Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek PM begins official visit to the Ukraine

[02] Greek Alternate FM ends Baltic tour by visiting Lithuania

[03] National Committee created for 'Future of Europe' dialogue

[04] FIBA official visits ATHOC HQ in Athens

[05] ''Classical Civilization'' exhibition showcases 800 exhibits in Berlin,

[06] Wednesday weather - Sunny all over the country

[07] Greek stocks fall 1.73 percent in ASE

[01] Greek PM begins official visit to the Ukraine

KIEV (ANA - H. Poulidou) Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis arrived in Kiev on Tuesday for an official visit that focused chiefly on ways to boost economic ties between Greece and the Ukraine.

In talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Anatoliy Kinakh, Simitis pledged Athens' support for the Ukraine's efforts to join the World Trade Organisation and to establish a closer relationship with NATO.

He expressed some reservations, however, regarding Kiev's desire to join the European Union and said that the Community ''would have to examine its next steps after enlargement was completed'', indicating that completing the present phase of enlargement was the EU's first priority.

Greece and the Ukraine also signed a bilateral agreement for mutual judicial assistance on Tuesday, which was signed by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Ukrainian Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynoych.

In a joint press conference after their meeting, the two prime ministers stressed the need to further develop economic ties between their two countries.

[02] Greek Alternate FM ends Baltic tour by visiting Lithuania

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis concluded his tour of Baltic states on Tuesday by visiting Lithuania, a foreign ministry announcement said.

He was received in the capital Vilnius by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, and had successive meetings with the head of the Lithuanian Parliament's European Affairs Committee Vytenis Andriukaitis, Deputy Foreign Minister Rytis Martikonis and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis.

Talks focused on European issues and particularly EU enlargement, Lithuania's progress toward EU accession and the future of Europe.

The Lithuanian side expressed its interest in the EU Common Agricultural Policy, outlined its positions regarding the Kaliningrad enclave and stressed the importance it attributes to the funding of the Ignalia nuclear power plant.

The two sides also discussed Lithuania's efforts to join NATO, for which it requested Greece's support.

Yiannitsis said Greece would support Lithuania's bid to join both the EU and NATO, while he also referred to Cyprus' EU accession.

On Tuesday afternoon, Yiannitsis addressed an event organised by the Lithuanian Forum for the Future of Europe at the Science Academy.

[03] National Committee created for 'Future of Europe' dialogue

A Greek National Committee of representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been set up in the framework of the ''Future of Europe'' dialogue.

The foreign ministry's ''Committee for Non-Governmental Organisations'' is organising regular meetings between Greek NGO's of European orientation.

The purpose of the meetings is a briefing on the ''Assembly'' processing ''The Future of Europe'' and organising the participation of NGOs in all stages of its work.

[04] FIBA official visits ATHOC HQ in Athens

FIBA construction coordinator Pier Luigi Marzorati on Tuesday visited the headquarters of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) and was briefed on the course of the preparations of the facilities for the basketball games of the Athens Olympics.

He visited the construction sites at Hellenikon, Peristeri, Zofrias and Marousi.

[05] ''Classical Civilization'' exhibition showcases 800 exhibits in Berlin, Bonn

The Greek Culture Foundation organized a very successful exhibition in Berlin, entitled ''Classical Civilization'' showcasing 800 exhibits from museums from all over the world.

The exhibition will now open in Bonn on July 11 and will be accompanied by several events, including lectures, dancing performances and scientific symposiums.

[06] Wednesday weather - Sunny all over the country

Sunny throughout Greece on Wednesday with a chance of scattered could later in the day in the central and northern parts of the country. Northerly winds, moderate to strong on the Aegean. Temperatures between 17C to 35C on the mainland, 22C to 30C on the islands.

Sunny in Athens with temperatures ranging between 23C to 35C. The same for Thessaloniki, 20C to 33C.

[07] Greek stocks fall 1.73 percent in ASE

Greek stocks suffered heavy losses on Tuesday reflecting investors' disappointment over analysts's gloomy forecasts over first half profits while a negative climate in other European markets also discouraged sentiment in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The general index ended 1.73 percent lower at 2,180.69 points, with turnover a low 58.9 million euros, remaining near its Monday's record-lows of the year.

The Textile, Insurance and Retail sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.48 percent, 3.32 percent and 3.15 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.18 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.25 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 1.89 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 310 to 23 with another 21 issues unchanged.

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