UNHCR Survey finds Afghan and Syrian refugees arriving to Greece are fleeing conflict and violence

UNHCR Survey finds Afghan and Syrian refugees arriving to Greece are fleeing conflict and violence

23/02/201623/02/2016 ENstaff Aegean, Afghanistan, borders, Greece, migrants, refugee crisis, refugees, Syria, UNHCR

A UNHCR survey found that some 94% of Syrians arriving in Greece in January made the perilous journey by sea to escape conflict and violence in Syria. Similarly, 71% of the Afghans surveyed cited conflict and violence as the main reason they left their country.

foreign affairs

FM Nikos Kotzias expresses concern on the meeting in Vienna

23/02/201623/02/2016 ENstaff Austria, Embassy of Austria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, refugeecrisis

Minister Kotzias expressed his concern regarding the decision of the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs of Austria and the Western Balkan countries to hold a meeting on the refugee crisis.

econ/biz

Tourism revenues hit record high in 2015

23/02/201623/02/2016 ENstaff Bank of Greece, Greek tourism, tourism revenues

Tourism revenues increased by 6% in 2015 and reached 14,195 million euros, according to data released by the Bank of Greece.

in brief

Mexican author Luis Gomezbeck writes in Greek

23/02/201623/02/2016 ENstaff Cultural Mexicana, Embassy of Mexico, La Melena del Huachinango, Luis Gomezbeck

Mexican author Luis Gomezbeck on Tuesday at 19:30 will present a series of his books (wirtten in Greek), dedicated to the Mexican Culture.

european union society

Europol launched a European Migrant Smuggling Centre

23/02/201622/02/2016 ENstaff EUROPOL, migrant smuggling, migrants, refugees

The goal of the Centre is to proactively support EU Member States in dismantling criminal networks involved in organised migrant smuggling.

foreign affairs

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to visit Greece

22/02/201623/02/2016 ENstaff Athens, Grandi, Greece, Lesvos, refugee crisis, UNHCR

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi will conduct his first official visit to Greece on 23 and 24 February 2016; he will visit Athens and Lesvos and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other members of his Cabinet.

culture events

Piano recital by Panos Karan in commemoration of 5th anniversary of East Japan Great Earthquake

22/02/2016 ENstaff earthquake, Embassy of Japan, Japan, Keys of Change, music, Nishibayashi, Panos Karan, pianist

Embassy of Japan in Greece in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the East Japan Great Earthquake organised a piano recital by Panos Karan, a Greek concert pianist living in London, who frequently performs in venues around the world.

culture events

“Manos Hadjidakis inspires”

22/02/2016 ENstaff Hadjidakis, HAEC, Hellenic American Union

A concert with works by six contemporary, Greek composers that were inspired by Manos Hadjidakis, will take place at the Hellenic American Union.

society

FRONTEX: Number of migrants arriving in Greece down by 40%

22/02/201622/02/2016 ENstaff FRONTEX, migrants, refugeecrisis, refugees

According to figures published by FRONTEX, the number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped in January 2016 mainly due to poor weather conditions.

culture events

“Memories in Black and White” – An exhibition of Franco Murer’s drawings

22/02/201622/02/2016 ENstaff Franco Murer, Instituto Italiano di Cultura, Italy

It is currently hosted at the Italian Institute of Culture in Athens, in partnership with the Honorary Consular Agency of Italy in Kalamata.

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.