Foreign Minister Kotzias addresses parliament during 2016 Budget debate

Foreign Minister Kotzias addresses parliament during 2016 Budget debate

06/12/2015 ENstaff Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, Greece, Kotzias

Foreign Minister Kotzias: “The country’s foreign policy is principled. It is founded on values. It serves the good of the country and the people. In contributes to providing relief to society. It produces stability, seriousness, optimism. It defends the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Its criteria are the national interest, patriotism, the course of the EU and international developments, international law, internationalism.”

culture events

Dafna Tal’s photo exhibition at the Byzantine and Christian Museum

06/12/201506/12/2015 ENstaff Byzantine and Christian Museum, Dafna Tal, Embassy of Israel, Israel

The Israeli photographer presents 40 photographs, that depict the cultural treasures of the Orthodox Church in the Holy Land. The exhibition will open its doors on December 8th.

events

The Canadian Consulate holds information event

06/12/201506/12/2015 ENstaff Canada, Consulate of Canada, embassy of Canada, Hellenic Canadian Friendship Association

Consul, Mr. Stephen El Azab, and the Consular staff of the Embassy of Canada in the Hellenic Republic will hold an open information session for the Canadian citizens who reside in Thessaloniki and the rest of Northern Greece.

society

Thousands still at Greek-FYROM border

05/12/2015 ENstaff borders, FYROM, Greece, Idomeni, migrants, refugee crisis

Thousands of refugees and migrants were stuck at the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Friday following tense protests which prevented anyone from crossing for more than 24 hours.

in brief people

German Ambassador met with Education Minister

05/12/201505/12/2015 ENstaff Embassy of Germany, Germay, Greek migrants, Minister of Education, Nikos Filis, Peter Schoof

German Ambassador to Greece, His Excellency Peter Schoof met with Minister of Education, Nikos Filis to discuss issues related to both countries’ cultural and educational ties.

econ/biz european union

Commission approves aid for National Bank of Greece on the basis of an amended restructuring plan

05/12/2015 ENstaff aid, banking system, banks, crisis, economy, EU, European Commission, European Union, National Bank, restructuring

In the context of the third economic adjustment programme for Greece, the European Commission has approved additional state aid of €2.71 billion to National Bank of Greece under EU state aid rules, on the basis of an amended restructuring plan.

foreign affairs

Kotzias – Kerry confirm USA-Greece ‘unbreakable’ relationship

05/12/2015 ENstaff diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, Greece, Kerry, Kotzias, refugee crisis, USA

“Greece is an important player in the region. It is at the center of a triangle of instability, with Libya and Syria at the base and Ukraine at the top. And it is a stable country that also radiates stability in the region.”

society

Sustainable transport on top of the Paris COP21 agenda

04/12/2015 ENstaff carbon dioxide emissions, climate change, parisCOP21, sustainable transport

Negotiators and delegates acknowledged that transportation has the highest growth in carbon dioxide emissions of any industrial sector during the fourth day of the historic Paris summit.

european union foreign affairs

EU Council adopts conclusions on statelessness

04/12/201504/12/2015 ENstaff asylum, EU, EU Council, European Union, immigration, statelessness

Jean Asselborn, Minister of Immigration and Asylum of Luxembourg and President of the Council said: “We have undertaken today to act together on behalf of stateless persons: those who do not have rights, who cannot participate in any political system and who do not have access to any social benefits…”

european union foreign affairs

Greece activates EU Civil protection mechanism, agrees Frontex cooperation

04/12/201504/12/2015 ENstaff Emergency Response Coordination Centre, EU, EU Civil Protection Mechanism, European Commission, European Union, Greece, Rapid Border Intervention Team

Greece has yesterday activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to benefit from material support to help cope with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Greece has requested items such as tents, generators, beds, sanitary equipment and emergency first aid kits.

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.