Greece assumes BSEC chairmanship

Greece has assumed, the rotating chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organisation, at a special ceremony, during the 22nd meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs , held in Sofia, Bulgaria on May 28.
“It is our objective to establish the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC as a turning point for the entire region towards Green Development.
Its central theme will be Black Sea turns Green,” Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis stressed in his address to the meeting upon the assumption of the chairmanship.
He also noted that the emphasis on “green development” will highlight the comparative advantages of the Black Sea region in terms of environmental protection, culture, tourism, alternative energy sources and new technologies. 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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Greek foreign policy in 2010

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas outlined Greece’s foreign policy priorities for 2010 during a press conference held yesterday.

Together with Deputy Minister Spyros Kouvelis, Droutsas highlighted that protecting Greece’s sovereignty and putting an end to past inertia will constitute the ultimate objective for the country’s foreign policy.
Referring to issues of particular national interest, Droutsas stressed that Greece has conveyed a message of friendship and peace to Turkey and expects the latter to respond to it.
The alternate minister mentioned the possibility of a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister sometime in the near future.
On the Cyprus issue, underlined the government’s commitment to actively helping Cyprus with actions rather than words, pointing out that the first foreign visit carried out by Prime Minister George Papandreou had been to Cyprus.
As regards to the country’s relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the alternate minister reiterated that Greece enters negotiations with an open mind and keeps an edifying stance on the matter.
Droutsas pointed out that in the communiqué forwarded by the European Union in December, it was made clear that Greece’s support to FYROM’s European course depends on reaching a viable solution to the name issue.
Greek News Agenda:  Greek Foreign Policy- Challenges and Prospects

“Greek Foreign Policy: Challenges and Prospects”

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Addressing the conference “Greek Foreign Policy: Challenges and Prospects” held yesterday on the premises of the Foreign Affairs Ministry,  Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis referred to Greece’s foreign policy priorities centering on economic diplomacy, relations with Greeks abroad and green development.

Kouvelis stressed that the Balkans, the wider Black Sea region and that of Eastern Mediterranean is of particular interest to Greece.
He therefore took the opportunity to refer to the country’s upcoming Chairmanship in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC, June 1 to December 31, 2010),  forwarding the message that, in its capacity, Greece is committed to strengthen the organisation’s role with respect to its member-states and the region’s economic development.
Finally, on green development, Kouvelis emphasised Greece’s need to live up to the challenges of the new situation taking shape globally. The conference was organised by the Institute of International Relations, an Athens-based think tank affiliated with Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences.

Black Sea Business Forum / Thessaloniki, 12 & 13 November 2009

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline is a significant project with geopolitical, economic and energy importance, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis noted, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Black Sea Business Forum in Thessaloniki, on November 12. 
The 3rd Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises (UBCCE) business forum, entitled “Seizing New Investment and Trade Opportunities in the Black Sea and Caspian in the Post Crisis Era,” is being held in Thessaloniki on November 12-13.

It is hosted by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece.
Addressing the event, Kouvelis stressed Greece’s commitment to the enhancement of co-operation with the European Union, through the establishment of “Black Sea Partnerships” within the “Black Sea Synergy” process, as well as through the new “Eastern Partnership” EU initiative.
Greece, he said, will have the chance to advance this perspective during the Greek Chairmanship of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which commences on June 1, 2010.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization

Bonds, Greek Bonds

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The government sold €8 billion worth of 10-year bonds on strong demand, the Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) reported yesterday (June 2). The 6% notes due July 2019 were sold to yield 187 basis points more than German government debt of similar maturity and 178 basis points over the benchmark mid-swap rate, the PDMA said. “It was the year’s most successful issue, as far as volume is concerned,” said PMDA head Spyros Papanicolaou. Brokers said the yield was high, making the bond attractive to investors. Kathimerini daily: Gov’t sells 8 bln euros of bonds

New Hellenic Olympic Committee President

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Spyros Capralos is the new head of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC). Capralos becomes the 24th head of the HOC, succeeding the incumbent Minos Kyriakou for a four-year term.  In his first statements, Capralos pledged to do his best to live up to his office responsibilities and stressed  that scientists will join HOC in the battle against banned substances, making “clean sports” the new HOC motto. Capralos, a former water polo champion, was appointed Chairman of the Athens Exchange in 2004 after a successful term as Executive Director of the Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. In 2008 he was elected President of the Federation of European Stock Exchanges (FESE).

Made in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  METAXA (www.metaxa.com) is distinguished as the most famous Greek spirit worldwide. Spyros Metaxas, a silk trader from Athens, was the first in Greece to distil wine in 1888 and the company he founded now sells over a million cases world wide. METAXA is produced from Savatiano, Sultanina and Black Corinth, double-distilled, married with aged Muscat wine from Samos & Lemnos, blended with a secret botanical mix and then aged in hand made oak casks. In the world market, Metaxa is generally available in three versions: Three Star, Five Star, and Seven Star. Extra old Metaxa “Private Reserve” brandies are marketed in attractive, painted, ceramic bottles.

Christmas and New Year in Athens

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   This year’s festivities for Christmas and New Year, organized by the City of Athens, began officially yesterday (16.12), when Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis turned on the lights on the Christmas tree at Syntagma Square. The square was filled with the melodies of the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra and songs of the Spyros Lambrou Children’s Choir. Fireworks lit up Athens skies while the City of Athens Music Ensembles, Big Band, staged a concert. Syntagma Square will be the centre of the festive celebrations in Athens with special structures, games and the magic carousel. Individuals of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy classic and jazz melodies, Christmas songs and carols from around the world, Byzantine hymns and traditional dances while kids can expect plenty of surprises and a range of educational and entertainment activities. City of Athens – Christmas in Athens Calendar of Events