05/07/2010

EIB BOLSTERS INVESTMENTS

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide the Greek government with €2 billion in loans to fund long-term, key projects, including the construction of a new railway line stretching across the country.

This is the largest ever EIB loan to Greece noted Vice-President Plutarchos Sakellaris, who signed the deal with Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou and Economy Minister Louka Katseli in Athens. The loan is in line with the European Union's strategy for Long Term growth known as Europe 2020.

Kathimerini daily: EIB chips in with 2-bln-euro loan

FRENCH INTEREST IN INFRASTRUCTURE VENTURE

Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Minister Dimitris Reppas met on July 1 with visiting French Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau and discussed the possibility of closer cooperation between the two countries in transport infrastructure and especially in the railways sector.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Reppas said that the plan for reforming Hellenic Railways (OSE) will be announced soon, adding that France’s SNCF could be an ideal partner for OSE.

The Greek minister also noted that the French side had expressed interest in a series of projects such as the Kasteli airport in Crete, motorways in Athens and new Metro lines.

GOV’ T SPOKESMAN: GREECE IS NOT FOR SALE

Government Spokesman George Petalotis has responded to an article that appeared in The Guardian (June 25) claiming that Greece is preparing to put up its islands for sale.

Petalotis penned "Greece is not for sale," in which he clearly states that "the assertion that the Greek government is involved in the sale of any islands is wholly inaccurate. The sale of privately owned islands is neither new nor newsworthy," and it is misleading when reference is made to "commercial real estate transactions unrelated to the Greek state and is based on unsubstantiated hearsay."

STATE BUDGET DEFICIT DOWN

Greece's state budget deficit shrank by 38.7% in the period January-May 2010, compared with the corresponding period last year, a performance exceeding targets set by the Stability and Growth Programme, according to an official announcement by the Finance ministry issued on June 21.
The budget deficit fell to € 8,978 billion in the five-month period, from €14,655 billion last year - a decline of 38.7%. The country's updated Stability and Growth programme envisages a decline of 35.1%, according to the announcement.

Ministry of Finance: Update of the Hellenic Stability and Growth Programme (January 2010) & Hellenic Stability & Growth Programme Newsletter (June 2010)

ACROPOLIS MUSEUM ONE YEAR ON

More than 2 million people have visited the Acropolis Museum during its first year of operation, according to figures presented by the museum's board chairman Prof. Demetris Pandermalis, at a press conference on June 17, to mark its first anniversary. He also said that admission price will remain at € 5 for 2011.

On the occasion, Pandermalis announced the launch of the museum's first temporary exhibition titled "Pericles Xanthippos." 

Archaeological finds such as inscriptions, coins and other artifacts are used to illustrate and explore the life of the famous ancient Athenian statesman, the man who led Athens during its Golden Age and who conceived the idea of building the Parthenon. The exhibition will run until January 31, 2011

SUMMER SCHOOL AND THE MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEMS

The 2nd International Summer School on the "Functioning and Evolution of the Mediterranean marine ecosystems" began on July 1 and will run until July 15.

The event is co- organized by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation.

The main aim of the summer course is to help young students from around the globe to understand the evolution of the Mediterranean marine ecosystem, evaluate its current state, and explain the functioning of the extreme ecosystems found in the Mediterranean basin.

Summer School: full programme

CYCLADES SUMMER SPECIAL

The Cyclades island complex in the Aegean is a popular destination for foreign and Greek tourists alike.

Small islands, traditional villages and towns, sandy beaches and lots of … cultural events every summer!

Syros Island

Guitar Festival

The 17th Ermoupolis Guitar Festival is taking place from July 5 to 9, with master and junior classes in the morning and concerts in the evening, the 7th guitar competition and many parallel events.

Opera

The 6th annual International Festival of the Aegean is being held on the island of Syros from July 14 to 25, at the Apollo Theatre a.k.a.

"La Piccola Scala" - Greece's first opera house, in Ermoupolis.

The programme of this year’s events includes an impressive staging of Bizet’s Carmen in collaboration with the Greek National Opera.