Υπογραφή “Κοινής Δήλωσης για την Via Carpatia” από τον υφυπουργό Γιάννη Μαγκριώτη (Lancut Πολωνίας, 22/10/2010)

Ο Υφυπουργός Υποδομών, Μεταφορών και Δικτύων Γιάννης Μαγκριώτης, εκπροσωπώντας την Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση συνυπέγραψε στις 22 Οκτωβρίου στο Lancut της Πολωνίας, μαζί με τους έξι ομόλογούς του (Λιθουανία, Πολωνία, Σλοβακία, Ουγγαρία, Ρουμανία, Βουλγαρία), την «Κοινή Δήλωση για την Via Carpatia».
Η «Via Carpatia Route» είναι ένας διεθνής οδικός άξονας ο οποίος θα συνδέει τη Βαλτική με τη Μεσόγειο, το Βορρά με το Νότο της ΕΕ, αποτελώντας τον ανατολικότερο οδικό άξονα που διέρχεται από χώρες της ΕΕ. Ο ενιαίος αυτός άξονας θα αξιοποιήσει τα λιμάνια της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου, δίνοντας νέα αναπτυξιακή προοπτική στα λιμάνια και τους οδικούς άξονες της χώρας μας.
Ο Υφυπουργός στη παρέμβασή του, τόνισε μεταξύ άλλων, ότι η Ελλάδα θεωρεί ότι πρέπει να γίνουν όλες οι απαραίτητες ενέργειες προκειμένου να ενταχθεί ο άξονας αυτός στα Διευρωπαϊκά Δίκτυα Μεταφορών, ως επέκταση του υφιστάμενου «Άξονα 7», που συνδέει την Κεντρική Ευρώπη, από την Βουδαπέστη μέσω Ρουμανίας και Βουλγαρίας, με τη Θεσσαλονίκη. Με αυτό τον τρόπο θα είναι πιο αποτελεσματική η διεκδίκηση πόρων από τα διαρθρωτικά ταμεία της ΕΕ, για την κατασκευή του. Το οδικό δίκτυο της Ελλάδας είναι ενταγμένο στο Διευρωπαϊκό Δίκτυο Μεταφορών και τα τελευταία βασικά του τμήματα ολοκληρώνονται το 2012.
Η σύνδεση του Άξονα 7 («Ηγουμενίτσα-Αλεξανδρούπολη / Πάτρα-Αθήνα-Θεσσαλονίκη-Σόφια-Βουδαπέστη») με τη «Via Carpatia», θα αξιοποιήσει τις υπάρχουσες υποδομές της «Εγνατίας Οδού» και του ΠΑΘΕ, που έχουν ήδη κατασκευαστεί με τη συγχρηματοδότηση και της ΕΕ. Ο Υφυπουργός επισήμανε ότι η «Εγνατία Οδός Α.Ε.» και τα 670 χλμ. σύγχρονου αυτοκινητόδρομου, από την Ηγουμενίτσα μέχρι τον Έβρο, συνδέει τη Δύση με την Ανατολή, όπως επίσης η Εγνατία συνδέεται με τους κάθετους άξονές της με όλες τις χώρες της Βαλκανικής. Επίσης σημείωσε, ότι ο οδικός άξονας ΠΑΘΕ, συνδέει τα διευρωπαϊκά δίκτυα, με την Κεντρική Ελλάδα, την Αθήνα, το λιμάνι του Πειραιά και το λιμάνι της Πάτρας.
Τέλος, ο Υφυπουργός πρότεινε να συμμετέχει η «Εγνατία Οδός Α.Ε.» (εταιρία του ελληνικού δημοσίου) ως τεχνικός σύμβουλος στο έργο της «Via Carpatia», προκειμένου να παράσχει κάθε δυνατή βοήθεια δια της υψηλής τεχνογνωσίας και εμπειρίας που διαθέτει στη μελέτη και κατασκευή μεγάλων έργων υποδομής.
(Δελτίο Τύπου Υπουργείου Υποδομών, Μεταφορών και Δικτύων)

Greece will defend its sovereign rights

The Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs issued announcements concerning the sea surveys conducted by “Piri Reis,” a Turkish naval research ship in an area between the Greek island of Kastellorizo and Cyprus.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the “Piri Reis surveys an area outside Greek territorial waters, however, Athens has claimed the rights to potential undersea mineral and fossil fuel deposits.”

National Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that “Athens is watching closely” and that “in any case, Greece will defend its sovereign rights.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Differences with Turkey     [PHOTO]: Kastellorizo

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

New OSCE PA President: Petros Efthymiou

Ruling PASOK party deputy Petros Efthymiou was elected as the new president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), during the forum’s 19th annual session.
Efthymiou, who was a Vice-President in the Assembly, was elected with 130 votes, against 64 of Senator Consiglio Di Nino (Canada).
Participants at the 19th session discussed a wide range of issues, amongst which the situation in Kyrgyzstan, the Parliamentary Assembly’s involvement in the Corfu process, the peace process in the Middle East, nuclear security, cyber-crime.
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

“You in Greece” campaign – Facts about Greece

  Facts about Greece

· Greece is a safe country

Supportive data: According to Legatum Prosperity Index, Greece faces comparatively few security challenges. Domestic security is favorable. Moreover, according to Eurostat, Greece is a country with a relatively low rate of criminality. The feeling of security is well established in society.
· Greece is an attractive destination.
This comes not only due to its physical beauty but mostly due to the “value for money” relationship in the provided services.
Supportive data: According to a poll, conducted in a population of 1200 people,52% of the sample believes that the quality of travel services offered in Greece are of very good standard and 42% believes that the travel services offered in Greece rival those offered in other touristdeveloped tourist markets.

· Greece is a western democracy and the majority of Greek society supports government policy.
Supportive data: A recent research conducted by Kapa Focus research company on behalf of the weekly Newspaper ‘To Vima’, shows that 55,2% of Greeks support the austerity measures imposed by the Greek Government.
·  Demonstrations are strictly local and limited events/occurrences. They take place mostly in the center of Athens, in a specific and controlled area. The mainland regions and the islands of the Greek Archipelago, where the vast majority of tourists go, are not affected at all.
Supportive data: According to Eurostat, Greece is a favourite destination. Especially, in South Aegean and Ionian Islands, it appears that 48.168 stays and 33.304 per 1000 citizens took place, a proof of satisfaction for the Greek touristic product.
· Greece is a tourist country and Greeks know the importance of hospitality.
Supportive data: Zeus, the King of the Greek Gods, according to the Greek Mythology, named as Xenios (the one who offers hospitality) Zeus.
·  The overall number of demonstrations in Greece is lower than the E.U average.
Supportive data:All demonstrations occurred in Athens, in specific and isolated areas. In their vast majority they were peaceful.

· The picture that global media paint is, to say the least, in many cases exaggerating. In many occasions, library images were re-broadcasted as live feeds.
Supportive data: Greece is a pluralist, democratic western European country. Media freedom is protected and encouraged. During the last two weeks Greece hosted more than 300 foreign journalists.
(Greek National Tourism Organisation)

Melina Mercouri: A tribute to the “last Greek Goddess”

Sixteen years have passed since Melina Mercouri, one of the great women of Greece, died on March 6, 1994. On the 16^th anniversary of her death, as well as of International Women’s Day (March 8), the Eugenides Foundation is hosting an exhibition-tribute to the late, multifaceted actress and politician, emphasizing her relationship to education and culture. 
Internationally acclaimed actress, singer and politician, Melina was characterized by many as the epitome of womanhood, as well as the “last Greek Goddess.”
An ardent supporter of the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum, Melina, as minister of Culture, openly claimed them and devoted herself to this goal.
The exhibition titled “Melina-Education-Culture” will run from March 9 to April 8. 
Melina Mercouri Foundation: www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr
Greek News Agenda: Melina Mercouri: “Culture is Greece’s heavy industry”

Papandreou at Conference on Progressive Governance in London

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Prime Minister George Papandreou arrived in London yesterday and will be participating today at a Conference on Progressive Governance, on “Jobs, industry and opportunity: growth strategies after the crisis.”
The premier will speak at a panel on the theme “Europe after the global crisis: A strategic role for government,” together with his British counterpart Gordon Brown, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. 
While in London, Papandreou will attend a working luncheon with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and will meet with British Foreign Minister David Miliband.

The OSCE on a new path

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Political Declaration Adopted Foreign ministers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) 56 participating states charted the way ahead for the OSCE-anchored debate on the future of European security known as the Corfu Process in a decision and a Ministerial Declaration adopted yesterday after a two-day Ministerial Council held in Athens (December 1-2). “The Corfu Process will be taken forward by our Permanent Representatives to the OSCE in Vienna, in accordance with the decision we are adopting today. We remain committed to provide strong political impetus to the Corfu Process, and we are looking forward to reassessing its progress in 2010, in the format and level that we will deem appropriate, taking into consideration the results we achieve,” it is stated in the Declaration, which is the first to be adopted since 2002. Athens Ministerial Council (dedicated webpage) Turning a New Page Commenting on the Ministerial Council at a press conference, held at the end of the meeting, Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office George Papandreou referred to a new page in the Organisation’s history. “We have committed ourselves in a joint document on how to face common challenges,” he said noting that, Kazakhstan’s task -which is assuming the Presidency of the OSCE for the next year-, is difficult. But as the Greek premier stressed, “we proved today that if we want we can. The process can revive political dialogue and the tangible result was consensus.”

ON THE SIDELINES

Meeting with Russian FM The strategic nature of Greek-Russian relations and their excellent level was reaffirmed during a meeting in Athens on Wednesday between Prime Minister George Papandreou and visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, held on the sidelines of the OSCE Council in Athens.Papandreou accepted a formal invitation to visit Moscow in early 2010. Papandreou and Lavrov discussed bilateral relations in all sectors, ranging from energy to culture and from regional cooperation to relations with the EU and NATO, and signed a 2010-2012 joint action plan to be renewed every two years. Meeting with Turkish FM Prime Minister George Papandreou also met with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, with both sides citing closer cooperation in all levels. The potential for the adoption of practical measures to boost cooperation of the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey in 2010 was also discussed at the meeting. Davutoglu spoke positively of Greece’s target for the EU integration of the western Balkans in 2014, and he confirmed Turkey’s intent for closer bilateral cooperation. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations Greece- Turkey

OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens

Papoulias Inaugurates OSCE Meeting

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias inaugurated yesterday the 17th Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), taking place in Athens (1-2/12).
Papoulias welcomed delegates from the OSCE’ s 56 member states and described the international meeting as “an important political event and an opportunity to strengthen peaceful cooperation and promote the common goals of the member states, in order to reach tangible and substantive conclusions.”

Papandreou’ s Address

The Corfu Process needs to be taken a step further in order to meet the challenges to European security in the 21st century, OSCE chairman-in-office, Greece’s Prime minister and Foreign minister George Papandreou stressed, addressing the first plenary session of the organisation’s 17th ministerial council.
“We have to agree on important decisions in the next two days to strengthen co-operative security across the OSCE area, to shape the work of our organization, and to create a strong foundation for Kazakhstan to build upon as it assumes the OSCE Chairmanship on January 1,” Papandreou said.
He also expressed his hope that a constructive spirit will prevail during the two-day deliberations of the meeting.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Speech of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece Papandreou, to the 1st Plenary session of the 17th OSCE Ministerial Council
See also Project Syndicate: Renewing Europe’s Security Dialogue by George Papandreou

Sideline Meetings

On the sidelines of the OSCE ministerial council, Papandreou met with the foreign ministers of Finland, Alexander Stubb and Kazakhstan, Kanat Saudabayev, who together form the current OSCE “troika.”
Alternate foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas had a meeting with FYROM’s FM Antonio Milososki while the premier is scheduled to meet today with the foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey, Sergei Lavrov and Ahmet Davutoglou respectively.
At the end of the first day of meetings, the Greek OSCE chairmanship hosted a formal reception for the visiting diplomatic delegations at the Acropolis Museum.

Εκδήλωση για την επέτειο του Πολυτεχνείου στο Πανεπιστήμιο Βαρσοβίας

Φοιτητές του Παν/μίου Βαρσοβίας παρακολουθούν την εκδήλωση για την επέτειο του Πολυτεχνείου

Εκδήλωση για την επέτειο του Πολυτεχνείου πραγματοποιήθηκε στις 17 Νοεμβρίου 2009 στο Εργαστήριο Ελληνικών Σπουδών του Ινστιτούτου Διεπιστημονικών Ερευνών “Artes Liberales” (IBI AL) στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Βαρσοβίας. Για την εξέγερση του Πολυτεχνείου μίλησαν οι διδάσκοντες Γιώργος Κοϊνάς και Μαρία Καραμπάτσα, καθώς και ο δημοσιογράφος Νίκος Κομίνης, ακόλουθος τύπου στο Γραφείο Τύπου και Επικοινωνίας Βαρσοβίας. Προβλήθηκε βίντεο με υλικό από την περίοδο των γεγονότων του Πολυτεχνείου και ακολούθησε συζήτηση με τους φοιτητές.
Στην εκδήλωση τιμήθηκε ο Νίκος Κομίνης για την προσφορά του κατά την διάρκεια της υπηρεσίας του στο Γραφείο Τύπου Βαρσοβίας και την συνεργασία του με το Πανεπιστήμιο.

Σύνδεσμος (Link) στην ιστοσελιδα του Πανεπιστημίου

Η καθηγήτρια Μ. Borowska ευχαριστεί τον Ν. Κομίνη