Mr. Simitis added that the EU will attempt to adopt a common position on the issue of an attack, within the framework of UN decisions. He underlined, in fact, that the Greek Presidency will do its job and will try to succeed in the goals it has set conce rning the future of Europe, the economic development of the continent and the promotion of the Lisbon decisions.

"None of our goals will be pushed back, we will fight to succeed in all of them", ended the Prime Minister.

Information mentioned that the statement given by the 40-year-old, in a procedure that lasted more than 6 hours, will be utilized by the counter terrorism service, and will then be used in the formation of case briefs and as evidence in the trial against

the N17 suspect members.

According to information, the bank employee had been under discreet surveillance for about a month and a half, since his fingerprints had been found in a map of a Serres military camp discovered in the Patmos street organization hideout, as well as on a handwritten note with information on the facilities and guard duties of the camp.

The same information also mentioned that Papanastasiou's second cousin, Nikos Papanastasiou, was collaborating with N17 in northern Greece, gathering information. There are also rumors that another male suspect, approximately 55 years old, who is a nurse

or doctor, will be taken to the Thessaloniki counter terrorism service.

the "Eleftherotypia" newspaper, drawing on the official undertaking of the EU Presidency by Greece.

As far as Cyprus is concerned, he noted that the accession has been decided, but vigilance is necessary because the Cyprus issue is still open. We must avoid the hidden obstacles and retain the momentum of Copenhagen in order to find a solution.

Concerning the goals of the Greek Presidency, he underlined that the EU must fight the recession, act with competitive and business policies, policies that secure social cohesion. The wager of the Greek Presidency is that it will effectively promote econ omic and social reforms for more rapid growth, for more and better employment positions.

The Prime Minister commented on the protests being prepared by syndicates and other organizations in Thessaloniki for June, and the "shadow presidency" of New Democracy, and pointed out: "The Presidency is not an issue exclusive to PASOK or to the govern ment. The prestige and image of our country concerns us all. Everyone can win or everyone can lose. And that is why the ingenuity of ND's "shadow presidency" and the voices for mobilization against the government carry with them a provinciality of politic al feudal lords. They see their own tree and not the forest. With sides that want to express their opposition to phenomena of modern society such as globalization or social inequalities, we will have discussions. Every Greek citizen is free to protest for

his views. Just as he is obligated to respect the liberties and rights of other citizens and the rules of democracy".

Mr. Simitis considered the Presidency an "important brick" in the road to a more powerful Greece, more competitive, internationally recognized, and as far as PASOK's recovery is concerned, he stressed: "It is my goal that by the end of our four year term

we will have completed all that we as a government had committed to complete. If we do our job correctly, the "recovery" will come by itself".

the Cabinet and the European Commission in Athens. These are also our priorities, stated Mr. Prodi, who had earlier been received by the Greek President of the Republic, while the commissioners met with Greek ministers.

Mr. Prodi, who is in Athens with the European Commission members for the formal presentation of the Greek EU Presidency priorities, briefed the Prime Minister on Europe's stance regarding the future of the European Union. From his side, Mr. Simitis point ed out that Greece supports Europe's course toward a federation.

In the meeting Mr. Prodi had with Mr. Stephanopoulos the future of Europe was again the dominant issue, an issue that will be under discussion in the Thessaloniki Summit meeting. Meanwhile, the Lisbon Agenda will be discussed in the Greek EU Presidency S ummit meeting that will take place in Brussels in March regulating social issues like, sustainable development, the promotion of employment and measures against unemployment.

The 42yearold bank employee denied during police questioning any involvement in the 17N group, stressing that he disagrees with all the actions committed by its members.

According to information, he admitted that he drew the sketch-map of the army camp in Serres stressing, however, that he did it for security reasons during his military service.

Meanwhile, according to further information, there will be at least two more arrests of 17N members, while a police investigation is underway.

In the meetings Mr. Tsochatzopoulos had with the European Commissioners discussed the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency.

The energy market supply safety, cooperation with third countries, completion of the inter-European energy networks and developments with regard to the Johannesburg decisions, were the issues discussed with European Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, respon sible for energy issues.

The issues discussed with European Commissioner Bosquin, responsible for Research issues, were the European space strategy, the increase in the research funds to 3% and cooperation in the energy sector with the Balkan, Black Sea and Mediterranean states.

The directive on public supplies and the European Patent Diploma were the issues discussed by Mr. Tsochatzopooulos and European Commissioner Bolkestein, while in the meeting with Enterprise Commissioner Liikanen a special emphasis was given to the issues

concerning the promotion of innovation-biotechnology, the small-medium sized businesses and industrial policy.

The revision of the merger regulations was discussed with European Commissioner Mondi, responsible for competitiveness issues, while in the meeting with Commissioner Burn, responsible for Consumer Protection, were discussed issues concerning the Green Bi ble for the protection of consumers and the funding of consumer organizations.

On the EU enlargement, the Greek Prime Minister referred to the EU accession of Cyprus and the Copenhagen decision, while citing the Helsinki Summit decision he reiterated that in the case of a solution to the political problem the reunited Cyprus will b ecome a member of the EU. In a different case, the Cypriot Republic will sign the EU accession act. Mr. Simitis stated that both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides want a solution, pointing out that there are difficulties on behalf of the Tur kish Cypriot side. He expressed the wish that the visit of UN Secretary General envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will help in the opening of negotiations.

Mr. Prodi stressed that the Balkan states have a place in the European Union and the EU should consider an accession strategy. However, he referred to Turkey stating characteristically that it does not belong to the Balkan Peninsula. He also made it clea r that there is nothing new on Turkey after the Copenhagen decision.

On the issue of Iraq, both Mr. Simitis and Mr. Prodi, expressed the clear position of the European Union that the war is not and should not be regarded as unavoidable, while they underlined the need for the European Union to form a common position on Ira q.

The lower fresh fruit and vegetable prices in 2002 compared to 2001 served as a counterbalance to the pressures created by the fuel price increases and as a result inflation dropped to 3.4% in December.

Of the stocks trading today, 80 recorded gains and 229 had losses, while the value of 62 stocks remained unchanged.

At this level, the positions of Russia and Greece are similar or coincide according to Russian deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Andrei Denisov, responsible for international economic relations issues and a member of the Black Sea Bank Board of Di rectors. Mr. Denisov is in Thessaloniki on the occasion of the Black Sea Board of Directors meeting.

Responding to the question on Russia's expectations from the Greek EU Presidency, Mr. Denisov stated that his country hopes for Greece's assistance in the development of cooperation on four levels. Namely, the efforts against terrorism, measures against natural disasters, the creation of a common European space and the opening of dialogue for cooperation in the sector of energy.

He underlined that bilateral political relations are excellent and reminded the regular visit exchanges by Greek and Russian officials.

Mr. Denisov also announced that the Russia-EU Summit will take place in St. Petersburg in May on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the city. On the occasion of the festivities, the St. Petersburg municipality will unveil a monument dedicated to Io annis Kapodistrias, one of the first Foreign Ministers of the Russian Empire.

This is the main problem in the materialization of the project as the political issues have been resolved, according to Russian Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Andrei Denisov, responsible for international economic relations issues and a member of the Black Sea Bank Board of Directors.

He clarified that the meeting of the working group of the three involved countries which was initially scheduled to take place on December 3 will be held in the near future even though the exact timetable has not been finalized yet.

Meanwhile, the Russian official sees "favorable" prospects for the development of bilateral trade transactions. The bilateral annual trade transactions are estimated to be at about US$2 billion.

He added that the European Union is a significant trade partner for Russia. An estimated 35% of the Russian exports are directed to the EU and are expected to be increased to 57% when the EU enlargement will be completed.

Mr. Denisov also announced that in its meeting in Thessaloniki today the Black Sea Bank Board of Directors approved the KALINA company funding with the sum of US$20 million for the materialization of a health products project.

In statements he made today after the meeting he had with his party's Euro-deputies, he underlined the need to exploit to the fullest the opportunity given to Greece to prove that even the smaller states have innovative ideas.

He said that New Democracy agreed today to draw up a number of parallel initiatives aimed at bringing the Greek citizen closer to the European problems and the European citizen closer to the Greek problems.

The policies also concern their medical care and forwarding to the responsible authorities in the country. The presentation was made by Mr. Anomeritis to European Commissioners Antonio Vittorino, responsible for illegal immigration issues and Loyola de P alacio, responsible for sea transportation issues.

The policies mentioned above are being backed by the officers and means available to the Coast Guard and during 2002 they brought positive results as the entry of illegal immigrants in Greece via the sea routes dropped by 45%.

Mr. Anomeritis suggested that the countries from where illegal immigrants come, like Turkey, should receive economic assistance to strengthen the illegal immigration prevention policies.