The opening of the General Debate of the 71st UN General Assembly will follow according to schedule and afterwards UN Secretary General will host a dinner in honour of the heads of the delegations. The leaders' summit on the refugees issue chaired by US President Barack Obama will follow.

On Wednesday, Tsipras will meet with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Thursday, Tsipras will meet with the Archbishop of America Demetrios, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and later he will address the UN General Assembly.

The Greek premier will depart from New York to Vienna on Friday 23 September.

[02] Tsipras-Anastasiades meeting in New York postponed, Cyprus government announces

A meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras scheduled to take place on Monday in New York has been postponed, according to a Cyprus government announcement. A new date and time for the meeting is to be announced later, it said.

[03] State Minister Pappas on incident with two Greek journalists in New York

Two disguised journalists of private TV channels STAR and ALPHA were following Pappas in New York and forged the signature of one of his associates. They raised suspicion when they were found watching and taking photos of prime minister Alexis Tsipras' security members who had arrived earlier in New York.

Pappas is accompanying Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras who will participate in UN Summit on Monday in New York.

[04] Incident with journalists in NY shows ministers are being targeted, Transport Min. tells ANA

Talking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), Spirtzis said this was an indication "of just how much some people have been put out by our effort to make the political system of this country free of its dependence for many years on the economic system and the media."

According to Spirtzis, the incident showed the extremes to which some quarters were prepared to resort to in order to smear ministers and he predicted that more of the same would be attempted "because we will not back down."

Asked which ministers were being targeted, Spirtzis suggested that Pappas, State Minister Alekos Flambouraris, Education Minister Nikos Filis, Environment Minister Panos Skourletis and Alternate Health Minister Pavlos Polakis were among the prime targets.

[05] FM Kotzias to meet UN's special adviser on Cyprus in New York

Kotzias is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Bolivia and Iraq and will attend a reception held by the EU as part of the high-level Week.

[06] Alternate FM for European Affairs Nikos Xydakis to Brussels for General Affairs Council

The meeting is expected to discuss preparations for the European Council on Oct. 20-21. Ministers will also be informed about the implementation of the June European Council conclusions and hear a presentation by the Commission of its mid-term review of the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020.

A foreign ministry announcement said that Xydakis will present Greek positions on the migration issue, in terms of implementing the agreements and regarding future targets, as well as issues related to the multiannual financial framework, matters relating to trade policy and the EU's relations with Russia.

[07] FinMin Tsakalotos meets IMF's Velculescu

According to Finance Ministry sources, the meeting focused on figures the IMF collects for its report on the Greek economy. Another meeting between the two officials will possibly take place after the end of the procedure.

The IMF's delegation remains in Athens to collect data on the Greek economy within the context of the annual IMF report for the countries that are not in a programme (article 4 report).

The IMF issued the specific report for Greece until 2010 and another one in 2013. The report is expected to be released in November and it will possibly be the base for the Sustainability Report (DSA) that the IMF will draft on the Greek debt.

[08] New Democracy meets its targets and promises, Staikouras says

Referring to the economic programme of the main opposition, he said that ND reduced the taxes in 2014 without equivalents.

"The more structural reforms, the more possibilities for a better fiscal policy. ND has chosen to achieve fiscal ajustment through spending cuts and not higher taxes. Our aim is the stable, rational reduction of taxes on legal entities and individuals," he explained.

[09] ND leader should clarify his proposal for VAT rates on medicines, says FinMin Tsakalotos

"Mr. Mitsotakis had not clarified his proposal. Does he propose that VAT on medicine be raised to 11 pct or 22 pct," the finance minister queried.

Tsakalotos was responding to a statement made by Hatzidakis on SKAI TV, who noted that Tsakalotos "raised VAT on packaged foods from 13 to 24 pct while showing sensitivity regarding theatre tickets."

The finance minister said Hatzidakis' statement both "overlooks the tax raises on medicines proposed by his leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and focuses on theatre tickets. In parallel, he shows his indifference towards culture and his social insensitivity towards pensioners and poor citizens."

[10] President honours Greek Rio team in reception

Pavlopoulos described the athletes as an "example of will, creativity and excellence in its purest form" who reached their goals because of their ethos.

Turning his attention to 20-year-old Anna Korakaki, who won gold and bronze in shooting, he said: "Anna, I want to congratulate you personally for your success which is rare at an Olympic level, but essentially unique for Greece. But I also want to congratulate you and your fellow athletes publicly for another reason which I consider even more important: What you achieved is your own, personal achievement."

[11] German Deputy Interior Min Hans Fuchtel visits Kavala; promotion of religious tourism on the agenda

Fuchtel, accompanied by the German General Consul in Thessaloniki Anita Englert-Zerbin, spoke highly of the town of Kavala and expressed his pleasure that he is visiting the city of Kavala again as part of the initiatives taken by the Greek-German Meeting and the possibility given to Greek and German businessmen to cooperate in many areas.

The mayor warmly welcomed Fuchtel and praised the excellent cooperation noting that they have common goals. During their meeting, they extensively discussed the issue of exchange of experience and expertise on the religious tourism sector.

The German side stressed the importance of the participation of the archaeological site of Philippi in UNESCO World Heritage list.

Financial News

[12] Greece to launch 4.67-bln-euro program to support SMEs

The main strategic goal of the program is to create a new productive model focusing on productive, competitive and extrovert sectors of the economy with high added value and the capability of creating sustainable and quality job positions.

The actions to be activated in the coming months of 2016 and 2017 include:

-A second cycle of three business actions: support self-employment of university graduates (50 million euros), start-up business (48 million euros) and upgrading very small and small existing enterprises (70 million euros),

-Supporting the set up of new touristic units, or upgrading existing ones,

-Upgrading franchising companies,

-Upgrading enterprises in the retail commerce sector: energy saving, logistics and IT/communication,

-Home saving,

-Company networking (clusters, meta-clusters),

-Upgrading existing medium-sized enterprises,

-Partnership between enterprises and research agencies to promote investments in research and innovation,

-Supporting environmental industry,

-Creating business parks at a local level related with manufacturing and food supply.

The pogram will also support new structures to support business activity with the set up of a start-ups register.

[13] Trade body to ask IMF for unseizable bank accounts for businesses

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting with the Fund's representatives on September 21.

According to the body, in order for Greek businesses to continue to function in a difficult economic environment, a "special business bank account" should be set up, which would be used to cover the operating expenses of the business. If a business has outstanding debts to the state, the taxman should be allowed to seize only the amount due from this account and not freeze the entire account.

[14] Celestyal Cruises to add new destinations by 2018

In interview with ANA, Anastasiadis said Celestyal Cruises planned to add new destinations in its schedule for 2018, such as Pylos, Kalamata, Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Corfu, Igoumenitsa, along wih ports in Albania and Montenegro.

He said that a total of 17,000 Greeks chose to have a sea cruise holiday this year, up from 13,000 in 2015 and stressed that home porting growth was based on two legs: first, the development of basic infrastructure in six ports to be able to accomodate new generation sea cruise vessels and the second, a long-term leasing and developing of specific port operations with sea cruise companies based on an offset measures agreement. He noted that Celestyal Cruises has recommended this alternative model to Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund for the port of Lavrio, but without any developments on the issue so far. Commenting on the official take over of management of Piraeus port by Chinese COSCO, Anastasiadis said a "tested and successful model" of large European ports should be followed and to have a closer cooperation with municipal authorities to resolve any problems in the accomodation of sea cruise passengers.

He noted that Celestyal Cruises' top priority was to preserve job positions despite a prevailing difficult economic environment and particularly to preserve the quality of services. "The crisis has forced us to be very careful with what we do but at the same time it gave us an excellent opportunity to promote our product right and focusing on each passenger needs," he said, adding that in order to maintain a stable pricing policy, the company chose instead of offering a menu with 30 different food to offer a menu of 20 food plates of high quality.

"Greeks have finally realized that sea cruise is one of the most affordable and comfortable ways for holidays," Anastasiadis said.

He stressed that geopolitical developments in the eastern borders of Greece negatively affected sea cruise and tourism in general as foreign visitors -particularly from far away countries such as Americans, Canadians, Australians and Asians- are reluctant to buy a holiday package that will also include Turkey. "We have strong messages that in 2017, tourists from the US market wishing to visit Greece will be able to buy alternative tourist packages without any Turkish destinations," he said. He noted that most airlines should re-examine their ticket policy to Greece to boost tourism in the country.

Celestyal Cruises will include Nafplio and Chania in its schedule for 2017 and for 2018 the company plans to offer three- and four-day cruises also in the Ionian Sea, with possible new destinations the ports of Pylos, Kalamata, Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Igoumenitsa, Corfu, Sarande in Albania and Kotor in Montenegro.

Anastasiadis said a Greek sea cruise commission, bringing together municipal authorities, port managements and representatives of sea cruise companies, could contribute to resolve several issues related with sea cruise industry in the country. Commenting on home porting, he said that a national sea cruise commission must draft a strategic plan to determine which six ports should develop infrastructure -beyond Piraeus- capable of accomodating new generation sea cruise vessels. Anastasiadis said there were two choices on how to invest in port infrastructure. Either the state secured these funds through European programs, or to sign concession contracts with sea cruise companies. "We have recommended this model for the port of Lavrio and I believe that other companies will also follow. As a sea cruise company we will develop the necessary infrastructure on a part of the port, using our own money, in the form of long-term leasing, while the property will remain at the hands of the state," he said.

[15] Theodoros Pantalakis elected Attica Bank's new CEO

"During today's meeting, the bank's board of directors, upon a proposal of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, elected unanimously Mr. Theodoros Pantalakis as a member of the BoD," the bank said. "Then the BoD selected unanimously Mr. Panralakis as the bank's new CEO."

The election closes a key outstanding issue in relation to the bank's management which fully complies with the recommendations of the regulators to continue its smooth operation, the bank added.

Trading in Attica Bank was suspended last Friday as the issue of its BoD remained unresolved.

[16] DESFA CEO resigns as talks with SOCAR stall

Xifaras had been selected for the post in October 2013 and had stayed on board as discussions for its sale to Azerbaijan's state-owned oil company SOCAR continue.

The initial deal to sell a 66 percent stake to SOCAR has been blocked by the EU. As negotiations stand, Greece will either sell its stake to the Azeri firm which will then limit its stake below 49 percent, or no deal will be achieved, in which case Greece will claim compensations through court.

[17] Finance ministry to submit provision for debts of retailer Marinopoulos, says Alexiadis

"We're waiting to see how the agreement between the businesses will be closed so we can then submit a provision on how to deal with the issues such as its VAT, revenues and debts of Marinopoulos towards the state, suppliers and employees," Alexiadis said, responding to a question by a New Democracy deputy.

"We'll find the best possible solution," he added.

[18] Registered unemployment up 5.98 pct in August

The number of people receiving unemployment benefit grew by 3.22 pct or 3,648 people in August from July. Registered unemployment hit mostly the 30-44 age group (41.04 pct).

[19] Intrasoft signs contract with EDCO in Jordan

Intrasoft International won a 12-month tender process for the "Billing and Customer Care Systems CIS Acquisition and Implementation". The contract has a duration of six-and-a-half years and it is the first such contract signed in the Middle East as part of Intrasoft's plans to expand its activities in the SAP business in the region.

EDCO covers the biggest part of Jordan area, with a network of around 8,396 km servicing almost 150,000 customers.

Intrasoft is an official SAP Partner since 2004, SAP Channel Partner since 2007 and certified SAP PCoE-Partner Center of Expertise since 2012.

[20] GEK Terna says sales up 29.4 pct in H1

EBITDA, adjusted for non-cash results, totaled 122.7 million euros, up a spectacular 128.7 pct compared with the first half of 2015. Pre-tax earnings totaled 44.6 million euros in the January-June period, from 1.6 million last year, while net after tax and minorities earnings totaled 24 million euros from a loss of 14.4 million in the same period last year.

Group investments amounted to 148 million euros, while net bank borrowing was 563 million euros and cash reserves totaled 330 million.

In the construction sector, the value of pending works was around 2.7 billion euros, in the real estate sector, sales totaled 2.6 million, whle in the energy sector net results showed profits of 7.0 million euros in the first half, down from 11.5 mln in 2015.

[21] CMEC has pledged to use Greeks in construction of Meliti power station, say PPC sources

Last week, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to utilize local coal mines and construct Meliti II, a second power station in Meliti, Florina.

The same sources said the Chinese company also said it will fully implement Greek labour and environmental laws, adding that in the coming days, the two sides will finalise the details for setting up a joint commission to run the project. The stake of each party in the new company will be determined by the amount contributed to the venture. The aim is to found the company in 2017.

[22] Huawei P9 lite smartphone best seller in Greek market in July

Huawai said that more than 10,000 people bought the P9 lite device in July, ranking the product as the month's best seller in the Greek market. The P9 lite has convinced the demanding and well-informed Greek consumer with its unique characteristics and its uncomparable abilities offered compared with other smartphones in the same category. Huawei said it was offering a new smartband Color Band A1 was a gift for every purchase of Huawei P9 lite.

[23] Dionic extends dateline to issue new bond loan

A repeat regular general shareholder's meeting in July 27, approved a plan to issue an one-year bond loan worth up to 4.0 million euros.

[24] Sky Express airlines to launch Athens-Skiathos airlink

The flights initially will operate on Mondays and Fridays. The company is planning to offer a daily flight in summer based on demand.

[25] Aegean Airlines reports losses in H1

The Greek airline said consolidated revenue was 403.5 million euros in the January-June period, unchanged from last year's levels, while passenger traffic rose 5.0 pct to 5.2 million. Domestic traffic was 2.5 million passengers while international traffic was 2.7 million, up 10 pct.

Aegean Airlines said a continuing recession, a significant increase in total offered capacity, combined with an 11 percentage point increase in VAT on tickets (from 13 pct to 23 pct and finally 24 pct), led to a further reduction in average net fares. International traffic recorded a very small increase in the second quarter of 2016 in arrivals.

Despite a weak result in the first half, cash reserves grew to 299.8 million euros at the end of the first half, from 236.8 million at the beginning of 2016.

Dimitris Gerogiannis, chief executive of Aegean Airlines said the company continued investing to expand its network, covering 145 destinations, while its aircraft fleet totaled 61 aircraft from 52 in 2015. "Aegean remains focused on improving its services, network and its competitiveness, having the size, flexibility and the sources to meet challenges," he noted.

[26] Greek industrial turnover index down 5.9 pct in July

The statistics service, in a report, attributed this development to a 4.5 pct increase in the mining turnover index and a 6.1 pct decline in the manufacturing turnover index. The domestic market index fell 5.3 pct in July, while the external market index fell 6.7 pct.

[27] Greek stocks end flat on Monday

Folli Follie (2.66 pct), GEK Terna (2.33 pct) and National Bank (2.15 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains among blue chip stocks, while Piraeus Bank (4.38 pct), Jumbo (2.61 pct) and OPAP (2.38 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Commerce (2.66 pct) and Chemicals (1.33 pct) scored big gains, while Travel (2.31 pct) and Personal Products (2.02 pct) ended lower. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 51 to 37 with another 17 issues unchanged. Hatzikraniotis (18.75 pct), Yalco (18.37 pct) and Naftemporiki (9.26 pct) were top gainers, while Varvaresos (20 pct) and Sidma (20 pct) and Sfakianakis (19.60 pct) were top losers.

[28] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate fell to -0.057 pct from -0.055 pct, the nine-month rate rose to -0.128 pct from -0.129 pct, the six-month rate rose to -0.202 pct from -0.204 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.301 pct from -0.305 pct and the one-month rate was -0.371 pct.

[29] ADEX closing report

General News

[30] The restored archaeological museum of Kos opens to public

The museum is a very important piece of culture, a jewel for the island of Kos as well as for Greece that is handed over to the people fully restored and upgraded, 60 years after its establishment in 1936 by the Italians.

The museum is situated in the central square of Kos, at the heart of the historic and commercial centre of the island.

It hosts all the finds from the excavations held on the island until today, mostly those found in the archaeological sites of the Ancient Agora, the west archaelogical site, separate monuments as the Altar of Dionysus, the Odeon and the Casa Romana.

The scultures' exhibition also hosted in the museum is a collection of works dated back to the Hellenistic and the post-Roman era and aims to display the most important works of the island of Kos.

[31] Skeletal remains found inside Antikythera shipwreck

The findings - skull, long and smaller bones - are not the only skeletal remains discovered at the famous Antikythera shipwreck. Archaeologists have uncovered bones from at least four different people during the underwater diving missions in 1900-1901 and 1976.

The position of the bones and their relation to other findings near them point to a violent sinking of the sip. Additionally, the planned anthropological and genetic (DNA) analyses are expected to provide details on the dead - gender, age at death and allow the general reconstruction of his/her lifestyle.

A second important finding is the lead sounding line, weighing 50 kg. Based on its features, the object was a probe used to measure the depth of the seabed and monitor its status. This tool was considered vital for safe navigation in antiquity.

[32] Trial for Marfin Bank deaths, attack on Ianos bookshop, begins

On trial are Theodoros Sipsas, who faces charges for the torching of the bank branch and the three deaths, and Pavlos Andreev, who has been charged with the bombing of the Ianos bookshop. Both deny the charges against them.

The trial began with 37 of the 80 witnesses absent. Witnesses that took the stand included family and colleagues of the slain Marfin employees, as well as people who were on the scene. None of them were able to definitively identify the accused as the individuals that set fire to the bank. One witness declined to elaborate on the events of that day, citing fears for his or her safety and referring to a "dialogue that took place at the time, with certain people." The same witness did not recognise the accused.

Other witnesses said that the bank branch was attacked by three or more individuals, who were "lithe and quick and not especially heavy." Another witness said he had heard someone shouting "burn them, burn them," but did not see who said it.

Another witness, Anastasia Christaki, said the culprits appeared to her to be small and slim youths, rather than men, and that they had their faces covered.

The trial wll continue on October 14.

[33] One in two Greek drivers prefer a smaller, "green" car, survey

A 80 pct of Greek drivers, down from 93 pct last year, said a car was the dominant mean of transport, with a 76 pct of respondents in the survey saying they prefered to use a leased car, while a 50 pct confirmed the use of a leased car both for private and professional purposes.

A 17 pct of respondents said they were in favor of a common use of corporate cars, while a 56 pct said they did not want to share they car and a 74 pct said they would not do such a thing even fore more money.

A 49 pct of Greek drivers said brand was the top criterion for choosing a car, a 47 pct said cost was a priority and 39 pct said the type of fuel was the top criterion.

A 55 pct of respondents said they would use a "green" car, while a 22 pct said a significant role played the tax benefits related with "green" cars.

[34] Mass break-out from Moria hotspot, fires set, on rumours of forced returns to Turkey

About 300 migrants escaped the hotspot and attempted to set off on a protest march to Mytilene, the island's main town, but were stopped and forced to turn back by police. On their way back, fires broke out in olive groves south and north of the camp, which the fire brigade was called in to put out.

According to the latest reports, the situation within the camp was calm, though some camp residents refused to accept food in protest against living conditions in the camp.

[35] Protests on Lesvos against migrants and refugees not in hotspots

Some of the protestors verbally attacked Lesvos Mayor Spyros Galinos when he attempted to address the crowd and also struck three young women, one of them well-known as a volunteer in one of the refugee facilities in Mytilene.

In an announcement, New Democracy MP for Lesvos Haralambos Athanasiou hailed the protest by Moria residents and called for the immediate removal of migrants from the island, saying there should be no more hotspots on Lesvos.

[36] Fifty migrants and refugees rescued off Zakynthos

A freight vessel with a foreign flag rescued the migrants and is now transporting them to the port of Zakynthos, where they will stay temporarily.

According to initial information, the sailboat was heading to southern Italy.

[37] More than 10,000 refugees and migrants on northern Aegean islands

93 refugees arrived on Lesvos, 155 on Chios and 60 on Samos.

According to the police, 5,264 are trapped on Lesvos, 3,700 on Chios and 1,166 on Samos. The total number of refugees trapped in northern Aegean exceeds 10,000 for the first time after several months.

[38] Woman with 3.5 kilos of cocaine arrested at Athens International Airport

The suspect arrived from Rio via Zurich and according to police the drugs were hidden in her suitcase.

Police said that the woman is member of a drug dealing ring that smuggles drugs, mostly cocaine, from Latin American countries to Western Europe including Greece.

[39] Light quake jolts the Ionian islands

According to the Geodynamics Institute of Athens' Observatory, the quake's epicentre was located 15 km west of Lixouri at a depth of 10 klm.

"There is no reason for concern. The buildings on the island have been constructed according to the provisions and so light earthquakes do not cause any problem," the deputy mayor of Cephalonia Evangelos Kekkatos said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Sports

[40] Historic Rally of Olympus on Oct 8-9

The classic cars' rally started in 2012 and has became an institution in the region of Thessaly.

A large number of Greek and foreign crews arrive every year to participate in the internationally acclaimed competition which is held under Thessaly prefecture auspices.

Its originality is the rotation of routes and races every year in order for the crew to have the opportunity to get acquainted with the region of Thessaly with the mythical Mt. Olympus as its base.

The rally will be held on 8 and 9 October.

Weather forecast

[41] Clouds, rain on Tuesday

[42] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Lower taxes with cuts in the public sector

ESTIA: (New Democracy leader Kyriakos) Mitsotakis sends clear messages

ETHNOS: Centres for the support of bad loan holders to open

KONTRANEWS: Two Greek disguised journalists followed State Minister Nikos Pappas in New York

NAFTEMPORIKI: Under the IMF microscope

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