Τετάρτη 23 Μαρτίου 2011

PM Briefs Parliament on Libya

PM Briefs Parliament on Libya

Link to GREEK NEWS AGENDA

PM Briefs Parliament on Libya

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:07 AM PDT


Prime Minister George Papandreou briefed the Hellenic Parliament yesterday about the latest developments in Libya. The premier stressed that Greece could not stay neutral during the international intervention in Libya, adding that "as a country, we have an interest in contributing to the strengthening of our international credibility without appearing to have double standards."

"If any friends or others had forgotten Greece's important geostrategic role, today they discover it and appreciate it. This fact should be kept in mind and should weigh on EU decisions regarding our country. Greece is and continue to be a true pillar of principles, stability and prosperity in the region," he said.

On the same issue, Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that Greece would be playing a supportive role and would not be directly engaged in military operations. Greece has provided facilities at Souda Bay on Crete, and at Araxos and Andravida in the Peloponnese to its NATO partners and other countries. It is also contributing a frigate, a search-and-rescue helicopter and will send an airborne radar to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.

FM in Berlin

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 05:08 AM PDT


Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas met with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle in Berlin yesterday. The two ministers discussed about the current situation in Libya, issues of bilateral interest, as well as the issue of nuclear reactors safety in Europe.

Speaking to reporters after meeting, Droutsas reiterated Greece's position on Libya and urged for new inspections of all the nuclear power plants in Europe.

While in Berlin, Droutsas also participated in an event held by the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, delivering a speech on the economic and financial crisis and its impact on the European Union.

You Tube: Droutsas' Statements after meeting (in Greek) [VIDEO]

Budget Deficit: Within Target

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT


The Ministry of Finance published yesterday data regarding State Budget execution for January-February 2011, which shows that, for the first two months in 2011, the deficit is lower than the target set, amounting to €1,024 billion compared to the €1,076 million target.

According to the relevant press release, the deficit growth by 8.5% (compared to 2010) was expected, due to the non repetition of certain measures, as well as to the higher than projected GDP decline during the last quarter of 2010.

Regarding budget revenue data for the first two months, the Ministry clarifies that Ordinary Budget net revenue is lower than the two months target, while Public Investment Budget (P.I.B.) revenue increased – thus restricting the total State Budget revenue shortfall to €257 million.

Health Minister Calls For WHO Support

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT


Health Minister Andreas Loverdos requested yesterday the cooperation and support of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe in managing public health risks stemming from illegal migration. In a letter addressed to the Office, Loverdos states that, given illegal migration influx to the EU through Greece, the Ministry focuses on effective control and monitoring of health risks associated with illegal migration flows.

The Minister calls for a WHO delegation to visit the country to assess the situation and cooperate with the Ministry and the Centre for the Control and Prevention of Diseases (KEELPNO) in preventing risks. He also pledged to place the issue on the agenda of the upcoming EU health ministers meeting, as such risks concern all European countries.

EcoWeek Thessaloniki

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT


Ecoweek has reached its seventh year and this year's session is taking place in Thessaloniki on March 28 to April 3. Ecoweek Thessaloniki 2011 focuses on Urban Communities and Green Architecture, with four main thematic units: designing a zero-carbon footprint home, bioclimatic redesigning of an existing building, green urban interventions and landscape intervention to benefit a community or NGO.

More than 200 architects, landscape artists, engineers and students, 24 universities, and 25 architectural studios will participate in the week-long lectures, seminars and other events. Keynote speakers include architects Diebedo Francis Kere and Rahel Belatchew Lerdell, as well as Professors Isaac Meir and Emilia Costa.

Award-Winning Literature in Sofia

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT


Starting on March 24, the Cyril and Methodius National Library of Sofia will host an exhibition on award winning Greek literature.

The book fair will feature all works that won the State Literature Prizes for poetry, short story, novel, essay, chronicle-testimony, children's literature, illustrated children's literature and children's general knowledge books, as well as the readers' awards for each category.

The aim is to introduce Bulgarian readers and publishing houses to the latest developments and trends in Greek literature. The event is organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture Centre in Sofia and will run through April 14.

All About Greece: Literature

Lotus Wins First Prize

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT


On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised an exhibition of photographic works by female diplomatic envoys in China and their spouses.

The exhibition, titled China In My Eyes featured 200 photos (of the 300 submitted) depicting their creators' reflection of China and its people.

The photograph titled Lotus by Nicole Georgakelou, wife of the Greek ambassador to China, won first place.

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