Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-12-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Putin arrives in Athens on Thursday

[02] Actress Irene Papas elected "Woman of Europe"

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[04] Weather Forecast: Showery on Thursday

[05] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise after blue chip buying spree

[06] Athens bus drivers call off work stoppages

[07] Ferries sail from Piraeus, Rafina after four-day weather ban

[01] Putin arrives in Athens on Thursday

Authorities in the Greek capital announced that extra traffic measures would be implemented for this weeks visit to Athens by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian leader arrives on Thursday for a three-day official visit, following an invitation by his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Additionally, he will also meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and sign several bilateral agreements.

In published press statements here on Wednesday, Putin was quoted saying he considers Greece a ?bridge for Russias approach to the European Union.?

In an interview published by the Athens daily ?Eleftherotypia?, the Russian president also noted that ?many things unite the two countries, even when they belonged to different ideological camps?.

[02] Actress Irene Papas elected "Woman of Europe"

BRUSSELS (ANA - B. Demiris) - Renowned Greek actress Irene Papas was awarded on Wednesday the "Woman of Europe" title, during elections held by the International Association for the promotion of the rights of women in Europe.

Papas was elected for her contribution in promoting European civilization throughout her artistic career and her initiatives for communication and cooperation of European artists and the promotion of the European cultural heritage.

Cypriot psychologist Stella Kyriakides and Spanish medical doctor Carmen Maroto came second and third respectively, among a total of 10 candidates.

Niki Goulandris was the last Greek to win the title in 1990.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Indicative tourist buying rates

U.S. dollar 378.990

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 539.110

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 045.399

Swedish kroner 035.785

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 304.976

Swiss franc 229.214

Norwegian kroner 042.253

Cyprus pound 588.504

Canadian dollar 240.846

Australian dollar 195.126

[04] Weather Forecast: Showery on Thursday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country on Thursday, with showers in the west, centre and south. Winds northerly, moderate to very strong, turning gale force in the northern Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from -2C to 9C; in the west from 0C to 16C; and in the rest of the country from 2C to 14C. Cloud and drizzle in Athens, with temperatures between 6C and 13C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 0C to 9C.

[05] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise after blue chip buying spree

The Athens bourse finished higher on Wednesday, fuelled by a short burst of buying in selected blue chips around mid-session that took prices higher after a small rise at the start of trade.

The general share index gained 0.76 percent to end at 2,703.08 points. Turnover was 152.38 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.81 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalisation paper 0.97 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities 0.72 percent up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 239 to 73 with 48 issues remaining unchanged.

[06] Athens bus drivers call off work stoppages

Athens bus drivers on Wednesday called off three days of work stoppages they had announced for this week after reaching agreement with management on the need for a review of routes and hygiene facilities at bus terminals.

The strikes were originally scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from the start of the shift until 07:00, and from 22:00 until the end of the working day.

[07] Ferries sail from Piraeus, Rafina after four-day weather ban

Ferry routes from Piraeus and Rafina resumed normal operations when high winds abated on Wednesday, after having been suspended due to bad weather for nearly four days.

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