World Media on Greece - Politics, Business and Current Affairs
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OSCE ministerial meeting in Corfu |
Many foreign media and news agencies report on the OSCE ministerial meeting in Corfu that took place in the Greek island on June 27-28.
Huffington Post hosts an article by the Greek Foreign Minister Ms Bakoyannis on the priorities and the issues of the Corfu OSCE ministerial meeting. Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, reports on the two high-level meetings in the Ionian island: the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) meeting, which is the first after the conflict in Georgia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) informal ministerial meeting with the participation of all 56 member states, chaired by Ms Bakoyannis.
Associated Press and Reuters emphasize on the NATO – Russia meeting, reporting on the possible outcomes of it, concerning the issue of security.
WorldBulletin.com reports on the Turkish Foreign Minister’s visit to the island of Corfu and his meeting with Ms Bakoyannis, while another Reuters article says that Ms Bakoyannis has accepted Mr Davutoglou’s invitation to visit Turkey without setting a date.
Greek foreign minister agrees to Ankara visit (Reuters, 28.06.09)Russian FM to arrive in Corfu for meeting of Russia-NATO Council (ITAR-TASS, 27.06.09)NATO and Russia resume security ties despite Georgia row (Reuters, 27.06.09)Turkish FM in Greece's Corfu island for OSCE meeting (worldbulletin.net, 27.06.09)Greece to hold two high-level meetings on security (Xinhua, 27.06.09)NATO-Russia foreign ministers to open meeting (AP, 27.06.09)Tackling European Security in Corfu (Huffington Post, 25.06.09)
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Scholars dismiss Skopje claims as 'silliness' in letter to Obama (ANA-MPA, 27.05.09) |
More than 200 of the most prestigious academics, including widely read authors on ancient Greece and Alexander like Paul Cartledge, Steven H. Rutledge and Robin Lane Fox, have sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama asking him to intervene to "clean up the historical debris" left by the previous U.S. administration's policy on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
As it is noted in the letter, the recognition of the "Republic of Macedonia" in 2004, not only abrogated geographic and historic fact, but it also has unleashed a dangerous epidemic of historical revisionism.
According to those signing the letter – which has been posted on the website Macedonia Evidence – Skopje's claims to a Macedonian descent of its Slavic population and its "misappropriation" of Alexander the Great as the country's national hero are a "subversion of history".
Stephen G. Miller, Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology at the University of California, Berkeley begun the initiative of collecting signatures and the undersigns include historians and Classicists teaching at the most renowned universities in the world, like Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Stanford, Vassar, College de France etc. Read more…
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EU border agency helps Greece with immigration (WKRG.com/AP, 19.05.09) |
40 officers from 20 countries were sent to Greece by Frontex, the EU border protection agency, to work with 165 Greek border guards. This co-operation took place within the framework of an eight-day exercise aiming to help local authorities stem a spike in illegal immigration.
Frontex officers used high-tech sensors to search trucks and monitor clandestine crossings along Greece's frontier with Turkey. Heartbeat and carbon dioxide detectors and heat cameras and other sensors were used to scan vehicles, and the borders were watched with a surveillance helicopter and aircraft.
Athens is seeking greater assistance from the European Union to help stop illegal immigrant crossings over its borders.
"Frontex has set up a rapid response force to help European Union countries deal with emergency situations," Brig. Vassilis Kousoutis, director of the police's department for immigrant affairs in greater Athens said. Read more…
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Greek Ambassador Alexandros P. Mallias is drawing praise from the Senate (The Washington Times, 19.05.09) |
Among the many praises Greek Ambassador Alexandros P. Mallias is drawing, is the one lately coming from the Senate.
Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told his fellow senators that he has enjoyed working with Mr. Mallias since he arrived in Washington in September 2005.
Ambassador Mallias worked hard to represent Greece and its historic culture - shared by 3 million Americans of Greek descent - to the United States and our government” said Mr Kerry adding that Mr. Mallias was also involved with think tanks, advocacy groups, grass-roots organizations and universities, traveling widely in the U.S. to engage civic leaders, Greek-Americans, student and other people on important bilateral issues.
Moreover the Ambassador has received "numerous commendations," including the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for International Service. Read more…
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Bakoyannis’ interviews in Washington |
During her visit to Washington, Greek Foreign Minister Ms Dora Bakoyannis, gave interviews to “European Affairs” for the Winter/Spring 2009 issue and to “US News and World Report” news magazine.
In the first interview, entitled “Greece: Piloting OSCE through doldrums”, Ms Bakoyannis, presiding the OSCE, stresses the fact that the OSCE should regain its international status, since it is the only organization which includes the USA, the EU and Russia, and states that the OSCE mission in Georgia should be revised, so as to continue providing help, while transcending the political dead-end.
In the second interview (“Greek foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis likes what she sees so far from the Obama administration”), Greek FM discusses the impact of the recession in Europe, the relations with Russia, OSCE’s role in Georgia and expresses the positive reception of the Obama administration in Europe.
Greece: Piloting OSCE through Doldrums (European Affairs, Winter/Spring 2009)Greek foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis likes what she sees so far from the Obama administration (USnews.com, 25.03.09)
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Obama celebrates Greek Independence Day (AP, 25.03.09) |
The president of the US Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden welcomed guests to the White House to celebrate Greek Independence Day on March 25.
President Obama said many of the Founding Fathers were students of Greek history and stressed the need to turn to ancient texts for guidance, since the ancient Greeks are the ones who tested democracy.
Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, also noted the strong ties of freedom and democracy the two countries share. He said he hopes that Obama will follow the "brilliant example of Alexander the Great" in helping Greece "cut the Gordian knot" of unresolved issues.
Greek-American chef Michael Psilakis was welcomed as a guest to the White House kitchen.
The statement released by Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the 188th anniversary of Greek Independence mentions the special bond which Greece and the United States share, the vital and vibrant Greek-American communities throughout the country and the dedication to the principles of a legitimate government and the advancement of democracy and equality.
Celebrations for the Greek Independence Day were held in many countries around the world. Read more…
See also:
Greece National Day celebrated (Pakistan Daily Times, 26.03.09)Greece Celebrates Its National Day in Seoul (The Seoul Times, 26.03.09)Pelosi Statement on Greek Independence Day (Foxbusiness.com, 25.03.09)Greece holds grand celebration to mark revolution against Ottoman rule (Xinhua, 25.03.09)Greek-Australians parade in Melbourne (VoiceofGreece, 24.03.09)Deputy FM Kassimis attends March 25 anniversary event in London (HRI/ANA, 23.03.09)
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James Stavridis to Lead NATO Forces (greekreporter.com, 18.03.09) |
The Obama administration chose a new top commander for NATO, Navy Admiral James Stavridis. Adm Stavridis will be the first naval officer to hold the prestigious post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Stavridis currently heads the U.S. Southern Command, overseeing U.S. military operations in South and Central America. He has also served as the executive assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense.
He earned a PhD and MALD from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in International Relations in 1984, where he won the Gullion Prize as outstanding student. He is also a 1992 distinguished graduate of the National War College. His various decorations and awards, include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and five awards of the Legion of Merit.
The choice of a Navy officer may seem unnatural considering the current NATO operations, but U.S. defence officials stress that top officers are trained to command all elements of the military and Stavridis in particular is seen as energetic and creative. Read more…
See also:
U.S. picks admiral for top NATO command post (Reuters, 19.03.09)Admiral named for key Nato post (bbc.co.uk, 18.03.09)Adm J. Stavridis at Wikipedia
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FM Dora Bakoyannis addresses French Academy (HRI/ANA-MPA, 10.03.09) |
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was proclaimed an associated member of the French Academy in Humanities and Political Sciences (Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques) during an official ceremony held at the La Coupole hall of ceremonies.
Francois Terre, the Academy's president in 2008, welcomed the Greek minister, who is the first woman to take a seat as an associated foreign member, and delivered to her the sword that supplements the uniform of every acedemic.
"Geography and history have endowed Greece with all the necessary preconditions for it to be a real crossroads. We have built bridges to the North and South, East and West" Bakoyannis said, among other things, addressing the French Academy. Read more…
See also:
Statements of Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis following her meeting with French Prime Minister Mr. François Fillon (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09.03.09)GreekNewsAgenda: First Foreign Woman Enters French Academy (10.03.09)
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EU clears sale of Olympic Airlines (IHT, 10.03.09) |
The European Union announced that it approved the sale and privatization of Greece's state carrier Olympic Airlines and auxiliary company Olympic Airways Services to the Greek private equity fund ‘Marfin Investment Group SA’. MIG is to pay 45.7 million euros for Olympic's flying operations and 20 million euros for its aircraft maintenance base. The Greek state is to gain 177 million euros.
According to the EU Commission, this deal was permissible because it was done at market prices through direct negotiations, which is a faster way to achieve this goal and does not breach state aid rules.
The outcome ensures continued provision of routes subject to public service obligations and flights to farflung islands that might not be immediately profitable.
Initially, the Commission wanted the privatization to be granted through a public tender but that was not possible at the time. Read more...
See also…
Greece formally approves Olympic sale to MIG (IHT, 11.03.09)EU exec backs Olympic Air privatisation plan (Reuters, 10.03.09)GreekNewsAgenda: Olympic Airlines Seals the Deal (09.03.09)
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Turkey's TUSIAD hands over UBCCE presidency to Greece (worldbulletin.net, 03.03.09) |
The Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, SEV, took over the rotating presidency of the Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises (UBCCE).
It was handed over by Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) at the UBCCE's second general assembly held in Istanbul. SEV will preside UBCCE for the two-year term 2009-2011.
The UBCCE is a non-governmental international Union composed of central, private, voluntary, nationally representative, horizontal business organizations from the countries neighboring or having strong geographical ties with the Black Sea and Caspian Region.Among its main objectives are to establish institutionalized cooperation among member countries and assist the economic and social development of the region. Read more…
See also:
SEB assumes UBCCE presidency (ANA/MPA, 05.03.09)
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Clinton welcomes Greek FM (ANA-MPA, 25.02.09) |
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met at the State Department on Wednesday, February 25 with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"I am very glad welcoming a friend in Washington and at the State Department. She is not a stranger neither to the city nor to the Department. It is an honour for me to welcome you here in my new capacity" Clinton said.
"It’s a pleasure to be back in Washington. I’m looking forward to working with you" said Ms Bakoyannis. She also expressed her respect for the Obama administration, which has "generated such popularity and enthusiasm around the world". Read more…
Watch the Video :
Secretary Clinton Welcomes Greek Foreign Minister (U.S. Department of State, 25.02.09)
See also :
Building Bridges (Washington Times-Embassy Row, 26.02.09)Statements of Foreign Minister Bakoyannis following her meetings at the State Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 26.02.09)U.S. Secretary of State Clinton welcomes FM Bakoyannis (express.gr, 25.02.09)
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PPPs are a 'key pillar' in Greece’s economic development (publicservice.co.uk, 12.02.09) |
Greece's ex finance minister, George Alogoskoufis, explains how Greece is embracing the Public Private Partnership sector and the benefits for all stakeholders: the public sector, the country's citizens and the private sector.
PPPs’ objective is to accelerate the completion of infrastructure projects with minimal impact on the state budget and better quality services to citizens. Such partnerships can create significant investment opportunities that stimulate the interest of many firms, both in Greece and abroad. Moreover, the Greek PPPs spread the word throughout South East Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East creating new opportunities for international co-operation for the public sector and private investors.
PPPs are an important reform that aims to economic growth, efficient delivery of infrastructure and more public funds be made available for social purposes. Read the whole article here.
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Greece Spends EUR 600 Million On Repairing Fire Damage (nasdaq.net, 11.02.09) |
The amount of EUR600 million has been spent by Greece to replace homes and livestock lost in the devastating forest fires nearly two years ago.
According to Petros Molyviatis, chairman of the Special Relief Fund, 1.425 requests from owners of damaged and destroyed homes have been received and 161 homes have been already completed.
The Fund has more than EUR205 million in donations, while the Cypriot government and the Vardinogiannis family are rebuilding two villages in the Peloponnese - Artemida and Makistos - that were badly damaged. Read more…
Panos Livadas: Greece Resilient (The Washington Times/Embassy Row, 10.02.09)
"We are in the middle of an unprecedented worldwide financial and economic crisis. Greece is showing remarkable economic resilience. However, no one is talking about immunity" said Mr Livadas. Greece acted quickly to prevent a run of its banks last year by increasing insurance on deposits and guaranteeing $35 billion in bank loans. Moreover the government and private banks in Greece refrained from risky investments. Mr. Livadas also traveled to Atlanta and Chicago. Read more… |
While on visit to Washington, the Secretary General for Information Mr Pavos Livadas spoke to The Washington Times’ Embassy Row about Greece and the global economic crisis.
Greece: Foreign Ministry to send humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe (ISRIA.com, 06.02.09)
Approximately 45 tons of humanitarian assistance are to be sent to Harare, mainly consisting of food and foodstuffs and water-cleaning tablets. The Greek Embassy in Harare will make sure they reach their beneficiaries. Read more… |
Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Greek FM Bakoyannis visits Moscow, Russia (ISRIA.com, 22.01.09)
Ms Bakoyannis spoke about the OSCE, an organisation that covers the Euroatlantic and Eurasian space, bringing 56 participating states to the same table. Moreover she referred to the meeting with her counterpart Mr Lavrov, to the potentials of the OSCE and some of the Greek Chairmanghip’s priorities such as the open discussion on the European security architecture and the open dialogue on the participating states’ common security. Read more… See also:
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On the occasion of her visit to Russia, as the
Prokopis Pavlopoulos : The migration front line (guardian.co.uk, 21.01.09)
Dr Pavlopoulos mentions the specific actions the Greek state has taken in order to cope with the increasing number of illegal immigrants entering Greece, i.e. the establishment of model reception centers, complying with UN specifications, the accordance of the Greek legislation with the Geneva convention and other international treaties regarding the asylum seekers and the “rational planning” of the immigration policy. Furthermore, the Greek Minister stresses the need for closer collaboration with the European Union, focusing on the key elements of the implementation of the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum: the establishment of Frontex, immigrants to be treated on a case-by-case basis with full respect for their rights and international law, elevation of living standards etc. Finally, Dr Pavlopoulos refers to the choice of Athens as the venue for the Global Forum on Migration and Development, in November 2009. Read the whole article here. |
Greek Interior Minister Dr Prokopis Pavlopoulos writes an article in the "Guardian" on the issue of migration. In this article, Dr Pavlopoulos acknowledges the problem of illegal immigration for both Greece and Europe, especially in these times of economic stress, as well as the necessity for co-ordinated action.
Greece: New shipment of Greek humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip (ISRIA.com, 20.01.09)
Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis and His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronimos gave short addresses on the continuation of Greek humanitarian aid missions to Gaza. Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis was also present. Read more… |
The third shipment of Greek humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip was dispatched from the port of Piraeus on Monday, January 19. The shipment mainly comprised food and medicines collected by the Church of Greece and other agencies and it is being dispatched under the responsibility of the
Greece's effort to clear mines (IHT, 16.01.09)
In his letter Mr Livadas acknowledges the problem of illegal immigration for Europe in general and Greece in particular as a border to the E.U. Concerning the minefields, the Secretary General provides the number of minefields cleared and the number of the remaining ones, stressing that Greece is four years ahead of the Ottawa Convention obligation. Moreover, he refers to the measures taken to protect those in danger of crossing minefields and to the assistance provided to those injured in their illegal crossings into Greece. Read more… |
Mr Panos Livadas , Secretary General for Information, writes a letter to the International Herald Tribune regarding the article "A perilous crossing into Greece" (Jan. 7 ).
Inauguration of the OSCE Greek Chairmanship (OSCE.com, 15.01.2009)
The OSCE is well placed to address Europe's changing geopolitical challenges in a time marked by crises, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, said today in her first address to the Organization's 56 participating States. She also reiterated the 2009 Greek OSCE Chairmanship's commitment to ensuring the continuation of the OSCE's field presence in Georgia. See also: |
Synergy, symmetry, strategy': Greek
Greece rescues 53 migrants in major sea operation (Reuters, 14.01.09)
A military frigate, three passenger ships and three cargo vessels were involved in the rescue forming a barrier to block the wind. Despite the difficulty of the operation, the coordination was perfect and the migrants were rescued. The migrants, who according to Merchant Marine Ministry sources were mostly from Egypt, Afghanistan and Palestine, were safely transferred to Crete, while the authorities are searching for their traffickers. Read more… See also: |
A major rescue operation took place in the Aegean on Wednesday, January 14. A ship with 53 illegal migrants was spotted 30 nautical miles south of Milos Island, endangered by rough seas.
Greece complains to Turkey over Aegean incident (IHT, 07.01.09)
Greece will issue a diplomatic protest against its NATO ally Turkey, over airspace violations by Turkish fighter jets in the eastern Mediterranean Greek Foreign Minister Ms Bakoyannis said. "These Turkish acts are outrageous and harm efforts to improve Greek-Turkish relations" Greek FM said. The Greek ministry said the Turkish jets had violated Greek airspace buzzing a navy rescue helicopter. Greece's military said the jets flew at low altitude over the Greek island of Farmakonissi. NATO and the European Union will be notified said the Greek Foreign Ministry. Read more… See also:
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Statement of FM Ms. Bakoyannis regarding developments in Gaza – Greek humanitarian aid mission
Meanwhile, Greece sent two C-130 military airplanes with a cargo of 280 tons of humanitarian aid destined for the injured people in the Gaza Strip. The aid consists of blood and blood by-products, as well as antibiotics and other medical supplies. Theodoros Skylakakis, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development at Greek Foreign Ministry, said that the Greek aid is one of the first missions that will arrive in Gaza, while a larger dispatch of humanitarian assistance by ship is being planned.
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In her statement regarding developments in Gaza, Greek FM Ms Dora Bakoyannis said that the ground operations are a negative development in the peace process. She stressed the pivotal role of the UN and the need to implement the three-point policy (ceasefire, humanitarian aid, peace process) that has been Greece's position from the outset and was decided upon by the Foreign Ministers of the European Union on 30 December in Paris.Highlights |
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