Τρίτη 29 Μαρτίου 2011

FM in London for Libya Conference

FM in London for Libya Conference

Link to GREEK NEWS AGENDA

FM in London for Libya Conference

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 02:39 AM PDT


Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas is in London today to participate in the London Conference on Libya, convened on the initiative of the UK.

As a responsible member of the international community and a basic pillar of stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, Greece is participating in the efforts to impose international legality, an end to violence and the protection of civilians.

Greece also stresses the need to continue the efforts to find a political solution that will allow for the crisis to be resolved to the benefit of the Libyan people.

Greece-India: Boosting Trade Ties

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 02:39 AM PDT


Wrapping up the 6th Joint Greek-Indian Ministerial Committee, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis and Indian Deputy Commerce and Industry Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia singed a protocol for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the sector of investments.

"We want to build up strategic economic cooperation with a dynamically growing economy and this is very significant for Greece, which is in the midst of an effort to intensify its economic activities abroad," Kouvelis said.  On his part, Scindia after referring to the long-standing ties between the two countries since antiquity, spoke about a "great potential" for boosting trade ties between the two countries and invited Kouvelis to visit India.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations Greece-India

European Socialist Group Meeting in Athens

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 03:09 AM PDT


A three-day meeting of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament opened in Athens, yesterday, with the participation of MEPs from the 27 EU member states and chaired by Group leader Martin Shultz.

Prime Minister George Papandreou is expected to address the meeting today. While in Athens, the MEPs will also meet with a number of ministers including Finance Minister, George Papaconstantinou, Labour and Social Security Minister, Louka Katseli, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Tina Birbili, and Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos.

Raising Awareness Against Modern Slavery

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 03:06 AM PDT


As part of its public awareness campaign against human trafficking, the Foreign Ministry will host a public screening of the award-winning Canadian documentary "Sex Slaves," in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy in Athens and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The event features also a discussion with the documentary's director Ric Bienstock while Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis will present the Foreign Ministry's action plan for raising public awareness in the fight against modern slavery.

The Canadian Ambassador to Greece, Renata E. Wielgosz, and the head of IOM-Greece, Daniel Esdras, will address the event, which will be moderated by journalist and documentary director Giorgos Avgeropoulos. The event will take place at the Foreign Ministry's Kranidiotis Amphitheatre, on March 30.

Journey in Greece

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 03:05 AM PDT


On the occasion of the 2011 edition of the Melina Merkouri International Prize for the Safeguarding and Management of cultural landscapes, the Ambassador of Greece to Unesco, Theodoros Passas, is hosting the performance Journey in Greece today, at the Unesco headquarters, in Paris.

Journey in Greece is a cultural event representing a visual, musical and poetic journey to reveal Greek landscapes through the lens of Dimitris Talianis and the poetry of Giorgos Seferis and Odysseas Elytis both Nobel Prize Laureates in Literature.

30th Annual Walton Lecture in Athens

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 02:39 AM PDT


Sir Michael Llewellyn Smith is today (March 29) delivering the 30th Annual Walton Lecture, at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (Gennadius Library).


Michael Llewellyn-Smith was born and brought up in England. He studied classics, ancient history and philosophy at New College, Oxford University and went on to obtain a doctorate at St Antony's College Oxford, for his thesis on the Greek occupation of Smyrna (Izmir) and western Asia Minor in 1919-22.

He is the author of four books with themes in Greek history and culture. He served in the British Diplomatic Service for thirty years and was British Ambassador in Greece from 1996-99. As student, teacher, diplomat and traveller he has spent more than eleven years in Greece.

Learn about Greece!

Posted: 29 Mar 2011 02:39 AM PDT


Ninety young Diaspora Greeks, aged from 15 to 17 years, from all 5 continents, are invited to visit Greece through a program implemented by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad (GSGA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from July 25 to August 7. The deadline for submitting applications is March 30.

The aim of the program -which comes as a reward for students who have excelled in their studies and have an interest in Greek language and Hellenism- is the strengthening of their Greek cultural identity, as well as their acquaintance with Modern Greece.

The program involves educational courses, teaching of Greek language and traditional dances and songs, participation in cultural events and activities, and visits in historical and archaeological sites, and museums.

Δευτέρα 28 Μαρτίου 2011

Greek News

Greek News


Two Arrested on Weapons Charges

Posted:

Thessaloniki.- Two people were arrested by Thessaloniki police on Saturday after two kalashnikov assault rifles, two pistols and three handgrenades were found in their car during a check. The 45-year-old Greek driver and 39-year-old passenger, a foreign national, were arrested. Police are investigating the case.

ND to Take Parliamentary Initiative on Submarine Kickbacks Scandal

Posted:

Athens.- Main opposition New Democracy (ND) will take an initiative for the establishment of a parliamentary fact-finding commission into the case of possible kickbacks paid by German companies in the purchase of submarines by Greece, ND press spokesman Yiannis Michelakis announced on Saturday. Michelakis also left open the possibility of ND also submitting a proposal [...]

Radioactivity Readings Show Miniscule Concentrations

Posted:

Athens.- The Hellenic Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) on Saturday reassured that concentrations of radioactive elements that reached Greece in air masses on Thursday were miniscule and there was not a slightest affect on the health or the environment. There was no cause for concern, nor was any protective measure necessary, the commission said, adding that [...]

Obama Calls Papandreou

Posted:

Washington, DC.- The White House issued a readout on Friday of US President Barack Obama’s telephone call to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou earlier in the day. “President Obama called Prime Minister Papandreou today (Friday) to congratulate him and the Greek People on the 190th anniversary of Greek independence,” the statement said. “The two leaders [...]

Christofias: EU Decisions Aim to Reduce Financial Crisis Impact

Posted:

Brussels.- By Antonios Gkildakis, (CNA) – The competitiveness and the comparative advantages of Member States have to be respected while discussing the implementation of a common corporate tax basis, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias stated here Friday, at the end of the Spring European Council. Speaking to journalists, the Cypriot President referred to the decisions adopted, [...]

Unemployment Rises in Cyprus in 2010

Posted:

Nicosia.-  (CNA) – Unemployment in Cyprus reached 6.2% in 2010, compared to 5.3% in 2009, according to data released by the Statistical Service. According to the results of the Labour Force Survey, which is carried out in accordance with a European Union Regulation, for the 4th quarter of 2010 the number of employed persons amounted [...]

Social Security’s Final Four

Posted:

By Elsa M. Housseas*** This time of year basketball fans are gearing up for March Madness — a time when the final four teams in the NCAA fight for the title of national champion. While basketball fans are excited about March Madness, Social Security already has a winning "final four" of online services to cheer [...]

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Posted:

Nicosia.- (CNA) – The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at Thursday’s stock exchange meeting as follows: TRADED VALUE 1.314.628,70 INDEX VALUE %DIFF VALUE (€) ----- -------- ----- ------------- FTSE/CySE 20 353,61 1,48 1.217.217,29 MAIN MARKET INDEX 1.050,06 1,47 1.184.509,92 PARALLEL MARKET INDEX 843,84 -0,15 32.295,43 INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX 671,14 2,47 13.033,16 [...]

Athens Exchange Weekly Review

Posted:

Stocks ended significantly higher during the last trading session of the week at the Athens Stock Exchange (the market will be closed on Friday on the occasion of a national holiday), amid a positive climate in other European markets despite worries over a political crisis in Portugal. The composite index of the market rose 2.13 [...]

President Obama’s Proclamation on Greek Independence Day

Posted:

One hundred ninety years ago, Greece regained its independence and became a symbol of democracy for the world for the second time in history. As America recognizes this milestone in the birthplace of democracy, we also celebrate our warm friendship with Greece and the lasting legacy of Hellenic culture in our own country. America’s Founders [...]

EU Summit Acknowledges Greece’s Efforts

EU Summit Acknowledges Greece’s Efforts

Link to GREEK NEWS AGENDA

EU Summit Acknowledges Greece’s Efforts

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PDT


The 27 EU heads of state and government reached a comprehensive agreement in Brussels, during the EU Spring Summit held on March 24-25, on an overall economic package covering issues of economic governance as well as the European mechanisms for confronting crises.

Prime Minister George Papandreou said that the EU Spring Summit as well as the extraordinary meeting of eurozone leaders earlier this month highlighted that Greece is on the right track in tackling its deficit.

Speaking at the end of the summit in Brussels, the Premier said that EU leaders recognized the government's efforts by rubber-stamping a deal to extend the repayment period for Greece's € 110 billion emergency loan package with the EU and the International Monetary Fund from three to 7.5 years and lower the interest rate to 4.2% from 5.2%.

European Council: Conclusions; Prime Minister's Press Conference (in Greek)

White House Calls Athens

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PDT


Prime Minister George Papandreou had a phone conversation with the President of the United States of America Barack Obama on March 25.

President Obama called the premier to congratulate him and the Greek people on the 190th anniversary of Greek independence.

The two leaders discussed developments in North Africa and their support for the Libyan people. According to a readout issued by the White House, Obama noted Greece's solidarity as a NATO ally and thanked Papandreou for Greece's important support of coalition operations to enforce the UN resolution.

On his part, George Papandreou briefed Obama on the results of the European Council and agreed that the United States and Greece would continue to consult closely as events unfold across the Middle East and North Africa.

On the occasion of Greek Independence day, the White House hosted a special ceremony and President Obama proclaimed March 25, 2011, as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy."

Middle East Developments

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:06 AM PDT

  • On events in Syria
Foreign Ministry spokesman Gregory Delavekouras in a statement regarding Greece's stance on recent events in Syria said that "the use of violence to suppress demonstrations, which has led to the murder of citizens, is absolutely condemnable. We call on the Syrian government to guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens and respect the right to free and peaceful expression of protest. A strong wind of change is blowing in the region, and no one can ignore it."

  • On Libya
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters following the end of the EU Spring Summit in Brussels, Papandreou said that, with regard to developments in Libya, what is being sought is the protection of civilians, stressing that a ceasefire is mandatory so that the road can open for Libya's peaceful transition to democracy. He added that whatever solution is reached must respect Libya's integrity, stressing that the diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution must not be abandoned.

Acropolis Museum Nomination

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:09 AM PDT


The Acropolis Museum is among the six finalists for the 2011 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - the Mies van der Rohe Award. The finalists, which have been shortlisted from 343 works in 33 European countries, were announced on March 22 by the European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation.

The building was designed by architects Bernard Tschumi and Michalis Fotiades aiming at orchestrating simplicity to appear, as Tscumi says, "effortless and almost undesigned." It was designed and constructed based on environmentally friendly and functional novel techniques, with extensive use of glass to allow natural light.

It covers an area of 25,000 square metres - over 14,000 of which is exhibition space.

Its crown jewel is the Parthenon gallery, where the entire frieze is exhibited in the same order and with the same directional orientation as when it adorned the monument, with visual contact from the gallery to the monument.

The Mies van der Rohe Award was launched in 1987 to highlight excellence in contemporary buildings and contribute to the advancement of new ideas and technologies in urban development. It is considered the most prestigious award in European architecture and is conferred every other year to works completed within the previous two years. The award ceremony will take place on June 20 in Barcelona.

Greek News Agenda Photogallery: The Acropolis Museum

Lights Off for Earth Hour

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PDT


During Earth Hour on March 26, the lights were switched off throughout Greece for an hour.

Public buildings, archaeological sites and an impressive number of households participated in this initiative, thus casting a vote in favour of effective action to tackle climate change.

The lights at the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the Ancient Agora, Lycabettus Hill, the Parliament building, as well as parts of the Athens International Airport were turned off in a bid to promote energy saving and highlight the threat posed by climate change.