"I am one of those who believe that a solution can be found. That there is always an opening, a prospect, light at the end of the tunnel. And I believe that the EU, as well as Greece, with its previous experience in the Balkans, can play an even greater role in recommencing discussions", stressed Mr. Burg after his discussions with Mr. Papandreou.

Mr. Papandreou announced that there will soon be Greek initiative within EU frameworks, in order to deal with the Middle Eastern crisis, and he stressed that "our devotion as a country is to help, not just in good bilateral relations with Israel, but in the whole peacekeeping process".

"We were obliged to cooperate and have cooperated in supplying any evidence that was required of us", stressed Mr. Papandreou.

Mr. Papandreou also noted that all evidence discussed has been concentrated and will be transferred to the Hague. "We have no knowledge of whether this information holds any incriminating evidence", he clarified.

Earlier, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Panos Beglitis stated that the file with evidence on bank account moves will be transferred to the International Justice Course via diplomatic routes.

The last pending issues for the success of the agreement, were put under the microscope yesterday, during a marathon meeting, between IASC staff members and representatives of the privatization consultant, CSFB. The meeting began late last night and cont inued into the early morning hours.

In fact, shortly before the beginning of the meeting, IASC staff members stated that they had in their possession and would submit the guarantees for the amount of 102 million euro, which will be used to increase the share-capital of the new Olympic Airw ays.

According to information, the only point on which the government and IASC representatives disagree, was canceling long flights. On one hand the government is asking for their erasing from the OA flight schedule, since they are considered a waste of money , while IASC holds the position that flights to New York, Bangkok and Australia will continue, and will turn a profit within the next two years.

According to a publication in today's edition of the "Nea", approximately 6,500 men and women will undergo tests performed by special equipment, with higher sensitivity in counting depleted uranium levels.

So far, in tests performed on Greek soldiers, no radioactive contamination of pathology with connection to radioactive elements has been detected.

The wave of bad weather that hit Europe last month appears to be the main cause for the rekindling of the inflationary pressures in Greece and the rest of the EU member-states.

However, analysts believe that the increase of inflation is occasional and in the following months it will deescalate gradually.

According to the Greek National Statistics Agency, a considerable increase was recorded in the retail sales in the month of November. They increased by 7.5% at an annual basis compared to 4.1% in October.

Mr. Junker will arrive in Athens on February 19 and meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

On Wednesday, February 20 he will lay a wreath at the Monument for the Unknown Soldier and afterwards, he will have separate meetings with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Kons tantopoulos, Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga, Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Prime Minister Simitis.

On Wednesday at noon, Mr. Junker and Mr. Simitis will give a joint press conference and later Mr. Simitis will give a formal dinner in honor of his counterpart. Mr. Junker will return to his country later on that day.

tomorrow.

The participating parliament presidents and parliamentary delegations will meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and visit the Acropolis.

The parliament presidents from Greece, Egypt, Italy and Iran, participating in the conference on the Parliamentary Dialogue of the Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations, will sign a Final Declaration on Monday.

The project is expected to be completed in September and it will cost more than US$1 million.

The program for the support of the Greeks in the former Soviet Union countries was characterized as a vision by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis. The specific program is funded mainly by SAE and individual businessmen from Greece and a broad.

Of the stocks trading today, 164 recorded gains and 130 had losses, while the value of 77 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Simitis stated that regional development must be activated by the state to promote social cohesion and solidarity. Also, the people must undertake a general effort to achieve progress.

A special emphasis was given by the Prime Minister to the role of decentralization, stressing that it cannot be put in effect if local politics and interests dominate.

Referring to the reforms promoted by the government, he stressed that the reactions provoked by certain interests affected by the reforms in question, must be overcome.