Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis says in message national gains through struggles must be

[02] Finance minister says economy improving considerably

[03] Deputy FM to begin tour of Black Sea countries on Monday

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, local showers on Monday

[01] Simitis says in message national gains through struggles must be safeguarded

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in a message on Sunday marking Tuesday's national holiday commemorating the outbreak of the war with Italy on October 28, 1940, said that ''the era of 1940 has taught us that all that have been gained through struggles and sacrifices would be in danger if we do not have the foresight to stabilise our gains.''

The prime minister said that ''today, Greece is strong enough to confront new challenges and the relentless facts in the sector of the economy, with a high growth rate, with visible prospects for an increase in employment, with strong prerequisites for the real economic and social convergence with our advanced partners in the European Union, with planning and action for organised social care and protection for the sensitive groups of the population.''

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and political parties also issued their messages on the occasion.

[02] Finance minister says economy improving considerably

Finance and Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, speaking to the Greek Radio and Television Corporation's (ERT) television station in Crete on Sunday and referring to a speech by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, accused ND of trading on dangers regarding the economy and added that elections will be held at the end of the four-year term.

''In past years inflation has been decreasing and it is approaching the European average more. All macroeconomic indicators, particularly that of the public debt, are showing a considerable improvement. The public debt in our country this year will be the lowest in the past 10 years at least,'' he said.

Christodoulakis went on to say ''all these are signs of a considerable improvement of the Greek economy. New Democracy does not see this improvement and is trading on dangers and describing the progress and prospects of the economy, using only the colour of grey.''

[03] Deputy FM to begin tour of Black Sea countries on Monday

Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Mangriotis will begin a tour of Black Sea countries and of Greek communities in the region as of Monday.

His first stop will be Odessa, in the Ukraine, where he will meet with representatives of the Greek community. He will also be proclaimed an honourary professor of the Humanitarian Studies Institute during his stay in the country.

Mangriotis will also be visiting Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday where he will be celebrating Greece's October 28 national holiday with the Greek community before going on to Tbilisi, Georgia, where his programme includes a meeting with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze.

On Friday, the deputy foreign minister will represent Greece at the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact's ministerial meeting in Baku, Azerbaidjan.

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, local showers on Monday

Cloud with local showers and storms are expected in the west which will gradually affect the rest of the country. Snow will also fall in mountainous areas in northern Greece. Winds southerly moderate to strong and very strong locally in sea regions. In the north, temperatures will range from 8C to 20C; in the west from 12C to 25C; and in the rest of the country from 19C to 27C. Temperatures in Athens between 15C and 24C; and in Thessaloniki from 10C to 18C.

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