It is reminded that, according to a decision of the Board of Directors of the European Central Bank, as of 2002, the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Cross Settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET)was put in force, as well as the national settlement systems in the countries of the Euro zone in real time. According to that calendar, the above systems will be switched-off, on 18.4.2003 and 21.4.2003. All the financial transactions and the inter bank payment systems will remain closed on those dates. Also, these dates are not considered as days of settlement for the financial markets, the average interest rate overnight index in Euro zone is not published, whereas the cross-border security system will not operate.

For those reasons and in order to avoid the possible systemic risks of the Hellenic Capital Market and risks of the smooth operation of its functions for the investors, the stock market and the settlement systems will remain closed on 18.4.2003 and on 21.4.2003