More than 25 organizations, parties and movements have been invited from Albania, Yugoslavia, Romania, Turkey, FYROM, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus. The Meeting will also be occupied with preparations for a fighting answer to he EU Summit Meeting of 2003

in Thessaloniki.

The works of the two-day meeting will be greeted by Greek Communist Party Secretary General Aleka Papariga, Thessaloniki Mayor candidate and member of the Political Secretariat of DIKKI, Giorgos Rokkos, member of the Communist Renewal, as well as represe ntatives of bodies and movements of Thessaloniki.

The tension started to rise when the Prime Minister reacted intensely to accusations of ND President that the present government is the only one that does not inform political leaders, and that shows the magnitude of its inability to fight for national i nterests. In fact, Mr. Karamanlis supported that the last Summit Meeting of EU leaders in Barcelona was unfavorable for our country, since all issues directly involving Greece, such as the Euroarmy, were postponed indefinitely, and are still pending.

Answering, the Prime Minister made mention of flag-waving and cultivating fear and uneasiness in the Greek people, noting that it was this government that has reached the greatest national achievements, achievements that have made Greece powerful, such a s its accession to the Economic Monetary Union.

Kostas Simitis referred to the meetings he had during the last four months with the Administration of the US, Russia and Japan, a fact that shows that "Greece's voice counts and that is a result of the government's efforts, not your denials".

"The fact that you can sit at the same table as your counterparts, is something you owe to Karamanlis, never forget that and never provoke", was the reply of Mr. Karamanlis, who added:

"It is obvious that Mr. Simitis is aiming at aggressiveness in order to cover up for not acting as he should have in certain cases. And do not accuse us of flag waving, because that is a very heavy term".

As far as the essence of the Nice Treaty is concerned, the Prime Minister underlined that with its approval, Greece comes out stronger, especially with the accession of Cyprus to the EU. At the same time he cauterized the position of both the KKE and the

Coalition of the Left, because he cannot comprehend how they can deny this national need.

He recognized that "we will never have the perfect adjustments to fully satisfy us", but that it should not deny Cyprus its incorporation to the EU.

"The Nice treaty may not respond to our vision, nor does it clear up the basic requirements for the enlargement", he noted and added:

"We want a Europe close to the citizen and society, with democratic institutions, without directorates and interventions from outside institutions. We want a powerful Europe, which means a powerful political union, stable and prosperous, and we are arriv ing with a complete schedule. The Greek Parliament will have the opportunity to contribute to this formation of Europe, and I call you to approve it".

The Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Papariga, was against approving the Treaty, which, she said, enlarges the chasm between the rich and the poor, and supports large capital at the expense of smaller businesses and employment, while

trespassing social rights.

At the same time she characterized the belief that political unification will protect the rights of the masses, that are reacting intensely, as delusions.

She also supported that the accession of Cyprus will lead to the entombment of a fair resolving of the Cyprus issue.

The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, referred to the dispute between the Prime Minister and the President of ND, by mentioning a repertoire of polarization in the two major parties, on an issue they both agree upon.

The latest victims are two illegal immigrants from Turkey of Kurdish decent, who entered an fenced in minefield in the Kastanies community in Evros, and were instantly killed when stepping on a mine, while one more was severely injured, and is being trea ted in critical condition in an Alexandroupoli hospital.

A similar tragedy took place in 1997, when a group of 67 Iraqis entered a minefield in the Vissa region. Three of them were killed, eleven were seriously injured, two of whom had to be amputated.

The visit will take place in the framework of cooperation of the prefectures of Evros and Hascovo, and in its duration, issues included in the cooperation protocol signed by both sides, will be discussed. These issues will concern regional development, i nter-border cooperation, administrative and financial issues, as well as emergency situation and political protection issues.

important events of the Patriarchy will broadcasted through the Internet, while the infrastructure created at Fanari, will allow the Ecumenical Patriarchy to participate in teleconferences.