The largest health care group in Greece and South Eastern Europe Athens Medical Center and the largest health care group in Europe Asklepios join forces with the latter participating as a strategic investor in the shareholder structure of the former. The aim of this participation is the further strengthening of the leading position of Athens Medical Center in the sector in Greece and SE Europe. In the immediate strategic plans of the Athens Medical Center is the further growth in Greece, by evaluating penetration in other market segments (rehabilitation centers, maternity clinics etc), the exploitation of the large plot of land in Paiania as well as the potential acquisition of other operators in the sector. In addition to the above it is strategic priority to further enhance growth rates abroad in order to capitalize on the excellent brand name of the Company in the surrounding countries. The commitment of Asklepios for the carry out of the above plans is verified by the acquisition of the 8,33% stake in the share capital of Athens Medical Center SA today. The Apostolopoulos family controls over 51% of the Athens Medical Center share capital and voting rights. The company''s current board of directors and management team remain unchanged. Today, in Germany Askplepios has been awarded most public tenders on privatization of public hospitals. The public hospitals in short time horizon have been transformed in profitable operations without any extra burden on the public insurance funds or patients.