Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-10-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece-Turkey-FMs-Awards

[02] Thessaloniki-Celebrations-Stephanopoulos

[03] Greece-Turkey-Relations-Balkan summit

[04] Simitis-Balkan Summit-Statements

[05] Stock Market-Close

[06] Sports roundup

[07] Fuel prices - Indicative prices

[01] Greece-Turkey-FMs-Awards

Foreign Minister George Papandreou has addressed a letter to the President of the Atlantic Treaty Union, requesting that the presentation of awards to both himself and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem be postponed.

The presentation of awards to the two foreign ministers had been scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on October 31, on the sidelines of the Atlantic Treaty Union's 46th annual session.

Explaining his decision, Papandreou invoked the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations and mainly developments taht took place during the NATO exercise Destined Glory.

Greece on Sunday pulled out from the NATO Turkish based exercise Destined Glory 2000 after Turkey banned Greek warplanes and ships from entering its territory.

However, Papandreou will be going to Budapest on October 31 to attend the session.

[02] Thessaloniki-Celebrations-Stephanopoulos

Official events marking the triple celebration of the city of Thessaloniki's liberation from Turkish rule, the city's patron Saint Dimitrios and the anniversary of the outbreak of war with Italy on October 28 1940 (Ochi Day), will start in Thessaloniki on Thursday in the presence of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will be represented by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, while main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, ministers, party representatives, deputies and the armed forces' leadership will also be present.

[03] Greece-Turkey-Relations-Balkan summit

SKOPJE (ANA M. Savva) Greece believes that there is only one problem to be resolved between Greece and Turkey, that of the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Wednesday, during a joint press conference of Balkan leaders, here, at the end of an informal summit.

He added that it would be positive in any case to ?exchange views and to try to find common answers to many problems we confront in our region?.

[04] Simitis-Balkan Summit-Statements

SKOPJE (ANA - M. Savva) - Prime Minister Costas Simitis said here on Wednesday the policy of cooperation, as well as the democratisation and development process in the Balkans, should continue with the purpose of achieving reconstruction and security in the region.

Speaking at a joint press conference with leaders of southeastern European countries at the end of an informal Balkan Summit, Simitis also said that rules of international law should be applied since investments and cooperation cannot proceed in an insecure environment.

Simitis referred to cooperation between countries in southeastern Europe and the European Union, saying that integration in Europe was the best guarantee for cooperation and this should be the direction to be followed.

[05] Stock Market-Close

Equities showed some small signs of consolidation on Wednesday with buying seen in high capitalisation stocks but medium- and small-capitalisation stocks were hard hit.

The general index ended 0.15 percent lower at 3,749.08 points.

Most heavily traded were telecoms shares, reflecting a recent tendency in other European bouses.

[06] Sports roundup

Soccer

Wednesday evenings Champions League matchup in Athens between Olympiakos Piraeus and Valencia may not mean much for the high-flying Spanish club that has already qualified for the second round, but for last years Greek league champions the game is critical.

Valencia coach Hector Cuper is expected to rest several of his star players, while Slovenian offensive midfielder Zlatko Zahovic remained in Spain, ostensibly to rest. Zahovic, who played for one turmoil-ridden season with Olympiakos last year after departing Portugals Porto, claimed he had received threatening e-mail messages on his Internet site from Olympiakos fans.

For embattled Olympiakos coach Yiannis Matzourakis a poor showing could spell a quick exit from the coachs post. Meanwhile, one-time Roma striker Lambros Choutos, a promising standout with the under-21 Greek national team, is expected to start for Olympiakos.

[07] Fuel prices - Indicative prices

The government hiked indicative gasoline prices on Wednesday, while lowering diesel and heating oil a few drachmas after consecutive increases the previous weeks. The regular suggested retail price settings every Wednesday are effective for one week.

Super and unleaded petrol prices increased by four drachmas per litre, while diesel fell by four drachmas and heating oil by three drachmas per litre.

Specifically, in the greater Athens area and Thessaloniki prefecture, super gasoline will sell for a suggested retail price of 283.7 drachmas per litre; unleaded for 267.8; diesel for 253.1, and heating oil for 154.3 drachmas per litre. (One US dollar equals about 410 drachmas)

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