Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-12-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Euro coin kits a hit with the public, despite glitches

[02] Patriarch reiterates call for 'all-faiths' int'l conference

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[04] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in flaccid trade

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms and snow on Tuesday

[01] Euro coin kits a hit with the public, despite glitches

Euro coin starter packs that went on sale on Monday proved popular with the public, despite glitches at banks.

Available until December 28, the kits were devised to allow the public to get used to the new European single currency that will be introduced in physical form on January 1.

At a cost of 5,000 drachmas, each pack contains the full range of euro coins worth 14.67 euros. Kits of up to 300 euros are also available for businesses.

Buyers complained that some bank branches had requested the identity cards or tax numbers of customers wishing to purchase the packs; and supplies in some banks were quickly exhausted.

In addition, a few branches claimed a commission on top of the 5,000-drachma sale price.

Coins in the pack may not be used in transactions until the currency's official launch when euro notes and coins will circulate in parallel with the drachma until abolition of the national currency at the end of February.

The Union of Greek Banks has published a leaflet to help the public familiarise itself with the new currency that will be available at banking branches.

[02] Patriarch reiterates call for 'all-faiths' int'l conference

ISTANBUL (ANA) - Defying the increasingly popular notion of late propagating a so-called ?clash of civilisations?, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos reiterated on Monday that the Patriarchates initiative for an ?all-faiths dialogue? and the peaceful co-existence of religions remains eminently timely in the world.

In an interview here with the Athens News Agency (ANA), Vartholomeos, the ?Primus inter pares? among Orthodox Patriarchs representing approximately 250 million Eastern Orthodox faithful around the world, also stressed that the initiative for an international conference amongst the worlds religious leaders has been universally endorsed, something he said demonstrates the respect and trust the Patriarchate commands within the international community.

?We consider this undertaking very useful and necessary because it conveys an impression that religions are factors for unity, cooperation and solidarity for individuals and peoples, and not a divisive factor,? the Patriarch said, stressing:

?After Sept. 11 I was considered what religions must do to demonstrate their unity and their desire for cooperation against terrorism and in support of universal peace, just as we pray for in every one of our Churchs liturgies ? A view identifying Islam with terrorism was even momentarily given, something that for me is unjust,? Vartholomeos said.

He countered that ?extremist elements are everywhere?, and that they should not be identified with any specific religion.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Indicative tourist buying rates

U.S. dollar 373.547

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 544.059

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 045.409

Swedish kroner 035.650

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 292.213

Swiss franc 228.829

Norwegian kroner 042.058

Cyprus pound 587.986

Canadian dollar 239.240

Australian dollar 193.619

[04] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in flaccid trade

The Athens bourse finished slightly lower on Monday in lacklustre trade with selective buying seen in blue chips and sellers appearing towards the close.

The general share index shed 0.35 percent to end at 2,562.82 points. Turnover was 102.8 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.04 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalisation paper 1.31 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities 1.08 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 236 to 88 with 31 issues remaining unchanged.

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms and snow on Tuesday

Snow will fall in many parts of the country on Tuesday with rain and storms also expected. The northern Ionian, Epirus and western mainlan Greece will be cloudy. The weather will gradually improve in the west and north, and the rest of the country overnight. Winds north-northeasterly, strong to very strong, turning gale force at sea and easing off overnight. In the north, temperatures will range from -12C to -2C; in the centre from -5C to 4C; and in the rest of the country from 0C to 8C. Snow expected in Athens, easing off during the day but remaining in the east and north of the city. Temperatures between 0C and 3C. Snow in Thessaloniki, gradully easing off, with temperatures from -6C to -3C.

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