Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-05-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU presidency, executive make joint proposal for EU-Turkey dialogue

[02] Greek PM to address 29th COSAC Conference in Athens on Monday

[03] European Day cultural events to be held in Athens on 8,9 May

[04] Greek tourism to improve this year, Development minister

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[06] Weather Forecast: Warm, rising temperatures on Saturday

[07] ASE breaks above 1,700 level on Friday

[01] EU presidency, executive make joint proposal for EU-Turkey dialogue

The European Commission and the Greek EU presidency on Friday made a joint proposal for the development of political dialogue between the European Union and Turkey focusing on the mutual interests of the two sides in the Middle East vis-a-vis the preservation of Iraqi borders and a solution to the Arab-Israeli dispute.

In an informal text presented at the EU foreign ministers' informal council, that on Friday launched its two-day meeting in Rhodes, the Commission and the Greek presidency proposed further ''development of the political dialogue with Turkey regarding common interests in the Middle East region, taking under consideration, among others, the good relations between Turkey and Israel, and involving Ankara in EU efforts toward an end to the Arab-Israeli dispute''.

The EU could also intensify dialogue with Turkey regarding the preservation of the Iraqi borders, the text said, which constitutes ''food for thought'' for the meeting of the 25 European foreign ministers participating in the Rhodes meeting and a possible framework for the European Council in Thessaloniki in June.

[02] Greek PM to address 29th COSAC Conference in Athens on Monday

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis will address the 29th Conference of the European Affairs Committees of the national Parliaments of European Union member-states, the candidate countries and the European Parliament (COSAC), which will be held in Athens on May 5 and 6, the Greek Parliament press office announced on Friday.

Greek Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis will deliver the opening speech on Monday, immediately following the formal reception of the foreign delegations by the Chairman of the Parliament's Committee for European Affairs Dinos Vrettos, the announcement said.

Greece is currently holding the rotating six-month EU presidency.

[03] European Day cultural events to be held in Athens on 8,9 May

Young people from European Union member states and candidate countries on 8 May will meet in Athens to celebrate European Day with a two-day cultural event organised by the Athens-Piraeus Prefect and the European Commission representation in Athens, with the participation of artists from most European countries.

Cyprus will participate with its national symphonic orchestra, while the closing notes at the events will be provided by popular Greek singer Giorgos Dalaras.

[04] Greek tourism to improve this year, Development minister

Greek tourism will improve in the following months overcoming any losses suffered in the March-April period because of the war in Iraq, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference ahead of an Informal EU Tourism Council to be held next Monday and Tuesday in Aghia Pelaghia, Crete, Mr Tsohatzopoulos stressed there were signs that tourist demand was beginning to move smoothly, although with regional fluctuations. ''We are optimistic that this year will be good,'' the Greek minister said.

Mr Tsohatzopoulos noted that the Greek EU Presidency's main target was to promote a common tourist policy in the European Union, in promotion and communication levels, at a period when its share in the global tourism market has fallen by 10 percent in the last five years.

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.132

Pound sterling 0.705

Danish kroner 7.484

Swedish kroner 9.189

Japanese yen 134.4

Swiss franc 1.522

Norwegian kroner 7.916

Cyprus pound 0.592

Canadian dollar 1.605

Australian dollar 1.794

[06] Weather Forecast: Warm, rising temperatures on Saturday

Hot and humid on Saturday in all parts of the country. Early morning mist is expected on the mainland and in parts of the Ionian. Winds variable, light to moderate. On the mainland, temperatures will range from 13C to 33C; and in the islands from 14C to 27C. Temperatures in Athens between 16C and 32C; and in Thessaloniki from 13C to 30C.

[07] ASE breaks above 1,700 level on Friday

Greek stocks ended sharply higher on Friday reflecting increased buying activity for blue chip stocks in the Athens Stock Exchange. The general index soared 1.73 percent to end at 1,720.75 points with turnover an improved 105.5 million euros. The index is recording gains of more than 15 percent since March 31, 2003.

National Bank led the market higher, with its share price ending 6.05 percent up.

The IT Solutions (7.68 percent), Insurance (6.37 percent), Retail (5.89 percent), Publications (4.21 percent) and Banks (3.86 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.22 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.84 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 2.07 percent, while the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index rose 2.14 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 268 to 51 with another 43 issues unchanged.

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