Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens satisfied with Eurogroup, Ecofin results

[02] Authorities uncover illegal warehouse of counterfeit items in central Athens

[03] May CPI up 5.4 pct

[04] Stocks end slightly higher

[01] Athens satisfied with Eurogroup, Ecofin results

Speaking to reporters here after an ECOFIN meeting, the Greek Minister said that with this agreement Eurozone was sending a message to markets that it would defend the stability of the single currency and stability in the Euro area.

Papaconstantinou said the agreement for a European support mechanism offered Eurozone countries access to funding on the same terms and preconditions as Greece, although he stressed that several countries, and IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, criticised the delay in providing lower-interest loans to Greece.

The ECOFIN meeting agreed that efforts by EU member-states should not focus on reducing fiscal deficit but on cutting public debt levels as well, while Greece and other EU states stressed that examination of the public debt should also include examination of the private debt, which in some countries is excessive

Caption: ANA-MPA / EPA

[02] Authorities uncover illegal warehouse of counterfeit items in central Athens

According to reports, confiscated items included numerous counterfeit brand name clothing items, footwear and wrist watches, bootleg DVDs, light bulbs and even non-certified childrenās toys.

Additionally, large amounts of fruit and vegetables stored in unsuitable conditions were discovered, presumably to be hawked by illegal street vendors on Athens' intersections, an increasingly ubiquitous sight in the Greek capital over the past few years.

The operation was conducted in the presence of the public prosecutorās office and involved Hellenic Police, the Athens municipal police, the prefecture's sanitation department and the Special Investigation Service (formerly SDOE).

Eight municipal vans were required to transport the goods.

[03] May CPI up 5.4 pct

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in May 2010, as compared to May 2009, increased by 5.4%. A year earlier, the annual rate of change of the CPI was 0.5%. The CPI in May 2010, as compared to April 2010, increased by 0.8%. A year earlier, the monthly rate of change of the CPI was 0.2%.

In the twelve-month period June 09 - May 10 the average rate of change of the CPI was 2.3%. A year earlier, the corresponding rate of change of the CPI was 2.8%. (ANA-MPA)

[04] Stocks end slightly higher

The FTSE 20 index rose 0.34 pct, the FTSE 40 index fell 1.30 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 1.24 pct down. Broadly, the Commerce (3.13 pct) and Technology (3.25 pct) suffered losses, while Utilities (5.17 pct) and Travel (3.98 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 133 to 50 with a nother 53 issues unchanged. Altec (10 pct), Newsphone (9.76 pct) and Q&R (9.09 pct) were top gainers, while Technical Publications (20 pct), Tzirakian (17.95 pct) and Unibios (16.67 pct) were top losers.

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