The goal of the meeting was to inform the Turkish Minister on the activity of the Networks and of the sectors where cooperation has developed between the Networks and the local government bodies of Eastern and Western Thrace.

Also, the President of the "Polis" Network asked that issues concerning the local government of Greece and Turkey be included either in bilateral agreements or in memoranda of cooperation to be signed.

However, Mr. Papadopoulos stressed that the relevant committees will examine whether or not Greece will participate in cloning programs to be conducted for therapeutic purposes. "There are very harsh questions, what does therapeutic purposes mean, how fa r does a therapeutic purpose go and with what means", he underlined. "We are waiting for the experts' thoughts", he stressed, adding that it is an issue that goes beyond our nation.

The Minister of Health pointed out that it is normal forscience to evolve, but he stressed that "we need to know the limits of research, so that we do not reach extremes".

Kostas Passaris was arrested in the apartment of his Romanian girlfriend in Bucharest. Last Saturday, the dangerous criminal murdered the two employees of a currency exchange booth in Romania, and stole about $20,000.

Greek authorities have already begun extradition procedures so that the escaped criminal may be returned to Greece, but the robbery and double homicide he committed four days ago, may present an obstacle, since he will appear before Romanian Justice firs t.

Minister of Justice, Filippos Petsalnikos, will make all necessary arrangements so that Passaris can be extradited to Greece, and answer to Greek justice for the murder of two police officers, the injuring of another 4 people, armed robberies and other s erious offenses.

"We were close to arresting Passaris many times while he was in Greece, before we found his tracks in Romania. But we did not want to risk casualties in an operation to arrest him" supported Greek Police representative, Lefteris Ikonomou, in statements t o Flash Radio this morning.

Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis appeared pleased with Passaris' arrest, and in statements this morning supported: "We chose the path of persistence and struggle, not defeatism and quitting the Passaris case, and the result has done us jus tice".

The Minister characterized the information provided by the Greek detachment which has been in Romania for the past two weeks, as satisfactory.

There are strong winds and Coast Guard boats have already left to intercept the ship and prevent the illegal immigrants' entry to Greece, while the ship is being watched by a Navy frigate.

The first to visit will be the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis, followed by the President of the Coalition of the Left Nikos Konstantopoulos, and the Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleca Papariga.

"A colossal effort is taking place, on a very broad range, which includes details, planning, programming, scheduling", stated Mr. Stefanopoulos characteristically, and appreciated that the effort being made, will continue with at the same pace, with no o versights or relaxation. Thus, I can reassure my beliefs that Greece will hold excellent Olympics".

Mr. Chrisochoidis stated that in the case of Pasaris the outcome proved that persistence and effort pay off.

The Public Order Minister stated that a team of Greek police officers went to Romania two weeks ago, while Greek Police Chief Fotis Nasiakos has already arrived in Bucharest to be briefed on the conditions of Pasaris' arrest.

Meanwhile, the Greek authorities have launched the procedure requesting his extradition.

He confirmed that Greek Police Chief Fotis Nasiakos went to Romania with the Prime Minister's airplane due to the urgency of the situation. Mr. Protopapas stated that the government will ask for the extradition of Pasaris even though there are certain di fficulties.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the figures at the disposal of the Greek government are accurate, while the EU circles maintain that the Greek production is larger and therefore, the subsidies will be lower. He referred to the meeting that will take place in Brussels this afternoon on the specific issue and expressed the wish that the Greek views will be adopted.

They discussed the EU enlargement course and especially, Cyprus' EU accession course as well as, the EU-Turkey relations, the Euro-army issue, the developments in the Balkans and bilateral issues.

Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis stated that Januray 1st will signal the launch of a new era for the Greek economy, the Greek citizens and the country as a whole.

He said that the preparations for the adoption of the Euro will soon be completed and added that the adjustment period will last two months when consumers will be able to use both the drachma and the Euro.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the Euro will be good for the country and the Greek citizens as it will signal a period of cheaper services and goods because they will be more competitive in the united European market as they will be priced with the same

currency in all the EU countries.

The proposal for the creation of the network was made last year by Thessaloniki's mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos in the 1st International Meeting of Cooperation and Friendship of Big Balkan Cities.

In the 2nd International Meeting next month will participate mayors from Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, FYROM, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FRY and Romania.

Of the stocks trading today, 125 recorded gains and 194 had losses, while the value of 40 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Papandreou underlined the issues of the EU enlargement, Cyprus' EU accession prospect and the Greek-Turkish relations, while he also referred to the developments in the Balkans, the Middle East and the international situation after the September 11 t errorist attack on the United States.

Mr. Papandreou also revealed that today he had a telephone communication with his British counterpart on the issue of the British nationals, who are in police custody together with Dutch nationals accused of spying, because they were caught taking pictur es of Greek military areas. Mr. Papandreou stated that taking pictures of military airplanes, as the accused did, is a hobby not widely known in Greece which, however, is not the case in their own countries.

He said that the following period will be difficult, characterized by many challenges, prospects and opportunities in view of the EU enlargement and the Greek EU presidency. He referred to the initiatives undertaken by Greece in the efforts to combat int ernational terrorism, while he made a special reference to the role played by Greece, which is located at a crucial crossroads of civilizations. On the issue of the Middle East, he said that it is an important point of friction between the Arab states and the international community. He said that coordinated efforts should be made by the EU and the United States for the creation of a Palestinian s tate.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece has a firm policy based on international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the inviolability of the borders, the respect of human and minority rights, the reconstruction of the Balkan region and the incorporation

of the Balkan states into the European institutions.

He also referred to the capabilities of the Euro-army, clarifying that it has not been authorized to impose solutions.

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