Tag: Greece

Bear cubs stray into town of Kastoria in northern Greece

Residents in the northern Greek town of Kastoria were roused from their slumbers on Monday night after two young bears strayed into the town center.

According to a member of the Arcturos bear conservation society, the two cubs are around a year old and were initially spotted in a street beside Kastoria Lake shortly after midnight.

Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who is also a member of the Kastoria Environmental Protection Society, told the ANA-MPA news agency that four police patrol cars and two civilian vehicles were dispatched to the scene to contain the bears from wandering any further.

“Flashing our headlights and honking our horns, we tried to usher the bears to the town’s exit and back into the woods,” Panagiotopoulos. “Instead, they went into the cemetery and then started walking around the town center.”

Panagiotopoulos, who coordinated the effort to push the bears back into the forest, noted that the pair has been spotted near the town before, accompanied by their mother, and appeared undaunted by the human presence.

“There’s a playground right on the edge of the mountain where it slopes down into Kastoria and we’ve seen bears having a ball of a time, especially on the seesaw and spring rides,” Panagiotopoulos said.

After rousing dozens of residents who joined the effort, Panagiotopoulos and his team were able to escort the bears safely back into the woods after around four hours.

(www.ekathimerini.com)

November 10, 2016
Greek olive oil goes for gold

Praised for its exceptional quality, Greek olive oil is one of the few products keeping the country’s economy afloat. A series of producers are trying hard to update a centuries-old tradition, and their efforts are not being unnoticed. Last month, quite a few olive oil producers managed to collect awards in the 2016 New York Olive Intertantional Oil Competition (NYIOOC). It hasn’t been easy: 820 olive oils from 26 countries were competing to be judged by an international jury of experts.

Facing competition from Chile, Australia, the United States and – of course – Greece’s main competitors, Italy and Spain, eight Greek producers received gold awards, eight silver and two were awarded for being ‘best in class’: Chryssopigi PDO from Sitia, Crete and Argali, producer Giovanni Bianchi’s koroneiko variety from Messinia. An Italian computer programmer based in Rome, Bianchi, was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, where his family lived for his first 11 years, creating such “a strong link with Greece” that he decided to buy land with 250 hardy olive trees in Gargalianoi, western Peloponnese, in 2004.

“From that year, I began dreaming and thinking about olive oil. I studied, took classes in Italy on oil tasting, and convinced the millers to make oil as I wanted,” he told in an interview with Olive Oil Times following his award.
“My dream would be to return to Greece and make this great passion my job.” Already, he personally manages every harvest, bottling, and pruning session.

As for Vitsentzos Kornaros, producer of Chryssopigi and a champion of Cretan olive oil, he shared the secret of his success: “We believe in our product, and we work very hard to be so good. We care for our olive trees with love and knowledge that enriches them in every way.”

Another koroneiko from hand-picked Cretan olives, Gaea Sitia, won a gold medal for its “woody notes and mildly intence aroma”. Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises’ Acaia, from hand-picked Kolovi olives that grow in the mountainous groves of the Aegean island of Lesvos, also won a gold medal for its “richly complex aromas” and “excellent harmony” and experience the distinctive flavors of this exceptional olive oil.
“In fact, we created our Acaia brand in order to introduce consumers everywhere to the island’s olive oil, which is proverbially famous for its aromas and delicate flavour,” said Ellie Tragakes of Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises.

Kyklopas Olive Mill, by Argyris Kelidis Argyris S.A., won a gold medal for its “aromas of fruit, green grass, artichoke herbs and notes of almond, apple and walnut”. The producer also won for the organic line of product, a monovarietal cold-pressed, early harvest extra virgin olive oil from very green olives which are picked only in the month of October.

Niki Kelidou, president of Kyklopas (or Cyclops), also spoke to Olive Oil Times, stating “each prize our company wins gives added value and also shows us that we are on the right track”.

Another extraordinary organic olive oil, Eliris, crafted by Iris Iris Efthimiadi and her fiancé Sam Lord, also won the gold distinction. It was a great accomplishment for the pair, who gave up “successful careers in London” to return to northeastern Greece to “honour her father’s memory by rejuvenating and tending the cherished family olive grove”, an unusual mix of Greek olive varieties, including koroneiki, kalamata, tsounati, manaki, megaritiki and halkidiki.

An organic medium Nemoutiana, ‘Mythocia Omphacium’ (the word evokes Hippocrates’ characterisation for the best of all extra virgin olive oil, which was thought to be valuable for medicine purposes) is a brand that revives the ancient methods of early harvest and direct milling at room temperature, creating a balanced and complex intensity olive oil of high nutritional quality. Konstantinos Papadopoulos said he expects his gold award for Mythocia Omphacium Organic and silver award for Mythocia Omphacium to “help us give our brand the prestige we want. The fact that our products have won a number of distinctions in only two years is the result of people working hard and with passion and striving for quality. It is a great motivation to think that we contribute to spreading the excellent quality of Greek olive oil all over the world”.

Yanni’s Finest, a single-varietal green early harvest extra virgin olive oil with intense fruity aroma and flavour, was also awarded, gaining praise for its low acidity, intense fruity aroma and bitter taste with a characteristic pungent aftertaste. Apart from the gold, Yanni’s Limited PDO Chalkidiki also won a silver award, leading producer Evi Prodromou to say: “It was like we managed to climb Mount Everest, to the top of the world.” Yanni’s Olive Grove is the only company involved in the pilot project of a unique research method called ‘Application of Intelligent Agriculture’ which aims “to produce green early harvest extra virgin olive oils with the highest possible quality”. All aspects of production are under the care of the Krinos Olive Center and the American Farm School. ‘PJ Kabos’, a privately-owned label producing exclusively award-winning Greek extra virgin olive oil won for the ‘Family Reserve’ extra virgin olive oil which has an acidity of just 0.12 per cent during production, but also collected a silver award. James Panagiotopoulos, PJ Kabos founder and owner, attributed his company’s success to their maintenance of “high standards with no quality compromise, sparing no expense on our part in order to achieve this. From caring for our trees to olive harvesting, oil extraction, storage and transportation of the final product”, they come “as close to perfection as possible”.

As noted by Gaea’s Aris Kefalogiannis, Greece’s top winners are perfect examples of a trend in Greece: “More and more, especially young producers try to be informed and educated and produce olive oil following best practices. This will make the difference in the year to come.”

(neoskosmos.com)

November 10, 2016
Stavros Niarchos Foundation: 20 years of grantmaking activity

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary, fulfilling the original purpose of its establishment: to contribute, with all the means at its disposal, to the improvement of the lives of those less privileged and to support organizations and projects that are expected to achieve a broad, lasting and positive impact for society at large.

The SNF’s philanthropic activity, to date, has spread across 111 countries, with particular emphasis on Greece which—among other grants and programs—is where some of the most important initiatives of the Foundation are being developed, such as the development of the SNFCC, alongside Initiatives Against the Greek Crisis and for Recharging the Youth.

Since the commencement of its activities in 1996, to date, the SNF has made grant commitments of $1.9 billion (€1.56 billion), through 3,646 grants to nonprofit organizations across the world, in four main areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Sports, and Social Welfare.

Specifically, during the last 20 years, the SNF has committed the following, in total:

▪ Arts & Culture: 752 grants (totaling €387 million), with the key strategic objective of broadening public access to the Arts, promoting Greek art and culture worldwide, encouraging creative partnerships between institutions, organizations and artists on a national and global level, as well as strengthening the social role of cultural organizations.

▪ Education: 1,107 grants (totaling €484 million), supporting the implementation of innovative educational programs, the establishment of new, innovative education centers in Greece and abroad, and the creation of significant capacity building opportunities for the benefit of numerous social groups.

▪ Health & Sports: 672 grants (totaling €287 million), which aim to improve the quality of life of society as a whole, while simultaneously helping to widen accessibility to comprehensive health care services for all.

▪ Social Welfare: 1,115 grants (totaling €409 million), mainly focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, the homeless, refugees, the disabled, etc.).

Initiatives: Against the Greek Crisis & Recharging the Youth

In addition to its regular grant-making activities, and in order to contribute towards the efforts to address the multifaceted effects of the crisis on the Greek society, the Foundation, beginning in 2012, launched initiatives totaling €300 million, with the aim of providing immediate relief to those mostly affected by the crisis, as well as creating new opportunities and better employment prospects for the younger generation, which has been severely impacted by one of the highest percentages of youth unemployment in Europe.

As part of the Grants against the Greek Crisis, the SNF has made 494 grants, totaling €164 million, in order to address the effects of the crisis. The purpose of this initiative is twofold: through the supported programs, it aims, on the one hand, to contribute to the immediate relief of those impacted more severely from the crisis and, on the other hand, to create those necessary conditions which will ensure long-term benefits. In this context, a series of grants were designed, based on a strategic and long-term perspective. The majority of grants supported the development, adaptation and expansion of existing social programs and the operation of grantee organizations. Additional grants were made for the purchasing of equipment or vehicles, as well as the construction and renovation of social structures.

As part of the Recharging the Youth Initiative, the SNF has made 57 grants, totaling €38 million, focusing on programs aimed at the development of entrepreneurship, the creation of skills, as well as education, while it continues to develop and assess programs—in collaboration with various local and international partners—which have the potential to provide a boost in youth employment.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

In addition to the SNF’s 3,646 grants and the special initiatives, the Foundation’s philanthropic activity is complemented by the creation of a new landmark for the city of Athens: the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The SNFCC is the Foundation’s largest single gift, with a total budget of €617 million, and it has already recorded some significant successes, even before its official delivery to the Greek State, which will be the project’s legal owner.

▪ The SNFCC’s construction was completed within 4 years, adhering, without any major deviations, to the original project timetable, despite the project’s scope and complexity.

▪ Designed by the Renzo Pianο Building Workshop, the SNFCC is one of the few projects worldwide, which houses two national cultural and educational institutions, namely the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece, complementing them with the Stavros Niarchos Park, with a total surface area of 210,000 m², which connects the city center with the urban waterfront.

▪ According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, during the project’s construction, the SNFCC added €1.1 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (0.2% of GDP per year), contributing €57 million in tax revenues. According to the same study, the construction of the SNFCC created more than 13,000 jobs, in total.

▪ During the project’s implementation, best practices were used in terms of construction, alongside a mix of traditional and innovative materials, which ensured the SNFCC’s innovation and functionality. The SNFCC earned the prestigious Platinum LEED certification, the highest possible rating for environmentally conscious and sustainable buildings.

▪ Beginning in mid-August of 2016, when the project opened its doors to the public through a series of free events, funded exclusively by the SNF, the SNFCC welcomes on a weekly basis more than 35,000 visitors.

Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, stated: “At a first glance, the 20-year course of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation may reflect the innumerable needs of society worldwide. For us, however, it also reflects people’s possibilities and prospects, for which we should all strive more. We feel proud that after 20 years of grant making activity, we have managed to evolve and strengthen our initiatives, while at the same time remain flexible to respond to all kinds of challenges, from the greatest ones, such as the creation of the SNFCC, to supporting a small organization that demonstrates vision and commitment. We hope to continue in the same way in the coming years, helping to make our world a better place, to the best of our abilities.”

(www.snf.org)

November 10, 2016
Alexandria Chamber of Shipping discusses twinning agreement with Greece, Cyprus

The Alexandria Chamber of Shipping discussed a twinning agreement with the Greek and Cypriot chambers of shipping during the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) annual meeting in London.

Chairperson of Alexandria Chamber of Shipping Mohamed Meselhy met with FONASBA president Glen Gordon Findaly on the sidelines of the annual meeting to discuss the challenges in maritime transport and the necessary mechanisms to deal with them.

Meselhy said that they discussed the supporting mechanisms needed to create healthy competition among operators and maritime agents in markets so as to reduce harmful competition and prevent monopolistic practices among them.

He told Daily News Egypt that the Egyptian delegation at the meeting discussed with participants ways to attract foreign investment in the fields of storage and shipping.

Talks with participating delegations focused on the role of navigation in revitalising trade exchange with Egypt and all markets, he added.

Meselhy said that the Alexandria Shipping Chamber seeks to be present in international forums and participate in the development of operational standards and the latest international maritime laws.

The chamber’s participation in international forums allows it to promote investment opportunities in the Egyptian market among top operators and international companies.

FONASBA is one of the largest international organisations that provides a united voice for the world’s chambers of shipping.

Meselhy explained that the twinning agreement discussions between the Alexandria Chamber of Shipping and the Cypriot and Greek chambers will work to exchange experience and training. This partnership will also activate trade exchange between them in preparation for launching alliances among their respective chambers.

(Daily News Egypt)

November 2, 2016
Greek Embassy Reopens in Tripoli, Libya

Diplomatic missions suspended their activities at the Embassy in Tripoli on July 31, 2014, with the evacuation of a total of 186 Greek and foreign citizens. Now, Greece is planning to normalize ties with Libya again say diplomatic sources. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’ visit to Tripoli on November 29 is a precursor to the reopening of the embassy in the war-torn country.

Having deemed the area where the former embassy had been housed as unsafe, Greek authorities are currently looking at other embassy facilities in the city where previous diplomatic operations of other countries had operated. The return of Greek diplomatic representation to Libya merely reaffirms the close partnership that both countries have always enjoyed with numerous bilateral agreements.

In the past, Greece has assisted Libya on both a political and humanitarian level. Since the start of the revolution in 2011, Greek hospitals have treated a number of injured Libyans.

(world.greekreporter.com)

November 2, 2016
Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation to Strengthen Research across Greece

The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide 180 million euros to support the creation and first operations of the new Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (ELIDEK). The creation of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation was formally announced on 15 July 2016 at a signature ceremony in Athens, attended by representatives from across the Greek research community. Contracts confirming the new European Investment Bank (EIB) backing were signed by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs Nikos Filis, Alternate Minister for Research and Innovation Costas Fotakis and European Investment Bank Vice President, Jonathan Taylor.

The new Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation is a public science council that will be established in accordance with best practices from across Europe and around the world. The Foundation will receive 240 million euros by the Greek state and the EIB, in addition to grant funding from the EU National Strategic Reference Framework and the EU Horizon 2020 programme. The Foundation’s aim is to support the national strategy for research and innovation and Greece’s National Growth Strategy by providing funding for fundamental research by universities, higher technology institutes and public science institutions.

Halting the Brain Drain

The financial crisis has had a dire impact on the Greece’s Research & Innovation funding prospects. The lack of funding opportunities resulted to an exodus among the country’s graduate and postgraduate students, and froze research and innovation throughout the country. The setting up of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation aims to reinvigorate research culture in Greece, increase scientific output, and ultimately reverse the trend. The move represents the first dedicated backing for fundamental research in Greece by the EIB, Europe’s long-term lending institution. Once operational, the Foundation will manage the evaluation and financing of research projects, academic positions and investment in scientific equipment in order to strengthen research financing in Greece and to ensure that research jobs can be created for young scientists and doctorial students, who might otherwise leave the country to seek opportunities elsewhere.

During the signature ceremony, Costas Fotakis, Alternate Minister for Research and Innovationhighlighted that “the creation of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation represents a key step, especially given the crisis being experienced by the country. The first objective of this initiative is to take immediate measures to address the current situation. The second objective is to create an efficient and merit-based mechanism for optimal financing of research in the long term. This project’s success will contribute to strengthening the knowledge economy in the country.”

Nikos Filis, Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs underlined that the first phase of ELIDEK’s operation will be financed by the European Investment Bank, which is providing 180 million euros over 3 years and the Greek government’s Public Investment Programme, providing 60 million euros over 3 years, adding that “through the new Foundation we aim to provide the basis for effective development of research, education, and a knowledge economy that contributes to productivity and social reconstruction.”

Euclid Tsakalotos, Minister of Finance, stated that with the Foundation, Greece is laying the groundwork to move on from the vicious circle of recession to the virtuous circle of inclusive development. He added that the European Investment Bank will continue to play an important role by investing in priority sectors for the government, including research and innovation. He concluded that this kind of investment initiatives demonstrate a vote of confidence on the growth prospects of the Greek economy.

“The European Investment Bank is pleased to expand our firm engagement in Greece through 180 million euros backing for the new Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation. This is the first time that the EIB has backed research activity at a national level in Greece. Our significant support reflects the Foundation’s potential to strengthen Greek excellence in science and innovation and ensure a future in Greece for young Greek researchers.” said Jonathan Taylor, European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for lending operations in Greece.

The new bill, PhD and PostDoc grants

A parliamentary bill to establish the agency is currently being discussed – the public consultation phase was concluded in early July 2016. But Alternate Minister Costas Fotakis is also launching calls for some PhD and postdoctoral grants immediately.

The new bill, expected to be voted by the Greek parliament this autumn, proposes that the ELIDEK operate along the lines of the US National Science Foundation and the Germany’s main funding agency DFG – and without direct political influence. The funds will be earmarked exclusively for funding young scientists, infrastructure and equipment, as well as for research programmes carried out by universities, tertiary technical schools (TEI), and research centres around the country. ELIDEK is also expected to provide seed capital for innovation and start-up companies in their nascent stages.

Greece’s Science potential & internationally competitive research centres

Despite the challenges posed to scientific research by the crisis, the country still manages to host several internationally competitive research centres: The Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), established in 1983, is one of the largest research centers in Greece with a reputation as a top-level research foundation worldwide, focusing areas such as: Microelectronics, Lasers, Materials, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Robotics, Telecommunications and Computational Mathematics. The National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSR “Demokritos”), inaugurated in 1981 is the largest multidisciplinary research center in Greece, with critical mass in expertise and infrastructure in the fields of Nanotechnology, Energy & Environment, Biosciences, Particle and Nuclear Science, Informatics and Telecommunications. The Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), founded in 2000 is listed among the TOP-25 E.U. institutions with the highest participation in competitive research grants, with has important scientific and technological achievements in many areas including Energy & Environment, Mechatronics, Information & Communication, Transportation & Sustainable Mobility, Health, Agro-biotechnology and Smart farming. The Corallia cluster established in Greece the systematic management and development of innovation clusters, and has so far fostered the creation of three highly-specialised cluster initiatives in knowledge-intensive thematic sectors, the gi-Cluster (gaming and creative technologies & applications), the mi-Cluster (nano/microelectronics-based systems and applications) and the si-Cluster (space technologies and applications).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released a list (Oct 2015) that ranks countries based on the highest number of scientists it ‘produces’ per capita. Greece was placed among the 10 ‘smartest’ countries in the world in fields such as mathematics, physics, technology and engineering.

(www.greeknewsagenda.gr)

October 5, 2016
Joint Communiqué – Rhodes Security and Stability Conference, Rhodes, 08.09-09.2016

The first Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Rhodes Security and Stability Conference provided the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and High Officials of Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Slovakia -in her capacity as President of the Council of the European Union-, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates with the opportunity to exchange views on a wide range of issues pertaining to security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
At a time of multiple and severe challenges to the security of the Eastern Mediterranean, participants recognized the need for enhanced constructive dialogue, constant cooperation and coordination among the countries of the broader region, including through the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Union for the Mediterranean, on issues such as border security, trafficking, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, water and food security, energy and climate, interconnectivity, infrastructure and disaster management. At the same time, the participants highlighted the importance of formats, such as the Rhodes Security and Stability Conference, in fostering dialogue, thus complementing and buttressing the aforementioned institutionalized forms of cooperation.
The region is faced with challenges that are largely but not exclusively related to the ongoing conflicts in the region, namely in Syria, Libya and Iraq, as well as to the fight against Da’esh in Iraq/Syria and the risk of the spread of terrorism to various parts of the Mediterranean. The common denominator of the positions expressed was that peace, security and stability in the region will only be accomplished through collective cooperation among the countries concerned, as well as through coordinated action in the international and regional organizations, such as the UN, the EU, the Arab League and the GCC in full respect of International Law and the UN Charter and that the Middle East process should resume the soonest possible and lead finally to a just solution. This is why regional cooperation is now more essential than ever.
The field of education was acknowledged as a top priority sector. Participants agreed that enhanced cooperation, especially between universities and research centres should be sought, establishing a network of exchanging views and ideas and promoting contacts between youth and academia.
On Migration, the participants agreed that the current dramatic and unprecedented migration and refugee crisis calls for far-reaching measures. Therefore, cross-border cooperation on migration management coordination between the competent Authorities as well as implementation of joint projects and proposals will alleviate the countries and peoples in need. The participants also stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to deal with the grassroots of the migration issue and supporting the efforts to improve the living conditions in the South Mediterranean countries.
The participants have commended the courageous decisions of Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan to provide shelter to a huge number of refugees from Syria and Iraq and they reiterated their call to the International community to provide these countries with the needed funds enabling them to cope with this disproportionate in comparison to their economic potential challenge.
On Environmental Security, the participants recognised that climate change is one of the greatest challenges and requires to be urgently addressed by all states, as per the principles and provisions of UN framework convention on climate change. The Mediterranean is a large closed area and immediate action should be taken in order to preserve and protect the marine environment. In this regard, they agreed to develop common research projects and actions in the field of green technologies. They also underlined the need to strengthen their cooperation in the field of energy generation and transportation of conventional energy.
As regards Maritime Security, participants stressed the role of the Mediterranean Sea as a strategic maritime route for international navigation and trade Taking into consideration that the economies of the region are heavily reliant on seaborne trade and maritime transport of goods and services, as well as the existential threats such as piracy in the Horn of Africa, terrorism, illegal trafficking that could impede freedom of navigation in the Mediterranean, the participants underlined the need for a holistic approach, aimed at broadening the concept of maritime security and in this regard participants welcomed the positive impact of the adoption in 2014, of the EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS). The participants stressed the important impact of deepening and developing the Suez Canal as a major contribution to facilitate world trade and maritime security.
On the fight against terrorism, participants recognised that the current unprecedented terrorist threat, associated with the use of new technologies, demonstrates the pressing need for a more coordinated and decisive response. The exchange of information in a reliable and timely manner, as well as the development of mechanisms which provide the possibility of an in depth analysis of data, may, inter alia, improve the level of national and regional interaction. Close cooperation between the Intelligence Services and the competent law enforcement agencies is of paramount importance. The freedom of speech should not be misused to hinder fighting against incitement to terrorism.
With regard to countering radicalization, participants acknowledged that although security-oriented measures are necessary to prevent terrorist attacks and exert pressure on terrorist organizations, at the same time they cannot solve the problem at its root. The participants, also acknowledging that in order to combat terrorism, focus should be given not only to security issues but to the encountering of radicalization, extremism and religious bigotry, have decided to establish a committee, which shall consist of representatives of the participant countries, to explore and implement projects, aiming to counter extremism in the Middle East North Africa and Europe, promoting peaceful coexistence tolerance, mutual understanding and cooperation among groups of different religions. This committee, hereinafter to be referred as “The Rhodes Committee”, will encourage cooperation and joint projects promoting the values and principles of cultural and religious pluralism and mutual respect and will pursue as its first tasks the following:
–    Recording all existing initiatives and centres in the countries of our region, promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence and interaction between different religions such as the Centre for Religious Pluralism in the Middle East in Athens, the Jordanian Initiative “Aqaba Process”, the Al – Azhar Center in Cairo, the Hedayah Center of Excellency in Abu Dhabi, the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center etc, and pursuing their networking in order to promote exchange of information and best practices among them.
–    Promoting the creation of a network of media of the region, with a view to providing visibility to positive examples of tolerance and peaceful coexistence between different communities.
–    Studying ways to promote common cultural values and components of our civilization in order to give prominence to the values bringing together the peoples of the region, regardless of religious or ethnic origin. A body could be created to coordinate cultural exchanges among our countries.
–    Undertaking joint initiatives targeting primarily groups of young people who are vulnerable to the preaching of hatred and extremism.
Finally, the participants, acknowledging the added value of a follow-up mechanism to the Rhodes Security and Stability Conference, agreed that the next meeting will convene in Rhodes, in September 2017.

(www.mfa.gr)

October 4, 2016
Gas Finds in Egypt, Israel and Cyprus Redraw the Mediterranean Energy Map

In recent years, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus have all discovered huge natural gas fields off their coasts, raising export potential and perhaps the prospects for better political ties in the region through new energy partnerships. At least this is the scenario that the United States is hoping for. Last month, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s envoy on energy affairs, Amos Hochstein, told Bloomberg that “we’re just beginning to open the spigots of what is the potential for the broader region.”
That is already evident in the improved ties between Israel and Turkey after their June rapprochement, motivated by gas diplomacy. And there is even the possibility of detente between Ankara and Cyprus, since any potential new gas pipeline from Israel to Turkey would need to travel through the island, the north of which has been occupied by Turkey since 1974. Washington, according to Bloomberg, is bullish on the eastern Mediterranean for another reason. “Even as the region struggles with regulatory uncertainty and an abundance of geopolitical risks, the U.S. is seeking to turn it into another corridor for gas supplies to Europe, which is trying to diversify its sources away from Russia.” …

(www.worldpoliticsreview.com)

October 4, 2016
Seven Network Finally Apologizes for Saying FYROM is Home of Alexander the Great and King Philip II

After much protest and demands for a retract, Seven Network has finally offered an apology for their presenters referring to FYROM as the home of Alexander the Great and King Philip II during the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony.

Following an outpour of major Greek organizations condemning the blunder over the past several weeks, Kerry Stokes AC, Seven Network Chairman, finally responded to the issue in a letter addressed to the Greek Embassy in Australia.

“Greece can proudly claim Alexander the Great as one of their own. We apologize. It was not our network’s intention to disappoint our viewers. I do hope you will accept our sincere apologies for the miscommunication,” Stokes said.

However, the blunder of the network stating that King Phillip II of Macedonia is FYROM’s first Olympian champion touched the Greek community of Australia profoundly. Both the Greek Community of Melbourne and the Pan-Macedonian Association sent letters to the network nearly one month ago.

“To simply say in a throw-away line that FYROM’s first gold medal at the games was won by King Philip of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s Father) is wrong on so many levels and offensive to every Hellene and philhellene who knows their history and understands the importance of identity and cultural lineage,” read the letter sent to Kerry Stokes by GCM President, Bill Papastergiadis.

The apology from the network did not offer an explanation as to how the incorrect information came to be a part of the announcer’s script, nor did it offer an explanation as to why the NBC Universal network in the USA made the same blunder.

Thus far, NBC has not reacted to the outcry of Greek communities, including Members of Congress Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney who wrote a letter to Stephen Burke, the CEO of NBC Universal network back on August 18.

(au.greekreporter.com)

September 8, 2016
Greek volunteers awarded top UN humanitarian honour for efforts with migrants and refugees

A Greek human rights activist and a Greek volunteer rescue team – Efi Latsoudi and the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) – have been jointly awarded this year’s Nansen Refugee Award for their efforts to aid refugees arriving in Greece during 2015.

“Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict and persecution last year made the desperate bid to reach Europe in search of safety, many risking their lives in unseaworthy boats and dinghies, in a journey which all too often proved insurmountable,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said in a news release on the win.

“Both the Hellenic Rescue Team and Efi Latsoudi refused to stand by as they witnessed the dramatic humanitarian situation unfolding on their shores, and are fully deserving of the Nansen Refugee Award,” Mr. Grandi added. “Their efforts characterize the massive public response to the refugee and migrant emergency in Greece and across Europe, in which thousands of people stood in solidarity with those forced to flee, and the humanity and generosity of communities around the world who open their hearts and homes to refugees.”

According to a news release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since 2007, Greece has been challenged by the arrival of a large number of refugees and migrants, but in 2015 sea arrivals escalated to an emergency. On the island of Lesvos alone, numbers topped 500,000 last year. In October 2015, arrivals peaked at more than 10,000 per day, as conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq continued to uproot people from their homes.

“For many refugees, the heroic humanitarian efforts of Greek volunteers in 2015 went well beyond pulling survivors from the seas, they helped them to take the first steps towards a normal life,” UNHCR noted in a news release.

“During 2015 the HRT conducted round-the-clock operations to save refugees and migrants in distress at sea and Latsoudi showed compassion and care for the most vulnerable refugees arriving on the island of Lesvos through her work at PIKPA village,” the UN agency added.

The Nansen Refugee Award recognises outstanding service to the cause of refugees and displaced people, and was first handed out in 1954 – Eleanor Roosevelt was its first recipient and other awardees since then include former refugee Hawa Aden Mohamed of Somalia and Sister Angélique Namaika of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is named after Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who served as the first High Commissioner for Refugees at the League of Nations, the predecessor of the United Nations.

(www.un.org)

September 8, 2016