Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-07-02

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Temperatures to edge up on Wednesday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[03] Simitis presents account of EU Presidency to Europarliament

[01] Weather Forecast: Temperatures to edge up on Wednesday

Hot, sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country. Winds northerly, light. In the west, temperatures will range from 22C to 40C; on the mainland from 20C to 39C; and in the Aegean islands from 24C to 36C. Temperatures in Athens will range between 22C and 39C; and in Thessaloniki from 22C to 38C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.163

Pound sterling 0.701

Danish kroner 7.489

Swedish kroner 9.270

Japanese yen 139.3

Swiss franc 1.570

Norwegian kroner 8.374

Cyprus pound 0.591

Canadian dollar 1.566

Australian dollar 1.721

[03] Simitis presents account of EU Presidency to Europarliament

STRASBOURG (ANA - O. Tsipira) -- Outgoing European Council President and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the European Parliament (EP) here on Tuesday wrapped up the Greek European Union presidency with a statement reviewing his country's six-month tenure at the head of the bloc, as successor Italy is officially taking the lead in the spotlight of the EU.

''I feel that this past semester Europe went through a period of transformation,'' Simitis told the EP plenary session, adding ''the events that took place during that time allowed the Union to take a look at its weaknesses, but also at its strong points; they made it more mature in the political arena, more decisive in taking action, at the same time clearly revealing a need for decision-making for the future of Europe.''

Premier Simitis recalled the five priorities of the Greek Presidency set out in December 2002, including EU enlargement, renewing the Lisbon process, managing the Convention on the future of Europe, taking new initiatives on illegal immigration and strengthening Europe's common foreign and security policy.

He said the Accession Treaty signed between the Union and the ten new members on April 15 in Athens, including the Cyprus Republic, constituted one of the most significant events in the course of the EU and sealed the reunification of Europe.

''It was a peak point in the presidency,'' he said.

On the draft EU Constitution, prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe and presented to the heads of state and government at the EU Thessaloniki Council, June 19-20, the Greek premier stated that the draft text was a ''very satisfactory basis'' for the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (opening in October) and that a final agreement should be reached by June 2004 at the latest, that is, before the European elections.

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