Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU praise for Greek finances, end to EDP

[02] KKE eyes ban on stock purchases by funds

[03] Athens airport prepares for Champions League final

[01] EU praise for Greek finances, end to EDP

[02] KKE eyes ban on stock purchases by funds

The communist party also proposes a ban on the purchase of stocks and other capital market products by funds, with investment placements to be allowed only in fixed-rate state securities with a guaranteed performance above the inflation rate, and without the involvement of third parties in transactions, i.e. commissions.

Additionally, KKE repeated its demands for lower retirement age limits across the board.

[03] Athens airport prepares for Champions League final

Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport authorities said a comprehensive operational plan has been worked out with the assistance of Greek Police (EL.AS), the civil aviation authority, the transport ministry and the Greek Football Federation (EPO), which is adapted to the "special factors" related to the specific match.

It is designed to allow the airport to deal efficiently with the increased passenger traffic, the successful management of fans as they arrive and depart, processing of VIP passengers and guests and, at the same time, ensure the smooth and undisturbed running of the airport for other passengers.

Airport officials said traffic through the airport will hit an all-time high on the day after the final, May 24, which will be 20 percent higher than the previous record set on the day after the end of the Athens Olympic Games, at the end of August 2004.

At least 800 arrivals and departures of planes are scheduled on that day, or roughly one every 75 seconds.

In the period between 21-24 May there will be roughly 380 charter flights that will bring 34,000 fans of the two teams, of which 20,000 are Britons and 14,000 are Italians, who will start departing immediately after the end of the match.

About 60 percent of these fans will come to Athens for just one day, without an overnight stay.

The plan worked out by Greek authorities will seek to keep fans of the two teams apart during their arrival and departure, with Liverpool F.C. fans going through the express terminal and rival Milan fans using the airport's satellite terminal.

The two groups of supporters will also travel from the airport to Athens using different means of public transport, with Milan fans using the suburban rail line (Proastiakos) and Liverpool fans on board a fleet of urban transit buses.

On their arrival, fans will be issued a special coloured bracelet that will serve as a "time-band" for their controlled and gradual departure from the Athens Olympic Stadium (OAKA), where the match is being held, and back to the airport for their return home. This is a measure that is being used in Europe for the first time. Fans will also be issued with special cards with instructions for their arrival and departure from the airport.

Special booths will be set up by both the British and Italian consulates to assist fans on their arrival and departure.

The airport has hired 300 additional security staff to cover the increased demand for the event and set up a volunteer programme among its staff. Volunteers in specially issued green tops will offer services in the airport, the suburban railway and at OAKA.

Caption: The trophy for the winner of the 2006-2007 Champions League is displayed on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the City Hall of Maroussi, a north Athens district that hosts the Athens Olympic Stadium where the final between Milan and Liverpool will be played next Wednesday. ANA-MPA / O. PANAGIOTOU.

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