Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-05-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Avramopoulos meets fYRoM's Besimi, notes Greek support for Balkans' European perspective

[02] Alpha Bank says acqusition of Emporiki Bank had positive impact on Q1

[01] Avramopoulos meets fYRoM's Besimi, notes Greek support for Balkans' European perspective

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: ANA-MNA -- Meeting Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) Deputy Premier and Minister for European Affairs Fatmir Besimi in Athens on Wednesday, Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos stressed Greece's support for its northern neighbour's European perspective, provided it meets criteria set by the European Union.

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Greece's strategic goal is the creation of a space of peace, stability and development on our northern border," Avramopoulos underlined in statements after the meeting.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: The Greek minister pointed out that fYRoM's European perspective, along with that of the rest of the region, was the most effective tool for carrying out this vision, provided that the criteria and conditions outlined in unanimous EU decisions were met and fulfilled.font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Pointing to the need for a rapid pace in efforts to resolve an outstanding dispute over the use of the name 'Macedonia', he said the Greek side "will proceed to accept a name with a clearly geographic determinant, which allows no margins for irredentist policies and is in no way lacking in matters relating to the highly sensitive issue of cultural and historic respect".mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Avramopoulos said that the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries was examined during his meeting with Besimi, alongside ways to continue and deepen cooperation in matters relating to European unification and the transfer of knowhow.

"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Besimi, on his part, praised Greek initiatives to promote the 'Agenda 2014' for EU enlargement in the Balkans conveyed his best wishes for the success of Greece's EU presidency in that year. He said that he had seen "goodwill, hope and friendship, and an honest approach towards our European perspective," during his meeting with Avramopoulos, and discussed bilateral cooperation and the European Union agenda in different fields."Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:

[02] Alpha Bank says acqusition of Emporiki Bank had positive impact on Q1

The bank said net results corresponding to shareholders totaled 2.876 billion euros in the first three months of the year, after losses of 313.2 million euros last year. The bank said a share capital increase plan - worth 457 million euros - was under way and fully guaranteed by the private sector.

Alpha Bank's Core Tier I rate was 13.9 pct at the end of March, while equity capital - including a recapitalization scheme - totaled 7.1 billion euros. Saving deposits totaled 42 bllion euros, up 0.7 billion euros in the first three months of 2013, with deposits rising by 0.5 billion euros in April. Borrowing from central banks fell by 5.0 billion euros in the first quarter to 20 billion euros.

The delayed loans rate was 30.1 pct in the first quarter, slowing down from fourth quarter of 2012. Alpha Bank said it has announced an optional offer to buy back hybrid securities.

Net interest income totaled 320.6 million euros, up 12.2 pct on a quarterly basis, helped by lower funding costs from central banks. Pre-provision results totaled 276.9 million euros in the January-April period, up from 165.3 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 233 million euros in the corresponding period in 2012. Risk provisions totaled 505.3 million euros.

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