Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-30

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] THE ASE LEAVES 2001 WITH LOSSES

[02] SECOND DENKTASH-CLERIDES DINNER

[01] THE ASE LEAVES 2001 WITH LOSSES

2001 is left behind with losses of 23.53% for the Athens Stock Market, however, the new year shows great hopes of a recovery for the Stock Market, which has been on a steady downward slope since September 1999.

The 3rd Municipal Support Framework, the 2004 Olympics and the completion of structural changes with the decreasing of the government's entrepreneurial role, are the main reasons that a steady development can be attained by the Greek economy, which, in terms of Gross National Product, is estimated to be double the average of the EU for the next three years.

In fact, according to market specialists, the level at Sophocleus is attractive, since, as they pointed out, the price/profit for the ASE in 2001 as well as in 2002 is lower than the rest of Europe's Stock Markets, while the profit rate per stock is predicted to be positive.

At the same time, the new year is expected to bear business deals which have been being carried for quite a few months, into the foreground, while structural changes in the economy are expected to be hastened.

[02] SECOND DENKTASH-CLERIDES DINNER

Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos showed reserved optimism on the Cyprus issue, after the second dinner between Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash and the President of the Cypriot Republic, Glafkos Clerides, held in honor of the Turkish Cypriot Leader by Mr. Clerides, which ended last night at 10pm, while special representative of the UN's Secretary General in Cyprus, Zpignief Vlosovich, was also present.

Mr. Venizelos stated that Cyprus' incorporation in the EU should be considered certain, and it is the EU which is rocking the boat and presenting a solution for the Cyprus issue.

The customary handshake between Mr. Denktash and President Clerides took place while Mr. Denktash was leaving the Cypriot President's residence, wished him a happy new year, said that dinner was wonderful, and without making any further statements entered his car and left.

Mr. Denktash visited the free territories of Cyprus in return to Mr. Clerides' visit to the occupied territories.

The Cypriot press paid special attention to the high security measures and the peaceful protests during the dinner.

The Alithia (Truth) newspaper wrote that after the historical dinner in Nicosia, the President of the Cypriot Republic and Rauf Denktash are moving on to the main course, which will be a meeting on January 16 under the auspices of the UN. It also mentions that Greek Cypriots were very mature and responsible during the meeting last night, with no real incidents.

The Machi (Battle) ran Police State as its headline and that Nicosia looked like a fenced city yesterday with the precautions taken by the police to protect Mr. Denktash. Elsewhere it states that hundreds of men women and children gathered in Liberty Plaza, Makarios Blvd. and the roadblock at Ledra Pallace chanting slogans for peace and a resolving of the Cyprus issue. They were holding banners which read, Reunite our land and our people, This land is ours.

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