Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-04-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM outlines goals of Greek EU presidency discussed by cabinet

[02] Greek EU presidency to cost 36 million euros

[03] Protesters rally outside Israeli embassy in Athens

[04] Greek president to Kazakhstan for talks on oil

[05] Environmentalist groups protest against public projects construction

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[07] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Thursday

[08] Greek stocks end lower for 10th consecutive session

[01] PM outlines goals of Greek EU presidency discussed by cabinet

The Greek presidency of the European Union would be the one to preside over Europe's enlargement, while Cyprus' accession to the Community would be concluded under its term, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Wednesday.

Simitis was speaking after a meeting of the cabinet to discuss preparations for Greece's stint in the EU's rotating presidency in the first half of 2003.

According to the Greek premier, Athens' presidency would mark the start of a new phase for Europe, which would have more members and a new set of targets.

[02] Greek EU presidency to cost 36 million euros

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis said on Wednesday Athens takes for granted that the ceremony for the signing of European Union accession agreements will take place here during the Greek EU presidency, due in the first half of 2003.

Yiannitsis was speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting which ratified his recommendation on the Greek presidency and, as he said, there was no disagreement or grumbling. The cost of the Greek presidency is expected to reach 36 million euros.

[03] Protesters rally outside Israeli embassy in Athens

Several thousand people gathered in front the Israeli embassy on Wednesday in a rally organized by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) affiliated PAME labor organization, condemning the stance of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and declared their support for the Palestinian Intifada.

Earlier in the day the protesters had marched through downtown Athens to protest the recently announced social security system reform package.

[04] Greek president to Kazakhstan for talks on oil

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to visit Kazakhstan this month for talks on the planned construction and operation of an oil pipeline from Bulgaria to Greece that will carry Russian oil, the Caspian News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agency said that Stephanopoulos' visit to the central Asian republic demonstrated Greece's determination to forge a deal with Kazakhstan on oil.

Greece recently held oil talks with Russia, which is acting as an intermediary in negotiations on the transporation of oil from Kazakhstan, the news agency added.

[05] Environmentalist groups protest against public projects construction bill

Environmentalist organizations protested in front the Parliament on Wednesday a draft bill currently being discussed on infrastructure projects at the south coastline of Attica and northeastern Athens metro municipalities.

The protesters demanded the withdrawal of a draft bill allowing the construction of transportation infrastructure, aiming to serve greater Athens during the Olympic Games and beyond.

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Indicative tourist buying rates per euro

U.S. dollar 0.887

Pound sterling 0.617

Danish kroner 7.493

Swedish kroner 9.135

Japanese yen 117.8

Swiss franc 1.474

Norwegian kroner 7.728

Cyprus pound 0.580

Canadian dollar 1.412

Australian dollar 1.670

[07] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Thursday

Cloud, rain and storms are forecast in all parts of the country, easing off from late afternoon. Winds variable, light to strong, turning very strong at sea. In the north, temperatures will range from 7C to 17C; in the Ionian and on the mainland from 9C to 19C; and in the Aegean islands from 12C to 21C. Showers in Athens with temperatures between 12C and 19C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 10C to 17C.

[08] Greek stocks end lower for 10th consecutive session

Equity prices remained under pressure on Wednesday to end lower for the 10th consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Traders said that stock prices succumbed more to lack of fresh buying interest and less to real selling as an intra-day effort to provide support to the market quickly evaporated.

The general index ended 0.53 percent lower at 2,201.33 points, with turnover at 83.7 million euros.

The Insurance, Banks and Holding sectors recorded the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.33 percent, 2.13 percent and 1.84 percent, respectively), while the Metals, Wholesale and Textile sectors scored gains (0.93 percent, 0.50 percent and 0.39 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.16 percent down, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.12 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.02 percent.

Broadly, decliners slightly outnumbered advancers by 156 to 155 with another 49 issues unchanged.

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