Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek PM reiterates Athens' support for Romania's Euro-Atlantic course

[02] 25 illegal migrants intercepted off Hios

[03] Hellenic Petroleum set for strategic investor end-April

[04] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[05] 49th Acropolis Rally scheduled for June 13

[06] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud on Wednesday

[07] Greek stocks end 0.99 percent down

[01] Greek PM reiterates Athens' support for Romania's Euro-Atlantic course

BUCHAREST (ANA) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday reiterated Athens long-standing support for Romanias NATO and European Union prospects, emphasising here that the large northwest Balkan countrys membership in both blocs would aid regional stability and growth.

Simitis comments in Bucharest followed high-level talks with Romanian leadership, including President Ion Iliescu and his counterpart Adrian Nastase, as the Greek prime minister arrived here for a one-day working visit aimed at advancing bilateral political and economic relations.

Both men also described bilateral relations as "exemplary".

Iliescu, in turn, welcomed Athens stance in favour of Romania's EU and NATO membership, while stressing the excellent level of relations between the two countries.

Apart from Romania's bids for EU and NATO membership and Greek-Romanian relations, the two leaders further discussed international affairs and Balkan issues.

Simitis briefed Iliescu on the outcome of his recent contacts with US President George Bush and the European Commission, while noting that the west believes Romania was on a steady course to achieving prescribed targets, but also that it should be aided in its efforts.

Simitis further pledged that Greece, which would hold the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2003, would contribute to "more decisive steps" for the incorporation of Romania into the Euro-Atlantic 'family'.

Talks with Nastase

Romanias NATO and EU prospects along with bilateral economic relations also dominated talks between Simitis and his Romanian counterpart Adrian Nastase.

Afterwards, the Greek premier announced an initiative by Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece to jointly promote Bucharests participation at an upcoming alliance summit in Prague.

Additionally, Simitis stated that Romania should begin negotiations on all the chapters dealing with EU accession this year, while promising that a Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003 will ?significantly assist in the progress of negotiations?.

Meanwhile, in terms of bilateral relations, Simitis unveiled a Greek-Romanian investment package worth US$ 70 million within the framework of a Balkan reconstruction plan -- to follow the signature of a relevant agreement.

[02] 25 illegal migrants intercepted off Hios

Twenty-five Afghan illegal immigrants aboard a total of seven inflatable dinghies, were intercepted off the eastern Aegean island of Hios early Monday morning. The migrants were reportedly attempting to cross a strait separating Greek territory from the Turkish coast.

All of the illegals were arrested and expected to appear before a local prosecutor.

[03] Hellenic Petroleum set for strategic investor end-April

The choice of a strategic investor for Hellenic Petroleum, a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, will be made at the end of April, the National Investment Bank for Industrial Develment (ETEVA) said on Tuesday.

Companies interested in the alliance and a 23 percent stake in state-owned Hellenic would be invited to send binding offers on March 8, said ETEVA, one of the government's consultants in the sale.

Non-binding offers submitted in the tender were from the OMV oil and natural gas group of Austria; Lukoil of Russia with the Latsis oil, banking and shipping group; and Yukos of Russia.

The goverment's other tender consultants are National Bank of Greece and UBS Warburg.

[04] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

Indicative tourist buying rates per euro

U.S. dollar 0.875

Pound sterling 0.616

Danish kroner 7.487

Swedish kroner 9.331

Japanese yen 116.61

Swiss franc 1.486

Norwegian kroner 7.917

Cyprus pound 0.580

Canadian dollar 1.399

Australian dollar 1.712

[05] 49th Acropolis Rally scheduled for June 13

The 49th Acropolis Rally will begin early on Thursday, June 13 from Delphi instead of the Athens Acropolis, changing venue after almost half a century's tradition.

This year's Acropolis Rally will be the 7th of the international championship and its course will be 1,225 kilometers in length, which will include 390 kilometers of special circuits.

The headquarters will be located in Itea, central Greece as they have been in the past, but there will be only on service park, located in Lilea, central Greece, which will be the starting point of each day's race section.

[06] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud on Wednesday

Scattered cloud is forecast throughout the country, turning to light rain in the west. The morning will be misty. Winds southwesterly, light to strong, turning very strong in the Ionian. In the north, temperatures will range from 1C to 18C; on the rest of the mainland and the Ionian from 4C to 20C; and in the Aegean islands from 10C to 18C. Mostly fair in Athens, with temperatures between 7C and 18C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 3C to 16C.

[07] Greek stocks end 0.99 percent down

Equity prices ended Tuesday's session lower on the Athens Stock Exchange following a similar trend in international markets.

The general index fell 0.99 percent to 2,563.22 points, with turnover a low Dr 34.9 billion, or 102.4 million euros.

The Insurance, Holding and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.69 percent, 1.64 percent and 1.51 percent, respectively) while the Textile and Cement sectors scored gains (0.26 percent and 0.24 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.19 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 1.08 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.56 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 249 to 78 with another 36 issues unchanged.

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