Droutsas: Prespes meeting does not replace UN process
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Droutsas: "Prespes meeting does not replace UN process."
Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas on Tuesday underlined that any discussion between Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) premier Nikola Gruevski in Prespes regarding the name dispute would "neither replace nor harm" the process underway at the United Nations for finding a solution.
"We have right on our side and clearcut positions. In this spirit, there was an invitation from the prime minister to his counterpart in Skopje for a first, informal meeting. It is self-evident that the two prime ministers will raise the name issue but this is not a negotiation. Any contact, even at the highest level between two prime ministers, neither replaces nor harms this process," the minister said.
Droutsas made the statement while briefing Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on foreign policy developments, where he denied that the Prespes meeting on Friday concealed any intention by the Greek premier to begin negotiations on the name issue. An invitation to meet in Prespes was also sent to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, while the government has billed the initiative as an environmental one, designed to discuss management and protection of the lake district that is shared by the three countries.
He repeated that Greece had a firm position from which it was not prepared to back down, which was a single name with a geographic qualifier. He also repeated that FYROM's prospects of joining the EU were conditional on finding a solution"An unequivocal condition for the start of accession negotiations is to first solve the name issue. Greece does not have any reason to hurry and it is not hurrying. We will impose the solution, if necessary, not by might but by persuasion. We will speak directly to the people of [FYROM] extending a hand of help. Our purpose is not confined to media sound-bytes," he noted.
Earlier, Droutsas had elicited angry reactions from main opposition New Democracy MPs with his statements concerning relations with Turkey, where he denied that the government was engaged in across-the-board dialogue or secret diplomacy but criticised the actions of the previous government concerning the Muslim minority.
"The present government does not discuss issues concerning Greek citizens with foreign states. In this there was a slide by the previous government. This was the impression given," he said.
Replying to questions about a letter sent to Papandreou by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Droutsas denied any attempt at concealment by the government. Noting that the letter was a "common practice" and followed up the earlier meeting between Erdogan and Papandreou, adding that the Greek government's reply would be made and its contents released in the next few days.
On the Cyprus issue, the minister said that this remained at the top of Greece's agenda and that there was close cooperation between the governments of Greece and Cyprus, while describing the direct talks between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat as a "window for cautious optimism".
Droutsas particularly emphasised Greece's relations with Russia during the briefing, calling the completion of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline "self-evident" and announcing a meeting between Papandreou, who is also foreign minister, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during an Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in December. Prime Minister, ruling PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou, speaking on Tuesday after the two-day sessions of the SI's Council in the Dominican Republic, stressed that the Socialist International's assessment is that the crisis currently being experienced by mankind is not a simple economic crisis, it is also an ecological and energy crisis, even one of democratic institutions.
Papandreou said that "for these reasons it is not enough for one to wait passively until the present crisis is over and for things to return to their previous state." He added that reforms and big changes must be promoted for a different course in global developments.
He further pointed out that the Socialist International "is a pioneer in promoting these changes in the economy and democratic institutions, both at local and international level. A substantive redistribution of income on the planet must be supported and one must proceed with a different growth model and a new relation between humanity and the environment."
In all these matters, he added, "the Socialist International is in the front line and what it is doing in Latin America today, it will do in Copenhagen tomorrow and later at the G20 summit, intervening in economic crisis issues."
Referring to Greece, Papandreou stressed that despite its problems it "can play a leading role today in the consolidation of democratic conceptions and democratic institutions, promoting the democratic governance conception, based on its values and traditions to enable the average family and weak citizens to be helped, and also implement a different growth model based on its comparative advantages.
Papoulias receives Bulgarian president Parvanov
Visiting Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov on Tuesday emphasised the significance of cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria in the energy sector, during a meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias in Athens.
Parvanov, who is in Greece for a three-day official visit said that the level of bilateral relations was "good as never before" and that cooperation "in the energy sector will be very important for the two countries, as part of a more general European vision".
Among the issues raised by the Bulgarian president was the need to accelerate work for bringing natural gas from Stara Zagora in Bulgaria to the northeastern Greek city of Komotini.
In addition to the talks between the two presidents, there was a meeting between delegations of the two countries, attended by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Tina Birbili and Deputy Culture Minister for tourism issues Angela Gerekou. This noted the large numbers of tourists travelling in both directions and that Greece remains one of Bulgaria's top investors and trade partners.
In statements afterward, Papoulias announced that Athens and Sofia remain steadfast in jointly supporting the European prospects of western Balkan countries and that the talks between them had covered issues of Greek interest, such as the Cyprus problem and the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), as well as Balkan affairs.
Three-way cooperation between Greece, Bulgaria and Romania in southeastern Europe and the crucial Black Sea region was another issue addressed in the talks, with agreement to seek ways to further expand cooperation in new sectors of mutual interest.
In terms of bilateral ties, the two presidents agreed that cooperation could be further enhanced in the energy sector but also in improving access across the borders, where they agreed that the Komotini-Makaza border crossing will be in operation by the end of 2010.
Parvanov called for reviving the momentum for the construction of additional border crossings between the two countries, as well as the Komotini-Makaza crossing, saying that these would boost both communication across the border and promote new business relations.
"It would be good for this to be followed up so as to open up other border crossings that are provided for under agreements and are now somewhat delayed, as well as local border crossings that might be local for Bulgaria but are very important for the local inhabitants of those regions," he said.
The Bulgarian president also referred to the "Thessaloniki Agenda" for the western Balkans, noting that this was the EU's best message for the region and that it would be best for this policy to be continued. Regarding policy for the Balkans and Black Sea, he also noted the advisability of heeding the positions expressed by Greece, Romania and Bulgaria as the three EU member-states closest to those regions.
Meeting with Karamanlis
Meanwhile, prospects for Greece-Bulgarian cooperation within the EU framework dominated talks between Parvanov and former Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis, the current main opposition leader.
Both men confirmed the excellent level of bilateral ties, with a particular mention of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project.
Alternate FM receives Bulgarian Dep. FM
Bilateral relations were on the agenda of talks on Tuesday here between Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and visiting Bulgarian Deputy FM Marin Raykov, who is accompanying Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov during the latter's official visit to Greece.
Earlier, Raykov signed the executive portion of a programme boosting bilateral cooperation the education, scientific and culture fields for the 2009-11 period with foreign ministry general secretary Ioannis-Alexios Zeppos
Bulgarian president meets
opposition party leaders
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, in the framework of his official visit to Greece, held consecutive meetings on Tuesday afternoon with Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Parliamentary Group President Alexis Tsipras, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) President George Karatzaferis.
Speaking after his meeting with the Bulgarian president, Karatzaferis said "we hade an extremely interesting discussion with the president of Bulgaria Mr. Parvanov, we examined the bilateral issues as well as the energy matters that unite us. We found a supporter on issues of direct national interest and I think that the discussion with Bulgaria must be continued and intensified."
Papariga and Tsipras made no statements after their meetings with President Parvanov.
Parliament president holds talks
with visiting Bulgarian president
Parliament President Filippos Petsalnikos on Tuesday termed Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov's official visit to Greece yet another important step for the further strengthening and development of the two countries' relations.
Speaking after his meeting with President Parvanov, Petsalnikos said that "the relations between the two countries are very good, but there is always ground for their widening."
The Parliament president placed emphasis "on the very considerable activity of Greek businesses in Bulgaria and to the constructive cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector," while stressing "the importance of promoting the project on the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline."
Petsalnikos also outlined Greece's positions "on the name issue with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and stressed Greece's support for Turkey's European perspective.
On his part, the Bulgarian president referred to the two countries' traditionally good relations, Greece's support for Bulgaria's accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions and to the Bulgarian side's desire for the further intensification of meetings between delegations of the two Parliaments.
Bakoyannis: New gov't showing signs
of decomposition
Former foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, one of three contenders for the leadership of main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, on Tuesday directly criticised the new government, charging that it is showing "signs of decomposition" some 50 days after assuming power.
"... the government's vice-president claims the finance minister isn't doing his job properly; PASOK's Parliamentary spokesman overturns decisions by the Cabinet, the education minister is arguing in public with the deputy minister while the prime minister is in the Dominican Republic for the Socialist International (conference)," Bakoyannis said.
Gov't reaction
In a later response, a government spokesman flatly dismissed Bakoyannis' assertions, noting that "there is no friction within the government, which is working only for the public interest".
ND candidates agree on election process
The three candidates for the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leadership on Tuesday expressed agreement on all matters concerning the process of electing a new ND president, after a meeting with organisation committee chairman Dimitris Sioufas, party secretary Lefteris Zagoritis and ND general director Menelaos Daskalakis, five days ahead of Sunday's election.
Sioufas said that the meeting examined the entire course to Sunday "when ND will take an important for the election of the party leader by the ND grass roots".
He added that the three candidates agreed on all the matters concerning the election, both in the first round this Sunday and in a second round the following week if required.
Candidate Dora Bakoyannis, former foreign minister and ex-Athens mayor, said that a major effort was made, resulting in agreement among all the candidates.
She also called on all the party members to turn out on Sunday, stressing that "the election of a party leader is a very serious cause", adding that, with everyone's cooperation, everything will go well.
Fellow candidate Antonis Samaras, former culture minister, said that there was excellent cooperation on all the issues.
The third candidate, Thessaloniki prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis, said that he was in agreement on all points, adding that "united, we can emerge stronger on the morning after".
LAOS President visits Peloponnese
Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) President George Karatzaferis toured the Peloponnese, southern Greece, on Tuesday and visited the construction sites of the new Corinth-Tripolis-Kalamata motorway and the Lefktro-Sparti section of the road, expressing satisfaction over the project's progress.
Asked to comment on the social security issue he stated that tough measures are necessary and reiterated his party’s proposal for the merger of all social security funds.
DM Venizelos meets Chinese envoy
Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos met on Tuesday with the ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Greece, Luo Linquan.
According to a ministry press release, talks focused on the spectrum of Greece-China relations and particularly on defence cooperation.
The envoy conveyed the Chinese defence minister's invitation to Venizelos to visit the Far East nation.
Financial News
Katseli outlines Greek efforts on piracy, attracting youth to maritime profession,
at IMO General Assembly
LONDON (ANA-MPA/L. Tsirigotakis)
The problems of ship piracy, climate change, and the declining attraction of young people to the maritime profession were at the core of discussions of the 169-nation International Maritime Organisation (IMO) general assembly's 26th session, which opened in London on Monday, with economy, competitiveness and shipping minister Louka Katseli representing member-country Greece.
Addressing the opening session of the 2-week general assembly, Katseli outlined the Greek government's policy on shipping matters and its cooperation with IMO, explaining that the incorporation of shipping into the larger ministry of economy and competitiveness (development) reflected the government's enhanced interest in shipping and acknowledges its significant contribution to the Greek economy.
On confronting ship piracy off the coasts of Somalia, Katseli noted that the initiatives for ship safety were being reinforced internationally, stressing that Greece was a participant in the EU's naval force's (EUNAVFOR Somalia) operation "Atalanta". She added, in fact, that Greek naval personnel are among awardees for their contribution to the effort.
Katseli expressed her conviction that the governments of the IMO member countries, during the two weeks of deliberations, will give their political support to the organisation's secretary general Efthimios Mitropoulos for additional measures, aiming at better and more efficient coordination in the taking of measures that will boost the security of ships.
On the sidelines of the first session, Katseli had bilateral meetings with Greece's IMO chief Mitropoulos and deputy ministers of transportation of China and Singapore, during which matters pertaining to bilateral and multilateral cooperation were discussed, according to Katseli.
She noted that China and Singapore are very important countries in the field of shipping, with different characteristics.
With the Chinese deputy minister, discussion focused on the long-standing bilateral agreement between the two countries, she said, adding that she also put forward the matter of recognition by China of the certifications of Greek seamen, while they also discussed cooperation in merchant shipping and investments, pointing out the two countries' strategic position in the wider region and internationally.
Katseli stressed that Greece and China have much to benefit from this cooperation between the two countries. She added that the climate during the discussion was "positive", and in that context mention was also made to the COSCO investment in Greece and the related matters that will be put to a general dialogue. "We said that, with good will, everything will be solved from within this dialogue and not only will this cooperation move forward, but we also have the ability to expand our cooperation into other sectors of mutual interest," she said.
On maritime training in Greece, she said it was a top priority of her ministry, while a collaboration has also commenced with education minister Anna Diamantopoulou on a volunteer program that will enable highschool freshmen and sophomores (9th and 10th grades) to travel for a week on a merchant ship so as to acquire a personal experience at sea and the life of present-day seamen, which has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, with substantial upgrading of the working and living conditions.
Katseli anticipated that the program will commence within the next year.
The minister met on Tuesday with British Deputy Transport Minister Paul Clark, as well as with the National Shipping Cooperation Committee. She also gave an interview to the newspaper Lloyd's List.
Economy minister holds talks
with Greek shipowners in London
LONDON (ANA-MPA/L. Tsirigotakis)
Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli held here Tuesday her first meeting with Greek shipowners who had raised objections regarding the incorporation of the Merchant Marine ministry in the economy ministry.
"They expressed their concern again. I think, however, that with the dialogue and the discussion this concern was overcome. There is no doubt that shipping needs a ministry which will be organised, provide quality services, a ministry that will be specialised for this job. I reassured all the representatives of shipping that the ministry's target is to upgrade the services that it provides for the shipowner world and not to downgrade them and I think that with the discussion and the dialogue those who had doubts were convinced at least that our target is indeed to have the ministry upgraded," Katseli said after the meeting.
Katseli called on the Greek shipowners to cooperate more closely with the Greek economy and to develop more activities in the Greek economic environment.
Dialogue on pensions reform postponed until Thursday
The start of dialogue on reforming Greece's social insurance system has been officially postponed until next Thursday, after Monday's meeting between Labour Minister Andreas Loverdos and trade unions was sabotaged by trade unionists in the PAME faction, affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).
Members of PAME had picketed the ministry on Monday, preventing the trade union representatives from entering the building to attend the meeting.
Loverdos will on Thursday meet with the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), Greece's largest umbrella trade union association, and the civil servants union ADEDY, followed by the nationwide association of artisans and workshop owners GSEBEE. Meetings with the main employer groups, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprise (SEV) and the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE), are likely to take place on Friday.
In the meantime, PAME has issued a call for a general strike on December 17 over social insurance reforms, labour relations and incomes policy.
In comments regarding Monday's actions by PAME, government spokesman George Petalotis on Tuesday stressed that the government was determined to carry out the planned dialogue.
"We want to change things. We are opposed to the stagnation that exists and is exactly counter to the viability of the social insurance system and the viability of the way pensions are paid out," he said.
The spokesman pointed out that the government had promised not to shift the burden of the social insurance system onto the insured and stressed that the "alarmist stories" circulating about its intentions bore no relation to the truth.
"Each person is responsible for what they say and do. We are in favour of dialogue; all those that are in favour of forbidding it, also act accordingly," Petalotis commented when asked about the stance shown by KKE and its leader Aleka Papariga, who dismissed the suggested dialogue as "fixed".
The spokesman stressed that dialogue was a necessary stage for the government to make responsible decisions and noted that "incriminating" dialogue because of the policies that governments had adopted in the past did nothing to enhance democracy.
PAME rally in central Athens
The Communist Party-affiliated PAME trade union held a rally in central Athens on Tuesday evening to demand greater benefits for the unemployed, abolition of what it charges are unfair social security reforms and real salary increases.
The rally, addressed by Greek and foreign trade unionists, included a large KKE delegation. It was followed by a march to Parliament.
Commerce sector biggest employer
in Greece, report
The commerce sector remains the biggest employer of the Greek economy, the National Confederation of Greek Commerce said on Tuesday, presenting its annual report for 2008 compiled with Icap Group for the ninth consecutive year.
Hit by a global economic crisis, the Greek economy reported a 2.0 pct increase in unemployment in 2009 and decline of the inflation rate to its lowest level since 1970, affecting both exports and imports (down 23.4 pct and 17.7 pct respectively, compared with rises of 2.2 pct and 4.4 pct, respectively, in 2008). The commerce sector accounted for 18.3 pct of total employment in the Greek economy, accounting for 29.5 pct of job positions created in the period 1993-2009, while it recorded a 0.5 pct increase in part-time jobs. Employment grew 0.8 pct in 2008, while enterprises with a workforce of more than 250 workers recorded an increase of 4.0 pct.
In 2008, the growth rate of sales in Greek commerce fell significantly, accompanied by a 32 pct drop in net profits (larger companies), while smaller enterprises reported a 40 pct drop in sales.
9th European Forum of EU Island Chambers Network
The 9th European Forum of the European Union Islands Chamber of Commerce Network, held by the Piraeus Professional Chamber and the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the auspices of the Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping ministry, on Tuesdsay addressed an appeal in a resolution to the UN's Climatic Change Conference, which will be taking place in Copenhagen.
The appeal calls "for bold decisions that will not be limited to a simple declaration of intentions, and bold policies with a planetarian gaze, apart from national egoisms and for a binding political agreement with specific and ascertainable targets."
The 9th Forum stresses that unless problems are solved on islands that are small societies, in no way will there be solutions that can be implemented in big cities.
For this reason it maintains that the islands can and must be used as growth models and as places for the implementation of growth models that are wanted.
EU Commission warns Greece
over bake off policy
The European Commission has officially warned Greece over limitations imposed on "bake off products" in the country, while giving the country a two-month deadline to change practices before moving to the next step of administrative proceedings, i.e. referring the case to the European Court of Justice, the association representing Greek bakery companies announced on Tuesday.
In a statement to the press, the bakery companies reiterated their opposition to limitations imposed in the licensing of bake off facilities and said that the European Commission, in a warning letter to the Greek government, said it was giving a two-month deadline to present new regulations over bake off activities in the country.
Eurobank says net profits up in Q3
Eurobank on Tuesday reported a 26.6 pct increase in its third quarter net profits to 111 million euros, compared with the second quarter of the year and said its pre-provision earnings rose 6.4 pct to 414 million euros and a 6.6 pct decline in spending over the same period.
The bank said its nine-month net profits totaled 280 million euros, down from 647 million euros in the corresponding period in 2008, while its capital adequacy rate rose by 120 basis points to 12.7 percent at the end of September, one of the highest in Greece, reflecting higher organic profits, a successful sale of hybrid capital issue (300 million euros) and the sale of 250 million euros worth of shares.
Eurobank said it enjoyed one of the strongest liquidity in the sector, with saving deposits in Greece and Southeastern Europe totaled 47.4 billion euros, up 1.7 billion euros in the nine-month period from January to September, with direct cashflow totaling 6.7 billion euros. Its loans to deposits rate improved further to 116.5 percent, from 120 percent one year earlier. The bank said it has cut by half its lending from the European Central Bank and repaid a bond issue worth 500 million euros (issued with a state guarantee as part of a government program to support liquidity in the market).
Eurobank said new loans to enterprises and households totaled 4.1 billion euros, while new loans in the third quarter grew 0.6 pct to 56.7 billion euros. The bank’s assets in Southeastern Europe totaled 21 billion euros, its loan portfolio was 14.3 billion euros and savings deposits totaled 9.6 billion euros. Pre-provision profits totaled 96 million euros in the third quarter.
Piraeus Port reports improved
nine-month results
Piraeus Port Organisation SA on Tuesday reported significantly improved results for the nine-month period from January to September this year, with turnover rising 22.1 pct to 96.33 million euros, from 78.88 million euros in the corresponding period last year.
The listed company said its cargo terminal reported 324,000 cargo moves, up from 204,000 last year when the terminal was hit by strike mobilizations, while its said the vehicle transfer revenues fell to 7.15 million euros in the nine-month period, from 12.64 million last year, down 43.4 pct. Passenger traffic revenues were almost unchanged at last year’s levels, 8.50 million euros from 8.53 million euros, respectively.
Operating revenues grew 4.15 pct to 5.89 million euros, reflecting higher revenues from leasing contracts. Total spending grew 12.94 pct to 94.83 million euros, boosted by personnel payments and other spending.
Piraeus Port Organisation said net pre-tax profits totaled 7.93 million euros, while after tax profits was 3.60 million euros from a loss of 568,710 euros last year.
Professor Zervos president and managing director of DEH
National Metropolitan Polytechnic professor Arthouros Zervos will be the new president and managing director of the Public Power Corporation (DEH).
The Environment, Energy and Climatic Change ministry announced on Tuesday that the state will propose Zervos for the specific position, at the special General Assembly of shareholders which will be taking place on December 15.
Zervos is President of the European Renewable Energy Sources Council.
Vivartia reports improved
nine-month results
Vivartia on Tuesday reported a 12.4 pct increase in its consolidated after tax profits to 23.7 million euros in the January-September period, from 21.1 million euros last year and said consolidated sales totaled 1.095 billion euros from 1.039 billion euros in 2008, for an increase of 5.4 pct, partly reflecting the integration of merged subsidiaries Everest and Nonni’s.
After tax and minorities earnings grew 8.4 pct to 6.26 million euros, while EBITDA rose 8.0 pct to 118.3 million euros in the nine-month period. Vivartia said it expected its earnings per share to reach estimates included in its business plan, mainly because of lower raw materials’ prices and an effective management of operating costs.
Spyros Theodoropoulos, chief executive of Vivartia, said the group improved its financial results in the nine-month period despite adverse economic conditions, focusing on the constant improvement of costs and higher productivity.
Xenia tourism exhibition
opens in Athens on Nov. 27
The 41st Xenia International Tourism Industry Exhibition will take place on Nov. 27-30 at the Metropolitan Expo, Athens International Airport focusing on hotel and restaurant equipment.
The annual General Assembly of the Athens - Attica Hotels Association will be among the many events that will be held in parallel with the exhibition.
Special distinctions will be awarded to individuals who contribute to the promotion of the Greek tourist product namely, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Zakynthos, ship-owner Vassilis Konstantakopoulos and Theodoros Vassilakis active in the sectors of automobile and air transportation.
Stocks end 0.81% down
Stocks resumed their downward trend in the Athens Stock Exchange on Tuesday, after Monday’s strong recovery, affected by a negative climate prevailing in other European markets. The composite index fell 0.81 pct to end at 2,428.54 points, with turnover a low 188.8 million euros, of which 25.4 million euros were block trades.
Most sectors moved down, with the Technology (2.61 pct), Travel (2.57 pct) and Utilities (1.99 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses, while Industrial Products (1.94 pct), Telecommunications (1.52 pct) and Raw Materials (1.24 pct) scored gains.
The FTSE 20 index rose 1.03 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.70 pct down and the FTSE 80 index fell 0.98 pct. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 140 to 70 with another 48 issues unchanged.
Sector indices ended as follows:
Insurance:
+0.66%
Industrials:
+1.94%
Commercial:
-1.00%
Construction:
-0.23%
Media:
-1.24%
Oil & Gas:
+0.07%
Personal & Household:
-0.86%
Raw Materials:
+1.24%
Travel & Leisure:
-2.57%
Technology:
-2.61%
Telecoms:
+1.52%
Banks:
-1.32%
Food & Beverages:
+0.05%
Health:
-1.57%
Utilities:
-1.99%
Chemicals:
+0.94%
Financial Services:
-1.24%
The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, OPAP and OTE.
Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index
closed in euros as follows:
Alpha Bank:
9.88
ATEbank:
1.67
Public Power Corp (PPC):
13.93
HBC Coca Cola:
16.80
Hellenic Petroleum:
8.05
National Bank of Greece:
22.80
EFG Eurobank Ergasias:
9.15
Intralot:
3.91
OPAP:
16.28
OTE:
10.66
Bank of Piraeus:
10.20
Titan:
20.40
ADEX closing report
The December contract on the FTSE 20 index was trading at -0.59 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday, with turnover at 74.788 million euros. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 10,194 contracts worth 65.107 million euros, with 28,574 open positions in the market.
Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 9,735 contracts worth 9.681 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank’s contracts (1,529), followed by Eurobank (835), OTE (1,201), Piraeus Bank (1,114), Alpha Bank (720), Marfin Popular Bank (846) and Cyprus Bank (668).
Greek bond market closing report
The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened again to 174 basis points in the Greek electronic secondary bond market on Tuesday, with the Greek bond yielding 4.99 pct and the German Bund 3.25 pct.
Turnover was 1.7 billion euros, with the 10-year benchmark bond (July 19, 2019) the most heavily traded security of the market.
In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month Euribor rate was 1.25 pct, the six-month rate 1.03 pct, the three-month rate 0.76 pct and the one-month rate 0.45 pct.
Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday
Reference buying rates per euro released
by the European Central Bank:
U.S. dollar
1.508
Pound sterling
0.910
Danish kroner
7.500
Swedish kroner
10.397
Japanese yen
133.63
Swiss franc
1.523
Norwegian kroner
8.443
Canadian dollar
1.594
Australian dollar
1.638
General News
European Commissioner Dimas
opens civil protection forum
BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA / M. Spinthourakis)
European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, responsible for environment, will open the 3rd Civil Protection Forum in Brussels on Wednesday.
Roughly 500 professionals in the sector of civil protection will attend the two-day conference focusing on enhancing the resilience of the EU states when faced with disasters. The frequency and impact of natural disasters are more likely to increase due to the climate change and Europe will have to be prepared to handle challenges such as terrorist threats, chemical accidents etc.
The forum titled “Towards a more resilient society” will focus on future challenges for European civil protection, technological developments and the public’s participation in the preparation phase ahead of a disaster.
“Europe is ready to do everything possible to strengthen its resilience to disasters to reduce the high cost to human life. Every year thousands of people lose their lives and many more face long-term disruption to their daily life. Last year alone, some 20 million people worldwide were forced from their homes by natural disasters. The financial costs are also high: disasters cost Europe an estimated 15 billion euros a year. The Forum will be a vital platform for debating the challenges facing us and in helping us strengthen our disaster prevention and response,” Dimas stated.
Athens, Shanghai sign friendship-cooperation memo
Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and Shanghai Communist Party of China Municipal Committee Deputy Secretary Yin Yicui, representing Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of friendship and cooperation at Athens City Hall between the Greek capital and the Chinese metropolis in the fields of culture, sport, tourism and the environment
Mugging ends in stabbing death, injury
A Bangladeshi national was stabbed to death and a second was injured in an attack by two other foreign nationals in the Athens district of Kato Patissia on Tuesday morning.
The two victims were found in a pool of blood. The body of the deceased bore a large number of stab wounds all over, while the injured man had stab wounds in the chest and abdomen.
The injured man told police that they had been attacked while resisting two Iraqi nationals as they attempted to mug them.
Security police are investigating the incident.
Mother charged with causing
infant's death
A Thessaloniki examining magistrate on Tuesday remanded a 28-year-old ethnic Greek woman from Georgia in custody after she was charged with causing the death of her 3.5-month-old baby boy. The woman - also a suspected drug user - faces a charge of intentional homicide.
In her statement to the magistrate the suspect denied the charge, claiming that the infant fell from her arms onto the floor and thus sustained a fatal head injury. During the police inquiry, however, the woman had apparently offered conflicting accounts of how the baby had died.
The infant had been rushed to Thessaloniki's Ippokration Hospital with serious head injuries the previous Friday but was already dead on arrival. A coroner's examination revealed bruising and that the baby had a fractured skull.
Explosive device at office of PASOK deputy and actor Yiannis Vouros
An explosive device composed of gas cannisters was placed at the entrance to the political office of ruling PASOK party deputy and actor Yiannis Vouros, located on the fourth floor of a building in Solomou street 54 in Athens shortly after 7:30 on Tuesday evening.
The explosion and ensuing fire caused limited damage to the deputy's office and to a neighbouring lawyer's office.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy, rainy on Wednesday
Cloudy and rainy weather and northerly winds are forecast in most parts of the country on Wednesday, with wind velocity reaching 3-6 beaufort. Temperatures will range between 0C and 18C. Cloudy in Athens with possible local showers, with northerly 3-6 beaufort winds and temperatures ranging from 8C to 17C. Fair in Thessaloniki, with temperatures ranging from 4C to 14C.
The Tuesday edition of Athens'
dailies at a glance
The Social Security dialogue, the new flu inoculations that began throughout the country on Monday beginning with doctors and healthcare staff and vulnerable groups (with vaccination of the general public due to commence on December 1), taxation, bank loans and the global financial crisis were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Tuesday.
ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Flu: The criteria under which schools will close - Doctors and nursing staff being inoculated".
APOGEVMATINI: "They made a mess of things...50 days after the elections, the government's image is negative".
AVGHI: "Behind-the-scenes dialogue on the social security system - Business community appears to be hastening to privatise social security, as the government pretends it is awaiting the dialogue".
AVRIANI: "The demand of the working people, who are called on to shoulder new sacrifices, is...the changes in social security should begin first with the MPs and the privileged 'guilds' of the public sector".
CHORA: "Pangalos (government vice-president) barbs against economy/finance ministers on the salaries".
ELEFTHERI ORA: "Chryssohoidis (Citizens' Protection minister) turns police into targets - He requires the police officers to wear name cards on their lapels".
ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "They're playing with the pupils' nerves - Chaos with the examination system and base passing grade".
ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The first grumbling - Unrest in the government over the economic measures and ministers' statements".
ESTIA: "The miserliness being redistributed, so long as the national production does not increase".
ETHNOS: "Two policy lines on the rate of the changes - Governmental vacillation due to commitments made before the elections".
IMERISSIA: "Clash on double front- Battle positions over social security, taxation".
KATHIMERINI: "The national debts cause terror - Fear that their state (government) bonds will prove toxic - New warning by Trichet (European Central Bank president) for Greece".
LOGOS: "PAME (KKE-affiliated Panhellenic workers Fighting Front) demonstrators blocked the social security dialogue".
NAFTEMPORIKI: "One-third of taxes remain uncollected".
NIKI: "Yellow card to Papaconstantinou (finance minister) over the public sector salaries".
RIZOSPASTIS: "Counter-attack against the attack by the government and capital".
TA NEA: "Red card for 7 in 10 loans - Banks keep the tap closed".
TO VIMA: "Mrs. Papariga (KKE leader) prohibits the dialogue on social security - She did not allow the trade unionists to enter the ministry".
VRADYNI: "Get serious! Finally! - George's (prime minister Papandreou) message to his ministers from Santo Domingo (where he chaired a Socialist International meeting) via the government vice-president (Theodoros Pangalos)".
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