The delegation will meet with Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou, PASOK Secretary General Kostas Laliotis, while they will also meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, the date of which meeting, will be set this morning. A meeting with Gen eral Director for Armaments Sp. Travlos, is also a possibility, depending on the results of the meeting with Mr. Papantoniou.

Occasion for the visit is the decision of the KYSEA not to select the defense system manufactured by EAB in cooperation with the Israeli Elisra company, despite initial commitments made by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former D efense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

According to information in the "Kathimerini" newspaper, the Israelis will ask for specific things in exchange, as proof of Greece's intention to promote defensive cooperation, by making new plans. The most probable development is for them to ask for the

enlargement of the Greek electronic warfare programme, "Achelleas", in all aircraft except the F-16 and the Block 52 Plus, Search and Rescue Choppers (CSAR), C-130 transports and 35 upgraded Phantom F-4. Mr. Papantoniou left a "loophole" for himself, fol lowing his statements after KYSEA, mentioning only F-16 when announcing the bodies decision.

During the talks several issues are expected to discussed, issues concerning the materialization of the Greek plan for the financial restructuring of the Balkans - the part concerning Bulgaria -, vertical traffic arteries and border stations between Gree ce and Bulgaria.

The Minister is being accompanied by representatives of the East Macedonia-Thrace District, the EGNATIA ODOS SA Company, and the Evros Prefect.

On Wednesday, Mr. Papantoniou will visit the Headquarters of the II Army Corps in Veria and Polykastro, Kilkis, while on Friday he will be present at the oath taking of the first professional soldiers to take place in Haidari.

Mr. Paschalides pointed out that he discussed the progress of the Cypriot Republic towards its accession to the EU, with Mr. Christophias, as well as developments in the Cyprus issue. "The Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace has a steady interest in Cyprus, in the framework of the Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus Programme, which we will strengthen more this year", stated the Minister, and announced that he will have a meeting with the Minister of the Aegean and the Minister of Finances of Cyprus in Thessaloniki, in the be ginning of the summer.

On the other hand, Mr. Christophias pointed out that the situation in Cyprus, as far as the accession is concerned, is very positive, however he stressed that the major problem is the attempts being made to solve the Cyprus issue, where there are many ob stacles created by Rauf Denktash's intolerance and Ankara supporting him. The President of the Cypriot Parliament appreciated that Cleridis-Dektash discussions are not going as well as the Cypriot side would want them to. It is our wish to find a solution

by June. Our side will try", noted Mr. Christophias.

At 11am, Mr. Loverdos had a private meeting with the administration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Thessaloniki, and then, at 12 noon, met with the administration of the Exporters' Association of Northern Greece, also behind closed doors.

The deputy Minister's agenda for today also includes contacts with the heads of the European Service for the Restructuring of the Balkans, and the chair Institute of Telecommunications and Data Processing Studies of Southeastern Europe.

It should be noted that Mr. Loverdos has been in Thessaloniki since yesterday, when he made an introductory speech at a meeting on the progress of the ESOAV. As he stressed, "Greek funds appropriated by Thessaloniki must be wisely invested, other investm ents, other communal or US programmes, as well as private investments from all over the world for the restructuring of the Balkans, must also be protected".

The US former President expressed his respects for the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchy, while he stressed the importance of advice he received from distinguished Greeks living abroad, while he was President. He also referred to his personal interventio n in resolving the Cyprus issue in the beginning of the passed decade. He characteristically stated that Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Tourkout Ozal and he, had come very close to a successful solution, and he expressed his disappointment that they were not ab le to achieve an agreement.

On her side, Barbara Bush expressed her admiration and love for Greece, which she has repeatedly visited with her husband.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Ground Zero and held a memorial service for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack. He also went to the site where the small Orthodox church of St. Nikolaos used to stand.

Mr. Christodoulakis pointed out that the meeting is placed within the framework of his regular contacts with the Prime Minister. He clarified that the main issue of discussion in the Barcelona European Council on Thursday and Friday will be the need to s peed-up structural changes for Europe to improve its performance in the areas of economic growth, competitiveness and employment.

The establishment of the committee was decided after a proposal made by Mr. Papadopoulos to the four-member Chinese delegation which is on a visit to the region since March 9.

During the visit, the Chinese side expressed interest in the Greek olive oil, while among the products imported from Greece is marble and phosphoric fertilizers. The Tsei Tsiang province is made up of 3.062 islands and has a population of more than 50 mi llion people.

Of the stocks trading today, 109 recorded gains and 191 had losses, while the value of 72 stocks remained unchanged.

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that a letter signed by the two Prime Ministers will be delivered today to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who is currently presiding over the EU Council.

Mr. Simitis and Mr. Kok mention in their letter that the small sized businesses must be one of the main issues to be considered within the framework of the implemented EU businesses policy.

Specifically, the two Prime Ministers proposed that the European Commission must be encouraged to prepare a Green Paper on business activity. In addition, a special summit of the responsible EU ministers should also be held to prepare the policy on the s mall sized businesses and business activity to be followed during the Greek EU presidency.

Mr. Skandalidis stated that a special attention should be given to the estimated 380.000 double registrations of voters in the electoral registers. He stressed that people will vote in the next municipal and prefectural elections by simply displaying the ir identity card and using a special electoral number that will be unique for each citizen.

Regarding the special 13-digit electoral number, Mr. Skandalidis stated that it will be used to prove the uniqueness of the voter and only in election procedures.

The above were stressed by Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis speaking in the 67th Conference of the Armenian Aid Organization held in Greece for the first time.

Mr. Kaklamanis expressed the belief that the potential for cooperation between Greece and Armenia is limitless in every sector and the joint effort for mutual support, development and progress should intensify.

In the meeting the Bulgarian Prime Minister had with his Romanian counterpart it was agreed that bilateral economic relations in the energy and transportation sector will be improved.

From his side, the Romanian Prime Minister rejected the idea that the two countries are rivals particularly in the energy sector.

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