Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Action Plan for Balkans approved at Thessaloniki conference

[02] Shipping foreign exchange up 5.9 pct in Jan-April

[03] Athens organisers: Preparations for Paralympics 'on course'

[04] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[05] Weather Forecast: Hot and sunny on Saturday

[06] Greek stocks end week 0.23 percent down

[01] EU Action Plan for Balkans approved at Thessaloniki conference

The European UnionBalkan States Action Plan in the fields of Research and Technology was adopted and approved on Friday during a ministerial conference in Thessaloniki, chaired by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The meeting was attended by representatives from all EU-25 member-states and Balkan nations.

The action plan stresses the need for close cooperation between all member-states and Balkan nations to promote the specific actions aimed at strengthening the research and technological potential in each one Balkan state and the entire region.

In a joint press conference, Tsohatzopoulos and EU Research Commission Filippe Busquin, who also attended the meeting, stressed that the implementation of the action plan was targeted not only to enhance the economic development of Balkan countries, but also to promote their incorporation into the European space of research and innovation, also speeding up their accession path.

[02] Shipping foreign exchange up 5.9 pct in Jan-April

Shipping foreign exchange inflows rose 5.9 percent in the first four months of 2003 to 3.048 billion euros, from 2.877 billion euros in the same period last year, Greece's Merchant Marine Ministry said on Friday.

[03] Athens organisers: Preparations for Paralympics 'on course'

The International Paralympic Committee is particularly satisfied with the progress of preparations for the 2004 Paralympic Games , following a three-day visit by an IPC delegation here and briefings by Athens organisers.

According to ATHOC Managing Director Ioannis Spanudakis, the IPC delegation ascertained the progress in preparations for the 2004 Paralympic Games.

''I especially want to emphasise that we have already received applications from 139 participant countries for the 2004 Paralympic Games. This is a record that exceeds the 123 countries that participated at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. We also have positive comments for our 'ERMIS' programme, which is being promoted by ATHOC in cooperation with various chambers of commerce in the country...'' Spanudakis said, in reference to an initiative that subsidises businesses to improve infrastructure and access for individuals with special needs or impaired movement.

[04] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.150

Pound sterling 0.695

Danish kroner 7.486

Swedish kroner 9.256

Japanese yen 137.8

Swiss franc 1.557

Norwegian kroner 8.339

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.557

Australian dollar 1.730

[05] Weather Forecast: Hot and sunny on Saturday

Sunshine is forecast in all parts of the country. Isolated storms will break out mainly on the northern and central mainland. Winds variable, light. In the north, temperatures will range from 18C to 35C; on the rest of the mainland from 20C to 37C; and in the islands from 23C to 34C. Temperatures in Athens will range between 24C and 37C; and in Thessaloniki from 21C to 34C.

[06] Greek stocks end week 0.23 percent down

Greek stocks ended the last trading session of an uneventful week with small losses in the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, reflecting lack of fresh incentives and directions in the market.

The general index eased 0.26 percent to end at 1,901.48 points, with turnover a moderate 128.8 million euros. The index ended the week with a net loss of 0.23 percent.

The Insurance, Food-Beverage and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (3.99 percent, 1.70 percent and 0.88 percent, respectively), while the Metals (1.33 percent), Holding (1.15 percent) and Textile (0.75 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.35 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.29 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.53 percent down and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index eased 0.36 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 203 to 100 with another 58 issues unchanged.

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