Following Archbishop Christodoulos many Metropolites were given the chance to speak, and the discussion, which became heated at points, mainly revolved around the issue of whether the Church of Greece intends to abide by the Act of 1928.

Some Metropolites, published a petition supporting the views of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and collected signatures. According to information, the document has been signed by more than 10 Metropolites.

"In the present phase of the well known ecclesiastical issue, the worst that could happen would be for this issue to become a political issue or one for party conflict", mentioned Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, responding to questions on the cr isis.

"We politicians, should avoid public statements on these issues, but we must be prepared to offer our services, because when there is knowledge, when there is love, when there is good will, solutions can be found easily for the harmonization of regularit y, which is the order within the Church, and legality", pointed out the Minister of Culture.

In his statements the President of the Greek Republic stressed that Bulgaria has made significant progress as regards the European Acquis and he appreciated that it will have no trouble in being incorporated to the European Union. On his side, Mr. Parvan ov spoke in very positive terms of the Greek Presidency of the EU, which he characterized as very efficient. Regarding his visit to Athens, he said: "We hope that this warm wind we felt when getting off the airplane is a "tail wind" for Bulgaria's sails t owards Brussels".

The two Presidents also discussed the issue of opening new routes between Bulgaria and Greece with the joint customs, as well as the Burgas - Alexandroupoli oil pipeline. No the pipeline issue, Mr. Stefanopoulos made mention of a coordination of efforts,

while Mr. Parvanov appreciated that the work is of great social and economic importance to Bulgaria, which is searching for a formula to un- jam the present stagnancy of the work with Russia.

At the meeting in the Presidential Mansion, the positive relations between Bulgaria and Greece were sealed, while, as it was pointed out, they are at the best point ever in the history of the two countries. In any case, as far as economic bilateral relat ions are concerned, Mr. Parvanov appreciated that there is still room for growth.

Dimitris Koufontinas supported that 17N had no connection to secret services, supporting that others do: "Now the FBI is coming to give medals to Diotis, Nasiakos and Syros", he added characteristically.

well as representatives of the Jewish community.

Mr. Peres will also visit Thessaloniki and lay a wreath at the Holocaust Monument on Sunday morning.

The highest percentage of 11.2% was recorded in Spain, while the lowest (3.8%) was in Luxembourg.

On the course of the revenues until October 2003, the head of the government's economic staff stressed that they move with a growth rate of 5.5% compared to the same period last year. Referring to the budget deficit at an overall level, he said that it i s expected to reach 1.4%.

The head of the government's economic staff added that he can understand that anxiety and stressed that the policy followed by the government had as a result for Greece to record the lowest unemployment percentage compared to other four EU states.

Of the stocks trading today, 190 recorded losses and 95 had gains, while the value of 97 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Protopapas pointed out that the balance between the autocephalous Church and the special relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate should be preserved, reiterating that any interventions by third parties must be avoided because from a historical poi nt of view the State interventions had led to extreme situations.

That is why we should not repeat past mistakes, said Mr. Protopapas, stressing that a solution can be found to this important problem through prudence and caution, keeping the interests of Orthodoxy in mind and above all through the Church dialogue.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the senior US official is going to discuss with his Greek colleagues issues concerning security, given the cooperation with Greece on Olympic Games' security issues.

and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Athens today.

Mr. Simitis said that the atmosphere in bilateral relations is positive, adding that Greece strongly supports Bulgaria's European course, while he also expressed Greece's support to Bulgaria's participation in NATO. The accession act is going to be ratif ied by the Greek Parliament shortly.

On the issue of the Kozlodui nuclear plant, Mr. Simitis pointed out that this issue has been settled and two of the six nuclear reactors have been shut down, while the rest will close based on the agreed upon timetables.

Mr. Simitis characterized as very good the bilateral economic and trade relations, adding that Greece is the main investor in the neighboring country and the Greek businesses have the best presence in the Bulgaria.

Referring to the Greek Plan for the Reconstruction of the Balkans, he said that as far as Bulgaria is concerned it proceeds very well.

On his part, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov stated that the talks were very productive, adding that Greece offers its honest support to Bulgaria's consistent efforts for EU accession by the year 2007.

Mr. Parvanov pledged that Sofia is going to do everything possible to meet the timetables for the construction of the new border stations along the borders with Greece.

He also referred to the shut down of two nuclear reactors in Kozlodui nuclear plant and added that the EU findings are being expected for the safe operation of the remaining reactors.

The Chinese official briefed Mr. Magriotis on the policy of his country on the issue of Taiwan and underlined the importance for the wider region of the peaceful policy followed by China.

Mr. Magriotis referred to the great significance the 2004 Olympic Games have for Greece and briefed Mr. Li Bingcai on the developments in the Greek-Turkish relations and the course of the Cyprus problem.

He also referred to the unanimous approval of the Olympic Truce by the UN General Assembly, while he pointed out that Greece backed the candidature of Shanghai to host EXPO 2010. Mr. Magriotis thanked the Chinese official for his statement according to w hich, China will back the candidature of Thessaloniki to host EXPO 2008.

The above were underlined by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos speaking in the formal dinner he gave in honor of his Bulgarian counterpart and characterized the level of the Greek-Bulgarian relations as excellent.

He also expressed Greece's hope that Bulgaria's accession into NATO and the EU will become a strong incentive for the rest countries in the region to abandon past practices and focus their efforts on building a new Europe.

On the Greek-Bulgarian economic cooperation, the Greek President stated that the Greek investments are the highest in Bulgaria for a third year in a row, while the trade transactions were over 1 billion euros.

On the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, he said that it is going to add a new momentum to bilateral relations, while he underlined the importance of the new border stations.

The Bulgarian President pointed out Greece's support to Bulgaria and Romania in their European course and underlined that, based on a European Commission report on Bulgaria, it is feasible for the country to become an EU member in 2007.

He expressed satisfaction for the constructive talks he had with the Greek state and political leadership, while on the bilateral economic cooperation he said that it meets the interests of the two countries.

Mr. Parvanov invited his Greek counterpart to attend the meeting of region leaders to take place in Bulgaria next year to discuss ways to make the region more attractive and promote its hidden wealth.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew responded to the speech delivered by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece yesterday during the meeting of the hierarchy, stating that Archbishop Christodoulos puts in doubt the existing ecclesiastical regi me in Greece and prepares the ground for changes.

The Ecumenical Patriarch points out that following yesterday's development the Ecumenical Patriarchate insists in its demand for strict implementation of the 1928 Patriarchal and Synodal Act.

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