Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Premier-FYROM-Message

[02] Greek PM-FYROM-Balkan summit

[03] Soccer-UEFA-PAOK-Defeat

[04] Winter time-October 29

[05] Stephanopoulos-Visit-The Czech Republic

[06] Greece - Turkey - Cyprus - Airspace

[07] Stock Market-Close

[08] Commission - Greece - Pharmaceuticals

[01] Greek Premier-FYROM-Message

Greece believes that the Balkan countries European prospect and integration in Euro-Atlantic structures are a sine qua non in the current system of international relations, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Tuesday evening in a message broadcast through the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) state television.

?Greece believes that the European prospect of Balkan countries and their integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures of security and defence are a sine qua non in the current system of international relations,? Simitis said, one day before a Balkan summit in FYROM's capital Skopje.

?This is the first ever visit by a Greek prime minister to FYROM, taking place during the Balkan Summit, and this fact has its own self evident importance,? Simitis said.

?The Balkan Summit is taking place, this year, in light of the recent positive developments in Yugoslavia and signals the beginning of a new era for the sensitive region of Southeastern Europe,? the premier said.

The Balkan summit last convened in its plenum, including Yugoslavia, in 1997.

[02] Greek PM-FYROM-Balkan summit

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will travel on Wednesday to Skopje, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) for a Balkan summit in which Yugoslavia also participates, following the recent political changes in that country.

At the sidelines of the summit, Simitis will meet with leaders of other Balkan countries, including the prime minister of FYROM, Yugoslavia's new president and the Albanian president.

According to reports, the central issue to be discussed during the summit will be the situation in Yugoslavia, as the summit is taking place only three days before local elections in Kosovo.

The Balkan summit last convened in its plenum, including Yugoslavia, in 1997.

[03] Soccer-UEFA-PAOK-Defeat

Udinese of Italy beat PAOK Thessaloniki 1-0 in a UEFA Soccer Cup second round first leg match played at Friuli stadium in Udine on Tuesday evening.

The winning goal was scored by Massimo Marziotta in the 94th minute. The second leg will be played at Toumba stadium in Thessaloniki on November 9.

[04] Winter time-October 29

Winter time will starts on Sunday October 29 and clocks will have to be turned back an hour. At 4 a.m. the clocks should be turned back to 3 a.m. according to a joint decision by the National Economy, Development and Transport ministers.

[05] Stephanopoulos-Visit-The Czech Republic

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will arrive in the Czech Republic on Nov. 14 for a three-day visit, following an invitation of his Czech counterpart Vaclav Havel, a press release of the Czech presidency announced on Tuesday.

This shall be the first visit by a Greek head of state since 1993, when the Czech Republic became independent.

[06] Greece - Turkey - Cyprus - Airspace

Greece on Tuesday again dismissed the latest Turkish foreign ministry criticism towards a military exercise on Cyprus, simply reiterating that manoeuvres in the free parts of the island republic are solely defensive in nature.

In his regular press briefing, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that under the current situation defensive military manoeuvres are necessary.

[07] Stock Market-Close

Buying in blue chips and heavily traded stocks took equities higher on Tuesday in the wake of a sharp decline in the previous session.

The general index ended 1.02 percent higher at 3,754.90 points.

Players bought into banks, industrials and telecoms about half way through the session, reversing a decline.

Analysts said the market has found resistance at 3,850 points and predicted it would find support at 3,650 points.

Turnover was a 56.4 billion drachmas.

[08] Commission - Greece - Pharmaceuticals

BRUSSELS (ANA) -- The European Commission on Tuesday announced that it will refer Greece to the Euro-court over its regulations governing the setting and approval of wholesale prices for pharmaceuticals.

According to the Commission, current Greek law effectively restricts imports from other European Union countries to Greece.

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