Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-12-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Solving the Cyprus problem the next step after Copenhagen, PM tells

[02] Fish come to fishermen in a real life 'tale' in Kavala, N. Greece

[03] Surgical achievement at Athens Medical

[04] Macedonia-Thrace minister announces Greek EU presidency's Balkan

[05] Greek First Division soccer results - standings

[06] Weather Forecast: Cloudy, showery on Tuesday

[07] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks slip in flaccid trade

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[01] Solving the Cyprus problem the next step after Copenhagen, PM tells President

The next step after Copenhagen and the decision for Cyprus' accession to the European Union should be a solution to the Cyprus problem, preferably within the deadlines, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Monday as he emerged from a meeting with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

During the one-hour meeting, Simitis briefed the president on the events at the EU summit and also thanked Stephanopoulos for the part he played in achieving a good result in Copenhagen through his international contacts.

The government would work in order to bring about an end to the division on Cyprus and would seek a solution that was just, viable and functional, the prime minister added.

On the premier's arrival, Stephanopoulos expressed satisfaction at the summit's results and Cyprus entry into the Community, stressing that this was the first active recognition that right was on Cyprus' side. He also congratulated the government and Simitis in person for his success in a very difficult mission and the leader of main opposition New Democracy for his role in bringing about the desired result.

[02] Fish come to fishermen in a real life 'tale' in Kavala, N. Greece

The northern Greek port city of Kavala witnessed a bizarre, but rather tasty, event on Sunday when a large number of fish suddenly began to jump out of the sea and into fishermen's boats and onto the rocks.

Apparently, a school of fish was passing by the coast when, as fishermen speculated, dolphins attacked it and the fish literally jumped out of the water to avoid the unexpected danger only to land in frying pans.

Of course, the fishermen did not lose the opportunity to collect this effortless gain that comes once in a lifetime and makes up for the honest-to-goodness fishermen's tale.

[03] Surgical achievement at Athens Medical

A surgical achievement occurred at the Athens Medical where, according to an announcement by the company, a group of doctors headed by surgeon Nikolas Souras removed a big toe from a patient and attached it to his hand to replace a thumb.

The patient was a 19-year-old man who had his right hand thumb and index finger mutilated by a machine.

Souras said in a statement the patient's new thumb will have both a perfect appearance and function and will be comparable absolutely with his lost thumb.

[04] Macedonia-Thrace minister announces Greek EU presidency's Balkan priorities

Macedonia and Thrace Minister George Paschalidis on Monday announced the priorities of the Greek EU presidency for southeastern Europe, following an agreement with Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Speaking in Thessaloniki during a press conference as part of a Stability Pact meeting, Paschalidis stressed that the Greek EU presidency will pay special attention to the conditions and prospects of southeastern Europe.

These priorities, he said, include support for peace, stability and democratic development, promotion of the stabilization process and the joint confrontation of crime.

[05] Greek First Division soccer results - standings

Results of Greek First Division soccer matches played over the weekend and Monday:

OFI Crete-Aegaleo Athens 2-2

Panahaiki Patra-Akratitos Athens 2-0

Kalithea Athens-Ioannina 2-2

Ionikos Piraeus-Proodeftiki Piraeus 0-1

Xanthi-Panathinaikos Athens 0-0

Olympiakos Piraeus-Panionios Athens 3-0

Aris Thessaloniki-PAOK Thessaloniki 2-0

Iraklis Thessaloniki-AEK Athens 0-2

Standings and points after 11 matches played:

Olympiakos Piraeus 23 points, Aris Thessaloniki 21, PAOK Thessaloniki 21, Panathinaikos Athens 20, AEK Athens 18, Iraklis Thessaloniki 18, Proodeftiki Piraeus 17, Xanthi 16, Panionios Athens 15, Aegaleo Athens 13, OFI Crete 11, Kalithea Athens 11, Ionikos Piraeus 10, Akratitos Athens 8, Ioannina 7, Panahaiki Patra 4.

[06] Weather Forecast: Cloudy, showery on Tuesday

Cloudy and showery weather is forecast in most parts of the country with storms in the south and light snowfall on high ground. Snow is also expected in low lying areas of Macedonia. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong in parts of the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 01C to 07C; in the west from 05C to 15C; and in the rest of the country from 04C to 14C. Temperatures in Athens between 08C and 12C; and in Thessaloniki from 05C to 07C.

[07] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks slip in flaccid trade

The Athens bourse finished lower on Monday in lacklustre trade with downward pressure seen in most of the session.

The general share index shed 0.17 percent to end at 1,817.35 points. Turnover was 71.2 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.03 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalisation paper 0.32 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished 0.53 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 178 to 102 with 76 issues remaining unchanged.

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.029

Pound sterling 0.647

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.201

Japanese yen 124.6

Swiss franc 1.488

Norwegian kroner 7.368

Cyprus pound 0.577

Canadian dollar 1.608

Australian dollar 1.821

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