The government spokesman expressed Greece's support to Saudi Arabia and its commitment that it will contribute everyway it can to strengthen the results of the international effort aimed at combating terrorism.

Greece and Albania are expected to sign a bilateral defense cooperation agreement in the sector of training, the exchange of operational experience and modern defense "know-how".

Based on the available figures, 40,000 abortions concern teenage girls, while a 20% increase was recorded last year among unmarried women.

At the same time, an increase is recorded in the use of the so-called, morning after pill. Scientists suggest caution to avoid abuse, while they point out that it does not protect from the sexually transmitted diseases.

It is a European program funded by the European Union with the sum of 3.6 million euros and materializes with the participation of universities and other agencies. The program includes exchange of information, cooperation on rescue issues, psychological support of the people living in areas hit by natural disasters, etc.

Representatives of the Municipality of Komotini, which is the first Greek municipality that materializes a European program in cooperation with Turkey, met with their counterparts in Yalova to consider the activities they will undertake.

According to medical sources, his fever is down but he suffers from dehydration, characterized as one of the side effects of the infection. His personal doctor decided that it would be better for him to be admitted in a hospital in order to be watched mo re closely.

Of the stocks trading today, 197 had losses, 115 recorded gains and 70 stocks remained unchanged.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis stated that this center is going to process electronically the requests made by Greek immigrants. This way the Greeks living abroad will avoid the bureaucratic procedures and will be able to get the certificates or documents they need through e-mail or simply by contacting the center.

The Greek Foreign Ministry, added Mr. Magriotis, plans in cooperation with the Institute of Greek Scientists living abroad a meeting of Greek scientists, who live abroad, to take place in Thessaloniki on December 6-7 within the framework of the World Cou ncil of Greeks Abroad, SAE. Also, another meeting of Greek businessmen living abroad will be held on December 10-11 in cooperation with the Association of Exporters in Northern Greece.

In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that Greece regards the strengthening of Balkan cooperation as very important and referred to the support offered by Greece to the efforts of the two countries to become members of NATO and the European Union.

On NATO, he said that there is significant progress in the harmonization of the defense structures of the two countries and their accession course into the Alliance and reiterated that the Greek military staffs are able to offer both know-how and personn el to assist the armed forces of Albania and FYROM in their reorganization effort which is underway.

They also discussed the overall security situation in southeastern Europe and according to Mr. Papantoniou, there was progress made in this sector both in Albania and FYROM but the presence of the international community in the region is necessary, alway s in agreement with the Balkan governments.

Mr. Papantoniou briefed his counterparts from Albania and FYROM on the recent decision by the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense to reduce the number of military forces in Macedonia and Thrace, northern Greece and change their orientation from forces able to wage war, into forces that can contribute to facing threats like, illegal immigration and organized crime.

The Albanian Defense Minister stated that the government council's decision is an indication of the cooperation atmosphere in the region, which is necessary for the whole Balkan region in order to become part of the EU and NATO.

The FYROM Defense Minister made similar statements welcoming the government council decision, saying that it is an "indication of the friendship that is being born".

They decided to hold this tripartite meeting once a year for an even greater cooperation in the military sector, while a military cooperation agreement was signed by Greece and Albania on military training in joint exercises, seminars and know how offere d from Athens to Tirana for a quicker adjustment of the Albanian armed forces to the European and NATO structures.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that he has not read the specific press report, adding that Greece will host the safest Olympic Games ever.

Mr. Papantoniou will meet this afternoon with his Romanian counterpart Ioan Mircea Pascu, while tomorrow he will have a meeting in Parliament with Romanian Defense, Public Order and National Security Committee Chairman Mr. Razvan Ionescu.

The Greek Defense Minister will also meet with Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana and Romanian President Ion Iliescu.

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