The Archbishop stated that the church deals with both issues concerning religious affairs as well as with supporting other peoples. Furthermore he announced that the international convention of the three monotheistic religions against terrorism, organize d by the Church of Greece, would take place in early September in Athens.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou expressed the belief that the church has an important part to play in the international political scene and characterized working with it as substantial, because, as he said, extroversion can contribute to the positive

presence of Greece around the world. Finally, he praised the initiative of the church of Greece in organizing an international convention against terrorism, with the participation of the three monotheistic religions.

The provision concerning the sole burdening of the state budget from the issuing off insurance to parents who will have children after 2003 was removed. The measure was mainly of interest to mothers.

The canceling of the limit on retirement compensation for bank employees, since the self-insuring funds are transformed into Legal Person of Private Law, is still a possibility.

The 60,000 drs. benefit for the retirement of public servants is extended into the military.

The extension of Heavy and Unhealthy occupation to the public sector is cancelled.

The Special DEKO and Bank Funds, except for that of the bank of Greece, will come under IKA, until 1/1/2008 after the decision of their boards of directors.

The decreasing of employer contributions in banks is possible, while in the calculation of 37 years of labor, years of work abroad are not included, regardless of agreements between countries.

MPs of the opposition raised the issue of the bill's constitutionality during the discussion of the bill by the relevant Parliamentary Committee, and they stated that they vote against it on principle. They called on the report of the Auditing Convention , which pointed out the possibility of certain regulations not being compatible with constitution regulations on the equality of citizens.

The discussion on the articles will continue tomorrow.

He also added that Greece has secured the necessary requirements, as far as adequacy of natural gas and its transfer at a low cost are concerned, by promoting cooperation and understandings with a series of producers.

"Thus, we are forming inter-European networks, crossing through Europe, to the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Caspian, leading all countries to cooperation. Thus, Greece is promoting cooperation with Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakstan and Turkmenistan, in order to secure, like a portal on the edge of Europe, the connection and transfer of the necessary energy to the European region", he stressed.

On the enlargement procedure, Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that it is a historical opportunity and challenge for Europe, while she warned that a failure of the enlargement will hurt the European integration procedure. Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that the unit ed Europe will have a population of 500 million, while she underlined the strategic importance of the geopolitical position of the EU candidate states. She also referred to the positive effect the reforms necessary for their EU accession will have to thei r political system and economies.

MP of PASOK and Greek representative at the Congress on the future of Europe, Paraskevas Avgerinos, was certain that Cyprus would become a full member and that there WOULD be no obstacles in its incorporation.

During his speech on "Economy and occupation in a n enlarged Europe" at the conference, Mr. Avgerinos presented his views concerning the questions on the enlargement. He also referred to the issue of forming a Common Foreign Policy and Security Policy.

Cyprus is ready for accession, even as soon as tomorrow morning, underlined Vice President of the European Parliament Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, and noted that the political problem cannot stand in its way. He said that Greek reservations on the Euroarmy i ssue are completely justified and he called the government not to agree with any proposal on the issue unless there are commitments that Cyprus will be incorporated to the EU with no hindrances.

The financial coordinator of New Democracy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, pointed out that the enlargement is the most ambitious initiative of the EU since its creation, because it will contribute to its political and social deepening and the materialization of

changes in many countries. Apart from the flow of funds the most important issue for countries in the process of accession is the introduction of advanced institution. At that point he brought up the example of Greece and observed that many mistakes were

made during the 80s in the process of adopting financial institutions of the EU. He then presented the new direction financial policies in the EU must follow.

The EU report on the progress of candidate countries underlined:

Cyprus and Malta are functioning market economies and are in a position to deal with competitive pressures and powers in EU markets. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia are already functioning market economies. There important differences between them, but if they continue and, in some cases, strengthen the application of certain meas ures, they will be able to deal with EU competitive pressures and market forces in the short run.

Bulgaria is nearing its goal of becoming a functioning market economy. If it continues the application of reforms and intensifies its efforts to lift the difficulties still in effect, it will be in a position to deal with EU competitive pressured and mar ket forces in the medium term.

Romania still does not meet any of these criteria, but has noted significant process in achieving this goal for the first time.

Turkey has not yet managed to note any further progress in achieving the goal of functioning market economy, mainly due to the recent crises. However, a significant part of its economy is already competitive in the EU market, in the framework of the cust oms union with the EU.

Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center President Dimitris Bakatselos pointed out that the opening of international markets makes it imperative for the Greek businesses to become extrovert.

He reminded that Greece has established two trust funds aimed at offering technical assistance to programs financed by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, IFC, and implemented mostly by Greek companies.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis stated in his message that Greece which is a founding member of the IFC participates with a 0.29% in its capital. He stressed that the Greek government has funded technical assistance programs with US$1 mi llion.

Referring to the members of PASOK, he issued an appeal to put an end to introversion, while he called on all those who belong to the governing party to fight united in all fronts.

The Prime Minister stated that there is an overall skepticism in PASOK regarding its progress as a political party in a rapidly changing environment. On the occasion of the opinion polls that are being held, he said that they show a discontent toward the

government and PASOK but he gave the assurance that the government work continues.

Mr. Simitis referred to the long efforts made by the government for Cyprus' accession into the European Union and stated that the final decisions for the EU enlargement and Cyprus' EU accession will be reached in December.

In view of the municipal elections, he underlined that PASOK will give a political battle in order to respond to the big problems as opposed to New Democracy which does not have proposals and cannot convey a similar message to the people through its cand idates.

Of the stocks trading today, just 40 recorded gains and the overwhelming majority of 297 had losses, while the value of 37 stocks remained unchanged.

A strong interest was expressed by about 200 institutional investors in spite of the difficult conjuncture of events for the international capital markets observed, especially, in the sector of telecommunications.

The share price was set at 16.50 Euro. Specifically, the final distribution of shares was 85% to foreign institutional investors and 15% to domestic institutional investors.

French commandos raided the ship sailing in the Atlantic, near the shores of Africa, after first firing warning shots against it.

According to information of the French authorities, after cooperation with the DEA of the US, Spain and Greece, the quantity of cocaine on the ship exceeded 2 tons, worth 243 million euro.

During the operation to take control of the ship there was exchange of gunfire and one of the crewmembers of the Winner was wounded, while, at the same time, other crewmembers managed to throw a large part of the illegal cargo overboard.

The authorities salvaged 100 kilos of cocaine from the surrounding area.

After investigations, 2 Greek ship owners have been arrested and information reveals that the captain of the Winner was Greek and the 1st mechanic was Cypriot. One more Greek national was arrested in Equador.

The Winner had a Cambodian register but was sailing under no flag, and was sailing from the Caribbean towards Europe. The ship is now being escorted to the Brest harbor in France where there will be a thorough search of its contents.

The exact date of the trial has not been set yet. Passaris will be accused of crossing the borders illegally, illegal arms possession and armed robbery.

According to the police, Passaris killed two people in front of a foreign currency exchange office in Bucharest on November 24, 2001 and stole all the money he found in it. He was together with a Romanian prostitute who will also stand trial as an access ory.

The Romanian authorities conducted an investigation that lasted five months and made psychological tests on the suspect, while they also did a DNA test on him that proved his involvement in the crimes.

In case he is found guilty, Passaris will face a prison sentence of 25 years or life imprisonment in the Romanian jails.

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