Christmas Bazaar at the Scandinavian church

Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar_embassynews

Christmas Bazaar at the Scandinavian church

16/11/2015 ENstaff christmas bazaar, church, Norway, Scandinavia

The traditional Christmas Bazaar in Plaka organised by the Scandinavian Church takes place from 20 to 22 November. A part of the financial result from the bazaar will be donated to local organisations in Athens in collaboration with “Apostoli”.

On 24 September 2015, migrants and refugees from countries including Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as regions of the Balkans and Africa arrive by special train in Berlin.

In September 2015, around 600 refugees and migrants arrive daily to be registered and receive legal documentation to remain in Germany. The exodus of people from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe is the largest movement of people since World War II. In industrialized countries such as Greece and Germany, UNICEF stands ready to provide assistance requested by governments and has already undertaken a number of assessments to support local authorities facing unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrants. As these assessments are concluded, UNICEF is ready to provide further assistance as required, in line with its expertise.

society

Major spike in number of refugee and migrant children on the move in Europe

16/11/201516/11/2015 ENstaff children, Europe, migrants, Red Cross, refugees, UNHCR, UNICEF

With record numbers of child refugees and migrants – 700 a day seeking asylum in Europe – UNICEF has identified five groups of vulnerable children and is mobilizing tailored actions to meet their needs…

econ/biz

Fitch affirms Greece at ‘CCC’

16/11/201516/11/2015 ENstaff banks, budget, economy, Fitch, government, Greece, prior actions, ratings

According to a Fitch announcement, Greece’s financial assistance programme with the European Stability Mechanism of up to EUR86bn has reduced the risk of Greece defaulting on its private sector debt obligations and supports the rating at ‘CCC’.

european union foreign affairs

EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers to discuss ‘strong and united European response’

16/11/2015 ENstaff #ParisAttacks, Brussels, EU, Europe, European Council, European Union, Paris

Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union has convened, in coordination with France, an extraordinary meeting of the ‘Justice and Home Affairs’ Ministers on Friday 20 November in Brussels in order to provide a strong and united European response.

in brief

Minister of State met with Swedish Ambassador

15/11/201515/11/2015 ENstaff Embassy of Sweden, Minister of State, Nikos Pappas, Sweden

Ambassador of Sweden in Athens, Her Excellency Charlotte Wrangberg recently met with Minister of State, Nikos Pappas.

Tsipras Hollande_Tsipras Twitter_embassynews

european union foreign affairs

PM Tsipas: ‘we shall defeat terrorism and barbarism’

14/11/2015 ENstaff #NousSommesUnis, #ParisAttacks, #solidarité, democracy, Europe, freedom, Greece, multiculturalism, Paris, terrorism, terrorist attack, Tsipras

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in a statement concerning last night’s terrorist attack in Paris said: Last night’s bloody terrorist attack in Paris was a blind but targeted strike. It was a blow against Europe, home of Democracy and freedom, a blow against multiculturalism…

European Commission flags_solidarity_embassynews

european union foreign affairs

Joint statement of EU leaders on terrorist attacks in Paris

14/11/201514/11/2015 ENstaff #NousSommesUnis, #ParisAttacks, #solidarité, EU, European Union, France, Paris, terrorism, terrorist attack

EU leaders: The European Union is deeply shocked and in mourning after the terrorist attacks in Paris. It is an attack against us all. We will face this threat together with all necessary means and ruthless determination.

society

Migration: A Global Issue in need of a global solution – C. Lagarde

14/11/2015 ENstaff Aegean, borders, IMF, Lagarde, Mediterranean, migrants, refugee crisis, refugees

C. Lagarde: “The surge of refugees in the last few years has reached levels not seen in decades. And these numbers could increase further in the near future. The immediate priority must be to help the refugees—who bear the heaviest burden, and too often tragically—with better access to shelter, health care and quality education.”

european union society

Frontex calls for additional officers at EU borders

14/11/201514/11/2015 ENstaff Aegean, Albania, EU, European Union, FRONTEX, FYROM, Greece, migrants, refugee, refugees

Frontex has called on the authorities of EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries to contribute an additional 269 officers to help screen, fingerprint and register migrants at the European Union’s external borders.

european union foreign affairs

Terror returns in Paris

14/11/2015 ENstaff #ParisAttacks, Europe, European Union, France, Francois Hollande, Islamic State, Paris, terrorism, victims

According to media reports, 127 people were killed and another 200 were injured after a night of coordinated gun and bomb attacks in Paris. President Hollande held an emergency security meeting with ministers and military chiefs, pointed to Islamic State.

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.