煙草在線據《煙業通訊》報道編譯　　菲莫國際及其子公司Papastratos卷煙制造公司稱，它們已與希臘政府就未來3年內購買希臘香料煙的事項達成協議。

　　合作協議是由農業部長Athanassios Tsaftaris和菲莫國際首席運營官André Calantzopoulos，在首相安東尼斯·薩馬拉斯的見證下簽訂的。“該協議揭開了我們希臘公司歷史上的新篇章，而且建立在我們在希臘的長期競爭力之上的，”Calantzopoulos說。

　　“該協議為菲莫國際購買希臘香料煙確立了一個為期3年的框架，為該國2.5萬名煙農和工人創造了一個更可預見的經濟環境。”

　　菲莫國際網站上發布的一條新聞稱，據說，該協議預計，2013至2015年間，菲莫國際購買的希臘香料煙量將比過去3年的購買量增加20%。

　　“自2003年起，菲莫國際已在希臘投資了約6億歐元，”Calantzopoulos說，“在這些困難時期，盡管前所未有的危機影響了希臘，但我們不僅仍然堅定不移地支持Papastratos、我們的業務合作伙伴以及該國的經濟，而且還擴展我們的業務活動。”

　　同時，出席簽約儀式的Papastratos公司總裁兼首席執行官Nikitas Theophilopoulos說，該協議是Papastratos持續向希臘提供了80多年支持及其進一步加強它在希臘競爭力的更有力的證據。

　　“僅2012年，我們在希臘開展了幾項加強我們業務的行動，包括打擊非法貿易、投資細切煙新生產線以及加強社會貢獻項目以幫助有需要的人，”他說。

　　“相比而言，在許多公司都面臨著裁員的時期，我們履行了對員工不減薪不裁員的承諾，相反，我們對大部分員工發放了績效獎金。”

PMI Agrees to Buy More Greek Oriental

　　Philip Morris International and its affiliate, Papastratos Cigarette Manufacturing, say they have reached an agreement with the Greek government regarding the purchase of Greek oriental tobacco during the next three years.

　　The co-operation agreement was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Athanassios Tsaftaris, and PMI's COO, André Calantzopoulos, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras.

　　"This Agreement opens a new chapter in the history of our company in Greece and builds on our long-standing presence in this country," said Calantzopoulos.

　　"It establishes a three-year framework for PMI's purchases of Greek oriental tobacco and creates a much more predictable economic environment for the country's 25,000 tobacco farmers and workers."

　　In a note posted on the PMI website, the agreement was said to foresee, during the years 2013 to 2015, purchases of Greek oriental tobacco by PMI increased by 20 per cent on those of the past three years.

　　"PMI has invested approximately 600 million euros in Greece since 2003," said Calantzopoulos. "In these difficult times and despite the unprecedented crisis that has impacted the country, not only do we remain steadfast in supporting Papastratos, our business partners and the country's economy, but we are also expanding our business activities."

　　Meanwhile, Nikitas Theophilopoulos, president and CEO of Papastratos, who was present at the signing ceremony, said that the agreement was more tangible evidence of the support Papastratos had consistently offered to Greece for more than 80 years and of its commitment to further reinforcing its presence in Greece.

　　"In 2012 alone we undertook several initiatives to strengthen our business in Greece including our fight against illicit trade, the investment in a new production line for fine-cut-tobacco and a reinforced social contribution program to help those in need," he said.

　　"In parallel, at a time when many companies are facing cutbacks, we are maintaining our commitment to our employees without salary and personnel cuts, but on the contrary with merit bonuses for the large majority of our workforce." Enditem