Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-12-12

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloudy on Thursday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[03] Athens optimistic Cyprus will enter EU without 'asterisks, conditions'

[04] Greek, Turkish FMs send letter to UEFA president on joint bid to host

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloudy on Thursday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country with showers likely in the west. Snow is expected on high ground in the centre and north. Winds variable, moderate to strong. In the north, temperatures will range from -02C to 08C; in the west from 02C to 12C; and in the rest of the country from 01C to 13C. Temperatures in Athens between 05C and 12C; and in Thessaloniki from 03C to 08C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.014

Pound sterling 0.645

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.142

Japanese yen 125.1

Swiss franc 1.485

Norwegian kroner 7.402

Cyprus pound 0.577

Canadian dollar 1.581

Australian dollar 1.809

[03] Athens optimistic Cyprus will enter EU without 'asterisks, conditions'

The Greek government expressed its continued optimism on Wednesday over Cyprus EU accession bid this week without ?asterisks and conditions?.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday conveyed Athens optimism vis-a-vis the Copenhagen Summit over the next two days, following a two-hour meeting by the governments top ministers at the premiers office.

According to sources, Athens is ?cautiously optimistic? regarding the possibility of a political solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem, particularly in light of what the Greek side perceives as ?foot-dragging? by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Regarding the crucial matter of whether the Union will give Turkey a fixed date for beginning negotiations leading to possible EU accession, Papandreou said the most probable decision will be along the lines of the Franco-German proposal.

[04] Greek, Turkish FMs send letter to UEFA president on joint bid to host Euro 2008

The foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, George Papandreou and Yasar Yakis respectively, sent a joint letter to UEFA President Lennart Johansson on Wednesday regarding the two countries' joint bid to host the Euro 2008 Soccer Championship.

The letter said ''only a few hours before UEFA Executive Committee's decision on the country or countries to host the Euro 2008 Championship, we wish to express our common views regarding our joint bid: The organization of the Euro 2008 will come at a moment when we are witnessing historic changes taking place throughout South Eastern Europe.

''Greece and Turkey have entered a new phase of cooperation and understanding, and working together on this candidacy would be an important step forward, which would further strengthen our partnership. The Greek-Turkish bid for Euro 2008 has the full support of our governments and our peoples.''

UEFA is expected to decide on which country or countries will host the Euro 2008 Soccer Championship on Thursday.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article