The Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations, Turkey's European prospect and the situation in the Balkans will be among the topics of discussion between the two Prime Ministers with a special emphasis on the developments in the Cyprus issue in view of t he referenda for the approval of the Annan Plan scheduled to take place in Cyprus on Saturday.

He said that the aim is to contribute constructively toward a positive solution to the Cyprus problem and added that the aim is also to back the demands set by the Cypriot people for meaningful assurances and guarantees on the future of the island. Mr. P apandreou made the statement after the meeting he had at his office in Parliament today with representatives of the Bureau International des Expositions, BIE, on the occasion of Thesaloniki's bid to host exhibition EXPO 2008.

Regarding his telephone communication with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Mr. Papandreou stated that he conveyed to him the need for necessary assurances to the Cypriot people.

Referring to Cyprus, he said that the island with the solution of the problem will function in an impeccable manner within the framework of the EU institutions and with the guarantees offered by international organizations and the EU.

Especially on the guarantees issue, he said that it is very important for the Greek Cypriots and the political parties that have supported the plan. He also gave assurances that he, as the leader of PASOK, the leading party of the opposition in Greece, w ill contribute to make sure that those guarantees will be offered.

The meticulous observance of the provisions related with security issues and the timetables included in the overall settlement is characterized of "vital importance".

US Secretary of State Colin Powell had telephone communications with Dimitris Christofias, leader of AKEL, the largest political party in Cyprus and Greek opposition party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou.

Cypriot Republic Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou is on a visit to Moscow at the invitation of his Russian counterpart.

Mr. Karamanlis was briefed on the figures that are available so far and are going to be discussed in the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

According to information, the deficit was around 3% of the GDP in 2003, while in 2004 is expected to be slightly lower.

Mr. Karamanlis called for measures to cut public spending and increase revenues.

The economic staff is examining sources of revenues that will not result to increased taxation.

In the meeting they also discussed the course of inflation and ways to keep it under control.

The release of the sailors was achieved after long consultations between the governments of Greece and Pakistan. The sailors arrived in Athens accompanied by Minister of Merchant Marine Yiannis Kefaloyiannis and Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis,

who went to Islamabad on Saturday to pick up the five and bring them back to Greece.

Greece will be represented in the meeting by ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis and Turkish Foreign Ministry General Secretary ambassador Ugul Ziyat.

According to information, the Prime Minister stressed that it is very important to be united the day after the referenda in Cyprus. At the same time, he pointed out that Greece believes that by defending Turkey's European prospect offers a service to the

Cyprus issue, both medium-term and long-term.

The cabinet also examined the latest developments in Cyprus and the emerging satisfaction of the demands made by AKEL, the largest political party in Cyprus, regarding the guarantees for the implementation of the Annan Plan.

Mrs. Benaki, in statements she made after the meeting with the foreign officials, expressed the support of the Greek Parliament to the collective national effort to bring EXPO 2008 to Thessaloniki.

The BIE officials also met with opposition party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou, representatives of the Communist Party and Coalition of the Radical Left President Nikos Konstantopoulos.

Yesterday, the BIE officials had meetings with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis and Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis, while Deputy Minister of Finance Christos F olias gave a working luncheon in their honor with the participation of economic officials.

The BIE officials were very pleased with the presentation of the file of Thessaloniki's bid to host EXPO 2008 that took place in Athens yesterday. Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis stated characteristically during the presentation that, "wh en there is hope, there is always success".

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that the growth rate in 2003 was at 4.2% and not at 5%, according to the statements made by the main opposition party, while the prediction for 2004 is at 3.7%.

The government spokesman stated that Mr. Alogoskoufis stressed that based on the latest predictions by the European Commission growth rate in 2005 will drop to 3.3%, while at the same time he underlined the big delays in the implementation of the 3rd Com munity Framework of Support and pointed out the bad shape public finances are in. The government spokesman stated that public deficit in 2003 was almost double compared to the budget assessments made last December reaching 2.95%.

Based on the state budget, public deficit in 2004 was predicted to be at 1.2% of the GDP but according to the figures that are available, significant efforts need to be made for the deficit to be kept under 3% of the GDP in 2004.

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that the main axis of the government policy will be a steady and reliable macro-economic policy that will lead the country to a new era.

"Good progress has been made in a number of key areas since my last visit to Athens less than three weeks ago", said IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Oswald. "Then, for example, the huge steel frame was only just in place over the velodrome and now t he finished roof is rapidly taking shape. With only 115 days to the Opening Ceremony, I am encouraged to see how much has been completed in such a short time", said Mr. Oswald.

ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said: "We are delighted to welcome the IOC to Athens, to show them first-hand the work being completed, and the operations we are putting in place. The successful sport events just held at the aquatic centre- where new measures are being deployed to ensure excellent condition for the athletes this summer-were vital steps along the way to what promises to be a unique and historic Games. We look forward to welcoming the full Coordination Commission on 10 May and

the prospect of showing them even more impressive progress at that time."

Of the stocks trading today, 172 had gains and 111 had losses, while the value of 116 stocks remained unchanged.