its Chairman, and the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, the President of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs committee, two representatives of each party in parliament, the Head of the Center for Analysis and Planning of the Foreign Ministry, and u p to two people, with special knowledge or experience on foreign policy issues as its members.

Mr. Simitis stressed the fact that there must be a united line for the EU on the Iraq issue, and he added that he will make every effort for that to become reality.

The British Prime Minister, without openly disagreeing, appeared cautious on how some Europeans appreciate the situation in Iraq, painting a picture of Franc and Germany.

Immediately after the half hour meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated: "Mr. De Soto is in Athens for various meetings. He saw the Prime Minister and informed him of the present situation in the Cyprus negotiations. Mr. De Soto has our full support and he has th e will to continue the efforts to achieve the goal before the deadline set by us and the EU, and of course UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, on February 28. Within the next few days, Mr. De Soto will also have meetings in Turkey, and today he will meet wit h Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov (who, as you know, is in Athens). Russia plays an important role as a permanent member of the Security Council, and as a supporter for the solution of the Cyprus problem".

Minister of Labor Dimitris Reppas expressed his satisfaction on the opening of the informal meeting of Social Affairs' Ministers of the EU in Nafplio, after the completion of the first discussion of the Troika and the social partners.

Mr. Reppas made mention of an atmosphere of consensus and promoted agreements, which, however, will be put to the test on Friday, in the most decisive of the Ministers' discussions.

So far, 12 witnesses have testified in the case, while the identity of six has been kept secret. DA Dimitris Papaggelopoulos has called a stock broker, a publisher and members of the clergy who have allegedly fallen victims to the blackmailers to testify

within the next few days. Businessman D. Kontominas is testifying to the DA at this time.

The special meeting on the analysis of the European Court's ruling on the Open Skies, which concerns transports, telecommunications and energy, will also be discussed in Athens today.

The informal meeting of the Council of EU Ministers of Labor and Social Security is continuing in Nafplio today, where it began yesterday, on the issues of employment, social politics, health and consumers.

In Vienna, the meeting for the international treaty against corruption on economic and fiscal issues is continuing. The work programs of the European Presidency will be presented, as well as the application of the Stability and Development Pact, and tax issues will be looked into, such as taxing savings, business ethics, interest rates, the taxation of energy, VAT, and administrative cooperation.

The committee for Justice and Internal Affairs began its meeting in Brussels yesterday. Among the issues to be discussed are the EU-US agreement plan on judicial cooperation in criminal cases and extradition, the plan for a decision on a framework concer ning information systems attacks, the formation of mechanisms to fight terrorism, Europol information secrecy, and agreements regarding Slovakia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Russia.

Tomorrow, January 25, the meeting in Nafplio will be completed and on January 26, an event will be held at the Athens "Megaron" Music Hall in Athens to celebrate the beginning of the European Year for People with Disabilities.

Today, recorded foreigners only make up 7.5% of the country's population, while according to the numbers of the National Statistics Organization, in 2001 there were 797,093 immigrants in Greece.

The report also mentioned that out of every 100,000 births recorded in Greece annually, 15,000 concern foreigners, while immigrant groups in Greece are predominantly of working age, between 25 and 44 years old.

On an EU level, in 1998, only 3.5% of its residents were from other countries, while the percentage of foreigners was higher in Central Europe.

The above were stated in the Greek Parliament by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis, pointing out that UN Security Council resolution 1441 on the nuclear weapons in Iraq should not be seen as an ultimatum.

Greece's policy on the issue of Iraq is characterized by three parameters: the respect of international law, the respect of human rights and the consolidation of peace in the world. He said that Greece backs resolution 1441 which gives specific orders to

the UN weapons inspectors and believes that if the resolution is observed the picture will become clear concerning the future acts of the international community.

He clarified that the Greek Navy frigate "Hydra" is used in patrols against terrorism and has nothing to do with preparatory actions concerning the likely war in Iraq. Also, he gave the assurance that it does not patrol in the hot zone of the operations.

To materialize these goals adjustments are needed for the social partners to have a stronger voice and employment policy to be seen as the cornerstone of the European competitiveness. He underlined the need for the improvement of investments on human cap ital, and stressed that the business spirit should be strengthened. He also stated that the invisible economy must be limited, the job reserves should be exploited and the work regulation should be balanced through the creation of a sense of security amon g employees, while business flexibility should be increased.

The Greek labor movement PAME secretariat member Giorgos Mavrikos expressed satisfaction for the presence of unionists and labor activists from Europe. He pointed out that they are in Nafplio to express solidarity to the PAME struggle and at the same tim e, underline that the presence of the union movement in Thessaloniki will be massive and composed

Turkey's labor movement representative stated that the Americans and the British exert pressure on the Turkish regime to agree to Turkey's participation in the planned attack on Iraq. He added that the workers and the people are against this war and poin ted out that small and big anti-war protests are being held across Turkey. He stressed that the imperialist plans in the region can be overturned only through popular reaction.

Paola Palmieri, from the Italian RDB-CUB union, pointed out that Italians too face big problems as a result of the anti-popular policy followed by the EU. She characterized as comforting the fact that the movement against imperialist wars gathers momentu m.

The Ukrainian Workers Association President expressed the solidarity of the Ukrainian workers to their Greek colleagues and stated that they are opposed to the anti-popular measures the EU wants to promote.

Meanwhile, most of the protesters, estimated at 15.000, are expected to arrive in Nafplio this afternoon.

Limited clashes were recorded in Nafplio at noon today between police officers and protesting members of the security forces participating in a demonstration against globalization.

Policy interim review.

The Greek Agriculture Minister has already discussed the proposals with the responsible European Commissioner Mr. Fischler in their meeting in Brussels yesterday.

Mr. Dris stressed that the EU should promote a common policy that respects the farmers' work, recognizes the distinctiveness of production in different regions and takes under consideration the consumer demands and the messages sent out by the market.

Of the stocks trading today, 200 recorded gains and 90 had losses, while the value of 87 stocks remained unchanged.

He said that all necessary measures have been taken and the government had talks with representatives of the activists to include their positions on employment and social protection in Europe in the meeting.

The government spokesman also pointed out that people have the right to protest for Iraq or any other issue and expressed the belief that the protests will be peaceful.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated after the meeting that he briefed his Russian counterpart on issues with great interest for Greece and especially, on issues concerning oil as Greece covers 55% of its needs with petrol imported from Russia. He said that there is a great interest in expanding this cooperation and exploit new transport ways such as, the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the use of tanker ships carrying oil via the Black Sea.

The Russian Energy Minister stated that they discussed the plans for the development of the energy sector in Russia in the next 20 years. Responding to the question on what Russia expects from the Greek EU Presidency, he underlined that it wants a wider energy dialogue and added that through Greece's guidance the EU-Russia dialogue will proceed and the Energy Map will be ratified.

Mr. Simitis referred to the meeting he had this morning with Mr. de Soto in the presence of Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou. He said that Mr. de Soto assured him that he will use all the time that is left in the timetable set and will make every effo rt for a solution in Cyprus.

On his meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Mr. Simitis stated that Norway backs the Annan Plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem and stressed that they discussed bilateral issues as well as, issues concerning the Greek EU Presidency. The two Pri me Ministers discussed merchant marine issues and the protection of the sea environment as well as, the organizing of global transportation within the framework of the international organizations.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that Norway has suggested the signing of an agreement by the European Economic Forum members and the EU to take place in Athens on April 16. Norway has a special relation with the EU given the fact that it is not an EU member but it participates in the economic sector.

The Norwegian Prime Minister characterized as useful the contacts he had on European issues and the close cooperation of the two countries.

Affairs Commissioner Chris Paten and EU Common Foreign and Security Policy High Representative Javier Solana.

Mr. Ivanov stressed that the international community needs clear answers on whether there are mass destruction weapons in Iraq and in case there are they will have to be destroyed. In a different case the sanctions imposed on Iraq will have to be cancell ed, he stressed.

The Russian Foreign Minister stated that the UN inspections in Iraq should continue and no pressures should be exerted on the UN weapons inspectors He made it clear that no unilateral actions should be undertaken without earlier UN Security Council resol utions because this would cause the deterioration of the situation.

Mr. Papandreou referred to another major issue examined in the meeting, the cooperation between the EU and Russia. The Greek Foreign Minister stressed that this cooperation is of great importance for peace and stability not only in the immediate region b ut at a world level as well.

The semester of the Greek Presidency coincides with the need for the Union to come to a series of decisions, the outcome of which may alter in fundamental ways the contribution EU processes may make to employment and to social cohesion in the member stat es. After five years of operation the European Employment Strategy its review may lead to employment taking a wider role in the overall Lisbon Strategy.

For social cohesion, the progress attained in the separate fields of social protection must be consolidated in order to highlight the contribution of the EU to securing the European Social Model. The Informal Council gave the opportunity for Ministers of

Employment and of Social Affairs, the European Commission as well as the representatives of the social partners and of NGOs to discuss, in a free and frank manner, some of the fundamental issues underlying the future evolution and shaping of European soc ieties.

The priorities that have been set by the Presidency, regarding employment and social policy are the promotion of following issues: On Employment

� Full and sustainable employment (more jobs) � Quality and productivity at work (better jobs) � Cohesive and inclusive labour markets On Social Policy � Modernisation of the European Social Model, � Streamlining in the area of Social Protection and Social Cohesion processes in the E. U. With regard to Employment, the Greek presidency focused the discussion in the revision of European Employment Strategy taking into consideration:

� the conclusions of Barcelona, for simpler and more efficient guidelines, according to the need for the harmonisation of various processes of co-ordination of policy of E.U. � the evaluation of the European Employment Strategy (EES) and its positive impact in job creation and the reduction of unemployment, and � the need for a new, more ambitious and effective European Employment Strategy, capable to face the new challenges - i.e. the rapid economic change, the demographic prospects and the enlargement of the EU.

This Informal meeting was an opportunity to discuss the revision, the simplification, and the evolution of the European Employment Strategy which will be in effect for the next three-year period in the European Union and which will be agreed during the G reek Presidency, in the Spring Council of the E. U. on the 21st of March this year.

The Preparatory meeting took place on the afternoon of the 23rd January and was attended by the Social Troika, the Economic and Social Committee, the Social Partners, the European Parliament, the Commission, the General Secretariat of the Council and th e Chairmen of the Employment and Social Protection Committees .

The Informal meeting of the Council of Employment and Social Affairs was held on the 24th of January and underlined the need for effectiveness and inclusiveness in employment policy. The discussion focussed on better governance of the EES, specificall y via the broader involvement of social partners and civil society, and streamlining of the strategy with other E.U. political co-ordination policies such as the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and policies on social protection.

On the overall theme, discussions showed a shared understanding that the following is necessary:

Broad agreement on the three over-arching objectives of the new EES - Full employment (more jobs) - Quality and productivity (better jobs) - Cohesive and inclusive labour markets for all citizens.

The increase and improvement of investments in human capital with the mobilization of public and private funding, in order to face up to accelerating economic and social restructuring and to promote a knowledge based economy.

The contribution of the Structural Funds and especially of the European Social Fund is crucial and must become more effective focused and flexible.

The strengthening of entrepreneurship, especially for small and family-owned firms, in order to facilitate the creation of more, better and sustainable jobs.

The gradual transformation of undeclared work and the underground economy into legal employment and economic activity.

The active integration of immigrants in society and in the labour market, which is also essential for addressing the impact on employment and on the labour force of the ageing population. This should be defined in an appropriate way.

The promotion of a new equilibrium between flexibility and security. Enterprises should be adaptable and flexible, with a better-trained workforce keen to assume initiatives, to participate, and which is responsive to change. Workers should feel safer,

through a richer range of choices, so that they can develop their skills and qualifications and be satisfied in their work on an ongoing basis.

The better governance of the Employment Strategy (EES), especially through the wider involvement of social partners and civil society and the harmonization of the strategy with the other E.U. coordination policies, such as the Broad Economic Policy Guide lines and the policies on social protection.

Moreover, there was a wide consensus on the need to set priorities as proposed and specified in the Communication on the Future of Employment Strategy. These specific priorities may be supported wherever possible by quantified targets, including inter al ia, the Lisbon Strategy targets and other more specific ones: getting women (back) into work, helping older workers to stay in work and making work pay. Finally, there was widespread support for the following:

The review of the EES must also lead to the simplification of the relevant procedures for drawing up and monitoring the National Action Plans for Employment.

Synchronization will improve coherence between the policies. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to avoid overlapping and this can better be achieved by providing that the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines relevant to employment are formulated in a suffici ently general manner, given that the European Employment Strategy and the Employment Guidelines will specify the policies in detail.

With streamlining, the monitoring of implementation of the EES becomes part of the broader monitoring of the Lisbon Agenda, which takes place in the Spring Summit of the European Council. The Joint Employment Report and the Communication on the Future of

Employment Strategy thus assumes a greater significance as a contribution to the preparation of the Spring Summit.

Although the increased focus on implementation certainly necessitates the identification of targets and indicators, the question of indicators, targets, and benchmarking remains to be examined further on the basis of the suggestions made by the Commissio n, the debate with the European Parliament and other European institutions, the Social Partners and in particular the conclusions of the European Spring Summit.

It is stressed that the statement has the support of the central and eastern European countries, Cyprus, Malta, and Turkey as well as, the countries of the European Zone of Free Transactions and the European Economic Forum members.