According to the report the preparations for the Olympics in Athens are coming along at satisfying rates, but only just within the timetables.

Mr. Papantoniou will have discussions with Mr. Maiko and Prime Minister Ilir Meta, while he will meet with the President of Albania, Rejep Meidani. At noon the Ambassador of Greece in Tirana, Dimitris Iliopoulos, will hold a luncheon in honor of the Mini ster, and in the afternoon, Mr. Papantoniou will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arta Dante, and then with the Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios.

Tomorrow, Mr. Papantoniou will visit ELDAL-3 and then the Military Hospital in Gjirokastra.

The 14 foreigners were arrested on November 8, while photographing the Kalamata military airfield.

In the afternoon, Mr. Karamanlis will meet President of FYROM, Boris Trajkvoski and Prime Minister Ljubco Georgiefski, the President of the Democratic Party of Albania (DPA), Arben Jaferi and the head of the Socialdemocratic Union (SDSM) Branko Tservenko vski.

Tomorrow the President of New Democracy will visit Belgrade, where he will meet with the President of Yugoslavia, Voislav Kostounica and on the afternoon of the same day he will visit Kossovo, and meet with Ibraim Rugova and the head of UNMIK, Hans Hecer oup, as well as representatives of the Serb community. Also, Mr. Karamanlis will visit the Greek brigade stationed in Kossovo Polie.

On Thursday, Mr. Karamanlis will travel to Brussels to participate in the broadened Summit Meeting of the EPP, where he will brief the participants on the results of his contacts.

In his speech, the President of SAE, Mr. Andrew Athens, mentioned his vision and the important actions taken by their worldwide organization on all continents, focusing on the Medical Program in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

"With the Programme of Medical and Medicinal Healthcare, we have materialized innovative programmes of humanitarian assistance, which overcome borders and cultures, in places forgotten by major organizations", said Mr. Athens. "We have supported issues w hich are vital to Hellenism, we are the voice of Hellenism Abroad and we have been elected as the link between the elected officials of Greek decent, in their countries of residence, around the world. We have paved new roads in commerce with the instituti onalization of the 1st Greek Trade and Culture Fair.

We founded an international Church Adoption programme, which will function as the bridge between the older Orthodox churches of Eastern Europe with the funds of the newer churches of the West".

The discussion is part of the "Greece meets Spain for the roads of literature" events, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, and will take place on Friday at 8:15pm, in the lecture room of Central Municipal Library of Thessaloniki.

Mr. Papantoniou will have talks with Mr. Majko and Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta, while he will be received by President Redjep Meidani. At noon, Greece's ambassador to Tirana Dimitris Iliopoulos will give a formal lunch in honor of Mr. Papantoniou a nd in the afternoon he will meet with Foreign Minister Arta Dante and afterwards with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.

Tomorrow, Mr. Papantoniou is scheduled to visit the Greek force in Albania and then the Military Hospital in Gjirokastre.

The above were stated today by Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, adding that Greece wants the EU to have an autonomous course in the sectors of the Joint Foreign Policy and Policy of Defense, adding that the Greek positions are placed within the

framework of the established European institutions.

living abroad and the Greeks abroad, who work in mass media in the countries where they live.

Mr. Hitiris stated that the newspapers of the Greeks living abroad are the reflection of the Greek communities and reminded that the first moves made by the Greek immigrants as soon as they arrived in their new countries were to have their own associatio ns, churches and newspapers.

He also underlined the contribution of the news agencies in the supply of the Greek mass media with news and he referred especially to the role of MPA which supplies the mass media of the Greeks abroad with free news.

his auspices.

The conference is expected to take place immediately after the Council begins its operation namely, in the first trimester of 2002, according to Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Zafiropoulos.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has already launched an effort to register and evaluate the Greek origin businessmen active abroad.

On the development of the institution of the Joint Chambers of Commerce in countries where Greek origin businessmen are active, he said that it would help to create the necessary infrastructure and the basis for the development of economic relations with

Greece.

According to National Statistics Agency figures, the growth rate for the GDP was 4.4% compared to 6.1% in the first trimester and 4.9% in the second trimester of the year. In the same period of time, investments increased by 10.4%, final consumption 2.6% , exports 7.7% and imports 6.3%.

Spending on final consumption increased by 2.6% compared to last year, contributing by 1.63% to the increase in the overall demand. Compared to the second trimester of 2001, final consumption increased by 1.6%.

Of the stocks trading today, 83 recorded gains and 224 had losses, while the value of 49 stocks remained unchanged.

compared to previous opinion polls.

The distance between New Democracy and PASOK is at 6.6%, while Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is leading over Mr. Karamanlis by 2% as more fit for the post.

Mr. Protopapas added that the Greek government is in cooperation with the United States and their ambassador, and stressed that Mr. Miller has congratulated the Greek authorities on the efforts made to deal with the problem.

Mr. Protopapas stated that a big effort has been made by the Greek police and stated that very soon more measures will be announced by Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis aimed at dealing more effectively with the problem.

At the Council for General Affairs, Mr. Papandreou stressed the need for securing Greece's sovereign rights and autonomy in the European Union, and decision making on issues of security and defense.

Greece will not accept regulations reducing its sovereign rights, repeated Mr. Papandreou.

The issue was referred to the Summit Meeting in Laaken, where in a few days the "15" will discuss the operational readiness of the Union.

Conclusions are expected to be reached in the discussion on the climate changes for the implementation of the first phase of the relevant EU program that will be in effect until 2003.

Among others, they will also discuss the European Parliament proposal on the detection of genetically modified organisms.

In addition, the EU Environment Ministers will prepare the EU positions in view of the World Summit meeting on sustainable development that will take place in Johannesburg in September 2002.

Mr. Xarhakos pointed out that for 30 years the Theology School in Halki is closed, while the EU does not pressure Turkey in an effective way to make it respect the religious freedoms.

The Council stresses that the abolition of every stipulation that blocks the freedom of thought, conscience and religion including education is imperative. The above, underlines the Council, concern all minorities Christian or not who live in Turkey, add ing that the issue of the reopening of the Theology School in Halki is placed within this framework.

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