Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-09 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] PM Tsipras in Brussels for EU Summit [02] Gov't aims to reach SLA until March 20 Eurogroup meeting [03] ND leader Mitsotakis at EPP's Summit [04] OPAP implements 100-mln-euro investment plan [05] Turnover in transport sector mixed in Q4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] PM Tsipras in Brussels for EU Summit Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras left on Thursday for Brussels to participate in the EU Summit that will focus on the migration, the preparation of the debate for Europe's future that will be held in the EU Summit in Rome on March 25 as well as the discussion on the course of the eurozone with the participation of ECB head Mario Draghi, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said on Thursday during a press briefing. Moreover, Tzanakopoulos announced that on Friday Tsipras will meet in private with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades. [02] Gov't aims to reach SLA until March 20 Eurogroup meeting Greek government aims to complete discussions on reaching a staff level agreement (SLA) until the Eurogroup meeting on March 20 and to bridge any remaining differences related to the change of the fiscal mixture for the period after 2019, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said during a press briefing on Thursday. For the first time after eight years we are very close to an overall solution that will create the conditions for a final exit from the memoranda and the supervision, he said. [03] ND leader Mitsotakis at EPP's Summit New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the following statement upon his arrival to the European People's Party (EPP) Summit in Brussels on Thursday. "As the European Union is approaching its 60th anniversary, important challenges are before us. The creation of more job positions for the young, the safety, the defence and the protection of the external borders should dominate the debate on the future of the European Union" stated the main opposition leader adding that "One is certain. Greece will do whatever possible to remain in the hard core of the European integration". [04] OPAP implements 100-mln-euro investment plan OPAP, a Greek-listed lottery and betting services company, is rapidly promoting the implementation of large investment on the network of agents, a key growth driver for the company and its agents, strengthening the foundations for a dynamic future. This investment, despite the ongoing crisis, is part of ongoing investment and business OPAP initiatives for the implementation of the Vision 2020 plan, amounting to 100 million euros. OPAP said that a new contract signed by agents creates a secure and stable environment in the company network for the next five years. The new agreement clarifies the landscape on commission policy, establishing commission rates on net income in games, making things more simple for OPAP and agents. It also contributes decisively to upgrade OPAP's relationship with its network and the transformation of agencies into modern local entertainment destinations. The commission is guaranteed for the next five years, which gives confidence and security to the agents. The implementation of the strategy by the leading gaming company in Greece comes at the most appropriate time, as customer needs change and they are more informed and demanding than ever. Through the investment for the development of the network, OPAP aims that agencies will be offering more product choices, harness new technologies and the network to become more attractive to players. Already OPAP agents have multiple benefits from investments made by the company and are visible in both the total turnover, and the commissions they receive. Acquiring new licenses (Greek Sweepstakes, Skratch, Horse Race Betting) and improving existing games (KINO Bonus, Sport Betting Live), generated additional turnover for the network, which based on 2015 data amounts to more than 500 million euros annually. Additional fees received by the network on the basis of this development exceeded 40 million euros. In addition, investment in training OPAP agents created an additional 10% commission for agents involved in the program. Also central agreements for equipment and services lead to savings of over 10 million euros for the agents. Investing in network focuses on three pillars, OPAP said: products and services, shops and support to the agent. [05] Turnover in transport sector mixed in Q4 Turnover in the transport sector showed a mixed picture in the fourth quarter of 2016, Hellenic Statistical Authority said on Thursday. The statistics service, in a report, said the turnover index in land transport and pipeline transport fell 1.9 pct in the fourth quarter, compared with the same period in 2015, after a 5.9 pct decline recorded in the 2015/2014 period. The turnover index in water transport fell 11.5 pct in the fourth quarter, yr/yr, after a 10.9 pct decline recorded in the 2015/2014 period. The turnover index in air transport grew 7.5 pct, after an 8.6 pct increase recorded in the 2015/2014 period. The turnover index in logistics grew 1.6 pct, after an 1.0 pct rise in 2015/2014, while the turnover index in travel agents fell 6.3 pct after a 17.6 pct decline in 2015/2014.