16/07/2010

A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT

Public Sector

The Hellenic Parliament voted on the individual articles of the draft law, reforming the public-sector pension system yesterday, with 156 votes in favour, and against 128.

Private Sector
Unions representing salary earners in the private sector and employers' federations signed a three-year national collective labour agreement yesterday, envisaging a freeze in wages for the next 12 months and pay rises that will link the minimum wage to eurozone inflation over the next two years.

According to the agreement, private-sector employers will continue to pay so-called "holiday" bonuses - a payment system in which salaries are divided into 14 instalments, with workers receiving higher pay at Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays.

Kathimerini: No raises this year, tiny hike in 2011

BANKING SYSTEM IN FOCUS

The Ministry of Finance received yesterday an official offer by the CEO of Piraeus Bank, concerning the acquisition of a substantial stake in two state-controlled banks, ATE Bank and Hellenic Post Bank.

According to an announcement issued yesterday, "the Ministry is examining the proposal within the scope of its institutional authority, considering public interest and the sustainability of the banks concerned, the banking system and the Greek economy as a whole."

GREEK DEFICIT DOWN BY 46%

According to the preliminary data available for the state budget implementation for the first six months of 2010, on a fiscal basis the deficit presented a 46% year-on-year decline against a targeted 39.5% in the government’s economic policy programme.

The fiscal result of the first six months of 2010 is due to both restriction of expenditures and revenue increases. Nevertheless, these do not yet fully reflect all fiscal measures included in the government’s programme for 2010.

Furthermore, ordinary budget expenditures declined by 12.8% year-on-year against a targeted 5.5% reduction and primary expenditures decreased by 12.7% against a targeted 5.4% annual decrease.

Hellenic Stability & Growth Newsletter: June 2010

GREECE WILL DEFEND ITS SOVEREIGN RIGHTS

The Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs issued announcements concerning the sea surveys conducted by "Piri Reis," a Turkish naval research ship in an area between the Greek island of Kastellorizo and Cyprus.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the "Piri Reis surveys an area outside Greek territorial waters, however, Athens has claimed the rights to potential undersea mineral and fossil fuel deposits."

National Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that "Athens is watching closely" and that "in any case, Greece will defend its sovereign rights."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Differences with Turkey  

AEGEAN SAILING RALLY

The 47th International Aegean Sailing Rally begins today at Faliro Bay and is expected to finish at Sounio on July 24.

The regatta consists of a series of 3 or 4 individual offshore races between Faliron and the Aegean islands of Paros, Nisyros and Koufonisia.

The award ceremony will take place in Piraeus, on July 26. The rally is an annual event, which is organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC). It is the oldest and most prestigious sailing regatta in Greece. Since 1964, it has attracted competitors from around the world as well as top sailing teams from Greece.

GREEK AQUARIUMS

CretAquarium

Since 2006, Greece has been home to one of the most impressive aquariums in the Mediterranean.
The CretAquarium - part of the larger "Thalassokosmos" complex in Heraklion, Crete – is the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research's technological and scientific marvel.

It houses approximately 2,500 marine organisms which visitors can look at from special observation points, whereas the use of remote-controlled cameras can further enjoy the experience.

Rhodes Aquarium

The Rhodes Aquarium, located at the northern coastal tip of the city, was built by the island’s Italian administration in the period between 1934 -36 and presently operates as an aquarium museum and research centre. Its exhibits include specimens of anthozoa, molluscs, species of the crab family, a large variety of fish as well as sea turtles.

The museum section showcases various kinds of sharks, toothed whales, and Mediterranean monk seals. The centre also runs research programmes, covering every aspect of oceanography in the area of the Dodecanese islands.

ATHENS BENCH MARK WINNERS

The winners of the Athens Bench Mark international competition were announced at an award ceremony held on July 1, at the Athens Concert Hall.

The Athens Bench Mark industrial design contest encouraged young designers from around the world to envision and design new city benches for the capital.

Designer Aris Stathis won the first prize in the contest with his proposal titled "mybench.gr."

The second prize went to the project "City Break" by designers Vassiliki Katsarou and Andreas Economopoulos while the third prize was won by Konstantinos Douzis for his project "Hand of Earth."

The next stage of the programme involves the construction and installation of 1,000 new benches in locations around Athens.

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 plenty of … cultural events every summer!

Kea Island - Fairy Tales Festival
The 8th Fairy Tales Festival is being held on the island of Kea (or Tzia), from July 17 to 25. This Europe-wide institution gives the opportunity to Greek and foreign artists to present their work. Under the title "Metamorphoses," this year’s programme includes fairy-tale narratives, musical-art events, art exhibitions, puppet shows, shadow theatre, as well as workshops for children and adults.

Kea’s Walking Trails

The exceptionally picturesque island of Kea (or Tzia) lies very close to the south-east coast of Attica and for this reason it is one of the most popular destinations of Athenians.

The island’s capital, Hora or Ioulida, has maintained its Cycladic idiom intact. Built in the shape of an amphitheatre, at the site of ancient Ioulis, it offers the visitor an impressive sight of two-storey houses, steep cobbled alleyways, and splendid churches.

Not far from Hora, on an old stone road, lies the Lion of Kea, an archaic structure (6th Century) carved out in stone. On the western side, there is Aghios Nikolaos bay, which is considered to be one of the safest harbours in the Mediterranean, and Vourkari, a cosmopolitan fishing village. Kea is also a walker’s haven, as it has a wide network (36 kilometers) of mostly stone-paved old trails and footpaths.