EU Heads in Athens

International Biodiversity Conference

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was welcomed  in Athens in order to attend a two-day international conference on “Biodiversity Protection Beyond 2010” hosted by Greece (April 27-28). Some 230 representatives of EU member states, NGOs, European enterprises and UN agencies discussed EU policy on biodiversity, as 2010 will be a major milestone for biodiversity policy both in the EU and globally. Addressing the event, Barroso underlined the significance of protecting biodiversity, shifting from “business as usual,” to a new model, hopefully shaped by this new “message emitting from Athens.” 

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis praised Greece for its high quality biodiversity amongst Mediterranean and European countries, but stressed that environmental protection ought to know no geographic boundaries. Taking the floor, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas warned that the world cannot turn its back on climate change and on any pressing matters of environmental protection. European Commission: Follow the Conference on-line & Dimas on biodiversity

Remarks on Greek Economy

Meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Barroso welcomed Greece’s plans to tackle microeconomic imbalances and deliver on structural reforms. The Greek government has pledged to rein in the country’s deficit by 2010 (a fall to less than 3% of GDP), in keeping with EU’s proposed measures on fiscal policy.

Honours Bestowed

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso received  (April 27) distinction from the Hellenic Parliament and the City of Athens. Hellenic Parliament Speaker Dimitris Sioufas decorated Barroso with the Gold Medal of the Hellenic Parliament, while Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis awarded Barroso the Medal of Honour and Benefaction of the City of Athens.

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Fairs – Exhibitions – Conferences in Greece

Athens
ATHENS INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR (21 – 24 May 2009) http://www.art-athina.gr/
ATHENS EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL( GENERALLY FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER BUT DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.greekfestival.gr/ 
ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL ATTIKI – TERRA VIBE (ALREADY PROGRAMMED FOR 27 – 28 – 29 June 2009) http://www.rockwavefestival.gr/home/
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDIA AND DISABILITIES ATHENS (22-23 June 2009) http://www.ameamedia.gr/en/conference 
THE ATHENS SUMMIT ENERGY SECURITY & CLIMATE CHANGE (12 – 13 June 2009) http://www.ftglobalevents.com/athenssummit/overview.asp  
RALLY ACROPOLIS LOUTRAKI (11 – 14 June 2009) http://www.acropolisrally.gr/pre/ 
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL ATHENS (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.caid.gr/isffa/about.html 
EUROPEAN MUSIC DAY MAINLY HELD IN ATHENS (18 – 23 June 2009) http://www.musicday.gr/home.php?lang=2
CLASSIC MARATHON ATHENS (8 November 2009 – not in summer time but is worth to participate or visit) http://www.athensclassicmarathon.gr/default.2.asp

Northern Greece  
INTERNATIONAL FUR FAIR OF KASTORIA (7 – 10 May 2009) http://www.furfair.gr/index.php 
INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OF THESSALONIKI (28 – 31 May 2009) http://www.thessalonikibookfair.com/?menu=920 
OLYMPUS MARATHON (28 June 2009) http://www.olympus-marathon.com/index.php?newlang=english
SANI FESTIVAL – HALKIDIKI (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.saniresort.gr/page/default.asp?id=3905
EARTH FESTIVAL VLASTI KOZANI (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.oikotopia.gr/EarthFestival-en.htm
COSMOPOLIS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL KAVALA (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.kavala-cosmopolis.com/en/index.html
Islands 
HALKI INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS (17 – 21 June 2009) http://www.eliamep.gr/en/frontpage/top-story-2/halki-international-seminars-2009-call-for-applications/ 
NAXOS FESTIVAL (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.bazeostower.gr/eng/index.html 
ECOFILM RHODES (23 – 28 June 2009) http://www.ecofilms.gr/ 
GUITAR FESTIVAL HERMOUPOLIS SYROS (12 – 16 July 2009) http://www.guitarfestival.gr/index.php?lang=en 
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE AEGEAN SYROS (1 – 11 July 2009) http://www.festivaloftheaegean.com/schedule.html 
SANTORINI SUMMER CONFERENCES (24 June – 1 July 2009) http://www.ecsa-greece.gr/esa/
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL RETHYMNO (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.rfr.gr/index.html 
ICARUS FESTIVAL IKARIA (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://icarus-festival.ikaria.gr/index.php?mylang=english IONIAN CONCERTS CORFU (DATES TO BE DETERMINED) http://www.corfufestival.gr/index_en.html 
General Info about events in Greece is available at: 
AGROTRAVEL http://en.agrotravel.gr/agro/site/Home/t_section 
MINISTRY OF CULTURE http://www.culture.gr/war/cult_fnews_en.jsp 
MINISTRY OF TOURISM http://www.gnto.gr/pages.php?pageID=851&langID=2 
UPCOMING CONFERENCES IN GREECE http://www.conferences.gr/upcoming-conferences.html 
FESTIVALS IN GREECE BY MATT BARRETT http://www.greecetravel.com/holidays/