Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek minister appeals for EU unity on Iraq at Munich security

[02] FM Papandreou to have talks with French, Swedish counterparts on Monday

[03] EU development ministers to convene in Thessaloniki on Friday

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain and sleet on Monday

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow on Sunday

[01] Greek minister appeals for EU unity on Iraq at Munich security conference

MUNICH (ANA - G. Pappa) Greek Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, currently head of the EU defence ministers' council, made repeated appeals for a united stance on Iraq within the European Union while addressing the 39th International Security Conference in Munich.

The major security conference held over the weekend highlighted the rift between the United States and Germany, in particular, regarding the prospects of a war against Iraq.

The U.S. was particularly incensed at reports leaked to the press of a Franco-German initiative that would stall preparations for a war against Iraq at the United Nations, stressing that it had not been officially informed of the plan.

As U.S officials, backed by Britain, lashed out against France and Germany and accused them of dragging their feet in the international campaign against terrorism, Papantoniou stressed the need for Europe to act and speak in a united fashion if it was to exert any influence on developments, especially in matters of peace or war.

''The divergent opinions within Europe have weakened its position,'' Papantoniou stressed.

He also noted that Europe had its own value system which, even though it share many common points with that of the U.S., had to be more dynamically promoted on the international scene.

''For this reason, the Greek presidency calls on the EU member-states and especially the countries that are members of the U.N. Security Council to work with it, in order to arrive at a common European position and make a decisive contribution on the issue of Iraq,'' he said.

According to the Greek minister, the coming process at the Security Council in the next few days would be a test of the EU's cohesion and of its determination to take on its responsibilities for world peace and security.

[02] FM Papandreou to have talks with French, Swedish counterparts on Monday

Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers president George Papandreou will have teleconference conversations with his French and Swedish counterparts, Dominique de Villepin and Anna Lindh, respectively, on Monday.

A foreign ministry announcement on Sunday also said Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis will meet Bulgarian Economy Minister Milen Velchev at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis is also scheduled to brief journalists at 11 a.m. on Monday.

[03] EU development ministers to convene in Thessaloniki on Friday

EU development ministers will hold a meeting in Thessaloniki, northern, Greece, on Friday, Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Sunday.

The sessions will place emphasis on the creation of an action plan for the support of business and competitiveness in the European Union.

The minister said thisplan will be discussed at the European Council of Competitiveness which will prepare a proposal for the EU Summit in June.

On Thursday, the Greek EU presidency and the EU Commission will organise a European conference on the theme ''The business future of Europe''.

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain and sleet on Monday

Cloud, rain and sleet is forecast in the southern Ionian and Crete, with cloud, rain or sleet in the Aegean islands on Monday. Snowfall in the mountainous regions with storms in the southwestern coastal regions. Overcast in the rest of the country with light snowfall or sleet later in the day in mainland Greece and Evia. Winds will be northeasterly, light to moderate, turning strong in the evening. Temperatures will range from -8 to 5 C in the north, -4 to 8 C on the rest of the mainland, and 0-10 C on the islands.

Cloudy in Athens with sleet expected in the afternoon, and temperatures of 1-7 C. Overcast in Thessaloniki and temperatures of -2 to 4 C.

[05] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow on Sunday

Cloud and light snowfall is forecast on Sunday in Macedonia, Thrace, and the northern and eastern Aegean, while rain is expected in western Greece. The rest of the country will be overcast, turning to sleet or light snowfall on the mainland in the event. Temperatures will range from -6 to 4 C in the north, -4 to 8 C on the rest of the mainland, and 1-9 C on the islands.

Clear in Athens on Sunday, turning gradually to overcast, and temperatures of 1-7 C. Overcast in Thessaloniki, with chances of local light snowfall, and temperatures of -2 to 4 C.

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