Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-08-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM spokesman welcomes reforms inTurkey, calls for their speeding up

[02] Investigations continue into theft of weaponry from army depot on Kos

[03] Weather Forecast: Sunny, rise in temperatures on Monday

[01] FM spokesman welcomes reforms inTurkey, calls for their speeding up

Foreign ministry spokesman Panayotis Beglitis, referring to the recent adoption by the Turkish National Assembly of legislative reforms, said in a stement on Sunday that ''Greece firmly supports Turkey's European orientation, in accordance with the decisions of the (EU) European Council in Helsinki.''

''The adoption by the Turkish National Assembly of legislative reforms constitutes a positive step in the direction of the full implementation of the political and economic criteria of Copenhagen and of the Helsinki decisions,'' the spokesman added.

''The European Union and the member-states are awaiting the speeding up of the changes and the implementation of the acquis communautaire, as these are set out in the text of the partner relationship.

''At the same time, we are closely observing the practice of the Turkish authorities towards the self-ruled institutions of the Greek minority in Istanbul. This practice, which contravenes international treaties, will be assessed by the European Union within the context of the assessment procedure of the Turkish candidacy.''

[02] Investigations continue into theft of weaponry from army depot on Kos (adds)

The Army, assisted by security police, are continuing intensive investigations to track down those responsible for the theft of weaponry from an army depot on the island of Kos.

It was announced on Saturday that the theft was discovered late Friday night, during a regular inventory at the depot, and it is believed that the break-in occurred on Thursday night.

According to press reports, taking part in the investigations is a public prosecutor, while until late Saturday night all the officers at the army camp gave statements and all leave has been suspended.

The lists of all the officers and soldiers who have served in the specific camp are being investigated at the Army General Staff.

[03] Weather Forecast: Sunny, rise in temperatures on Monday

The weather will be sunny throughout Greece on Monday, with local cloud in the north in the afternoon. Winds will be westerly, light to moderate. Temperatures will range from 20 to 37 C in the north and in the Ionian, 21-39 C on the rest of the mainland, and 23-35 C in the Aegean. Athens will be sunny, with temperatures of 26-39 C. The same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures of 24-37 C.

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