Of the people who responded to the questionnaire, 66% believe that before suggesting a candidate for the Presidency the government should enter a consultation with the main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK, while 29.6% believe that the government shou ld propose a candidate and PASOK can express its position afterwards.

Former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is the most favorite for the post with 56.3%, followed by Coalition President Nikos Konstantopoulos with 46.2% and Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis with 41.7%.

The Greek National Defense General Staff points out that the Turkish allegations according to which the use of flares is normal are groundless, because the launch of flares within the framework of NATO and in time of peace is regulated by a series of res trictions.

Flare launches can take place only in specific regions set for this purpose and according to mutually acceptable restrictions. The interception-identification procedure is always done with the use of aircraft radar to make the identification procedure as

safe as possible for the aircraft involved.

For the record, a total of 24,000 people watched screenings of films in the first four days of the Film Festival.

A total of 5,000 cinema lovers watched the film screenings on the first day of the festival's formal opening, while on the second day they reached 6,694.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos, responding to allegations by PASOK officials that the contract by the government of New Democracy is similar to a contract reached when PASOK was in government, stated that since March 7 the government has not signed contracts without

the legal guarantees that will safeguard public interest.

Mr. Voulgarakis met in Iraklion, Crete today with 9-year-old Vasilis Kokotakis, who was injured when a gun backfired on October 1. The young school student asked for measures to be taken in order to be the last victim.

A total of 650 branches of Greek banks are open around the world, while the countries with the most branches, apart from Cyprus, are Romania 36, Albania 31, United States 31, Bulgaria 25 and Britain 23.

The cities with most Greek bank branches are London 19, Bucharest 15, Tirana 10 and Sofia 8. The three Greek banks with most branches are the National Bank of Greece 110, Piraeus Bank 102 and Alpha Bank 64.

Of the stocks trading today, 114 had gains and 159 had losses, while the value of 147 stocks remained unchanged.

He is regarded as one of the most important creators in the European cinema in spite of the fact that in his 40-year-old career he has completed only two short movies and three films.

Erice referred to the importance the meaning of time has in his films, stressing that time is probably the essence of cinema and the flow of time can be presented in the best way through cinema. He made the comment while referring to his new film "Ten mi nutes older" in which, each one of the film directors participating in it has 10 minutes to express what they see as time.

Regarding the small number of films he has created, he commented that he has prepared many other films as well but they have not reached the production stage because this has to do with the conditions in film industry.

He also stated that detail is important to understand the music and rhythm he wants to get across through his pictures.

Erice directed his first film in 1968 and became known in 1973 with the film "El espiritu de la colmena".

The issue of discussion was the factors affecting military cooperation and armaments programs in the enlarged EU environment. Mr. Michaloliakos referred to the initiatives aimed at the modernization of the military capabilities of the European states to be able to respond to the new security environment.

He mentioned that the EU has to be able to act and deter and not simply react and underlined that Greece together with the rest EU member states has set common goals: the protection of common values and fundamental EU interests, the strengthening of the EU security, the preservation of peace and the strengthening of international security as well as, the promotion of international cooperation, the strengthening of democracy and the state of law, including human rights.

Mr. Papastamkos expressed support to the country's European course and acknowledged the positive message of the November 7 referendum results as a development that safeguards the unity of a multicultural state. However, he pointed out that there are stil l many challenges that need to be faced regarding crucial political, economic and social reforms.

The Greek Euro-deputy stressed that FYROM should seize the historic opportunity for closer relations with the EU through the display of consistency and determination for the complete implementation of the framework agreement and the European adjustment a genda. He also underlined that the total incorporation of FYROM into the European integration procedure will contribute to the further political stability in the region.

Mr. Papastamkos stated characteristically that the common European target is for the region to enter a new era of stability, peace and security. He added that the European Union respects the national identity of each member state but presupposes the tran scendence of national stereotypes through dialogue and consensus as well as inter-border cooperation.

The dispute over the FYROM name should be resolved within this framework of dialogue and good neighborly relations for the overall good relations between Greece and FYROM to be further strengthened, stated Mr. Papastamkos under his authority as a Greek E uro-deputy.

Mr. Papastamkos also pointed out that for a country to have a higher-level cooperation with the EU and much more to become a full EU member will have to ensure the approval of all member states.

Greece ranks 22nd in the world in terms of quality of life, which is a very good position given the fact that the per capita income ranks lower at the 27th place.

To determine the quality of life a number of important factors are taken into consideration namely, not only how rich the people are but other factors as well that are important to people like, family life, life in the community, climate, geography and s afety at the workplace, factors that make Greece a very attractive place to live in.

According to the Economist special edition, economic growth in Greece in 2005 will be over the EU average at around 3.4% compared to the Euro-zone average, which will be at 2%. Regarding inflation, it will be at 2.9% which is not ideal neither alarming.

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