Both sides have confirmed that the meeting was held in good atmosphere.

Mr. Orphanos stated that in the next few years a procedure will be completed through which new infrastructure will be constructed and the Greek football will further develop.

EPO President Mr. Gagatsis stated that in the meeting there was no disagreement.

After the meeting, Mr. Moliviatis stated that the visit by Mr. Solana underlines the EU interest in the wider region. Mr. Moliviatis stated that among the issues discussed were developments in the Middle East, the course of the ratification of the Europe an Constitution and the European Council meeting in December. According to press information, Mr. Moliviatis also raised the issue of the FYROM name reiterating the Greek and European position calling for dialogue aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable s olution.

Foreign Minister Moliviatis will send letters to his counterparts in the EU and NATO while he will visit European capital cities.

Today, Mr. Moliviatis will brief the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, while he will have meetings with Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga, Socialist Party of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou and Coalition President Nikos Konstantopoulos.

Specifically, responding to the question whether Greece should accept a compromise solution such as "Upper Macedonia", "New Macedonia" or "Macedonia of the Vardar", 56% responded negatively and 41% responded positively.

Meanwhile, 30% of those asked were in favor of mass rallies on the issue of the FYROM name, while 68% were against holding mass demonstrations.

The opinion poll was held on a sample of 800 people.

The President of the Greek Parliament stated that the protocol will lead to a closer and more effective cooperation between the two parliaments and stressed that Cyprus and Greece share the same issues.

The Cypriot House of Representatives President characterized the signing of the protocol as a new historic moment in the relations of the two parliaments.

Called to comment on information according to which, the FYROM government does not appear willing to participate in negotiations under Mr. Nimitz, Mr. Rousopoulos cited a statement by the UN representative based on which, both sides have assured him that

they have the will to continue the process aimed at reaching a solution.

On yesterday's statement by Mr. Solana in Skopje, Mr. Rousopoulos pointed out that the use of the term "Macedonia" does not result from the statement made by the EU official. Finally, responding to a question on the likely use of secret diplomacy by the government, the government spokesman said that in international diplomacy there are things that are done but not said.

Of the stocks trading today, 202 had gains and 89 had losses, while the value of 123 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Moliviatis left open the likelihood for Greece to exercise its veto power on FYROM's accession into the EU and NATO in case the issue of the name is not resolved.

Tension ran high in parliament when former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis accused the Foreign Minister of abandoning the Helsinki framework on the Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Annan asked Mr. Vasilakis to brief him on the latest developments on the issue of the FYROM name and the positions and intentions of the Greek government after the recent US decision to recognize FYROM under its constitutional name.

According to diplomatic sources, Mr. Annan asked to meet with the FYROM representative as well and his goal is the continuation of dialogue under the UN auspices with the mediation of Mathew Nimitz to reach a final solution to the issue of the FYROM name .

The Greek Euro-deputy referred to the decision of a Turkish court according to which, the title deeds of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Orphanage were rejected.

The New Democracy Euro-deputy underlined that the Orphanage at Prince's Island is a property of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1903 and is still one of the greatest historic monuments of the Greeks in Istanbul. He also pointed out that the Turkish cou rt decision violates the Treaty of Lausanne and the rights of the Greek minority in Istanbul.

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