In the secretary general s words Peace can be built from the base, and I strongly support all the parties involved in the Diplomacy of Cities movement . The Message concluded by extending encouragement to all that take part in this initiative of the City of Athens for peace in the world. My discussion today would not be complete if I do not talk to you about one of the most exciting events in the modern history of the City of Athens, and that is of course the privilege to be the host city to the 2004 Olympic Games. The challenge is that we want to be able to rejoice the return of the Games to its birthplace by hosting the greatest celebration on earth. Fundamental to the realization of this challenge, is the transformation of Athens into a model city for the new millennium.
Work is already in progress and much has already been achieved.
The second project is the development of the Athens international airport, which it is envisaged that by the year 2001, will be the most modern in Europe, with a capacity to handle over 16 million travelers a year. Third, also by the year 2001 a total of 71 kilometers of new motorways will be operational. These will link the new airport with central Athens, create a major new ring road with 32 interchanges connecting the new roads with the existing system and subway stations. Beyond the Games themselves, the preparations for the Olympics have as their goal the life of the City of Athens the day after the closing ceremonies. The challenge we want to successfully rise to is to achieve the best Olympic Games in history, the infrastructure for which will have been developed with respect to both the natural and urban environment with the result that the City will be more beautiful, more humane and more functional.