Turkish Cypriot parties turned down Mr. Papandreou's invitation. "We thought these meetings absolutely normal and logical, but of course it is up to the options and the availability of the Turkish Cypriot leaders to accept or reject this invitations", st ated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Panos Beglitis.

Present at the ceremony were ND President Constantinos Karamanlis and historic ND members, Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, Presidents of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, of the European Parliament Pat Cox, and of the EPP Wilfried Martens.

In his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the European Parliament chamber that bears the name of the founder of New Democracy, the nephew of Constantinos Karamanlis and present President of the Party Costas Karamanlis, stressed that every leader is f inally judged by his ability to set and conquer a vision, from his insight, the hierarchy of his priorities, his discipline towards capturing his goal, and his talent to comprehend the difference in every single individual step.

The President of New Democracy stressed that Constantinos Karamanlis' believed in Greece's position in Europe so powerfully, that, as he said, it "drained his soul".

"This is the European journey ahead of our country", said the President of ND, "it is not a new vision, Karamanlis was the first who had it, with the belief that we could accomplish much."

President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis stressed that Constantinos Karamanlis dreamed of Greece in the arms of a peaceful and prosperous Europe. "To that end", he said, "he worked hard, methodically, and had the joy of seeing his dream come true on January 1, 1981".

The President of the Parliament pointed out that Greece owes much to Constantinos Karamanlis, and underlined that his choice for accession to the European Community was fully justified. He also stressed that Europe should acquire its own political wait o n the global chessboard. "The European people want a United Europe, politically powerful, self-existent, autonomous, not a mimic or bringing up the rear on the chariot of powers and interests outside Europe", he said.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou stressed that Constantinos Karamanlis may have expressed a political party to which he (Mr. Papandreou) does not belong, but that does not stop him (Mr. Papandreou) from acknowledging Constantinos' Karamanlis' contribu tion to the accession of Greece to the European Community.

Mr. Papandreou mentioned that the accession turned a new leaf in Greek history, and noted that the Greek people today, accept the European vision their majority, and that there has been very broad consent among political powers regarding European issues.

policy. The Prime Minister will present the Convergence Charta tomorrow at the Zappeion; the Charta will set goals for the improvement of the situation for Greek citizens, by 2008. The Prime Minister will discuss the last details of the Charta with Minis ter of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

First of all, Mr. Lambrou pointed out that the court is trying crimes and criminals, not ideologies. Subsequently, the DA referred to the role of Alexandros Giotopoulos, for more than an hour; Giotopoulos is facing 963 charges. As the DA said, in 1974, w hen Greece was a wreck after the misadventures with the dictatorship, a "mysterious dark man was returning with no identity or last name, in order to stand in the way of democracy". "This was Alexandros Giotopoulos or Michalis Economou or Lambros, with hi s Parisian culture. He manipulated young people, started taking advantage of them, and used them for his own goals. With threats of "firing" them, he kept the this criminal organization's activity going for 27 years".

Lambrou also compared Giotopoulos to an ostrich, sticking its head in the sand thinking no one can see it. "Alexandros Giotopoulos is neck deep in the criminal activity of 17N", he supported characteristically.

In reference to Mr. Giotopolos, the DA said he was a man who was a failure professionally, a shirker of work and with no job, who came to Greece to obstruct democracy. Regarding the rest of the defendants, he characterized them as pseudo-revolutionaries , killers, robbers and cowards.

Meanwhile, shortly before the beginning of the trial, Savvas Xeros stated that Greece's justice system will have collapsed by the end of the trial.

"Who gave this band of conspirators the right to take away human life?", he mentioned characteristically. The DA referred to the death of Thanos Axarlian, during the attack against Ioannis Paleokrasas, and stressed: "If they had any respect and honesty, they should have disbanded the organization the next day, crushed by the gravity of their crime."

Mr. Lambrou also characterized alleged leader of the organization, Al. Giotopoulos, as the chief conspirator, natural leader, guide, ideological mind and author of their proclamations. "Mr. Giotopoulos only knew how to kill and launch rockets. He thought

it was needless to go and vote".

The Cabinet will meet tomorrow and immediately afterwards the Prime Minister will present the guidelines of the "Charta for economic and social convergence". As Mr. Simitis said, the basic budget outline for 2004 has been drafted.

During the discussion between the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic prior to the departure of the press, Mr. Simitis said that his visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair went very well and characterized September as the month of econ omy.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the plan on the European Constitution is a big step forward, pointing out, however, that there is still a lot left to be done. He also backed the safeguarding of the rights of the small and medium size countries.

Mr. Karamanlis gave a special emphasis on the promotion of the Joint Foreign Policy and the Policy on Security and Defense as well as the developments concerning farm products. At that point, he accused the Greek government of neglect and called on it to

safeguard the interests of the Greek farmers.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 279 recorded losses and 48 had gains, while the value of 56 stocks remained unchanged.

He made clarifications regarding the meaning of the term Ecumenical when referring to the Patriachate at the Fanar in Istanbul, on which the criticism launched by the conservative nationalists is focused. He pointed out that it is a religious institute a nd its nature is not political but purely religious, stressing that the Patriarchate does not want to become another Vatican.

He stressed that all the Orthodox Christian Churches around the world, and all formal authorities, accept this Ecumenical character and at this point, he mentioned the invitation he received from Libya, stressing that this title was used on the specific invitation as well. The Ecumenical Patriarch will visit Libya on Wednesday as a formal guest.

He said that he will visit Libya for the purpose of religious dialogue, as he did in many other trips as well, pointing out that dialogue between people is necessary regardless of their religion. He also underlined that dialogue helps in the elimination of fanaticism and animosity.

Responding to a relevant question, he said that the Patriarchate did not ask for the reopening of Saint Sophia in Istanbul as a church but it was opposed to its use as a place hosting cultural events.

Also, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the meetings he had in August with Turkish Foreign Minister Gul, Interior Minister Aksu and lately, with Prime Minister Erdogan. He said that he mentioned to them the problems faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchat e and the Greek community and he was met with understanding, while he received the promise that efforts will be made for the solution of the problems within the framework of the existing laws.

At an annual basis, the highest growth rate recorded in the second trimester of 2003 was in Greece with 4.4%, followed by Spain (2.3%) and Belgium and Finland (0.8%).

In the first half of 2003, the Greek exports to Brazil were at US$8.39 million (corresponding to just 0.04% of the overall Brazilian imports). In the same period, the value of Brazilian-label products that entered the Greek market was at US$27.127 millio n recording an increase of 29.34% compared to last year.

The figures mentioned above were presented in Thessaloniki today, on the occasion of the first formal visit of Brazilian businessmen to Greece and also, within the framework of a bilateral economic forum organized by the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Thessaloniki.

On the occasion of the forum, Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) managing director Dimitris Mardas delivered a draft memorandum to the Brazilian delegation proposing the establishment of a bilateral Greek-Brazilian business council. The memorandum provi des that the business council will have two "legs", one in Greece and one in Brazil, and it will operate under the "umbrella" of HEPO and a Brazilian organization that will be selected for this purpose.

region.

Yesterday, third day of operation for the 68th ITF were launched, confirmed or settled cooperation deals between Greek businesses and trade visitors from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, FYROM, Qatar and Chile.

The government spokesman stated that the visit of Mr. Papandreou is very important because it will prepare the meeting of the Prime Minister with the President of the Cypriot Republic.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Greece always honors the Australians and the New Zealanders, who fought in Greece for freedom and humanitarian ideals and offered their lives to Crete and other Greek islands in the fight against Nazism and Fascism.

In the talks that were held in a very friendly atmosphere, participated Greek-Australian senior government officials and focused on the education problems of the Greeks in Australia.

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