Greece – Serbia Connection

♦ Papoulias in Belgrade
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias is on a two-day official visit in Serbia. Papoulias was warmly received by his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadić in Belgrade yesterday (July 2), where they held talks on bilateral relations and the European prospect of Serbia. Tadić thanked Greece for its position on the Kosovo issue. On his part, Papoulias emphasised the great importance of Serbia as a strategic partner and interlocutor for Greece. “Serbia can and should play a stabilising role […] in the region of Balkans” stated Papoulias, while stressing Greece’s support for Serbia’s accession to the European family and the ongoing initiative within the EU to lift visa restrictions for Serbian people. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations Greece-Serbia; Greek News Agenda: Relations with Serbia  
• Hellenic Culture Foundation in Belgrade
The Hellenic Culture Foundation Centre in Belgrade was inaugurated July 3, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias and his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadić. The new HCF centre will promote relations between the two countries in the field of education, as the Greek language has been taught for more than twenty years in Serbian Universities, and the same is true for the Serbian language in Greek Universities. Moreover, the HFC Centre in Belgrade will offer the study of the Greek language and will organise cultural events in collaboration with the local educational and cultural institutions.

Greece: 9 Geo-Wonders on Pindos Mountain

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The rocks of Deskati in north-western Greece’s prefecture of Grevena – a European Destination of Excellence –  have attracted the interest of geologists around the world as they tell the geological history of the earth and were the basis for the development of the tectonic plates theory.  Deskati and the greater region of Vounasa are among the nine geo-wonders in the Pindos Mountain Range that were the subject of a scientific conference held in the Prefecture of Grevena aimed at their promotion into tourist destinations. The rocks of Deskati were created 700 million years ago when the ancient super continent Pangaea (meaning “all earth” in Greek) broke up to form the European and African continents. Later they were submerged into the Tethys Ocean that existed between the continents and united the region of today’s Britain with China.  The nine geo-wonders of Pindos include the heavily deformed limestone rocks at Mt Tsourgiakas and their small waterfalls, the gorge of Portitsa, the Pierced Rock formed as a result of erosion, Vasilitsa and its multicoloured rocks, the villages of Dotsiko and Mesolouri with their 30-million-year old coral reef and the village of Monachiti with its 50-meter wide vertical rocks. Meanwhile, the Aliakmon River Gorge is currently being studied by scientists from the United States, the UK, Serbia, Italy and Greece in an intense effort to have its geological data recorded considering that by the end of the next decade it will be flooded as soon as the construction of the Public Power Corporation (DEI) “Ilarion” Dam is completed.  

Hellas = Greece: For Business & Pleasure

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) “Business Works” reports on Greece with three features covering Greece’s business opportunities and tourist delights.  Introducing Greece, the Greek Ambassador to the Court of St James’ presents the modern face of Greece, “a modern, vibrant country at the crossroads of three continents,” or a country with a respectable past and a promising future. 
The accompanying business feature titled “Greece: the economic hub of the region” explains why Greece has played a leading role in the transformation of a region with a still unsaturated potential for growth. The article provides information on the country’s reform agenda and the advantages of investing in Greece. 
The tourist feature titled “Greece, 5,000 old: a masterpiece you can afford” provides a pleasant guide to Greece’s two largest cities: Athens and Thessaloniki, giving tips for a joyful trip to the country’s entertainment and culinary qualities. Greece: Invest in Greece & Visit Greece  Visit: Athens & Thessaloniki  Athens Festival 2009: www.greekfestival.gr; Acropolis Museum: www.theacropolismuseum.gr

Lisbon Treaty: “Take the Example of Greece”

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  An enthusiastic and hopeful message was conveyed wednesday, july 1st, during Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis’ meeting at Maximos Mansion (photo), with the European Parliament President Hans Gert Pöttering, who is visiting Greece, attending the works of the European Popular Party’s Study Days in Athens.  Karamanlis expressed his gratitude for the outgoing president’s contribution during his long tenure.”[Pottering’s] valuable experience has been the most powerful guarantee for a successful presidency,” Karamanlis said. On his part, Pöttering extended his thanks towards the Greek government and opposition for their support of the Lisbon Treaty. “I am probably the last one since 1979’s first elections. I witnessed Greece entering the European Union in 1981,” he said, adding “countries which have not yet ratified the Lisbon Treaty should look up to Greece and set it as an example.” Reciprocating, Karamanlis stressed that Greece will continue supporting the European Parliament’s initiatives and look forward to the enhancement of the institution’s role.

Greek Historic Train Coming Through

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The legendary steam-train of Mt Pelion, in Magnesia prefecture, central Greece, known as “Moutzouris“  (meaning “smudgy”) has turned 106 years old. This train, and a second such train in Belgium, is the only one in the world running on a 60 cm-narrow gauge railway track. “Moutzouris” made its inaugural journey at the end of the 19th century and ran until 1971. In 1995 the train was put again in service, using the old steam engines, named “Milies” and “Jason” until they were replaced in 2000 by diesel-powered engines for faster and safer journeys. You Tube – Pelion Train

The smoking ban in Greece takes effect today

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The smoking ban in Greece takes effect today, and cafes and restaurants are preparing for the introduction of EU-dictated smoking restrictions. According to the relevant decision, premises smaller than 70 square metres will henceforth be either exclusively smoking or non-smoking. Those which allow smoking must have their operating licenses revised, have adequate air-conditioning units installed and display a special sticker determining their status. Larger establishments must restrict smoking to a separate section of their premises, exceeding not more than 30% of the surface area. Live music venues must separate smokers from nonsmoking patrons with the use of a 2-metre glass wall, while minors will be denied access to all smoking areas. As for offices, businesses employing fewer than 50 workers must ban smoking on their premises. Companies employing more than 50 people will have the right to provide smoking rooms. Europa: Green Paper on promoting smoke-free areas in the European Union; Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Health Services in Greece

Bakoyannis at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis visited Lithuania on June 30, on the occasion of the 18the annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.   Speaking before the Assembly, Bakoyannis focused on three issues: the need to take the OSCE forward in the economic and environmental dimension; the objective of building lasting stability and security in Georgia; the process of launching a new high-level dialogue on European security.  In Lithuania, Bakoyannis also held bilateral talks with the political leadership of the country (photo), who expressed support for the “Corfu Process” launched last weekend. The minister will visit two of the OSCE’s most important missions in Baku and Yerevan today.

EU Aid for Migration Comes with Terms

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The European Union through its representative Vice-president of the European Commission and responsible for justice, freedom and security, Jacques Barrot pledged to assist Greece in its efforts to deal with the influx of migrants, but said that the country must improve the process of reviewing asylum applications with the involvement of specialists, and make better provision for vulnerable migrant groups such as women and children.  Barrot, who is currently visiting Greece attending the works of the European Popular Party’s Study Days, met with both the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, reassuring them that the European Union intends to pressure Turkey to honour its bilateral agreement with Greece. Barrot also said the EC would help Turkey strike up repatriation agreements with migrants’ countries of origin.  Kathimerini daily: EU vows to help with immgration; Greek News Agenda: Diplomacy on Migration & Illegal Migration: Going European 

Recycling in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Nearly 47,150 tones of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) were recycled in Greece in 2008, preventing 360,000 tones of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.  The amount recycled corresponds to 2.3 million electric and electronic appliances. The target for Greece is for every household to recycle 60-65% of its electric and electronic waste, meaning approximately 10 kilos of waste per capita.  Authorities suggest that the proliferation of recycling will provide factories with “clean” raw material to be used in the steel industry.  In 2008, the industry used 23,000 tones of “clean” steel. A recent measure to subsidise households with the cost of replacing air-conditioning units is starting to pay off and the need for this initiative to include other appliances has been argued.  Appliances Recycling S.A..: Recycling SA has exceeded the recycling targets imposed by the EU 

International meeting on Ancient Drama

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The European Cultural Centre of Delphi is holding the 14th International meeting on ancient drama ”Xenos-Metic” from July 3 to11. The theme of the meeting is the concept of the ‘outsider’ – whether foreigner, resident alien, exile or refugee – in ancient drama. The international meetings of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi on ancient drama began in 1984, and since 1995 have been organised biennially. They include theatrical performances, symposia, exhibitions, and other parallel events, which are organised in collaboration with several international festivals and artistic institutions from Greece and around the world. See also Athens Plus (19.6.09): Outsiders, foreigners, refugees [ p. 22]

Reading Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   James Edward Miller, 2009, The United States and the Making of Modern Greece (1950-1974), North Carolina University Press “Focusing on one of the most dramatic and controversial periods in modern Greek history (1949- 1974), James Edward Miller provides the first study […] to shed light on the role the United States played in Greece between the termination of its civil war in 1949 and Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus”. James Edward Miller is adjunct professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and chair of Western European Studies at the Foreign Service Institute. Foundation of the Hellenic World: Modern Greece (1945-2000) FOR MORE

New Athens “Tourist Ticket”

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The Athens urban transport organisation (OASA) on Monday unveiled a new three-day ticket costing €15 that will be valid for travel on all means of public transport in and around the city. The new tickets will be available from from July 1.

   

The “tourist ticket” has been designed as a travel card for those visiting Athens for short stays. It offers unlimited travel for three full days after it is first used, including journeys to and from the airport and the new Athens sight-seeing “Bus 400.”  LivinginGreece.gr: New 3-day ticket for unlimited tourist travel in Athens    

Greece / Jewels in the Crown: Island of Sifnos

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  A grey landscape of rock, broken up here and there by a gleaming white chapel, is the first impression on visitors as the ferry draws into the harbour of the Cycladic island of Sifnos. On a plateau six kilometres from the port, one encounters a unique view: the whole of the plateau is covered with sparkling white villages which virtually blend into one another. The island was famous in ancient times for its wealth, which came from gold and silver mines and the quarries of Sifnos stone. It enjoyed great prosperity in classical times, as can be seen from its treasury, dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.  More info: Travel to Sifnos www.travel-to-sifnos.com

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Lodges Demarche

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced on Monday that he had lodged a demarche with the Iranian government for the release of Greek journalist Iason Athanasiadis. The Patriarchate’s relations with Islamic countries are considered to be good, especially with Iran, which Bartholomew visited in 2002. Google News: News items Athanasiadis’ arrest

New Acropolis Museum Welcomed Internationally

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The New Acropolis Museum received more than 90,000 visitors during the first seven days since its official inauguration on June 20, while visits to the new museum’s website exceeded 260,000 from 169 countries, from the Americas to Nepal and Mongolia, Culture Minister Antonis Samaras announced during a press conference, a week after the celebrations.  The cost of the inauguration events, which were attended by several foreign heads of state and government, was far less than the anticipated sum of €3 million. The minister emphasised that the authorities’ target to attract attention through the international media was successfully met. According to Secretary General of Information Panos Livadas, 440 journalists representing 167 media organisations from 36 countries covered the event, producing over 760 news pieces.  Greek News Agenda: Special Issue- The New Acropolis Museum

Greece – Canada Agreement

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis and her Canadian counterpart Lawrence Cannon on Monday signed a bilateral accord in Athens on the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income or Capital and the Prevention of Tax Evasion. The agreement settles the  axation of income gained through activities in Canada by natural or legal persons residing in Greece (and vice versa). It also includes favourable provisions regarding Greek companies intending to do business in Canada. The signing of this agreement paves the way for improved commercial ties between the two countries. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statements of Dora Bakoyannis and her Canadian counterpart, Lawrence Cannon, following their meeting; Bilateral Relations Greece-Canada

Diplomacy on Migration

♦ Greek PM: Address at EPP Group Study
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The government’s priorities are to accelerate reforms and tackle illegal immigration, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said on June 29, in his opening address to the European Peoples’ Party (EPP) Group Study Days taking place in Athens.  The premier also referred to the worsening problem of illegal migration, pointing out that Greece was currently shouldering a large portion of the burden that is actually shared by all of Europe, since illegal migrants eventually make their way into other EU countries. “Active solidarity and a fair distribution of the burden are needed,” he stressed, adding that the issue was a top priority for Athens. He also pointed to the progress made in setting up a European coast guard, adding that joint European exercises had taken place in the framework of EU’s FRONTEX agency.
♦ Visit to Migrant Centres
European Commission Vice-president Jacques Barrot, responsible for justice, freedom and security, who is in Athens to attend the EPP meeting, paid a visit on June 29 to reception facilities for illegal migrants on the eastern Aegean island of Samos, accompanied by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos. In statements afterwards, he acknowledged that Greek  authorities faced a difficult task but also stressed Greece’s obligation to provide refuge for migrants arriving on its shores.  Barrot accompanied by Pavlopoulos also visited the migrant centre in Evros, north-eastern Greece, near the Greek-Turkish border.  The Commissioner called for a strong stance to be adopted by Europe vis-a-vis migrant traffickers, adding that all countries of Europe should demonstrate their solidarity to countries which are more exposed to illegal immigration, such as Greece. Hellenic Migration Policy Institute: Statistical Data on Immigrants in Greece; European Commission: Towards a Common Immigration Policy  ELIAMEP- Clandestino: Stocks of Irregular Migrants: Estimates for Greece

Greek the best Environmental Project 2008

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The project GROUNDHIT “Ground Coupled Heat Pumps of High Technology”, coordinated by the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), received the Energy Globe Award – one of the most prestigious international environmental awards as the best environmental project in Greece in 2008.  The project Groundhit aims at improving the cost-effectiveness, competitiveness, and market penetration of ground coupled heat pumps, which are a reliable and environmentally friendly technology that utilises the soil temperature, and provides buildings with efficient heating, cooling and warm water. National Documentation Centre – “Innovation, Research & Technology” Magazine (Jan-Feb 2009)

Socialists’ Meetings in the Balkans

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  President of Socialist International and leader of the main opposition PASOK Party, George Papandreou will address the Socialist International Council Meeting in the Republic of Montenegro (June 29-30).  The meeting will focus on ways to deal with the economic meltdown, climate change, regional conflicts, recent developments in Iran and illegal migration.  Visiting Balkan countries ahead of the Council’s works, Papandreou first arrived in Albania where he held talks with Edi Rama, head of the Socialist Party of Albania and current Mayor of Tirana, as well as with his Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of the Orthodox Church of Albania.  Next stop for SI president was Serbia, where he met with President Boris Tadic. Both in Albania and in Serbia, Papandreou endorsed the countries’ European perspective. Especially in the case of Serbia, Papandreou acknowledged that the country has taken important steps in terms of reforms suitable to an EU candidacy.”

EPP Group Convenes

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Recent European election results, the forthcoming challenges of the newly-elected European Parliament, the Swedish Presidency’s priorities and the European Parliament’s relations with the national parliaments constitute the focus of the EPP Group Study Days which is taking place in Athens from June 29 to July 2. The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the Presidents of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering and the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, several Commissioners, as well as by many MEPs and politicians from EU countries. EU Commission Vice President for Justice, Freedom and Security Jacques Barrot will also be in Athens and will have meetings with Greek officials to discuss ways to tackle illegal migration.