Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Schulz urges for a swift completion of Greece's program review

[02] PM Tsipras meets EU Council President Schulz

[03] It's right of an elected government to decide how to achieve fiscal targets, says head of ECON

[04] Lagarde expresses skepticism over Greece's fiscal targets

[05] Evaluation of the implementation of the Schengen rules on external border management completed

[06] Greece-Italy-Albania meeting on refugee issue held on Thursday

[07] Piraeus port decongestion procedure well on track, Alternate Defence Min says

[08] Pope Francis' visit to Lesvos 'golden opportunity' to show arbitrary detention, says Amnesty International

[09] Number of refugees, migrants staying in army-run centres increases by 2,000 per week

[10] Migrants identified on Lesvos found wandering along coastal area of the Ionian Sea

[11] No violence was used against refugees during the readmissions to Turkey, says minister

[12] Refugee scuffles at Greek-FYROM buffer zone

[13] 53,925 identified refugees in Greece on Thursday

[14] Main opposition leader Mitsotakis adopts 'Thatcherite' positions, gov't sources say

[15] ND leader's views fully coincide with those of the IMF, says government spox

[16] Defence minister flies to small island cluster after Turkish fighter jet overflights

[17] Alt FM Xydakis to visit Berlin on April 15-17

[18] Greek gov't seeks to re-instate collective bargaining agreements

[19] Gov't must leave as soon as possible, says main opposition ND

[20] Gov't seeks support from countries that implement the same antisocial measures, says KKE

[21] SEB calls for resolution of NPLs problem, criticizes over-taxation

[22] Greek banks cut borrowing from ECB, ELA in March

[23] Alexander Zinell apointed CEO of Fraport Greece, responsible for 14 regional airports

[24] Eurostat: 22.2 pct of Greeks lived in poverty in 2015

[25] Greek inflation at -0.7 pct in March, Eurostat

[26] Greek import price index down 9.5 pct in Feb

[27] Eurolife says results down, capital adequacy up in 2015

[28] National Insurance reports improved 2015 results

[29] Greek stocks end flat on Thursday

[30] ADEX closing report

[31] Ancient grave with 80 bodies found near Athens may be linked to Cylonian affair

[32] 'Idomeni cultural centre', a school for children refugees

[33] Police clears out protesters' blockade on Egnatia motorway

[34] Finance ministry opens refugee relief account in Bank of Greece

[35] Jazz band to play at Athens' International Airport on Friday

[36] Taxi drivers block the entrance of FinMin to protest against tax reforms

[37] Sudanese arrested for attempting to sell fake travel documents to migrants

[38] Mostly fair on Friday

[39] The Thursday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] Schulz urges for a swift completion of Greece's program review

Greece and the institutions must stick to the agreement reached last July and the country's program review must conclude as soon as possible, the head of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said on Thursday, after a meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Strasbourg.

In a readout issued after the meeting, Schulz said the two sides discussed the ongoing negotiations for the conclusion of the review. "The President and the Prime Minister agreed that the institutions and then Greek government must stick to the agreement reached last July. Greece and the institutions are invited to do their utmost to conclude the review as soon as possible," he said.

[02] PM Tsipras meets EU Council President Schulz

In another tweet, the Greek prime minister said: "The right of elected governments to choose the means of meeting the agreed targets is a matter of democracy and sovereignty."

"We departed from Greece's friend, France, with satisfaction. The future of Europe is not a matter for technocrats," he had earlier posted on Twitter.

[03] It's right of an elected government to decide how to achieve fiscal targets, says head of ECON

"It's important to implement the deal, but of course there's the right of an elected government to determine the ways with which it will achieve the jointly agreed targets," he told journalists.

He also noted the need for a swift completion of the Greek program review, saying this development will be important for the country and Europe.

[04] Lagarde expresses skepticism over Greece's fiscal targets

Lagarde said she wasn't sure if a primary surplus target of 3.5 pct of GDP by 2018 is feasible adding that it's also unsustainable. She also said Greece needs stability, sustaina-bility and national sovereignty and for this reason, all estima-tions on macroeconomic targets must become realistic.

Asked on the ongoing negotiations between the Greek government and the institutions, she noted the need to complete the program review as soon as possible, saying that "the last thing Greece needs right now is another delay," a point with which Greece agrees.

Concerning the country's debt, Lagarde said a solution is neede for both the maturity of the bonds and the height of the interest rates and reiterated the IMF's position that the Greek program needs to be based on two pillars: reforms and debt relief.

[05] Evaluation of the implementation of the Schengen rules on external border management completed

The experts visited?areas along the Greek borders and checked on the presence of police officers, the effectiveness of the identification and registration process, as well as the cooperation with neighboring countries.

Then they drafted a report on potential weaknesses and suggested corrective measures which have to be taken within the deadlines. The Committee submits the measures to the Council for approval. Member states must present an action plan that defines how they will address their weaknesses. In order to implement the recommended measures, member states can be supported by the Commission, Frontex and the other EU bodies through practical or financial tools.

Each Schengen country is regularly evaluated in order to ensure the right implentation of the agreed rules.

Moreover, each Schengen state is responsible for monitoring its external borders based on the common rules outlined in the "Schengen Borders Code".

[06] Greece-Italy-Albania meeting on refugee issue held on Thursday

Foreign Ministry officials and police officers that participate in the meeting will exchange views and examine the prospects for further cooperation on the refugee crisis.

More specifically, they will focus on information exchange and ways to combat undocumented migrants networks as well as the readmission procedure and assistance from Greece, Italy and Albania on the asylum system.

[07] Piraeus port decongestion procedure well on track, Alternate Defence Min says

Another priority of the government is to decongest the facilities at Helliniko, he added.

He also referred to the organisations trying to exploit the situation on the pretext of protecting refugees and migrants, stressing, however, the important work of serious non governmental organisations that provide real assistance.

[08] Pope Francis' visit to Lesvos 'golden opportunity' to show arbitrary detention, says Amnesty International

"During his visit the Pope will highlight the important role of the local and international solidarity organizations in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the midst of the refugee crisis," he said in a press release.

"But he must also talk openly about the violations, the fear and the uncertainty suffered by thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in Lesvos and elsewhere in Greece," he added.

[09] Number of refugees, migrants staying in army-run centres increases by 2,000 per week

The 27 centers, which have a capacity of hosting 33,869 people, are currently hosting 27,989 people, while last week the 23 centers which were operating had 25,916 refugees and irregular migrants.

[10] Migrants identified on Lesvos found wandering along coastal area of the Ionian Sea

According to sources, local residents spotted the 45 migrants and called the police. The migrants were from Somalia except one who was an Afghani national and had recently arrived and been indentified on Lesvos.

The migrants were not arrested because they had temporary residence permits.

The reason the migrants were at the specific area has not yet made known. However, police officers say that they may be expecting a vessel to transfer them to Italy.

[11] No violence was used against refugees during the readmissions to Turkey, says minister

Asked to comment on videos showing reactions by the refugees during their transport and violence by police, as well as on reports by organizations which claim they were not fully informed of their rights, the minister said: "About 90 pct [of the refugees] have applied for asylum. It cannot be that only 10 pct was not informed. Of course their transportation is not on a voluntary basis; however no form of violence was used."

He also clarified that police doesn't consider the refugees as a problem and has showed it in various ways, adding that the problem was created with the uncontrolled flow and long stay.

[12] Refugee scuffles at Greek-FYROM buffer zone

According to police, around 30 persons were involved in the scuffles at Idomeni's railway causing damage to the glass front of the canteen.

[13] 53,925 identified refugees in Greece on Thursday

According to the Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body's figures, 29,619 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 10,411 of them are in Idomeni camp, 14,936 are hosted in the region of Attica (3,770 at Piraeus port), 7,178 on the Greek islands and 2,192 are hosted in different areas in central and southern Greece.

[14] Main opposition leader Mitsotakis adopts 'Thatcherite' positions, gov't sources say

The same sources accused Mitsotakis of saying one thing in the country and another thing outside the country. "Mr Mitsotakis probably believes that the Greeks do not understand English or that they do not follow the US media," they said and added: "Mitsotakis said that he agreed on a number of labour and structural reforms that the IMF demands from Greece. Therefore he agrees with mass layoffs, further cuts on salaries, the deregulation of the labour market, the abolition of collective negotiations and labour rights. So, he obviously agrees with the abolition of what is considered EU social acquis."

Mitsotakis said that the current Greek government is inefficient and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras never intended to implement any reforms for the country's economy, according to an interview with the Washington Post published on its website on Wednesday.

"I think that Greece, first of all, deserves a serious and efficient government with good people in top positions," he was quoted as saying, noting that the issue of the country's debt needs to be addressed.

He went on to explain that Tsipras never really wanted to implement reforms but only hoped he could achieve a restructuring of the country's debt. This, he added, led the economy into a recession, with Greece being the first European country to impose capital controls.

The leader of the main opposition also criticised the government's record in managing the refugee crisis, saying that they haven't been able to build the camps across the country for the 50,000 refugees and migrants who are stuck in Greece. He also called again for elections.

[15] ND leader's views fully coincide with those of the IMF, says government spox

"That is [they coincide] with a failed austerity recipe: the destruction of the welfare state, the wage/pension cuts, the abolition of labour rights," Gerovasili said in an interview with radio station "Alpha 9.89".

Her comments follow an interview of Mitsotakis to the Washington Post published yesterday.

[16] Defence minister flies to small island cluster after Turkish fighter jet overflights

Earlier, two Turkish fighter jets repeated flights over Inouses and small islet of Panagia, resulting in a dogfight with Greek fighter jets. The five out of the six flights of the Turkish jets over the small islands occurred with a difference four minutes on average.

[17] Alt FM Xydakis to visit Berlin on April 15-17

On Friday, Xydakis will have successive meetings with the German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, and State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior Emily Haber.

[18] Greek gov't seeks to re-instate collective bargaining agreements

Speaking in Parliament, Katrougalos said the government's aim in negotiations with creditors was to re-instate collective bargaining agreements. Responding to a question by Communist Party deputy Christos Katsonis, the Greek minister said: "The government will continue promoting measures safeguarding labour rights and prohibit unlawfulness when it happens in the labour jungle we live in".

[19] Gov't must leave as soon as possible, says main opposition ND

"Their lies cause the closure of thousands of businesses, thousands of people losing their jobs, millions of people worrying over the imminent tax storm," New Democracy noted.

"Go away! As quickly as possible," the statement concluded.

[20] Gov't seeks support from countries that implement the same antisocial measures, says KKE

KKE was commenting on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' visits to Europe and the negotiations.

Financial News

[21] SEB calls for resolution of NPLs problem, criticizes over-taxation

In a weekly bulletin, SEB said that bank deposits that fled the country in the last 15 months were not expected to return to Greek banks, and if bank deposits failed to increase, capital controls were not expected to be lifted. "Capital controls will be always with us, at least as long as confidence is not restored on economic outlook. And with capital controls on enterprises there cannot be economic growth. Therefore, to cover this gap, a faster resolution of the non-performing loans problem must be sought," the Federation said. SEB, however, stressed that capital controls have not seemed to significantly affect the operation of well-organized Greek enterprises or those that have access to revenue from exports.

"The situation for smaller enterprises seemed to might have been worse than with larger enterprises, but companies have developed a wide-spread transaction system with the use of bank accounts abroad (mostly Cyprus, Bulgaria, etc)," SEB noted.

The Federation noted that the result of an excessive taxation of consistent taxpayers and enterprises that still stand on their feet would be catastrophic as available income and incentives for work and business activity will collapse, leading the economy again to recession, undermining the goals of the memorandum. "While public spending remained unscathed, the government is burdening once again with higher taxes all consistent taxpayers and enterprises that still distribute a dividend. This way the productive and social web of the country was about to collapse," SEB noted.

[22] Greek banks cut borrowing from ECB, ELA in March

[23] Alexander Zinell apointed CEO of Fraport Greece, responsible for 14 regional airports

Fraport signed a 40-year deal to manage the domestic airports at 14 top regions across Greece in cooperation with Greek energy firm Copelouzos. The airports are those in Thessaloniki, Corfu, Chania, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Aktion, Kavala, Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Mytilini, Mykonos, Santorini and Skiathos.

According to the company, the 49 year old economist has been working for Fraport since 2001 and his tenure in the new post will start in the summer.

"The 14 Greek regional airports offer excellent opportunities from a tourism point of view, they constitute hubs connecting the periphery with the islands," Zinell said in a press release.

"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to Fraport Greece to change their image and I'm absolutely sure that tourism in Greece, airport employees, local communities and the Greek government but also Fraport Greece will benefit from this cooperation," he added.

[24] Eurostat: 22.2 pct of Greeks lived in poverty in 2015

The Eurostat report estimated the percentage of the EU population who are deprived of basin consumer goods, or is unable to meet their minimum financial obligations. Based on this data, about 2.37 million people lived in poverty in Greece in 2015 and 41 million in the EU in total.

Furthermore, while the number of people living in destitution in the EU started falling from 2012 (9.9 pct in 2012 to 8.2 pct in 2015), in Greece the numbers have risen from 19.5 pct in 2012 to 20.3 pct in 2013, 21.5 pct in 2014 and 22.2 pct in 2015.

[25] Greek inflation at -0.7 pct in March, Eurostat

Greek annual inflation rate fell to -0.7 pct in March from 0.1 pct in February and -1.9 pct in March 2015, Eurostat said on Thursday.

The EU executive's statistics service in a report released here, said that in the Eurozone the inflation rate was zero, from -0.2 pct in February and -0.1 pct in March last year, while in the EU-28, the inflation rate was also zero in March from -0.1 pct in February and -0.1 pct in March 2015.

A total of 15 EU member-states recorded negative inflation rates in March, led by Romania (-2.4 pct), Cyprus (-2.2 pct) and Bulgaria (-1.9 pct). Belgium (1.6 pct), Sweden (1.2 pct) and Malta (1.0 pct) recorded the highest inflation rates.

[26] Greek import price index down 9.5 pct in Feb

The statistics service, in a report, attributed this development in the so-called imported inflation to a 0.9 pct decline in the import price index from Eurozone countries and a 17.4 pct fall in the index from countries outside Eurozone.

The index was up 0.4 pct in February from January 2016.

[27] Eurolife says results down, capital adequacy up in 2015

The company said its own capital surpassed the required solvency margin by 573 pct for life insurance and by 424 pct for general insurance, based on the Solvency I regulatory framework, while under the Solvency II framework the group covered capital requirements by 178 pct for life insurance an by 152 pct for general insurance.

Eurolife said premium production totaled 308 million euros in 2015, down 22.6 pct from 2014, hit by the imposition of capital controls in the country. Consolidated pre-tax earnings amounted to 68 million euros, down 5.0 pct from 2014 and after tax earnings totaled 48 million euros, down 16.9 pct over the same period.

Eurolife said its market share in the life insurance market was 13.2 pct and in general insurance 3.2 pct, for a market share of 8.1 pct, ranking fourth in a market which shrank by 5.8 pct last year.

Alexandros Sarrigeorgiou, chairman and chief executive of Eurolife ERB Insurance Group SA Holdings, commenting on the results said that 2015 was a year of significant developments for the Group which laid the foundations for a steady growth course in the coming years.

[28] National Insurance reports improved 2015 results

The company said pre-tax earnings amounted to 76.7 million euros in 2015, from 105 million in 2014 and after tax earnings rose to 98.1 million euros from 75.9 million over the same periods, respectively.

Consolidated pre-tax earnings totaled 78.2 million euros from 105.4 million in 2014 and after tax earnings rose to 99.3 million euros from 76.1 million.

National Insurance said this development reflected an increasing control of damage costs, a more efficient management of investment portfolio and the development of new profitable products. The car insurance sector reported profits of 46.2 million euros last year, from earnings of 31.2 million in 2014. The fire sector reported profits of 38.3 million euros in 2015, down from 43.3 million in 2014. Gross premium production, including investment products, totaled 609.6 million euros, down from 748.9 million in 2014 (parent results). The company said its own capital grew by 104.4 million euros last year.

[29] Greek stocks end flat on Thursday

The index remained on a downward trend for the fourth successive session, losing 2.41 pct. The Large Cap index rose 0.09 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 2.22 pct lower. Turnover was a thin 36.726 million euros in volume of 51,594,126.

National Bank (2.76 pct), OTE (1.88 pct) and Jumbo (1.15 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while PPC (3.11 pct), Ellaktor (2.73 pct) and Hellenic Petroleum (2.57 pct) suffered heavy losses. Piraeus Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day.

Among market sectors, Telecoms (1.88 pct) and Commerce (1.07 pct) scored gains, while Health (2.56 pct) and Utilities (1.83 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 56 to 46 with another 20 issues unchanged. Mathios (23.46 pct), Pasal (19.55 pct) and Medicon (19.48 pct) were top gainers, while Frigoglass (19.22 pct), Domiki Crete (17.20 pct) and Boutaris (16.67 pct) were top losers.

[30] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 37,740 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (11,409), followed by Alpha Bank (3,633), National Bank (9,320), Eurobank (4,387), MIG (6,722), OTE (547), PPC (396), OPAP (138), Mytilineos (164), Hellenic Petroleum (117), GEK (152), Ellaktor (168) and Frigoglass (373).

General News

[31] Ancient grave with 80 bodies found near Athens may be linked to Cylonian affair

From the research conducted so far, 50 pct of the area has been cleaned and the bones recovered appear to be young men, well-built, with excellent dentition, who do not appear to have bone fractures. One skeleton was discovered with an arrowhead stuck in its shoulder which points to a possible capture, archaeologist Stella Chrysoulaki from the Ephorate of Piraeus, Western Attica, and the Islands, said in a presentation at the Central Archaeological Council.

The importance of the findings, which came to light during the past 20 days and were found at a depth of a mere 2.5 meters, is that they can be safely dated, because of the presence of two trefoil jugs discovered nearby, placing them at the third quarter of the 7th century BC. This date may connect the skeletons with the Cylonian affair.

Chrysoulaki said the findings have a huge historical significance and require a close cooperation between the State and the Niarchos Foundation, which is funding the excavation, to best present and conserve the site.

[32] 'Idomeni cultural centre', a school for children refugees

The sign outside the big tent set up by volunteers from different countries reads "Idomeni cultural centre" and the lessons are held every day. The teachers are refugees that have studied maths or science or languages.

According to the programme, breakfast is served at 9 am, followed by Maths lessons, Kurdish and Arabic language lessons while there are also courses for adults.

On their part, the volunteers try to learn to the children languages such as English and German that will need in their new lives.

"Many of the children do not know how to write or read due to the war. There are 11 or 12 year old children that have never been to a school," Daniel, one of the volunteers, said to ANA-MPA. "We need paper, pencils and books in the Arabic language," because the number of the children increases day after day, he added.

[33] Police clears out protesters' blockade on Egnatia motorway

The group was protesting for the living conditions of the nearby accommodation centre of Katsika.

During the operation, protesters threw stones and planks against policemen, with the later detaining 27 people. Among them was a Spanish national, member of an NGO, who has been working inside Idomeni camp.

The detainees were later released, after they told police they chose this form of protest to highlight the bad living contitions in the Katsika accommodation centre.

[34] Finance ministry opens refugee relief account in Bank of Greece

This account will fund programs, projects and actions that will cover the needs of refugees, the ministry said. The person responsible for this bank account will be Deputy Minister for NSRF Issues, Alexis Charitsis, who will be conducting all payments, following an agreement by the committee managing the account.

The committee that will manage the account is made up of five members. The funds will come from natural or legal persons who are not subsidized directly or indirectly by the state budget.

The bank account is: 2341164213 with IBANGR0901000230000002341164213

[35] Jazz band to play at Athens' International Airport on Friday

Vasilakis, along with Dimitris Papadopoulos (trumpet), Yiannis Papadopoulos (keyboard) and Giorgos Kosteletos (drums) will play jazz solos and grooves from noon until 13.00.

[36] Taxi drivers block the entrance of FinMin to protest against tax reforms

The nationwide federation of taxi drivers (POEIATA) has announced a 24-hour strike for Thursday.

[37] Sudanese arrested for attempting to sell fake travel documents to migrants

The Sudani national who was granted political asylum in 2016 asked for 2,000 euros for the fake documents.

Weather forecast

[38] Mostly fair on Friday

[39] The Thursday edition of Athens' newspapers at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: Confession of betrayal

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: French key for the program review

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Retroactive cuts on pensioners of the public sector

ESTIA: Vilification in the Parliament

ETHNOS: Law and order for non-governmental organisations

IMERISSIA: Gloomy climate

KATHIMERINI: War of nerves before Washington

TA NEA: Supplicant in Paris

RIZOSPASTIS: A new 'gift' to the capital

NAFTEMPORIKI: 8 pct GDP ceiling on debt

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