The Prime Minister visited Japan's old capital, Kyoto, and was shown around temples and palaces, and watched the traditional ceremony for the preparation of tea.

While addressing the government in Kyoto, Mr. Simitis referred to the 2004 Olympics, supporting that Greece is aiming at holding human games.

In his message to the Pontific, Mr. Christodoulos mentioned that Athens and Rome must cooperate.

In the meantime, during their stay in the Vatican they will discuss issues of common interest, such as bioethics and abortion. The Christian heritage of Greece will also be discussed, as well as the de-christianization of Europe and the relations of the church with the European Union.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the workers will try to meet with the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior today.

Referring to the content of these exploratory meetings, the Greek spokesperson, Mr.Beglitis, repeated that these meetings do not constitute discussions, or negotiations, but an exchange of views with no agenda and all off the record.

Mr. Beglitis also repeated that the framework in which the Greek side will move in any discussion, is that of International Law, as well as bilateral and international Treaties, respect of territorial integrity and the inviolable of the borders of both c ountries, as well as sovereign rights.

Finally, the Greek side placed special gravity on European precedent, and more specifically on the conclusions of the European Council of Helsinki.

The two countries' Foreign Ministers met in New York and Istanbul in the past few months, and had agreed that these exploratory talks be scheduled so that some common ground may be found, and a discussion may be initiated.

Participants in the Greek side include the Director of Political Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis, and Professor of International Law Argyris Fatouros. The Turkish side includes Ambassador Ugul Ziyal and the legal advisor

of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Mr. Bulukbasi.

Minister of Environment, Public Works and Land Planning Ms. Vaso Papandreou headed the delegation and underlined that women often are being judged based on tougher criteria compared to men even if they have the same qualifications and the same abilities with them.

The goal of the contacts is to make an effort to find convergence points for the Greek-Turkish dialogue that will focus initially on organizing issues.

Greece has made it clear that the dialogue is linked with the only legal Greek-Turkish dispute concerning the Aegean continental shelf.

Meanwhile, the date of the next meeting that will be held in Athens, the intervals of the meetings and the framework of the dialogue will be determined in the Ankara meeting.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stated that it is a given for the Greek side that the framework of the political dialogue should be based on the respect of international law, international and bilateral treaties, territorial integrity, the invi olability of the borders, the non use of violence. Also, it should be based on the European standards and the Helsinki conclusions.

The EU-Turkey Association Council will take place on April 16.

Speaking to MPA, Aristotle University seismologist Manolis Skordilis stated that it was a weak tremor that causes no concern. He also said that the region of Kerkini is not earthquake active and the tremors recorded in the region from time to time are no t strong.

Of the stocks trading today, 184 recorded gains and 120 had losses, while the value of 68 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Reppas stated that women in Greece represent just 32.6% of the workforce, while the unemployed women are at 12.9% compared to 4.7% for men. The unemployment rate among young women is especially high and almost double than that recorded among young me n namely, 42% and 22.8% respectively.

The strategic goal for Greece is to increase the employment rate for women to reach the European average of 50%, while in the next 9 years it will reach 60% in accordance with the Lisbon targets.

Mr. Kougioumtsis stated that a great effort is being made for Evros River, at the borders between Greece and Turkey, to become a river of friendship and not a river of confrontation.

Cigli mayor Tefik Algianak stated that cooperation should start in the sectors of economy, tourism and culture and referring to his municipality he stated that it has a population of 158.000 people with a total of 350 private businesses. Ismir industrial

region president Yilmaz Ankaraman stated there is a total of 391 businesses active in the specific region employing an estimated 5.000 people in industries that manufacture high quality products. He also stressed that in the past 6 months a cooperation g ot underway with businessmen from the city of Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece.

The Turkish delegation will visit the Furnidec-Furnima Furniture Exhibition in Thessaloniki tomorrow.

"We are making every possible effort to find the parties responsible for the terrorist strikes in Greece. We are working hard in this direction, and whoever works hard succeeds in the end", stated the Prime Minister.

The Greek government has already worked hard so that the 2004 Olympics are held in conditions of complete security, stated the Prime Minister. "We did not change our plans due to September 11, since the existing security measures for civilians and Olympi c security, are the best possible ones. The group of the 7 countries (US, UK, Spain, France, Israel, Australia and Germany) cooperating for maximum security of the Olympics, had already begun functioning before September 11".

During their visit to the Belgian capital that was completed yesterday, the Greek Muslims had the opportunity to be briefed on the latest developments in the European Union, the operation of the European Parliament and the positions backed by PASOK's Eur o-deputies on the issues of national importance.

In statements they made, the two Euro-deputies stressed that it is an obligation for the Greek Euro-deputies to invite Greek citizens to Brussels, regardless of religion, to be briefed on European policies that will have an effect on their everyday and p rofessional life.

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