Cypriot Foreign Minister in Athens

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   In view of the ongoing negotiation process to achieve a “Cypriot” solution, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met with her Cypriot counterpart Marcos Kyprianou yesterday (September 3) in Athens.  “We support in a substantial manner […] the efforts being made by President Christofias to achieve a solution, without mediation or interference from third parties […] or any manner of “deadlines,” within the framework of the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the principles and values of the EU,” Bakoyannis stressed, reminding that Athens considers the Cyprus issue a major foreign policy priority.  “The mutually agreed basis for the negotiations is a bicommunal, bizonal federation, with political equality – as expressly stated in the relevant UN resolutions – with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship,” said Bakoyannis, stressing also the need for Turkey to allow the Turkish Cypriots to negotiate creatively towards an agreed, viable and functional solution, underling the fact that “a unified Cyprus in the EU is the best investment in future progress and development.”  On his part, Kyprianou called Turkey to fulfil its undertaken obligations to the European Union, allowing also the Turkish Cypriots to negotiate freely towards the solution being pursued.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statements of FM Bakoyannis and FM Kyprianou & The Cyprus Issue

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Greek FM: Relations with Turkey

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  “Bullying does not wash with Europe,” Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said over the weekend commenting on the latest Turkish over-flights in the Aegean, ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ summit, hosted by the new Swedish presidency of the Union. ” say this as an old friend of the Turkish people and a long-standing supporter of Turkey’s European course. Turkey is obliged to adhere to what it has agreed to. It doesn’t have a good record in doing so, but in Europe there is no other way,” Bakoyannis underlined. She also said that she has accepted, in principle, an invitation by her Turkish counterpart to visit Ankara, adding that she would do so at a suitable moment in order for the visit to be beneficial and effective.

Greece has a Strong Case on the Name Issue

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was briefed yesterday on Foreign Yugoslav’s Republic of Macedonia’s decision to lodge an appeal with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, claiming that Greece violated the 1995 bilateral interim accord during last year’s NATO Bucharest summit.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed that Greece has a strong case, which will support before the Court, putting forward its arguments by January 2010.  “It will be a long process but Greece has strong defense arguments, which will prove that the real problem lies in Skopje‘s intransigence”. She further called on Skopje to enter the name negotiations in good faith in order to fund a mutually acceptable name. 

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

Remembering Greek Jews

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) A memorial event for the Greek Jews killed during the Holocaust was held yesterday (June 17) at the Zappeion Conference Centre.  The event took place on the occasion of the Foreign Ministry’s publication of “Greeks in Auschwitz-Birkenau” and was attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias.  Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis held meetings with the President of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS), Moses Constantines, and the President of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, David Saltiel. The book “Greeks in Auschwitz-Birkenau” recounts the story of the sixty thousand Greek Jews into the of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Greek News Agenda: Special Issue-The Jews of Greece

Mount Athos Splendor in Paris

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

After the exhibition “Byzantium 330-1453” organised by the Royal Academy of Arts in London, a considerable ensemble of treasures from the monastic community of Mt Athos will go on display in Paris for the first time outside Greece with 60 artefacts on public display for the first time outside the Holy Mountain. The exhibition Mount Athos and the Byzantine Empire: Treasures of the Holy Mount  opens at the Petit Palais on April 10 and runs through July 5.  It is organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Holy Community of Mount Athos, in association with the Ministry of Culture.The exhibition “is a particularly important international cultural event […] that aspires to show France and the rest of Europe the traditions of Mount Athos,” stressed FM Dora Bakoyannis at a press conference on April 1, presenting the exhibition. Le Petit Palais: Le Mont Athos et l’Empire byzantin, Trésors de le Sainte Montagne; Church of Greece: Digital Map of the Cultural Treasures of the Church of Greece; Greek News Agenda:Byzantium: a Breathtaking exhibition; Secretariat General of Information: Mount Athos. The monastic state

Greece: Foreign Ministry

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)                             Ambassador’s Forum 
The prospects and objectives of the French EU Presidency (second semester of 2008 ) were presented by France’s Ambassador to Greece Christophe Farnaud within the framework of the “Ambassadors’ Forum,” a Foreign Ministry initiative aimed at promoting discussion and dialogue on foreign policy issues. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis addressed the opening of the proceedings, following a short welcoming address by Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos. The French Ambassador’s speech was entitled “The French EU Presidency and Europe’s Challenges.”  Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Opening address of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at the third ‘Ambassadors’ Forum’ Meeting 

Karamanlis Receives Middle East Leaders in Athens

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  On the occasion of Socialist International’s 23rd Congress, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli former prime minister and current minister of defence Ehud Barak, are in Athens. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis had separate meetings on Tuesday with both of them. The two Middle East leaders were also received by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou who was recently re-elected President of the Socialist International. No statements followed the discussions, although Bakoyannis has expressed in the past Greece’s ardent interest in contributing to the Middle East peace process. Athens News Agency : PM meets with Abbas, Barak; Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Middle East Question/ The Middle East Peace Process

Black Sea Economic Cooperation

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  On June 25, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSEC) commemorated its 16th anniversary. Ever since its establishment as International Organisation, BSEC has been responsible for developing intergovernmental, interparliamentary, economic, business and scientific cooperation between the countries of the broader Black Sea region. Although not on the Black Sea, Greece has been closely linked to all eleven other members of BSEC since ancient times. Greece’s significant role to BSEC is being constantly promoted through the operation of the Thessaloniki based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, the International Center for Black Sea Studies, headquartered in Athens, as well as Greece’s recent presidency at BSEC’s Parliamentary Assembly. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Greece and the BSEC & Statement of FM Dora Bakoyannis on the occasion of the BSEC’s 16th anniversary

Greece: The Baltic Connection

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is to have talks today with the Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, in order to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in fields of common interest. In a statement Paet said “Estonian and Greek relations are good and continue to develop steadily. Our economic relations are modest but there are good prospects for improvement in the fields of maritime transport and transit, port construction and shipbuilding, high technology, science, wood products and agriculture. Estonia is also interested in co-operation in the tourism industry. Greece is becoming among Estonians a rapidly growing tourism destination and we would like to welcome Greek tourists to Estonia as well. Concerning our partnership within the European Union, I would say that we support each other when it is needed. We have common interests and we share same values. The European perspective of Western Balkans is crucially important for the Balkan region as well as for the stability of Europe as a whole. This is the area where Greece and Estonia can cooperate more closely.”   

European Prize for Dora Bakoyannis

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Foreign Minister and former Mayor of Athens Dora Bakoyannis, was awarded yesterday the European prize for regional and local politics- Emperor Maximilian Prize 2008. The Land of Tyrol and the city of Innsbruck award the prize to personalities and institutions for their achievements in the field of regional and local politics. Prize winner 2008 Dora Bakoyannis was unanimously elected by the jury for her work as Athens’ mayor.

Greece, Russia Forge Ties

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met yesterday with President Vladimir Putin within the framework of an official visit of the Greek premier to Russia before the “changing of the guard” in Kremlin on May 7, when Putin hands over his position to President-elect Dmitry Medvedev. Karamanlis is accompanied by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, State Minister and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, as well as Development Minister Christos Folias. The strategic relation between Greece and Russia as well as the personal ties of mutual understanding between the two leaders were reiterated in a joint press conference, during which, Putin and Karamanlis announced the signing of an energy deal which consolidates Greece’s participation in the South Stream gas pipe, which will render Greece into an energy hub in its region. The South Stream project will transfer Russian gas under the Black Sea to Bulgaria before splitting in two branches. One branch will transfer the gas to Austria, while the other branch will head to Italy passing through Greek territory. Karamanlis stated that Greece opts for energy security combined with diversification both in sources and means of transport, given the country’s aggregated demand for energy supplies due to growing economic development.   

European Council in Brussels, March 13 / 14th 2008

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The spring European Council concluded its proceedings in Brussels, Friday 14th, where Greece was represented by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Minister of Economy and Finance George Alogoskoufis, Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, and Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Valinakis.

The Name Issue of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on NATO’s Agenda

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  “Nobody likes vetoes,” but “the intransigence and nationalism on behalf of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which is interwoven with the name issue, does not allow us to take the same positive stance as in the case of Croatia and Albania,”  Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated, addressing the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels, yesterday. The meeting agenda focused mainly on the enlargement of the Alliance and in particular, on the candidateship of Croatia, Albania and FYROM, paving the way for the NATO Bucharest Summit, on April 2-3. Placing emphasis on the importance of unanimity, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer made clear that “NATO’s door is open” but “there’s an ally, Greece and a non-ally; FYROM….NATO works by consensus.” Bakoyannis was prompt to announce that “there is still time for an applicable solution,” therefore, Greece will “continue to work to this end in a constructive spirit,” and within the framework of the UN Special Mediator Matthew Nimetz’s efforts. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statements of FM Dora Bakoyannis following the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Minister; Greece and NATO;  Athens News Agency: Greece Refuses FYROM’s NATO Accession Bid; NATO: Main topics discussed at the informal meeting

Mediterranean: A Sea of Peace and Posperity

Bakoyannis Concludes Maghreb Tour

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis wrapped up yesterday her three-day visit to three Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia), thus sealing Greece’s presence in the western Mediterranean and paving the way for closer political and economical cooperation. Bakoyannis held bilateral talks with the state and political leaderships of the aforementioned countries, in which all sides shared a favourable view of the expansion to the east of the “five plus five” formation (that includes the five Maghreb countries and the five European ones in the western Mediterranean) with the participation of Greece and Egypt.

Greece in Publications

Poetry

“Affirmation: Selected Poems 1986-2006” is a compilation of poems by Haris Vlavianos, recently circulated by Ireland’s biggest publisher Dedalus, in English. His latest collection was translated by Professor Mina Karavada (University of Athens) and is forwarded by Michael Longley, a Belfast-born, forceful figure in contemporary poetry. Born in Rome in 1957 but raised in Athens, Vlavianos took up the work of author, poet, editor, and translator of the Greek literary journal “Poetry,” and the website Poetry International.

Greek position on Kosovo

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated in Brussels on Monday that the aim, regarding Kosovo, is the “safeguarding of stability and security in the region”, and commenting on Athens’ position she said that “Greece will make its decisions at a later stage.” Speaking to reporters at the end of a European Union General Affairs and External Relations meeting, Bakoyannis said that the ’27’ agreed, after difficult consultations, on a text of “common positions” regarding the Kosovo issue. She added that “Greece always believed and continues to believe that the best solutions to differences and problems drive from mutually acceptable arrangements, through dialogue and consultations, and not by unilateral actions and faits accomplis.”

Dora Bakoyannis Visits Washington

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis arrived late Tuesday in Washington for a three-day visit and consultations with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. On Wednesday, Bakoyannis addressed an event at the “Center of Strategic and International Studies” and met the Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, who hosted a reception in her honour at the Pentagon. Today, Bakoyannis will have a working lunch with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, followed by a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Before concluding her Washington visit, Bakoyannis will hold talks with the National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. Athens News Agency: FM Bakoyannis’ contacts in D.C.

Mediterranean Concerns

Foreign Minister on EU- Arab league

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis arrived in Malta on Monday, where the first ministerial meeting between the European Union and the Arab League is taking place. Speaking to the Press on this initiative by Malta, which gives the opportunity to Europeans and Arabs to handle, apart from the Middle East issue, common problems, such as illegal immigration, energy safety, climate change and growth, the minister stressed that “the Mediterranean unites and must not divide.”

A Forest of Sculptures in Athens

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The Forest of Sculptures, an exhibition of 40 monumental works by acclaimed artists tracing 20th century sculpture from late art deco to postmodernism, was inaugurated on February 6 at the Athinais Cultural Centre in Athens by foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, in the first foreign showing of the exhibition outside of Germany.
The artworks are part of the world-known collection of Simon Spierer from the Hessiches Landmuseum in Darmstadt-Germany. Simon Spierer (1926-2005) was a world-known tobacconist who dedicated his life to art.