Δευτέρα 20 Ιουνίου 2011

Vote of Confidence Debate in Parliament

Vote of Confidence Debate in Parliament

Link to GREEK NEWS AGENDA

Vote of Confidence Debate in Parliament

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 03:01 AM PDT


Opening a three-day debate in Parliament yesterday that is to culminate late tomorrow (June 21) with a confidence vote to his newly reshuffled Cabinet, Prime Minister George Papandreou said that "the country is at critical crossroads and […] it is in our hands to change the situation and that is our commitment."

In his speech, Papandreou reiterated his call for national unity and proposed a referendum to be held later this year on changes to the country's political system and constitution.

In this context, the premier announced the creation of an independent committee of between 20 and 25 experts that would examine proposals for changes including a reduction of parliamentary seats, the abolition of a law protecting government ministers from prosecution and an overhaul of the electoral system.

On his part, main opposition leader Antonis Samaras rejected Papandreou's referendum proposal and called once again for early elections.

FinMin @ Eurogroup Meeting

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 03:01 AM PDT


Newly-appointed Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos attended his first Eurogroup meeting - an extraordinary meeting of Eurozone finance ministers, held in Luxembourg yesterday. As he headed into the meeting Venizelos said: "We can achieve the targets thanks to the efforts of the people and to the cooperation and support of our partners".

Eurozone ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss the issue of Greek debt and a new support package for the Greek economy.

In the early hours of Monday, the Eurogroup issued a statement in which it is said that, "[m]inisters took note of the debt sustainability assessment prepared by the Commission and the IMF. The assessment showed that debt sustainability hinges critically on Greece sticking to the agreed fiscal consolidation path, the plans of collecting €50 billion in privatization proceeds until 2015, and the structural reform agenda which will promote medium-term growth."

The ministers decided to define by early July the main parameters of a clear new financing strategy and called upon all political parties in Greece to support the programme's main objectives and key policy measures to ensure a rigourous and expeditious implementation.

Invest in Greece Event on Crete

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 03:01 AM PDT


With the purpose of exploring business opportunities in Greece, some 40 commercial attachés from foreign embassies from Europe, Asia and the Middle East visited Rethymno, on the island of Crete, in the context of  Invest in Greece Synergassia (Cooperation) initiative.

Invest in Greece is a state agency that aims to promote Greece's regions as investment and business locations, and in this context organised a five-day business mission (June 15-19) to the Region of Crete.

The mission was supported by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board and the Export Credit Insurance Organisation.

Participants were briefed on investment opportunities in Crete and were able to meet with the local business community.

Wiktor Anselm, Counselor at the Polish Embassy in Athens, said that the initiative is of historic importance and of particular interest to the diplomatic community. "We are impressed by the high level of development and the exceptionally high- tech facilities that we visited," he said.

Happy Birthday, Acropolis Museum!

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 03:01 AM PDT


The Acropolis Museum is celebrating its second anniversary today .

To mark this special day, the 25,000 square-meter Museum will be open to the public from 8:00 in the morning until midnight, while the ticket price is reduced to €3 for the day.

Moreover, the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra will stage a free concert at the entrance courtyard at 9:00 p.m., performing works by Strauss, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and Astor Piazzola.

The museum will also offer visitors a chance to admire a number of original pieces from the corner ornaments which decorate the tip of the two pediments. The Acropolis Museum has attracted 3,300,00 visitors since its inauguration on June 20, 2009.

France's Ogier Wins Acropolis Rally

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 03:26 AM PDT


France's Sebastien Ogier won the 2011 Acropolis Rally yesterday, reaching third place overall in the World Rally Championship 2011 after seven rounds. Ogier and co-pilot Julien Ingrassia, with their CITROEN DS3, clinched the 56th Acropolis Rally, after a close showdown with fellow Frenchman and Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb, who, however, retains his number one ranking overall in the WRC.

Third place in the Acropolis Rally went to Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, followed by Norwegians Petter Solberg and Henning Solberg in 4th and 5th, Britain's Matthew Wilson in 6th, and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen and Juho Hanninen in 7th and 8th place.

The ceremonial start of rally – also dubbed the Rally of Gods - took place at the foot of the Acropolis hill on June 16, with a total of 42 crews participating in what is said to be the toughest race of the World Racing Championship.

YouTube: Rally Acropolis 2011 - Official Soundtrack & Video [VIDEO]
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