Europe Intelligence Wire articles from March 2009

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from March 2009

Green development a force of reversal of country's ills, Papandreou says.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou considers "green development" as being the force of reversal for the country's ills. Papandreou, who was speaking in an interview with the Athens newspaper...

ND, PASOK have same plan for crisis, KKE says.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), referring in an announcement on Saturday to the confrontation between the ruling New Democracy party and the main oposition PASOK party over the ongoing crisis, said that they...

New opinion polls.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) An opinion poll prepared by the V-PRC company for the Sunday newspaper "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia", shows the main opposition PASOK party leading the ruling New Democracy party by three percentage points ahead...

ABI supports the De Larosiere report on future level and quality of regulation.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) The De Larosiere reports key recommendations will help rebuild trust in European financial services regulators, says the ABI (Association of British Insurers). The ABI particularly supports De Larosiere's...

IAIS issues progress reports ahead of G20 Summit and FSF.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) has issued two progress reports to the Group of Twenty (G20) and Financial Stability Forum (FSF). These reports respond to G20 and FSF...

RSA impresses.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) RSA has announced better than expected results for 2008. Highlights are; Net written premiums of GBP6.5bn, up 11% Combined operating ratio of 94.5% Operating result of GBP867m, up 7% ...

Wipro launches Insurance Claims Analytics.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) Wipro Technologies has announced the launch of Insurance Claims Analytics (ICA)-an integrated business intelligence (BI) offering targeted at property and casualty insurance carriers. Built on the SAP...

Lloyd's opens Polish representative office.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) Lloyd's,has opened its representative office in Poland, after securing a licence to write business last year. The office, in Warsaw, will be run by Lloyd's Polish Representative, Witold Janusz, who has been...

Mastek Elixir Distribution Management solution launched.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) Mastek has announced the launch of Elixir Distribution Management (EDM), its next generation distribution management solution for life and annuity insurance carriers. A primary component of the Elixir suite of...

Novarica reviews US agency management systems.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) As a recent study by www.GetRealTime.org shows, agents are increasingly demanding that insurers support integration with agency management systems to improve ease-of-doing business and facilitate information...

Allianz turns in E7.4bn operating profit.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) In fiscal year 2008, based on preliminary figures, the Allianz Group posted a robust operating profit and a solvency ratio remains at a high level, despite the difficult economic environment. Revenues of the...

Guidewire BillingCenter selected by Pioneer State Mutual.
March 1, 2009... (From InsuranceNewslink.com) Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company, a multi-line property/casualty carrier serving individuals and businesses in the state of Michigan, and Guidewire Software have announced that Pioneer State Mutual has...

Athens Newspaper Headlines.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) The ongoing economic crisis, political developments, opinion polls and the extraordinary EU summit were the main front-page items in Athens' newspapers on Sunday. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Bonuses amounting to 500...

FM Bakoyannis gives interview to 'Kathimerini'.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis ascertained during her visit to Washington that the Obama government has a new spirit and will for cooperation with the European Union in general, as well as with Russia, according...

Parliament president attends EU Parliament presidents conference.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) PARIS (ANA-MPA/O. Tsipira) - Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas stressed that the main conclusion drawn from the two-day conference of European Union National Parliament presidents, that took place here, was...

It will be nice even with 7 pc, Alavanos says in interview.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Parliamentary Group President Alekos Alavanos, speaking in an interview with the newspaper "Vima tis Kyriakis" and replying to a question on the party's target in the elections,...

No magic wands for monetary crisis, BoG governor says.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Bank of Greece Governor George Provopoulos, referring to the future of Greek banks in an interview with the newspaper "Realnews", said that alliances and mergers must take place in a concerted and friendly way in...

Justice minister on country's penitentiary system.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Justice Minister Nikolaos Dendias stressed in an interview with the Sunday newspaper "Vima tis Kyriakis" that the criminals Paleokostas and Ritzai, who escaped from Korydallos prison with the help of a helicopter...

Alternate interior minister on police, terrorist groups.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) Alternate Interior Minister for Public Order Christos Markoyiannakis indicated in an interview with the newspaper "Proto Thema" that efforts will be made to upgrade the potential of the police and that changes...

PM Karamanlis stresses need for coordination at European level to tackle economic crisis.
March 1, 2009... (From Athens News Agency) BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Spinthourakis) - Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed the need here on Sunday for boosting coordination at European level to tackle the economic crisis. Karamanlis said that during the...

Authorities say Roma house fire in C Hungary not arson.
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Budapest, February 28 (MTI) - The fire that devastated a house belonging to a Roma family in the village of Tatarszentgyorgy, south-east of Budapest, on Saturday was not arson, according to the...

REFILE - Authorities say Roma house fire in C Hungary not arson (changes dateline).
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Budapest, March 1 (MTI) - The fire that devastated a house belonging to a Roma family in the village of Tatarszentgyorgy, south-east of Budapest, on Saturday was not arson, according to the preliminary...

Turkish immigrants found in refrigerator truck in S Hungary.
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Budapest, March 1 (MTI) - Police discovered twenty Turkish immigrants hiding in a refrigerator truck in southern Hungary, a police spokesperson said on Sunday. The Turkish truck crossed from Romania...

Hungary PM lobbies EU for EUR 180 bn support package for E Europe.
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Brussels, March 1 (MTI) - Hungary's prime minister on Sunday lobbied the European Union for a support package worth 180 billion euros for east European countries and their banking systems hard hit by the...

Hungary's BUX index closes last week at 10,190 points.
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Budapest, March 1 (MTI) - Budapest's main share index, the BUX, closed last week on Friday at 10,190 points, down 1.83 percent compared with the previous week. During the week, however, the index...

UPDATE - Hungary PM lobbies EU for EUR 180 bn support package for E Europe (adds reaction to Merkel, comments on euro).
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Brussels, March 1 (MTI) - Hungary's prime minister on Sunday lobbied the European Union for a support package worth 180 billion euros for east European countries and their banking systems hard hit by the...

Greco Roman wrestling - Golden Grand Prix.
March 1, 2009... (From Hungarian News Agency (MTI)) Budapest, March 1 (MTI) - Results of the Greco Roman wrestling Golden Grand Prix held in Szombathely, W Hungary, on Saturday and Sunday. 55 kg weight group: 1. Kohei Hasegawa (Japan) 2....

Events - CTK Business News in English, March 1.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Phone: +420 222 098 431 Duty Editor - afternoon: Vlasta Vavrova ------------------------------------------------------------ ALL TIMES CET Photo available at PhotoSales@mail.ctk.cz for items with keyword PHOTO....

Events - CTK General News in English, March 1.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Phone: +420 222 098 465 Duty Editor - Jana Ratajova ------------------------------------------------------------ ALL TIMES CET Photo available at PhotoSales@mail.ctk.cz for items with keyword PHOTO. CZECH REPUBLIC...

EU faced with ever biggest crisis - Czech PM.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - The European Union has never faced as big a crisis as now, Czech PM Mirek Topolanek told journalists on arrival at the EU extraordinary summit today, which has been initiated by the Czech...

Schedule of CTK Business News in English, March 2.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) ALL TIMES CET CZECH REPUBLIC Prague Finance Ministry to release state budget data for Feb 2009 Finance Ministry to announce state bonds and state treasury bills issues for April 09:00 Cabinet meeting, agenda...

Schedule of CTK General News in English, March 2.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) ALL TIMES CET CZECH REPUBLIC Prague 09:00 Government meets after meeting of committee for European Union Agenda includes: - amendment to general law - amendment to law on houses of parliament's order of procedure -...

Events - CTK General News in English, March 1.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Phone: +420 222 098 465 Duty Editor - Jana Ratajova ------------------------------------------------------------ ALL TIMES CET Photo available at PhotoSales@mail.ctk.cz for items with keyword PHOTO. CZECH REPUBLIC...

Events - CTK Business News in English, March 1.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Phone: +420 222 098 431 Duty Editor - afternoon: Vlasta Vavrova ------------------------------------------------------------ ALL TIMES CET Photo available at PhotoSales@mail.ctk.cz for items with keyword PHOTO....

Unknown assailant stabs three foreign students in Brno.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brno, March 1 (CTK) - An unknown assailant stabbed three foreign students, all young men with dark skin, in the centre of Brno at night today, regional police spokesman Pavel Svab told CTK. The students have been...

Hungary's plan of aid to Central Europe lacks support in EU-Fico.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - Hungary's plan of aid to the financial sector in countries in Central and Eastern Europe worth EUR160-190bn (up to Kc5,480bn) does not have the necessary support in the EU, Slovak Premier...

Norway's Northug wins gold in 50km ski race at world champs.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Liberec, North Bohemia, March 1 (CTK) - Petter Northug, from Norway, won the 50 km free style cross-country ski race at Nordic World Ski Championships today. Results - men 50 km cross-country ski free style race,...

Countries' final medal gains at Nordic World Ski Championship.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Liberec, North Bohemia, March 1 (CTK) - Countries' medal results at Nordic World Ski Championship (final results after all 20 events): 1. Norway 5 4 3 2. USA 4 1 1 3. Finland 3 0 5 4. Austria 2 1 0 5. Poland 2 0 1...

Three Czech regional governors give up mandate of deputies.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Olomouc, North Moravia, March 1 (CTK) - Three of the four Czech senior opposition Social Democrat (CSSD) deputies who became regional governors after the October regional polls, officially gave up their lower house...

Deficit must not exceed 3 pct of GDP in 2009 -- Slovak PM.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in Brussels today his country sought not to further worsen the public finance deficit and not to exceed the ceiling set at 3 percent of GDP in...

Forex revenue from tourism up by 10.9 pct in Slovakia in 2008.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Bratislava, March 1 (CTK) - Slovak foreign exchange revenue from tourism increased by 10.9 percent to Sk55.15bn (EUR1.76bn) last year, and foreign-currency spending grew faster, by 21.7 percent to Sk45.91bn...

Czech minister says new soccer security system effective.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - The new Czech system of ensuring security at soccer stadiums is well-shaped and the state has made clear its intention to punish breaching of the peace by undisciplined fans, Interior...

Patria, Wood, CS largest stock dealers on BCPP also in Feb.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Patria Finance, Wood & Company and Ceska sporitelna (CS) retained their positions of the largest stock dealers on the Prague bourse (BCPP) in February, CTK has learnt from the BCPP's...

Alliance leaders to mark Czech decade in NATO at Prague meeting.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will be among the guests to the mid-March two-day conference in Prague marking the 10th...

Czech Nordic World Ski championship ends, costs reach 2.2 billion.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Liberec, North Bohemia, March 1 (CTK) - The Nordic World Ski championship in Liberec, which ended today, has been the ever largest sport event in Czech history, the costs of which reached 2.2 billion crowns,...

Czech PM confirms Obama will attend April EU-US summit in Prague.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek today confirmed that the EU-U.S. summit will be held in Prague on April 5, attended by U.S. President Barack Obama. "He [Obama] accepted the Czech [EU]...

Tendency towards protectionism not seen in Europe - EU summit.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - European Union leaders have not registered a tendency towards protectionism so far, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said after the extraordinary EU summit in Brussels today. The...

Plan for EU financial sector supervision has faults-CNB's Tomsik.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - The plan for the establishment of two new institutions to supervise the financial sector in the EU has defects, Vladimir Tomsik of the Czech National Bank (CNB) said in a discussion...

Langer not to lift confidentiality duty from former Czech officer.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer today said he is unlikely to lift the confidentiality obligation from former anti-corruption police officer Karel Tichy so that he can testify on a...

CITCO-Financni trhy turnover rises 13 pct to Kc29.2bn in 2008.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Turnover of CITCO - Financni trhy, the leading non-bank company in the foreign exchange services market, last year rose by 13 percent on the year to Kc29.2bn, and growth is also projected...

Czech governor to distribute part of pay to people in trouble.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Central Bohemia regional governor David Rath (senior opposition Social Democrats, CSSD) has disclosed the conditions under which he will distribute a part of his income among people in...

Langer backs Czech town hall's measures against fee-defaulters.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Interior Minister Ivan Langer today backed the system of distraints the Town Hall of Chomutov, north Bohemia, recently introduced as a measure against unadaptable residents and...

Topolanek,Barroso do not rule out calling eurozone summit.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso did not rule out at today's extraordinary EU summit, convened by the Czech presidency, that a summit of the...

Tendency towards protectionism not seen in Europe - EU summit.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) adds last three paras -------------------- Brussels, March 1 (CTK) - European Union leaders have not registered a tendency towards protectionism so far, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said after the...

New York museum presents films by Czech-born film maker Passer.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) New York, March 1 (CTK) - The New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will in March present a series of films by Ivan Passer, an American film maker and scriptwriter of Czech origin, comprising his two films from the...

Results from Slovak ice hockey Elite League.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Bratislava, March 1 (CTK) - Results from second games of Slovak ice hockey Elite League play off quarterfinal played today: Skalica vs Trencin 3-1 state of series: 2-0 Zvolen vs Liptovsky Mikulas 5-2 state of...

Results from Czech hockey League relegation group.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Results of Czech ice hockey Elite League relegation group games, 3rd round, played today: Geus Okna Kladno vs Mountfield C. Budejovice 4-2 (3-0, 0-1, 1-1) Znojemsti Orli vs Mlada Boleslav...

Czech soccer midfielder leaves Jablonec for Russia's Vladikavkaz.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Jablonec nad Nisou, North Bohemia, March 1 (CTK) - Czech soccer midfielder Tomas Cizek is leaving Czech League team Jablonec nad Nisou, after playing a mere two matches with it, for Russia's Vladikavkaz, Jablonec...

Czech soccer midfielder leaves Jablonec for Russia's Vladikavkaz.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Adds info in para 1, bottom para -------------------- Jablonec nad Nisou, North Bohemia, March 1 (CTK) - Czech soccer midfielder Tomas Cizek is leaving Czech League team Jablonec nad Nisou, after playing a mere two...

CTK's Business News in Brief.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Bendl mulling cancellation of SZDC tender worth Kc36bn ------------------------------------------------------ Prague - Czech Transport Minister Petr Bendl said on Czech Television on Sunday he was considering...

Summary of CTK General News in English, March 1, 21:00.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek today confirmed that the EU-U.S. summit will be held in Prague on April 5, attended by U.S. President Barack Obama. Prague - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop...

Summary of CTK Business News in English, March 1, 21:00.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Brussels - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek called on the heads of EU states and governments today, on the eve of the EU extraordinary summit, to act jointly in face of the financial crisis and observe the...

Czech embassy in Hanoi accepts visa applications again-Lidovky.cz.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - The Czech embassy in Hanoi on February 17 resumed its acceptance of Vietnamese applications' for Czech visas, thus renewing the Vietnamese's chance to go to the Czech Republic in search of...

Results from Czech soccer League 18th round.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Results of Czech soccer League 18th round matches played today: Jablonec vs Olomouc 1-0 (1-0) Bohemians vs Slavia 0-0 Standings: 1. Slavia 18 12 5 1 40-13 41 2. Ostrava 18 9 4 5 30-18 31 3....

Czech soccer League best scorers after incomplete 18th round.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - Czech soccer League best scorers after incomplete 18th round: 11 - Necid (Slavia), 10 - Huna (Pribram), 8 - Belaid (Slavia), 7 - Kincl (Bohemians), Sverkos (Ostrava), 6 - Keric (Liberec),...

Czech ministry admits mistakes in world ski champs financing.
March 1, 2009... (From Czech News Agency) Prague, March 1 (CTK) - The Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Physical Training has admitted having made mistakes in financing the preparations of the Nordic World Ski Championship which ended in Liberec,...

King of romance who's heart remains in great glen.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) We meet at his home in Great Glen. I'd expected both him and the house to be flamboyant. Neither are. Tall and dark and still a looker at 72, he has charm, a lazy smile and a voice which is more LA than Leicester....

Wartime rations.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Soon after the Second World War started, the quantity of food imported by Britain fell by nearly half due to Germany's efforts to cut off supplies, not only of food but of other goods as well. To combat these...

Opening act.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) The highly valued group of hardy and reliable plants which flower in the garden in the first few months of the year must include early flowering Clematis species and hybrids. Surprisingly included among them are...

Gardening tips: Things to do in march.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) 1. Protect the blossom of early flowering apricots and nectarines by covering with fleece. Hand pollinate if insects are scarce 2. Check whether containers need watering - even at this time of year they are in...

The magician's art at stanford hall.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Magic was a popular hobby for young boys growing up at the turn of the 20th century, particularly so in The Midlands. Each month the secrets of "Modern Magic" by Professor Hoffmann were serialised in Every Boy's...

Harley at heart.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Harley Davidson builds big bikes with purposeful sounding names - Electra Glide, Road King, Street Rod and also a couple with quirky names - Cross Bones and Street Bob. But should you, like me, not be blessed...

Hathern band's 145th anniversary concert.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) A piece of music, commissioned to celebrate the Hathern Band's 145th anniversary, was premiered at the group's annual concert. The award-winning band performed the lively fanfare, which reflects Charnwood and...

County walk.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Take the A5199 Welford Road, south for about 10 miles and turn left to Mowsley. There is parking in the Main Street near the Village Hall (or alternatively there is parking at Knaptoft church ruins). Start the walk...

The best of British.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) The name 'Bentley' immediately conjures up in one's mind everything that is British, combined with handcrafted luxury, superb engineering and plenty of power. True, the company is no longer British owned - it...

How the dish was created.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Scallops with belly pork and white pudding. Serves four. 8 diver caught scallops 8 thin slices of white pudding 40ml pea puree 40ml sweetcorn puree 40ml jus 150g belly pork confit (or pancetta if you can't get...

Caledonian society's burns night dinner.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) The 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns was celebrated by the Leicester Caledonian Society, which hosted its annual Burns Night dinner at Birstall Golf Club. Members and guests enjoyed a traditional...

An evening with Lewis Moody at Oakham school.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Rugby player Lewis Moody returned to his old school to host An Evening with Lewis Moody as part of his testimonial year. The event was held in the dining hall at Oakham School, and included a three-course meal....

Burns night dinner at county police HQ.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) The Blue Knights England VIII Leicestershire and Rutland chapter celebrated the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth with a Burns Night Dinner at the Police Headquarters in Enderby. The organisation...

Gardening diary for march.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Visitors to gardens in Leicestershire and Rutland which opened their gates in 2008, helped to raise GBP20,134 for National Gardens Scheme charities, and a further GBP1,663 for local charities too. The 2009...

Because the best things come to those who wait...
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Capturing the beauty and emotions of multifarious situations he has encountered around the globe, the photographs of lifelong Loughborough resident Phil Wharton captivate the viewer with their skilful composition...

Private education within reach.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) As a charitable organisation, here at NGS we offer a range of scholarships and bursarial assistance specifically aimed at those who cannot afford to pay school fees to enable their children to benefit from the...

Consider yourself a school of talent.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) Pupils from both the Junior and the Senior Schools at Our Lady's Convent School joined together to give an unforgettable performance of Oliver! Such an interest was shown by pupils that initial auditions for...

Oxbridge hopefuls.
March 1, 2009... (From Leicester Mercury) The dreaming spires of Oxford and the ancient colleges of Cambridge have long been a magnet for the most talented girls and boys at Loughborough Endowed Schools. This year has been no exception, and has brought...