Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-03-27

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[02] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

[03] Simitis: EU wants central role for UN in post-war Iraq

[01] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.075

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.290

Japanese yen 129.2

Swiss franc 1.485

Norwegian kroner 7.876

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.579

Australian dollar 1.797

[02] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

Sunshine is forecast in all parts of the country. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong in parts of the eastern Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 0C to 19C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 3C to 21C; and in the Aegean islands from 6C to 18C. Temperatures in Athens between 5C and 20C; and in Thessaloniki from 2C to 19C.

[03] Simitis: EU wants central role for UN in post-war Iraq

BRUSSELS (ANA) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the current European Council president-in-office, on Wednesday stressed that EU leaders proceeded with a spring summit focusing on the situation in the Unions economic and social sectors as planned, instead of allowing it to become a ?victim of the war? -- a direct reference to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

Speaking before the European Parliament's plenary, Simitis said European leaders are eminently interested in developments in Iraq, ?were saddened by the loss of human life and for the Iraqi civilian population. That does not mean, however, that we must abandon our primary mission, which are our policies for economic development and employment in Europe, particularly in todays era of economic slowdown and an increase of unemployment.?

The Greek premier emphasised that any cancellation of the summit or its holding exclusively to focus on the Iraqi crisis would ?serve only those who want to stress Europes weakness in the face of critical situations.?

He added that the Council agreed on a common position, citing the need to ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq and to face possible serious humanitarian problems that may arise from the ongoing warfare, as well as the Unions solidarity to countries affected by the crisis.

Moreover, the Greek premier said the Council agreed over the United Nations central role vis-a-vis the current crisis and, in general, over the need to ensure the international political system, saying that the Security Council should give the UN the mandate for the post-war period in Iraq.

Other aspects of the common statement, he said, included agreement over the need to rekindle the Middle East peace process; the blocs decisiveness to strengthen its Common Foreign and Defence Policy as well as to focus on the importance of trans-Atlantic relations.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article