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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-07-20Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Wednesday, 20 July 2016 Issue No: 5210CONTENTS
[01] PM receives leaders of non-Parliamentary opposition to discuss election lawPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday had a series of meetings with the heads of political parties that were not elected to Parliament in the last elections, to discuss the government's proposals for amending election law and revising the Constitution. The round of meetings started with George Papandreou, former prime minister and PASOK leader and currently head of the Democratic Socialists Movement (KIDHSO) party, followed by a delegation from the Ecologists-Greens and the head of the Unifying Movement of the European Left (EKIEA) Fotis Kouvelis.Talking to Kouvelis about the government's proposals, Tsipras noted that each person "must adopt a position based on their value sign ... without petty political motives." "The political system, which will undoubtedly be reformed to the extent that the new election system goes forward, is a dynamic element for dealing with the crisis issues," Kouvelis said. Papandreou, in comments as he was leaving the meeting with the prime minister, said that a system of simple proportional representation would inevitably mean the breaking up of large electoral constituencies. According to the former prime minister, more time for discussion was needed before changing the election system, while he had asked Tsipras to seriously consider "an old proposal we made, for a mixed system of single-seat constituencies and constituency lists, like the state deputies' ticket but on a regional level." This, he added, would overcome the problem of the 'black' campaign money associated with the smaller constituencies required by simple proportional representation. [02] Greek bank deposits recover spectacularly, sources sayGreek bank deposits are recording a spectacular increase since the beginning of the year, banking sources told AMNA on Tuesday.The same source said that capital worth around 4.0 billion euros have returned to the banking system, after a capital outflow of around 4.5-5.0 billion euros in the period from January to May 2015 and said that increased tourism trends have helped in this development. Domestic banking sources noted that a return of deposits was a sign of stabilization in the Greek economy and confidence over economic outlook. Greek banks are also spectacularly reducing their dependence from ELA, borrowing smaller sums, also a sign of stabilization. The European Central Bank on Monday approved a recommendation made by Bank of Greece governor Yiannis Stournaras to ease capital controls in the domestic market. [03] ECB approves easing of capital controlsThe European Central Bank (ECB) late on Monday gave the "green light" to a request by the Bank of Greece (BoG) to loosen capital controls in the country.According to a BoG official, the move had been announced by central bank governor Yannis Stournaras last week. The decision is expected to be published in the Government Gazette. [04] Jack Lew to visit Athens, meet PM and FinMin TsakalotosU.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew will meet Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Thursday at 11:00, during his visit to Athens this week. After the meeting, Lew and Tsakalotos will hold a joint press conference.Lew is due in Athens in Athens on Wednesday and Thursday, on his way back from a G20 finance ministers' meeting in China, and will also meet Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. According to a U.S. Treasury announcement, Lew will "encourage the government to continue making strong progress on reforms this summer so that European leaders can begin discussing with the International Monetary Fund the timing and details of debt relief this fall." [05] Labour minister and social partners sign joint statement on labour issuesLabour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity Minister George Katrougalos on Tuesday signed a joint statement on labour issues with the social partners, in a bid to create a solid national social front ahead of the negotiations with the institutions in September on a review of the Greek programme.After the meeting, Katrougalos noted that the document signed by social partners will form the core of Greece's national position in the talks. "They agreed that we can accept as optimum practices only those that are compatible with the European social model. They asked for social dialogue to be strengthened and stipulated that it should not be up to the state to decide the minimum wage but that this should be set through collective bargaining and have general application. They referred to restoring sector-level negotiations and the extensibility of collective labour agreements. They consider that there is no issue of amending existing legislation on lockouts or mass layoffs," he said. The minister noted that the negotiations in September would not be easy but expressed hope that after a united front had been reached on the level of the social partners, there would also be a united front on the level of political parties, urging the opposition to also adopt this strategy. The minister had met with the trade union and employer organisations that take part in the negotiations to set the national collective labour agreement. The meeting produced a document noting agreement on five key points. In addition to demanding that the legal minimum wage be set through collective bargaining by the social partners, it also ruled out any further reduction of the minimum wage or the abolition of the 13th and 14th bonus wages given under the Greek payment systems. While agreeing to amendments in order to modernise the 1982 labour law, they stressed that the changes must not dispute the right to strike or the protection afforded to trade union action under the Constitution. [06] Debate on proposed changes to election law begins in ParliamentThe debate on the government's proposed changes to election law began before the Parliament plenum on Tuesday, with the rapporteurs of the political parties.Main opposition New Democracy, the Democratic Alliance and Potami party all expressed their disagreement with the decision to change the date for the vote on the draft law without first informing the representatives of the parties in Parliament. "Adapting Parliament's schedule to that of the prime minister's reveals a contemptuous view of Parliament," ND's Nikos Dendias said. The debate is due to be concluded with a vote on Thursday, after three evening sessions of debate in order to give all the parties time to present their positions in detail. [07] PM Tsipras: We hope that normalcy will be restored in TurkeyDevelopments in Turkey dominated the brief dialogue between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the president of the Democratic Socialists Movement George Papandreou on camera before their meeting on Tuesday.The meeting took place ahead of the parliamentary debate on the electoral law and the constitution revision. "This meeting is taking place in difficult times," Papandreou noted. "Turkey always experiences internal turmoil and we have to be very careful," Tsipras said and underlined: "We hope that normalcy will be restored, although I feel that it will take some time." [08] Debate on death penalty in Turkey serves internal purposes, Alternate FM Xydakis saysThe debate on the reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey may serve only internal purposes, Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis said in an interview with Praktorio 104.9 FM on Tuesday.He added that a basic principle in Roman law is that a law voted cannot be applied retroactively. "Most of what is heard and announced serve internal purposes. The issue, of course, is unpredictable and has a dynamic that can be alarming," he underlined. Xydakis noted that what is happening to Turkey must be judged with cautiousness because we do not even know the extent to which facts reflect reality. [09] Former ATE Bank governor denies wrongdoing in issue of ND, PASOK loansThe New Democracy and PASOK parties had received 240 million euros in loans from the Agricultural Bank of Greece between December 2009 and June 2012, or 1 pct of the bank's assets, former Agricultural Bank governor Theodoros Pantalakis said on Tuesday. He was testifying before the Parliamentary examination committee investigating the legality of loans given to political parties and media businesses during the period.At the time that he took over the bank's management, ND had an unpaid loan of 105 million euros and PASOK an unpaid loan of 96.8 million euros, he said. Prior to that period, both parties had been up to date with payments and considered to carry minimal risk of default. He denied that ATE Bank had broken any rules in approving the loans, noting that the Bank of Greece had at no time given instructions to that effect and that all banks had issued loans based on the four-year state grants to the parties. He also insisted that all loans had been based on "purely banking criteria" even after the government announced that Greece was entering a bailout programme. [10] Seven contenders in final stage of Greek TV licence tender announcedThe General Secretariat for News and Communication on Tuesday announced the seven bids selected to contend in the final stage of a tender for four national television licences in Greece, to take place in the first half of August.The seven contenders announced include SKAI SA, NTV Nea Tileorasi, Antenna TV, Alpha Satellite Television S.A., Ioannis-Vladimiros H. Kalogritsas, E TV and Alter Ego. The three bids rejected were submitted by Dimera Media Investments Ltd, ITV CP and Mega Channel. The number of participating bids may increase since applicants have the right to apply for corrective decisions. [11] Government's aim with election, TV licence laws is to deceive, Potami leader saysThe aim of the government's proposals for television licences and also the changes to election law are to "confuse things and finally to deceive," Potami party leader Stavros Theodorakis said on Tuesday, speaking to 'Star' television in central Greece.According to Theodorakis, if the ruling coalition had not been trailing in the opinion polls, as it was now, it would not be proposing changes to election law and the 50-seat bonus for the first party. As for the television licences tender, Theodorakis said that it was a "joke that is rapidly turning into a farce." "Each channel is not just a business, it is a medium that affects people's awareness. Therefore, you naturally want whoever wants a channel to have a legal financial profile, to be up-to-date with tax and social insurance payments but also to have a proposal that concerns culture and news. Whe you see applications submitted by a man that has some money but also six executives that will set up the channel that are employees of one government ministers, employees of the national defence ministry, who can claim that we are stopping television's dependence on politics and corruption?" he asked. [12] Meeting on peace and security to be held on September 8-9 on RhodesA meeting on peace and security will be held on 8 and 9 September in Rhodes with the participation of European and Arab countries under the initiative of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias."I am very proud because Rhodes was chosen for something so important that showcases Rhodes' role since the ancient times as a crossroads of cultures, a bridge connecting the East and the West. And I am really happy and excited, because this place has a story and the story is written in golden letters," secretary general of Greeks Abroad Michalis Kokkinos said. During the meeting, the participants discussed the details for the safety of high guests that will visit the island as well as peace and security. [13] Supreme Court Prosecutor orders immediate translation of Siemens indictmentSupreme Court Prosecutor Xeni Dimitriou on Tuesday ordered the head of the Athens Appeals Court Prosectors' Office Isidoros Dogiakos to immediate sent an indictment on the Siemens case to the foreign ministry for an official translation. She stipulated that Dogiakos should consult with ministry officials and set a deadline for completing the translation into two languages.On July 14, Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos had filed two official requests with the Supreme Court, asking it to expedite two Siemens kickbacks cases that had been indefinitely adjourned on various grounds. [14] Registered unemployment up in JuneThe number of registered unemployed people grew to 950,025 in June, from 939,562 in May, the Workforce Employment Organisation (OAED) said on Tuesday.The number of unemployed people seeking work was 827,133 in June, of which 437,751 (52.92 pct) were registered unemployed for more than 12 months and the remaining 389,382 or 47.08 pct for less than 12 months. Men accounted for 37.5 pct and women for 62.5 pct of registered unemployment. The number of unemployed people not seeking work in June totaled 122,892, of which 58,950 were registered for more than 12 months and the remaining 63,942 or 52.03 pct for less than a year. The number of people receiving unemployment benefit totaled 88,336 in June. Financial News [15] Greek budget records 2.48 bln euros primary surplus of H1The Greek state budget recorded a primary surplus of 2.48 billion euros in the first half of 2016, from a primary surplus of 1.884 billion in the same period last year, surpassing a budget target for a primary deficit of 1.033 billion euros.The State Accounting Office, in a monthly report issued on Tuesday, said that net revenue totaled 22.999 billion euros in the January-June period, up 0.6 pct from budget targets, while regular budget net revenue amounted to 20.971 billion euros, up 3.9 pct from targets. Tax returns totaled 1.471 billion euros in the six-month period, up 180 million euros from targets. Public Investment Programme revenues totaled 2.028 billion euros, down 642 million from targets. In June, net revenue totaled 3.791 billion euros, down 183 million euros from monthly targets, while regular budget net revenue amounted to 3.708 billion euros, up 15 million from targets. Tax returns surpassed targets by 52 million euros to 266 million euros in June. Budget spending in the first half totaled 23.996 billion euros, down 3.350 billion from targets, while regular budget spending amounted to 22.694 billion, reflecting a decline in primary spending by 2.100 billion euros in the six month period. Regular budget spending surpassed last year's levels by 606 million euros. In June, budget spending totaled 3.974 billion euros, down 612 million from monthly targets, while regular budget spending were 3.786 billion, down 100 million from targets. Public Investment Programme spending totaled 188 million euros, down 512 million from targets. [16] Credit standards unchanged in Q1, BoG reportIn the second quarter of 2016, credit standards for loans to non-financial corporations (NFCs) remained broadly unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2016, in line with expectations expressed in the previous quarterly survey round, the Bank of Greece said on Tuesday.The central bank, in a monthly report, said that banks expect that credit standards will also remain unchanged during the third quarter of 2016. The terms and conditions for loans to NFCs also remained unchanged in the second quarter of 2016. Demand for loans by NFCs slightly increased in the second quarter of 2016, especially with respect to loans to large corporations, in line with expectations expressed in the previous survey round. Demand for corporate loans is expected to remain unchanged in the third quarter of 2016. In the second quarter of 2016, credit standards for loans to households remained unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2016, in line with expectations expressed in the previous survey round. As regards to the third quarter of 2016, credit standards for loans to households are expected to remain unchanged. The terms and conditions for loans to households also remained unchanged in the second quarter of 2016. Demand for loans to households remained broadly unchanged in the second quarter of 2016, in line with expectations expressed in the previous survey round. Demand for loans to households is also expected to remain unchanged in the third quarter of 2016. [17] Cosco container traffic in Piraeus up 14 pct in H1Container traffic in the piers II and III of Piraeus port - operated by Cosco - grew 14 pct in the first half of 2016, totaling 1.689 million container units, from 1.482 million in the same period last year.In June, container traffic jumped 24.5 pct compared with the same month in 2015 totaling 314,300 units form 252,700 in June last year. [18] Greek stocks end 1.53 pct upGreek stocks ended higher in the Athens Stock Exchange recovering the losses suffered in the previous two sessions (-1.35 pct) with the composite index of the market rising 1.53 pct to end at 563.75 points. Turnover almost doubled from Monday to 48.906 million euros, in volume of 53,232,289, boosted by a block trade of 6.5 million shares in Hellenic Petroleum at 3.4 euros per share.The Large Cap index rose 1.41 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.21 pct higher. Folli Follie (4.28 pct), Hellenic Petroleum (3.43 pct) and National Bank (3.16 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while OTE (0.69 pct) and OPAP (0.28 pct) suffered losses. Among market sectors, Commerce (4.28 pct), Raw Materials (2.93 pct) and Banks (2.25 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (0.69 pct) and Technology (0.28 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 54 to 30 with another 23 issues unchanged. Sato (18.18 pct), Dionic (18.18 pct) and Douros (16.67 pct) were top gainers, while Euroconsultants (15.93 pct), Motodynamic (15.34 pct) and ANEK (10.67 pct) were top losers. [19] ADEX closing reportThe August contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a premium of 0.09 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 2,891 contracts while volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 37,635 contracts with investment interest focusing on Naitonal Bank's contracts (15,372), followed by Alpha Bank (3,860), Piraeus Bank (10,742), Eurobank (4,243), MIG (1,941), OTE (673), PPC (401), Mytilineos (116), Folli Follie (49), Hellenic Petroleum (25), GEK (20) and Hellenic Exchanges (12).[20] Greek bond market closing reportThe yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened to 7.96 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Tuesday, from 7.80 pct the previous day, with the Greek bond yielding 7.98 pct and the German Bund yielding -0.02 pct. There was no turnover in the market.In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate rose to -0.060 pct from -0.061 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.125 pct from -0.124 pct, the six-month rate was -0.192 pct, the three-month rate fell to -0.299 pct from -0.296 pct and the one-month rate was -0.376 pct. General News [21] Newly launched TRIP2ATHENS web portal set to become the go-to site for Athens visitorsThe new webportal trip2athens.com was launched as the official electronic city guide for the Greek capital on Tuesday, with hopes that it will become the central point for promoting and advertising tourism-related activities in Athens and Attica. The portal was created by the Hoteliers' Chamber of Greece and the Athens Municipality, with a multi-dimensional digital platform that allows users to plan their entire visit to the city, book hotels and also download it as an app on their mobile.The head of the hoteliers' chamber Giorgos Tsakiris said the portal can be used by all businesses linked to tourism, either advertising or providing their services, in collaboration and combination with other businesses. "I would like to invite all businesses in Athens to exploit the advantages and window of opportunity opened by the Trip2Athens platform. The main factor that will determine its success on the B2C level is its acceptance and adoption by Athens business people, in other words our cooperation on a B2B level," he said. At no cost to participants, the portal will dynamically promote all tourist-linked activities (accommodation, catering, entertainment, shopping etc) in seven languages (Greek, English, German, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese) from the planning stages down to the completion of a trip. It will also serve as a valuable tool for businesses in the international e-tourism market, through the system of collaborations supported by the platform between hotels and other providers of goods and services of tourism-related interest, including museums and sites. One of the innovative features for businesses are collaborations through the offer of discount coupons issued when visitors make bookings, encouraging them to visit the businesses offering the discounts. For visitors, the portal offers a vast array of useful information about the city and Attica, including public transport, travelling to and from the city, booking accommodation, information on sites and activities, a constantly updated guide to what's on in the city, shopping areas, night life, entertainment, beaches, day-trips and a host of other activities, displayed in a easy-to-use, attractive site enriched with photographs, descriptions and an interactive map. Site users can also "personalise" their journey via the portal, viewing selected routes, organising a trip and creating their own travel journal that is synchronised with the mobile app. The Trip2Athens platform's mobile app also gives visitors access to all the information they need offline in seven languages, allows them update their electronic journal and buy discount coupons using the QR Code with participating companies. [22] A unique view of Meteora on an Air BalloonThere is no better way to enjoy the magical place of Meteora than on a hot-air balloon, the owner of the company that organises the tours said in an interview with Praktorio 104.9 FM.Meteora, which in Greek means suspended in the mid air, has one of the most famous and photographed landscapes in the world. Wind and water have eroded the sandstone rocks of the region into the fantastic valleys, formations and columns of stone. The tours on hot-air balloons started last year and have mainly attracted Asian and Russian tourists, according to Michalis Karamberidis. "It is not easy to attract the Greeks, but demand from tourists is high, particularly the Asians who are looking for unique experiences," he stressed. The Russians are also interested in that kind of adventure, he added. "We have also signed a cooperation agreement with a Russian channel that wants to promote our company as more and more Russians are interested in Meteora, which is one of Greece's assets." [23] Paros airport opens after 17.7-million-euro overhaulThe newly refurbished and upgraded airport on the Aegean island of Paros will open and begin operating on Monday, after an overhaul carried out by the construction group Intrakat costing 17.7 million euros.The project was completed in two stages, which including the building of a new runway and taxiway, parking bay and associated infrastructure, financed using state funding. The second stage involved the construction of a building to temporarily house the airport and related facilities, with financing from Olympic Air, local Paros enterprises and the support of the municipality. [24] Fire breaks out in Kolybari, Chania on Tuesday afternoonA fire burning low-growing vegetation broke out early on Tuesday afternoon on a hill near a monument for fallen air force cadets in Kolybari, Chania. The fire was burning on two fronts, while strong winds were hampering the efforts of the 16 firemen, seven fire engines and six-person team on foot that were sent to put out the blaze.[25] Fishing boat sends out distress call after taking on waterA fishing boat manned by two Greek nationals sent out a distress call on Tuesday after it started taking on water while sailing 2.8 nautical miles southwest of Andros.A private speedboat with a coast guard officer on board collected the two individuals on the boat, while the fishing vessel will be towed to shore. [26] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceAVGHI: Dark days for TurkeyDIMOKRATIA: Ghost ... at Noor One EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: US and Europe put pressure on Erdogan ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: 'Hotspot' of anarchists at Thessaloniki university ETHNOS: Discounts in settlement of buildings without permits ESTIA: The contradictory return of the 'eight' KATHIMERINI: Mass clearances by Erdogan NAFTEMPORIKI: Green light for capital controls relaxation RIZOSPASTIS: Dedicated to the implementation of anti-labour measures TA NEA: Not even a word for surplus 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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