Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't eyes lower Athens airport fees

[02] Belgian PM calls on Turkey to stop blocking 'Euro-force'

[03] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow and storms on Monday

[01] Gov't eyes lower Athens airport fees

The government announced on Saturday that it was studying the possibility of slashing air transport fees at the recently opened Athens international airport, more than two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States continue to chill air travel.

Speaking from Thessaloniki, Transport Minister Christos Verelis said another meeting would take place at the finance ministry on Monday to finalise a proposal for a 10-percent cut in airport fees at Athens new Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

He added that decreases are expected to commence in early January.

Verelis spoke one day after Athens-based Axon Airlines -- one of the frontrunners in an international tender to buy a majority stake and assume the management of national carrier Olympic Airways -- announced that it was suspending operations.

[02] Belgian PM calls on Turkey to stop blocking 'Euro-force'

The ever-looming prospect of an ?Euro-army? and proposals for establishing a special force to guard the European Unions often porous external borders -- an issue of particular importance to Greece -- dominated talks here on Saturday between Greek PM Costas Simitis and his Belgian counterpart Guy Verhofstadt.

The Belgian premier, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency, denied claims that Turkey has been assured of the Aegean Sea and Cyprus exclusion from any future European Union forces operational responsibility.

On his part, Simitis said both sides agreed over the need to create a joint EU force charged with guarding the Unions borders.

[03] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow and storms on Monday

Rain and snow are expected in parts of the country on Monday, with gale-force winds continuing in the Aegean. Snow or sleet in the northeast, with local storms and snow in mountainous areas in the rest of the country. Winds north, northeasterly moderate to strong, turning gale force at sea. In the north, temperatures will range from -3C to 8C; on the rest of the mainland and the Ionian from -1C to 14C; and in the Aegean islands from 7C to 13C. Cloud with light rainfall in Athens, with snow on high ground around the city. Temperatures between 5C and 12C. Cloud expected in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 2C to 7C.

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