Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
Lab-K at work
September 2005 [Lab-K ]journal
production in Egypt’s West Obayed desert area, totaling 1,840 square kilometers, the company said in a
statement. HELPE had submitted bids for two of the 13 areas in the round of concessions opened for bid-
ding by the Egyptian Petroleum Corporation last year. The company’s contractual obligations for the
first three years of the exploration period include the conducting of seismic tests and three drills.
The first is expected in June 2007.
Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and the chairmen of HELPE, Timos Christodoulou, and of Public
Gas Corporation, Asimakis Papageorgiou, have also been discussing energy issues with officials in Saudi
Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain while accompanying President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on his visit
to these countries.
Thursday 4 th
Adventure Sports Suit in Greece
South East Europe: A Great Leap Forward Greece is seeking a place among nations hosting adventure and extreme sports competitions. The mountain
bike race Thasos Cup on the island of Thasos with, in which athletes rode 53 exhausting kilometers to
“Impressive progress was made within the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) framework
the peak of 1,204-meter-high Mount Ypsari. On May 6 and 7, the World Mountain Bike Marathon Cup is
while the ongoing summit constitutes a qualitative and quantitative leap,” Foreign Minister Dora
to be held in the foothills of Mt Vermio, in northern Greece under the auspices of the International
Bakoyannis told a press conference after member-states’ foreign ministers met in Thessaloniki on
Wednesday. Cycling Federation.
Greece’s Chairmanship-in-Office of the SEECP was characterized as very positive, and in passing The number of competitors in the third Olympus Marathon, to begin on June 25, is expected to be double
the chairmanship to Croatia, Bakoyannis said that during its six-month presidency Greece moved along that of last year. It is one of the most difficult races of its kind, over 43km, of which 36 are on nar-
two axes: the strengthening of regional cooperation as well as the European prospect of the SEECP row, rugged paths at heights of 2,780 meters. Mountain marathons on the island of Alonnissos and in
countries. A decision on the signing of a free trade agreement concerning the SEECP non-EU members Nemea ancient site are to follow.
was reached to replace a complex network of 31 bilateral free trade agreements. The foreign minis-
ters also concluded that implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda for the Western Balkans, should
become more productive. Eurovision 2006
Bakoyannis stressed that the institutional upgrading of the SEECP is necessary and underlined that Over 2000 journalists will cover the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens (18-20 May). The
the European Union should offer this opportunity to the SEECP, given the imminent changes in the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) reports that a record number of media applications
Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe. The establishment of a SEECP Secretariat is placed within have been approved this year.
this framework. According to the Declaration signed by the foreign ministers, a formal liaison is to Greece’s representative Anna Vissi is currently touring Europe to promote her song “Every-
be established between the SEECP and the EU. thing”. She continues to score well in fan polls and many bookmakers seem to offer ever-
On the Kosovo issue, Bakoyannis stressed that the desirable solution should be one that will promote shorter odds on Greece winning for a second consecutive year.
regional stability and security and that efforts will continue so that the SEECP views will be taken
into consideration by the international community when decision time arrives. The SEECP heads of
state and governments summit is due to convene today.
Friday 5 th
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Regarding Kosovo, Karamanlis stressed that “the negotiations process for the future status of Kosovo
must contribute to the stability and security in South East Europe”. Happening In Greece
On the sidelines of the summit, Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan reviewed Two internationally distinguished leaders in management, Dr. Tom Peters and Professor Richard
Greek-Turkish relations yesterday, and expressed the desire for further improvement of relations. The po- Boyatzis, will speak at the Greek Leadership Congress, organized by the Association of Chief
litical leaderships of the two countries have been encouraging entrepreneurship and the strengthening of Executive Officers on Tuesday, May 9 2006. The Greek Leadership Congress has been established
trade and business relations, in the framework of economic diplomacy. as the most important event on management in Greece. It is addressed to businessmen and com-
With respect to Turkey’s EU prospect, which Greece backs, Karamanlis said that EU membership was depen- pany executives.
dent on the specific commitments set out by the EU. Ankara needs to proceed in fulfilling the commitments
it has undertaken towards the EU, such as matters concerning religious freedoms.
Transport ministers from SEECP member-states signed a rail agreement in Thessaloniki yesterday, laying
Marine Tourism Plan
out a framework that will allow the creation of an upgraded regional network. The agreement foresees the
development of a total of 16 rail axes in the Balkans. The most recent regional rail agreements in the Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia on Sunday announced a new programme to boost marine tourism.
region inaugurated a Thessaloniki-Istanbul and Thessaloniki-Sofia route. Under the plan, a map will be drawn up linking areas of historical and cultural value that will
be provided with yachting access, the minister told a meeting of the National Tourism Council held
Rise in Agricultural Exports on the island of Poros. She noted that priority would be given to 16 sites classified by UNESCO as
According to provisional data from the National Statistics Service, exports of agricultural products in world heritage, including Mycenae and the old city of Rhodes.
January-February 2006 totaled 562.2 million euros, up 23% from the same period of 2005. Citing the In addition, a specialized publicity campaign for marine tourism would be slotted into the minis-
Hellenic Foreign Trade Board, the Agriculture and Foods Ministry reports that the product bringing the try’s overall drive to promote Greece abroad, the minister added. According to ministry data,
highest revenue out of 150 products was olive oil, up 107.1%, followed by cotton, which rose by 74.6% Greece holds a 5% share of the cruise market in Europe, which the government hopes to increase.
against the first two months of 2005.
Greece - Egypt: Gas and Oil
Tourism Panorama 2006 Trade Fair Greece and Egypt on Sunday sealed a cooperation agreement in the natural gas and oil sectors that
places emphasis on research and exploration. “This is a historic agreement. The two countries,
“Tourism Panorama 2006”, an exhibit which highlights regions and presents special kinds of tourism,
which are laying the foundations for a new era and opening new avenues in their energy ties, have
opened its gates in Anthoussa, Athens on Thursday. Launching the exhibition, Tourism Minister Fani Palli-
high expectations of it,” visiting Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said in Cairo.
Petralia noted that the promotion of tourism investment, coupled with a dynamic publicity campaign, has
ensured that growth in internal tourism will be increasingly strong. This year, the fair will focus on Under the terms of the two-year pact, a joint committee will be set up to assess the viability of
the healing-wellness tourism sector, in cooperation with the Association of Greek Municipalities and Com- selling and transporting Egyptian natural gas to Greece by means of a pipeline, and from there,
munities with Hot Water Springs and with related businesses. to other European countries. Greece is being transformed into a natural gas transportation chan-
nel from output countries in the wider region to major European consumption centres.
Info: Travelling Around Greece
European Social Forum’s Anti-war Pledge
European Social Forum in Athens
The 4 European Social Forum that took place in Athens renewed its pledge on Sunday to mobilize
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The sessions of the 4th European Social Forum got under way in Athens on Thursday and will conclude on for a complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and avert a new war in Iran. At the
Sunday with the movement’s assembly. According to the organizers, approximately 10,000 people from Euro- end of its four-day meeting, the alter-globalization Forum repeated its opposition to the occupa-
pean countries have come to take part in the events. The forum is an annual conference held by members tion of the Palestinian territories and its backing for nuclear disarmament, also calling for
of the movement against “neoliberal globalization” that allows social organizations, NGOs, and peace the elimination of military bases in Europe. The Forum announced a week of action from 23 to 30
groups to come together and discuss global issues. September 2006 and appealed for a international day of action on October 7, 2006 in Europe and
Info: Daily program of activities Africa.
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7th International Venture Capital Forum economic growth will reach 3.5% this year. Minister of Economy and Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis high-
lighted the progress achieved in the economy during the previous years, noting that the moderate fiscal
The “7th International Venture Capital Forum” is a two-day event that will be held in Athens,
policy will continue, as weight will be given to restricting expenses by the public sector. He stressed
on June 28 and 29 for entrepreneurs, researchers and technology-based firms in Southeast Europe,
that there will be continuing efforts for preventing tax evasion, adding that the government’s goal
particularly from Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM, Greece, Israel, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey.
was to bring its fiscal deficit to 2.6% this year. The minister also announced a government program for
The event also provides a forum for institutional and other investment professionals to meet with
the unemployed in areas affected by high unemployment rates.
policy makers, entrepreneurs and academics for an open exchange of views and ideas. This forum is
now the largest international private equity forum in Southeast Europe. Ministry of Economy and Finance: Fact Sheet on the Prospects of the Greek Economy
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“Thrace 2006” Exhibition in Komotini Council of Europe Awards Olive Initiative
The 15 “Thrace 2006” Exhibition will open in Komotini, northeast Greece, on May 25-28 with the
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The “Routes of the Olive Tree” cultural itinerary will be awarded the “Major Cultural Route
participation of over 100 exhibitors. It is organized by the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair of the Council of Europe” title on May 13, 2006, by Council of Europe General Secretary Maud
with the support of the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region International Exhibition Center. The goals de Boer-Buquicchio. On the occasion of the award ceremony, an International Forum on the Euro-
are to attract dynamic enterprises and foreign exhibitors (mainly from Bulgaria and Turkey). pean Cultural Routes will be held at the European Cultural Centre at Delphi. The events are under
the auspices of the Culture Ministry within the framework of the “Olive Year 2006.” An inter-
nationally recognized initiative carried out in cooperation with other Mediterranean and European
Happening In Greece countries, the “Routes of the Olive Tree” was declared in 2003 2nd World Cultural Itinerary by
UNESCO.
The Ecocinema 2006 film festival opens in Athens today and continues until May 17; screenings
take place at Apollon filmcenter. The films cover a wide range of vital issues facing the world Alecos Fassianos Exhibit in Beijing
today - man and the environment, globalization, societies in crisis, and war – and the creative
One of Greece’s most acclaimed contemporary painters, Alecos Fassianos, is exhibiting his work in
ways that people have found to deal with them.
Beijing. The display, entitled “Vivid Myths,” features 50 works in mixed media - paper, card-
http://www.ecocinema.gr/ecocinema1en.htm boards, oil and bronze - along with a 2004 commemorative edition of stamps, as well as paint-
ings and installations the artist designed on the occasion of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The
exhibit opens at the prestigious Jin Tai Art Museum on May 11, and runs through May 21, 2006.
Friday 12 th
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Greece to Chair OECD Meeting
Greece In South East Europe
This year’s Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council
Meeting will be held at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris on May 23 and 24 under the The South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit meeting has taken place in Thes-
chairmanship of Greece, with the main theme of “Delivering Prosperity”. The Meeting will bring to- saloniki on May 3 and 4 under Greece’s Chairmanship-in-Office. SEECP constitutes the only
gether ministers of economy, finance and trade to discuss ways to increase growth and employment and indigenous cooperation forum that stems from the countries of South East Europe.
achieve a successful conclusion to the Doha trade talks. Selected emerging and developing economies Now available online:
have been invited to send representatives to some sessions of the meeting. SEECP Thessaloniki Declaration (May, 4 2006)
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Journalists are invited to media briefing in advance of the annual Ministerial Council Meeting, given Action Plan on the Institutional enhancement of the SEECP
by
Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston today at
OECD headquarters. Tuesday 16 th
Greece@OECD: www.oecd.org/greece
Premier meets with Pakistani Counterpart
OECD Ministerial Council Meeting: www.oecd.org/mcm2006/
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met on Monday with visiting Pakistani premier Shaukat Aziz, while
New Momentum for Cyprus Issue the tourism ministers of the two countries signed a cooperation agreement.
Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was quoted on Sunday in an interview with the “Ethnos” news- Karamanlis called Aziz a “good friend of Greece”, noting that the Pakistani prime minister had
paper as stressing that “history does not forgive missed opportunities”, although she noted that lived in Greece for many years. He told reporters after the meeting that bilateral relations
there was “new momentum on the Cyprus problem” following Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos’ were on an “upward course,” adding that his talks with Aziz covered a wide range of topics, in-
meeting in Paris with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in late February. Bakoyannis said progress was cluding regional issues, as well as the challenges faced by the international community, such as
already being made in the direction of setting up “technical committees” that will discuss certain terrorism. Both leaders expressed their interest in further developing bilateral relations in the
issues of common interest. sectors of commerce and investments.
Karamanlis also noted that the Greece-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Committee, which coordinates such
Athens Music Forum 2006 efforts, would meet soon, and added that there was also cooperation in the sector of culture, cit-
A conference dedicated to the music industry in Greece is taking place for the 2nd year in Athens. ing more specifically the program for the Kalash ethnic group, whose roots trace back to Alexander
The “Athens Music Forum” is a meeting place for representatives from all professional areas di- the Great. Also discussed were developments in the European Union, Turkey’s EU prospects, Balkan
rectly or indirectly involved with in the music industry, where they obtain information and dis- issues,
cuss topics that affect the particular sector. The conference is taking place at the Dais Center in Cyprus, the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maroussi, northern Athens, from May 15 to 16, 2006.
“Battle of Crete” Commemorated
Art Project to Support New Toys Museum Events commemorating the 65 anniversary of the Battle of Crete began in Sfakia, on the island of
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Fifty Greek artists willingly responded to an invitation issued by the “Lacoste Project 12.12“ Crete, and will culminate on Sunday, May 21 with the reenactment of the battle at the historic
exhibition curator Iris Kritikou and created fifty unique works of art, inspired by the renowned Maleme airfield.
Lacoste polo shirt with the little green crocodile. During the exhibition, all of the revenues Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Prime Minister of New
will be donated for the creation and support of the new Benaki Museum Annexe, the Museum of Child- Zealand Helen Clark, and British MP for Islwyn and former UK defense secretary Don Touhig sent
hood, Toys and Games. messages to mark the anniversary and referred to the role and significance of the Cretan and allied
resistance.
Santorini Vineyards Trace Back to 1700 BC The Battle of Crete began on May 20, 1941 when Nazi forces launched an unprecedented airborne in-
For centuries, the Aegean island of Santorini has been producing renowned wines. Christos Doumas, vasion of Crete, code-named “Merkur.” The operation was successful in that it wrested control of
Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Athens and head of the excavations at the the island from Allied forces, although the victory was so costly due to the stiff resistance by
Akrotiri archaeological site, says that the Cycladic island’s famous vineyards go back at least ANZAC troops and local Cretans that the Wehrmacht never again attempted a major airborne opera-
to 1700 BC. tion.
“The excavation at Akrotiri on Thera (modern-day Santorini) has given us more information about vi-
ticulture in the Cyclades in the Bronze Age. Thanks to modern methods and techniques now used in ar-
A Distinct Shipping Chair
chaeology, and drawing information even from the humblest finds, we have concluded that Akrotiri had Spyros Polemis has been elected Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping / International
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May 2006 May 2006
on Global Security yesterday, stressed the role of Greece as a pillar country for security, stability and the Academy of Athens, and invited experts from other Nano2Life partners.
cooperation in South East Europe. Referring in particular to Kosovo, the minister outlined the position
of the government that “procedures to settle the problem and relevant consultations must go ahead with War and Identities Conference
care and wisdom.” Meimarakis and his German counterpart Franz Joseph Jung expressed their satisfaction The Hellenic Studies Program at Yale University and the Hellenic Observatory of the London School
over the level of of Economics and Political Science are holding a conference entitled War and Identities (Macedo-
Greek-German cooperation in all sectors, following talks in the framework of the scheduling of a more nia, Occupation & Civil War, and Cyprus) on May 26 and 27 at the Gennadius Library, Athens.
general cooperation policy and coordination policy between the two countries. Apart from developments in
the Balkans and the issue of Iran, the talks included the prospects of NATO and the strengthening of the
defence aspect of the EU. Monday 22 nd
Statements made by the two politicians made it clear that the issue of Eurofighter warplanes constituted
an object of consultations but its examination still remains at the level of relevant experts. Premier to Chair OECD Annual Meeting
Five Firms Win Best Workplaces Awards The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) annual Ministerial Council
Five companies based in Greece - Colgate Palmolive Hellas, Piscines Ideales, Genesis Pharma, Wyeth Meeting will be held at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris on 23-24 May 2006 under the chair-
manship of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, with discussions focusing on the theme of “Deliver-
Hellas, Procter & Gamble Hellas - have been included in a list of 100 European companies with the best
ing Prosperity.” Ministers from OECD countries will discuss various topics including the short-
working environment. The five companies received their awards during a special event held in Berlin on
term economic outlook, how to ensure economic stability and improve economic performance, ways to
Wednesday, organized by the Great Place to Work Institute.
increase growth and employment and achieve a successful conclusion to the Doha trade talks; and
the future strategic direction of the OECD.
Eurovision 2006 Greece@OECD: www.oecd.org/greece
First-time contestants Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, FYROM, Ireland, Lithuania, OECD Ministerial Council Meeting: www.oecd.org/mcm2006/
Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine are the 10 countries that qualified in the early hours of
Friday for the 51st Eurovision Song Contest Final on Saturday night, following viewer voting
Hellenic Aid Hosts “Walk the World 2006”
late Thursday among the 23 contestants at the spectacular semi-final held in the Olympic Indoor The Foreign Ministry’s “Hellenic Aid” Service, in collaboration with the UN’s World Food Pro-
Sports Center. gram
(WFP), hosted the world walk against hunger amongst children - Walk the World 2006. “Walk the
The ten best semi-finalists elected on Thursday will now compete in Saturday’s final with the 14
top songs of last year’s Eurovision song contest: Switzerland, Moldova, Israel, Latvia, Norway, World” is an initiative of the WFP, and is being held within the framework of the Millennium
Malta, Denmark, Romania, Croatia, the four major countries which traditionally participate in Goals, in the form of a symbolic walk, held every year at the same time all over the world. It is
the competition - Spain, Germany, France and the United Kingdom - and 2006 host country Greece, part of the campaign to fight hunger and raise funds for the eradication of hunger among 300 mil-
which won the Eurovision song contest in 2005. lion children, mostly in the developing world.
The event is hosted by Greece’s Eurovision 2004 third-place winner, pop star Sakis Rouvas and
Greek-American reporter and actress Maria Menounos, who will also host the final on Saturday.
Pakistan Premier States His Views
Last week, Prime Minster of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz visited Greece - the first official visit to
Greece by a premier of Pakistan in 59 years, since it became an independent state. In an interview
Writers’ Workshop on Andros with eKathimerini daily (English edition), Aziz emphasized that the purpose of his visit was to
The “Summer 2006 Creative Writing Workshops” cycle of the Aegean Arts Circle is taking place on engage with Greece as an EU country, increase trade and investment, seek an exchange of views on
the island of Andros in the months of June and July, 2006. Award-winning writers Nicholas Papan- major international events like Iran and Afghanistan, to explore avenues of cultural cooperation,
dreou, Beatriz Badikian, June Gould will lead the writing workshops, which will include various ex- of assistance from Greece on agriculture, particularly in agribusiness, and to seek investment in
ercises, daily feedback and discussion on different writing techniques. Registrations end on May 22. areas such as shipping and petrol.
eKathimerini: “Seeking closer cooperation with Greece, more trade and investment in agriculture
Ekathimerini daily: “Workshop deadline due”
and shipping”
Nanobiotechnology Summer School
Cyprus General Election Results
The Nano2life summer school 2006 is being held in Athens June 26 - July 7, by the National Center
for AKEL (Progressive Party of Working People) won Sunday’s general elections in Cyprus with a mar-
Scientific Research “Demokritos”, in collaboration with the Foundation of Biomedical Research of ginal lead over DISY (Democratic Rally), just as was the case in 2001, gathering 31.13%, as
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