Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-20

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] SE leaders call for upgraded regional security

[02] Greek, Turkish FMs to visit Israel, West Bank next week

[03] Solana focuses on int'l security during Athens address

[04] EU's Solana and ND failed to agree on EU army issue, sources say

[05] Defence minister meets Romanian, Albanian counterparts

[06] Deputy DM pleased with results of Greek-American cooperation meeting

[07] Yiannitsis praises Cyprus' progress towards EU accession

[08] ND leader Karamanlis meets former German chancellor Kohl

[09] PASOK issues message in light of 35th Junta anniversary

[10] Ecumenical Patriarchate, Moscow Patriarchate discuss Ukrainian Church's future

[11] Greek edition of 'Foreign Policy' political review presented

[12] Deputy minister defends Olympic Games' real estate company – reactions

[13] GSEE organ OKs signature of collective labor agreement

[14] Government urges mergers, acquisitions

[15] Business tours of Turkey seen opening investment opportunities

[16] HellasCom signs contracts with FYROM, Armenia

[17] National Bank's board to propose retention of Karatzas as head

[18] Intracom's Kokkalis, OPAP officials cleared over '99 'football wager' contract

[19] Adriatic & Ionian Seas Initiative meeting discusses maritime issues

[20] Greek weekly economic review

[21] ASE rebounds to end week higher

[22] Anniversary of Lord Byron's death commemorated in Athens

[23] Exhibition of Greek architecture opens at Istanbul Polytechnic

[24] Clerides, Denktash continue peace talks

[25] Cyprus closes three more acquis chapters

[26] Vassiliou says EU membership to everyone's benefit

[01] SE leaders call for upgraded regional security

The leaders of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece on Friday cited what they called a need for a more “organized presence” aimed at upgrading security in the region, during their latest trilateral contacts here.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis arrived on Thursday in the Romanian capital for talks with the country's President, Ion Iliescu, and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov.

“We agree on the fact that a more organized presence is needed to combat illegal immigration, weapons smuggling and narcotics trafficking; that a more organized presence is necessary for security in the Balkans,” Simitis told reporters.

In a later press release, it was announced that the three SE European leaders specifically discussed such threats to the region, underlining the importance of making fully operational a protocol for enhanced trilateral cooperation in combating crime, especially cross-border crime.

Meanwhile, economic cooperation dominated a morning session, with discussions touching on ways to better involve chambers of commerce in each country, as well as improving infrastructure for transports and energy networks in the area.

"When the reconstruction of Yugoslavia's networks is completed and Balkan networks are connected, then there will be greater opportunities for developing the energy sector in the region," Simitis said.

As far as political cooperation is concerned, the Greek premier reiterated Athens' standing position of favoring Romania's and Bulgaria's European Union accession.

Along these lines, he said a Greek foreign ministry initiative is currently underway to support Balkan countries' demands, while stressing that the Union should, by the end of the year, unveil a brief deadline outlining the two countries' accession process.

In other areas, the three leaders agreed on the importance of further working together to ''promote sustained economic development in SE Europe'' in an environment of ''peace, cooperation and good-neighborliness.''

Moreover, the three sides reiterated their conviction that the fundamental principles for ''achieving lasting peace in SE Europe are respect for the sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of all states in the region, the commitment for a peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as the primacy of International Law and Treaties.''

Finally, Iliescu, Purvanov and Simitis stressed their strong conviction that NATO's enlargement towards SE Europe will strengthen the Alliance's military capability and provide strategic depth vis-a-vis counter-terrorism operations and non-military threats, such as organized crime ''in all its forms''.

Concern for Middle East: In a joint press release issued after their contacts, all three men stressed that the Mideast situation was also discussed, with the three leaders noting that ''violence and acts of terrorism will not bring peace to the region and that the conflict can only be solved through political means and dialogue.''

''No efforts should be spared in order to stop the violence and prevent a further escalation of tensions with all the implications to regional and international peace and stability,'' the press release added.

Finally, they also called for the immediate and full implementation of UN resolutions 1397, 1402 and 1403.

Next year's summit will be held in Greece.

PM discusses Euro-Med conference, Mideast with Libyan leader: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday discussed with Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi issues related to the Euro-Mediterranean Conference and develop-ments in the Middle East.

Qadhafi called Simitis, who is in the Romanian capital for a tri-partite summit between Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, in light of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference, which begins on Monday in Valencia, Spain.

[02] Greek, Turkish FMs to visit Israel, West Bank next week

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

In a press release, Spokesman Panos Beglitis said the joint initiative by the Greek and Turkish FMs aims at contributing to efforts for a ''lifting of the impasse'' in the region and at jump-starting the Mideast peace process.

Meanwhile, a Turkish foreign ministry spokes-man also announced the joint initiative of the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers.

''Mr. Cem and his Greek counterpart Mr. George Papandreou, if nothing unforeseen happens, will go to the Middle East next week, to contribute to the international efforts toward peace,'' the spokesman said, according to an ANA dispatch from Istanbul.

The visit of the ministers was scheduled for last week, but it was postponed in light of U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell's visit there, according to the Anadolu agency.

[03] Solana focuses on int'l security during Athens address

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

Solana opened the third and last day of the 6th Economist group's "Government Roundtable" conference in Greece, which is being held in Athens' seaside resort of Vouliagmeni.

"Well prior to the 11th of September attack, the European Union was shaping its European security and defence policy, taking into account a number of factors: the new geo-political reality; the causes and changing nature of conflict; the extent of our ambitions in the security area; the range of capabilities at our disposal; and finally, how our security stance would fit into that of the wider world," Solana told delegates attending the Economist group's conference, entitled "Leadership Strategy in the Security Arena: Changing Parametres for Global Recovery".

In a distinct reference to the terrorist attacks in the United States last September and subsequent anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan against the Taliban and the notorious 'al-Qaida' cells, Solana warned that "fanaticism, when combined with access to technology, including the nuclear, chemical and biological varieties, is a potent threat to our security. And because these groups have scant regard for humanitarian principles or conventions, it is a threat posed not only to our militaries, but also to our civilian populations".

The high-ranking EU official also touched on upcoming EU enlargement, noting that the 15-member bloc's expansion marks a "decisive step towards the reunification of Europe."

"... New member-states will bring with them old ties and relations with third countries from which the Union, as a whole, shall benefit. Russia will be a closer and more involved neighbour, and what was once the Far East will be considerably closer," he added.

He also reiterated a view that the United States will continue to be Europe's main international partner in the 21st century, while citing the continent's unbridled solidarity in the anti-terrorism campaign that followed Sept. 11.

Finally, Solana briefly touched on the current troubling Mideast situation, noting that his meeting in Madrid with the US secretary of state, the Russian foreign minister and UN chief Kofi Annan to discuss coordinated international efforts at defusing the crisis "demonstrated the way" in dealing with future regional conflicts.

Former German chancellor Kohl addresses Economist conference: Former German chancellor Helmut Kohl said in Athens on Friday that the European Union can play a very important role in the Middle East but that it must fully undertake its responsibilities.

Speaking at the close of the international conference organized by the magazine Economist, Kohl said that the Middle East issue cannot be solved only through military means and that peace cannot be consolidated on poverty.

He claimed that the developments in the Middle East will be good if the United States assume their responsibilities, warning that there would not be lasting peace without American guarantees.

On the other hand, he said, ''it is unacceptable for Europe to push the issue on America and not be interested itself.''

[04] EU's Solana and ND failed to agree on EU army issue, sources say

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

They said that Karamanlis had repeatedly underlined that the text was not acceptable to Greece and asked that it be modified, while Solana apparently insisted that the text could not change.

The 'Ankara text' was drafted by Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom outside EU processes in order to circumvent Turkish objections to the use of NATO infrastructure and planning by the EU's rapid reaction force.

In statements afterward, Solana stressed that he would continue to work with the government and EU bodies in order to find a solution to the EU army issue, but said he did not know when such a solution would be found in response to questions by the ANA. On his part, Karamanlis stressed that this issue was particularly important to Greece, which could not be treated as a second-class country, while Greek citizens had a right to feel safe like other Europeans.

The ND leader also said that it was inconceivable for an EU member-state to be put on a par with a non-member, such as Turkey.

The government's stance on this issue, even though late in coming, was correct and New Democracy would support it, he added.

The two men also discussed the crisis in the Middle East. Solana told reporters afterward that New Democracy supported the decisions of the EU and wanted the immediate implementation of United Nations decisions.

[05] Defence minister meets Romanian, Albanian counterparts

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The meeting also covered bilateral defence cooperation with Albania and Romania, while Papantoniou expressed Athens' sup-port for the two countries' bids to join the European Union.

[06] Deputy DM pleased with results of Greek-American cooperation meeting

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

Commenting on the talks he had with his American counterpart, Apostolidis said that relations between Greece and the Unites States are very good and that the U.S. regarded Greece as a strategic partner with an important role to play for the security of the broader region.

The deputy defence minister added that ''we have the self-confidence and certainty that we can play our role as a force in the world scene.''

Speaking on the assessments of the U.S. on Greek-Turkish issues, Apostolidis said ''the Americans view that is an important factor of stability and believe that Greece is the bridge that Turkey must pass in order to enter the European Union. Without a settlement of the Cyprus issue it is difficult for this bridge to open''.

He said that Greece's strategic aim is for Cyprus to join the EU, noting that the American side appeared positive towards Cyprus' EU accession.

Apostolidis also referred to the Middle East crisis, saying that violence does not solve the problem but rather opens wounds which will be difficult to heal. The problem will be solved only when the Israeli troops withdraw from the Palestinian territories, if the two peoples can co-exist peacefully and an autonomous Palestinian state is created, he said.

[07] Yiannitsis praises Cyprus' progress towards EU accession

NICOSIA, 20/04/2002 (ANA-N. Melissova/CNA)

Speaking at a press conference after talks with President Glafcos Clerides, Cyprus government officials and party leaders, Yiannitsis also said Greece has absolute confidence in Clerides' handling of the peace negotiations but noted that all indications so far do not allow for optimism, without however ruling out the possibility for a change of heart on the part of the Turkish side at the talks.

Yiannitsis said the coming months would be ''very sensitive and crucial'' and called for a realistic approach to Turkish threats against Cyprus, should it join the EU without a political settlement.

''The EU will take its final decision in December on the first ten countries to be invited to join the Union and Cyprus is part of this group of countries,'' Yiannitsis said, noting that there will be one treaty of accession for all of them.

EU national parliaments will be called upon to ratify the treaty of enlargement, he said, noting that it is important to understand that there will be only one treaty on which the vote will be taken.

The minister said the EU decision in Helsinki in December 1999 was very important as it said a political settlement would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for EU membership.

''I believe Cyprus has made excellent and remarkable progress in its harmonization effort with the acquis communautaire and this is very important because it leaves no doubts in anybody's mind that Cyprus is facing adjustment problems,'' he said.

Commenting on the ongoing UN-led peace talks, Yiannitsis said President Clerides briefed him about developments and said that Athens has full confidence in the way the president is handling both the accession process and the peace negotiations.

''The coming months are going to be very critical and very sensitive too and we shall need to be very careful in our moves to bring all this to a successful conclusion,'' he said.

He said developments in the peace talks to date ''do not allow for optimism but as talks are still continuing, one must not rule out the possibility of seeing a change in the positions of the Turkish side.''

[08] ND leader Karamanlis meets former German chancellor Kohl

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

Following their meeting, which was also attended by ND deputy and candidate for Athens mayor Dora Bakoyianni, Karamanlis told reporters that he had a very interesting discussion with Kohl.

Karamanlis noted that Kohl ''played a very important role in the course of Europe over the past twenty years. It is certain that for very many Europeans Helmut Kohl symbolizes Europe of high ambitions, of great aims and those leaders who know where to lead Europe.''

Karamanlis added: ''We want a Europe which will really be a world power and not in words.''

[09] PASOK issues message in light of 35th Junta anniversary

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The message by PASOK's president and Executive Bureau says ''we honor all the fighters that struggled against the Junta of the colonels, but we do not forget who, why and how are responsible for the national shame of the junta of April 21''.

Greece ''moves on with optimism. The new challenges and the new needs in the international environment are great. Greece is a member of equal standing within the European Union, is a force of stability and cooperation,'' the press release of the ruling party said.

ND issues message for Junta's black anniversary: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos issued a message on Friday, in light of the Sunday 35th anniversary of the April 21, 1967 military coup in Greece.

''This year marks 35 years since the imposition of the dictator-ship in the country. This sad anniversary is a reason to think about the substance and quality of our democracy. When (late president) Constantine Karamanlis was called by the Greek people to reconstitute democracy in the land that gave birth to it, he set as goals the achievement of national reconciliation and the security of the democratic institutions through the participation of our country in the European Union on an equal footing,'' Roussopoulos' message read.

SYN, DHKKI issue messages: The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) on Friday issued messages in light of the 35th black anniversary of the coup de etat.

On April 21, 1967 a group of army colonels took over power and instituted a military dictatorship that lasted for seven years.

[10] Ecumenical Patriarchate, Moscow Patriarchate discuss Ukrainian Church's future

ISTANBUL, 20/04/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church split during the Soviet Union era and a part of it paid allegiance to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while the other to Moscow's Patriarchate. Talks are underway to bridge the rift and reconstitute one indivisible Orthodox Church in the newly established country.

[11] Greek edition of 'Foreign Policy' political review presented

WASHINGTON, 20/04/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The presentation of the edition took place at the Greek Embassy, in the presence of Ambassador Alexander Philon, the publisher of the American edition Moses Naim, the publisher of the Greek edition Eleftherios Thalassinos, manager Marios Evriviadis and prominent members of the Greek-American community.

The Greek edition of 'Foreign Policy' follows editions in Italy, Turkey, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.

[12] Deputy minister defends Olympic Games' real estate company – reactions

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The Olympics Real Estate S.A. was established by law ratified by the relevant Parliament committee on Thursday evening. All opposition parties walked out of Parliament when the presidium refused their request for a roll call vote, thus the ruling party majority approved the legislation.

The minister told ANA that the aims of the new agency would be to find ways to fund the projects for the Olympic Games that are already in progress and secondly to better manage the infrastructures created for the Games after the end of the Games in August 2004.

The Olympic Games projects budget is estimated at 1.4 trillion drachmas (4.1 billion euros).

Pachtas clarified that the funding of the Olympic Games' projects will not be done from the finance ministry, as it was done to date, but it will be managed by the new company, so as to succeed in the payments' scheduling over three years, instead of allocating the fiscal weight to the year of the Games.

Secondly, Pachtas said, the construction projects for the Games are creating a vast wealth of infrastructures and thus there is a necessity for better management of those infrastructures.

He added that this new legislation allocates the responsibility of better management to this new company.

He concluded that the number of the projects that will be leased after the Games is very small, compared to the vast number of projects underway, saying that not all the Olympic Games' projects are necessary to the country.

''The leasing of the real estate will be done after 2004 and none of the leasing contracts will be signed before the end of the Olympic Games,'' he concluded.

During discussions in Parliament on Thursday, Pachtas defended the bill, saying that it puts order to the fiscal management of the projects for the Games, but main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputies called it a monument of lack of transparency.

Later on Friday, ND deputy Fani Palli-Petralia accused the government of presenting ''contrived data in lists of Olympic Projects'' to the relevant ''committee in Parliament which is discussing the establishment of a Societe Anonyme to manage the Olympic projects so as to 'trick' the deputies of the ruling party, who complained intensely for the non-transparent status which the government has imposed on the national issue that is the Olympic Games''.

Petralia noted that the lists provided to Parliament were initially published on June 18, 2001 and have been amended since then twice by the government and the ministers themselves.

According to the ND deputy, the equestrian Olympic center was under construction with a price tag of 62 billion drachmas, but it appears on the list with a price tag of 38 billion drachmas. The deputy presented several examples.

''It is not by chance that the delays, the inept management, the non-transparency and the expediencies with which the government managed and is managing the Olympic Games' preparations, led yesterday (Thursday) some PASOK deputies to walk out of the meeting of the relevant Parliament committee,'' Petralia said.

On Friday, in an unrelated meeting of the Parliament's finance committee, deputies from the parties of the opposition and deputies from the ruling party asked for the list of the projects to be submitted and be part of the legislation establishing the company.

Responding, National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis responded saying ''there is a list, but there is not some strict legal term about what is an Olympic project. The list will be amended. We cannot issue legal rulings on what an Olympic project is''.

This response caused the angered response of PASOK deputy Kimon Koulouris who walked out of the meeting, saying ''I am walking out because of the way the ministers are tricking the national assembly''.

Responding to press questions on criticism of the legislation by PASOK deputies, a government spokeswoman said that the criticism concerned the process and not the substance of the law, adding that the responsible minister provided explanations to the deputies.

''The bill that was submitted is - and appears after the clarifications - to be moving in the direction of securing the assets of the state that will result from the Olympic Games,'' she stressed.

[13] GSEE organ OKs signature of collective labor agreement

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The committee left open the prospect of moving the Labor Day holiday from May 1 to the Tuesday after Easter, if this was decided by the labor ministry.

It said the traditional May Day strikes would go ahead through-out the country and urged workers to participate in events organized by local labor centers.

Meanwhile, analysts will be watching with interest when the GSEE General Council convenes on April 24 to discuss union tactics relative to the government's proposals for the pension system.

PASKE, the union group affiliated to ruling PASOK, considers the government's latest proposals for social insurance to be acceptable and has an absolute majority on the council. The voices of union groups affiliated to the opposition have gained strength, however, after 44 labor centers throughout the country responded to their call for a strike on Thursday to protest against the government's reforms.

Divergent views on the issue have also been expressed by GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos, who belongs to PASKE, and the head of the influential civil servants' union ADEDY, Spyros Papaspyros.

PASKE is to hold a press conference next Monday to present its views and tactics on social insurance.

[14] Government urges mergers, acquisitions

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The minister was speaking at an international conference held by the fair competition commission on legal and policy aspects of the sector in the European Union.

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told the conference that a flexible control policy was needed to protect competition that may include the fusion of separate regulatory bodies.

The EU's competition commissioner, Mario Monti, outlined the 15-nation bloc's target of protecting competition from cartels.

[15] Business tours of Turkey seen opening investment opportunities

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

'Turkey is of special interest to Greek investors and we will continue our initiative with the dispatch of business sector delegations that will allow Greek investors to have direct contact with Turkish counterparts,'' Kounalakis told the Athens News Agency.

On Thursday, officials of the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce wound up a tour of four southeastern Turkish cities as part of a program to inform businesses of investment opportunities in the two countries.

Also arranging the visit, the second of its kind, were the Greek consulate in Istanbul, under the aegis of the embassy in Ankara, and Turkey's Council for External Economic Relations.

On the last day of the trip, the delegation visited Adana, Turkey's sixth largest city. The area specializes in agricultural produce, mainly fruit.

On Wednesday, the officials toured, Gaziantep, a large city in southeastern Turkey, which processes farm products and manufactures industrial goods that are mainly destined for ex-port.

''All four areas we visited were of special interest, presenting many opportunities for Greek investors who would like to place their funds in Turkey,'' the chamber's president, Panayotis Koutsikos, said.

He had previously stated during the trip that great interest had been shown by Turkish businesses in opportunities for alliances with Greek firms.

Economic ties between Greece and Turkey rose sharply in 2000 with trade totalling one billion US dollars.

[16] HellasCom signs contracts with FYROM, Armenia

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The first contract, with MTS mobile telephony operator, en-visages the installation and operation of a GSM 900 mobile telephony network in FYROM. The 50 million euros projects is expected to begin operations in August 2002.

The second contract, with Armentel, a subsidiary of OTE in Armenia, envisages the expansion of a GSM network in the country, worth 20 million euros.

OTE holds a 51 percent equity stake in HellasCom. The company was founded in 1995 with activities in foreign countries.

[17] National Bank's board to propose retention of Karatzas as head

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

It will be the first time shareholders have the right to elect a board for the country's largest bank. Their annual general meeting is scheduled for April 24.

The state now owns about 5.0 percent of National. Karatzas was a state appointee.

[18] Intracom's Kokkalis, OPAP officials cleared over '99 'football wager' contract

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

Former OPAP managing director, Christos Salales, as well as another 28 OPAP executives and board members along with Intralot executives were also acquitted of dereliction of duty charges.

The case involves a March 1999 contract awarded by OPAP to Intralot, a listed subsidiary of the Intracom group, for a new football wager.

The council of appellate jurists - in referring the case to trial -- initially cited a "sell-off of major OPAP assets" and a tender "tailor-made" for Kokkalis' company, something that ostensibly excluded other competitors.

[19] Adriatic & Ionian Seas Initiative meeting discusses maritime issues

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

Currently, Greece holds the intra-governmental rotating presidency of the organization.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Slovenia, as well as representatives from Greece's and Italy's ship owners' unions.

[20] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

During the week under review, Commercial Bank inaugurated the operations of its first joint company in the asset management sector with its strategic partner, Credit Agricole. Also in the bank sector, EFG Eurobank Ergasias said it would seek to strengthen its presence in Greek regions, while Alpha Bank's financial consultant, professor A. Provopoulos said he was optimistic over growth prospects of the domestic banking market. National Bank's vice-governor Apostolos Tamvakakis said that the bank had a long-term vision of its presence in the wider Southeast European market.

Meanwhile, the National Statistics Service announced that the country's industrial production index dropped 4.6 percent in January 2002 compared with the same month last year, reflecting a decline in activity in the sectors of textile, footwear, plastic products, minerals, electric machines and appliances over the month.

Regular budget's primary spending rose 13.6 percent in the first two months of 2002, compared with the same period last year, exceeding a budget target for an increase of 5.4 percent. Revenues rose 1.1 percent over the same period, from 6.1 percent envisaged in the budget, while borrowing needs rose by 59.4 percent in the January-February period. The budget is envisaging a drop of 425.5 percent for the year.

A Development ministry commission unveiled a series of measures and actions to improve facilities at the Athens meat market at Rentis, following strong criticism by the European Commission over conditions in the market.

Greek exports to other Mediterranean countries rose an average 9.3 annually in the previous decade, while imports rose an average 7.6 percent annually over the same period, a report by the Panhellenic Exporters Union said in the week. This positive development was mainly attributed to 2000 figures. The Mediterranean market (including Egypt, Algeria, the Palestine Authority, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey) has a population of 234 million people with an average per capita income of 2,457 US dollars (2000 figures).

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said he would soon submit draft legislation to parliament envisaging the doubling of taxation to offshore companies with real estate assets in Greece.

[21] ASE rebounds to end week higher

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.83 percent to end at 2,221.49 points, with turnover an improved 84.4 million euros.

The Retail, Holding, IT Solution and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.20 percent, 2.84 percent, 2.57 percent and 2.50 percent, respectively), while the Food-Beverage and Investment sectors suffered losses (0.68 percent and 0.49 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.95 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.03 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.58 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 217 to 93 with another 48 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net gain of 0.82 percent.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, Agricultural Life, Aktor, Alpha Bank, and National Bank of Greece.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed in volatile trade on Thursday, tracking the main market.

Turnover was 109.5 million euros, a record for the year so far.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.95 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 1.03 percent.

Bond prices drop in scant trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished lower in slim trade focusing on seven-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.54 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.4 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[22] Anniversary of Lord Byron's death commemorated in Athens

Athens, 20/04/2002 (ANA)

"To Byron of Greece and the world" read the ribbon on the wreath, placed by the Athens-based "Committee for the Preservation of Lord Byron's Heritage". The committee's presidium along with the president of the Greek Byron Society again proposed that the anniversary of Lord Byron's death be designated by the Greek state as a "Day of Philhellenism and International Solidarity".

Several dignitaries, local officials, a culture ministry delegation, academicians, as well as a representative from the British embassy attended the ceremony to the Greek Revolution's enduring "poet-hero".

George Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron, was born on Jan. 22, 1788 in London and died on April 19, 1824 in Messolonghi, western Greece. He died of fever and exposure while engaged in the Greek struggle for independence from Ottoman rule.

[23] Exhibition of Greek architecture opens at Istanbul Polytechnic

ISTANBUL, 20/04/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The exhibition was organized by the Greek Institute of Architecture in cooperation with the Frankfurt Museum of Architecture at which it was presented for the first time in 1999.

The exhibition will be open to the public until May 17.

The exhibition has traveled to Thessaloniki, Paris, Athens, Cyprus and Rome within the framework of the events ''Primavera dell' architectura'', and recently to Ankara.

[24] Clerides, Denktash continue peace talks

NICOSIA, 20/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Present at the meeting were the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and aides to the two leaders.

The next meeting between Clerides and Denktash will be on Friday, April 26, in the morning. After that the two will meet again on Monday, April 29, and then resume their regular pattern of two weekly meetings on May 7.

The change in the normal schedule of meetings is due to Denktash's visit next week to the Council of Europe. Alvaro de Soto is also planning to be away next week for meetings in London, Brussels and Madrid.

In the first week of May, there will be another short break in the talks when Greek Cypriots celebrate their most important religious feast, Easter. De Soto is planning a trip to New York to brief the UN Security Council during that time.

[25] Cyprus closes three more acquis chapters

BRUSSELS, 20/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

With the wrapping up of the chapters on Taxation, Regional Policy and Institutional Affairs, at Friday's 16th EU Ministerial Conference, it can be safely said that Cyprus is the first candidate country to conclude its accession negotiations, as it has only three more chapters left, those of Competition, Agriculture and Budget.

Competition and Agriculture are on their last lap of negotiations, while all substantive talks on Budget have been wrapped up.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998.

During the conference, Spain's permanent representative Francisco Javier Conte Dessaro spoke of Cyprus breaking a ''record'', adding that the Cypriot side had given an outstanding performance in harmonization with the acquis communautaire.

On Friday, Cyprus' Chief Negotiator George Vassiliou managed to secure all the Republic's requests, especially on the tough chapter of Taxation. He said this day was very important for Cyprus, as accession negotiations have almost finished.

Apart from attending the Conference, Vassiliou also had meetings during the past couple of days with EU officials.

[26] Vassiliou says EU membership to everyone's benefit

BRUSSELS, 20/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Vassiliou, who was speaking at a special event organized in his honor by the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, said that Cyprus' accession to the EU would benefit everyone on the island, especially the Turkish Cypriots, and would furthermore safeguard the successful implementation of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

As a EU member, he said, Greek and Turkish Cypriots will be able to live together, without fearing one another and knowing that they have a bright future ahead of them.

The event was attended by the College's officers, lecturers and students, as well as a delegation from the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is on an educational trip in Brussels.

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