Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-05-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Washington-Greece-ECOSOC

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates-Friday

[03] Weather Forecast-Friday

[04] Central Bank-Euro Zone

[05] ADEX-close

[06] Ergoleasing-1999 results

[07] Venizelos - Reply - Berisha - Criticism

[08] ASE-close

[01] Washington-Greece-ECOSOC

WASHINGTON (ANA - M. Georgiadou) - Greece shared first place with France in Wednesday's elections for new members of the Statistics Service of the United Nations' Council of Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC).

Greece gathered 42 votes, the same as France. Britain followed with 39 votes, while The Netherlands received 29 votes and did not elect a representative.

Greece's term starts in 2001 and is of a five-year duration. Greece will be represented by Nikos Karavitis, General Secretary of the National Statistics Service.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates-Friday

Following are indicative foreign exchange rates for commercial bank released by the central bank for the next working day.

Friday's rates (buying)

Euro 333.461

U.S. dollar 373.190

[03] Weather Forecast-Friday

Sunny weather is forecast throughout the country on Friday, except for some cloud over Crete.

[04] Central Bank-Euro Zone

LONDON (ANA) -- Greeces central bank governor cited favourable prospects for price stability and faster economic growth as two of the most prominent benefits the country can reap from its anticipated entry into the European Unions euro zone.

As the keynote speaker at an annual lecture organised by the Hellenic Observatory at the European Institute of the London School of Economics, Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos covered the major aspects of the countrys economic performance over the past decades, before focusing on recent successful efforts to meet the Maastricht Treaty criteria for Economic and Monetary Union and the all-important accompanying future prospects.

[05] ADEX-close

Derivatives prices ended lower on the Athens Derivatives Exchange in subdued trade on Thursday, following declines in the two benchmark indices, FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40.

A total of 921 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index, worth 4.4 billion drachmas. The May expiring contract ended at 2,419.50 points, the June at 2,429 and the September contract at 2,446 points.

Another 674 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index with a turnover of 1.3 billion drachmas. The May expiring contract ended at 560.75 points and the June contract at 558.50 points.

[06] Ergoleasing-1999 results

Ergoleasing, real estate leasing company, on Thursday reported that its initiated contracts totalled 27 billion drachmas in 1999, up 40 percent compared with the previous year.

The company also announced that its turnover rose to 20.7 billion drachmas last year, from 18.1 bln in 1998, while its net pre-tax profit increased to 1.6 billion drachmas from 1.1 billion the previous year.

Ergoleasing's equity capital totals 14 billion drachmas following a share capital increase worth 12 billion drachmas last year.

The company has applied for listing on the main market of the Athens Stock Exchange.

[07] Venizelos - Reply - Berisha - Criticism

One of two top Greek politicians characterised this week by Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha as ?enemies? of his small Balkan country on Thursday dismissed the former Albania presidents allegations, simply noting that ?its unnecessary, I imagine, to say that these things are baseless?.

Former development minister Evangelos Venizelos and current Foreign Minister George Papandreou, both top ruling PASOK cadres in several Greek governments of the 1990s, came under fire by the nationalist Berisha this week, the leader of Albanias conservative Democratic Party.

While addressing party officials in the Albanian capital of Tirana in light of upcoming municipal elections, Berisha was quoted as saying that the two Greek officials have turned Albania into ?mafia protectorate?.

Venizelos, a noted constitutional law expert and one-time justice minister, responded on Friday by adding that ?? the common goal of all political forces, both in Greece and Albania, must be a constant improvement in bilateral relations in all sectors, as well as the safeguarding of peace and stability in the Balkans along with the paramount issue of respect of current borders?. Venizelos also stated in a press release that he ?hopes Mr. Berisha has not said, or in fact, believe (such claims).?

Berisha, a Tirana cardiologist who in the past served as the late Albanian dictator Enver Hoxhas personal physician, was also quoted as saying that ?Its true George Papandreou is an intermediary between Albania and the European Union, however, hes a foe of the Albanian opposition??

He also, among others, attacked Albanian ex-premier Fatos Nano as having close ties with the Greek FM and of travelling frequently to the Greek islands, and also claimed Venizelos was in close association with Albanian Finance Minister Anastas Aggeli whom he alleged was a ?go-between between the Albanian government and the Greek mafia? which are attempting to paralyze the countrys economy.?

In reply to the unprecedented criticism by the Albanian opposition leader against both the United States and the two Greek officials, a spokesman for the Albanian premier on Thursday said, ?the Democratic Party itself should solve Berishas problem. However, Berishas comments yesterday concern the Albanian government, because he accused the United States and certain Greek ministers?.

[08] ASE-close

Equity prices ended moderately lower on the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday hit by lack of fresh buying interest and a negative trend in international markets.

Trading conditions were subdued with turnover falling to 74 billion drachmas.

The general index ended at 4,358.26 points, down 0.52 percent, but off the day's lows of 4,300. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.91 percent lower at 2,442.84 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index ended at 579.78 points, off 0.28 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 738.32 points, down 0.26 percent.

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