Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND leader visits Corfu and Lefkada

[02] FM says Greek government supports FYROM's European orientation

[03] Hellenic Railways to spend 17.7 mln euros on new railcars

[04] Magriotis on Isreal's decision on Jerusalem's Patriarchate

[05] President Stephanopoulos and PM attend National Bank governor's funeral

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunshine, showers and sleet on Saturday

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

[01] ND leader visits Corfu and Lefkada

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis wrapped up his election campaign, ahead of Sunday's general election, with a rally on the island of Corfu on Friday, criticising PASOK leader George Papandreou over the standard of the election confrontation.

''When the election period got underway I had the hope that, reaching the end, we could all feel proud of the standard of the election confrontation. I had the hope that PASOK's new leadership would contribute to this. This did not ultimately happen,'' he said.

Speaking on the island of Lefkada earlier in the day, Karamanlis said the time of the great political change needed by the country has come and added that he was optimistic and confident over the outcome of Sunday's general elections in the country.

[02] FM says Greek government supports FYROM's European orientation

SKOPJE (ANA/N. Frangopoulos) - Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis said here on Friday the Greek government's support for the European orientation of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is a given fact, adding that it also includes support for the neighbouring country applying for European Union accession.

Yiannitsis said the rapprochement with European structures by whatever candidate country necessitates the fulfillment of a series of criteria which FYROM is in a position to meet and reach the same level of negotiating and final outcome as other countries in the region, Bulgaria and Romania, which have a visible horizon for EU accession.

The foreign minister said FYROM's deceased President Boris Trajkovski had worked systematically and with self-denial for peace and stability in his country, adding that it is characteristic of these efforts by him that these achievements are in no danger despite his loss.

Yiannitsis further said Greece desires the strengthening of friendly relations and of political and economic cooperation with FYROM and pointed out that the Greek government is interested in particular in economic growth and stability in the wider region.

Yiannitsis visited FYROM's Parliament in the morning, where Trajkovski's body lay in state, and paid his respects and extended his condolences to the family of the deceased president, while attending his funeral at the Butel cemetery in Skopje later on.

[03] Hellenic Railways to spend 17.7 mln euros on new railcars

Greece's State Audit Council on Friday gave the ''green light'' for the

purchase of four new railcars by Hellenic Railways to service the

Diakofto-Kalavryta mountainous rail line.

Hellenic Railways is expected to sign the supply contract, worth 17.67 million euros, by the end of next week, with the first railcar expected to be delivered in 28 months after signing the contract and the fourth eight months later, in total within a period of 36 months.

[04] Magriotis on Isreal's decision on Jerusalem's Patriarchate

Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Magriotis on Friday expressed his deep satisfaction with the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to reject the recourse against the recognition of Jerusalem's Patriarch Irineos I.

''This outcome is especially positive since it eliminates the final obstacle in recognising the Patriarch of Jerusalem,'' Magriotis said.

He also emphasised the concerted efforts of the Greek government and the World Council of Hellenes Abroad made in securing this success.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre Fraternity have contributed to Hellenism and Orthodoxy for thousands of years.

[05] President Stephanopoulos and PM attend National Bank governor's funeral service

President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Finance and Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, ministers and deputies of all parties attended the funeral service of National Bank Governor Theodoros Karatzas at the Athens Cathedral on Friday.

Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Christodoulos officiated at the funeral service for Karatzas who died earlier this week.

Simitis said the Greek banking system owes its modernisation and restructuring to Theodoros Karatzas to a great degree.

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunshine, showers and sleet on Saturday

Overcast weather turning to showers or sleet is forecast in the east and south, with cloud and sunny spells elsewhere. The mainland will be icy overnight. Winds variable, moderate to strong. Temperatures in Athens 4C to 11C and in Thessaloniki from 1C to 7C.

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.229

Pound sterling 0.675

Danish kroner 7.511

Swedish kroner 9.273

Japanese yen 136.5

Swiss franc 1.590

Norwegian kroner 8.734

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.640

Australian dollar 1.638

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