EU Extraordinary Summits in Brussels

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• EU Extraordinary Summits in Brussels
• Condolences to Japan
• Tourism Minister in Moscow
• Discoveries in Thessaloniki
• Brits Go For Greek Olive Oil

EU Extraordinary Summits in Brussels Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:37 AM PDT Eurozone Leaders Meeting The heads of States and Governments of the Euro area who convened in Brussels on March 11 endorsed a "Pact for the Euro," establishing a stronger economic policy for competitiveness and convergence, which will be presented to the European Council of March 24-25. The Eurozone leaders also welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the on-going EU/IMF programmes in Greece and Ireland. More specifically, regarding Greece's EU/IMF loan, Eurozone leaders agreed to extend the repayment period to 7.5 years - from 3 years - and to slash the interest rate to 4.8% from 5.8%. Moreover, bailed-out EU countries, such as Greece, can sell their bonds directly the European Financial Stability Facility if they are unable to tap the international bond market. "Historic decisions were taken about the future of the Eurozone. We made a big step towards addressing the debt crisis, to restore calm to markets, to put the foundations for a more competitive Europe," Prime Minister George Papandreou told reporters following the meeting. North Africa Developments in the Spotlight Heads of States and Governments, at an informal extraordinary meeting of the European Council adopted, on March 11, a declaration concerning developments in Libya and the Southern Neighbourhood region. Prime Minister statement on the EU Declaration (in Greek)

Condolences to Japan Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:36 AM PDT Prime Minister George Papandreou conveyed a message of condolences to his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan yesterday during a cabinet meeting, expressing the Greek people's deep sorrow for the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. "Having suffered in the past from similar natural disasters, Greece fully understands the pain of Japanese people and the efforts needed to overcome such a blow" said Papandreou. Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas also sent his condolences to his Japanese counterpart, Takeaki Matsumoto. According to a Foreign Ministry announcement, there has been no negative report concerning the approximately 300 Greek nationals living in Japan. The Hellenic Rescue Team – part of the UN international network of rescue teams – is being kept up to date on the situation and is on standby to leave immediately if assistance is requested. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Earthquake Japan - Contact Numbers

Tourism Minister in Moscow Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:36 AM PDT Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos was in Moscow last week in view of the upcoming Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition taking place this week. In a press conference held on March 11, Yeroulanos said that Russian tourists visiting Greece increased by 50% in 2010, with total arrivals reaching half a million. The facilitation of visa issuing for Russian citizens is expected to lead to a further rise in 2011, with the Minister announcing that three more visa centres will operate in the Russian cities of Kazan, Samara and Krasnoyarsk in the next three months. The Ministry is also examining the possibility of allowing established tour operators to function as visa centres. While in Moscow, Yeroulanos visited a local visa centre and express Greece's support to Russia's claims concerning visa facilitation for Russian citizens in the EU. Answering press questions, he said that prices in the Greek tourism sector had dropped by 5% last year, and will decrease by another 4,5% this year due to reduced VAT rates and airport costs. Visit Greece: You In Greece & Luxury In Greece (Russian)

Discoveries in Thessaloniki Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:36 AM PDT 4th Century Church Comes to Light A 4th-century A.D. chapel was recently discovered by archaeologists underneath an early Christian basilica that was recently unearthed during construction works for the Thessaloniki metro. According to the archaeologists, the one-room church, which may be the oldest Christian church in the city, was converted into a larger basilica in the 5th century. Among the most significant finds was the mosaic floor featuring a white field with a clematis theme, dominated by a phoenix with a halo and 13 rays in the centre, which archaeologists consider unique in the area. Early Christian Villa Unearthed Archaeologists announced on March 10 the discovery of an Early Christian Period villa in the Upper Town of Thessaloniki. The section of the 6th century villa unearthed features a formal dining room, called a triklinion, characteristic of wealthy classes' domiciles of the era. The villa was probably inhabited until the 7th century, when it was destroyed by the earthquakes that struck the region circa 630 AD. A total of 18 such residences, dating between the 4th and the 6th century AD, have been discovered during the excavation in the Upper Town (known as Ano Poli or Kastra) of Thessaloniki. Visit Greece: You in Thessaloniki; UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki

Brits Go For Greek Olive Oil Posted: 14 Mar 2011 04:36 AM PDT The British daily Financial Times reports on the nutritional merit of olive oil and its increasing popularity in the British market, and puts the product to the test: the Taste Test column conducted a taste event that compared olive oil brands available in the British market. Journalist Peter Bazalgette and his representative committee tasted distinctive extra virgin olive oil samples from nine Mediterranean countries, California, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand. Despite the committee's idiosyncratic or cultural schisms, the test resulted in what the reporter calls "a national triumph for Greece," with Iliada olive oil emerging as the absolute winner. Produced from groves located on the slopes of the Taygetos Mountain in South Peloponnese, this extra virgin oil has a natural low acidity of less than 4%. It is pressed from Koroneiki variety olives that provide the robust and aromatic flavour typical of its kind.

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