Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras, Anastasiades and el-Sisi agree to accelerate talks on delineating EEZs

[02] The trilateral meeting will send a message of peace and stability in the region, PM Tsipras says

[03] Tsipras: Greece and Cyprus are stability factors in the wider region

[04] Tsipras, Sisi, Anastasiades sign "Declaration of Athens"

[05] Tsipras, El-Sisi hail new trade deals, opportunities arising from new Suez Canal

[06] Greece and Egypt hold joint military exercise in sea region of Crete

[07] Greece, institutions agree on ADMIE split from PPC, disagree on management issues

[08] Gov't spokeswoman dismisses reports that Greece is on a collision course with Berlin

[09] Germany: IMF's participation in Greek program is included in ESM's legal texts

[10] Europe should be able to handle its problems internally, says minister

[11] German foreign ministry neither refutes nor confirms Die Welt report

[12] Deputy Foreign Minister Mardas on Schaeuble's statement

[13] Corruption is the most dangerous enemy to Democracy, President Pavlopoulos says

[14] Institutions pleased with progress in Greek NSRF legislation

[15] Popular Unity leader Lafazanis lashes out at the government

[16] Parliament strips immunity from Golden Dawn leader over 'hate speech' charges

[17] European Court throws out Greek objections, upholds Commission decision on Hellas Gold sale price

[18] Draft bill banning GM crops in Greece opens for public consultation

[19] FYROM authorities have begun raising fence at Greek border in Florina

[20] United Nations to support refugees on their way to Athens

[21] Greek Holy Synod denounces civil partnership agreement for same-sex couples

[22] Athens journalists' union slams detention of reporters and photographers in Idomeni

[23] Environment and energy minister to visit Sofia for signature of IGB Pipeline agreement

[24] Revenues from higher VAT on islands is not worth the commotion - parliamentary report

[25] Insurance premium production down 15.8 pct in Oct

[26] Greece sells three- and six-month T-bills

[27] Greek stocks plunge to June 2012 levels

[28] Greek bond market closing report

[29] ADEX closing report

[30] Eleven refugees drown off Farmakonissi; 26 rescued

[31] Number of victims of migrants boat tragedy increases

[32] Greek police completes removal of migrants from FYROM-Greece border

[33] Convoy of 29 coaches carrying 1,500 migrants heading to Athens from Idomeni, police say

[34] Calm prevails at Idomeni railway station

[35] At least 1,000 refugees arrive at Piraeus port on Wednesday

[36] Meeting place for Europe and dialogue opens in Athens

[37] SNF Cultural Centre presents completed Energy Canopy over its groundbreaking new building

[38] Attica to acquire archaeological scuba diving park in gulf of Evia

[39] US national wanted for weapons smuggling arrested

[40] Floor chessboard contest to be set at Athens' international airport on Friday

[41] Drug rehab centre KETHEA to organise a Christmas Bazaar

[42] Cloudy on Thursday

[43] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance: Politics

[01] Tsipras, Anastasiades and el-Sisi agree to accelerate talks on delineating EEZs

"With awareness of the huge challenges in terms of stability, security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and the need for a coordinated and collective response, we met in Athens...for the third Trilateral Greece, Egypt and Cyprus Summit in order to deal effectively with these challenges and reinforce the foundations of trilateral cooperation in coming years," the declaration said.

"Within the framework of the trilateral and bilateral meetings we had, we confirmed once again the steady progress of our widespread and multilevel cooperation. Cooperation of peoples with long-standing ties, of countries in the same geographical area with common understanding and approach on a number of issues," Tsipras said in joint statements with the Egyptian and Cyprus presidents.

"This day marks our commitment to the joint cooperation," el-Sisi said and expressed his gratitude for the steps decided.

"We agreed on finding a fair solution for the Palestinian problem with the creation of an independent state based on the decision of June 4, 1967 and West Jerusalem as its capital," he stressed and added that Egypt will provide its support to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the unity of the island and UN resolutions.

On his part, Anastasiades said that Cyprus and Greece decided to support the issues promoting EU relations with Egypt.

Moreover, he noted that the discovery of hydrocarbons can act as a catalyst for cooperation in the region. "Our partnership is not directed against anyone. The energy sources can meet the needs of all," he said.

Tsipras, Anastasiades and el-Sisi noted in their joint declaration that they "remain convinced of the strategic nature of this trilateral cooperation and will continue to work together closely in order to release [its] full potential," announcing their decision to set up a standing Joint Committee for Cooperation to design, develop and promote practical plans of trilateral interest.

They promised to continue efforts to improve trilateral consultations in all areas, noting that it served as a "model of regional dialogue via close coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums, as well as through efforts to further promote ties between the EU and the Arab world."

Among others, the agreement noted EU-Egypt ties and the need to support Egypt, especially in its struggle against terrorism, and the three countries' shared commitment to international efforts against ISIS/Da'esh and for stopping financial and military assistance to terrorism.

On migration flows, the three leaders noted the need to tackle the problem at its roots by resolving the conflicts and poverty that gave rise to the phenomenon, including in Syria, while urging the mobilisation of all EU member-states in efforts to deal with "this major challenge, which we can only face if we cooperate closely and remain united in our efforts, showing solidarity and adopting a genuine cooperative approach, with a sharing of responsibilities and burdens."

They also expressed support for the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, urging all sides involved in the Vienna Process to abstain from actions that "essentially undermine the spirit of the agreement we signed there."

The declaration noted the concern of all three countries for the security situation in Libya and Yemen, expressed support for the Iraqi government's efforts to achieve stability, peace and political cohesion, noted the agreement with Iran on its nuclear programme and repeated a commitment to a solution to the Palestinian problem leading to an independent Palestinian state, as well as a "just, viable and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue".

Referring to the recent discovery of considerable oil and gas deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the 'Zohr' natural gas field in Egypt's EEZ, the three leaders underlined that these could play a "catalytic role for peace and stability in the region" and agreed to accelerate talks on outstanding issues concerning their respective EEZs.

They also agreed to continue working closely in the tourism and shipping sectors in order to "boost our cooperation in implementing joint projects, with the participation of both public and private agencies," and noting that such cooperation could include joint tourist packages and cruises and closer maritime links between the three countries for both passenger and cargo transport.

Lastly, they expressed shared concern over the destruction of cultural heritage in the Middle East and the organised looting and illegal trade in cultural goods "!involving, among others, ISIS/Da'esh," and pledged to intensify their action against this problem. They called for a strong UN Security Council resolution against the trade and transportation of art from war zones, with the onus of proving legality shifted to the sellers, auction houses and buyers rather than the countries of origin.

[02] The trilateral meeting will send a message of peace and stability in the region, PM Tsipras says

"With the seal of His Excellency the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Sisi and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, we inaugurate a new era in the relations between the three countries," Tsipras said adding that "what they will co-sign today, will be important steps forward. We send a message of peace and stability in the region."

President al-Sisi thanked the other two leaders for the third consecutive tripartite meeting which, as he said, reflects the deep relations of the three countries, contribute to the development of peoples and the cooperation and coordination on various issues of mutual interest. Moreover, he added that "we have many common characteristics and assets that we can use for the benefit of our peoples and agreed that this collaboration sends a message of peace and stability.

On his part, Anastasiades underlined: "This meeting provides an opportunity to send a message that this cooperation aims at peace and is not directed against anyone." He also said that this cooperation allows Greece and Cyprus to boost the stability in the region, and on the part of Egypt to promote the common interests in the Islamic Conference.

[03] Tsipras: Greece and Cyprus are stability factors in the wider region

Greece and Cyprus are stability factors in a wider destabilised region, Tsipras underlined, adding that this will play an important role in the efforts made to resolve the Cyprus problem in a fair and sustainable way.

On his part, Anastasiades referred to the importance of the bilateral consultations as well as Greece's contribution to the resolution of the Cyprus issue. He also expressed his content over the third meeting of Greece, Egypt and Greece which deepens the relations of Greece and Cyprus with the neighbouring countries.

[04] Tsipras, Sisi, Anastasiades sign "Declaration of Athens"

[05] Tsipras, El-Sisi hail new trade deals, opportunities arising from new Suez Canal

The conference was attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is carrying out an official visit to Greece.

During his address, Tsipras noted the emergence of Piraeus port as a transport hub and a major logistics center in the region. He also hailed the deep historic ties between the two countries, stressing the possibilities of further cooperation on many levels. "Our bilateral relations and the trilateral relations we're building with Cyprus form a pillar of peace, cooperation and stability," he said.

The premier highlighted the possibility of exploiting hydrocarbons from marine reserves, saying that "bilateral and trilateral cooperation could become an example of how to utilize energy resources in the region, so that they do not constitute a source of conflict, but bring us closer."

There are also increased possibilities for energy interconnection via hydrocarbon resources and electric power which Greece will develop "on the basis of international law and not against third parties."

Taking the floor, the Egyptian president noted that the two countries' economic relations is based on initiatives which can be developed by the private sector adding that the leadership of Greece and Egypt have a great responsibility in preparing this actions.

El-Sisi also said his country has passed legislation to attract foreign investment, while it has also secured the necessary energy sources through new production units - either nuclear, or from renewable sources.

On hydrocarbons, he said the reserves are "very promising" for Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. "We look forward to exploiting the energy opportunities, but also in cooperating in the fields of shipping, tourism and transport," he said and called on businessmen to visit the new Suez Canal and study the investment opportunities offered by this sea route.

[06] Greece and Egypt hold joint military exercise in sea region of Crete

The exercise is in progress at the sea region of the southern Aegean, the Cretan Sea and the Libyan Sea.

Medusa 2015 includes search and rescue exercise with the participation of warships and Super Puma helicopters, air-defence and electronic war exercise, fire exercise, technical and interception exercises.

On Egypt's side participate the frigate Alexandria, the rocket ships ENS M.FAHMY and ENS A.GAD, four aircrafts F-16 stationed at Souda base as well as six F-16 that will operate from airbases in Egypt. The chiefs of the Egyptian and the Greek Staff Lieutenant General Mahmoud Hegazy and Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis are observing the exercise initially from frigate Psara and afterwards from frigate Alexandria

Greece participates with frigates Psara and Nikiforos Fokas, the rocket ship Daniolos, 10 F-16. The exercise will end on December 11.

[07] Greece, institutions agree on ADMIE split from PPC, disagree on management issues

The two sides agreed that ADMIE should be separated from the PPC through the creation of a new company in which the Greek state has a 51 pct controlling share. The state will initially have 100 pct ownership, after which 49 pct will be sold to private investors based on a specific schedule.

They also agreed on the form of compensation that PPC will receive for the split over time, as well as the various methods that will be involved, such as the transfer of a part of PPC's debt to the new company, the offsetting of some 400 million euros in PPC obligations to ADMIE and others.

The Greek government continues to object to handing over ADMIE's management to the private sector, however.

The two sides are to meet again on Thursday, without Skourletis who is due in Sofia, Bulgaria for the signing of an agreement for the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) gas pipeline.

According to the same sources, an agreement on ADMIE is possible and much less "thorny" than the prior actions that are to be discussed after Christmas concerning auctions for lignite coal and PPC hydroelectric power that are planned in order to facilitate the opening of the electricity market. The two sides currently disagree on the starting prices, with the PPC and the ministry wanting costs fully covered.

[08] Gov't spokeswoman dismisses reports that Greece is on a collision course with Berlin

In statements to the public radio she noted that it is not the first time that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble expressed such positions. "Very often, these positions that are neither in the interest of the country nor the people, have been defeated in the EU," she stressed.

On the IMF, she said that it often expresses neo-liberal views, adding that the outcome of the negotiations cannot be discounted. The IMF will decide in March, she stated, if it will participate in the Greek programme. However, she underlined that Europe should solve its problems by itself despite the fact that some countries would like the IMF's participation.

She also added that although the IMF is in favour of a debt relief, its views are extremely neo-liberal and it often intervenes in non-financial matters.

On the negotiations, she said that Greece has implemented many of those asked from creditors while others have been rejected. "Everything is the result of correlations and the outcome of negotiations and compromises," she underlined.

[09] Germany: IMF's participation in Greek program is included in ESM's legal texts

The participation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Greece's bailout program is not just a practice that has paid off, but is also specified in the ESM's legal texts, as well as in the statement released by the Eurogroup in August, German government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Steffen Seibert was responding to a question on whether Berlin considers the Fund's participation in Greece's third economic package as necessary. He also noted that the Eurogroup's text was approved by both the IMF and the Greek government.

Asked in a separate press conference whether yesterday's statements by Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble were a threat towards Greece, German finance ministry spokesperson Friederike von Tiesenhausen said: "The government's position is as recorded in the statement of the Eurogroup on 14 August - we want the participation of the IMF in the current program."

She also added that the relevant Eurogroup document includes the term "indispensable". "Therefore, everything is clear."

Asked about possible consequences if the IMF refused to participate in Greece's program, Von Tiesenhausen referred to the timetable and said the EU is still disbursing the first tranche of the loan provided by the program. "We have to accept that not everything will be completed this year - which would have allowed the formal evaluation process to begin - but we will go into next year. The IMF itself has made it absolutely clear that it will announce then, after this review, its decision. I do not want to speculate now, let's wait," she added.

[10] Europe should be able to handle its problems internally, says minister

He added however that there's an agreement between the institutions and the government which is being implemented.

[11] German foreign ministry neither refutes nor confirms Die Welt report

Germany's Foreign ministry avoided denying or confirming a press report by Die Welt published last weekend in which the paper cited a report of the German embassy in Athens which described Greece as a "rudderless ship".

"When the newspaper speaks of such alleged reports which are classified and confidential, it is neither refuted nor confirmed here," German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said, responding to a relevant question.

[12] Deputy Foreign Minister Mardas on Schaeuble's statement

Mardas underlined that the Greek government fully implements its commitments. "Steps have been made over the last nine months on issues that had not been touched in the previous five years, such as early pensions and overspending in the state budget," he noted.

The minister estimated that "2016 may be a recovery year for Greece, provided that certain steps are made, which we have scheduled and are not part of the agreement."

Moreover, he stressed the importance of changing Greece's economic orientation. "Certain things have been scheduled, related to the modernisation of the Greek economy, so that positive expectations that will change the course of the Greek economy are created."

He also referred to the international economic diplomacy. "We focus on the economic policy, within the framework of extroversion aiming to the increase of Greece's exports and in the attraction of funds."

[13] Corruption is the most dangerous enemy to Democracy, President Pavlopoulos says

Pavlopoulos described corruption as the most dangerous enemy to Democracy, as apart from the huge devastating economic consequences, it tries to smash the three pillars of democracy, the three powers -- the legislative, the executive and the judicial.

"It is time we realized that the fight against corruption and in favor of transparency is common for all of us. It is a matter of mentality of a whole society, which we have to consolidate in order to defend our country," the President noted.

He also said that the problem of corruption is not just about Greece, it is a global issue, which is also proved by the fact that the United Nations have established December 9 as an International Day against Corruption.

On his part, Bakouris highlighted the efforts being made so that the fight for transparency and against corruption plays a central role and underlined the blow to the institutions and the Democracy itself by corruption.

[14] Institutions pleased with progress in Greek NSRF legislation

According to information, the minister told the representatives that all actions have been concluded to prepare for the new NSRF. The two sides also discussed the completion of motorways and specifically with the concession holders and not their funding, as this issue has been resolved.

The representatives of the institutions are now meeting with Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis.

[15] Popular Unity leader Lafazanis lashes out at the government

He underlined that the sell off of 14 regional airports to the German state company Fraport is a major national crime.

"The sell off of national wealth, even if it cannot be averted, it will never be recognised by the Greek people and it will never be considered faits accomplis. Those responsible for the sell off of profitable national assets will be held accountable. They sell the national wealth without having the right to so do so and behave like subordinates of a neo-colonial quartet destroying our country."

[16] Parliament strips immunity from Golden Dawn leader over 'hate speech' charges

Lawmakers rejected a request to strip the immunity of Independent Greeks (ANEL) party leader Panos Kammenos for building code violations in a building that his party rents from Kammenos' father by 157 votes against, 21 in favour and 25 abstentions.

[17] European Court throws out Greek objections, upholds Commission decision on Hellas Gold sale price

The European Court of Justice on Wednesday threw out objections raised by the Greek state and the mining company Hellas Gold, upholding the European Commission's decision that the low price for Kassandra mines' concession amounted to a a state subsidy and was contrary to EU rules.

The case concerned an earlier challenge presented by Greece and Hellas Gold to the Commission's decision, relating to the very low price given by the company for the concession in 2003, which at just 11 million euros was considered to be well below market value.

Prior to 2003, the Kassandra mines were owned by the company TVX Hellas SA, which had bought the rights from the Greek state in 1995 for 11 billion drachmas (roughly 39.8 million euros). In 2003, the mines were transferred from TVX Hellas to the Greek state for 11 million euros and then sold to Hellas Gold for exactly the same amount, without any previous evaluation of the assets and without holding an open tender.

According to the Commission, this amounted to an illegal state subsidy for Hellas Gold of 15.34 million euros as a result of the sale of the mine below market value and the associated lower taxes. It ordered that the amount be recovered from the company with interest.

[18] Draft bill banning GM crops in Greece opens for public consultation

The bill incorporates into national law the provisions of the EU directive 2015/412 "as regards to the possibility for member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory."

According to the ministry, this bill ensures Greece can unilaterally prohibit the cultivation of all GMOs which are approved at EU level or are in the process of being granted a license, with the automatic activation of procedures stated in the directive. At the same time, Greece, for the first time, complies fully with EU law and the rules of international trade.

The bill will be open for consultation until Dec. 17.

[19] FYROM authorities have begun raising fence at Greek border in Florina

He said work on the fence had started opposite the Niki border crossing, near Metzitlia, but noted that the work had not made progress "thouth some barriers have been placed".

Biros said the fence was being erected to prevent the access of migrants heading toward Greece's northern neighbour but noted that passage through the border crossing was currently taking place without problems, without migrants and refugees collecting on the Greek side of the border.

[20] United Nations to support refugees on their way to Athens

"There are people at Idomeni that can help them, advise them what to do, tell them what to do if they want to apply for asylum and give them information on how they can be supported in general," Panagiota Siafaka, an official of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said to Praktorio 104.9 FM on Wednesday.

"Everything went smoothly during the operation of the Greek police; there was no violence. There were families, small children; we must be very careful and respect the people," Siafaka added.

[21] Greek Holy Synod denounces civil partnership agreement for same-sex couples

The announcement refers to the draft bill which the government is expected to be tabled in parliament in the coming days.

In its previous announcement, the Holy Synod stated that "aberrations extremely relevant for Greek society include civil marriage, the single-parent family, cohabitation and the so-called marriage of homosexuals" and continued to add that respect in the value of human beings derives from "the rejection of any substitute institution such as civil partnership, which attempts to relegate family life at the level of civil transactions and for whose change all you need is a simple change of mind of the parties involved."

[22] Athens journalists' union slams detention of reporters and photographers in Idomeni

"ESIEA considers such actions as an effort to limit the constitutionally enshrined right to free press," the union said in a statement.

Financial News

[23] Environment and energy minister to visit Sofia for signature of IGB Pipeline agreement

[24] Revenues from higher VAT on islands is not worth the commotion - parliamentary report

According to the report, the full implementation of the new VAT which is included in the country's third support program is expected to generate revenues of about 160 million euros, which the editors consider as small. The report also cites forecasts by other bodies, such as the Institute of Economic and Fiscal Studies, which said in its own report in 2013 that revenues will only reach 69 million euros.

As an alternative, the report suggests widening the use of plastic money in all transactions as a means of fighting tax evasion and increase revenues. This measure is believed it would bring in an estimated 2 billion euros from VAT.

[25] Insurance premium production down 15.8 pct in Oct

The report showed that premium production in the life insurance category continued falling since June, reversing an upward trend which began in February 2014 and culminated in May 2015. The production of life insurance-investment linked contracts fell 31.6 pct in October, from the same month last year, hit by the imposition of capital controls in the country.

[26] Greece sells three- and six-month T-bills

[27] Greek stocks plunge to June 2012 levels

Turnover was a heavy 153.309 million euros in volume of 88,166,528.

Alpha Bank (4.89 pct) and Eurobank (3.76 pct) were the only blue chip stocks to end higher, while Piraeus Bank (29.87 pct), National Bank (21.12 pct), Viohalco (9.04 pct), Lamda Development (8.86 pct), Hellenic Exchanges (8.43 pct0 and Terna Energy (7.26 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, only the Chemicals scored gains (0.18 pct) while Financial Services (7.47 pct), Utilities (6.12 pct) and Real Estate (4.84 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 72 to 36 with another 14 issues unchanged. Tzirakian (19.54 pct), Vioter (19.44 pct) and Akritas (17.86 pct) were top gainers, while Piraeus Bank (29.87 pct), National Bank (21.12 pct) and Euromedica (19.23 pct) were top losers.

[28] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving lower. The 12-month rate eased to 0.066 pct from 0.067 pct, the nine-month rate fell to 0.011 pct from 0.013 pct, the six-month rate fell to -0.034 pct from -0.033 pct, the three-month rate was -0.119 pct and the one-month rate fell to -0.181 pct.

[29] ADEX closing report

General News

[30] Eleven refugees drown off Farmakonissi; 26 rescued

Authorities said they believe there were at least 50 people on board the vessel. The Coast Guard has saved 26 people, while the search for more refugees continued.

The children have been transferred to the hospital of Samos as they had symptoms of hypothermia.

[31] Number of victims of migrants boat tragedy increases

The new boat tragedy was reported off the coasts of Farmakonissi after midnight when a wooden vessel carrying an unknown number of migrants capsized and sank.

The Coast Guard has rescued 26 persons while according to the migrants 12 more people are missing.

A rescue operation is underway to locate the missing persons.

[32] Greek police completes removal of migrants from FYROM-Greece border

Since this morning, 46 busses were used to carry migrants to Athens, the first of which are expected to have reached the Greek capital this evening.

Police also opened the national road at Idomeni which had been blocked during the operation. The NGO's which had been operating in Idomeni have also returned on site to rebuild the camp and welcome new arrivals.

[33] Convoy of 29 coaches carrying 1,500 migrants heading to Athens from Idomeni, police say

The coaches started setting off at around 11:00 on Wednesday morning after a police sweep of the area in order to open the railway line once again. The first coaches are expected to arrive in Athens late on Wednesday afternoon and the last will arrive in the capital late at night. The migrants will be taken to the former indoor Olympic stadium (Tae Kwon Do) in Paleo Faliro and the reception facilities at Elliniko.

[34] Calm prevails at Idomeni railway station

Meanwhile, the 10 migrants that were taken in for questioning on Thursday morning were later released.

An Iranian national that was stabbed and taken to Polykastro Health center and not to Kilkis hospital as initially said, has been wounded on the hand and the leg and is not in a serious condition, said to ANA-MPA the head of Thessaloniki national emergency medical center (EKAB) Chryssi Matsikoudi.

[35] At least 1,000 refugees arrive at Piraeus port on Wednesday

[36] Meeting place for Europe and dialogue opens in Athens

Initiatives and actions by active citizens and entitites with aim the promotion of dialogue on Europe's future will be hosted in the venue.

The opening event will be held at the European parliament building in Athens.

The first radio show from the 'Steki" will be broadcast live by the web radio NGradio.gr (http://www.ngradio.gr) on the issue "Young and Europe". MEPs that will attend the event and members of the 10 youth organisations will participate in the show.

The event will be also available on www.ustream.tv/channel/europarlgr.

[37] SNF Cultural Centre presents completed Energy Canopy over its groundbreaking new building

The last important milestone in the construction, the SNFCC's Energy Canopy is a marvel of engineering on both a local and an international scale. It is supported by 30 columns and composed of 717 individual, precast pieces, towering over the Greek National Opera building below. Despite weighing a massive 4,700 tons and measuring 46 metres at its highest point, the Canopy creates the optical illusion of a light structure suspended above the SNFCC and blending in with the city skyline.

Striving to combine aesthetics with practicality, the Canopy will cover a significant part of the daily energy requirements of both the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece that are to be housed in the SNFCC buildings. It measures 100 metres by 100 metres and presented significant construction challenges to the civil engineers and builders involved in the project, according to the SNF's Technical Director Theodoros Maravelias.

The installation of the photovoltaic elements onto the canopy will begin in December and will be completed by early February 2016. Construction of the building as a whole is also progressing on schedule, with just a few finishing touches in the building's interior left to complete. The project, begun 39 months earlier with a total budget of 596 million euros, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016, when it will be donated to the Greek State, and be ready to receive the public a year later, in the first half of 2017.

The second half of the presentation concerned the Visitors' Centre and Esplanade, which have been operating for the last two years and received a total of 55,000 visitors so far. This Christmas it will host a Santa's Workshop, with the full programme of events available at the website: http://www.snfcc.org/visitors-center/events/?lang=el).

[38] Attica to acquire archaeological scuba diving park in gulf of Evia

According to a culture ministry announcement, the high specification diving park will act as an "underwater museum" and will have six visitable sites in the Styra island group, the Kavalliani - Almyropotamos Cove area, the Petalioi islands, Akio island and Portolafia in Evia, Makronisos and the Lavreo area.

The project is expected to help boost the economy and local communities, the development of tourism and to promote the area's unique underwater monuments, as well as creating new jobs," the announcement said.

A presentation of the planned project was held at the Attica Region's offices, which outlined the work launched by the Underwater Antiquities Ephorate in 2006 to explore and chart the ancient and Byzantine-era shipwrecks located in the seas around Attica and southern Evia, from the island of Kavalliani to Kafirea and Sounio.

They said that a total of 19 underwater archaeological sites with 26 shipwrecks have been created, while the search for more important shipwrecks is continuing.

The project is to be implemented via the signature of a memorandum of cooperation between the Lavrio and Marathon municipalities, with financial and other assistance from the Attica Region.

In statements at the event, Baltas said the existence of 26 ancient shipwrecks in the gulf of Evia that were "essentially a museum" was "world-class news," and especially the fact that these could be visited due to the clearness of the waters.

[39] US national wanted for weapons smuggling arrested

The suspect is wanted for smuggling of weapons and money laundering.

[40] Floor chessboard contest to be set at Athens' international airport on Friday

Awarded chess players and chess clubs will aim in motivating visitors to participate at the event.

On Friday, the president of one of the numerous chess associations in Athens will give a speech about the history and the philosophy of the game, in the presence of two top chess champions.

During the weekend, there will be a contest between 9 chess clubs. After the winner is announced, the chessboard will be handed over to the crowd to practice their game.

[41] Drug rehab centre KETHEA to organise a Christmas Bazaar

Weather forecast

[42] Cloudy on Thursday

[43] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance:

DIMOKRATIA: Light in the conspiracy against (former prime minister Costas) Karamanlis

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: What is Schaeuble's statement hiding

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Blind conflict for ... the eyes of the IMF

ESTIA: Plans to alienate the administrations

ETHNOS: IMF eviction plan with new coalitions

IMERISSIA: Alarm from stocks and bonds

KATHIMERINI: New tension with Berlin and IMF

NAFTEMPORIKI: Conflict climate

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