The visit is part of the effort to retain the diplomatic momentum surrounding the Cyprus issue, aiming at reaching a solution by February 28.

The focal point of the problem is Denktash's inability to comprehend current developments, and the diplomatic momentum of our times on Cyprus, the EU, and the broader Mediterranean region.

Mr. Christodoulakis accused the Opposition of systematically predicting disasters and being scaremongers, while constantly being refuted during the last 10 years.

On ND's side, both Head of the sector for economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and parliamentary representative Prokopis Pavlopoulos, characterized the budget as unreliable, shady and ineffective.

Specifically, Mr. Christodoulakis referred to the measures favoring farmers, namely better and higher loans, increased compensation for natural disasters and rapid supply of farmers' pensions.

He then called the banks to react to the phenomenon of the de-escalation of interest rates, which diminishes the return of small deposits.

The Minister of Finance also stressed that Greece is handling the international recession, he noted that the government's first concern is macroeconomic stability, he gave his assurance that there would be a drastic limitation of public debt, and he supp orted that with the tax reform there will be less taxes and a fairer distribution.

Finally, Mr. Christodoulakis promised a drastic cutback in the cost of money and loans aiming at facilitating financing businesses for investment and modernization, as well as to give poor households the opportunity to get cheap loans.

On his side the Head of the ND sector for the Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis, pointed out that the new budget is a reflection of the government's dead end policies and a mirror of its unreliability. He supported that the problem is political and if the gov ernment doesn't get out, there is no hope for change.

Parliamentary Representative of New Democracy Prokopis Pavlopoulos moved on the same wavelength, mentioning logistical alchemy, arithmetic paroxysms, financial fantasies on the side of the Minister of Finance.

The object of their meeting was the materialization of the proposal for the reconstruction of the Joint Institutions Building in Sarajevo, which was submitted by Mr. Lovric to the Greek Ambassador in Sarajevo on November 1, 2002.

The Joint Institutions Building, "Marijin Dvor" as it is called, was housed prior to the 1992-1995 war by the Executive Council of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and remains unused, due to extensive damages to it from the war. The repairs to this building, costing a total of 10 million euro, are a proud symbol of the new beginning of the Balkan region towards institutional, financial and social reconstruction.

During the meeting they also discussed all further potential funding to works in the framework of the GPERB, based on the Agreement for the Five-Year Programme of Developmental Cooperation (2002-2006) between Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was sign ed in Sarajevo in July 2002, and foresees developmental aid of 19.53 million euro.

The relatives of the victims gathered at the monument of the Unknown Soldier at 7pm, holding white candles, in memory of their loved ones that were lost in terrorist attacks, to state their rejection of terrorism.

As was announced by the general police direction, the unknown man went to a branch of the "Ethniki Trapeza" (National Bank) in Evosmos on the morning of December 11, where he gave the cashier the 50 bank notes with and his identity card, and then receive d the euro in exchange for the dollars.

The Council discussed the course of negotiations on the agreement plan between the EU and the US, concerning judicial cooperation in criminal cases and extradition.

On the issue of fighting racism and xenophobia, the Council made no decisions and its works will continue during the Greek Presidency. Regarding the application of the principle for mutual recognition of fines, a decision was made for the formation of a positive list of crimes based on the European arrest warrant, as well as for the possibility of suspending it for 5 years.

There was political agreement on the issue of the framework of fighting bribery in the private sector, while most delegations agreed that there should be a minimum on carrying out auction rulings in criminal cases.

form of cooperation).

Mr. Apostolides then had consecutive meetings with his counterpart Rizva Suleimani, the President of the Parliamentary Committee of Defense and Security, Tito Petkovski, and the Vice President of the Government, Rudmila Sekerinska.

At the joint press conference held with his counterpart Mr. Suleimani, Mr. Apostolides referred to the good atmosphere of relations between Greece and FYROM, while he stressed that it is a strategic goal of Greece to consolidate peace, security and stabi lity in the Balkans.

He also added that Greece will contribute to the accession of FYROM and the rest of the Western Balkan countries to the EU and NATO.

The sentiments of the rest of Europe's residents are similar concerning the other 11 national currencies of European countries.

Also, based on the evidence of the said poll, 9 out of 10 Greeks are worried about the price increases due to the Euro.

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