Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-05-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Hot and sunny on Thursday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[03] EU Presidency: Greek premier Simitis visits Lithuania, Latvia

[01] Weather Forecast: Hot and sunny on Thursday

Hot, sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country. Winds northerly, light to strong, turning very strong in parts of the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 13C to 31C; in the west from 15C to 33C; and in the rest of the country from 16C to 30C. Temperatures in Athens between 18C and 30C; and in Thessaloniki from 15C to 29C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.151

Pound sterling 0.717

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.180

Japanese yen 134.6

Swiss franc 1.526

Norwegian kroner 7.930

Cyprus pound 0.592

Canadian dollar 1.601

Australian dollar 1.794

[03] EU Presidency: Greek premier Simitis visits Lithuania, Latvia

Prime minister and European Council President-in-office Costas Simitis met with his Lithuanian counterpart Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas in Vilnius on Wednesday, the sixth stop in his tour of European Union member-states and acceding countries.

The two premiers talks were held during a working luncheon, also attended by their respective delegations, and later gave a press conference.

Brazauskas stressed that the Greek EU Presidency was a highly important one as it was marked by some significant events, such as the EU Accession Treaties of the 10 acceding countries, signed in Athens on April 16. The Lithuanian premier also pointed to the importance of Junes Thessaloniki EU Council.

He added that his discussion with Simitis touched upon a number of European affairs, including the European constitution and the work of the European Convention on the Future of Europe.

Simitis congratulated the people of Lithuania on their successful efforts safeguarding their countrys entry into the European bloc.

Continuing his tour, Simitis visited Riga, Latvia and met with the country's Prime Minister Einars Repse. Following their meeting the two men held a press conference.

''The visit of Mr. Constantinos Simitis in our country coincides with the events we have here, in the framework of ''European Week'' and it is symbolic, in light of the referendum that will take place in Latvia, in September, for the accession of our country in the European Union,'' Repse said.

On his part, Simitis lauded the successful efforts of Latvia in entering the European Union, adding that his presence in the country was due to the June Summit that will take place in Thessaloniki and will focus on the future European Union Constitution.

''We will discuss, also, illegal immigration, the conditions in the Western Balkans, Iraq and the Middle East, as well as the common defense and security policy and the decision the EU will make will be the one to be handed to the Presidency for the meeting with U.S. President George Bush in late June,'' Simitis said.

''Our first priority is the formulation of a common European policy of defense and security, aiming to make Europe strong and autonomous, a Europe that will have good relations with the US,'' Simitis said.

The next stop in Simitis' tour on Thursday will be Poland.

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