Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-12-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Christodoulakis unveils Greek EU Presidency's economic policy

[02] Gov't cites 6-month extension for residence permit procedure

[03] Greek Deputy DM concludes visit in Albania

[04] US aircraft carrier arrives at Souda Bay naval station

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[06] Weather Forecast: Cloud & rain expected on Tuesday

[07] ASE falls for seventh consecutive session on Monday

[01] Christodoulakis unveils Greek EU Presidency's economic policy priorities

Greek Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis in a press conference on Monday unveiled the economic policy of the Greek EU presidency.

Christodoulakis said that the five priorities of the economic policy of the Greek EU presidency that takes off on 1 January 2003 will be macro-economic stability, market integration, harmonisation of taxation on savings, the realisation of structural changes and actual convergence, boosting economic co-operation between EU member-states and candidates, and the convergence of the enlargement countries aiming at prosperity and social cohesion within the European Union.

[02] Gov't cites 6-month extension for residence permit procedure

The government on Monday announced a six-month extension for eligible non-EU foreigners in their effort to acquire residence and work permits -- part of Athens' initiative to legalise tens of thousands of one-time illegal immigrants.

Interior and Public Administration Minister Costas Skandalidis made the announcement following his same-day briefing of Prime Minister Costas Simitis, where he covered mostly issues related to his portfolio.

The minister noted that the procedure and machinery needed to issue the new residence and work permits are in place, while the extension hopes to preclude ?regional problems?.

Finally, in answer to a press question, he said discussions about possible changes to the election law will resume after Easter.

[03] Greek Deputy DM concludes visit in Albania

Deputy Defense Minister Lazaros Lotidis on Monday concluded a two-day visit to Albania, where he visited with the country's leadership and with Orthodox Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios.

During his meetings, Lotidis stressed Greece's political will to promote the Balkan dimension of the European Union's policy, as the EU presiding member.

Speaking with his Albanian counterpart Panteli Majko he reiterated Greece's readiness to activate the ''2+2'' form so as along with Turkey to contribute decisively in the promotion of the necessary adjustments of Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) so that they may be integrated in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

The Greek deputy minister also met with Anastasios congratulating his effort for the co-existence of the different religions and peoples of the Balkans.

[04] US aircraft carrier arrives at Souda Bay naval station

The USS ?Harry S. Truman? sailed into the Souda Bay naval base near Hania, Crete on Monday, as the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier arrived in the Mediterranean to replace another US battle group.

The ?Harry S. Truman? will remain in Souda for the next few days.

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.050

Pound sterling 0.655

Danish kroner 7.487

Swedish kroner 9.229

Japanese yen 125.2

Swiss franc 1.466

Norwegian kroner 7.330

Cyprus pound 0.577

Canadian dollar 1.651

Australian dollar 1.866

[06] Weather Forecast: Cloud & rain expected on Tuesday

Cloud and fog are forecast for most parts of the country on Saturday, while in the west there may be local rains later in the day with the phenomena encompassing the rest of the country late in the evening. Winds westerly-southwesterly, strong turning gale force in the southern Aegean and Ionian. In the north and center, temperatures will range from 2C to 13C; in the west from 5C to 17C; and in the rest of the country from 9C to 19C. Cloudy in Athens with rain later on in the day and temperatures between 08C and 17C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 05C to 13C.

[07] ASE falls for seventh consecutive session on Monday

Greek stocks remained under pressure to end lower for the seventh consecutive session in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, recording losses in the 16 of the last 20 sessions.

The general index ended 0.81 percent lower at 1,748.41 points, with turnover a low 62.7 million euros.

The Textile, IT Solutions, IT, Holdings and Insurance sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.74 percent, 4.44 percent, 3.67 percent, 3.25 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.78 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.47 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index plunged 2.79 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 266 to 58 with another 30 issues unchanged.

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