Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Samaras briefed by N. Greece farmers on protests

[02] Greek mountaineer scales highest summits of all 7 continents

[03] ASE opening: Decline

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Samaras briefed by N. Greece farmers on protests

Federation of Agricultural Associations of Thessaloniki president Vassilis Kanakas said after the meeting that Samaras was well-informed on the issue, adding that they discussed what could be done for solutions to be found not only for the present but also the future.

Regarding the roadblocks, Kanakas said that the farmers need support due to both the crisis and competition, while expressing worry over the fact that farmers have to date received only half, at most, of the subsidies due to them.

Kanakas added that Samaras supported the farmers, but asked that they do not block off the country's roads.

The president of the Yannitsa umbrella farmers' associations federation Lakis Papadopoulos said the agricultural sector was it critical shape, adding that the ND leader was "better aware of the issues than we are, and told us things that we, as trade unionists, did not know".

He said that the farmers had received substantial subsidies last year, whereas today they still have not received the monies that should have been given to them in December. "We don't have money to pay the rents on our fields," he stressed.

ND agriculture "shadow minister" George Kasapidis said after the meeting that the main opposition party was keeping tally of the farmers' concerns, and will continue to put pressure on the government so that it will realise the problems and take decisions immediately.

As for the roadblocks and a warning by prime minister George Papandreou that the roadblocks are harming Greece's image, Kasapidis noted that ND had said last year (when it was in government and during similar farmers' protests), and says the same thing now, "that we do not agree with the blocking of the roads".

"This is the difference between ND and PASOK, which was saying something totally different last year," he added.

[02] Greek mountaineer scales highest summits of all 7 continents

The highest mountain range in Greece, Olympus is a landmark for not only Greek mountaineers but also climbers from all over the world.

The 41-year-old Volos-born Magitsis began mountain climbing in 1984 when he joined the local Mountain Climbing Group of Volos.

The first "Seven Summits" peak he scaled was Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent, in Tanzania. This was followed by the Vinson Massif in Antarctica in January 2003, Denali (Mt. McKinley on the North American continent, in Alaska, USA) in June 2005, Mt. Everest (on the Asian continent, in Nepal/Tibet, the world's highest peak) in May 2007, Aconcagua (South American continent in Argentina, on the border with Chile) in January 2008, Carstensz Pyramid (or Puncak Jaya, on the Australian continent, in Indonesia) and Mt. Elbrus (on the European continent, in Russia) in August 2008.

Magitsis, in an interview with ANA-MPA, spoke of the strength of heart need to perform such a feat,

"For a climber to reach so high and scale the hardest peaks, he must be in excellent physical condition, come to terms with the difficulties and risk, always seek something bigger and better, set high goals, and be determined and daring. Physical strength is an advantage and a requirement. But strength of heart is the beginning and the end. It is the most precious thing for a climber who stops at nothing and attains his goals," Magitsis said.

That, he added, is a lesson for life itself.

As for Mt. Olympus, "it is the highest and most beautiful mountain in Greece", Magitsis said. "It is the springboard and goal of every new mountain climber."

"When I started mountain climbing, my dream was to reach its summit. It has high and steep peaks and vivid scenery. Olympus is a mythical mountain, and its legendary routes attract climbers from all over the world every year. Olympus is the mountain with the highest in altitude shelters. It is a mountain to which hymns of praise have been sung by Greek and foreign writers and poets, and which has commanded respect and awe the world over," Magitsis said.

Greek mountain climber Nikos Magitsis is one of the select few summiteers throughout the world to have scaled the highest mountains on all seven continents. The mountain he holds dearest to his hear, however, is the magical Mt. Olympus of Greek mythology, home of the ancient Greek gods. The first "Seven Summits" peak he scaled was Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent, in Tanzania followed by the Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Denali (Mt. McKinley in Alaska, USA) in June 2005, Mt. Everest (on the Asian continent, in Nepal/Tibet, the world's highest peak) in May 2007

[03] ASE opening: Decline

Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward, with the biggest gains in Travel and Recreation, up 0.77 percent and Food and Beverages, up 0.79 percent.

The biggest losses were in Telecoms, down 2.50 percent; and Mass Media, down 2.30 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 0.21 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 1.23 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 0.12 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 26 were up, 70 were down, and 24 were unchanged.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The farmers mobilisations and government's stance, Prime Minister George Papandreou's call for acceleration of implementation of the Stability and Growth plan and government vice-president Theodoros Pangalos' statements that several public sector agencies will merge or close, dominated the headlines on Friday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Dozens of public sector agencies will be merged or abolished".

APOGEVMATINI: "Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras seeks associates from the party's grass roots".

AVGHI: "Greece a 'boxing bag' for speculators - Greek bonds' spread skyrockets, plunge on Athens Stock Exchange".

AVRIANI: "Freeze on building activity until Environment Ministry completes the map of the country's forests".

CHORA: "Economic and Industrial Studies Institute (IOBE) letter to prime minister: Take measures because social clashes are on the threshold".

ELEFTHEROS: "Wave of early retirements in Armed Forces".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Nepotism lives in Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos' 'court'."

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Operation 'hurry', with Pangalos as the supervisor".

ESTIA: "Greece's lamentable degradation - Even the Bulgarians reproach us".

ETHNOS: "New obstacle to 55-year-old public sector pensioners".

IMERISSIA: "Economic and Industrial Studies Institute's (IOBE) dramatic intervention: Last chance for immediate measures".

KATHIMERINI: "In search of a solution for the borrowing".

LOGOS: "Abolitions and merges...of dozens of public sector agencies".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "State in search of loans in USA and Japan".

NIKI: "The bankers govern - The banking cartel is above the law and continues the auctions (of properties for overdue debts)".

RIZOSPASTIS: "No to the fraudulent dialogue - Struggle, unity of the poor and the farmers - Farmers' mobilisations continue".

TA NEA: "Super austerity or else we will 'bankrupt' you - Financial rating companies and markets are blackmailing us".

TO VIMA: "Greek economy at the mercy of the lenders - Spreads skyrocket".

VRADYNI: "What surprises await 5.5 million taxpayers in the new income tax declaration form".

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