15 Turkish Officers and Soldiers Injured During Landing Exercise

Anastasia Chaini
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15 Turkish Officers and Soldiers Injured During Landing Exercise

According to an article published in e-typos. com, fifteen Turkish officers and soldiers were wounded by an accidental shot during a landing exercise on one of the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Instead of shooting to hit the target, the projectile hit the podium where the Turkish officers were observing the exercise. Due to the nature of the accident , the nature of accident is suspicious.

The timing of the exercise raises concern, as it coincided with the Turkish threats against Cyprus in view of the drilling in localized deposits of natural gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the innuendo from the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to take military action if the Cypriot Government does not proceed to it.

According to reliable sources, both Athens and Nicosia are very concerned about the threats of their neighbor, and do not exclude the possibility that they view the economic downturn in Greece and Cyprus as a national weakness, and therefore take all measures at diplomatic and operational level, because,as they say, there will be any decline in face of Turkish provocations.

Vice President of New Democracy Dimitris Avramopoulos, commenting on a statement about Turkish provocations, urges Ankara to respect international law: ”The reactions of the Turkish government and Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding surveys on hydrocarbons promoted by Cyprus on her marine area are illegal and unfounded. The fact that Turkey characterised licenses given by the Cypriot government for underwater research to U.S. companies as ”illegal”, exposes Turkey in a negative way, regarding its commitment to international law and international legitimacy.

Regardless of what Turkey wants to believe, or pretends to believe, the government of an independent and sovereign state, member of the UN and the European Union, has every legal right to act so at international level, as it is the sole internationally recognized authority that represents in terms of international legitimacy, the whole of Cyprus and its people. “

Greeks and Romanians Rush to Stash Savings in Bulgaria

A. Makris
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Greeks and Romanians Rush to Stash Savings in Bulgaria

Bulgarian banks have seen a significant growth in deposits over the last two months thanks to Greek and Romanian nationals, who rush to stash their savings here, officials and bankers say.

The deposits of foreign citizens and companies in local banks have increased by BGN 18 M and BGN 49 M respectively in June over the previous month, according to figures cited by 24 Hours daily.

“There has been recently a noticeable trend among Greek citizens and businesses, who prefer to open deposit accounts in Bulgarian banks,” stated Maria Ilieva, CEO of MKB Union Bank, the 12th largest bank by assets in the country.

UniCredit Bulbank officials also confirmed that recent months have witnessed an increase in deposits by Greeks and Romanians.
The Bulgarian bank’s stability and their more attractive interest rate policy are the main reasons for the interest of Greek and Romanian citizens and companies, according to the bankers.

(source: novinite)

Finance Minister Met With Bank Of Greece Governor

A. Makris
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Finance Minister Met With Bank Of Greece Governor

Giorgos Provopoulos

A meeting was held between the governor of the Bank of Greece and the Finance Minister.
According to sources, Giorgos Provopoulos and Evangelos Venizelos discussed the course of Greek economy and banks ahead of the arrival of the troika next week. The agenda also included the negotiations on the new loan and the participation of private investors.
A senior BoG official said that Provopoulos presented data showing that the trend in deposits has changed in August, and a positive sign is possible.
Sources also note that FinMin and BoG’s head will keep in contact in the coming days ahead of troika’s arrival.
It should be noted that on Tuesday morning, the minister met with deputy ministers and general secretaries of the ministry, while a new meeting is expected later.
(source: capital)

Visiting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

A. Makris
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Visiting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

If you are a spectator, athlete, or media professional, there are a few things you should know about visiting the UK for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
If you are a spectator you may need to obtain a visitor’s visa to enter the UK. Processing times for visas are usually 15 working days; However, you can apply for a visa up to three months before your planned date of travel.

A special visa has been created for athletes, coaches, officials, and accredited media called the Olympic/Paralympic Games visit visa (OPVV). This multiple-entry visa is valid from the date of issue until 8 November 2012. As an OPVV visa holder, you can stay in the UK for up to six months on each visit.

Athletes, coaches, officials and accredited media are selectively accredited by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). To qualify for an OPPV, you must have an official written letter from LOCOG inviting you to visit the UK for a purpose related to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Family members are not allowed to apply for an OPPV. The cost of the OPVV visa is GBP76. This is the same price as a visit visa.

If you are a Media professional (journalist, broadcaster, or crew Member) from outside the European Economic Area and are not accredited, you will need to obtain a different type of visa to come and work in the UK.

Non-accredited media professionals should apply for a ‘Employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation’ work visa; You should leave enough time to complete the application process before you need to visit the UK. You can apply for this work visa up to three months before your intended visit to the UK. Please note that this visa requires knowledge of English.

Local Government (OTA) Hires 25,000 Unemployed Persons

Ioanna Stergaki
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Local Government (OTA) Hires 25,000 Unemployed Persons

The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Employment Agency (OAED), announced that 25,000 unemployed will soon be hired for the period of 2012-2015. This staff will be chosen from current lists of the OAED who will be allowed to work for up to 135 hours per year. The program will be primarily in regards to the construction sector.

The program is the brainchild of Deputy Minister of the Interior P. Koukoulopoulou,who aimed to support developing works in local areas.

Financial support for the program will come from the European Bank and pay off of loans from local municipalities.

Greek State Raises Funds Due to Regulation Regarding Semi-Outdoor Spaces

Lia Pavlou
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Greek State Raises Funds Due to Regulation Regarding Semi-Outdoor Spaces

According to an article in the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini”, there will be a third extension of the deadline regarding semi-outdoor spaces. More than 630,000 property owners have submitted requests for permits regarding more than one million illegal spaces.
The deadline for submission of necessary documentation is extended until the end of the year and the first installment must be submitted by February 2012.
The state has already raised 175 million euros due to regulations regarding semi-outdoor spaces and 550 million euros from the Green Fund of the Ministry of the Environment.  This sum is likely to be increased since most people have not yet paid off their fees.

Fewer Fatal Traffic Accidents on August 15

Ioanna Stergaki
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Fewer Fatal Traffic Accidents on August 15

While the number of excursions of people was higher than last year, around 50% higher, on the holiday from August 12th to August 15th, the number of fatal traffic accidents on the roads was much lower, according to data from the Hellenic Police.

Authorities faced 32% fewer car accidents all over Greece, in comparison with 2010, with fatal accidents numbering 14, compared to 24 in 2010. Only 188 persons were involved in accidents compared to 254 in 2010 with slight or heavy injuries.

Over the weekend, 5,052 traffic violations were noted, including: 2,652 for excessive speeding, 730 due to alcohol, 674 for not wearing helmets, 674 for not wearing seat belts, 272 for entering the opposite lane of traffic, 217 for using cell phones while driving, and 72 for violating car accident codes.

Greece Confirms Deal With Finland On Collateral For Aid

A. Makris
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Greece Confirms Deal With Finland On Collateral For Aid

Greece said Tuesday that it has reached a deal with Finland on collateral needed to secure the Nordic country’s participation in Greece’s bailout, adding that it doesn’t include any claims on Greek property.
“Greece and Finland agreed … to a financing arrangement that allows the government and parliament of Finland to decide on its participation in the new aid commitments for Greece,” the finance ministry said in a statement. “Needless to say, this financing scheme includes no claims on property.”
It added that the agreement must still be submitted for approval to the other countries that are part of the 17-member euro zone.
Earlier Tuesday, Finnish Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen said Greece will deposit a still-to-be-decided sum of money with the Finnish state for Finland to invest, as a precondition for releasing funds to Europe’s temporary bailout fund, which is being used to finance fresh aid for Greece.
(source: Dow Jones)

Bounced Cheques And Unpaid Bills Of Exchange Exceeded €1.5b In July

A. Makris
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Bounced Cheques And Unpaid Bills Of Exchange Exceeded €1.5b In July

Interbanking company Tiresias announced on Tuesday that bounced cheques in July reached 15,598, amounting to €392.9 million, with 53% of the amount corresponding to only 155 cheques.
The total amount of bounced cheques has reached €1.381 billion in the period January-July 2011, while the amount of bounced cheques in July 2011 increased by 136.26% against July 2010.
Unpaid bills of exchange in July 2011 amounted to 11,374 worth €18.7 million (€134.4 million since January 1), reflecting an increase of 17.21% compared with both June 2011 and July 2010.
(source: capital)

Ted Spyropoulos to Receive Phidippides Award

Maria A. Karamitsos
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Ted Spyropoulos to Receive Phidippides Award

Hellenic Public Radio-Cosmos FM has announced that it will present the 2011 Phidippides Award to Mr. Ted G. Spyropoulos. The award is given for passionate advocacy of Hellenism. Past recipients include director Michael Cacoyannis, composer Mikis Theodorakis and humanitarian Andrew A. Athens. The award will be presented at an event on November 5.

The award, first presented in 1994, recognizes contributions to the preservation and promotion of Hellenism internationally. The award was inspired by Phidippides, who in 490 BC requested aid of the Spartans in defending Athens from the Persians at Marathon. Phidippides is also know for running to Athens to announce the victory.

 

Mr. Spyropoulos, a native of Kalavryta, currently resides in Chicago. He is president of T.G.S. National Wholesalers, an automotive wholesaler that operates in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He serves as president for A&T Oil Company, for T.G.S. Petroleum Co., Inc., and for CAM2 International Manufacturing and Marketing.

 

He has served leadership roles in many organizations, including AHI, HANC and SAE, for which he is currently serving as USA Coordinator.   He was the president of ENOSIS of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois, president and founder of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, chairman and founder of the Spyropoulos Scholarship for Hellenic-American Students in Hellas and the USA, and the president of the Plant Your Roots in Greece program. Additionally, he is a founding member of Technopolis, Thrace, Hellas International, and a member of AHEPA and AGEI Hellenic Interests of Greek-Americans.

 

 

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