Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Problems facing Lesvos due to migration to be discussed with Tsipras on Monday

[02] Skourletis, Iranian central banker, discuss energy cooperation

[03] Dragasakis meets with Iranian central banker

[04] Decision on East Med pipeline at Greece, Israel, Cyprus summit in December, Israeli energy minister tells ANA

[05] Minister of State meets TV licence tender winner Marinakis; meeting with Alafouzos to follow

[06] Tsakalotos cites concerns on EC's role in Greek program to European Court of Auditors

[07] We should all be united on important issues, President Pavlopoulos says

[08] President Pavlopoulos to attend Peres funeral in Israel

[09] Czech Republic President Milos Zeman in Rhodes, attends consulate opening

[10] Large Chinese government delegation to visit Crete on Sunday

[11] Treaty of Lausanne must be respected by all, diplomatic sources say

[12] Hundreds of protesters march in Chios against government's migration policies

[13] Former head of PASOK's finances Rovertos Spyropoulos charged with fraud

[14] Dep. Econ. Minister Charitsis to ANA: 6.75 bln to enter Greek market by end 2016

[15] Greece's 2017 draft budget to be tabled on Monday; forecasts 2.7 pct growth

[16] Final agreement for restructuring of Marinopoulos signed

[17] Kotsovolos-Dixons to invest 8.5 mln euros in 2016/2017

[18] Greece pushes back deadline for Cretan airport bid

[19] American-Hellenic Chamber organises forum on US Food and Contruction industries

[20] Greek stocks end higher

[21] Greek bond market closing report

[22] ADEX closing report

[23] European Commission urges Greece to cut costs to boost high-speed internet

[24] Restored Fethiye Mosque in central Athens to open to visitors by November

[25] Police arrests man with shotgun in car, wandering outside TV station

[26] Light quake jolts Alonissos

[27] Fair weather on Friday

[28] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Problems facing Lesvos due to migration to be discussed with Tsipras on Monday

"This will not be just another meeting held on Monday," Galinos told Athens-Macedonian News Agency. "I expect the government and opposition to make proposals in the direction of decongesting the almost 5,500 people who are on the island today, but also to support the local communities. In the meeting, apart from proposals, I expect decisions, always in the same direction," he added.

The meeting will also be attended by Lesvos' local officials, including the prefect of the Northern Aegean Christiana Kalogirou, the president of Moria municipality Nikos Trakellis, where Moria hotspot is located, and police officials. Lesvos MPs Charalambos Athanasiou, Giorgos Pallis and Stavros Tassos have also been asked to join.

[02] Skourletis, Iranian central banker, discuss energy cooperation

The two officials also talked about possible investments in the refining sector and interest was also expressed for the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) station which will be built in Alexandroupolis. They also discussed funding activities through the banking sector.

The meeting was also attended by Iranian Ambassador to Greece Majid Motallebi Shabestari and bank executives.

[03] Dragasakis meets with Iranian central banker

Dragasakis expressed the government's will to further develop bilateral relations on the basis of specific plans and projects, according to a press release by the VPs office. On his side, Seif noted the great potential in cooperation, saying it could start from the banking sector as a basis for future economic relations.

The meeting was also attended by Iranian Ambassador to Greece Majid Motallebi Shabestari.

[04] Decision on East Med pipeline at Greece, Israel, Cyprus summit in December, Israeli energy minister tells ANA

He said that Israel considers "the construction of this pipeline to be the strongest, long-term strategic choice," given that the project also has the support of the European Union, which will be involved in financing the studies, since the pipeline fits in with European energy security policy.

"Greece will become an important corridor, either toward the Balkans or toward Italy," Steinitz pointed out, emphasising the strategic value of the pipeline. He noted that Israel had already discovered gas fields containing 900 billion cubic metres (bcm) in its economic zone, while Cyprus' Aphrodite field contained 150 bcm known deposits with significant prospects for more.

"In total, together with Egypt, the quantities can reach as high as 9,000-10,000 bcm. If this happens over the next few years, the Eastern Mediterranean will become an important supplier of Europe, since it will be able to replace the North Sea-Norway, Netherlands and British fields, which are declining," he explained.

Asked whether a solution to the Cyprus issue was linked to the pipeline's progress, Steinitz said a solution would be good for the region - and would possible be achieved before peace in the Middle East - but "will not play a significant role in energy issues."

Regarding relations with Turkey, he said that Israel's energy plans will not change, even if these normalise. "I do not know if such a project would be realistic," he noted, adding that there must first be a dialogue of trust. "For me it is clear that we must sell Israeli, Cypriot and Egyptian gas directly to Europe," he said.

Steinitz reported having an interesting discussion with European Commissioner Miguel Arias Ca?ete in Abu Dhabi about nine months earlier. "The Europeans see Israel and the region as an important supplier of gas to Europe," he said.

The minister also listed a number of important benefits resulting from the "strategic dialogue developed beween the three democracies of the Eastern Mediterranean" in recent years: roughly 350,000 Israeli tourists visited Greece this year and another 150,000 visited Cyprus; there was enhanced cooperation in security and against terrorism, which Israel had great expertise in detecting; there was also close cooperation in scientific research and water management.

Concluding, Steinitz expressed his expectation that Greece will quickly overcome the economic crisis and said that economic cooperation will continue regardless, becoming even stronger when times were tough.

[05] Minister of State meets TV licence tender winner Marinakis; meeting with Alafouzos to follow

A meeting between Pappas and Skai TV owner Yiannis Alafouzos, another successful contender for the four nationwide TV licences, is to follow at 18:00, the same sources said.

[06] Tsakalotos cites concerns on EC's role in Greek program to European Court of Auditors

According to ministry sources, Tsakalotos also presented possible ways to improve this cooperation.

[07] We should all be united on important issues, President Pavlopoulos says

Pavlopoulos was in Doxato, Drama, where he was declared an honourary citizen.

"There are of course political discrepancies that are absolutely respected, but on important issues we should all be united," he underlined.

[08] President Pavlopoulos to attend Peres funeral in Israel

[09] Czech Republic President Milos Zeman in Rhodes, attends consulate opening

In a brief address, Zeman referred to the history of Greece and Rhodes, which he said was a favourite holiday destination for Czech citizens and especially the elderly, promising to personally take action to boost the flow of tourism to the island.

The ceremony was attended by local government officials and the Czech Ambassador in Greece.

Zeman will be a keynote speaker at the opening of the 2016 Rhodes Forum on the theme "The Chaos of multiplicity: an Urgent Call for Dialogue" that opens at the Sheraton Rhodes Resort on Friday morning.

Held since 2002, the Rhodes Forum is an annual session of the World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations (headquartered in Vienna). From 2016 it will be a key annual event organised by the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute (headquartered in Berlin).

[10] Large Chinese government delegation to visit Crete on Sunday

A meeting between Arnaoutakis and the Chinese delegation will take place on Monday morning at 9:00 at the Creta Maris Hotel.

[11] Treaty of Lausanne must be respected by all, diplomatic sources say

"The Lausanne Treaty and International Law is indeed a reality in the civilized world which no one, including Ankara, can ignore and everyone must respect," diplomatic sources said. "No matter how painful it seems to them."

According to the press report, Erdogan told a gathering with village chiefs in Ankara that the Treaty was "presented as a victory" but created diplomatic problems for the country.

[12] Hundreds of protesters march in Chios against government's migration policies

The rally was organized by local committees which oppose what they described as the "conscious decision to turn the islands of the northern Aegean to open prisons."

When the crowd gathered in the central square, four local committee heads took turns in speaking about the problems facing their communities. They criticized the government and local municipal authorities and decried the practices of some local NGOs and international organizations on the island. After the speeches, protesters walked to the port.

[13] Former head of PASOK's finances Rovertos Spyropoulos charged with fraud

The charges relate to a debt of 140 million euros created between the years 2004 and 2012, which subsequently grew. One charge of fraud concerns the sum of 15 million euros in cash, kept in PASOK's safe from 2007 until 2009. Another is linked to a loan of five million euros given to PASOK by Attica Bank in 2010, with future state grants acting as collateral, even though the same grants had been used as collateral against loans taken out from another three banks, which amounted to a greater sum that that the party might potentially receive.

Financial News

[14] Dep. Econ. Minister Charitsis to ANA: 6.75 bln to enter Greek market by end 2016

"There will be 6.75 billion euros directed to the market by the end of 2016. It is an ambitious but achievable target, following the cooperation we have developed in Greece and abroad," he said.

The deputy minister said the sum was a significant amount that would provide substantial relief to the Greek economy, though it did not fully cover the extent of disinvestment that had occurred in Greece over the previous years. "This is a significant sum but it is not enough, therefore we are trying to attract new financing, such as from the European Investment Bank, to boost the Greek economy," he said.

Referring to the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), he explained that its programmes were based on three pillars: small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure on a municipal level and social actions.

"A very great effort was made, a race, so that the programmes will begin on time," he added, noting that the relevant procedures were completed promptly for the first time in years, allowing 190 millon euros to be spent on hiring supply teachers and daycare staff and for more children than ever to be accepted.

The aim was to support those that really needed the programmes and could make real use of the funds, he explained, opening them up to more potential recipients than in previous years. Among these were measures allowing SMEs to collect subsidies through banks without needing a letter of guarantee from financial institutions.

Among programmes due to begin next month, Charitsis said, were new tourism businesses and projects linking research and innovation to the real economy.

The minister noted that the economy was affected by general economic and political developments:

"It is therefore very important for a number of actions to go ahead in the coming period, the most fundamental being an agreement on the debt and concluding the second review," he said. The review should conclude on the basis of work done by the Greek government, especially on labour issues, he added.

"For our government this is, I would say, almost an identity issue, to restore a minimal normality in labour relations after the complete deregulation of recent years. So that by the end of 2016 or early 2017, with the banking system also entering the European Central Bank's quantitative easing programme, it acquires the normality necessary for it to be led to a reordering, not a neutral one but a just reordering that will help the Greek economy."

[15] Greece's 2017 draft budget to be tabled on Monday; forecasts 2.7 pct growth

[16] Final agreement for restructuring of Marinopoulos signed

ANA exclusively released the four documents of the restructuring deal, covering Marinopoulos SA, Peiraikon SA, Xynos SA and Express M SA. The 218-page deal reveals that Marinopoulos' total debt to the market was 1.46 billion euros. According to the agreement, Carrefour group accepted a "haircut" of more than 92 pct (from 147 million euros to around 11.5 million euros).

Commercial banks related with the issue will begin a race to complete the signing of the agreement by suppliers by midday on Friday and to submit the signed agreement to court based on the article 106 of the bankruptcy code. All parties are seeking to complete judicial procedures in October.

[17] Kotsovolos-Dixons to invest 8.5 mln euros in 2016/2017

Speaking to reporters, during the inauguration of a new store in central Athens, Athanasopoulos said turnover grew by 5.3 pct (retail sales) and announced an investment plan worth 8.5 million euros for the 2016/2017 period, after a 5.0 million euros investment in the previous period.

He said that despite adverse conditions prevailing in the Greek market in the 2015/2016 period, "the parent company encouraged us to accelerate our investment program" adding that the crisis was not over yet. Athanasopoulos said the company aimed to boost its organic growth and profitability and noted that supply continued to surpass demand in the domestic market.

He said that Kotsovolos-Dixons raised its workforce by another 238 workers to 2,169 in total and strengthened its branch network with the addition of five new stores. It also renovated four large stores, to a total of 31 stores in the last two years.

[18] Greece pushes back deadline for Cretan airport bid

According to the minister, the new date was officially requested by the overwhelming majority of domestic and foreign consortia which have expressed interest in the tender and the project.

[19] American-Hellenic Chamber organises forum on US Food and Contruction industries

The forum, titled "Penetrating New Markets", will analyze through real examples information about these industries.

According to the press release, Greek companies active in the Food & Beverages industry may utilize the trend where by American consumers are enjoying the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and purchasing Mediterranean food products as never before.

The health benefits, taste, and versatility of Mediterranean products translate into increased demand, increased sales and increased profits for purveyors across the board; not to mention that these are the best solutions for obesity.

The Construction and Building Materials manufacturers could utilize the reconstruction and refurbishment of many U.S. buildings in the State of New York; as well as new projects that are under development. Greek companies' quality standards present a competitive alternative of unique value to local competition.

The event will be held in Hotel Grande Bretagne, at noon. For more information go to: http://www.amcham.gr

[20] Greek stocks end higher

Mytilineos (6.14 pct), Hellenic Exchanges (2.44 pct) and Hellenic Petroleum (2.38 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while Aegean Airines (1.45 pct), Ellaktor (0.76 pct) and Athens Water (0.56 pct) suffered heavy losses. Among market sectors, Raw Materials (6.14 pct) and Financial Services (1.80 pct) scored big gains, while Construction (0.37 pct) and Technology (0.26 pct) suffered losses.

National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 63 to 29 with another 19 issues unchanged. Nexans (16.14 pct), Attica Publications (10 pct) and Halcor (9.97 pct) were top gainers while Lavipharm (19.78 pct), Alpha Trust (12.12 pct) and ANEK (11.43 pct) were top losers.

[21] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate fell to -0.064 pct from -0.062 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.131 pct from -0.130 pct, the six-month rate rose to -0.201 pct from -0.205 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.301 pct from -0.306 pct and the one-month rate was -0.371 pct.

[22] ADEX closing report

General News

[23] European Commission urges Greece to cut costs to boost high-speed internet

The infringement notice published on Thursday concerns Greece, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.

These rules seek to increase the sharing and re-use of existing physical infrastructure across various sectors (energy, transport, etc.) and should cut by up to 30 percent the cost of rolling out high-speed internet.

Cost reduction rules support the strategic connectivity objectives that the European Commission has recently proposed: by 2025, all main socio-economic drivers, such as schools, universities, research centers, transport hubs, all providers of public services such as hospitals and administrations, and enterprises relying on digital technologies, should have access to extremely high - gigabit - connectivity (allowing users to download/upload 1 gigabit of data per second).

Also all European households, rural or urban, should have access to connectivity offering a download speed of at least 100 Mbps, which can be upgraded to Gbps, and all urban areas as well as major roads and railways should have uninterrupted 5G coverage, the fifth generation of wireless communication systems. As an interim target, 5G should be commercially available in at least one major city in each EU Member State by 2020.

The Commission said this is the final warning for these member-states and who now have two months to notify the Union of measures taken to bring national legislation into line with EU law.

"Otherwise, the Commission may decide, in accordance with EU infringement rules, to refer them to the Court of Justice of the EU and to propose financial sanctions," it said.

[24] Restored Fethiye Mosque in central Athens to open to visitors by November

This will be the second monument located inside the agora that will be fully restored and open to the public, after the opening of the Tower of the Winds nearby. The building is one of the most important of the ottoman period in Athens' historical center. According to the head of the Ephorate, Eleni Banou, the 17th century mosque will also be used for temporary exhibitions and other events relating to Athens and its architecture.

The restoration was conducted by the Department of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, and aimed at addressing two key needs: The removal of a series of morphological problems and the repair of accumulated damage on the building.

Fethiye Mosque was built on the ruins of a Christian basilica dating from the middle Byzantine period and was converted to a mosque during Ottoman times, when it was commonly known as the "Wheat market Mosque". It is built according to the architectural type of "quatrefoil" or "clover-leaf-cross-in-square", as its wide central dome is supported by four smaller domes in cruciform layout.

In autumn 2010, the Ministry of Culture ordered the emptying of the building from the various antiquities stored there, and the beginning of the process to restore it and open it to the public. The decision was sanctioned by the Central Archaeological Council in 2013, paving the way for its restoration and its opening to the public.

[25] Police arrests man with shotgun in car, wandering outside TV station

The man was first seen by the security guard of the station who alerted police. A DIAS motorcycle team arrived at the spot and searched the man who was carrying a knife on him. When asked what he was doing there, he answered with unintelligible words. Police then searched his car and found the shotgun.

He was arrested with the charge of violating laws on guns.

[26] Light quake jolts Alonissos

According to the Athens Geodynamics Institute, the earthquake was recorded at 04:17 a.m., with its epicentre in the sea area 47 kn mortheast of Alonissos, in depth of 10 km.

Weather forecast

[27] Fair weather on Friday

[28] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: Burnt ... (Education Minister Nikos) Filis

ETHNOS: "Sacred" rock over Religion

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Commissioners to decide upon the minimum wage

ESTIA: EU mocking over the refugee issue

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Scools of equality and quality

KATHIMERINI: Investors turn their back to Greece

TO PONTIKI: The new super fund to decide for everything in public utilities

IMERISSIA: Contigent mechanism on salaries

NAFTEMPORIKI: 12 key issues on labour

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