02/03/2010

EU COMMISSIONER OLLI REHN IN ATHENS

Prime Minister George Papandreou received yesterday (March 1) the European Union’s Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn.

The latter paid an official visit to Athens and held also meetings with several government ministers, including ministers of Finance George Papaconstantinou, Labour and Social Security Andreas Loverdos, as well as Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping minister Louka Katseli, and discussed with them the current situation of the Greek economy and public finances.

"I want to encourage Greek authorities to consider and announce additional deficit-cutting measures" said Rehn at a press conference. A new round of measures is expected to be announced within days by the Greek government.

Ministry of Economy and Finance: Statements by Minister of Finance and EU Commissioner

Kathimerini Daily: Rehn urges Greece on measures

Government Spokesman in Germany

Greece is not seeking financial aid or its debt to be written-off from other EU states, government spokesman Georgios Petalotis said on Sunday, addressing a meeting of the Greek community in Nuremberg, Germany. "Greece will be paying back its debts," Petalotis stressed adding that "nobody is expecting a single EU taxpayer to chip in for the country’s debts."

EU-Info Deutschland: Statement by Government Spokesman

UN MEDIATOR MATTHEW NIMETZ IN ATHENS

Prime Minister George Papandreou held a meeting with Matthew Nimetz, UN Secretary-General Envoy for Greece-FYROM negotiations regarding the "name issue," on February 26 in Athens.

Following an invitation by the Greek government, UN mediator also held talks with the Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas.

Nimetz briefed the Greek side on his meetings in Skopje, expressing optimism that the negotiation process under the auspices of the United Nations will move forward

GREECE-TURKEY IN THE 21st CENTURY

The Centre for Progressive Policy Research organised a conference titled "Greece-Turkey in the 21st Century" on February 26.

Addressing the conference, Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas said that "we are always exploring ways to enhance cooperation with Turkey, finding and creating opportunities to improve Greek and Turkish relations for the benefit of both countries."

Among the speakers of the conference was Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the Turkish diplomat Osman Korutürk and the director of the Corporate Public and Strategic Advisory Group, Tulu Gümüstekin.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Alternate FM’s speech at the Centre for Progressive Policy Research

CHILE EARTHQUAKE

Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas discussed yesterday with the Chilean Ambassador to Greece the situation in Chile following the catastrophic earthquake.

On behalf of the Greek government, he expressed his deepest condolences for the victims, as well as Greece’s readiness to provide assistance based on the needs of the Chilean government.

The Foreign Ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit. Greek citizens seeking information regarding relatives or other persons in Chile may contact the Crisis Management Unit at (+0030-210-368 1912).

GREEK SHIPYARDS SEAL A DEAL

The shipbuilding group Abu Dhabi Mar (ADM) announced its decision to invest in Greek shipbuilding through the acquisition of a majority stake in the Hellenic Shipyards S.A. at Skaramangas.

The new consortium scheme is to be headed by ADM (with 75.1% stake in Skaramangas) and will include former owner ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS, with a 24.9% share).

Founded over fifty years ago, Hellenic Shipyards S.A. is the largest shipyard in the area of eastern Mediterranean. It enjoys a global standing for its long tradition in building and repairing naval and commercial ships.

Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Louka Katseli noted that the new business deal would secure sustainable solutions for strategic planning in the sector of Greek shipping and create new jobs.

ENERGY IN SOUTHEASTERN GREECE

A regional inter-ministerial meeting on "Energy in Southeastern Greece" is to take place on March 4 and 5 at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall. Organised by the European Investment Bank, the meeting will take place under the auspices of Prime Minister George Papandreou and aims to explore needs and priorities regarding renewable energy sources and energy sufficiency.

INVEST IN GREECE AGENCY NEWSLETTER

Invest in Greece Agency issues an on-line newsletter on a regular basis. In the February 2010 issue, special features include: foreign direct investments in Greece by source and sector, networking in new markets  (synergies in Australia), life sciences clusters, advent technologies (systems for renewable energy sources), solar parks, and waste management systems.

"The Stability and Growth Programme is set to produce a more competitive and responsible economic framework in Greece, overhauling some inefficient practices and creating a more transparent public sector with solid fiscal and economic foundations," reads the editorial.

UPDATE ON GREEK TOURISM

The New York Times Travel Show

Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos visited The New York Times 2010 Travel Show (February 26-28) in Manhattan, New York, where some 500 tourist destinations are on display, attracting some 30,000 visitors annually.

Ever since its first edition, Greece has been sponsoring the show and this year, the Greek National Tourist Organisation participated with a robust delegation.

"It is an important Travel Show and attendance is quite remarkable." "Our mission here is to show the world Greece’s comparative advantages, features that make this country unique," said the Minister addressing the press.

The Milan Tourism Fair

The Milan International Tourism Fair (Borsa Internazionale del Turismo) was held from February 18-21 in Italy. Greek Minister of Tourism Angela Gerekou visited the fair to inaugurate the Greek stands.

Addressing the event, the minister noted that Greece invests in "green quality tourism," one that is sustainable and attractive to the modern tourism industry.

The "sea and sun" model of tourism is obsolete added Gerekou noting that the national strategy is shifting towards offering "an integrated tourist experience."

& Ministry of Culture: Ancient Thera & Museum

Congress Tourism

Congress Rental Network President Panagiotis Podimatas highlights the advantages of conference tourism.

"It is a lucrative sector implicating near 60 professions, generating a profligate turn-over profited by many groups in a society." "Conference participants usually have a relative high purchase power and come from an elevated social and economic background.

Moreover, they are likely to invite company to their trips and some times they register a seven fold increase in their expenses compared to regular tourists."

Hellenic Association of Professional Conference Organizers: www.meetingreece.gr; Athens Convention Bureau: www.athensconventionbureau.gr

Visit Greece: Watch the Video

Santorini: Five Senses Gallery

"Santorini: Five Senses Gallery" is the motto of the island’s new tourist campaign.

Italy constitutes a considerable "pool" of tourists visiting the Cyclades and the municipality of Thera is well placed in Italian tourists’ preferences.

Santorini: www.santorini.gr

PIANIST SGOUROS RECEIVES STANDING OVATION

The renowned Greek classical pianist Dimitris Sgouros received a standing ovation by the Hungarian audience following a concert held on February 21.

Sgouros, performed Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto as a soloist, accompanied by the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gabor Takacs Nagy.

The concert took place at the Budapest Palace of Arts as part of "a musical marathon” on Beethoven. The event is organized every February by the Budapest Festival Orchestra, which invites famous virtuosos from across the world.

"L’enfant terrible” Dimitris Sgouros captured the music world’s attention at the age of 7. He has been described as “a child prodigy," and in his 25-year career, has gathered international acclaim and performed in major concert halls throughout the world.

‘CINEMA ON A PLATE’

In its fourth annual edition, 'Cinema on a Plate' is taking place from March 1 to 22, and this year includes two new events: a "Kids Festival" and "Soup Kitchens-Live Cooking."

Every Monday and Tuesday, fourteen renowned chefs will translate the atmosphere of seven films into mouth-watering flavours. 

The public will be able to enjoy their favourite films at the Apollon and Nirvana cinemas and then get a taste of original cine-menus at restaurants around Athens.

This year, the festival will feature two premieres: Everybody's Fine with Robert De Niro and Fantastic Mr Fox, a new film by Wes Anderson

ATHENS BENCH MARK 2010

The City of Athens and the international NGO "The World of Athens" have launched a global online competition called Athens Bench Mark: Creative online competition, in an effort to makeover benches throughout Athens and improve the quality of life in the city.

The competition is open to all - artists, designers, and ordinary citizens- who are invited to submit design ideas and solutions for Athens' new benches.

Submission of proposals and a voting procedure will take place from February 23 to April 6 via the website www.athensbenchmark.com.

The 50 most popular ideas for the Future Bench will go on display at the Technopolis venue, from April 26 to May 9.