PM Calls for 'National Understanding'

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• PM Calls for 'National Understanding'
• Focus on European Security
• European Trade Union Congress in Athens
• Greece in Russia
• Singer Haris Alexiou Wins Prize

PM Calls for 'National Understanding' Posted: 18 May 2011 03:33 AM PDT Addressing the 15th Economist Roundtable with the government of Greece held in Athens (May 17-19), Prime Minister George Papandreou stressed the necessity for a "national understanding" to be achieved within the country and called for a "serious and responsible stance, persistence and commitment on the part of us all." "We have to change Greece: this is a national necessity for us, […] which must be communicated and expressed by all, society, business people, social partners and political party leaders alike" Papandreou said during his speech. He also expressed his determination to move on with the reforms the country needs in order to recover from the crisis, ruling out a debt restructuring scenario. "We stick to doing what we need to do anyway: create a primary surplus, get the economy growing again through structure reforms, use our assets to reduce our debt. All other discussions are a distraction and we refuse to be drawn into them," the premier said. Papandreou also briefed its audience on the mid-term fiscal adjustment programme for 2012-2015, which includes extensive privatizations, economies of scale in the public sector, waste reduction in public spending, and an overhaul of the country's production model.

Focus on European Security Posted: 18 May 2011 04:27 AM PDT A Greek-Russian conference on The Politico-Military dimension of European Security: Proposals and Perspectives opened in Athens yesterday with the participation of diplomats, military officers, analysts and researchers from Greece and Russia. Addressing the Conference, Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas noted that this was taking place in a particularly critical period for security at international level, adding that Greece places particular importance on the humanitarian dimension of every crisis. He further underlined that the conference gave continuity to an initiative that began in the context of the OSCE for a new security system in Europe and was a follow-up to the so-called Corfu Process. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko noted that since the end of the "Cold war," the world has not become more predictable and less dangerous. On the contrary, in terms of security there is increasing uncertainty. The existing European security architecture is based largely on the normative basis of the last century, and thus needs modernization, the Russian Minister stressed. YouTube: Droutsas'opening speech at the conferece [VIDEO]

European Trade Union Congress in Athens Posted: 18 May 2011 03:33 AM PDT The 12th Congress of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is taking place in Athens on May 16-19, bringing together more than 500 delegates from 36 countries to discuss "the trade union strategy to be pursued in a political, economic and social context that has changed massively over recent years." Addressing the Congress on May 16, ETUC General Secretary John Monks urged the European Union "to alter its direction of travel" and do more to support economic growth within the countries in crisis, rather than putting emphasis entirely on austerity policies. He also said that the ETUC wanted to see European politicians issue Eurobonds to help countries with sovereign debt problems and adopt plans for youth unemployment, and pointed to strong support among Europeans for a financial transaction tax.

Greece in Russia Posted: 18 May 2011 03:33 AM PDT Modern Greek Literature…speaks Russian! A book-illustrated exhibition titled Russian Translations of Modern Greek Literature opened in Moscow on May 17. The exhibition, which is held under the aegis of Russian State Library in collaboration with the  Embassy of Greece in Moscow, features selected books, anthologies, journals and newspapers from the Soviet period till present days. Yiannis Ritsos, Constantine Cavafy, Giorgos Seferis and Odysseas Elytis top the list of Greek poets, whose works have been translated into Russian language. At the inauguration actress Yulia Peresild recited Elytis'poem Monogram and Valeriy Petrov read several Cavafy's poems, while pianist Irina Christyakova played piano pieces by St. Petersburg composer of Greek origin Vasiliy Calafaty. The exhibition runs until May 31. Moscow Enchanted by Rhodes The Gallery Nagornaya in Moscow hosted a photo exhibition by Greek photographer and publisher Nikos Kasseris from April 15 to May 18. Titled Enchanted by Rhodes, the exhibition presented photos of Rhodes -Kasseris' homeland, - focusing mainly on the history and civilization of the island. The exhibition was co-organized by Hellenic Cultural Centre in Moscow, the Gallery Nagornaya and the Municipality of Moscow.

Singer Haris Alexiou Wins Prize Posted: 18 May 2011 03:33 AM PDT Galileo 2000 is a prize instituted by the Italian Foundation "Galileo Prize 2000" to honour Europeans who have devoted themselves to culture, science and politics. The Galileo 2000 Prize – A Life for Music is the music prize which this year was conferred to Greek singer Haris Alexiou for her contribution to European culture, her success in the Greek music scene, as well as her bonds with the Italian music. A few weeks ago, the President of the Galileo 2000 Prize – A Life for Music, Alfonso De Virgilis flew to Athens in order to announce the news to Alexiou himself and invite "Greece's great singer" to the award ceremony which was held on May 9 in Florence, Italy. Former Prize laureates include personalities such as Carlos Fuentes, Bernard Henri-Lévy, Ricardo Mutti, Takeshi Kitano, Roberto Benigni and others.

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