Of the stocks trading today, 89 had gains and 186 had losses, while the value of 148 stocks remained unchanged.

According to the opinion poll, 52% of those asked agreed with the decision of the Prime Minister to accept the resignation of Savvas Tsitouridis from the Ministry of Agricultural Development, while 61% responded "no" to the question if a PASOK government

would have reacted in the same way.

Mr. Moliviatis referred to the weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, organized crime, states in debt, environmental disasters, social and economic crises, epidemics, large-scale humanitarian disasters, famine and poverty, which are capital prob lems that have to be faced with solidarity regardless of geographic, cultural or religious factors.

Mr. Moliviatis added that humanity should avoid being swept away by an atmosphere of pessimism and concern about the future.

In Athens, said Mr. Moliviatis, athletes from all over the world dedicated their efforts to a noble cause and showed that competition does not necessarily mean tensions, frictions, crises or conflicts.

The ancient idea of the Olympic Truce reflects the hope of modern man for the peaceful settlement of conflicts.

Mr. Moliviatis stated that with the active participation and support of the International Community Greece works intensively to turn the Balkans into a region of democracy, peace, stability and prosperity on the basis of a common European future.

He also said that in the past few years, the atmosphere in bilateral relations with Turkey is constantly improving and both the Greek and the Turkish governments make sincere efforts to place bilateral relations on a new course.

On Cyprus, Greece's firm goal is the reunification of the island through a mutually agreed, viable, fair and functional solution based on the UN Security Council resolutions and the UN Secretary General plan compatible with the European standards and the

EU principles.

Greece, concluded Mr. Moliviatis, is a candidate for one of the non-permanent member seats in the UN Security Council for the period 2005-2006 and called for the support of the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Moliviatis stated that he agreed with Mr. Powell that their talks were comprehensive and the visit to Athens by Mr. Powell is not necessary to take place, adding that the issue is open and common dates will be found at a next stage.

Foreign Minister Moliviatis stressed that the meeting was very pleasant, useful and friendly held in a cordial atmosphere. They reviewed bilateral relations and agreed that they are at a very good point.

They also discussed the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, Turkey's European prospect, the Balkans, the Middle East and Iraq.

Turkey will have to face the problem of cultural adjustment and not Europe, pointed out Euro-deputy elected with the governing party of New Democracy professor Georgios Papastamkos in his intervention within the framework of the two-day conference on Tur key organized by the European People's Party in Brussels.

He also referred to the cultural, political and economic criteria for Turkey's EU accession.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos stated that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and agreed that the dialogue for the solution of the problem affecting bilateral relations should move ahead.

Both Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction for the operation of Greek embassy, economic and trade affairs offices shortly in the city of Bitola and similar FYROM offices in Thessaloniki.

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