Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Venizelos: Cyprus solution a 'bridge' for Turkey to the EU

[02] Morgan Stanley index revisions hide no surprises for Greek bourse

[03] Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny on Sunday

[04] Posidonion 2002 conference on shipping to be held on Monday

[05] Merchant marine minister to inaugurate shipping exhibition on Tuesday

[06] Seven dead, dozens injured in bus-car collision near Lamia

[07] Australia's PM announces official visit by Greek President

[08] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Saturday

[09] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[01] Venizelos: Cyprus solution a 'bridge' for Turkey to the EU

ISTANBUL (ANA - A. Kourkoulas) A solution to the Cyprus problem would act as a bridge that would bring Turkey more quickly into the European Union, Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told a Istanbul conference on constitutional changes in the Community on Saturday.

He also noted that a solution on the divided island republic would ''pass through'' Europe's constitutional future and was an opportunity for the Turkish-Cypriot side and for Turkey.

The conference was organised by the European Centre for Public Law, in collaboration with Istanbul University and the Turkish Barristers Association.

The minister then noted that a stress on the constitutional aspects of the Cyprus issue was in some ways outdated, since discussion was now underway in Brussels with Turkey's participation on the form of the European Constitution.

During a meeting with Yilmaz on Friday and in statements to a meeting of Greek and Turkish business people, Venizelos had said that Athens was absolutely prepared to support and actively strive for Turkey's accession to the EU.

''We seek, want and hope for a European Turkey. Our goal is for Turkey to become a member of the EU as quickly as possible. This will not only be a huge success for Turkey but for Greece as well, since it will mean that the accession criteria set by the EU at Copenhagen have been met,'' he told the gathered business people.

[02] Morgan Stanley index revisions hide no surprises for Greek bourse

The Greek bourse inched up one place among European markets, from 15th to 14th, based on a revision of Morgan Stanley Capital International indices for developed markets that will be effective from Monday.

Overall, Friday's revision of MSCI developed market indices brought small and largely anticipated changes in the weighting of the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE).

The weighting of MSCI-Greece in the MSCI-Europe index went up to 0.55 per cent from 0.52 per cent, while it increased to 0.13 per cent from 0.12 per cent in the MSCI Standard All Country World.

[03] Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny on Sunday

Sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud from early evening. It may rain in Epirus, eastern Macedonia and Thrace and in the mountains of the western mainlands and Thessaly. Winds west-northwesterly, light, turning moderate at sea. On the northern mainland, temperatures will range from 12C to 27C; on the rest of the mainland from 15C to 30C; and in the islands from 18C to 26C. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 17C and 30C. Sunny in the morning in Thessaloniki, with scattered cloud and possibly rain from evening and temperatures from 14C to 27C.

[04] Posidonion 2002 conference on shipping to be held on Monday

The Posidonion 2002 conference will take place at the Athens Concert Hall on Monday, beginning at 9:00. The conference will discuss how the shipping industry has been affected by the wider economic, transport, trade and energy issues that have become key concerns in the globalised economy and by changes seen internationally.

These issues will be analysed in depth by a group of speakers that will attempt to give an overall picture of world trade and the challenges facing the shipping industry.

[05] Merchant marine minister to inaugurate shipping exhibition on Tuesday

The 'Posidonia 2002' shipping exhibition is to open its doors on Tuesday at the Pireus Exhibition Centre (OLP), after Merchant Marine Minister George Anomerities conducts the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 in the morning.

After the ceremony, the minister will tour all the pavilions in the exhibition, accompanied by Greek and foreign dignitaries and members of the shipping industry.

[06] Seven dead, dozens injured in bus-car collision near Lamia

Seven dead bodies have so far been pulled out of the wreckage of an inter-city bus that collided with an oncoming car on the old Lamia-Domokos highway on Saturday afternoon.

The bus was carrying 40 passengers at the time of the collision, at least 30 of whom have been reported injured and taken to the Domokos health centre and Lamia hospital.

Rescue teams are continuing efforts to free passengers from the wreckage of the bus, which veered off course after collided with the car and then capsized.

[07] Australia's PM announces official visit by Greek President

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard on Saturday said that he was looking forward to a meeting in Canberra with Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who will be visiting Australia between June 4-9.

Howard expressed satisfaction that the 2004 Olympic Games would be held in Greece, the birthplace of the Games, and his conviction that the Athens Olympiad would be a success.

He said that he and Stephanopoulos would cover a wide range of issues during their meeting on June 6, including a long-awaiting bilateral agreement on pensions that has been bogged down in negotiations.

He also referred to the strong ties between Greece and Australia as allies in the 20th century's two world wars and because of the large ethnic Greek community in the country.

Stephanopoulos will depart from Athens on Sunday, June 2 for a tour of Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, from which he will return on Wednesday, June 12.

[08] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Saturday

Sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud on the central and northern mainland from early evening. It may rain in eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Winds north-northwesterly, light to moderate, turning strong at sea in the south. On the northern mainland, temperatures will range from 13C to 26C; on the rest of the mainland from 16C to 30C; and in the islands from 18C to 26C. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 18C and 29C. Scattered cloud in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 17C to 26C.

[09] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Indicative tourist buying rates per euro until Monday

U.S. dollar 0.946

Pound sterling 0.645

Danish kroner 7.491

Swedish kroner 9.179

Japanese yen 117.3

Swiss franc 1.476

Norwegian kroner 7.537

Cyprus pound 0.583

Canadian dollar 1.449

Australian dollar 1.664

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