Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-08-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign ministry: a pro-Europe stance in Turkey suits Greek interests

[02] Emblem for Greek EU presidency to be unveiled in Nov.

[03] Athens extends its Balkan reconstruction plan to Albania

[04] Athens' positions on 'Earth Summit' detailed

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[06] Weather: Mostly sunny on Tuesday

[07] Greek stocks end slightly lower on Monday

[01] Foreign ministry: a pro-Europe stance in Turkey suits Greek interests

It is in Greece's interests for pro-European forces in Turkey to become stronger, as well as being in the interests of Turkey and security in the wider region, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said on Monday in response to reporters' questions.

Greece would decide its final stance at the EU summit in Copenhagen in December within this framework, he added.

The spokesman also noted that Cyprus accession to the EU had become linked with Turkey's European prospects and that this was now an established situation, which meant that Turkey had to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

He pointed out that Foreign Minister George Papandreou had repeatedly said that all scenarios and possibilities related to Turkey were being looked into, in view of Cyprus' EU accession.

[02] Emblem for Greek EU presidency to be unveiled in Nov.

The government is expected to officially unveil the emblem for Greeces rotating European Union presidency (first half of 2003) by November, it was announced on Monday.

A committee headed by Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis has reportedly narrowed down the field of some 200 proposals down to four or five, while according to sources, the foreign ministrys leadership has already decided on one design, with only Prime Minister Costas Simitis final approval pending.

The selected emblem will figure on stationary and publications issued by the Greek EU presidency.

[03] Athens extends its Balkan reconstruction plan to Albania

TIRANA (ANA M. Vihou) -- Athens extended the scope of its ambitious Balkan Reconstruction Plan to Albania on Monday, signing a bilateral agreement here with the neighbouring state to the northwest worth 50 million euros between 2002 and 2006.

The plan mostly envisions high-priority infrastructure projects in cash-strapped Albania, including improvements in the power supply network, but also funding for education, health and civil servant training programmes, among others.

?Greece, with this specific agreement proves, in practice, its affinity with the Albanian people. In terms of geography, we are two neighbouring peoples that live together; it does not matter which of the two is more prosperous. What does matter is the consolidation of peace and friendship, security and stability, as well as the fight against terrorism,? Greek deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos stressed afterwards.

The Greek minister emphasised the fight against terrorism and organised crime in his comments, saying it now ranks as a primary goal for the entire Balkan region.

On his part, Albanian Economy Minister Arben Malaj thanked Athens for its support, while expressing a hope that bilateral cooperation will continue to grow, a fact he said will have positive repercussions for the large number of Albanian nationals that crossed into Greece over the past decade in search of a better future.

[04] Athens' positions on 'Earth Summit' detailed

Greeces positions at the Johannesburg ?Earth Summit? on sustainable development, which began on Monday and lasts until Sept. 4, were the focus of a press conference at the foreign ministry here the same day.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who will lead the Greek delegation at the summit, as well as Public Works and Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou, outlined Athens stance.

The foreign minister noted that Greece, as a member of the current European troika, would make every effort to promote ?environmental diplomacy? and a specific action plan along with commitments/deadlines for meeting environmental goals.

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 0.977

Pound sterling 0.643

Danish kroner 7.484

Swedish kroner 9.205

Japanese yen 117.0

Swiss franc 1.481

Norwegian kroner 7.448

Cyprus pound 0.578

Canadian dollar 1.521

Australian dollar 1.798

[06] Weather: Mostly sunny on Tuesday

Mostly sunny throughout Greece on Tuesday, with local cloud and possible showers or storms in the mainland to the north. Winds southwesterly, light to moderate, in the west; northerly, strong to very strong, in the east and rising to gale force in the Aegean. Temperatures between 17C to 31C in the north; 18C to 33C in the rest of the mainland and Ionian; and 22C to 30C in the Aegean. Sunny in Athens, 22C to 33C; same in Thessaloniki, 20C to 31C.

[07] Greek stocks end slightly lower on Monday

Greek stocks ended Monday's session slightly lower with the Athens Stock Exchange finding support at the 2,170 level.

The general index fell 0.11 percent to end at 2,173,89 points, with turnover a low 67.2 million euros.

The Holding, IT, Investment and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.63 percent, 1.53 percent, 1.35 percent and 1.34 percent, respectively), while the Retail, Banks and Cement sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (0.53 percent, 0.20 percent and 0.05 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.02 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.55 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.30 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 176 to 115 with another 60 issues unchanged.

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