Greece & Israel Began Initial Natural Gas Cooperation Talks

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Greece began initial talks with Israel about cooperation on transporting recently discovered offshore Israeli natural gas to European markets, Investment Minister Harris Pamboukis told Reuters.
“The Israelis have found big quantities of offshore gas in the Mediterranean. We are trying to see how Greece could be seen as a transportation hub and a services centre, since it is on a natural road to the Balkans and Europe,” he said.
Pamboukis stressed he had held only exploratory discussions on transporting gas from the Leviathan field.  Its discovery was announced last month, containing an estimated sixteen trillion cubic feet of natural gas, stated the news agency.
Pamboukis said he had been appointed Greece’s coordinator for relations with the Jewish state, and for seeking strategic investments from China, Qatar and France.
Additionally, the Minister revealed he was talking to Qatar about possible investment in a project worth estimated to be worth between EUR5bn and EUR7bn to develop Elliniko, the former Athens international airport.
“I don’t hide that we are speaking with Qatar about this and they are showing support, but we have not yet got into the stage of studying whether it will be profitable,” he said.
The development was likely to include a technology park, a university campus and possibly a financial centre in addition to hotels, a marina and a large green space he said would be almost as big as London’s Hyde Park, according to Reuters.
Parliament passed a fast track law in November to accelerate priority investments in tourism, energy, transport, health and telecommunications.

San Francisco’s Hellenic-American Imports Up for Sale

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After seventy years at 2365 Mission St. between 19th and 20th Streets, My Big Fat Greek Store, officially Hellenic-American Greek Imports, is up for sale.
If it is not purchased, the owner will close its doors at the end of February.
“Too many years, I don’t want to travel 50 miles to run this store and I have other businesses,” said Savas Deligiorgis.  He purchased the store in 1966, three years after arriving in the United States as a young diplomat. “I need less responsibility I have been at this store for forty-five years.”
Fit, clean-shaven and dressed casually in slacks and a tight black T-shirt, Deligiorgis said Wednesday he decided six months ago to sell.  He will now focus on his other obligations that include an auto-dealership, parking garage and a radio show.
Two buyers have expressed interest, but no sale has been made.
For now, Deligiorgis is clearing out and everything is on sale. Inside, the refrigerator that once held olives, feta cheese and grapevine leaves, is nearly bare.
On Wednesday morning, customers continued to walk into the shop, a sensor announced each arrival.
(source: mission local)

“Zorba the Greek” Play Runs March 3rd-6th, Sydney

The Greek Festival of Sydney, organized by the Greek Orthodox Community, announced the presentation of the play “Zorba the Greek”, adapted by novelist Theodoros Patrikareas. The Greek Theatrical Scene of Herakleon will perform the play from March 3rd to 6th at the Mantouridio Theater in Marrickville. “Zorba the Greek” has also been performed in Crete and in other towns of Greece.  This performance at the Theatrical Scene of Herakleon celebrates its twenty-five years.

The play is a hymn to love, freedom, courage, heart, death, religion, dilemmas, religion and faith.

It’s a great pleasure for us to cooperate with such a prominent theatrical group from Greece. It’s a performance of high quality and we are sure that our compatriots will support our effort”, said Ourania Karteri, president of the Festival Organizing Committee.

Performance dates are scheduled for: March 3rd to 6th 2011, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8p.m., Sunday at 4p.m. and 8 p.m. The Mantouridio Theater, Greek Cultural Theatre is located at Building 36, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville.

For more information please call the Greek Festival of Sydney from 4 a.m. to 5p.m. at: 02- 9750 0440 or visit the offices at 206-210 Lakemba Street Lakemba.

Pan-Paphian Association of America Holds Awards Ceremony

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The Pan-Paphian Association of America awarded Dr. Jojh Theocharides the “Evagoras Pallekarides” Award.  The Association designated Savvas Tsiatalos as  “Member of the Year” and Efi Lekka was awarded “Friend of Cyprus”. During the 10th annual ceremony, held at Terrace on the Park in Flashing, eleven excelling students were awarded scholarships.

Joint Greek & Bulgarian Bansko Ski Resort Police Patrols

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Greek police officers are to carry out joint patrols with their Bulgarian counterparts in the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko.  This desicion occurred Monday, under a bilateral cooperation agreement signed by the two neighbouring countries.
Greek Police Lt.-Gen. Yiannis Rahovitsas traveled to the Bulgarian resort on Monday to meet his Bulgarian counterpart and inaugurate the project, which is taking place for the first time.
Two Greek police officers have been in Bansko since January 16th and their presence aims to assist Greek tourists in Bansko.
European Union rules allow joint patrols by the police forces of two neighbouring EU member-states for a radius of ten kilometres on either side of the border line, but the agreement between Greece and Bulgaria extends the jurisdiction of joint action further.
(source: ana-mpa)

Greek Technological Institutes Graduates’ Certificates not Recognized in Germany

During a conference by the German Tradesmen Association, where many Greeks took part, the president of the Association Otto Kentzler, referred to the increasing number of graduates of Greek Technological Institutes, who moved to Germany to open their own handicraft business. “The studies in Greek Technological Institutes are equivalent to our “Small Polytechnic School”. As a result, when graduates of the Greek Technological Institutes arrive in Germany, they discover that their certificate is not equivalent to the certificate of a master craftsman. The standards in Germany are so high, that the Greeks who arrive here must be re-educated”, argued Otto Kentzler. He also referred to Greeks and stated: “If you want to reach the German levels, you have to try hard”.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dollis & Patriarch Theophilos Conduct Positive Meeting

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A meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister, Dollis and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem on the 19th of January was held in a very positive atmosphere.
The Deputy Foreign Minister and Patriarch Theophilos discussed issues faced by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Dollis addressed the Patriarch and said, “I am making my first official visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate with respect and emotion, following my visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I believe it is my duty to visit the Patriarchate before the launch of my contacts tomorrow in the State of Israel, conveying the wishes of the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. George Papandreou”.
His Beatitude stated in response, “Your visit is of great importance to the Patriarchate because it is not ceremonial, but an indication of your interest towards religion and the Church.

Bloomberg: Greek Debt Repayment Depends on Real Estate Sales

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Greece’s debt repayment depends on state-owned real estate sales, according to a Bloomberg report.
“When the Greek government swapped land with a Byzantine monastery on a mountainous northern peninsula, the furor in 2008 over the price contributed to the defeat of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis a year later”, says the news agency.
However, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou aims to do a better job raising funds from property sales, estimated at about EUR300bn, equivalent to the national debt.
“First, he’ll need to figure out what assets are in government hands, before competing with other debt-laden European countries for investors”, says Bloomberg.
Frances Hudson, an equity strategist at Standard Life Investments said that the supply and demand dynamic for Greece isn’t good right now. He would rather buy commercial real estate in Paris or Stockholm that would offer more predictable returns, he added.
The European Union and International Monetary Fund, as well as some German and Greek politicians insist that Greece has to sell or lease casinos, golf courses, airports and even islands to repay the sovereign debt and avoid default. The European Union said in a December report that “sizable proceeds could be generated this way”, according to Bloomberg.
The total value of Greece’s real estate holdings is estimated at EUR200bn to EUR300bn by analysts at banks, including Alpha SA and EFG Eurobank SA.
“I wish it was EUR300bn, or 280, 250, or EUE200bn,” Papaconstantinou, told parliament on Jan. 14. “The fact is we just don’t know.”
“The Greek government really needs to employ a professional private-sector adviser to help them with the inventory and ensure the valuations and sales are carried out with the greatest transparency,” said Grant Fitzner, head of research at Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., the world’s second-largest commercial property broker, according to Bloomberg.
Greece will face competition from debt-burdened governments across Europe, particularly in the south, to find investors for its real estate, says Bloomberg.
“Before it was impossible for Greece to sell state land or property as the public perceived it as evil and politicians didn’t have the courage to do it,” said Yannis Perrotis, managing director of CB Richard Ellis in Athens. “Now things are very different. People accept there have to be sacrifices.”

Former Victorian Multicultural Chair Lekakis Assumes New Position

After more than nine years as Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, George Lekakis AO will take up a position with the Department of Business and Innovation as the Executive Director of the International Student Experience.
Announcing the appointment today, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras congratulated Lekakis.
“As the longest serving Chair of the Commission, Mr. Lekakis is renowned for his passionate commitment to engaging and empowering Victoria’s diverse cultural, linguistic and religious communities,” Kotsiras said.

Since 2001, Lekakis has overseen various programs and events including Cultural Diversity Week, the Viva Victoria festival, the Awards for Excellence, the Victorian Refugee Recognition Record, and most recently, the International Student Care Service.

“His experience and skills will be well utilised as the Government has asked him to focus on one of Victoria’s largest export industries, that of international education. The industry has experienced challenges and reform over the past few years and Mr. Lekakis’ considerable capacity to engage and strengthen the community as well as advise the government on the most appropriate ways forward will be greatly appreciated,” Kotsiras stated.
 Lekakis’ term as Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission will conclude on January 27th, at which point he will take up his position at the Department of Business and Innovation. In the interim, Deputy Chair Hakan Akyol, will serve as Acting Chair of the Commission until a new Chair is appointed.
(source: neos kosmos)

New Disruptions at Cores of Fire Trial

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The trial of the accused for connections in the “Cores of Fire” is in recess today.  This follows new tensions, accusations and terminations of the lawyers by the alleged members of the organization.
The cause of the disruption was the rejection of the defendants’ requests about the non-retention of  id’s and the transcription of the trial. Specifically, for the second matter, it was objected due to high cost.
After this announcement the defendants said they will stand by their requests and will start abstention from the common meal if the court sticks to its decision.
Among cheers from attendees, the defendants said they terminated their lawyers and if new lawyers are appointed by court, they will stage a hunger strike.
Eventually the court appointed new defense lawyers and now awaits the attitude of the defendants tomorrow, when the trial will continue.
A lot of disruption was caused when an attendant of the court said the trial is being recorded by another attendant.  Disruption also took place when the president of the court ordered the removal of a girl that spoke loudly when police approached.   Many young men gathered around her, shouting not to touch or push her. The situation quickly derailed.  One side started pushing the other and a platoon of riot police appeared.
Meanwhile, loud knocks were heard at the door from the side of the detention facilities and the head of the guards entered the room (the members of the court had come down due to tension) and started shouting that the defendants were trying to escape.
Officers rushed to the side of the detention facilities and found that the six defendants had left the detention room. The head of the guards shouted at the officers to take measures to prevent an escape. Eventually, the defendants were led back to the detention facilities.