According to the provisions of the paragraphs 5-13 of article 16 par. 9 item b) of C.L. 2190/1920, the listed companies may acquire own shares through the Athens Stock Exchange, according to decision of the General Meeting until the 10% of total shares, in order to support the stock exchange price. In the Meeting held on 14.6.2006 the General Meeting of Shareholders, making use of the above possibility provided by the Law, decide that the Company should acquire, during the period 14.6.2006 - 13.6.2007 no more than 4.054.034 shares, equivalent to 10% of total existing shares, in order to support the stock exchange price of its share, in a price range between € 5 (minimum) and € 35 (maximum). In the Meeting held on 16.2.2006 the General Meeting of Shareholders amended the initial decision in a price range between € 5 (minimum) and € 50 (maximum). In the context of implementing the aforementioned General Meeting decision, the Company's BoD defines by resolution, prior to the start of the individual trading period, the principal trading terms, in particular the maximum number of own shares to be acquired, maximum and minimum price and time period that shares shall be acquired. The company on 6.6.007 completed the 3rd phase of its Share Buyback Program through the acquisition of 1.096.293 treasury shares at an average price of 35,27 euro on the context of the 16.2.2007 decision of the Board of Directors. During that period the company had acquired a total of 5.695.898 (adjusted after split) treasury shares which represented 4,82% of share capital
On 7.12.2007, the Board of Directors of the Company resolved on the commencement of the plan regarding the acquisition of owned shares, on the purpose of realizing strategic goals and business targets, pursuant to article 16 para. 1 of codified law 2190/1920, in implementation of the decision of the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company's shareholders of 7.12.2007, and all acquisitions will be made pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 2273/2003 of the EU Committee. In the period from 13.12.2007 until 6.12.2009, the Company will acquire up to six million fifty three thousand nine hundred and seven (6.053.907) owned shares, at a minimum acquisition price of € 2,08 euros per share and a maximum acquisition price of € 25 euros per share. During the reported period the company acquired a total of 4.068.396 treasury shares. Up to 31.12.2008 the Company has totally acquired 9.704.294 treasury shares which represents 8,30% of its share capital.