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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 15-06-24

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Wednesday, 24 June 2015 Issue No: 4984

CONTENTS

  • [01] PM Tsipras: The ball is in the EU leaders' court
  • [02] New Eurogroup on Wednesday
  • [03] Greece's proposal constitutes a viable solution for the Greek economy
  • [04] Agreement should have been voted by June 30, gov't spokesman Sakellaridis says
  • [05] The agreement will include the refinancing of debt and growth package, Economy Min Stathakis says
  • [06] Pappas says Tsipras will bring agreement that will be supported by SYRIZA MPs
  • [07] State Min. Flambouraris: Government needs the support of its parliamentary group
  • [08] ANEL leader Kammenos expresses hope for 'positive outcome' in negotiations
  • [09] Main opposition criticises government for ongoing negotiations with creditors
  • [10] Deliberations at technical level continue, EU Commission spokesman says
  • [11] Merkel, Lagarde, Dijsselbloem note progress in Greek talks, say work remains to be done
  • [12] Austrian Chancellor Faymann expresses hope that EU summit will deliver results
  • [13] Germany's Gabriel: It would be politically, economically bad if Europe started to break apart
  • [14] Greek proposals just a 'starting point' for further talks, EPP's Weber says
  • [15] ECB's Draghi says Greek banks are secured until end of aid programme
  • [16] PES leader Pitella: Stop playing with Greece and Europe's future
  • [17] FM Kotzias proposes tools to deal with increased migrant flows
  • [18] Foreign Minister Kotzias to visit FYROM on June 24
  • [19] President Pavlopoulos received Cyprus Parliament President Yiannakis Omirou
  • [20] Greek, Cypriot Parliament presidents reaffirm solidarity and support of two Parliaments
  • [21] General Accounting Office sends report on state-guaranteed loans to Parliament
  • [22] ECB raises ELA for Greek banks on Tuesday
  • [23] Public investment program spending fell short of targets in Jan-April
  • [24] Banknote circulation falls to June 2012 levels, BoG report
  • [25] Stopanska Banka seeks early repayment of 45-mln-euro loans to National Bank
  • [26] Building materials' prices down 1.8 pct in May
  • [27] Greek stocks jump 6.11 pct on Tuesday
  • [28] Greek bond market closing report
  • [29] ADEX closing report
  • [30] Migration Minister presents new centre for unaccompanied minors in Athens
  • [31] Police arrests 32 people in scuffles in a pro-Europe rally
  • [32] Charges against those arrested for incidents during Monday night's pro-EZ rally
  • [33] Seamen's union PNO announces one-day warning strike next Tuesday
  • [34] Fair on Wednesday
  • [35] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

  • [01] PM Tsipras: The ball is in the EU leaders' court

    "Our proposal has been accepted as the basis for discussion by the institutions," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said after an emergency eurozone summit in Brussels.

    "Negotiations will continue over the next two days. We don't want a fragmented deal that is only for a limited time. We want a complete and viable solution," he underlined.

    "For the first time the burden will not lie on workers and pensioners. We are protecting middle class families and for the first time the burden will lie on those who can pay, so we can finally leave this crisis which has afflicted us for five years," he added.

    [02] New Eurogroup on Wednesday

    An emergency Eurogroup meeting will be held on Greece on Wednesday evening, European Council president Donald Tusk said after the summit meeting of eurozone leaders in Brussels on Monday night.

    "All parties are determined to find a solution. The new Greek proposals are a step forward," Tusk said at the press conference and added that much work should be done in the next hours.

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the institutions "will work together now so that the Eurogroup can achieve results on Wednesday evening that can be presented Thursday morning" he added.

    On his part, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker expressed certainty over a solution in the next days.

    [03] Greece's proposal constitutes a viable solution for the Greek economy

    The proposal submitted by the Greek government is not part of its official programme, but a result of tough and intense negotiations to achieve a deal which will not hurt labour rights, will not destroy the social fabric and will provide prospects, government sources said on Monday evening after the end of the summit meeting of Eurozone leaders in Brussels.

    It is a proposal, however, that doesn't doom the country to tough austerity and constitutes a viable solution for the Greek economy, without burdening low and medium incomes, the same circles said.

    The government, they continued, doesn't want one more deal that will perpetuate uncertainty, but claims a long-term solution that will settle medium-term issues afflicting the Greek economy and society. At any rate, the public debt issue and Greece's medium-term funding has to be resolved, in order to end the vicious circle of uncertainty and so that the country is not obliged to keep requesting loans to repay the old ones, the circles said.

    The Greek proposal foresees low primary surpluses of 1 pct for 2015 and 2 pct for 2016, versus 3 and 4.5 pct agreed upon by the previous government. This means that for 2016 alone, the economy will be relieved of measures totaling 8.2 billion euros. In the next five years, the overall fiscal space ensured will reach 15.4 billion euros, which is equal to more than 8.5 pct of Greek GDP.

    As government circles noted, the government modified the solidarity levy range to spare low incomes and low pensioners.

    Furthermore, VAT retains three rates of 23 pct, 13 pct and 6 pct (from 6.5 pct). Energy, water and catering businesses will remain in the second VAT rate, while the rate on books and medicines will lower by 0.5 pct.

    [04] Agreement should have been voted by June 30, gov't spokesman Sakellaridis says

    The government is very close to an agreement with the creditors, government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis on Tuesday said in statements to private SKAI TV.

    Referring to VAT on islands, he said that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has raised the issue and there are hopes for a positive outcome.

    On the debt issue, he said that its has been raised and it will be discussed as soon as possible. The main problem right now is uncertainty, he stressed, adding that the agreement will be submitted to parliament by the end of this week.

    "The measures have a specific direction, they transfer the burden. We are fighting and there are many proposals that give perspective and breaths. I believe that only the reduction of the primary surplus is something that ensures fiscal benefit," he added.

    Regarding the debt, he noted that it is "part of the agreement" and an issue raised by the Greek side.

    Sakellaridis underlined that the government insists on and considers it extremely important to stop the risk of uncertainty and solve all financial matters in the medium term. He also said that there serious reasons to believe that the issue will be settled. "We are fighting for that," he stated.

    "As long as we hide behind our finger and pretend there is no issue with respect to debt sustainability and the financial gaps that the Greek government has to deal with, we are not going to solve the problem," the government spokesman said.

    "We propose a solution that does not burden EU taxpayers; it does not burden European countries' budgets," he said and suggested waiting for the next 24 hours because the negotiation is still in progress.

    In other statements to private Mega TV, he stated that "we should have an agreement within the week and I think that we are on a good course. The next 48 hours are crucial for reaching an agreement. An EU summit and a Eurogroup have been scheduled for this week. And that is why today is a crucial day."

    Sakellaridis concluded that the agreement should be voted before June 30.

    [05] The agreement will include the refinancing of debt and growth package, Economy Min Stathakis says

    The agreement discussed between the government and the creditors averts recession measures and sets up a more just and effective framework, Economy Minister George Stathakis on Tuesday said to Real FM.

    "The mere fact that an agreement is being achieved is of great importance as it will lift the restrictions on the Greek economy, and at the same time it will be a long term, secured and guaranteed agreement. It is an agreement that will include the refinancing of debt and growth package. Recession measures are averted and a more fair and efficient framework is created," he stressed.

    [06] Pappas says Tsipras will bring agreement that will be supported by SYRIZA MPs

    Evaluating the results of the government's negotiations with the creditors so far, Minister of State Nikos Pappas on Tuesday told the radio station 'Sto Kokkino' that "an important step had been made" and that the government was continuing the struggle. He stressed that the agreement that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras brings to Parliament for ratification will be supported by the current ruling majority.

    Pappas also highlighted the government's success in getting creditors to agree to a lower primary surplus targets than those initially agreed to by the previous governments

    "This story began with the Greek commitment for surpluses of 3 pct [of GDP] this year and 4.5 pct in 2016. And we are now at a surplus of 1 pct for this year and 2 pct for 2016. This amounts to 4.5 pct of GDP, or roughly eight billion euros. If we had a Samaras government right now, with his talent and his target-obsession,for considering cuts to low incomes as a measure for growth, the bill would be close to 10 billion for wage earners and pensioners," Pappas said.

    He noted that the original demands of the institutions had included a zero deficit clause for pensions, abolition of the EKAS low-income pension benefit, the implementation of mass layoffs and meeting targets by further slashing wages and pensions.

    Since Monday, the Greek proposals, which called for meeting the institutions' targets by transferring the burden to people better able to pay, had been described as a "positive step" and a basis for talks, he added.

    Regarding the increase in employer contributions, he noted that the country's social insurance system had a huge problem as a result of the PSI debt haircut, which had destroyed the funds' cash reserves, as well as the demographic issues caused by an ageing population.

    "Whatever state we were in, we would be obliged to reform our social insurance system. There are two ways of doing this: either you lower pensions and benefits, or you increase contributions. We said we would support our social insurance system by increasing the contributions of those that can, because we are against recessionary measures like pension cuts."

    He also appeared confident that when the agreement was brought to Parliament, it would be supported by the current Parliamentary majority, noting that Alexis Tsipras would not agree to become prime minister of a mismatched collection of forces under supposedly emergency conditions. "Tsipras will not become Papademos," he stressed.

    [07] State Min. Flambouraris: Government needs the support of its parliamentary group

    The government needs then full support of the party in order to vote forward with its programme and warned that if the coalition majority doesn't approve it, the government will resort to elections, Minister of State for Coordinating Government Operations Alekos Flambouraris told private radio station Sto Kokkino on Tuesday.

    "To move forward, the government needs unanimity in its parliamentary group. If we don't have that, then we'll have a problem," he said and added "this problem will be resolved by resorting to elections."

    He said however he's optimistic that a deal with Greece's creditors will be achieved soon. "I think the government will achieve an agreement which will be quite tough, but necessary, in my opinion."

    [08] ANEL leader Kammenos expresses hope for 'positive outcome' in negotiations

    The head of the junior party in Greece's ruling coalition, Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos, on Tuesday expressed hope for a positive outcome in Greece's negotiations with its creditors, saying this would depend on an agreement linked to the issue of the debt.

    "It is now clear that, at this moment, it is Greece that is negotiating, it is not just the government negotiating. We hope the course of the negotiations will be positive for the Greek people. The conditions set by the government and the ANEL Parliamentary group are that any agreement is linked to the issue of the debt," he said after a meeting of ANEL MPs.

    According to Kammenos, the Greek sides 'red lines' remain and the government will in the next few hours, "respecting the popular mandate of January 25, proceed to a final resolution of the problems created by the five-year crisis."

    "The solution will be final and the era of the memorandums will have passed," he said.

    [09] Main opposition criticises government for ongoing negotiations with creditors

    New Democracy circles reiterated on Tuesday their proposal for a national consensus to achieve a different policy mix which would be fiscally sustainable, growth-friendly and socially fair.

    The party also criticized the government's handling of the ongoing negotiations with Greece's lenders. "One cannot stomach so much 'proud political negotiation' which eats up available income, reduces employment, worsens the competitiveness and pushed the country back into recession to maintain clientelism," the circles said.

    They also accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of being "trapped between a destructive and a very poor solution", reminding that for six months the party warned that delays increased the bill Greeks would be called to pay.

    "Thankfully, it appears that at the last minute a national disaster is averted," they added.

    [10] Deliberations at technical level continue, EU Commission spokesman says

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M.?Aroni)

    Deliberations at technical level between the representatives of the three institutions and the representatives of the Greek government continue in Brussels with the view to determining the next steps ahead of the Eurogroup, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Tuesday.

    Schinas reiterated that the Greek proposal is considered a good step forward and a "good basis" for progress. He added that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker expressed certainty over an agreement by the end of the week. However, he underlined that the institutions are waiting for a list of the prior actions included in the proposal.

    Asked whether the Commission is considering the possibility of extending the current Greek programme, Schinas said that the Commission?is working on the basis of the Eurogroup's agreement. He also talked of a "comprehensive agreement."

    [11] Merkel, Lagarde, Dijsselbloem note progress in Greek talks, say work remains to be done

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/C. Vasilaki)

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that all European Union leaders argued strongly in favor of commitments needed for the achievement of a deal between Greece and its creditors.

    Speaking to journalists at a press conference following a summit meeting of Eurozone leaders in Brussels, Merkel noted that a lot of hard work still needs to be done in the negotiations and that Greece must remain in the Eurozone.

    She said that time is running out for a deal, while she added that negotiations with the Greek government concern the sustainability of Greek debt. The Chancellor noted, however, that Greece will not have to start repaying a large part of its debt for many years to come.

    At a separate press conference taking place in Brussels, IMF chief Christine Lagarde told journalists a lot of work still needs to be done in the next 48 hours on Greece. Adding that Greece's new proposals are more detailed but do not fully comply with what has been discussed.

    The same view was echoed by Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem who said that "hard work" is needed.

    [12] Austrian Chancellor Faymann expresses hope that EU summit will deliver results

    VIENNA (ANA-MPA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

    Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann on Tuesday expressed his hope that the EU summit will deliver results.

    Faymann noted that no decision was taken during Monday's meeting of EU leaders, adding that the proposals of the Greek government need to be examined.

    According to the Austrian Chancellor, the constant crucial meetings are not a good basis for the Greek economy and the necessary investments in the country and what is needed is the extension of the loan programme so that Greece can meet its obligations.

    "In the next few days, the first obstacles need to be overcome and Greece be given the chance to breathe again," he noted stressing the need for cooperation.

    [13] Germany's Gabriel: It would be politically, economically bad if Europe started to break apart

    BERLIN (ANA-MPA/F. Karaviti)

    German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said on Tuesday it would be bad if Europe started disintegrating, referring to the ongoing negotiations between Greece and its creditors, but added that Europe will not be blackmailed into accepting any deal.

    "We all know that it would be not only economically and financially, but also politically bad if the first cornerstone of the European house were to break off," he said during a visit to a company in Stuttgart.

    However, he noted, Greeks shouldn't believe Europe will accept anything in the negotiations out of fear of a Grexit and reiterated that neither Germany not Europe will be blackmailed.

    Concerning a possible debt haircut, Gabriel said that it wouldn't achieve anything if Athens piled on more debts immediately afterwards.

    [14] Greek proposals just a 'starting point' for further talks, EPP's Weber says

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/ M. Spinthourakis)

    The proposals presented by the Greek government on Monday are just a "starting point" for further talks, the leader of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) bloc in the European Parliament Manfred Weber said in an announcement on Tuesday.

    Noting that this was the first time after "months of confusion and lost time" that the Greek side was presenting proposals, he warned that these should not be overestimated and said that the Greek side had lost the trust of many of its partners, which it must now win back.

    Weber said that the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, must show his readiness to implement deep reforms and specify how he intended to convince the Greek Parliament to approve the measures that have been agreed if an agreement was reached.

    [15] ECB's Draghi says Greek banks are secured until end of aid programme

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/C. Vasilaki)

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was reassured on Monday by European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi that the stability of the Greek banking system is ensured until the end of the country's aid programme, during their half-hour meeting in Brussels, government sources said.

    According to the sources, Draghi noted the need to strike a deal as soon as possible, while Tsipras mentioned the Greek bonds valued at 27 billion euros which had been bought by the central bank when Jean-Claude Trichet was at the helm and whose repayment is now pending.

    Government Vice-President Yiannis Dragasakis and ECB's Benoit Coeure were also present.

    [16] PES leader Pitella: Stop playing with Greece and Europe's future

    President of the European Socialists Gianni Pitella made a plea to Greece's creditors to make a final effort towards reaching of an agreement, in a press conference at the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday.

    Pitella blamed "some conservative forces" that exist in Europe which, as he said, "want to politically humiliate Greece."

    "I know that there are some conservative forces in Europe that are against the successful outcome of the negotiations with Greece," he stated noting that these forces are a minority and do not, in any case, represent the majority," adding that "I would like to tell them to stop playing with our future. Because it is not only Greece's future at stake but our future also", said PES leader.

    He also underlined that "whoever sabotages the negotiations with Greece sets EU and the eurozone in jeopardy and the ultimatums should stop.

    Pitella said that it does not matter whether Tsipras or Brussels' austerity will win. "What matters is that we need a political solution that will be sustainable for all the citizens, Greek and European. If it fails, then we will all suffer from the damages."

    [17] FM Kotzias proposes tools to deal with increased migrant flows

    Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said on Tuesday there's an imperative need to address health concerns and care of migrants arriving in Greece, during a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, which discussed migration, which will be the main subject of the upcoming European Council.

    In his remarks, Kotzias described the difficulties Greece is facing due to the unprecedented flow of refugees and migrants, at a time of deep economic crisis and identified three key points that need to be taken into consideration in the recommendations from the Commission and the Council for dealing with the problem.

    First, that all the tools at the European Union's disposal be used, and mainly the readmission processes and agreements with the countries to the southeast of Greece, from Turkey to Pakistan.

    Second, that there be express reference to the obligatory nature of internal relocation and resettlement, to avoid lack of clarity.

    Finally, that there needs to be a reference to reception facilities and first reception facilities that will operate in accordance with the planning, needs and particularities of the state hosting these refugees, and not on the model of structured border zones.

    [18] Foreign Minister Kotzias to visit FYROM on June 24

    Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will visit FYROM tomorrow, Wednesday, 24 June, to meet with FYROM Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki. Following their talks, at approximately 12:00 (local time), the two Foreign Ministers will make statements to representatives of the news media.

    Kotzias will then meet with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Union Affairs, Fatmir Besimi, and, subsequently, with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

    Later on, Kotzias will be received by the President of the Republic, Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, and will attend a working luncheon being hosted in his honor by his FYROM counterpart.

    Finally, Kotzias will have meetings with the heads of the main political parties. More specifically, he will meet with the opposition leader and head of the SDSM, Zoran Zaev, with DPA President Menduh Thaci, and with DUI President Ali Ahmeti.

    [19] President Pavlopoulos received Cyprus Parliament President Yiannakis Omirou

    President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Tuesday received visiting Cyprus House of Representatives President Yiannakis Omirou at the presidential mansion. In statements afterward, Pavlopoulos referred to the effort being made by overwhelming majority of democratic forces in Greece to keep the country in Europe and the Eurozone, but also to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

    "In Greece, at this crucial hour, we are waging a battle and the overwhelming majority of democratic forces are fighting it together. Despite the various differences there may be, there is a common struggle for Greece to remain in Europe and the Eurozone," he said.

    He noted that after the bitter experience of the memorandums that both the Greek and Cypriot people had experienced first-hand, Europe and the eurozone had acquired mechanisms that would allow them to be much more effective in responding to future crises.

    Referring to the Cyprus issue, Pavlopoulos underlined that Greece remained at Cyprus' side, in spite of the difficulties it is facing, and "is strong enough...to support you in the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem."

    The Greek president also called on Europe to assume its responsibilities, noting that the existence of a member-state with an occupation was army was "inconceivable".

    Omirou thanked him for Greece's steadfast support over the years to end the Turkish military occupation on Cyprus as well as his satisfaction with the fact that "Greece has clearly stressed that it neither accepts, nor desires, nor is willing to participate in a new framework of guarantees for Cyprus."

    He called the guarantor powers of the 1960s a "deep anachronism" and noted that the key to solving the Cyprus problem was still in Turkey's possession, calling on it to abandon the outdated and expansionary attitudes of the last 41 years.

    On the economic crisis in Greece, Omirou said it was not so much a Greek as a European issues and "a time of responsibility, chiefly for the so-called institutions and European collective organs."

    [20] Greek, Cypriot Parliament presidents reaffirm solidarity and support of two Parliaments

    Parliament President Zoi Konstantopoulou and her Cyprus counterpart Yiannakis Omirou, currently on a visit to Athens, on Tuesday reaffirmed the support and solidarity of the two Parliaments in the struggles of the Greek and Cypriot peoples for justice.

    The stressed that Greece and Cyprus are a lever for security and stability in the region.

    Both Parliament presidents said the EU must change direction and adopt policies to encourage growth and social cohesion, while Omirou said that policies of extreme austerity and deep recession must be abandoned.

    "I express my absolute solidarity for Greece's struggle for a mutually beneficial agreement, based on the principle of solidarity," Omirou said.

    [21] General Accounting Office sends report on state-guaranteed loans to Parliament

    The General Accounting Office has sent a 28-page report to Parliament listing all information on loans guaranteed by the Greek state from 1996 until 2008, it was announced on Tuesday.

    The report, which arrived in Parliament a few days earlier, is accompanied by figures for the unpaid guaranteed remainder of these loans given to business people and individual businesses in the period 2001 until 2008, the payments made during that period due to the activation of the state's guarantee and figures for the of state guarantees paid per borrower.

    It is signed by Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas and was sent to Parliament in response to a question tabled by Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Dimitris Kammenos, who said there were indications of embezzlement of public funds and grave responsibilities of the political leadership of the period.

    Based on the report, the largest state-guaranteed loan was taken out by the Greek railway company OSE, amounting to 8.4 billion euros, followed by the Athens public transport organisation OASA (3.3 billion euros), the Social Insurances Foundation (IKA) with 1.0 billion euros and Attiko Metro with another one billion.

    Guaranteed loans for general government agencies in 1996-2008 came to 17.9 billion euros.

    Payments made due to activation of state guarantees on loans to private sector businesses and business people came to 4.7 million euros in 2001, 8.7 million euros in 2002, 12.2 million euros in 2003, 6.3 million euros in 2004, 17.1 million euros in 2005, 31.2 million euros in 2006, 11.2 million euros in 2007 and 1.2 million euros in 2008.

    Financial News

    [22] ECB raises ELA for Greek banks on Tuesday

    The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday raised the ceiling of emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) provided to Greek banks.

    The exact amount of the increase has not been made known yet.

    [23] Public investment program spending fell short of targets in Jan-April

    Public Investment Program's spending fell short of targets by 409 million euros in the January-April period this year, to 821 million euros, Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas said in a report on Tuesday.

    In a report transmitted to Parliament, Mardas attributed this decline to a restructuring of cash spending programming based on prevailing cash conditions in the country, adding he expected spending to return to budget target levels once liquidity returned to normal conditions in the country.

    [24] Banknote circulation falls to June 2012 levels, BoG report

    Banknote circulation has fallen to June 2012 levels following a massive cash withdrawal from bank deposits, a report by the Bank of Greece said on Tuesday.

    The report noted that the biggest part of deposit outflow was in cash. The central bank said that the value of banknotes in circulation in the market reached 45.20 billion euros in May, falling to June 2012 levels (43.3 billion euros) - a period when ECB was sending banknotes to Greece to help the country overcome its liquidity problems. The report showed that Greek banks' dependence on the European Central Bank and the ELA grew to 116.4 billion euros in May, from 112.8 billion a month earlier, although these figures have changed dramatically because of the extreme conditions prevailing in the market in the last few days. Funding through ELA reached 77.6 billion euros in May and borrowing from ECB was 38.8 billion in the same period. However, borrowing through ELA has reached 89 billion euros since the start of June.

    [25] Stopanska Banka seeks early repayment of 45-mln-euro loans to National Bank

    Stopanska Banka A.D.Skopje - a member of National Bank Group- will seek approval from a general shareholders' meeting scheduled for July 16 of a board plan of an early repayment of a loan worth 45 million euros to its parent company (National Bank).

    Stopanska Banka A.D.Skopje, in an announcement to the Skopje Stock Exchange, said it was referring to two loans received by National Bank in 2006 and 2008 to boost its capital adequacy rates and to finance the expansion of its activities in FYROM. The loans have a duration of 10 years (ending in 2016 and 2018, respectively).

    The decision for an early repayment of the loans to its parent will be made through a redistribution of accumulated profits in the periods 2010, 2011,2012 and part of 2013.

    Stopanska Banka A.D.Skopje is the largest and most profitable bank in FYROM. National Bank bought a majority share in the bank in 2000 and currently controls 94.6 pct of the bank's equity capital.

    [26] Building materials' prices down 1.8 pct in May

    Building materials' prices fell by 1.8 pct in May, reflecting a big decline in oil prices which overshadowed prices increases in electricity rates.

    Hellenic Statistical Authority, in a report released on Tuesday, said that diesel prices fell 8.0 pct in May, window prices fell 5.0 pct, steel pipes were down 3.6 pct, safety door prices fell 3.1 pct, interior doors were down 2.5 pct, wooden floor prices fell 2.4 pct and heat pumps fell 2.2 pct. On the other hand, brick prices rose 3.8 pct, electricity prices rose 2.0 pct and cement prices increased by 1.0 pct in May.

    The statistics service also announced that the new home building materials' price index fell 1.8 pct in May, from the same month last year, after a 2.7 pct decline recorded in May 2014. The index was down 0.1 pct in May from April 2015.

    [27] Greek stocks jump 6.11 pct on Tuesday

    Greek stocks rallied for the second successive session in the Athens Stock Exchange on Tuesday amid renewed hopes of an imminent agreement between Greek authorities and the country's creditors and a significant improvement in the domestic bond market.

    The composite index jumped 6.11 pct to end at 794.98 points, up 15.66 pct in the last two sessions. The Large Cap index rose 6.40 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 3.34 pct higher. Turnover was a heavy 135.097 million euros while the market's capitalization grew by 2.9 billion euros.

    All blue chip stocks ended higher, led by Alpha Bank (19.61 pct), Folli Follie (16.28 pct), Jumbo (14.47 pct), National Bank (13.21 pct), Viohalco (8.98 pct), OPAP (7.86 pct), Aegean Airlines (7.69 pct), Piraeus Bank (7.59 pct) and PPC (6.62 pct).

    All sectors moved higher, with the exception of the Chemicals (-1.39 pct). Commerce (16.15 pct), Personal Products (13.28 pct) and Banks (10.39 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 88 to 27 with another 15 issues unchanged. Progressive (20 pct), Kathimerini (19.85 pct) and Alpha Bank (19.61 pct) were top gainers, while Evrofarma (15.97 pct), Pasal (12.17 pct) and ANEK (10.14 pct) were top losers.

    Sector indices ended as follows:

    Banks: +10.39%

    Insurance: unchanged

    Financial Services: +4.89%

    Industrial Products: +4.20%

    Commercial: +16.15%

    Real Estate: +4.35%

    Personal & Household: +13.28%

    Food & Beverages: +1.25%

    Raw Materials: +2.12%

    Construction: +1.58%

    Oil: +4.57%

    Chemicals: -1.39%

    Travel & Leisure: +7.18%

    Technology: +2.08%

    Telecoms: +6.32%

    Utilities: +5.57%

    Health: +4.32%

    The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank, OTE and Alpha Bank.

    Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE

    Large Cap index closed in euros as follows:

    Alpha Bank: 0.305

    Eurobank 0.147

    Public Power Corp (PPC): 4.41

    Coca Cola HBC: 20.15

    Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.73

    National Bank of Greece: 1.20

    OPAP: 7.82

    OTE: 8.24

    Piraeus Bank: 0.425

    Titan: 20.40

    Grivalia Properties: 7.00

    Aegean Airlines: 6.30

    [28] Greek bond market closing report

    Pressures eased further in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Tuesday, with the two-year bond yield falling to 21.04 pct from 23.27 pct on Monday. The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds eased to 10.22 pct from 11.45 pct the previous day, with the Greek bond yielding 11.10 pct and the German Bund yielding 0.88 pct.

    In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate eased to 0.163 pct from 0.164 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.099 pct, the six-month rate was 0.048 pct, the three-month rate was -0.014 pct and the one-month rate fell to -0.066 pct from -0.065 pct.

    [29] ADEX closing report

    The July contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a discount of 1.92 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 13,610 contracts with 21,781 open positions in the market. Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 89,589 contracts with investment interest focusing on Eurobank's contracts (23,596), followed by Alpha Bank (22,574), Piraeus Bank (17,309), National Bank (16,497), MIG (421), OTE (1,096), PPC (1,922), OPAP (1,196), Hellenic Exchanges (643), GEK (340), Folli Follie (300), Jumbo (1,941), Mytilineos (275), Viohalco (172), Motor Oil (236)(, Hellenic Petroleum (255) and Ellaktor (127).

    General News

    [30] Migration Minister presents new centre for unaccompanied minors in Athens

    Presenting a new centre set up in Athens to house unaccompanied children that enter Greece as migrants, Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Tasia Christodoulopoulou on Tuesday praised the initiative by the Ioannis. S. Latsis Foundation and the non-governmental organisation 'Praksis'.

    At a press conference, Christodoulopoulou said that there were now 18 youngsters housed at the shelter, which has been operating in Athens' Ano Petralona neighbourhood for roughly a month, while another 99 unaccompanied children were being held in detention centres throughout Greece because facilities to house them were lacking.

    The construction of the shelter was financed by the Latsis Foundation, which has also undertaken to cover its running costs until the ministry manages to secure funding from the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

    "I think this is a very important and symbolic initiative that must be mimicked by others, since the state in its current condition depends greatly on individuals and foundations to finance such structures to help the children," the minister stressed.

    She expressed hope that money will soon be secured from Europe to allow Greece to provide at least basic conditions of hospitality for refugees, adding that protection of minors will be a priority.

    The new centre has the capacity to receive 24 children, who are referred to it from the National Centre for Social Solidarity on the basis of orders issues by a public prosecutor. It currently houses 18 boys aged 13 to 17 years old, chiefly from Afghanistan and Syria.

    [31] Police arrests 32 people in scuffles in a pro-Europe rally

    Greek police arrested 32 of the 36 people detained following minor scuffles between a group of protesters and participants in a pro-Europe rally in central Athens on Monday evening.

    Those arrested will be transferred to the prosecutor.

    The scuffles took place in front of the Greek parliament, when a group of youths waving bats threw flares towards the "We stay in Europe" rally and invaded the area in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier on Syntagma square.

    [32] Charges against those arrested for incidents during Monday night's pro-EZ rally

    A public prosecutor on Tuesday pressed misdemeanour charges against the individuals arrested during Monday evening's rally in Syntagma Square, in favour of Greece remaining in the Eurozone.

    They were charges against them were for disturbing the peace, attempt to inflict dangerous bodily harm, acting together to cause aggravated damages using arson and illegal possession of flares.

    Of the 32 individuals arrested, 31 were indicted to stand trial before a police court and the 32nd was a minor and was released to be tried before a juveniles' court.

    [33] Seamen's union PNO announces one-day warning strike next Tuesday

    The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation PNO on Tuesday announced a 24-hour warning strike to be held on June 30, in protest over violation of collective labour agreements by some ferry companies. The strike will affect all categories of ships, while the union has left open the possibility of further escalating strike action.

    The strike will begin after midnight and continue throughout Tuesday until midnight on that day, disrupting ferry links throughout the country.

    Weather forecast

    [34] Fair on Wednesday

    Fair weather and winds from variable directions are forecast for Wednesday. Wind velocity will reach 4 on the Beaufort scale. Scattered clouds in the northern parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 14C-29C. Fair in the western parts with temperatures between 17C-29C. Mostly fair in the eastern parts with temperatures between 15C-30C. Sunny over the Aegean islands and Crete, 19C-28C. Fair in Athens, 18C-29C. Scattered clouds in Thessaloniki, 17C-27C.

    [35] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

    AVGHI: The burden on those who can pay, the responsibility on creditors

    DIMOKRATIA: Catastrophe for small businesses

    EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Towards a painful compromise

    ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Memorandum-shock, cuts in pensions, increases in taxes

    ETHNOS: Passport for agreement

    IMERISSIA: The road is open. A big step towards a solution-The country stays in the eurozone

    KATHIMERINI: Towards an agreement with 7.9 billion euro measures

    KONTRA NEWS: They load crimes of 50 years on Tsipras and the people

    NAFTEMPORIKI: A 7.9 billion euro package at the last moment

    RIZOSPASTIS: We call a rally to set our own red lines

    TA NEA: We are giving them 8 billion euros but they are asking for more

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