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Macedonian Press Agency - February 9, 1999

Archbishop Of America Spyridon In Athens Today

The Archbishop of America Spyridon is to arrive in Athens today, where he will stay until February 15, embarking on a series of contacts with church, state and political leaders.

This afternoon, Mr. Spyridon will meet with the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Christodoulos, while this evening he will address the orthodoxy committee in the old Parliament.

According to a statement he made to the Archdiocese's radio program prior to his arrival, Mr. Spyridon's visit aims at developing cooperation and stable relations between Athens and expatriate Hellenism.

Specifically, talks between Mr. Spyridon and members of the government will focus on cooperation with Greece for the improvement of education in the US to secure the viability of the Greek language and the facilitation of more frequent contact between the new Greek generation with the motherland, as well as the exchange of visits between young people in the US and Greece.

Tomorrow, the Archbishop will lay a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument and will meet with the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Education Minster Gerasimos Arsenis Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and the leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis.

On Thursday, he will meet with other opposition party leaders, the mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos, and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

[ Macedonian Press Agency - www.mpa.gr - February 9, 1999 ]