Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-02-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

[02] ND leader addresses regional party conference in Patra

[01] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.291

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 9.219

Japanese yen 136.1

Swiss franc 1.591

Norwegian kroner 8.890

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.703

Australian dollar 1.632

[02] ND leader addresses regional party conference in Patra

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, addressing a regional party conference in an indoor stadium in Patra on Sunday, focused on a change in policy and on a new start as of March 8, in the event his party wins the elections on March 7.

Karamanlis referred to upgrading the quality of life through environmental protection. He also said five percent of the country's forests are destroyed by fires every decade, while land reforested only accounts for 0.5 percent.

On the question of tourism, Karamanlis said a far-reaching policy is necessary to attract more visitors throughout the year, adding that the party intends to create a ministry of tourism and to reorganise the Greek Tourist Organisation (EOT).

Karamanlis said the Athens Olympic Games this summer constitute the greatest capital. He added that they are the most valuable product of the country and the base of national pride.

Speaking of economic growth, Karamanlis said the country needs the strengthening of enterprise, the attraction of foreign capital and facilitating investment activities.

''We need new investments, new businesses and new jobs to confront the social scourge of the times, unemployment,'' he added.

Party officials also presented programmes on the environment, culture and sport, tourism and justice during the conference, which was concluded with an address by the party's Central Committee Secretary Evangelos Meimarakis.

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