Παρασκευή 24 Ιουνίου 2011

EU Summit on Funding Programme for Greece

EU Summit on Funding Programme for Greece

Link to GREEK NEWS AGENDA

EU Summit on Funding Programme for Greece

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:09 AM PDT


Economic matters, migration, the EU's Southern neighborhood and Croatia's accession to the EU are the main themes of the European Council meeting which is currently taking place in Brussels (June 23-24).

Regarding Greece's economic situation, the Council, in its conclusions, set out the guidelines for a new funding programme, jointly supported by euro area partners and the IMF, which will allow the country to meet its needs until the end of 2014.

The disbursement of the fifth tranche of the EU/IMF loan will take place in July, provided that the Greek Parliament passes the law for the implementation of the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategic Programme. All additional funding required will be financed through both official and private sources, the latter in the form of informal and voluntary roll-overs of existing debt while avoiding a selective default.

Prime Minister George Papandreou said that Greece has committed to continue with a tough yet important reform programme which entails drastic and profound changes, necessary if we want to make our economy solvent and sustainable.

European Council: Remarks by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy

A Plan to Boost Development in Greece

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:18 AM PDT


The European Council conclusions also welcome the Commission's intention to enhance the synergies between the loan programme and the EU funds.

The European Council supports all efforts to increase Greece's capacity to absorb EU funds in order to stimulate growth and employment and supports the preparation of a comprehensive programme of technical assistance to Greece.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had announced on June 21 that he intended to put forward a European Union plan to help Greece boost competitiveness and create jobs, giving it access to developmental funds of roughly € 1 billion.

He said that the plan could be financed by EU structural funds but also any member-states that want to contribute. José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission: Statement on the preparations for the European Council meeting of 23-24 June 2011

FinMin On Updated Fiscal Plan

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:10 AM PDT


Government Vice-President and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced yesterday at a press conference the updated version of the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy Plan agreed between the government and the Troika representatives. Among other things, the minister announced that the tax-free threshold will drop to € 8,000 from € 12,000 currently.

Income between € 8,000 and € 12,000 will be taxed at a rate of 10%, with the exception of pensioners above the age of 65 and young workers aged below 30. Additionally, businesses will be called on to pay "an average small tax of € 300 per year."

Special Olympics Athens 2011: Ready, Steady, Go!

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:09 AM PDT


The grand opening ceremony of the summer's biggest international sporting event ATHENS 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games is taking place tomorrow.

The heart of the world will beat at the Panathenaic Stadium where "Volunteer No 1," Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias will proclaim the opening of the Games. 7,500 athletes from 185 countries will march through the stadium, shouting to the whole world: Let me win! But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt. The Games will last until July 4.

  • Thessaloniki Int'l Festival Tribute
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival is hosting, until July 3, a tribute to the International Special Olympics, titled How I am - Challenging Perceptions. A total of 21 documentaries will be screened during the Games, focusing on the needs and daily lives of those special athletes and their environment, focusing on their efforts and those of their relatives to fight stigma and prejudice they sometimes come up against.

Greek News Agenda: Special Issue- Special Olympics Athens 2011

Short Breaks: Nafplio

Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:09 AM PDT


Short breaks to small islands and scenic sea-side towns situated close to Athens, are in order for city dwellers to escape to for a few days from a hectic urban life. Nafplio is a small town lying peacefully in the recesses of Argolikos Bay.

The capital of the Prefecture of Argolida and the main port in the eastern Peloponnese, it is one of the most picturesque towns in Greece, and was the first capital of the modern Greek state, from 1828 to 1833.

Nafplio combines natural beauty with a long history, two elements that invariably charm visitors.

It is built at the base of two fortresses, Palamidi and Akronafplia, and has a population of about 17,000. Each year, thousands of tourists flock to the town that is one of tourists' all-time favourites.

A walk through the narrow lanes of the old city recalls older eras untouched by time.

Important landmarks include the Constitution Square - with its magnificent surrounding buildings, cafes, and restaurants;

Bourtzi, a small fort built by the Venetians in 1471, just at the entrance to the bay; Palamidi - a castle overlooking the entire bay.

Nafplio boasts an Archaeological Museum with an extensive collection of artefacts housed in an imposing 1713 Venetian building on Constitution Square, a Folklore Museum featuring a permanent exhibition called "Greek City: Nafplio 1822-1922."

Virtual Tour of Nafplio: nafplio-tour.gr

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