30 euro increases in OGA pensions will be paid on February 10 and the first portion of the owed family benefits will be paid at the end of the same month, as announced yesterday by yesterday by the Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, w ho gave his reassurance that there is room for further benefits in the direction of the social state from 2005 onwards. "The Convergence Charta is a dialogue framework which can be enriched", stressed Mr. Christodoulakis characteristically.

Foivos Ioannidis. We would propose that Mr. Protopapas, who seems not to have done his homework once again, to read the political editor's briefing at last, responded Mr. Protopapas.

Mr. Magriotis pointed out that this issue is especially important to Greek government, and the Israeli Minister expressed his optimism on an upcoming final solution.

During the meeting, the good relations between Israel and Greece were verified, and potential further cooperation was discussed.

of ND Costas Karamanlis.

"It is our collective debt, to secure, to enforce a new political culture", stated Mr. Karamanlis to the press, adding: "For this to happen we must:

- Firstly, secure the absolute certainty of the state. For example it is unacceptable for 7 drafts favoring specific parties' interests to appear just yesterday.

- Secondly, the Constitution must be observed for the objective informing - presenting of the facts, for the respect of ethics and the promotion of all parties, all views.

- Thirdly, at least one pre-election discussion must be held among the leaders of all the parties represented in the Parliament and the Europarliament, and at least three broad ranging discussions must be held between the leaders of the two major parties

must also take place.

- Fourthly, citizens demand respect, that is why we must all protect and respect the environment from pollution and sound pollution.

We want a dialogue that is modern, honest, civilized, without insults, with respect for the other view. A dialogue to concentrate on the citizens' real problems and the solutions we propose for them".

The meeting was carried out in the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and the three-member Presidency then visited Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the Maximos Mansion.

When asked by journalists if he agrees with the views of Mr. Papandreou on the subject, he answered that he is in favor of the idea and the proposal, and added that the discussion should be held with all related bodies and the youth on how it should be a pplied on the uniqueness of our society and country.

Mr. Magriotis stressed that the Greek youth is facing many problems in its daily life and that many of the dead ends young people live through, the lack of hope and vision, which are not given to them by those in charge of public authority and lead them to dark paths.

Mr. Simitis referred to the cooperation between the two countries, which includes economic assistance, Greece's participation in the international peacekeeping force and the training of Bosnia-Herzegovina police by the Greek Police.

The Prime Minister referred to the prospects of economic cooperation, while he pledged the Greek government's support to Bosnia-Herzegovina in its effort aimed at the cooperation with the EU to lead to the signing of a Stabilization and Association Agree ment.

On his part, Croat representative of the Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency Dragan Covic expressed gratitude for the assistance offered to his country by the Greek state and the Greek people.

He underlined that Bosnia-Herzegovina is firm on its Euro-Atlantic orientation and asked for Greece's assistance toward this direction.

Mr. Covic stated that his country is willing to meet all its obligations for a feasible approach with the EU and NATO and in order to attract foreign investments, announcing that an international conference on investments will be held in Mostar in the fo llowing weeks with the participation of Greece.

Referring to the issue of those wanted for war crimes, he stated that Bosnia-Herzegovina is closely cooperating with the international court in The Hague, adding that his country will cooperate with all international organizations for justice to be serve d.

Of the stocks trading today, 99 recorded gains and 217 had losses, while the value of 68 stocks remained unchanged.

The events will take place in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Cuban President Fidel Castro, state leaders, archpriests, representatives of Greek-American organizations and representatives from countries in South and Central America.

The St. Nikolaos church is designed based on the Byzantine model and the mosaic and fretwork have been made in Thessaloniki.

They exchanged views on sectors of mutual interest and the Israeli side presented its policy aimed at the merger of small municipalities for a more effective local administration, while the Greek side described the experience and knowledge it has acquire d from the operation of the Citizens Service Centers.

They also discussed issues concerning electronic governance, local administration, immigration, ombudsman and civil protection.

The two ministers concluded that mutual efforts should be made for the strengthening and facilitation of actions leading to the promotion and development of relations between the two ministries. They decided to encourage contacts between the two ministri es, and exchange visits, information and know-how in different sectors aimed at promoting the effective operation of public services in both countries.