Panagiotis Panteliadis said to ANA-MPA that from the seven person that were sent to his hospital two were dead on arrival and a 60 year-old man died during surgery.

An 18 year-old woman is intubated in serious but stable condition while in serious condition are a 64 year-old and a 22 year-old man.

[41] Migrant smuggling gang members arrested in Corfu and Athens

The alleged migrant smugglers, both Romanian nationals aged 21 and 25, are facing charges for systematically facilitating the exit of irregular migrants from the country illegally. A third suspect, a 24-year-old Romanian woman, who is the 25-year-old's wife, is now wanted.

The two suspects were arrested when they attempted to help a 22-year-old Iraqi national and her 3-year-old son board a plane from Corfu to Denmark for the sum of 6,000 euros.

Police were led to the migrant smuggling gang when the 25-year-old Romanian, who accompanied the woman posing as her husband, raised suspicions and was arrested. In the course of the investigation it was established that he acted on the orders of the 21-year-old Romanian, who was arrested in Athens' Agios Panteleimonas as a result of the local police's swift response.

Evidence collected during the investigation showed that the two migrant smugglers with the assistance of the 24-year-old, who is still on the loose, had repeatedly assisted underage migrant children to board planes at the airports of Thessaloniki, Hania, Kos and Volos to other European countries presenting them as their own.

It was also established that in the past four months the gang was responsible for other six instances of irregular migrant trafficking, most of them small children, charging 3,000 euros each.

The migrant smugglers will be led before a Corfu prosecutor, while investigation continues for the arrest of the third suspect.

[42] Two Russians arrested for performing parkour on the Acropolis archaeological site

The two young men went to the archaeological site and started doing stunts. The guard warned them not to do so, but they continued. Some time later, in their attempt to jump over a medieval wall, they caused the collapse of some stones.

The guard called the police who rushed to the spot and arrested the two youths, who will be brought before the prosecuting authorities.

[43] Migrant trafficking ring busted on Crete

Three Syrians, two aged 28, and a 38-year-old, as well as a 27-year-old Iraqi, were arrested in Iraklio, while another two individuals, a 25-year-old Syrian and a local man, aged 37, are also among the defendants.

After their arrival from Athens, the irregular migrants were temporarily staying in Iraklio before they were led to coasts on the island to board boats to Italy.

The migrants who were traveling by air were taken to local airports after they were supplied with fake travel documents from other European countries.

The four suspects will be led before a prosecutor on Tuesday. The investigation into the case continues.

Weather forecast

[44] Rainy weather on Tuesday

[45] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The tax reliefs in the freezer.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: New tsunami in social security funds.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Who can get their pension before the age of 60.

ESTIA: The revision of the Constitution.

ETHNOS: Who are stealing the electricity from PPC.

NAFTEMPORIKI: Eight "burning" fronts in the second round of negotiations with the troika.

TA NEA: Who will avoid the haircut in their pension.

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