Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-10-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis chairs top foreign policy meeting; FM on Cyprus issue, Iraq

[02] 'Defendory ' trade fair opens in Piraeus

[03] Greece's 20 years in Europe commemorated in an album

[04] National Theater to stage ''Antigone'' in Rome

[05] Greece's 20 years in Europe commemorated in an album

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunny in many areas on Wednesday

[07] National Bank leads Greek stocks to lower closing

[01] Simitis chairs top foreign policy meeting; FM on Cyprus issue, Iraq

Prime Minister Costas Simitis chaired a high-ranking government meeting on Tuesday focusing on foreign policy, in light of an upcoming working visit to Athens by Danish Prime Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the current president of the European Union.

Afterwards, in comments to reporters, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said an EU summit at the end of the month will record ?several significant decisions? regarding the Unions closely watched expansion, namely, which candidate countries will be selected for the final process leading to EU accession.

?We have every hope that Cyprus will be amongst those countries. Cyprus is a front-runner in efforts to incorporate the EUs acquis communautaire, and we believe that the right steps have been made to ensure the best prospect,? Papandreou said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the ongoing Iraq crisis, the Greek FM said an outcome is pending and that serious discussion is continuing at the United Nations Security Council. He nevertheless expressed a hope that Baghdads recent decision to allow back UN weapons inspectors will ?open the doors to subsequent moves towards a diplomatic solution?.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis also attended the meeting.

[02] 'Defendory ' trade fair opens in Piraeus

The international conventional weapons system trade fair 'Defendory 2002' opened at the Piraeus Port Authority exhibition centre on Tuesday, inaugurated by Greek Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

There are 500 companies from 35 countries taking part in this year's Defendory, which ends on October 5 and features land, sea and air weapons systems. Russia is particularly strongly represented, with 35 companies and the same number of pavilions.

In statements at the opening, Papantoniou noted the need for a unified European strategy for the defence industry, while reiterating that the Grek government planned to increase its support of the domestic arms industry over the next 3-4 years, upping its contribution to arms programmes from 12 to 20 per cent.

He also announced that developments in Iraq would be discussed by EU defence ministers in Rethymno on October 4-5.

[03] Greece's 20 years in Europe commemorated in an album

The European Union European Commission Representation in Greece on Tuesday launched a deluxe edition of an interesting commemorative album commemorating Greeces twenty-year participation in the European Union.

Published by the Hellenic Literary and Historic Archives (ELIA) and including over 300 pages with texts and illustrations from Greeces 20-year-long journey in the EU, the book was presented at a special event held in the foreign ministrys amphitheater,.

Attending the event, Environment, Town Planning and Public Projects Minister Vasso Papandreou said ?twenty years after our accession to the EU, the feeling that we belong with Europe is deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Greek people; the circulation of the Euro, the symbol of European identity in our country, will deepen that conviction?.

The event was also attended by the head of the Commission Representation in Greece Giorgos Markopouliotis, former Eurodeputies, diplomats, journalists and members of the university community.

[04] National Theater to stage ''Antigone'' in Rome

The Greek National Theater group will stage Sophocles' ''Antigone'' on Oct. 19 and 20 at the Argentina Theater of Rome.

It is slated to be one of the main art events to take place in the Italian capital, since the National Theater has created a very good name in Italy, when it staged a performance in the Coliseum two years ago.

[05] Greece's 20 years in Europe commemorated in an album

The European Union European Commission Representation in Greece on Tuesday launched a deluxe edition of an interesting commemorative album commemorating Greeces twenty-year participation in the European Union.

Published by the Hellenic Literary and Historic Archives (ELIA) and including over 300 pages with texts and illustrations from Greeces 20-year-long journey in the EU, the book was presented at a special event held in the foreign ministrys amphitheater,.

Attending the event, Environment, Town Planning and Public Projects Minister Vasso Papandreou said ?twenty years after our accession to the EU, the feeling that we belong with Europe is deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Greek people; the circulation of the Euro, the symbol of European identity in our country, will deepen that conviction?.

The event was also attended by the head of the Commission Representation in Greece Giorgos Markopouliotis, former Eurodeputies, diplomats, journalists and members of the university community.

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunny in many areas on Wednesday

The day will start cloudy in the east and south, turning to rain and possibly storms, easing off later in the day. Sunshine is forecast in the rest of the country. Winds northerly, moderate, turning strong in the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 5C to 20C; in the west from 7C to 24C; and in the Aegean islands from 11C to 23C. Temperatures in Athens between 15C and 22C; and in Thessaloniki from 11C to 19C.

[07] National Bank leads Greek stocks to lower closing

A recovery in other European stock markets during the last hour of trading in the Athens Stock Exchange, helped Greek stocks end off their day's lows on Tuesday.

The general index fell 0.25 percent to end at 1,832.97 points, with turnover a low 60.4 million euros.

National Bank's shares plunged 8.5 percent, pushing the market lower.

The Insurance, Bank and Base Metal sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.36 percent, 1.61 percent and 1.08 percent, respectively), while the Textile (2.50 percent), Construction (2.27 percent) and IT (1.37 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.78 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.42 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.04 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 175 to 144 with another 38 issues unchanged.

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