In the last few hours, Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and other members of the Greek delegation said the odds for an acceptable formula to be found on the Euroarmy issue, are increasing, while Minister of the Press Christos Protopapas left all possi bilities open.

The increase of unemployed women among the addicted individuals is also striking (70%), and women also go through the overuse stage to the addiction stage at a younger age.

Mrs. Diamantopoulou, speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, underlined that at the moment there is a need of a European policy on immigration and illegal immigration. "We have migratory currents moving towards Europe from all its borders. Apart from Gr eece, we have waves of immigrants in Portugal and Spain, from the Canary Islands and the Sahara, from Africa. In northern countries, such as England and Austria, there are immigrants from Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union. In the Mediterran ean in general, there are immigrants moving from the whole of Africa, through N. Africa. Also, the crisis in certain Latin American countries, has created waves of immigrants, mainly towards Portugal and Spain", mentioned Mrs. Diamantopoulou.

On the dimensions the issue has taken, the Greek Commissioner stated to the MPA: "The problem is very serious and the situation with illegal immigration is explosive, because illegal immigrants have very serious problems, and while they do not exist as c itizens, they create major problems to the societies in which they reside".

As Mrs. Diamantopoulou stressed, Europe being a "fortress", is an expression that she agrees with. "During a first discussion there are proposals for the use of all means of technology, as well as other means, from boats to special corps to guard borders

and support all member-states. However, we are still in the first phase and no specific decisions have been made. European leaders are positive and it is obvious that it is not possible for each country to solve the problem by itself", she added.

To the question of whether unemployment is connected to the supply of the "cheap" working hands of illegal immigrants, the Commissioner stated: "It is very difficult to make an accurate correlation. And that is because illegal immigrants, both in Greece and in the other countries of the EU, usually do the jobs that the citizens of the member-states avoid. They are mainly occupied with agriculture or seasonal and hard labor. We cannot accurately say what the consequence is on unemployment, but there is ce rtainly an important social problem: We have people that are not visible in societies, they have children without having access to services, leading them to wretched situations and creating social problems, as well as security problems."

The issues raised on legal immigration are of a different nature. The European continent has a history in such affairs, but not in all of its countries. As Mrs. Diamantopoulou pointed out, countries such as Germany, G. Britain, Denmark, Belgium, as well as Scandinavian countries, have the structures, the budget and the legislature for the incorporation of immigrants due to their history. In contrast, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy have had to accept an immense number of immigrants in a very short time . That is why they have submitted proposals so as to come into harmony with the legislature of all EU countries.

"The core of the problem is the infrastructure countries are suddenly in need of. Greater infrastructure is needed in schools, hospitals, public areas and preschool centers", stressed the Greek Commissioner, and added: "Studies have shown that each immig rant can, within a certain amount of time, bring an average of 9 people from his homeland, who are all part of his family".

Through the Community Support Framework the possibility to plan such infrastructure is given, especially in our country.

Greece is in a first stage, since it is a new phenomenon for the country. The "equal" programme, that is part of Mrs. Diamantopoulou's portfolio, has the incorporation of immigrants into the labor market of the country in which they live as its goal. It includes training for four or five months, with priority given to learning the language".

As Mrs. Diamantopoulou explained, Greece's first priority is immigration and illegal immigration. With checks on entrance and security as requirements, immigrants can reinforce labor, contribute to the solving of the country's demographic problem and in general strengthen the country's wealth.

Among the issues discussed in the meeting were illegal immigration, the situation in the Middle East, the Cyprus issue and cooperation in the sectors of culture and education. The proposal of the Greek parliament deputies to hold the next meeting in Athe ns in the first half of 2003 was accepted.

The Greek President will meet with his Kazakh counterpart on June 26 and they will sign bilateral agreements. Also, Mr. Stephanopoulos will open a business forum held with the participation of the Greek businessmen who accompany him in the mission.

The OTEGlobe, a member of the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, Group offers telecommunications solutions both to big companies and to telecommunications companies in the Greek and international market through the international platform Data/IP

which is in effect in 22 strategic points internationally.

of Minorities.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos pointed out that the Balkan countries are a part of Europe that is being reconstructed and wishes to become a member of the European Union.

He also appeared optimistic regarding the materialization of the big step of the EU enlargement in 2003.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 201 recorded gains and 97 had losses, while the value of 75 stocks remained unchanged.

It should be noted that due to Mr. Mandela's ill health the scheduled for this afternoon sea cruise of the Greek islands was canceled for precautionary reasons.

When asked to comment on the likelihood for the government to force the strikers to return to their posts, the federation's secretary Yiannis Halas stressed that the deck workers believe that such a decision is illegal. He also said that his colleagues w ill see it as an act of disdain toward both their struggle and the stance they had adopted so far.

Earlier, acting government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris had stated that the government had approached the deck workers' demands in a positive way. He pointed out that if their union decides to continue the strike then the government will do its duty and protect the interests of the community.

Ministry, according to a statement by acting government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris.

Mr. Hitiris stated that the government was open for dialogue and in essence met the demands of the strikers. He said that unfortunately, the Greek Deck Workers Federation chose to continue the strike that hurts the country's economy, tourism, trade and t he people's freedom of movement.

"I was surprised to learn from Mr. Aznar that the Greek Government has submitted proposals for the amendment of the Ankara text, and despite his commitment to me in writing, Mr. Simitis did not notify us. For obvious reasons I do not want to say more at this moment. We will talk about it in Athens though", stated Mr. Karamanlis.

The President of New Democracy stressed that he had a very useful conversation with the Prime Minister of Spain, on issues of mutual European interest, mainly concentrated on the Euroarmy.

"For us, the Euroarmy issue is timely and of vital importance, firstly because we wish and support the need to create a joint European defense" he stressed, explaining to Mr. Aznar the reasons for which the Ankara text cannot be accepted by Greece as is,

and asked for its amendment.

Specifically, he mentioned that the major points that must be changed are article 2, that foresees that the Euroarmy will at no time and in no crisis turn against Turkey, leaving Greece with no cover in case of an attack from Turkey, and article 12, that

foresees that Turkey - a country that is not yet a member of the EU - will have substantial say in even in autonomous actions of the Euroarmy in regions such as Cyprus and the Aegean.

"In other words, we're letting the wolf look after the sheep", he said characteristically, stressing that he pointed out to Mr. Aznar that "Greece is the only country in the EU that is confronted with an existing threat, and that with its form today, the

Ankara text leaves Greece exposed in its major issue of security".

"We at New Democracy, place national interest over all else. In fact, it is known that that the Euroarmy issue was first raised by us, long before the government decided to pay it the attention it deserved".

Many US Senators, who met with the delegates, expressed their support to a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of a two-zone and two-community federation based on the UN resolutions. They also expressed their support to Cyprus' European U nion accession course.

The talks of the European leaders focused on the issue of illegal immigration on which Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi underlined the need for cooperation between Greece and Italy.

lunch of the EU leaders in the Seville Summit meeting where the issue of the Euro-army was raised.

According to press information, Greece asked for a specific clause to be included in the relevant text. Specifically, the clause requested by Greece mentions that NATO states cannot attack other countries, members of the EU, and therefore, countries part icipating in the Euro-army. However, Turkey as a member of NATO is opposed to this and wants no change in the already known Euro-army text.

Mr. Simitis stated that Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will meet this evening with the Turkish President and the Turkish Foreign Minister to discuss the issue with them. The Greek Prime Minister avoided any comments on the outcome of the Greek p resence in the Seville Summit by saying that the negotiation is still in progress.

Describing the procedure that was followed on the Euro-army issue, he said that the negotiation was tough and laborious. He added that it was not done through exchanges of texts but through continuous contacts of Greek Foreign Ministry representatives wi th European Foreign Ministers. He also said that himself had contacts with Mr. Aznar and Mr. Solana and other European leaders.

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