In statements after the meeting, Mr. Paschalidis reaffirmed the support of the Greek government in Bulgaria's efforts to incorporate itself into Euroatlantic structures.

He also stressed that within 2002 a bilateral agreement will be signed between Greece and Bulgaria, concerning works to take place in the framework of the Greek Project for Balkan Reconstruction.

Mr. Paschalidis pointed out that the joint Greek-Bulgarian committee which was formed during his visit to Sofia two months ago, has submitted its findings on the progress of the works on the border passes of Goche Delchef - Exohi Drama, Rudomez - Ehinos,

and Makaza - Komotini. The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace characterized the three passes as "important roads for relations between the two countries". "We want these paths to lead to friendship, cooperation, communication between the two countries, we do n ot want roads that lead nowhere. We want roads leading to a common European future", he pointed out.

On his side, Mr. Saxe-Coburg Gotha stated that within the year he will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. "I would like to underline that the most important issue is to see a common road towards Europe and cooperate like good neighboring countries that have a lot in common interests. I believe that through dialogues, and with the excellent relations we have developed, we will achieve the goals we have set".

The Staff Center will be manned by 250 officers from NATO country-members, 55% of which will be Greek officers. Mr. Apostolidis noted that it is a Staff Body concerned with issues of security and defense, and its functioning points out the strategic role

of Thessaloniki in Southeastern Europe. He also underlined that Greece is the only European country that is both a member of NATO and the European Union.

He connected the functioning of the Headquarters to the Multinational Peace Keeping Mission Training Center in Kilkis, which has thus far trained 4000 officers, mainly Greek, as well as members of Balkan and European Armed Forces. The US and the Netherla nds have expressed their willingness to send trainers to support the Kilkis Multinational Center.

He also pointed out that Greece has developed into an important security and stability factor in the broader region. At this moment, there are 2000 Greeks serving in Kossovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, other Balkan countries, and Afghanistan, and lowering that number is not an issue. Answering a question, he stated that he is not in a position to give the exact amount that these missions are cost, but he observed that the cost is significant both for the Greek Armed Forces as well as the country's economy.

Already, Greece, Bulgaria and Russia have reached an agreement on their equal participation (33%) in the capital of the construction company under the name "Inter-Balkan Oil Pipeline" that will be established for the construction of the oil pipeline.

For the record, the average inflation in the Euro-zone states in the past month is expected to drop to 2.2% recording a small decline compared to 2.4% last March.

Important personalities representing the political and business world will attend the forum which is expected to be even more successful than last year.

The Bulgarian leader is scheduled to depart for Sofia on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the idea expressed by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, concerning the publication of a book with texts written by Balkan intellectuals and authors to be distributed to every Balkan school student, aimed at the mutual understan ding of the peoples and peaceful coexistence, got the support of the Bulgarian leader.

Support to Mr. Paschalidis' idea has already been offered by the Presidents of the FRY and FYROM, the Bulgarian Prime Minister, the University of Belgrade and the Democratic Forces Union Party President in Bulgaria.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority namely, 253 had gains and 65 recorded losses, while 55 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Simitis has already signed 3 agreements of financial cooperation, ear and land transports with the Federal Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Dragisa Pesic.

The Greek Prime Minister will complete his visit today and return to Athens this afternoon.

Geoff Hoon.

Mr. Hoon thanked Greece for its contribution to the fight against terrorism, while as far as the Euroarmy is concerned different opinions were expressed.

Mr. Papantoniou made Greece's immovable position on the subject of the Euroarmy clear, stressing that "it is one of those issues that even friends disagree on, as my friend Mr. Hoon so elegantly implied".

"Greece has a clear opinion. It does not accept the Ankara text and appreciates that it is futile to be pressured to accept it. That is clear. I mentioned it in my speech yesterday, I repeated it today to Mr. Hoon as well. Greece will in no way whatsoeve r accept the text in its present form", he underlined.

The Minister also stressed that Mr. Hoon expressed the difficulties there are in changing the Ankara text, but he pointed out that his British counterpart "will make every possible effort through the procedure initiated by Mr. Solana, with the initiative

of Greece and the participation of the Spanish Presidency, in order to find a formulation for the text acceptable by all involved parties".

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Papantoniou noted, "we agreed that the present opportunity is indeed a unique and historic opportunity to find a political solution to the Cyprus issue", and at the same time, he stressed that the Turkish Cypriots "will

be able to enjoy EU commodities, EU fees, and other accommodations, after their accession".

"It is positive for Turkey itself", said Mr. Papantoniou, "because it will make its own course towards EU accession easier, and finally it is of crucial importance as far as Greek-Turkish relations are concerned". "If we succeed in finding a political so lution", he pointed out, "it will certainly have a positive effect on Greek-Turkish relations, regardless of the improvement so far". The Minister of Defense also added that Mr. Hoon promised that England will continue its efforts to accommodate and encou rage positive developments in the dialogue procedure between Mr. Cleridis and Mr. Denktash.

On the Balkans and the Middle East, the Greek Minister underlined that there was full agreement on the issues.

Finally, Mr. Papantoniou noted that Mr. Hoon "thanked us very warmly for our substantial contribution to the fight against international terrorism".

Mr. Simitis met with Patriarch Pavle of Serbia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Kostunica, while later in the afternoon he is expected back to Athens.

Mr. Simitis and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Prime Minister Pesic signed three economic cooperation agreements yesterday on air and road transportation.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece will continue the initiatives for peace in the region and underlined the role of Greece and Cyprus in the efforts to find a solution and free the Palestinians.

Referring to the living conditions for those of the Palestinians who will come to Greece, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou clarified that security measures will be in effect but they will not be held in custody. He added that the details will be

decided in the EU General Affairs Council on Monday. Mr. Papandreou also said that this development was "imperative" because of the imminent Israeli intervention in Gaza. He said that in his recent visit to the region he had discussed the issue of the Pa lestinians in the Church of the Nativity both with Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon.

Greek Press Ministry general secretary Ms. Spiliopoulou welcomed the initiative and Cyprus' role in the negotiations. She stressed that Cyprus' accession into the EU only good things will offer, reiterating that the government is not aware of the names o f the 13 Palestinians who have already arrived in Cyprus.

Mr. Gitonas pointed out that the fight against terrorism is a top priority for the international community and pointed out that in any case the rights of the individual, the state of law and democratic principles must be respected. Terrorism will be effe ctively combated with greater democracy and justice, stated Mr. Gitonas, adding that marginalization, fanaticism, and blind hatred give birth to terrorism which is fueled by poverty, inequality and injustice.

Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that the goal is the further development of the Greek-Turkish cooperation and pointed out that Greece's accession into the EMU and Turkey's EU prospect are significant factors for the development of relations, while there are

still many sectors in which bilateral relations could improve further.

Turkish Minister of State Kemal Dervis, responsible for economic issues stated that the development of the Greek economy is to the benefit of Turkey, while the development of the Turkish economy is to the benefit of Greece respectively.

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