lasting and long-term investment.

The goal for the day after is clear, the Greek people will be the winners and among the big winners will be the Greek tourist industry, stated Mr. Karamanlis pointing out, however, that the pre-Olympic Games period was not exploited in the best possible way.

Tourism was, and still is, one of the most important activities in Greece as it corresponds to 18% of the GDP, stated the Prime Minister, who outlined his government's policy for the creation of a new tourist identity that will ensure the uniqueness of t he Greek tourist destinations and make Greece's tourist product identifiable internationally.

He said that the main target is to create a developmentally fertile environment, strengthen infrastructure, offer education and vocational training, adopt a communication strategy and undertake promotion activities.

The Minister of Labor stated that a two-year National General Collective Wage Agreement has been signed providing for considerable increases for the low wage earners to ensure peace among the workers.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos participated in the EU Council of Labor and Social Protection Ministers and called on the EU to continue financing the efforts against unemployment.

The Olympic Flame left on board the specially modified aircraft "Zeus" for Sydney, Australia the host city of the 2000 Olympic Games. The flame was lit on March 25 in ancient Olympia where the Games were born 3,000 years ago.

Its journey will last 35 days and will cover 75,300 kilometers. For the first time, the Olympic Flame will visit Latin America and Africa.

Mr. Voulgarakis stated that he is forced to reiterate one more time that no such issue was raised. He said that such inaccuracies and rumors do not serve the national effort especially in a period when the Olympic Security planning has been completed and

its implementation gets underway.

Of the stocks trading today, 125 had gains and 172 had losses, while the value of 88 stocks remained unchanged.

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos made the statement today within the framework of the regular press briefing.

World-famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti thanked the people of Thessaloniki for the reception they gave him in a press conference today. He will give an open-air concert at the "Theater Gis" on June 5 and the revenues from the ticket sales will be offered to

the "Storgi" Association of Friends of Cancer-suffering Children.

It is his first time ever in Thessaloniki and the concert will be given within the framework of his farewell international tour "Pavarotti: Farewell World Tour" which was launched in Athens. He stated that he intends to end his long career in 2005 adding , however, that he will need a lot of energy in the years to come that will be dedicated to teaching music and bringing up his baby daughter.

Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos characterized as groundless Mr. Annan's speculation that the Cypriot people decision to reject the plan constitutes a rejection of a solution.

Mr. Papadopoulos stated from Boston yesterday, after completing his two-day visit to the University of Harvard, that based on an initial reading of the Annan report he concluded that it includes a number of inaccuracies regarding the events and added tha t he disagrees with the view expressed by the UN Secretary General regarding the way the talks were held, the procedure that was followed and the assessment he makes on the positions of the two sides on the island.

Mr. Papadopoulos will meet today with Mr. Annan in New York. The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the Cyprus issue on June 8.

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