Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras and Gov't VP Venizelos discuss negotiations with troika, FinMin's trip to Washington

[02] Greece moving closer towards standing on its own feet again, FinMin says

[03] Venizelos underlines the need for national consensus and labour peace

[04] PASOK leader Venizelos meets with party officials ahead of the confidence vote process

[05] Gov't VP Venizelos addresses meeting on democratic parties bloc

[06] SYRIZA MPs discuss strategy during vote of confidence debate; Skourletis slams PM's absence (ADDS - gov't)

[07] KKE on the vote of confidence

[08] Independent MP Kaklamanis on his stance during confidence vote, election of president

[09] Held Golden Dawn MPs request leave to attend vote of confidence in Parliament on Wed.

[10] SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association event

[11] Cooperation with troika heads was 'constructive', top finance ministry official says

[12] Meeting between FinMin and troika officials under way in Finance ministry

[13] Troika wants 'package' agreement for businesses and households' bad loans

[14] New Democracy MP Hatzidakis addresses KfW event in Brussels

[15] Venizelos has telephone communication with Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides

[16] Development minister on delay in tabling draft bill on bad loans

[17] Cyprus political parties agree to suspend Cyprus issue meetings, reacting to Ankara provocations

[18] SYRIZA condemns Turkey for the violation of Cyprus' EEZ

[19] Education ministry asks to suspend 1:10 rule, hire 15,000 teachers

[20] Environment minister presents EBEN award to Stavros Niarchos Foundation

[21] Review on medical charges reveals extensive fraud by private clinics

[22] Independent MP Nikos Nikolopoulos joins opposition ANEL party; Rachel Makri expelled from ANEL parliamentary group

[23] ND rep named for vote of confidence sessions; ANEL deputy resignation officially announced

[24] Kougias resigns as counsel in Golden Dawn case for jailed MP Stathis Boukouras

[25] New Israeli ambassador presents credentials to President Papoulias

[26] Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens issues call for unity in church, politics

[27] Gaming Committee proposes banning illegal games of chance on TV and radio

[28] Berlin deputies visit Greek parliament

[29] IMF World Economic Outlook sees return to growth, lower unemployment for Greece in 2015

[30] FinMin: Benefits provided as part of labour agreements will not be taxed

[31] Absorption rate of NSRF funds increased by 10.3 pct by beginning of October, Deputy Dev't min says

[32] State receives 10.3 mln euros from sale of six properties

[33] Greek Tourism Expo 2014 to take place on Dec 5-7 in Athens

[34] Foreign investors remain net buyers in ASE for 23rd month in a row

[35] Retail sales volume up 4.8 pct in July

[36] Northern Greece Business Index 500 up in Sept

[37] Women's Entrepreneurship Day to be celebrated on November 19

[38] Greek pavilion in AUSA 2014 in Washington

[39] Finance Ministry on corporate mobile phones taxation

[40] Greek stocks end sharply lower

[41] Greek bond market closing report

[42] ADEX closing report

[43] Foreign exchange rates - Tuesday

[44] Three infantry officers killed, one injured by mortar shell blast

[45] Fossil of Gigantic bear's heel discovered in the area of Grevena

[46] European Parliament delegation to visit archaeological dig at Amphipolis

[47] Foreman held over fatal Egnatia highway pile-up released without conditions

[48] Co-driver of truck that caused Egnatia pile-up shows up at police

[49] Four members of migrant trafficking ring detained in Thessaloniki

[50] Shipping minister preparing 'pet beaches' legislation

[51] Traffic regulations on Corinth-Tripolis motorway at Artemissio tunnel

[52] Arrested Chechen identified as member of armed group

[53] Foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested on Crete

[54] Arrested terrorist suspect Staboulos on hunger and thirst strike

[55] Virtual museum on Alexander the Great 'coming soon'

[56] Tourism Minister Kefalogianni on the Athens Marathon event

[57] Clouds, rain on Wednesday

[58] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] PM Samaras and Gov't VP Venizelos discuss negotiations with troika, FinMin's trip to Washington

Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis and Greece's central banker Yannis Stournaras, who also attended the meeting, are scheduled to travel to Washington to attend the IMF's summit meeting.

Commenting to journalists, Stournaras said this was a preparatory discussed the confidence vote which is due to start in Parliament on Wednesday.

[02] Greece moving closer towards standing on its own feet again, FinMin says

The Greek minister noted that "my contacts with European partners have convinced me that everyone wants Greece to succeed and for this they will support the Greek government. It is self-evident that the Greek government will continue implementing reforms which will further enhance the Greek economy's long-term prospects".

Commenting on recent decisions taken by the ECB to boost liquidity in Europe, Hardouvelis said that these actions will help European banks and Greek banks as well. He noted that the elimination of twin deficits (fiscal and current account) confirmed that the Greek economy's basic economic data were strong. "I am certain that in the long-term, growth prospects will improve even further," he said adding that structural reforms in the product and services markets will strengthen productivity, competitiveness and private investments, while a better regulatory framework to facilitate business activity and a more efficient civil administration, will add to the country's growth potential.

The Greek FinMin noted that the state will repay 7.2 billion euros in overdue debt to the private sector this year, while he stressed that "an impressive improvement in economic climate, combined with a series of credit upgrades, have offered Greece the opportunity to return to capital markets, sooner than estimated".

[03] Venizelos underlines the need for national consensus and labour peace

Addressing the 2nd annual conference of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association annual economic forum on "The reconstruction of the Greek economy: The path to growth" in Athens, he referred to the need for national consensus, which he said was currently absent. He also spoke about the importance of peaceful labour relations and praised the joint text issued with the International Labor Organisation (ILO).

Venizelos lashed out at the opposition, noting that the government - which he termed a "force for responsibility" - found itself confronted with "contradictions, vagueness and irresponsibility." He also warned that everything Greece had achieved over a period of five years "could be lost in five days".

He made a positive assessment of the strategy drawn up by his party PASOK, a partner in the two-party coalition government, noting that the New Democracy party joined in, and briefly the Democratic Left (DIMAR). He also said that this strategy produced the surplus, reduced public deficit and improved the balance of current transactions.

"We want bank account owners to be absolutely protected and the banks to be absolutely stable," he said, adding that the debate in parliament will allow the presentation of a comprehensive plan for the country's exit from the crisis and the memorandum.

The government's decision to seek a vote of confidence and the date chosen for the election of the new president of the republic aimed at removing the political uncertainty caused as a result of institutional and petty partisan reasons, he said, adding "the opposition displays no sense of responsibility".

Political uncertainty undermines the negotiation and the country's definitive and safe exit from the crisis, he noted, underlining that the debt is sustainable as confirmed weekly.

[04] PASOK leader Venizelos meets with party officials ahead of the confidence vote process

On Wednesday Venizelos on Wednesday at 12.00 will address PASOK parliamentary group.

Later on Tuesday, he is due to attend - along with other PASOK officials - a meeting of representatives of forces and movements as well as other prominent figures that participate in the effort for the Democratic Party.

[05] Gov't VP Venizelos addresses meeting on democratic parties bloc

A PASOK delegation met with other groups and movements interested in forming the bloc.

"It is very important to organise our ballots in a similar way to that of the European Parliament elections, and we must do that now for 2016, but let's be ready for 2015 as well," he said.

He added that the process of electing a new president of the Republic will begin in February 2015, as foreseen constitutionally.

The meeting concluded after speeches by other political persons, while plans by PASOK for the near future include setting up three committees (on the platform, the self-regulation and the social movements). A national congress committee will also be announced shortly, including 400 people form all participating movements.

According to PASOK sources, invitations have been issued to the Potami and Democratic Left (DIMAR) parties, as well as to other movements.

[06] SYRIZA MPs discuss strategy during vote of confidence debate; Skourletis slams PM's absence (ADDS - gov't)

According to sources, the SYRIZA Parliamentary group decided that there will be a detailed presentation of the party's positions and the measures that will be taken for the relief of lower income groups in society, which will form the core of the arguments to be presented during the debate.

They also decided on a direct clash with the government over the current state of the country, as well as the prime minister's insistence on aligning himself with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. SYRIZA will stress that the Greek government is failing to negotiate for a change in policy at the same time as reactions against austerity are growing in the EU, spearheaded by France and Italy.

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras will emphasise that the present government's time runs out once the process for electing a new president begins and will repeat a call for early elections, the same sources said.

Meanwhile, SYRIZA spokesman Panos Skourletis strongly criticised the prime minister's absence during the start of the debate on the vote of confidence during statements on SKAI, saying it was "unjustifiable and offensive to Parliament". Samaras will be in Milan for the EU leaders' emergency summit on employment when the debate begins. He was also scathing over the choice of Health Minister Makis Voridis to stand in for the premier at the start of the debate, calling the minister the "far-right horn of the government".

Commenting on the draft 2015 budget unveiled on Monday, Skourletis said this refuted the prime minister's earlier promises about a relaxation of austerity measures and tax cuts, predicting that the government would not be called on to implement it. He also indirectly confirmed SYRIZA's decision not to appear on media panels with ND MP Adonis Georgiadis, saying that ND's Parliamentary spokesman was "among those having no limits".

Replying to SYRIZA's fire, government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi lambasted the main opposition's criticism of the prime minister for making a one-day trip to Milan for the emergency EU summit on employment.

"Mr. Tsipras need not worry, he will be taught a lesson by the prime minister in Parliament yet again. We assure SYRIZA, however, that when European leaders hold their next summit, they will definitely ask Mr. Skourletis for his permission first," she added sarcastically.

[07] KKE on the vote of confidence

An announcement by the KKE parliamentary group noted "the anti-popular character of the government policy, that lays the burden of the crisis on the people's shoulders when a new round of attack on labour, social insurance and social rights is being prepared, will be uncovered and, also, SYRIZA's government agenda that will not serve as an alternative solution to the government's anti-popular policy," it said, referring to the main opposition party.

[08] Independent MP Kaklamanis on his stance during confidence vote, election of president

In statements to Vima FM, Kaklamanis also referred to the election of the President of the Republic and said that his main political principle is that "the Greek President's election cannot cause a political crisis." He added that "Greece is experiencing an unprecedented period of crisis" and noted that "the second precondition so that I vote (for a Greek President) is the candidate President himself."

As to who could run for a President of the Republic, Kaklamanis said he did not share the view of "someone that unites people should be leftist or centre-leftist."

"I believe there are such persons in the wider centre-right ...I believe that the election of the President of the Republic should not cause problems," he said.

On his possible return to New Democracy, he said he had not been in contact with the party after he was expelled from it, adding that "whether I will be a candidate (deputy) and under which political formation, that remains to be seen."

[09] Held Golden Dawn MPs request leave to attend vote of confidence in Parliament on Wed.

The MPs are held pending trial on charges of participating in a criminal organisation. Those held include party leader Nicos Michaloliakos and deputies Elias Kassidiaris, Yiannis Lagos, Christos Pappas, Nicos Michos and Panagiotis Eliopoulos.

According to sources, the request will be examined by the supervising magistrate at the Korydallos jail, south of Athens, who will issue the decision.

Golden Dawn MPs held elsewhere have not filed a similar request as of this writing.

[10] SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association event

Addressing the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association's annual economic forum he noted that the four years of the memorandums have brought the economy to its limits.

Referring to the state budget draft plan tabled yesterday in Parliament by the government, he said that the government continues to implement the memorandum, praises the rationale of internal devaluation and the destruction of the domestic market and makes tax burdens permanent.

The SYRIZA leader also said that his party is "getting ready to govern," noting that "the bankrupt past will not be revived."

[11] Cooperation with troika heads was 'constructive', top finance ministry official says

The official referred to an agreement reached on the provisions of the new Civil Procedure Code, which includes property auctions at a starting price amounting to two thirds of its 'objective' value for tax purposes.

Furthermore, he added that there was convergence on some matters but also several open issues that will be addressed in a new round of negotiations, upon the return of the troika in early November (following bank stress tests and after the new European Commission has assumed its responsibilities).

Representing Greece at Tuesday's meeting at the finance ministry, were Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Deputy Finance Minister George Mavraganis. The prime minister's advisors Stavros Papastavrou and Chrysanthos Lazaridis, as well as PASOK representatives Christos Protopappas and Kyriakos Pierrakakis, also attended the meeting.

According to the senior ministry source, the troika side had initially insisted on a starting price that was one third of the tax office value, which in current market conditions would have led to bargain basement sell-offs. An agreement was finally reached on a two-thirds starting price at first and the possibility of later reducing this to half-price, before justice takes over. Further clarifications on this issue are to be issued by the justice ministry.

The major problem at the moment, the source said, was that there were no market prices after the real estate market crash in Greece, which hampered the finance ministry's efforts to match market prices and the tax office 'objective' values. A special committee had been set up for this task, he added, which would have a data base of real estate market prices in each area read by 2016. Other finance ministry sources, meanwhile, denied press reports of a horizontal reduction in tax office property values before that time.

With respect to the draft budget, the source said the troika was pleased with the primary surplus target of 2.9 pct, just marginally lower than the 3 pct surplus envisions in the latest memorandum agreement. Finally, regarding the country's ability to cover its financing needs by borrowing on the markets, the source said that the key was to convince the market that Greece was "reliable and will not go back on the structural reforms".

On whether Greece was exiting the memorandums, the source said that this was not something being discussed with the troika mission but "arising through life itself, in the sense that the money from the Eurozone stops at the end of the year".

A government official that took part in the meeting with the troika reported that the representatives of Greece's lenders are now calling for a comprehensive "package-deal" to cover non-performing loans, both for businesses and private individuals, as well as the overdue debts to the state and social insurance funds.

The government's position on this issue is that some solutions to help debtors must be given immediately, which the troika appeared to accept. The source said the changes will be carried out in a two-step process, most likely starting with the tabling of a measure in Parliament allowing the payment of overdue state and social insurance debts in 100 installments, followed by measures for NPLs.

Development ministry sources, however, denied that the troika had raised an issue of a 'package deal' for business and individuals' debts.

[12] Meeting between FinMin and troika officials under way in Finance ministry

Hardouvelis is joined by Development Minister Nikos Dendias, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and the prime minister's adviser Stavros Papastavrou.

The troika officials present are the head of the European Commission delegation Declan Costello and the European Central Bank's Klaus Masuch.

[13] Troika wants 'package' agreement for businesses and households' bad loans

The official noted that the demand by the lenders' representative reverses the government's plans so far.

Under the government's planning, the regulation for the non-performing business loans would be published shortly followed by a regulation for the bad loans of households. Now, the criteria and the factors to be considered for a comprehensive regulation must be expanded; the most probable scenario is that the framework for bad loans will be further delayed and submitted for vote after the return of the heads of the troika in the beginning of November.

"A lot of work is still needed," the official noted, as the lenders' representatives note that the planned intervention for bad business loans should also foresee the households' non performing loans.

[14] New Democracy MP Hatzidakis addresses KfW event in Brussels

Greece may implement all necessary reforms, he added, but the main element of quick growth - liquidity - was missing.

On other points, the former Development minister said that recession and unemployment threaten social cohesion and the stability of the EU, fuelling populism, while he also urged the cooperation of North and South, "not just for economic reasons, but because this will put the emphasis on European solidarity and Europe's political unification."

[15] Venizelos has telephone communication with Cypriot Foreign Minister Kasoulides

They focused on the next steps in response to Turkish provocations concerning Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a foreign ministry announcement said.

[16] Development minister on delay in tabling draft bill on bad loans

"The draft bill for the bad loans has been repeatedly described as an excellent bill by the troika but, due to other factors, the troika is holding us back from legislating," Dendias said.

The minister said that the country is now emerging from the crisis and that the efforts of the ministry and the government are to change the mindset in entrepreneurship and help restore liquidity in the market.

Questioned on the issue of non-performing loans, meanwhile, the head of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Central Union of Chambers (KEE) Constantine Michalos said that the business world was anxiously waiting to see the results of the government's talks with the troika on NPLs.

"The picture is still murky, despite the fact that the development ministry's political leadership is moving in the right direction. Before any measures are completed (which looks likely to delay since they will be linked to the new bankruptcy laws), there must be a freeze on foreclosure auctions and primary residences must always be protected," he said.

[17] Cyprus political parties agree to suspend Cyprus issue meetings, reacting to Ankara provocations

The leaders of the political parties on Cyprus on Tuesday agreed with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades' proposal to suspend meetings with the Turkish-Cypriot side, both his own and those of the Cyprus Republic's negotiator. The decision was taken in creation to provocative actions by Turkey regarding the Cyprus Republic's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

As a result, Anastasiades will not attend a meeting with Turkish-Cypriot community leader Dervis Eroglu scheduled on Wednesday.

Cyprus government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides stressed that Turkey's actions left the Cyprus Republic with no other choice, stressing that the party leaders' council "unanimously condemns and denounces Turkey's aggressive activity in the Cyprus Republic's EEZ."

He stressed that Turkey's action are a blatant violation of Cyprus' sovereign rights and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while undermining security, stability and peace in the region.

[18] SYRIZA condemns Turkey for the violation of Cyprus' EEZ

SYRIZA Political Office member Kostas Isichos, responsible for the sectors of foreign policy and defence, condemned Turkey's stance and underlined that Turkey's practice of escalating tension targeting the Republic of Cyprus, in an already tense and flammable region, has been met so far with an unacceptable tolerance by the UN Security Council permanent members and the leading cycles of the European Union.

He underlined that "once again, SYRIZA expresses its active support for the Cypriot people, AKEL party, the leftist, progressive and democratic forces in the country that fight for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal Cyprus with a single sovereignty and nationality; independent, free, without occupation armies and foreign bases, without NATO commitments and engagements".

[19] Education ministry asks to suspend 1:10 rule, hire 15,000 teachers

"We asked for the lifting of the 1:10 rule so we can immediately proceed with a proclamation for the hiring of 15,000 teachers via the Supreme Council for Public-sector Staff Selection (ASEP)," he said on SKAI television.

According to the minister, the education system was caught up in a vicious cycle that could only be broken if the 1:10 rule was suspended and this was being done in collaboration with Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He said that thousands of substitute teachers had been hired for the current year, some with money from the regular budget and others from the public investment programme. "I say that the public investment programme is for other things, not these," he added.

According to Deputy Education Minister Alexandros Derementzopoulos, who was speaking to the state television channel NERIT, the ministry had not had any hirings rounds since 2008 and was now struggling to plug the gaps created by 6,000-6,500 departures due to retirement every year. He said the minister had asked for the abolition of the 1:10 rule, especially since this ratio was 1:5 for the rest of the public sector.

[20] Environment minister presents EBEN award to Stavros Niarchos Foundation

During the seminar at the Eugenides Foundation, Maniatis talked at length on corporate social responsibility and its role in dealing with social and environmental crises, including those occurring on a planetary scale.

"The biggest businesses in the world, having fully understood their role, their responsibilities and their best interests, have made sure to incorporate sustainability in their business strategies," he said.

"An ethical business today is a business that invests in sustainable technologies and innovation. A business that uses alternative energy sources. A business that takes care to reduce its environmental footprint," he said.

[21] Review on medical charges reveals extensive fraud by private clinics

The review was conducted by private companies on behalf of EOPYY and involves charges made by private clinics in 2013.

Health Minister Makis Voridis presented the data in a joint press conference with three of his predecessors - Education Minister Andreas Loverdos, New Democracy's parliamentary spokesman Adonis Georgiadis and New Democracy MP Andreas Lykouretzos - pointing to a "continuation" in the efforts to tackle illegality in the health sector.

The review included 444,041 hospital admissions in 101 private clinics, which correspond to a total cost of 286.16 million euros.

Out of this amount, auditors concluded that 36.3 million euros were not be justified by the submitted paperwork.

Auditors also found that categories of charges worth about 5 million euros which are either non-compatible with the regulations of EOPYY, or appeared to be illegal.

Among the cases included in the review, auditors uncovered separate hospital admissions recorded during the same period for the same patient and charges for external medical services for patients who had actually been admitted.

Other checks uncovered private clinics had charged gynaecological tests for male patients and vice versa.

Another case showed clinics charged pregnancy bills for female patients over 60 years of age and children under 10 years of age, while another case concerned the hospital admission of an adult to a newborns emergency unit.

Voridis said each case will be examined separately and be passed over to the public prosecutor.

"The minimum measure (we will take) will be to cancel the contract," he said, adding checks will extend to hospitals around the country.

The vast majority (91%) of incidents included in the review, which was handed to the minister at the end of September, concern charges for hospital admissions. The remaining 9% of charges are expected to have been analysed by next month, while checks in diagnostic centres will be finished by the end of October.

On his part, Loverdos said he had been jeered, attacked and verbally abused by some of those companies that were investigated.

Georgiadis said that main opposition party SYRIZA had not supported the review and preferred to privatise the system and Lykouretzos said checks were done against vested interests and behaviours.

[22] Independent MP Nikos Nikolopoulos joins opposition ANEL party; Rachel Makri expelled from ANEL parliamentary group

According to the rationale of the decision, Makri "unjustifiably refused to appear in person in order to provide explanations in the scheduled parliamentary group meeting, choosing instead to address a memo with unacceptable and very insulting content".

Earlier, it was announced that MP Nikos Nikolopoulos joined the ANEL parliamentary group as a collaborator, while maintaining his identity as the president of the Christian-democratic party.

ANEL president Panos Kammenos and Nikolopoulos visited Parliament President Evangelos Meimarakis and handed over to him letters with their decision in writing.

Nikolopoulos said that "what was agreed since last June now became a reality," noting that "today is the beginning for the unity of the scattered anti-memorandum forces". He also said that he will run in the elections in collaboration with ANEL and members of his party will join the ANEL ballots.

On his part, Kammenos welcomed Nikolopoulos to ANEL and underlined that his goal is to unite the scattered anti-memorandum forces on common ballots to "counter the front of the lenders".

[23] ND rep named for vote of confidence sessions; ANEL deputy resignation officially announced

Tragakis also announced officially the resignation of MP Rachel Makri from the parliamentary group of opposition Independent Greeks (ANEL). He also said Achaia prefecture independent deputy Nicos Nikolopoulos will be collaborating with the party.

[24] Kougias resigns as counsel in Golden Dawn case for jailed MP Stathis Boukouras

Kougias, who resigned just days before a public prosecutor is due to submit his proposals on which of the 80 defendants for Golden Dawn's criminal activities should be indicted to stand trial, said he was pulling out for "reasons of personal and professional decency". He declined to give further details, citing client-lawyer confidentiality.

Boukouras was elected MP for Corinth with the far-right Golden Dawn and has been an independent MP since March, two months after he was remanded in custody.

[25] New Israeli ambassador presents credentials to President Papoulias

In a formal reception she gave later in the afternoon, the first since her arrival in Athens, the Israeli ambassador underlined that she will focus on bilateral economic cooperation and contacts between the two countries.

She underlined that in the coming years, new paths of cooperation between the two peoples will open and new chapters will be written on bilateral relations. She also said that next year, marking the 25th anniversary of the upgraded bilateral relations, both Israel and Greece will have many opportunities to prove the importance of this partnership.

The Israeli ambassador is a career diplomat specializing in international economic cooperation.

[26] Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens issues call for unity in church, politics

"Particular care is needed in relationships amongst us," the archbishop said, "as in the past church conflicts contributed to subsequent national catastrophes. Allow me to express the opinion that at this critical junction the country cannot tolerate further imbalances. It has a need for political stability, at least for the coming years."

Ieronymos warned the clergy against political strife and said the church is not an institution like the arena of politics. "It does not know party politics, or get involved in political clashes. It cannot however ignore political events, shutting its eyes before social problems. Conversely, its mission is to be witness in action against political authorities when these act at the expense of the people and in its absence," he said. "Without our politicians' unity and stability of deputy institutions, there is a danger of having the sacrifices of the Greek people go to waste," he added, "worsening social imbalances and giving free rein to anyone conspiring against the country's future."

On a recent law voted on religious communities, he said "it definitely contributes positively to our country's international image."

[27] Gaming Committee proposes banning illegal games of chance on TV and radio

In its report, the Committee said that its review of written complaints and daily protests called in by the public, the conclusion it had gathered was that besides influencing the populace and being available 24 hours a day, participants can remain anonymous. This he said could not protect underage people and sensitive groups from becoming habituated and wasting money.

In a review before the parliament's Institutions and Transparency Committee in July, committee head Evgenios Giannakopoulos had said that turnover from illegal gaming operations in Greece is estimated at between 5.5 billion and 6 billion euros for 2013.

Giannakopoulos said that there are an estimated 60,000-100,000 illegally operating game machines, while the turnover in the legally operating market recorded a significant drop.

He said that individuals betting illegally through games or the Internet had a specific profile - that of low income and low educational level and addiction to betting. "They go to a store to play 4 to 5 times, and when you ask them, they tell you 'I'm only planning on betting 100 euros,' but they have an income of 15,000 euros gross per year. If you see the numbers, they don't add up," Giannakopoulos said.

[28] Berlin deputies visit Greek parliament

Both sides concluded that collaboration on fairer and more effective ways of dealing with the economic crisis in Europe will preserve political unity at EU level.

Berlin Parliament President Gabriele Hiller said their visit was very helpful in understanding from close up the problems Greece was facing, such as that of illegal immigration. The visiting deputies also noted the high unemployment among young people and said they would convey their impressions to their parliament, to promote a joint search for solutions.

Earlier, Parliament vice president Yiannis Tragakis said that EU funding for Greece between 2014 and 2020 was expected to reach nearly 20 billion euros, which would help the Greek economy revive.

Financial News

[29] IMF World Economic Outlook sees return to growth, lower unemployment for Greece in 2015

Greece can expect a gradual economic recovery in 2015, with a return to growth and declining unemployment, according to the World Economic Outlook report released by the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday.

The report confirms a 2.9 pct GDP growth forecast for Greece in the coming year, up from 0.6 pct in 2014, with inflation rate running at 0.3 pct, up from negative rates of -0.8 pct in 2014. The current accounts balance is forecast to remain in surplus, though this is expected to decline to 0.1 pct of GDP in 2015, from 0.7 pct of GDP in 2014.

The IMF forecasts a small decline in unemployment rates in Greece, from 25.8 pct in 2014 to 23.8 pct in 2015.

Overall, the report sees the Eurozone recovery as 'weak' and 'uneven' in 2015, with some "core" Eurozone economies facing difficult conditions.

The report forecasts a "weak and uneven" global economic recovery rising to 3.8 pct in 2015, while potential growth rates - the pace at which annual output can expand without pushing up inflation - are also being revised down.

"These worse prospects are in turn affecting confidence, demand and growth today," said Olivier Blanchard, Economic Counsellor and head of the IMF's Research Department while presenting the report.

[30] FinMin: Benefits provided as part of labour agreements will not be taxed

The ministry clarified that taxation affected only high-level salaries.

It spelled out the services exempted from taxation, most of which are services provided to employees as part of their on collective labour agreements.

It listed among other things transportation to and from work on company buses, parking spaces, participation in congresses or educational seminars, subscriptions to professional journals, credit cards issued by the company for travelling staff's needs (travel expenses), and most cars provided to sales people to do their job.

Cars of high-level management will be taxed, while in terms of benefits in general, they will be taxed only on the amount over 300 euros per year per person, the ministry said.

[31] Absorption rate of NSRF funds increased by 10.3 pct by beginning of October, Deputy Dev't min says

According to the Deputy minister, the absorption percentage reached 53.2 percent of the total funds (from 48.3 percent in the corresponding period of 2013), offering an additional 600 million euros of funds to the market. Constantinopoulos reiterated the target and referred to the constant efforts for the full absorption of NSRF funds until the end of the year.

[32] State receives 10.3 mln euros from sale of six properties

The sale price was 14% higher than corresponding starting prices, it added.

Another three properties - in the Evia Lake district (off the western Attica coast), Patras and the former Justice of the Peace Court in Klitoria (both in the northern Peloponnese) - did not get the desired price, a development that HRADF will assess shortly.

The six properties include the following: a four-storey building on 9 Mitropoleos Street in central Athens (sold for 3,785,000 euros); a six-story building on 6 Evangelistrias Street in central Athens (1,720,000 euros); a property with 11 buildings on 18 Florinis Street in the Moschato district of Athens (1,800,000 euros); a property on 13 Theofilou Street in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki area (540,000 euros) in northern Greece; farmland at Mt. Pangeo in NE Greece's Kavala prefecture (1,450,000 euros); and a farm in the Kala Nera community of Magnisia prefecture, mainland Greece (1,030,000 euros).

[33] Greek Tourism Expo 2014 to take place on Dec 5-7 in Athens

Tourism industry professionals will have the opportunity to present all kinds of traditional and alternative tourism: Maritime tourism, pilgrimage and religious, archaeological and cultural, City Break (urban tourism), congress tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, culinary tourism, agritourism and ecotourism

As part of the exhibition, the organizers will also implement the "Meet The Greeks" programme in a bid to promote Greek tourism abroad and attract international buyers.

The program aims to attract the interest of international Buyers and Tour Operators networks, while scheduled business meetings with exhibitors will give special impetus to significant trade agreements with foreign tourism entrepreneurs.

[34] Foreign investors remain net buyers in ASE for 23rd month in a row

Foreign investors were net buyers with capital inflows of 104.82 million euros in the month, while Greek investors were net sellers with capital outflows of 104.06 million euros.

Foreign investors' participation in the Greek market's capitalisation (including Hellenic Financial Stability's participation) rose to 44 pct in September, from 43.9 pct in the previous month, while excluding HFSF's participation, their share was 60.9 pct in September from 61 pct in August. Foreign investors' participation was 28.8 pct and 44.5 pct in September 2013, respectively.

Foreign investors accounted for 64.7 pct of total trading in September, down from 67.4 pct in August. The value of transactions totalled 2.195 billion euros in September, up 10.3 pct from August and up 65.8 pct from September 2013. Average daily value of transactions was 99.78 million euros in September, from 99.53 million the previous month and 63.03 million in September last year. The number of active investor codes rose to 22,822, from 20,229 in August and 29,044 in the same month in 2013.

[35] Retail sales volume up 4.8 pct in July

The volume index (turnover in fixed prices) rose 4.8 pct in July after a 2.8 pct increase recorded in July 2013, while the turnover index (current prices) rose 1.5 pct in July, after a 0.7 pct decline recorded in the same month last year.

[36] Northern Greece Business Index 500 up in Sept

This improvement reflected a better assessment of current conditions by enterprises and a slightly improved outlook for the next six months, while a significant improvement was recorded in employment outlook with a double-digit rate in new hiring intentions.

A 31 pct of enterprises based in Northern Greece said their situation was good, up from 22 pct in August, while a 34 pct said their situation was satisfactory. A 35 pct of enterprises said their situation was bad, down from 43 pct in August.

A 23 pct of Northern Greece enterprises expect their situation to improve in the next six months, up from 22 pct in August, while a 31 pct expect a deterioration (up from 24 pct in August).

A 12 pct of enterprises said they planned new hirings in September, up from 5.0 pct in August, while dismissal intentions rose to 7.0 pct in September from 6.0 pct in August.

A 17 pct of enterprises recorded higher sales in September, down from 19 pct in August, while a 35 pct said sales shrank in the month (30 pct in August).

[37] Women's Entrepreneurship Day to be celebrated on November 19

Roughly 144 countries have joined forces to establish WED to raise awareness and inspire more than 250 million women worldwide who live in poverty. November 19 is set to launch a movement that will bring closer people from all over the world for the purpose of supporting female entrepreneurs.

Greece's representative, Olga Stavropoulou is actively involved in promoting entrepreneurship in Greece and her candidacy was backed by the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Young Entrepreneurs (OESYNE). She is a well-known mentor, distinguished for various projects and actions she has planned and implement to promote entrepreneurship, employment and life-long learning and training. In 2000, she founded Militos S.A., a company that provides integrated investment and funding solutions, operational information and consultancy support to the development of entrepreneurial plans and project proposals.

[38] Greek pavilion in AUSA 2014 in Washington

AUSA is a leading meeting of the defense industry with 30,000 visitors, including senior leaders from the Armed Forces, US Department of Defense, US Congress, and foreign dignitaries as well as more than 500 exhibitors that occupy an area of 27,800 m?.

The Greek Pavilion, held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense, will be located at a premium space and will occupy an area of 150 square meters. Greece's presence at AUSA is a dynamic co-effort in the context of openness and promoting Greek defense products abroad. The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce strongly believes that participation at this key event will strengthen Greek defense industry and it will be the starting point for creating strategic alliances and explore opportunities for industrial cooperation, co-production, joint ventures, as well as high technology transfer and investment programs.

Alternate Defence Minister Fofi Gennimata will make the official inauguration of the Greek pavilion on Monday, October 13.

Gennimata said regarding her presence in AUSA: "My presence proves the Greek government's decision to support decisively the Defence Industry of the country. I am confident that the exceptional preparations will bring fruit in cooperation and collaboration issues".

[39] Finance Ministry on corporate mobile phones taxation

"The mobile use programmes offered to employees are not taxed, regardless of their amount, and no other action is required on the part of the tax payer or the employer. The amount is not taxed even in cases of excessive cost, provided that the employer files a simple document certifying that the excessive cost relates to business use."

[40] Greek stocks end sharply lower

The index ended at new 2014 lows at 1,012.05 points, off 2.26 pct. It was the lowest closing since early October 2013. Turnover rose significantly to 110.52 million euros. The Large Cap index dropped 2.23 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 2.04 pct lower.

Eurobank Properties (1.57 pct) and Coca Cola HBC (1.19 pct) were the only blue chip stocks to end higher, while PPC (5.87 pct), National Bank (4.57 pct), Folli Follie (4.12 pct) and MIG (3.77 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, the Real Estate (1.31 pct) and Food (1.16 pct) scored gains, while Utilities (4.46 pct), Commerce (4.12 pct) and Banks (3.47 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 93 to 31 with another 16 issues unchanged. Selonda (20 pct), AEGEK (19.23 pct) and Varvaresos (18.75 pct) were top gainers, while NEL (20 pct), Marak (19.54 pct) and G.E. Demetriou (14.29 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -3.47%

Insurance: -1.43%

Financial Services: -1.70%

Industrials: -1.54%

Retail: -4.12%

Real Estate: +1.31%

Personal & Household: -2.15%

Food & Beverages: +1.16%

Raw Materials: -2.52%

Construction: -1.50%

Oil: -1.00%

Chemicals: -1.40%

Mass Media: Unchanged

Travel & Leisure: -2.84%

Technology: -1.44%

Telecoms: -0.47%

Utilities: -4.46%

Health: -2.38%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 0.60

Public Power Corp (PPC): 8.34

Coca Cola HBC: 17.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 4.62

National Bank of Greece: 2.09

Eurobank Properties: 9.08

OPAP: 10.26

OTE: 10.50

Piraeus Bank: 1.24

Titan: 19.80

[41] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving lower. The 12-month rate eased to 0.333 pct from 0.334 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.251 pct, the six-month rate fell to 0.178 pct from 0.179 pct, the three-month rate was 0.079 pct and the one-month rate eased to 0.006 pct from 0.007 pct.

[42] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totalled 29,957 contracts with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (7,705), followed by Piraeus Bank (7,003), Alpha Bank (4,959), Eurobank (3,985), PPC (1,256), OTE (1,052), MIG (652), GEK (632), OPAP (516), Mytilineos (475), Hellenic Petroleum (307), Hellenic Exchanges (205), METKA (203), Terna Energy (235) and Jumbo (142).

[43] Foreign exchange rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.2607

Pound sterling 0.784

Danish kroner 7.444

Swedish kroner 9.0668

Japanese yen 136.9

Swiss franc 1.2115

Norwegian kroner 8.165

Canadian dollar 1.4054

Australian dollar 1.4329

General News

[44] Three infantry officers killed, one injured by mortar shell blast

Also injured in the blast was a 30-year-old lieutenant, who was taken to Volos Hospital. According to hospital sources, the officer's life was not at risk and his injuries were confined to the outer wall of the abdomen.

A Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS) announcement said the accident occurred due to the splitting of a mortar tube during firing.

Deputy Defence Minister Ioannis Lambropoulos and the head of HAGS Lieut. Gen. Christos Manolas have already arrived at the scene.

Larissa Court-Martial Prosecutor has been briefed on the accident and an inquiry has been ordered by the military leadership into its precise causes.

Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos has declared three days of mourning in the Armed Forces and the defence ministry political and military leadership has extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also expressed grief and extended condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in such a tragic way.

[45] Fossil of Gigantic bear's heel discovered in the area of Grevena

In the area of Grevena, the greatest tusks of the world (5.02m) belonging to the mastodon Mammut borsoni, which were included in the Guinness Book of Records, were also found.

The scientific name of the gigantic bear that lived in the area is Agriotherium, according to the assistant professor of Paleontology in the Geology department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Evangelia Tsoukala.

Tsoukala in her address to the International Conference on the study of the bear held in Thessaloniki referred to the discovery of a heel of the left tarsus of a gigantic bear aged 3 million years that was found in the area.

"The size of the heel, which is 25 percent bigger in relation with a brown bear, is indicative of the size of animal," Tsoukala underlined adding that was the first evidence of the existence of the agriotherium in Greece.

According to the scientific studies, the specific animal co-existed with the smaller archaic bear (Ursus etruscus which is the ancestor of the bear of the caves and of the brown bear that lived 1.5 million years ago) in environmental conditions of abundant flora and lots of waters, in higher temperatures than today.

[46] European Parliament delegation to visit archaeological dig at Amphipolis

The delegation will include MEPs and political staff of all the political groups, as well as high-ranking EuroParliament officials.

The two proposals were approved during Monday's sessions of the EuroParliament's CULT committee political group coordinators, who agreed to a visit to the excavations underway at the Kasta Tumulus in the Amphipolis site within 2015 as an official European Parliament mission.

[47] Foreman held over fatal Egnatia highway pile-up released without conditions

The defendant appeared devastated by the accident, expressing his grief to the families of the victims. He denied the charge of disrupting transport safety through negligence, claiming his area of responsibility was very far from the scene. The public prosecutor and examining magistrate handling the case agreed that he should be released without conditions, while he placed himself at the disposal of the authorities while the investigation into the accident was underway.

He had been placed in charge of a work detail sent by a contractor to carry out work on the highway last Sunday, when a truck ploughed into the back of a line of traffic created by the roadworks, killing five and injuring more than 30 people.

The 39-year-old Romanian truck driver also arrested in connection with the case is due to testify on Thursday, on charges of manslaughter through negligence and causing bodily harm through negligence. He will remain in custody until his testimony.

[48] Co-driver of truck that caused Egnatia pile-up shows up at police

This was a 46-year-old Romanian, who on Monday showed up to Veria police and gave a deposition confirming the truck driver's allegations that his breaks had failed - a development also confirmed by the Central Macedonia Police Headquarters.

He reportedly testified he left the scene of the accident - having been injured and shocked- and run to the near-by fields.

Eye witnesses said they saw a person exiting the truck after the accident but thought this was the driver who was eventually arrested. What they probably saw was the 46-year-old co-driver who, as he said, wandered for several hours in the area before asking for help at a mountainous village.

He was eventually taken to Veria and testified at the local police authorities. He is not remanded in custody and his allegations are being cross-checked.

[49] Four members of migrant trafficking ring detained in Thessaloniki

Among those detained is a 48-year-old Cypriot, believed to be the "master mind" behind the ring, a 31-year-old airline pilot of Cypriot descent, a 29-year-old Greek check-in and boarding female employee and an Iraqi national, who allegedly had an active role in the gang.

Police also arrested five more people, among whom two travel agency owners - one from Athens and one from Thessaloniki - who were later released, either under restrictive conditions or after paying bail.

According to the police file, the gang since last October gave migrants fake travel documents and had managed to traffic 16 people through Macedonia airport.

The "tariff" for each migrant ranged from three to four thousand euros and their destination was mainly Germany.

The check-in and boarding employee made sure the migrants passed the security checks, while the pilot gave her orders so that they would make it into the aircraft without any problems.

[50] Shipping minister preparing 'pet beaches' legislation

The minister said that specially adapted beaches selected by the coast guard will be chosen, at which pets will also be allowed to go into the water. He specified that such beaches will not be classed as 'popular' nor be among those that charge a fee for entrance.

Varvitsiotis described the current legal regime governing pets at the beach "outdated" and said he had seen the issue was a hot topic on social networking sites. Greece's extensive coastline, population spread and large numbers of islands would allow "targeted solutions" on this issue, he noted.

[51] Traffic regulations on Corinth-Tripolis motorway at Artemissio tunnel

The disruption will last until 16.00 on Friday, October 10.

Vehicles traffic with direction Tripolis and Kalamata will be carried out by the second section of Artemissio tunnel, on a single lane per each direction.

Moreover, the traffic of vehicles loaded with dangerous goods is prohibited in the tunnel throughout the period of the works from 9.00 until 20.00.

[52] Arrested Chechen identified as member of armed group

The Chechen was among the 46 undocumented migrants that were arrested on September 5 at the sea region of Oinousses while they attempted to enter Greece on a dinghy from the Turkish coasts.

The suspect, who has a Russian nationality, initially gave a phony name but he was eventually identified following the cooperation between the Greek and Russian police authorities via Interpol.

[53] Foreign nationals with fake travel documents arrested on Crete

The fake documents were confiscated and the arrested were sent to Heraklio prosecutor.

[54] Arrested terrorist suspect Staboulos on hunger and thirst strike

In his statement, posted on indymedia website, Staboulos claimed there has been strong pressure so that he is moved to another prison away from Athens.

He also lashed out on journalists, who, as he said, report so-called "findings" and scenarios, given by the Counter-Terrorism Police, which are not included in the case file, in an effort to maintain a terror-mongering climate.

[55] Virtual museum on Alexander the Great 'coming soon'

Kottaridou said that archaeologists were actually travelling to India and Bactria, tracing the Macedonian leader's path in order to help create the virtual museum, which would be accessible in Greek and English.

Its physical base would be at the Museum of Aegae, in northern Greece, the location of the Macedonian dynasty's seat.

The project was announced at an event presenting a new series of books by Kathimerini newspaper publishers on world leaders. It will allow visitors to follow any of several paths and will include a virtual library of films, written sources and maps.

Sports

[56] Tourism Minister Kefalogianni on the Athens Marathon event

Kefalogianni pointed out that the Athens Marathon is another opportunity for Greece to be promoted on international level, to boost the momentum in the sector of tourism, and to be established in the global tourism community as a country that is in the limelight, constantly improving in terms of its infrastructure, quality and tourism product, earning the recognition of its visitors.

Referring to Athens, she said that the city has acquired a tourism identity and is a timeless symbol of peace, culture and hospitality. "It is a European capital that can host tourists all year round, can support conferences and offer to its visitors the unique color of Greece," she said, adding that the Athens Marathon is an important sports, cultural and historical event that honors Greece and Athens.

Kefalogianni noted that the event has been attracting international interest for years and helps in linking together history, culture, sports and tourism; sectors in which Greece has made important achievements.

"Thousands of people visit Athens to run in the race or to watch it. It is an event that attracts the attention of the international community and contributes greatly to tourism," she underlined.

Weather forecast

[57] Clouds, rain on Wednesday

[58] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Limitless hypocrisy.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Tax hysteria.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Armed forces and judges new salaries.

ESTIA: Tsipras' (Alexis, SYRIZA leader) 'bubbles' theory.

ETHNOS: Taxes and salaries for 2015

IMERISSIA: State Budget a message.

KATHIMERINI: Tax on company mobile phones.

NAFTEMPORIKI: High growth rate and additional surcharges.

RIZOSPASTIS: Struggle's organisation without delay.

TA NEA: The new salaries for the uniformed.

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