Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-05-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis lauds UN Security Council decision to lift sanctions off Iraq

[02] Athens World Economic Forum underlines Greeces role as EU presidency

[03] Europarliament president praises conference of EU Parliament presidents

[04] OTENET's connection with int'l internet web mostly re-constituted

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Saturday

[06] Two Greek air force transport planes carry humanitarian aid to Algiers

[07] Venizelio hospital receives EU distinction for its health info network

[08] AHEPA to hold conference in Athens on Saturday

[09] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Saturday

[10] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[11] ASE ends below 1,700 level on Friday

[01] Simitis lauds UN Security Council decision to lift sanctions off Iraq

Prime Minster Costas Simitis, in his capacity as European Union Council President, on Friday termed as ''a very significant step'' the decision of the United Nations Security Council to lift the economic sanctions that were imposed on Iraq 13 years ago.

Speaking after a meeting with Irish Premier Bertie Ahern in Dublin, Simitis stressed that the decision is the first step toward the beginning of Iraq's reconstruction, adding that the decision is also a positive step, because in accordance with the European Union's proposal, the United Nations will play a significant role in the reconstruction process.

''We should begin, as soon as possible, so as to aid the Iraqi people to organize the new state, to organize their economy, so as to combat poverty and to achieve its development,'' Simitis underlined.

Simitis visited Dublin as part of his EU capitals tour ahead of the Thessaloniki summit in June.

[02] Athens World Economic Forum underlines Greeces role as EU presidency

The majority of foreign speakers addressing the World Economic Forum, taking place for the first time in Athens, believe that the unification of the European Union would be completed only after the gradual admission of South-East European nations.

During the first day of the event, state leaders, government officials, businesspeople and economic players from the wider Balkan region underlined the decisive role Greece can play in the incorporation of all the regions countries into the European block.

Speakers from both the political and business realms also shared the view that the Greek EU Presidency has been a creative one, even at a hard time when EU-US relations and relations among EU member-states themselves have been shaken as a result of varying views on Iraq.

A focal point in most speeches delivered was Junes Thessaloniki EU Council, which could be an significant opportunity for the EU and South-East European nations to set the basis for their admission path, a policy keenly promoted by the Greek government.

In addition, contentment was widely expressed by businesspeople attending the forum on the initiatives taken by Greece aimed at strengthening the regions economies.

Foreign Minister and current president of the EU General Affairs Council George Papandreou is scheduled to address the forum on Saturday.

[03] Europarliament president praises conference of EU Parliament presidents

European Parliament President Pat Cox said on Friday the 1st Conference of European Union Parliament presidents (including the presidents of the 10 new countries and the three candidate countries) was of considerable importance.

The conference is taking place in Parliament's Senate auditorium and is examining the role of Parliaments in the Convention on the Future of Europe, as well as the political and institutional role of Parliaments in enlarged Europe, which will be a reality in less than a year.

''For the first time in its history, Europe has the opportunity of building a political order, without being forced to do this by an outside threat,'' Cox said.

[04] OTENET's connection with int'l internet web mostly re-constituted

The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) internet provider OTENET began to gain access again to the international internet web on Friday, following the loss the Flag, SMW2, SMW3, Colombus2 and other communications cables that are traversing the Mediterranean.

OTENET was unable to provide services for its clients on Thursday due to the earthquake in Algeria, that damaged the aforementioned international cables

Other internet providers did not lose access and continued to provide regular services to their clients.

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Saturday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country, turning to rain and storms. The weather will improve for intervals in the south. Winds variable, moderate. In the north, temperatures will range from 10C to 21C; and in the rest of the country from 13C to 25C. Temperatures in Athens between 15C and 23C; and in Thessaloniki from 13C to 20C.

[06] Two Greek air force transport planes carry humanitarian aid to Algiers

Two Greek air force C-130 transport planes left Elefsina airbase on Friday afternoon, carrying humanitarian aid to Algiers by decision of Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou in the framework of aid offered to the suffering people of Algeria.

Twenty men of the EMAK special rescue unit, equipped with sonars and two tracked vehicles are going to Algiers, as well as eight volunteers of the non-governmental organisation ''Greek Rescue Team'', two university professors and EU experts.

The two planes are expected back late on Friday night.

Two more flights with C-130 transport aircraft are also scheduled on Saturday, carrying an additional number of volunteers and humanitarian aid.

The health ministry is providing 300 tents, 500 blankets, pharmaceuticals and bandages. The armed forces are also sending a large quantity of foodstuffs, blankets and pharmaceuticals.

Another C-130 flight is scheduled for Amman, Jordan, on Saturday to carry clothing and pharmaceuticals collected by the Athens prefecture for the relief of the people of Iraq.

[07] Venizelio hospital receives EU distinction for its health info network

BRUSSELS (ANA A. Simatos) Venizelio Regional Hospital of Iraklios (Crete) regional health information network (HYGEIANET), received an honorary distinction on Friday during a special event organised in the Belgian capital.

The distinction, along with another three on e-health and another four prizes ?e-Europe in e-health? were awarded in the context of a high-level conference on Electronic Health, organised by the Greek EU presidency and the European Commission.

The awards were handed out by Enterprise and Information Society Commission Erkki Liikanen, Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, Greek Health Minister Costas Stefanis and Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Manolis Stratakis.

Stefanis, who chaired the conference, issued a ministerial declaration on behalf of the EU Presidency, which was agreed by the 33 ministers from EU, European Economic Area and acceding countries attending the conference on eHealth.

Having seen for themselves the best eHealth practices already implemented in Europe and the benefits these have brought in terms of cost savings, improved quality and access to care, ministers expressed their renewed commitment to developing national and regional eHealth implementation plans, and to exploring the possibilities for co-ordinating these at European level.

[08] AHEPA to hold conference in Athens on Saturday

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) will begin a conference at Athens' Old Parliament at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The speakers will expound on various themes such as ''Hellenism and globalism'', ''Greek values and globalisation'', ''Communication in the ecumenical village'', ''Greek-American relations in the course of history'', ''Pax americana and international relations'' and ''Globalisation of markets or ecumenical values?''

On Saturday evening the Onassis Foundation will be given an award, while a round table discussion will follow on the theme ''The role of science in Euro-American relations''.

[09] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Saturday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country, turning to rain and storms. The weather will improve for intervals in the south. Winds variable, moderate. In the north, temperatures will range from 10C to 21C; and in the rest of the country from 13C to 25C. Temperatures in Athens between 15C and 23C; and in Thessaloniki from 13C to 20C.

[10] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.188

Pound sterling 0.725

Danish kroner 7.483

Swedish kroner 9.241

Japanese yen 138.9

Swiss franc 1.533

Norwegian kroner 7.942

Cyprus pound 0.591

Canadian dollar 1.640

Australian dollar 1.800

[11] ASE ends below 1,700 level on Friday

Greek stocks ended lower in the last trading session of the week in the Athens Stock Exchange pushing the general index below the 1,700 support level.

The index fell 0.54 percent to end at 1,690.93 points, for a net loss of 3.43 percent in the week.

Turnover was a moderate 104.4 million euros.

The Holding, IT Solution and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.05 percent, 1.53 percent and 1.51 percent, respectively), while the Cement, Investment and Textile sectors scored the biggest gains (1.74 percent, 1.39 percent and 1.06 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.58 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.71 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.96 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.65 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 227 to 87 with another 48 issues unchanged.

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