Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-03-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras expresses solidarity with the Belgian people

[02] PM Tsipras speaks on the phone with German Chancellor Merkel

[03] President Pavlopoulos offers condolences to King Philippe of Belgium

[04] Terror attacks in Brussels are an attack against Europe's democracy and tolerance, gov't spokeswoman says

[05] Brussels attack does not raise concern over similar strike in Greece, government sources say

[06] EU heads of state and institutions say Brussels attack was 'attack against open society'

[07] Alt. FM Xydakis expresses condolences to families, friends of victims in Brussels attack

[08] The attacks in Brussels are an attack against all the peoples of Europe and Greece, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[09] Foreign Ministry condems terrorist attacks in Brussels

[10] Foreign Ministry: "Nous sommes tous Bruxellois"

[11] Juncker expresses sympathy to people of Brussels after terrorist attacks

[12] EU Council President Tusk expresses sympathies to relatives of Brussels' attacks victims

[13] Brussels bomb blasts strike in the heart of Europe; staff at EU institutions talk to ANA-MPA about Maelbeek

[14] Greek high school children on trip to Brussels all safe and well

[15] Aegean flights to / from Brussels will not be operated

[16] Aegean flight with destination Brussels landed at Dusseldorf airport

[17] Greek Police on alert after Brussels' terror attacks

[18] Protests against closed borders continue in Idomeni as terror strikes shake core of Europe

[19] EU-Turkey deal could expose refugee minors to danger, UNICEF says

[20] UNHCR suspends some of its activities in Greek 'detention centers'

[21] Two Greek policemen arrive at Cesme as part of EU-Turkey deal

[22] Migrants at Corinth detention centre pending return procedures at 465

[23] Off-the-agenda debate on justice issues postponed until next week

[24] Parliament postpones Transparency and Institutions Committee session, despite ND opposition

[25] Program review will be concluded by April 22, FinMin Tsakalotos estimates

[26] Alternate Defence Minister Vitsas meets British Ambassador

[27] TAP works in Greece to begin by mid-2016

[28] Hellas Gold completes licensing procedure for Olympiada project

[29] Alternate Tourism Minister Kountoura to visit Moscow

[30] Greek current account shows 742-mln-euro deficit in Jan

[31] Retailworld reports improved results in 2015

[32] Building materials' prices down 2.3 pct in Feb

[33] Greek stocks end moderately up

[34] Greek bond market closing report

[35] ADEX closing report

[36] Majority of Greeks say economic crisis has taken a toll on their health-research

[37] Family of Rami, a Syrian boy with cancer, allowed to join him in Germany

[38] Refugees and migrants in Lesvos protest against their detention in Moria

[39] Two ferries with more than 520 refugees and migrants docked at Piraeus on Tuesday

[40] Two in Idomeni camp sent to hospital after self-immolation attempts

[41] Archaeologists welcome decision for open access to Apollo temple in Vouliagmeni

[42] Metro stations in Athens reopen after prank bomb threat call

[43] Clouds, rain on Wednesday

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

[01] PM Tsipras expresses solidarity with the Belgian people

[02] PM Tsipras speaks on the phone with German Chancellor Merkel

Gerovassili said that the government condemns the terrorist attack in Brussels and is closely monitoring the developments adding that measures will be taken for the country's security. For that reason, the prime minister has called a meeting with Defence Minister Panos Kammenos and Alternate Defence Minister Nikos Toskas.

[03] President Pavlopoulos offers condolences to King Philippe of Belgium

[04] Terror attacks in Brussels are an attack against Europe's democracy and tolerance, gov't spokeswoman says

"This Europe should not be defeated by fanatics, religious hatred and racism. The powers of solidarity and humanism will overcome fear," Gerovassili noted. "The government is closely monitoring the developments and does everything possible to ensure the security of the country," she added.

For that reason, the prime minister has called a meeting with Defence Minister Panos Kammenos and Alternate Defence Minister Nikos Toskas.

Referring to the refugee issue, she said that the government finds the EU-Turkey agreement rather positive and noted that it opens a safe humanitarian corridor to Europe through the resettlement from Turkey. "The government is working to implement the obligations from this agreement. The needs in manpower and technical assistance are already being recorded. Moreover, a draft law is being prepared for problems related to the refugee crisis which will also constitute the institutional framework for the implementation of the agreement."

"Greece is meeting its obligations and at the same time is asking for the implementation of the EU commitments that have to do with the immediate provision of assistance to Greece," she stressed.

[05] Brussels attack does not raise concern over similar strike in Greece, government sources say

Noting that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had a meeting with Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas and Defence Minister Panos Kammenos on Tuesday, the sources said that the police have taken all the envisaged necessary measures, while the Greek government is closely following developments.

In statements after the prime minister's meeting, government sources had noted that the government is calmly following developments and security forces are doing all that must be done to ensure the security of the country and the safety of Greek citizens.

[06] EU heads of state and institutions say Brussels attack was 'attack against open society'

The EU heads of state or government and the leaders of EU institutions issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the terror attacks in Brussels and noting that it was an attack against its open democratic society.

"The European Union mourns the victims of today's terrorist attacks in Brussels. It was an attack on our open democratic society. Our common European institutions are hosted in Brussels, thanks to the generosity of the government of Belgium and the Belgian people. The European Union and its member-states stand firm with Belgium in solidarity and are determined to face this threat together with all necessary means," the statement reads.

"This latest attack only strengthens our resolve to defend the European values and tolerance from the attacks of the intolerant. We will be united and firm in the fight against hatred, violent extremism and terrorism," it concluded.

[07] Alt. FM Xydakis expresses condolences to families, friends of victims in Brussels attack

"Our condolences to families and friends of victims," the minister tweeted. "No fear, no panic. All thoughts follows our friends in Brussels. #BrusselsAttacks."

He also posted two phone numbers and an email for Greek citizens who want to be informed about friends or family members who are in Brussels. These numbers are: 210-3681730 and 210-3681350 and email: [email protected]

[08] The attacks in Brussels are an attack against all the peoples of Europe and Greece, ND leader Mitsotakis says

In a statement, the president of ND stressed that "the ruthless and murderous attacks in Brussels are an attack against all the peoples of Europe and Greece" and tragically highlight the major threats and challenges of a difficult era.

According to Mitsotakis, fighting terrorism and terrorists is a vital necessity and priority for all European countries. "With seriousness and determination, we should do everything to preserve - also in our country - the principles and values of Europe, security and freedom."

[09] Foreign Ministry condems terrorist attacks in Brussels

"We express our profound grief at this heinous crime, our support for the people and government of Belgium, and our deep condolences to the families of the victims. We wish the injured a speedy recovery. Blind terrorism is doomed to failure," it added.

[10] Foreign Ministry: "Nous sommes tous Bruxellois"

[11] Juncker expresses sympathy to people of Brussels after terrorist attacks

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed on Tuesday his sympathy to the people of Brussels following the terrorist attack earlier this morning, noting that security of Commission employees remains a priority for him.

Below is the full statement:

"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the people of Brussels, to the many wounded, to the families and loved ones of those cruelly hit by the explosions this morning at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek Metro Station. I would also like to express my full support for and solidarity with the Belgian authorities.

I commend the security forces, emergency services and all those who have helped victims and are still doing so now.

I would like to reassure the employees of the Commission and the European Institutions that their security remains a priority for me and that all possible measures will be taken in full cooperation with the Belgian authorities.

These attacks have hit Brussels today, Paris yesterday - but it is Europe as a whole that has been targeted. The European Union and its Institutions stand united in the face of terrorism.

These events have affected us, but they have not made us afraid. We will continue our work, to face the terrorist threat together, and to bring European solutions to questions that concern us all."

[12] EU Council President Tusk expresses sympathies to relatives of Brussels' attacks victims

"I extend my sincerest sympathies to the relatives and friends of the victims. These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence," he underlined.

"The European institutions are hosted in Brussels thanks to the generosity of Belgium's government and its people. The European Union returns this solidarity now and will fulfill its role to help Brussels, Belgium and Europe as a whole counter the terror threat which we are all facing," he added.

[13] Brussels bomb blasts strike in the heart of Europe; staff at EU institutions talk to ANA-MPA about Maelbeek

People working at the various European institutions in Brussels were on Tuesday still stunned by the attacks on the city, especially by the blast at the Maelbeek metro station within the so-called "European quarter" of Brussels. The employees already inside the various buildings had clear instructions to stay there. Those that hadn't reached their work places yet were advised to stay away.

EU flags were flying at half-mast in front of all European buildings and traffic was stopped on all the surrounding roads. Cameras outside the European Council and European Commission buildings were all turned toward the site of the blast and followed the police and fire brigade operations from a safe distance.

"We are trying to stay calm and awaiting further instructions," a Greek employee of the European Commission told the ANA-MPA, declining to give her name since she was expressing her personal opinions and not the official position of the Commission.

She said that there was an air of "calm" and "normality" in the corridors of the Berleymont building at this time, while the concern of the staff for both the colleagues and their families had earlier been evident. The heads of the Commission general secretariats had undertaken to confirm if the staff were all in good health, she said.

"The news so far is reassuring. There has been no information that a colleague was a victim of the attacks," the same employee said.

In the European Council building opposite, the atmosphere was a great deal more tense after an employee in the cleaning service entered the building in a state of shock, having just survived the attack in the metro at close quarters. A colleague that did not wish to be named said the woman was "in a state of shock and crying."

"Her shift had just ended and she was going home. She told us she was waiting for the train heading toward Erasme. As soon as the train stopped and the doors opened, she said she saw someone carrying something and immediately afterward the explosion happened. She ran to get out and fortunately was not hurt. She could not tell us anything more because she does not speak very good French. She is from Vietnam," the employee said.

The woman was not the only European Council employee that was in the metro station at the time of the attack. According to the Council, the night shift of cleaners had just finished work and one more woman was taken to hospital with light injuries. She was later confirmed to be in good health.

Some EU employees said that the European Council and European Commission were "obvious" terrorist targets for symbolic reasons. "We fear that the strike at the nearby metro station was only a warning and one day they will blow up the Council itself," one of the cleaning service staff told the ANA-MPA.

Conversely, another Council employee from the press service of Greek nationality told the ANA-MPA that he "was not giving in to fear".

"The Council building is a symbol of the EU but it is well guarded, however, and today's attacks were in areas that are not guarded. I am more worried about my children wandering out in the streets and less about us here," he said.

Asked whether the attack on Maelbeek was seen as a terrorist strike against the EU, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas declined to make any comment. "It is too early to enter into such a discussion. Some people are in a hurry but the European Commission will not follow," he said during the press briefing on Tuesday.

According to ANA-MPA sources, three European Parliament employees were among those injured in the attack on Maelbeek.

[14] Greek high school children on trip to Brussels all safe and well

A group of 17 Greek high school students on a trip to Brussels with their school are all safe and in good health, the trip organisers told the ANA-MPA on Tuesday, following the triple terror attacks in the Belgian capital. The group from the Raptopoulou Lyceum in Evritania were on the streets of Brussels on Tuesday morning when the attacks took place.

"All we saw was a city under police lockdown, with police officers and soldiers in the streets," said STAR Central Greece camera operator Vassilis Papamichos, who accompanied the school trip from Karpenissi in central Greece to Brussels. The teacher accompanying the high school students said they had felt great concern, because they found themselves trapped inside the European Parliament building, but now felt much calmer and more secure. At the time of the bomb blasts, the group was either at their hotel or on the coach heading toward the European Parliament, she added.

The entire group will now stay at the European Parliament building until at least 18:00 and head back to the hotel once Belgian authorities give them the all-clear, the teacher said. She was unable to say whether the trip will be cut short at this time.

There was intense concern at home, meanwhile, since the families and school were unable to contact anyone in the school trip because the phone network was not working properly in the wake of the attacks.

A separate group of 50 Greek high school students who were visiting Brussels after an invitation by two Greek MEPs, Giorgos Grammatikakis from Potami and Thodoris Zagorakis from New Democracy, were reported safe by one of the deputies.

According to Grammatikakis, the students who arrived on Monday to Brussels are from schools in poor regions of Greece (island of Tilos, Agrafa in Epitus, Drama and Evros) and were scheduled to return on Wednesday.

"They're all calm and are following the directions of authorities," the MEP told ANA-MPA, adding they have all gathered inside the European Parliament and are attending a session of the plenum.

He also sent a message to the students' parents who are worried, that they are all well in their health and that the situation is under control.

"We'll talk to them about Europe and we'll explain to those kids that all the big and smaller cities are now under the threat of terrorism until they deal with the source of this evil which is away from here, in Syria and elsewhere," he said, adding that the kids were happy to be there.

[15] Aegean flights to / from Brussels will not be operated

"Furthermore, please note that Aegean is granting free rebooking and cancelation with full refund for all passengers who have tickets from/to Brussels till and with March 31st ," the announcement added.

Aegean flight A3620 which departed from Athens International airport at 8:30 with final destination the Brussels Airport, is expected to land at the Dusseldorf airport at 10:48 local time.

[16] Aegean flight with destination Brussels landed at Dusseldorf airport

[17] Greek Police on alert after Brussels' terror attacks

The police announced increased security measures at the airports and the metro as well as in targets mainly of Belgian, French and Dutch interests.

"Stricter security measures have been taken in means of transport, the airport and foreign embassies," Civil Protection Ministry's sources said to ANA-MPA clearing out that they are just precautionary measures.

[18] Protests against closed borders continue in Idomeni as terror strikes shake core of Europe

"Now they aren't going to want us in Europe at all," said Ahmed, a Syrian refugee from Aleppo, as he prepared to join a second day of protests on the railway tracks in the Greece-FYROM no-man's land to demand that the borders open. The refugees and migrants continued a sit-in protest throughout the day, never ceasing to shout slogans.

"Sorry Belgium" was the message that a tiny Syrian refugee had written on his body with felt-tip pen, as he stood beside hundreds of others that gathered on the tracks to protest on Tuesday, asking that the borders open and allow them to continue their journey to northern Europe.

The same message was written on a cardboard sign held by another child, while other signs said "We are refugees, not terrorists."

According to Hana, the terrorist strikes were the work of people that "hate the refugees and want to create even more problems for us."

As the protests continued and intensified, a number of non-governmental aid organisations on Tuesday announced that they were pulling their staff out of the camp due to the high tensions, while leaving behind their equipment. They said they will continue to monitor the situation so that they can return if necessary. Earlier in the day, two people even set fire to themselves during the protest, suffering burn injuries that required hospitalisation even though the flames were quickly put out. One has been admitted to Kilkis hospital and the second taken to Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki.

It was at that moment that the crowd, which had built "barricades" to enclose the protest, was provoked into anger and started to move toward the crossing point at the FYROM border. They were held back by the more cool-headed among them, however, moving only a few metres forward. Only a group of small children later walked up to the fence on the FYROM border, chanting "Open the borders" and "Merkel, help us". They pinned a piece of paper with the message "I hate ISIS" on the fence and then withdrew.

[19] EU-Turkey deal could expose refugee minors to danger, UNICEF says

While welcoming the EU leaders' commitment to examine each case individually and not proceed with blanket returns, pushbacks and other measures harmful to children, UNICEF also asked that a series of priorities be set. Among them to correctly identify and care for unaccompanied minors, provide education - even in the short-term - for children stranded in Greece for longer periods of time and the vaccination of refugee and migrant children against measles, polio and respiratory diseases.

[20] UNHCR suspends some of its activities in Greek 'detention centers'

"UNHCR has till now been supporting the authorities in the so-called 'hotspots' on the Greek islands, where refugees and migrants were received, assisted, and registered. Under the new provisions, these sites have now become detention facilities," Fleming said.

It added however that the UNHCR will maintain a presence to carry out protection monitoring and ensure that refugee and human rights standards are upheld, as well as provide information on the rights and procedures to seek asylum.

Fleming also said that the organization's staff will also continue to be present at the shoreline and sea port to provide life-saving assistance - including transport to hospitals where needed. "We are counseling new arrivals on asylum in Greece, including on family reunification and on access to services. And we are identifying people with specific needs," she noted.

UNHCR is also concerned that the EU-Turkey deal is being implemented before the required safeguards are in place in Greece, the spokesperson noted. "At present, Greece does not have sufficient capacity on the islands for assessing asylum claims, nor the proper conditions to accommodate people decently and safely pending an examination of their cases," she said.

Fleming also clarified that the UNHCR is not a party to the EU-Turkey deal, nor will it be involved in returns or detention. "We will continue to assist the Greek authorities to develop an adequate reception capacity," she added.

[21] Two Greek policemen arrive at Cesme as part of EU-Turkey deal

The two policemen will prepare the arrival of four more colleagues. Turkey has already sent six policemen in Chios since Monday.

[22] Migrants at Corinth detention centre pending return procedures at 465

The centre has stopped operating in 2015 but reopened a few months ago, initially with some 450 individuals that were sent there. Roughly 300 of those held there were returned within one month of their arrival.

[23] Off-the-agenda debate on justice issues postponed until next week

[24] Parliament postpones Transparency and Institutions Committee session, despite ND opposition

Main opposition New Democracy strongly objected to the decision and the reasoning behind it, accusing the ruling majority of trying to avoid evidence of government meddling in justice from being heard. According to the main opposition, the decision to postpone the off-the-agenda debate due to the Brussels terror attacks was no reason to also postpone the committee session, which would have included a briefing by Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos and Alternate Justice Minister Dimitris Papangelopoulos.

[25] Program review will be concluded by April 22, FinMin Tsakalotos estimates

"A solution will have been found and the program review will have been completed by April 22," Tsakalotos said in Parliament.

"The institutions are expected to return in Athens on April 2 and the negotiations on the two open issues -- pension reforms and income tax -- will resume on April 4."

[26] Alternate Defence Minister Vitsas meets British Ambassador

Financial News

[27] TAP works in Greece to begin by mid-2016

Addressing a conference on the energy market , Skoufias said the pipeline will extend from the Greek-Turkish borders to Italy, via Albania and the Adriatic Sea and stressed that the project was sending a message of investment confidence for the country while at the same time upgrading the country's role in the region. The consortium has signed partnership agreements with 150 Greek enterprises and has had 450 meetings with local communities.

"We look forward to completing the transaction for DESFA," Anar Mammadov, chief executive of SOCAR told the conference and pledged to complete works in Revithousa and for a variety of supply sources for Greece and the region with natural gas.

George Alexopoulos, managing director for Strategic Planning in Hellenic Petroleum, said that the country offered significant investment opportunities in research and production of hydrocarbons, renewable sources, transport and natural gas/electricity infrastructure. He asked for a speeding up of procedures to evaluate bids for hydrocarbon exploration in the Ionian Sea, while commenting on renewable energy sources he estimated that in the 2016-2020 period Greece could attract investments up to 2.5 billion euros for an additional 2,000 MW.

[28] Hellas Gold completes licensing procedure for Olympiada project

[29] Alternate Tourism Minister Kountoura to visit Moscow

On Wednesday Kountoura will attend the official ceremony of the exhibition opening and then will inaugurate the Greek Tourism Organisation's pavilion.

According to a ministry's announcement, she will also have meetings with government and institutional officials of Russia and tour operators.

[30] Greek current account shows 742-mln-euro deficit in Jan

The central bank, in a monthly report, attributed this development to a deterioration in, mainly, the primary income account and, secondarily, the services balance and the secondary income account, which was not offset by an amelioration in the balance of goods.

The deficit of the balance of goods shrank by 294 million euros year-on-year, as a decline was recorded in the deficits of all sub-accounts, given that the value of imports fell more than that of exports. The surplus of the services balance almost halved year-on-year, having declined by 218 million euros, as a result of lower net transport receipts (mainly sea transport receipts, which dropped to 292 million from 631 million in January 2015). Travel receipts decreased by 4.7 pct and the number of non-residents' arrivals registered a decline of 7.8 pct.

As a result of the above-mentioned developments, the value of exports of goods and services fell by 25.8 pct and the corresponding value of imports declined by 21.8 pct, so the deficit of the balance of goods and services eventually shrank by 76 million euros.

In January 2016, the capital account showed a surplus of 388 million euros, up by 338 million year-on-year, mainly due to a rise in net capital transfers from the EU to general government. The combined current and capital account showed a deficit of 354 million euros, up by 123 million year-on-year.

In January 2016, no remarkable transactions were recorded under direct investment. Under portfolio investment, a net increase of 678 million euros was recorded in residents' external assets. On the liabilities side, a net decrease of 416 million was recorded, which is mainly attributable to a decline in non-residents' holdings of bonds and Treasury bills.

Under other investment, a net decline of 295 million euros in assets largely reflects the statistical adjustment associated with the issuance of banknotes.

At the end of January 2016, Greece's reserve assets stood at 5.6 billion euros, compared with 5.9 billion at end-January 2015.

[31] Retailworld reports improved results in 2015

Turnover grew 22.6 pct to 222,538,358 euros, from 181,580,497 in 2014.

Christos Kalogerakis, CEO of Retailworld, commenting on the results said the 2015 results showed that the company has won the trust of consumers, confirming the company's growth strategy.

Public storew were the No.1 retailer in the country in sales of mobile telephone and accessories, action cameras & drones, books, films, music and entertainment tickets.

[32] Building materials' prices down 2.3 pct in Feb

The statistics service, in a report, said that diesel prices fell 19.3 pct, copper pipes fell 7.9 pct, plastic pipes were down 3.4 pct, window prices eased 3.2 pct, lifts fell 2.7 pct, boilers were down 2.5 pct, garage doors fell 2.5 pct, cement prices fell 2.3 pct, interior doors fell 2.1 pct and tiles eased 1.5 pct. On the other hand, price increases were recorded in marble dust (0.8 pct) and heaters (0.4 pct).

The building materials' composite price index fell 0.2 pct in February from January.

[33] Greek stocks end moderately up

Lamda Development (5.91 pct), Jumbo (5.52 pct) and Hellenic Exchanges (3.29 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Viohalco (4.67 pct), PPC (2.41 pct) and OTE (2.15 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. Among market sectors, Health (5.83 pct), Personal Products (4.79 pct) and Real Estate (2.99 pct) scored big gains, while Technology (2.92 pct) and Telecoms (2.15 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Piraeus Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 44 to 37 with another 24 issues unchanged. Akritas (19.61 pct), Varvaresos (16.67 pct) and G.E.Demetriou (14.29 pct) scored big gains, while Pasal (19.49 pct), Lavipharm (18.52 pct) and Space Hellas (10.54 pct) were top losers.

[34] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates moved lower. The 12-month rate was -0.002 pct, the nine-month rate rose to -0.070 pct from -0.069 pct, the six-month rate rose to -0.132 pct from -0.131 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.239 pct from -0.234 pct and the one-month rate was -0.328 pct.

[35] ADEX closing report

General News

[36] Majority of Greeks say economic crisis has taken a toll on their health-research

Asked "What effect did the economic crisis have on the state of your health?", 591 respondents said the crisis has affected their health a lot / enough / a little, because of the following reasons:

68 pct said their general quality of life worsened

56 pct said their mental health deteriorated

29 pct was forced to be deprived of basic things, such as food etc.

26 pct said their access to healthcare was limited

23 pct said their access to medical care was limited (because of cost or shortages)

Some of the main conclusions include:

A deterioration of health, mainly mental, particularly for lower-income earners

Reception of less medical care, particularly for the unemployed and pensioners

A problematic access to medicines

Very high cost of private healthcare

Furthermore, the percentage of those who said they are facing a chronic disease increased by 24 pct in the period between 2009-2012, while the consumption of anti-depressants jumped 35 pct from 2006 to 2011.

The research by Dianeosis was conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine and coordinated by Social and Preventive Medicine Professor Yiannis Toundas from the University of Athens.

It is comprised of two complementary parts: The first studied the use of public and private health services from citizens, as well as the effects of the economic crisis on their health. The quantitative research was conducted in April 2015.

The second part includes an analytical review of the data and the bibliography which have been published by Greek and international bodies and researchers and concern all aspects of health, healthcare provision and use of health services during the crisis.

The full results will be published on Wednesday on dianeosis.org.

[37] Family of Rami, a Syrian boy with cancer, allowed to join him in Germany

Once they arrive in Munich, German authorities will take over their case.

Rami, a boy from Syria who was in Germany with his father, has been receiving treatment Hodgkins lymphoma at Munich's University Hospital for the past four months. He urgently needs a bone marrow transplant and his immediate family, such as his mother and brothers, are the most likely donors. After the borders were closed, however, his mother and brothers were stuck in Greece, which they reached by boat from Turkey, and could not continue their journey north. They officially applied for asylum on Monday and will now travel to Germany.

Rami's story, which was published in the international media, moved both German and Greek authorities, who took action to find them and launched fast-track procedures to reunite the family.

[38] Refugees and migrants in Lesvos protest against their detention in Moria

The protesters shouted slogans such as "Freedom!" in English as riot police gathered in front of them. Their main request is that they are registered immediately and allowed to leave instead of being held in Moria indefinitely.

There are currently about 1,600 people are kept in Moria since the implementation of the deal, among which about 400 Pakistanis who are detained until they are transferred to a center to be deported.

[39] Two ferries with more than 520 refugees and migrants docked at Piraeus on Tuesday

After the arrival of the 497 refugees and migrants of "Nissos Mykonos" the current number of the persons hosted at the facilities provided by the portuary authorities is totalled to 5,247, according to the newest data.

Later in the morning is expected to arrive also at Piraeus the ferry "blue star1" with 131 refugees and migrants from Mytilene.

[40] Two in Idomeni camp sent to hospital after self-immolation attempts

[41] Archaeologists welcome decision for open access to Apollo temple in Vouliagmeni

Archaeologists said the previous situation, where access was only possible for a few minutes and only via a guarded entrance on the coast after obtaining permission from the Asteras resort, was contrary to the law.

"We hope that the unobstructed, independent from Asteras, access to the public will be the necessary conditions for a multi-faceted promotion of the important monument, with various actions for its promotion, so that it can fulfill its scientific and educational role," the announcement adds.

[42] Metro stations in Athens reopen after prank bomb threat call

Police was earlier called to investigate the metro stations of Eleonas and Egaleo where a bomb was supposedly left by an unknown individual.

Weather forecast

[43] Clouds, rain on Wednesday

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

DIMOKRATIA: Drama with drugs

ETHNOS: Prices in the new land registry

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Uniform ownership tax (ENFIA) on cars

ESTIA: Act of cowardice against the Turks

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Revelations over corruption cases

TA NEA: More years, lower pensions

KATHIMERINI: Refugee flows despite the agreement

KONTRA NEWS: National Bank's scandal

NAFTEMPORIKI: New adaptation of real estate prices

IMERISSIA: All the new taxes

RIZOSPASTIS: They are preparing anti-popular attacks

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