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Politics

PM Mitsotakis, Chancellor Merkel discuss developments in migration issue,

coronavirus epidemic

BERLIN (ANA-MPA/F. Karaviti)

The attempted entry to Greece of a large wave of migrants from Turkey and the repercussions of the coronavirus in public health and the economy were the focus of a meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday.

At a meeting scheduled after the German-Hellenic Economic Forum the same day, Mitsotakis updated Merkel on the Turkish actions at the border in Evros region, and noted the involvement of Turkish authorities in creating and continuing the mass violation of European borders at Evros and spreading fake news that heighten the crisis.

Greek government sources also said that Mitsotakis referred to images in the media showing a Turkish military vehicle, funded through EU resources, trying to take down the fence protecting Greek and European borders in Evros. Chancellor Merkel said that the joint EU-Turkey agreement of March 2016 includes both the funds Turkey is receiving from Europe and obligations that need to be respected. The issue of the refugee-migration problem relates to the EU's existence itself, she said.

Both agreed that the time leading up to the EU summit on March 26 should be used constructively to ensure Turkey lowers tension and to discuss improvements to the joint statement on migration. They also discussed the joint patrolling of the Greek coast guard with Frontex in Greece, and collaboration with the Turkish coast guard, in order to control migration flows better, and the returns of migrants from the Greek islands and the mainland to Turkey.

They also discussed the new draft EU budget and the repercussions of the coronavirus to public health and the economy, at an EU-level.

Both leaders referred to expanding the current Greek-German economic and trade collaboration into new sectors such as green energy, renewable energy sources, pharmaceuticals and agricultural economy.

PM Mitsotakis: Greece and Europe can't be blackmailed by anyone (ADDS)

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday referred to economic issues and the emerging migration crisis at Greece's eastern borders, while addressing the German-Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin. He stressed that Greece and Europe cannot be blackmailed.

Regarding the economy, Mitsotakis said that Greece was truly on a path of growth, adding that the new problems are making it accelerate, not slow down reforms.

"The assymetric threat from the east changes the priorities and the health crisis makes our work more difficult. In the last 10 days we have shown that we can defend our national and European sovereignty. Greece and Europe cannot be black-mailed by anyone," he said.

The support offered by many European countries is tangible proof of European solidarity, said Mitsotakis. "When we needed our friends, dear Angela (Merkel), they gave us both moral and practical support," he added.

"We are entering a new phase as regards migration. President Erdogan will be in Brussels this afternoon and I consider this development positive. I hope it is the start of a de-escalation of the crisis," Mitsotakis said.

He pointed out that if the Turkish president wants a review of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration "which he has, himself, effectively demolished," then he must take the following actions: remove the desperate people in Evros and stop spreading fake news and propaganda.

Mitsotakis suggested that Erdogan should also examine other possible improvements, such as joint patrolling to control the flow of migrants at the Turkish border and pointed out that the return of those who illegally enter Greece should be possible from mainland Greece, as well as the islands. Greece has always recognised and continues to recognise that Turkey has played a crucial role in the management of the refugee issue but this can't be done using threats and blackmail, he added.

The prime minister then asked for an agreement for the voluntary relocation of children and teenagers from Greece to Europe. "I call on the countries to participate in this tangible proof of solidarity," he noted.

No fatalities from coronavirus so far

Mitsotakis referred to the spread of coronavirus and Greece's measures, stating that there have been no fatalities in Greece so far.

"Today we announced a set of measures for the support of economic activity and working people," he said.

"However, no mass measure can substitute for individual responsibility. No central decision can bring results if the citizens to not abide by it. We must avoid even shaking hands; we did this with Chancellor Merkel, we have not quarrelled," he said.

He said that further coordination is required at a European level, adding that a teleconference is being scheduled. "It is clear that 2020 will be a different year from what we predicted and that fiscal targets probably will not be met. We must react quickly," the prime minister said.

German Chancellor Merkel: Optimism over Erdogan-EU meeting in Brussels on migration issue

BERLIN (ANA-MPA/F. Karaviti)

Greece has "assumed a great burden on behalf of all of Europe and deserves our full solidarity and support," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday on the migration issue, in her keynote address to the German-Hellenic Business Forum in Berlin.

The German chancellor also termed Turkey's behavior on the migration issue "unacceptable" and said that "despite our understanding for the great burden Turkey has assumed, by hosting 3.5 million refugees, it cannot expect understanding when it tries to resolve its own problems by using refugees, who were led to an impasse at the Greek-Turkish borders."

She expressed support for the EU-Turkey joint statement but said it should be established on a new basis. She expressed her optimism over the meeting today (March 9) of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the EU leaders in Brussels, and spoke of extensive preparations by phone by all sides before the meetings.

The German chancellor also referred to Germany's decision to lead "a coalition of the willing" to host unaccompanied migrant children, "so as not to leave Greece to resolve the issue on its own."

Germany's gov't spokesman: Turkey

is responsible for leading desperate people

to impasse, at borders with Greece

BERLIN (ANA/F. Karaviti)

Turkey "clearly bears the responsibility for leading desperate people to an impasse," German State Secretary and government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday, commenting on the thousands of migrants who are trying to enter Greece after Turkey opened its borders and encouraged them to cross at the Evros region borders.

Seibert reiterated the German government's solidarity and support to Greece and said the European Union "must speak with Turkey" to resolve the issue.

He also spoke of humanitarian behavior towards migrants and refugees, and called on state media to respect the right proportions. "Only state powers must take care of order along Europe's external borders," he noted, warning that "self-styled defense groups by citizens and extreme rightists, who arrive from abroad, have no business" at the borders.

As a country at the EU's external borders, Greece has a difficult job to do, controlling and defending these borders, the German spokesman said. "Greece has Germany's support and solidarity in anything related to guarding the borders and hosting and caring for refugees and migrants arriving in it," he added.

PM Mitsotakis at Economic Forum: Greece-Germany are equal partners

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of Greek-German economic relations as one defined by "equal partners, who will be able to launch investments for the benefit of both sides," while addressing the German-Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin on Monday.

He described Greece's current economic indicators as "extremely positive (...), the highest since the year 2000."

Mitsotakis also noted that the most important outlook is for the two countries' cooperation to develop in more dynamic areas, such as green energy, pharmaceutical technology and new methods in waste management.

Concerning German tourism in Greece, Mitsotakis noted that "we want to raise the number of 4.5 million Germans who come to Greece as tourists mostly in the summer," and mentioned winter tourism as one of Greece's merits. "We have beautiful mountains too," he mused.

"As Germany is the honored country at the 2020 Thessaloniki International Fair, we look forward to the presence of Chancellor (Angela Merkel) at the Fair, to have the opportunity to inaugurate it together," he concluded.

PM Mitsotakis on a panel of the Council

on Foreign Relations in Berlin

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in a panel by the German Council on Foreign Relations on "Greece on the Rise and Its European and Global Role" in Berlin on Monday.

Earlier Mitsotakis also delivered a keynote speech at the German-Hellenic Economic Forum, and then met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Altmaier: 'We must seize the opportunity

and make Greece a new 'success story'

BERLIN (ANA/F. Karaviti)

German Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier on Monday said the opportunity must be seized to make Greece the new "success story", stressing that there was agreement in many areas with the new Greek government.

"GDP is growing, tourism is booming, the Greek economy is in a new recovery phase," Altmaier said in a speech at the Hellenic-German Economic Forum in Berlin, stressing the opportunities for cooperation between businesses of the two countries.

"We see that China has discovered Greece's investment opportunities," the German minister noted, adding: "The EU can't possibly allow third countries to take the main share of investment in Greece [...] Do we want to hand over a part of our added value to Asia?"

Altmaier spoke of investment opportunities in the fields of energy, artificial intelligence and green technologies, noting that in every case business must be profitable and Europe must remain competitive on a global level.

Referring to the period of economic crisis, Altmaier spoke of "misunderstandings" on both sides and said that "the Germans did not cease to love Greece, on the contrary, they wanted to help it."

Deputy Energy Min Thomas outlines

green investment opportunities

at Economic Forum in Berlin

BERLIN Investment opportunities in energy infrastructures, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency were on Monday presented at the German-Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin by the Deputy Energy Minister Gerasimos Thomas and Secretary General for Energy & Mineral Resources Alexandra Sdoukou.

Thomas presented the targets for renewable energy resources (RES) market penetration as set out in the National Energy and Climate Plan, which requires the installation of an additional 8 GW of RES power by new projects worth at least 9 billion euros. He also referred to the development of networks and storage units for electricity and gas and he focused on the ministry's initiatives to simplify and accelerate their licensing procedures.

Mitsotakis' visit to Germany, Austria

begins new cycle of diplomacy

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' trip to Germany and Austria on Monday and Tuesday begins a new cycle of diplomatic moves to secure practical support for the ongoing crisis on the Greek-Turkish border and thus, by extension, on the southeastern border of the European Union. According to government sources, it also aims to strengthen economic relations with key countries as part of the effort the Greek economy is making to become investment grade and open the door to the inflow of international capital.

After successfully blocking Turkey from flooding Greek - and European - territory with tens of thousands of migrants and seizing the opportunity to show the new EU leadership Turkey's true intentions and actions, Greece is now trying to capitalise on its success as regards diplomacy. Europe already takes a different view of Turkey's movements to blackmail the EU and affirms Greece's role as a factor for decisively dealing with similar problems, as well as a firm ally in the quest for more Europe.

Mitsotakis will now seek a double reinforcement of Greece's position in Europe: On the one hand, he wants to invest in his shared understanding with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the transition of the Greek economy to a phase of strong development, prosperity and enhanced bilateral co-operation by expanding into new dynamic areas, but also to try to bring Germany even closer to Greek positions on migration and Turkey's role in this.

On the other hand, Mitsotakis' ambition is to further deepen Greek-Austrian bilateral relations, following the explicit support from Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

The programme on Tuesday, March 10, is as follows:

- At 08:00 local time (09:00 Athens time) the prime minister will participate in a working breakfast with institutions of the German economy.

- He will then depart for the Austrian capital where he will meet with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at 15:40 local time (16:40 Athens time).

Alt. FM Varvitsiotis in Strasbourg: Greece defends Europe's borders and human rights

Alternate Foreign Affairs Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis on Monday visited the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, ahead of Greece's presidency in May, where he said that Greece is defending both Europe's borders and human rights.

Varvitsiotis outlined the key priorities set by the Council of Europe's Greek Presidency (May 15-November 2020) as follows: education and culture of democracy in the digital age, vulnerable children at risk, safeguarding cultural heritage from climate change and European social rights within the Council of Europe.

Staikouras meets Regling, asks that migration, coronavirus spending be exempt from primary surplus

Meeting European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling in Athens on Monday, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras discussed the measures that need to be taken to address the economic repercussions from the spread of coronavirus globally and asked that certain categories of spending be exempted from calculations of Greece's primary surplus.

In statements after their meeting at the finance ministry, Staikouras said that, in terms of the repercussions of coro-navirus, the data and latest extimates indicate that their impact on the European and global economy, while temporary, will be more significant and painful that initially estimated.

In light of this, the minister said, the situation should be re-evaluated at the Eurogroup meeting next week and specific initiatives adopted to deal the negative repercussions of the virus' spread on growth and public finances. These initiatives should aim to prevent the virus spreading and to support health systems, as well as boosting liquidity and protecting employ-ment. He also noted that the above measures should be exempted from the existing framework in terms of their fiscal impact, in line with the flexibility envisioned in such emer-gency situations under European rules.

On migration, Staikouras underlined that the country is protecting the most difficult borders in Europe, noting that Greece has recently been faced with an organised and assymetrical threat against its national security, which the country was protecting - as was its right and obligation - with determination and self confidence. The minister asked for practical recognition of this fact by Greece's European partners and said that Athens is seeking the exemption from the state budget of specific funds used to manage mass migration pressures at its eastern land and sea borders, so they are not taken into account when calculating in its fiscal balance.

"We will continue to meet the country's obligations but we are asking for the necessary fiscal space to implement growth- friendly policies, in order to lower taxes for households and businesses, which will help in achieving high and sustainable growth," Staikouras said.

According to the minister, he repeated this demand in the meeting with Klaus Regling, presenting specific quantitative figures that make the creation of this greater fiscal space both possible and beneficial. These figures are included in the finance ministry's Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) report.

Greek security forces prevented 1,646 attempts to illegally enter the country since

Sunday morning

According to government sources, Greek security forces prevented 1,646 attempts to illegally enter the country between 6:00 on Sunday morning and 6:00 on Monday. Moreover, they made two arrests, involving one Egyptian national and one Moroccan.

Cyprus security forces arrive in Alexandroupolis to assist with Greek border's protection

A strong presence of the security forces and the army at the Greek border appears has helped discourage attempts to ille-gally enter the country, which are markedly fewer than in the first days when refugees and migrants massed on the Turkish side of the border, sources said.

Their numbers were further reinforced on Sunday night when a C-130 military aircraft carrying security forces from Cyprus landed at Alexandroupolis' 'Dimokritos' airport to assist in the guarding of the borders.

Coalition of EU countries offers to take up

to 1,500 unaccompanied migrant

and refugee children

A coalition of "willing" EU countries will take up to 1,500 unaccompanied migrant and refugee children from Greek refugee camps on the islands, German government officials said late on Sunday.

"A humanitarian solution is being negotiated at the European level for a 'coalition of the willing' to take in these children," the German government said in a statement.

"We want to support Greece in the difficult humanitarian situation of about 1,000 to 1,500 children on the Greek islands," it added.

First humanitarian aid from Europe

arrives in Greece

The first humanitarian aid sent by Europe to cover Greece's needs due to the increased migration and refugee pressures at the land and sea borders with Turkey has started to arrive since last Friday and the shipments are expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Humanitarian aid is being sent following an immediate response by 15 European countries after the General Secretariat for Civil Protection activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism last Monday.

The EU and its member-states are not leaving Greece to deal with the situation at its borders alone, said Slovenian Commissioner for Crisis Management Janan Lenarcic, adding: "I am proud of the generous support European countries have given Greece. We are ready to help further."

The assistance sent so far consists of sleeping bags, blankets, generators, tents and other kinds of accommodation, as well as health and sanitation supplies. Based on pledges made by the 15 countries, more of the above goods are expected, as well as 31,000 raincoats, beds, boots, and heaters.

Mitarachi announces increase in places

for unaccompanied minors

Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi on Monday announced that the government is increasing the number of places for the accommodation of unaccompanied minors, aiming to have 2,000 by the end of spring and 4,000 by the end of the year. It will also boost processes for verifying juveniles in the new asylum bill to be tabled in parliament in the coming days.

Mitarachi made the announcement during the opening of the workshop for unaccompanied minors organised by the ministry's Reception and Identification Service.

According to the minister, there were 1,000 long-term accommodation places for unaccompanied minors when the government took over in 2019, but "there was a complete lack of child protection and or a national action plan for unaccompanied minors." Within a few months, the ministry has increased the number of places to 1,400, with the goal of reaching 2,000 by the end of spring and 4,000 by the end of the year. He described this goal as "difficult and one where "we need the support of all society" as well as "the practical support of our European partners."

The ministry's planning includes three pillars of action: alternative forms of reception, such as foster care, for children under 12, long-term hospitality structures for the 12-16 age group, and semi-independent living for children over 16 until they become adults.

Migration Min Mitarachi visits Samos

Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi will go to the island of Samos on Monday to meet with representatives of the island's local authorities. Afterwards, Mitarachi will visit New Democracy's offices on Samos.

Finally, he will participate in the scheduled meeting of the municipal council of Eastern Samos.

Greek foreign affairs ministry criticizes Albania's legislation on Greek minority rights

The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday criticized the Albanian government for failing to protect the property ownership rights of the country's Greek ethnic minority.

Albania passed a law which ignores both the October 2019 Venice Commission resolution concerning the Finalization of Transitional Ownership Processes, and the 2017 framework Law on the Protection of National Minorities, Greece said.

The ministry’s statement called the latest legislation "a missed opportunity for a definitive and just resolution of a problem that is troubling both Albanian citizens and members of the Greek ethnic minority," and said the issue would affect the future of the start of talks for Albania's accession to the EU.

Greek President-elect Sakellaropoulou cancels ceremony at handover due to coronavirus

Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, who has been elected to succeed Prokopios Pavlopoulos as president of the Hellenic Republic, on Monday announced the cancellation of the traditional ceremony for congratulations on the assumption of her duties, scheduled for Saturday 14 March. She said that the decision was taken "with a sense of the need for a collective effort and responsibility to address the coronavirus epidemic."

Syriza says PM Mitsotakis missed opportunity

to secure firm support in meeting Merkel

SYRIZA claimed that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis missed an opportunity to secure solid support commitments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their Monday Berlin meeting on both Greece's migration crisis and the recent border tensions with Turkey.

"Unfortunately, Mitsotakis leaves the meeting with the German Chancellor having received only well-wishes and self-evident verbal condemnations of Turkey's blackmail and its use of refugees and migrants as tools of political pressure by President Erdogan," noted the main opposition party's statement.

The party continued its disapproval of the meeting's outcome by saying that "Europe and especially Germany must assume their responsibilities. Unfortunately, the prime minister seems to have claimed nothing."

Syriza claimed that Mitsotakis received "neither a reference to sanctions against Turkey, nor to the need to share the burdens of migration, nor a new refugee relocation program in Europe."

"Not even a half-mention to the need for Turkish refugees to resettle in Europe in order to have an incentive to stay there," the party stressed.

SYRIZA: Greece should not become

Europe's warehouse of souls

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis should go to the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel with "clear positions" that will point out the responsibilities of Germany and the EU regarding the migration/refugees issue, so that Greece is not turned into Europe's "warehouse of souls", main opposition SYRIZA said in an announcement on Monday.

"At a time when Turkey is continuing its aggressive policy of blackmail at the Greek borders, with the instrumentalisation of the human suffering of refugees and migrants, Greece should have clear positions that bring Germany and EU face to face with their responsibilities," SYRIZA said.

The party, in its announcement, urged Mitsotakis to speak plainly to the German Chancellor and to request:

- an immediate extraordinary EU Summit that clearly condemns Turkish aggressiveness and imposes sanctions if it continues to violate the EU-Turkey agreement

- a new EU-Turkey agreement if Turkey does not resume implementation of the Joint Statement, with a stronger refugee resettlement programme from Turkey to EU countries that also allows the return of migrants from the Greek mainland to Turkey.

- a new refugee and asylum seekers relocation programme from Greece to Europe, equivalent to that of 2016.

- A review of the Dublin Treaty in a fair direction.

Unity essential for an effective response

to Turkish challenges, SYRIZA's

Katrougalos says

The unity of the Greek people is a prerequisite for an effective response to the challenges and geopolitical threats presented by Turkey, main opposition SYRIZA's head of foreign affairs George Katrougalos said on Monday, speaking to Athens-Macedonian News Agency radio station "Praktoreio" about the latest developments concerning migration.

"This unity is undermined in the worst possible way when the government spokesperson accuses the main opposition of being Turkey's 'Trojan Horse'," he noted, underlining "that the least the government spokesperson owes the Greek people, not SYRIZA, is an apology for his irresponsible statements."

Concerning the situation in Evros, Katrougalos estimated that "we are facing a protracted situation" and repeated the need to immediately decongest the Greek islands.

SYRIZA calls for a clear governmental position on Holy Communion and coronavirus

Syriza on Monday called on the government to take a clear stance on whether the holy communion service poses a danger in transmitting the coronavirus.

The main opposition party said that "at a time when schools, universities and stadiums are kept closed and special measures are being taken for the swearing-in ceremony of the Greek President, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece insists that the sacrament of holy communion bears no danger of transmitting the new virus."

Syriza underlined that the problem "is not what the Holy Synod says, but what the state policy says on the matter, who along with the National Public Health Organization and the ministry of health, all bear the sole social responsibility for the protection of citizens and for not spreading the virus."

Israeli Embassy to close for two weeks after employee diagnosed with coronavirus

The Israeli Embassy in Athens, in a statement issued on Monday, announced that it is closing for a period of two weeks, reopening on March 23, after an embassy employee was diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus:

"As a precaution and concern for public health, the Embassy of the State of Israel will reopen on 23 March 2020 following two weeks of voluntary closure since the discovery of an Embassy employee diagnosed with coronavirus.

"The Ambassador and his diplomatic team will continue working from their homes.

"We would like to thank the Government of Greece for its support and cooperation and reassure everyone that the Ambassador and his diplomatic team are in good health," the statement said.

Financial News

First set of fiscal measures to address effects

of coronavirus announced

The first set of fiscal measures to address the effects of coronavirus include tax and insurance benefits, among others, as well as additional expenditure for the health system, according to an announcement by the finance and labour ministries on Monday.

In addition, new possible initiatives were announced, which will form the second set of measures by the relevant ministries, and will be tabled for discussion in the European institutions over the coming days.

In the context of these initiatives, in order to prevent the spread of the virus and to strengthen health systems, as well as to stimulate liquidity and safeguard employment, the ministry has asked to exempt the fiscal impact of these measures from the existing framework, in line with the flexibility permitted during emergency situations under EU rules.

New package of measures for enterprises stricken by coronavirus before end of March

A new package of measures concerning enterprises whose the turnover has been stricken by the coronavirus, will be decided in the next days and will be implemented before the end of March, finance ministry sources said on Monday, noting that any initiatives will have nationwide and not local characteristics.

Greek exports rose in January,

coronavirus cause of concern

Greek exports remained on an upward trend in January, extending last year’s course which led them to new historic records, offering encouraging signs for the outlook of exports in 2020, along with a 9.8 pct decline in the trade deficit in the first month of the year. However, fears over the range of consequences from a fast-spreading coronavirus on the global economy and problems likely to raise to Greek enterprises are source of serious concern.

"Once again Greek exports proved they are a main growth tool of the Greek economy, contributing largely in the rise of GDP and employment. However, a fast-spreading coronavirus in international markets, particularly in Italy - the number one export destination for Greek products - is raising concern. Greek exporters are calmly monitoring developments and remain alerted to deal with any possible problems. In any case, if necessary the state should include export companies to the support measures it promotes for Greek companies current hit by the impact of coronavirus," Christina Sakellaridi, head of the Panhellenic Exporters Association said in an announcement.

Exports to the EU and third countries grew in January (10.1 pct and 18.4 pct, respectively), while excluding oil products, exports to the EU rose 11.4 pct and to third countries rose 8.1 pct.

Oils (43.8 pct) machinery (17.5 pct), oil products (16.5 pct), food/livestock (15.1 pct) and chemicals (12.5 pct) recorded the biggest percentage growth rates in January, while Raw Materials (2.2 pct) and Alcohol/tobacco (1.7 pct) fell compared with the same month last year.

PPC to cooperate on wind, photovoltaic energy with Germany's RWE

The Public Power Corporation (PPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the German energy firm RWE, one of the leaders globally in renewable energy sources (RES) and the phasing out of lignite, in order to develop and implement RES projects in Greece.

According to the MoU, the parties will pursue potential colla-boration in order to exchange knowhow in decarbonization as well as in the development and implementation of renewable energy projects in Greece.

The parties have agreed to focus on wind and solar projects, with the projects' implementation to be based upon the optimum business model and collaboration structure, in line with each party's respective corporate policies. Through their common efforts, the parties are targeting the development of joint projects in Greece, which is in line with PPC’s ambitious targets for further increasing its RES portfolio. The companies will also consider a cooperation in the phase-out of coal in Greece by 2028.

The Chairman and CEO of PPC, George Stassis commented: "In the context of global energy transition, PPC and RWE are on the same path acknowledging that their own transformation is both a challenge and an opportunity. This agreement gives both PPC and RWE the opportunity to exchange know-how and take full advantage of significant investment opportunities in RES that are expected to play a key role in the energy map in the coming decades."

Rolf Martin Schmitz, CEO of RWE, added: As one of the leading producers of renewable power we pursue the target to become carbon neutral by 2040. Thereby, growing renewable energy is the clear focus of the RWE. In this view, Greece is a promising market for such projects and we are pleased to examine the possibilities with PPC to mutually benefit."

Premier Capital continues expansion

of McDonald's network

Premier Capital plc, development licencee of McDonald’s in six European countries based in Malta, continues the expansion of its network with 12 new restaurants and the refurbishment of its existing restaurants, based on an investment programe worth 28 million euros in Europe.

The group aims to open at least 12 new restaurants each year in the countries with established activities in the next three years. In this framework, Premier Capital has a goal to operate a network of 190 McDonald’s restaurants by the end of 2022. In 2019, Premier Capital opened 12 new restaurants in the Baltic states, Greece and Romania, a 23-million-euros investment, raising its network to 156 restaurants and creating more than 780 new job positions, to a total workforce of 8,800.

Greek trade deficit down 9.8 pct in January

Greek trade deficit fell by 9.8 pct in January this year, as exports's growth was more than four times the growth rate of imports, Hellenic Statistical Authority said in a report on Monday.

More specifically, the value of import-arrivals totaled 4.750,7 billion euros from 4.621,1 billion in January 2019, an increase of 2.8 pct (excluding oil products imports rose 5.3 pct while excluding oil products and ships imports rose 7.5 pct).

The value of export-deliveries totaled 2.844,7 billione uros from 2.507,3 billion in January 2019, up 13.5 pct (excluding oil products, exports rose 10.5 pct, while excluding oil products and ships exports rose 10.4 pct).

The country’s trade deficit amounted to 1.906 billion euros in January from 2.113,8 billion in January 2019, down 9.8 pct (excluding oil products, the trade deficit eased 1.1 pct, while excluding oil products and ships the trade deficit grew 3.8 pct).

Trastor REIC reports significant increase

in 2019 profits

Trastor REIC on Monday reported a significant increase in its net profits to 13.77 million euros in 2019 from 2.74 million in 2018.

In an announcement, the company said that revenue from leasing contracts amounted to 9.62 million euros, up 72.5 pct from 2018 (5.58 million), while EBITDA almost quadrupled to 17.75 million euros in 2019 from 4.48 million in 2018.

Trastor said its asset portrfolio included 58 commercial property assets with a fair value of 200.71 million euros. The company invested 48.11 million euros to buy 13 investment assets and 16.31 million to acquire four real estate companies in 2019.

Greek kiwi exports to set new record this year

Greece is on the road to break a new export record in kiwis, Incofruit-Hellas said in a report released on Monday. Kiwi exports totaled 138,368 tons (based on export figures by Friday 6 March), from 101,283 tons in the same period last year, "with all evidence showing that this year's period will set a new record both in quality and value."

Incofruit-Hellas said that exports of mushrooms grew 16.4 pct totaling 111,165 tons so far, up from 95,480 tons in 2019, while exports of tomato and strawberry also rose substantially to 10,284 tons (from 9,812 in 2019) and 8,318 (from 5,490 in 2019), respectively in the period from October 1, 2019 to March 6, 2020. The report also showed that exports of oranges, lemons, cuccumbers and apples were up so far.

Greek stocks plunge 13.39 pct on Monday

Greek stocks suffered one of the biggest daily percentage declines in history in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, with the general index falling to its lowest levels since November 2018, amid a scene of chaos prevailing in international markets on growing concern over the impact of a fast-spreading coronavirus on the global economy, combined with a 30 pct plunge in international oil prices.

The general index plunged 13.39 pct to end at 593.07 points, its lowest since November 20, 2018. The index is down 35.30 pct so far this year. The market’s capitalization fell 5.452 billion euros on Monday, losing 18.115 billion in 2020, after gaining 16.4 billion euros in 2019. Turnover was a heavy 140.689 million euros in volume of 84,449,002 shares. The Large Cap index fell 11.87 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 16.63 pct lower. All blue chip stocks suffered heavy losses, led by GEK Terna (26.87 pct), PPC (24.24 pct), Aegean Airlines (22.86 pct), National Bank (20.34 pct), Titan (19.75 pct), Viohalco (19.63 pct), Ellaktor (19.15 pct) and Piraeus Bank (18.86 pct). All sectors ended lower, led by Construction (22.96 pct) and Raw Materials (19.71 pct). Banks dropped 16.95 pct.

Eurobank and Alpha Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 123 to 5, with another 10 issues unchanged. Euroconsultants (20 pct) and Elgeka (13.3 pct) were top gainers, while Iktinos (29.94 pct) and Kiriakoulis (29.78 pct).

Greek bond market closing report

Panic has taken over in international bond markets on fears over the consequences of the fast-spreading coronavirus around the globe. In the Eurozone, bond yields and CDS soared on Monday, while in the domestic electronic secondary bond market bond yields jumped to six-month highs. The 10-year bond yield rose to 1.9 pct from 1.4 pct on Friday, the five-year bond yield jumped to 1.34 pct from 0.74 pct and the 15-year bond yield rose to 2.22 pct from 1.83 pct.

The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened to 2.85 pct from 2.13 pct on Friday, with the German Bund yielding -0.85 pct. Turnover was 38 million euros of which 36 million were sell orders.

General News

Greece has 11 new coronavirus cases,

totalling 84 to date

Greece has eleven new coronavirus infections, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias and infectious diseases professor Sotiris Tsiodras said following a government meeting on Monday, raising the number of cases to 84.

Of the current 84 cases, 81 are Greek nationals and the rest foreign visitors, they said. Of the total, 56 are part of the group that was infected during a trip to the Holy Land: 47 went on the tour and 9 were people they came in contact with.

Of the total 84, 57 are under home restrictions and 27 are hospitalized. One of the 27 has a serious case of pneumonia and is at the hospital of Rio.

Professor Tsiodras said more cases were expected in the following weeks, including people not related to known cases. Of the total 84, 4 fall under that category, he said, meaning that the source of their infection is unknown.

Kikilias said it was everyone's duty to protect vulnerable groups and to follow directions issued by the government and local authorities. Members of vulnerable groups should restrict their movements and stay home, he said. The next two months are critical, the minister stressed, and called on people to act responsibly.

Speaking about vulnerable groups, government consultant prof. Tsiodras said that the vulnerable group included people over 70 years old with chronic cardiopulmonary issues, people with diabetes, and people with chronic immunosuppresant cases. He also reiterated that gatherings of over 50 people, such as municipal council meetings, should take particular care to observe hygiene measures.

In addition, all gatherings of over 1,000 people and the Athens half-marathon were cancelled.

Education Ministry shuts down more schools, posts updated lists online

The Greek Ministry of Education advised families to visit its web page (.gr) on a regular basis in order to find out whether schools have suspended operations for preventative reasons due to the coronavirus epidemic.

In a list of schools on Monday night, it included schools suspending operations as of Tuesday. The list includes public and private schools in Athens and Thessaloniki and several prefectures throughout Greece that will be shut down, for varying durations.

Athens Half Marathon postponed

due to coronavirus

The 8th Athens Half Marathon, which was scheduled to take place on March 22, has been postponed to limit the spread of coronavirus. The decision was taken by the municipality of Athens and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) for precautionary reasons. SEGAS is to announce a new date for the race in the following days.

All Greek flights to North Italy

suspended until March 23

The Civil Aviation Authority on Monday announced the nationwide suspension of all flights to and from Greece and North Italy as of March 9 (today) to March 23, as a preventive measure against the coronavirus.

The decision affects all Greek airports and airlines, and relates to the Italian airports in Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto.

Piraeus disinfecting schools, public buildings, local buses for coronavirus prevention

The city of Piraeus is disinfecting all schools and carrying out daily disinfections of local-network buses, as preventative measures against coronavirus infection, it said on Monday.

All public buildings including nursery stations will also be disinfected, as will sports facilities, the city's musical center and the cultural multispace "K. Kostarakos".

Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame to be held without the presence of spectators

The Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame will be held without the presence of spectators, the Hellenic Olympic Committee said on Monday.

"The Hellenic Olympic Committee held a meeting today regarding the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame (March 12, in Ancient Olympia). Taking into consideration the latest decisions of the Hellenic Government about the protection of public health due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the HOC made the following decisions:

The Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame will be held without the presence of spectators and will be attended by only 100 accredited guests from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee.

The dress rehearsal on March 11 will be closed to the public and to the journalists.The media accreditations will be extremely limited.

We urge the Mayors of the cities through which the Olympic Flame will pass or stay overnight to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organization.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee will continue to monitor the situation and, depending on developments, will make decisions, always with a view to protecting public health," the Hellenic Olympic Committee said in an announcement.

Four arrested on suspicion of several arson incidents in Athens region

Security police arrested four antiestablishment individuals during investigations related to arson, in the greater Athens region on Monday.

Police sources said three men and a woman are being detained and will be led before a prosecutor on Tuesday.

One of the men, sources said, has been identified as having participated in an arson of the Mitsotakis Foundation in January 2020. An anarchist group had claimed responsibility online. The same group had claimed responsibility for the arson of cars belonging to the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization parked at Hellenikon, the destruction of ATMs, and an attack against the motorcycle police unit on Charilaou Trikoupi Street, among other incidents.

Evidence against the other three surfaced during the preliminary hearing, sources said.

Only 72 migrants and refugees arrived at the Aegean islands in the last three days

The Hellenic Coast Guard intervened in three incidents involving migrants and refugees between early Friday and early Monday.

According to the coast guard, 72 migrants and refugees arrived in three dinghies on the islands of Kos and Chios.

Yacht sinks while being taken out

of the water in Perama

No injuries or sea pollution were reported from the partial sinking of the Cayman islands-flagged yacht "Nourah of Riyad" in the sea off a shipyard in Perama, while it was being taken out of the water.

The yacht developed a 45-degree list, while the 12 crew members safely left the vessel.

The incident resulted in damage to the facilities of an adjacent shipyard and to the equipment of adjacent tourist boat "LAMADIN", which was already pulled up onto the land.

Weather forecast

Clouds, rain on Tuesday

Clouds, rain and westerly winds are forecast for Tuesday. Wind velocity will reach 6 on the Beaufort scale. Rain in the northern parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 06C to 14C. Clouds and scattered showers in the western parts with temperatures between 09C and 16C. Partly cloudy and light rain in the eastern parts, 07C-17C. Partly cloudy and scattered showers over the Aegean islands and Crete, 13C-18C. Scattered clouds with a chance of light rain in Athens, 07C-16C. Partly cloudy and scattered showers in Thessaloniki, 07C-13C.

The Monday edition of Athens dailies at a glance

DIΜΟΚRΑΤΙΑ: The end of allowances to the refugees

ΕLEFTHEROS TYPOS: Shield against the coronavirus

ΕFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The government is cultivating division

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ: Coronavirus. Emergency measures

ΝΑFTEMPORIKI: Targetted measures to support the economy

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Greece has 11 new coronavirus cases,

totalling 84 to date

Greece has eleven new coronavirus infections, Health Mi-nister Vassilis Kikilias and infectious diseases professor Sotiris Tsiodras said following a government meeting on Monday, raising the number of cases to 84.

Of the current 84 cases, 81 are Greek nationals and the rest foreign visitors, they said. Of the total, 56 are part of the group that was infected during a trip to the Holy Land: 47 went on the tour and 9 were people they came in con-tact with. Of the total 84, 57 are under home restrictions and 27 are hospitalized. One of the 27 has a serious case of pneumo-nia and is at the hospital of Rio.

Staikouras meets Regling, asks that migration,

coronavirus spending be exempt

from primary surplus

Meeting European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director Klaus Regling in Athens on Monday, Finance Mi-nister Christos Staikouras discussed the measures that need to be taken to address the economic repercussions from the spread of coronavirus globally and asked that certain cate-gories of spending be exempted from calculations of Greece's primary surplus.

In statements after their meeting at the finance ministry, Staikouras said that, in terms of the repercussions of coro-navirus, the data and latest extimates indicate that their impact on the European and global economy, while tempo-rary, will be more significant and painful that initially esti-mated.

In light of this, the minister said, the situation should be re-evaluated at the Eurogroup meeting next week and specific initiatives adopted to deal the negative repercussions of the virus' spread on growth and public finances.

PM Mitsotakis: Greece and Europe

can't be blackmailed by anyone

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday referred to economic issues and the emerging migration crisis at Greece's eastern borders, while addressing the German-Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin. He stressed that Greece and Europe cannot be blackmailed.

Regarding the economy, Mitsotakis said that Greece was truly on a path of growth, adding that the new problems are making it accelerate, not slow down reforms.

"The assymetric threat from the east changes the priorities and the health crisis makes our work more difficult. In the last 10 days we have shown that we can defend our natio-nal and European sovereignty. Greece and Europe cannot be blackmailed by anyone," he said.

The support offered by many European countries is tangi-[pic][?] |ble proof of European solidarity, said Mitsotakis.

PM Mitsotakis, Chancellor Merkel

discuss developments in migration issue,

coronavirus epidemic

The attempted entry to Greece of a large wave of migrants from Turkey and the repercussions of the coronavirus in public health and the economy were the focus of a meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday.

At a meeting scheduled after the German-Hellenic Econo-mic Forum the same day, Mitsotakis updated Merkel on the Turkish actions at the border in Evros region, and noted the involvement of Turkish authorities in creating and continuing the mass violation of European borders at Evros and spreading fake news that heighten the crisis.

Greek government sources also said that Mitsotakis refer-red to images in the media showing a Turkish military vehicle, funded through EU resources, trying to take down the fence protecting Greek and European borders in Evros.

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