Party leaders, politicians, many businessmen and organization administrators were also at the event.

The government was represented by Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who, in statements he made answered to the Opposition's criticism on financial policy.

"It is very positive that New Democracy is also worried about the competitiveness of Greek society, an issue which is at the center of the struggles of the Greek government, as well as Greek economy", he stressed.

On the other side, honorary President of New Democracy Konstantinos Mitsotakis praised the business world for its efforts to strengthen its competetiveness, and pointed out that the delay in the structural changes and the syndicate like attitude, are cr iminally harmful to the economy.

The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos mentioned the real need for convergence with other European countries, and called the government that is celebrating and keeping away from the difficult situations, to get serious.

As the MIA Agency transmitted, the two ministers agreed on intensifying the two countries' cooperation in the health sector, and especially concerning epidemiology, the struggle against infections, training and the protection of public health.

Mr. Orovchanech expressed his satisfaction from the cooperation agreed on.

Kenneth Bilnig placed 525 gr. of the narcotic substance into small plastic balls, which he then swallowed in an attempt to get them through customs at the border station of Idomeni, on the Greek-FYROM border.

However, the Central Macedonia SDOE (Corps for the Pursuit of Economic Crime) men in grew suspicious, and a few hours after his arrival in Greece, by train from Skopje, they arrested him and seized the drugs.

The court also condemned Mark Nevin, an American, to 15 years and 4 months since he seems to have procured the heroin in Bulgaria, and then turned it over to his British co-defendant. The two foreigners were fined a total of 15,000 euro.

The Minister of Public Order attributed this decrease to the "Kath' Odon(on the way) 2001-2005", which was put into effect last summer.

"After a decision of the Prime Minister, the ministerial committee of road safety formed, which then compiled the road safety plan for the 2001-2005 period", he stressed, and added that this strategic plan is a complete and scientifically substantiated p rogram, which includes combined action from all relevant ministries and specific percentage goals for each year.

Mr. Christodoulos, responding to the surveys that places Greece in 2nd position of countries with anti-American sentiment worldwide, he stressed that "this is not the case, but there are complaints regarding the position of the US on the Cyprus tragedy a nd the repeated provocations of neighboring Turkey towards Greece".

In the presence of the Greek Ambassador in Athens, Thomas Miller, the President of the Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giannis Magriotis, the Mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and other politicians, the hea d of the church recognized that "the important contribution of the governments and people of the USA in the efforts to restructure Greece after the tragedies of WWII" and used the Marshal plan as an example.

As far as Greek-Trukish differences, he stated that he hopes and prays to see them resolved soon, while referring to the issue of terrorism, he explicitly condemned all such actions.

This particular period is especially sensitive because the Greek government chose to promote the issues of national importance, said Mr. Protopapas, adding that Turkey will not be allowed to change Greece's priorities.

The Press Minister pointed out that it is obvious that the Turkish side will seek to shift the interest away from the hot issues through disorientation moves. However, he gave the assurance that Greece will not make the mistake to follow Turkey's policy.

Mr. Samaras in statements he made after the meeting, he raised questions on the price Greece is called to pay to secure Turkey's compliance with the rules followed by the civilized states in their inter-state contacts. He stressed that the Turkish claims

in the sea and the airspace over the Aegean are still open, while on the Cyprus issue he pointed out that Turkey is being praised for its alleged moderation, while at the same time, it raises new demands with the toleration of third parties.

The average wage increase for the public sector employees will be 3.2% and the average pension increase will be at 4%.

Meanwhile, the family allowance will be paid to both spouses starting on July 1.

In the signing ceremony both expressed satisfaction for the steps made in the military cooperation sector. They said that cooperation between the two armed forces keeps step with cooperation between the two governments and strengthens cooperation and und erstanding between the peoples of Greece and Bulgaria.

The armed forces cooperation program includes bilateral military exercises, training exchanges of officers, and visits to resorts in Greece and Bulgaria respectively.

Mr. Miho underlined especially the training of Bulgarian officers in Greece and Greece's experience as a NATO member-state. He also thanked Greece for the radar station it has donated to the Bulgarian Air Force, which allows the NATO airplanes to use Bul garian airports.

Mr. Yiannitsis also briefed the Russian ambassador on the outcome of the Greek Prime Minister's recent visit to Sofia and the developments in the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

According to information, the Russian ambassador underlined Russia's special interest in the solution of the Cyprus problem, while he also referred to the significant role played by Greece in the Balkans.

Of the stocks trading today, 197 recorded gains and 115 had losses, while the value of 82 stocks remained unchanged.

He said that the farmers have two basic problems, the collection of the cotton crop and their compensation for the damages they suffered due to the recent extreme weather conditions that hit Greece.

Mr. Protopapas reminded that Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Dris has already raised the issue to the European Union.

Mr. Bartholomew referred to the demand to return the "violently exacted sculptures of Parthenon and placing them back where they were taken from" and added that "it is natural for the holders of the pieces not to want to forfeit, even this fragmented vie wing and pleasure, but this intellectual creation is now a part of worldwide heritage, and the whole world has the legitimate demand to see the entire work at the place of its creation, in the light that inspired the artist and at the top of that hill, wh ich is a symbol of a spiritual ascent to the divine".

The SAE-Oceania has collected over 30.000 signatures that were presented to Australian Prime Minister John Howard and he pledged to raise the issue to the British Prime Minister.

During the Summit meeting of the Commonwealth, the SAE-Oceania will have its own special pavilion at a central Brisbane park to promote the Cyprus issue and Greece's demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

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