Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-12-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Diplomatic activity over Cyprus intensifies as Greek FM in Ankara for

[02] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Wednesday

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[01] Diplomatic activity over Cyprus intensifies as Greek FM in Ankara for talks

ANKARA (ANA - A. Kourkoulas) -- Unprecedented diplomatic activity to solve the long-standing Cyprus problem, in light of the recently tabled Annan peace plan and the island republics imminent European Union accession, continued in Ankara on Tuesday, with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou set to meet practically all of the neighbouring countrys leadership.

The Greek foreign minister was first received by new Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, with talks focusing directly on a timely solution for Cyprus, the island republics bright EU prospects as well as the closely watched issue of whether Turkey will receive a fixed date at the Copenhagen Summit next week for starting negotiations with the Union.

Afterwards, Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and a former ambassador to the UN, hosted a luncheon for his Greek counterpart. Additionally, Papandreou is expected to meet with powerful Justice and Development party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former Istanbul mayor and the winner of Turkeys general elections last month.

Other contacts on Papandreous marathon-pace schedule include meetings with Turkish opposition parliament leader Deniz Baikal, who heads the Republican People's (CHP) party, and former ?finance ministry czar? and ex-World Bank senior official Kemal Dervis, who also joined CHP before the recent elections. Finally, Papandreou will also meet with former Turkish FM Ismail Cem before returning to Athens.

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[02] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Wednesday

Rain and storms are forecast on the mainland and in the Ionian, spreading to the rest of the country by the end of the day. Winds southerly, strong to very strong, turning gale force in the Aegean and Ionian. In the north, temperatures will range from 09C to 16C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 11C to 18C; and in the Aegean islands from 14C to 19C. Temperatures in Athens between 13C and 18C; and in Thessaloniki from 12C to 15C.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.004

Pound sterling 0.642

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.108

Japanese yen 125.0

Swiss franc 1.483

Norwegian kroner 7.333

Cyprus pound 0.577

Canadian dollar 1.564

Australian dollar 1.797

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