Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-12-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Friday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates: Friday

[03] PM reviews 2003 political developments; guarantee fund for SMEs set up

[01] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Friday

Sunshine is forecast in most parts of the country with morning frost on the mainland. Northerly winds will ease off. Temperatures are to rise, especially during the day, with a minimum of 0C and maximum of 12C in Athens; and in Thessaloniki, -3C to 9C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates: Friday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.250

Pound sterling 0.707

Danish kroner 7.502

Swedish kroner 9.155

Japanese yen 134.4

Swiss franc 1.568

Norwegian kroner 8.401

Cyprus pound 0.589

Canadian dollar 1.662

Australian dollar 1.697

[03] PM reviews 2003 political developments; guarantee fund for SMEs set up

Prime Minister Costas Simitis referred to several of the most significant events, as he said, of the past year during Thursdays Cabinet meeting, which focused on support for small-to-medium-sized enterprises.

During the meeting, the governments proposal for a new guarantee fund for SMEs was unveiled, with Simitis saying the body should facilitate smaller businesses' dealings with lenders.

Simitis also referred to preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games, the economy, anti-terrorism measures, major infrastructure works and the latest difficulties that arose, on the EU level, during the latest inter-governmental conference.

Specifically, Simitis said the main political development for 2003 was Greeces EU presidency during the first half of the year, which he said was acknowledged by all as successful.

He said the main issues encountered during the Greek presidency were the Iraq crisis and the accession agreement signed by 10 new EU members, including Cyprus.

?Cyprus is a member of the European Union and essentially concludes its (accession) process on May 1,? Simitis stressed.

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