Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis visits Transport Ministry

[02] FinMin addresses "Greece-France: Institutions and Policies" event

[03] ASE : Strong rise

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM Karamanlis visits Transport Ministry

Karamanlis underlined that OA and OSE burden Greek tax payers by 2.7 million euros per day, adding that it is a pity for so much money to go to waste instead of being chanelled to citizens in need.

"Besides OA's denationalisation, our target is also to streamline OSE and to cut down its operational deficit to 80 million euros by 2010," said the premier.

He also referred to the regional airports modernisation program via concession contracts, without, however, altering the status of the Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) staff, but aiming at modernisation of the entry ways of the foreign visitors and also to open new opportunities and jobs through new investments so that young people will stay in their places of residence.

"The economy," said Karamanlis "is the big stake in the midst of the international financial crisis, with the aim that, when the crisis ends, the Greek economy will accelerate.

"This stake concerns all the citizens and all political forces of the country," he said, noting that the government has chosen responsibility, and stressing that, today, the reform are more imperative than ever.

Replying to press questions on the increased revenues from taxes contained in the 2009 draft budget, the prime minister stressed that they will be generated from the enhanced measures against tax evasion and the growth of the economy, adding that no new taxes will be imposed in 2009. On the contrary, he said, there was a provision for reduction of the tax rates on physical entities to 25 percent.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis

[02] FinMin addresses "Greece-France: Institutions and Policies" event

Alogoskoufis said that Greece and France shared perceptions on confrontation of the crisis, and also referred to the economic relations between the two countries and their prospects.

France, he noted, was the fourth larget investor in Greece, while it was also held one of the top positions on the list of customers and suppliers.

Alogoskoufis further said that the reforms needed to be continued, as well as the efforts to keep open the trade transactions betwee the two countries, adding that it was also important to continue the efforts for further development of Greek-French relations.

Greece, he added, had comparative advantages in the region os Southeast Europe, which was developing very dynamically.

The miniser also referred to the prospects for investment plans in Greece, particularly in the sectors of energy, transports, technology and the food industry.

[03] ASE : Strong rise

Equity prices were rising on Monday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the basic share price index up 2.38 percent, standing at 1,869.96 points at 10:45 p.m., and turnover at 55.6 million euros.

Individual sector indices were moving upward, with the biggest gains in Construction, up 3.86 percent; Industrial Products, up 3.70 percent; Food and Beverages, up 3.33 percent; Public Utilities, up 2.97 percent and Travel & Recreation, up 2.83 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 2.57 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 1.14 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.68 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 132 were up, 34 were down, and 36 were unchanged.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The Vatopedi monastery case and opinion polls indicating main opposition PASOK widening its lead over ruling New Democracy (ND) dominated the headlines in Athens' newspapers on Monday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The income of civil servants in 13 peripheries of the country will be increased".

APOGEVMATINI: "The gap between ND and PASOK is closing , opinion poll indicates".

AVRIANI: "Burning documents on Vatopedi monastery land exchanges scandal, pointing at blackmailers, pimps and political puppets to be revealed - A specific financier set up the scam, aiming on toppling Karamanlis and the government".

CHORA: "Who is able to reverse the hourglass ? The difference between PASOK and ND is widening".

ELEFTHEROS: "FinMin George Alogoskoufis' outburst against ministers - Leave aside the scenarios and criticism and deal with your own ministries' business".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Exclusive: Defence Ministry secret reports for the reduction conscription tersm and postponements of military service (only for completion of higher education studies)".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Prosecutor kept secret a report by the money laundering Committee revealing that Vatopedi monastery's treasury contained 105 million euros".

ESTIA: "Back to socialism - Leftist parties amass 60 percent of the voters".

ETHNOS "Former ND government Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis reveals the 'golden conspiracy' on theVatopedi monastery case, in an interview with the newpaper".

TA NEA: "Holiday crash threatens the market - Banks cut the 'Christmas loans' - Proposal to begin sales period from New Year's day".

VRADYNI: "Defence Ministry's draft law on Armed Forces hierarchy to be tabled in parliament".

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