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International Court of Justice Ruling on Distomo Case

In an announcement, issued on February 3, concerning an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling upholding Germany’s position, that it enjoys state immunity from being sued in foreign courts by victims of Nazi atrocities during World War II, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Greek government will study this Judgement closely, in the light of its firm and longstanding position that the matter of German compensations remains open.
The judgement affects the case of the south-central Greek village of Distomo, where Nazi troops killed 214 civilians on June 10, 1944, one of the numerous instances of WWII atrocities in occupied Greece. The court case concerned the confiscation of German property on Italian soil for reparations to be paid to victims of Distomo.

  • MPs Raise War Reparations Issue

Meanwhile, in Athens, 28 MPs from PASOK, New Democracy (ND), Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) as well as independent deputies tabled a motion in Parliament requesting a discussion on issues concerning the so-called German occupation loan from Greece during WWII, as well as the issue of war reparations to victims of Nazi atrocities and stolen treasures from the country.
In a letter addressed to the presidents of competent parliamentary committees, the MPs called on Parliament to adopt a clear stance on this “crucial national issue.”
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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Invest in Greece: A Leading SE Country

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Greece’s high growth rates along with its economic role and presence in the broader Southeastern Europe region are two of the country’s main comparative advantages that render it an attractive destination for foreign investment, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said yesterday. Addressing an event for the relaunching of the Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE) as the Invest in Greece Agency (www.investingreece.gov.gr), the minister noted that Greece has consistently achieved annual growth rates of around 4% in recent years and is well placed to withstand the upheavals in the global economic system, having significantly reduced its fiscal deficits. He predicted that Southeastern Europe will constitute the economic “miracle” of the next 15 years, due to high growth rates and investment opportunities. Alogoskoufis said new incentives had helped Greece attract more than €8.5 billion in foreign investment in the last two years. Continue reading

Name Issue of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The Greek government said on Thursday that it had formulated its assessment of UN envoy Matthew Nimetz’s new proposals aimed at solving the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) name issue and was ready to move on to the next step of negotiations. “Following a comprehensive study…the government has finalised its objections, observations and proposed changes to the proposal,” stated foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos. Continue reading

Energy Pact Greece – Romania

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Forging closer energy ties, Greece and Romania signed a bilateral energy deal yesterday within the framework of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis’ official state visit to Bucharest. The deal will enhance bilateral cooperation in the oil, natural gas and electricity sectors, said the premier, looking forward to Romania’s major electricity exporting capacities. Greece’s economic presence in Romania is highly active and translates into a trade volume of over €1 billion per year. More than 800 Greek companies are established in Romania having invested around €3 billion. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations – Romania