A top official with The National Bank of Greece on Wednesday expressed confidence in the country’s economic future saying Greece will not default.
“We strongly believe that there is no such a chance,” Apostolos Tamvakakis, chief executive officer of the NBG stated. NBG is the biggest bank in the debt ridden country.
Tamvakakis rejected scenarios that the bank was preparing for the worst through a capital increase of 2.8 billion euros. NBG announced that it has planned to raise 1.8 billion euros in October from capital markets, selling shares and the rest from the sale of the 20 percent of its shares in the Turkish bank Finansbank in the first quarter of 2011.
Greek banks have been under heavy pressure due to the debt crisis that has plagued Greece since late 2009. The banks were downgraded numerous times by international credit rating firms in early 2010 and lost deposits from Greek customers who struggled with the deep recession.
National Bank of Greece States Nation Will Not Default
Regional Development & Competitiveness Ministers Emphasizes Price Control
Regional Development and Competitiveness Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis stated in a meeting of ministry employees on Wednesday that the main target is better price control. He also added that his main goal is not only the reduction of prices but the dialogue with the market as well. Chryssohoidis also noted that they are going to implement the legislation needed in order to smooth the operation of competition.
It is not only the working peoples’ incomes and pensions that will be reduced, but also prices in order to achieve greater social justice and avert poverty among citizens,” he added. The Minister also said that ten years ago the government managed to reduce inflation and that their goal is to succeed in this again.
(source: ana-mpa)
Greek Finance Minister Addresses Ministers Via Letters
According to official reports Greek Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou, adressed government ministers by sending letters to the ones involved in the memorandum’s implementation. Papakonstantinou urged his colleagues to fulfill all the obligations towards the memorandum and especially towards the control of the expenditures, and underlined that measures for structural changes should be taken in their sectors.
In other letters he sent to all the members of the government, Papaconstantinou asks them to submit their proposals on the 2011 budget by September 20th since the new budget’s draft plan will be tabled in Parliament on October 4th.
Finally he noted that the Troika experts are going to come to Greece again on September the 13th in order to offer their help and to check the progress of the country in all sectors.
(source: ana-mpa)
Finance Ministry Commands Heavy Penalties & Audits for Tax Evasion
The Finance Ministry has sent a circular to all tax offices, audit centers and the SDOE financial crimes corps specifying heavy penalties and audits, as provided under the legislation on money laundering. This pertains to businesses that repeatedly do not issue receipts and have overdue debts to the state of more than 120,000 euros, the issuing of fake invoices, and for taxpayers who have not submitted income tax statements resulting in evasion of taxes of over 15,000 euros.
The above categories of businesses and tax payers will be audited for money laundering and if found guilty, the confidentiality of their bank accounts, tax history and stockmarket transactions will be lifted and the transgressing parties will face imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The circular lists the specific violations of legislation that will lead to inspections by the Committee for Combating the Legalisation of Revenues from Criminal Activities (money-laundering watchdog), which include failure to issue or the issue of inaccurate tax documentation (receipts, invoices, etc.), non-payment of overdue debts to the state that exceed 120,000 euros, non-submission of or submission of inaccurate income tax statement for undeclared incomes of which the corresponding tax exceeds 15,000 euros, non-payment or inaccurate payment of VAT and other withheld taxes that exceed 3,000 euros annually, the issue or acceptance of fake invoices regardless of value, and illicit trade and contraband.
(source: ana-mpa)
Culinary Adventures Await – Online
In this Internet age blogs are everywhere on every subject imaginable. It’s no surprise that a Google search on “Greek food blog” nets pages and pages of results.
Chicago’s The Greek Star newspaper recently published a feature on the popularity of Greek food blogs and profiled four of these top blogs. The article noted that this is a particularly “exciting time in the world of Greek cuisine. With popular chefs like Cat Cora and Michael Psilakis on the scene, elevating Greek cuisine to new heights, many ‘home-based’ cooks are sharing their own creative ideas, taking traditional Greek cuisine and typical ingredients used in Greek cooking, and reinventing them into something new and different – and scrumptious.”
Kalofagas
Kalofagas is one of the most popular Greek food blogs on the Internet. Created in 2007, it features travel stories, plus vivid images of the foods. The aptly named Kalofagas – it means gourmet in Greek – is the brainchild of Peter Minaki of Toronto.
Last fall Fotios Stamos of greekboston.com teamed up with Chef Paul Delios to establish At the Greek Table, which they described as “mimicking our culture. Everything happens around the table. We socialize, conduct business, do a lot over food. At the Greek Table encompasses both culture and lifestyle.”
The book and blog of the same name were developed by Stephanie Patsalis, owner of gourmet food company, The Cooking Club, Inc. This the result of her wish to do something with her passion for Greek cooking. She also wanted something to pass along to her daughters, who helped her research, test and “create a legacy.” She adds her own creativity, but “each is rooted in the authentic flavor of the Mediterranean.” Also, “Greek Chic” an item – get tips to add a contemporary touch to traditional dishes.
Elly Says Opa
Chicagoan Elly Kafritsas-Wessels, who grew up in the restaurant business, began writing Elly Says Opa in late 2006. She loves to experiment with different types of cuisines, therefore, the blog features more than just Greek food. She adds her own creative touches to the recipes and injects some humor. Look for traditional favorites as well as other unexpected surprises.
Here are some others to check out, including: Kali Orexi, Souvaliki for the Soul, Kopiaste and Niki’s Baking Spot.
New KTEO Road Tests Grant Tougher Measures
New road KTEO tests are expected to be tougher from now on. Motorcycles will be tested for noise pollution, as it is stated in a draft bill presented to a parliamentary committee by Transport Minister Dimitris Reppas yesterday.
The bill lays out a set of measures aimed at making the KTEO tests tougher and offers drivers incentives to submit their cars for inspection. Currently one in three cars in Greece is not tested regularly. Reppas said that the legislation would also create for the first time, a national road safety council. On another issue he also revealed that judges have given authorities the right to remove illegal billboards from private property such as apartment blocks and plots of land.
Greek Foreign Minister Droutsas' Statements in Cyprus
Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas’ two day visit to Cyprus aims at conveying the message that the Cyprus issue remains a top priority for Greek foreign policy.
Speaking at Larnaka airport shortly after his arrival Wednesday afternoon, Droutsas said that he will work with his associates to help find a solution in Cyprus so that the last dividing wall in Europe can come down. “I am deeply moved to be in Cyprus. This is my first visit after assuming my new duties. This visit has special significance; it aims to convey the message to all, Cypriot Hellenism and every third party, that the Cyprus issue remains a top priority in Greece’s foreign policy”.
Droutsas will meet later today with Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou and President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian. He will also hold separate meetings with leaders or representatives of parliamentary political parties. Tomorrow, the The Greek Foreign Minister will be received by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and meet Archbishop Chrysostoms II.
Droutsas will depart for Athens Thursday morning.
Vienna Greens Leader Maria Vassilakou Identifies Policy Changes
Vienna Greens, also known as the Green Alternative Party President and leader in the Austrian Capital Maria Vassilakou, in the critical local and municipal elections in Vienna on October 10th, announced the beginning of the pre-election campaign in a major event held at the famous Viennese Museum Quarter.
Ms. Vassilakou, identified her aim is for changes in social and environmental policy, investment in schools, kindergartens and healthcare, the transformation of Vienna into a metropolis for climate protection. Additionally she requested the automatic provision of Austrian citizenship to children from their birth.
Maria Vassilakou was elected in June 2004 as the new leader of the Vienna Greens and leader of the Parliamentar Group in the local parliament. Since 2008 she has been the Vice President of the Austria Greens; the party with which she has been elected with since 1996 in the local Parliament in Vienna since 1996.
Her party after the federal parliamentary elections in September 2008, is the fifth political force in Austria, holding 20 out of 183 seats in the Austrian Parliament. In the local and municipal elections of October 2005 in Vienna, the party obtained 14 seats out of the 100 total seats in the local parliament and a percentage of 14.63%.
The Greek politician was born on February 23rd in 1969 in Athens and has been living in Vienna since 1986. She studied Psychology and Linguistics in Vienna, actively participating from the first years of her studies in the Austrian student movement.
Alexander Nunner praised by the Austrian Press
Alex Nunner, the 25 year-old Guard (Height 6.3”), who left the “panthers” of Fuerstenfeld for the “knights” of Guessing, leaves no doubt whatsoever to his coach and fans of his new team that he will be making a difference this year too. Nevertheless the Knights have high hopes for this year and this suits Alex’s goals. Relevant articles on Austrian press are especially praising towards the Greek basketball player.
“Nunner gazes high”, is the title of an article in Kleine Zeitung, hosting statements of the 25- year- old Greek, from Veroia. “I personally hope to play a significant role for the success of the team. We may not be considered favorites for the title, however our primary goal is to first go into the playoffs”, states Alexander Nunner. The Austrian newspaper also notes that the philosophy of the Guessing Knights is an absolute match for the young basketball player, who left a good impression the year before, from the NCAA U.S. College Championship.
New Crossing Point for Greece and Bulgaria Is Inaugurating Today
On September 9, Bulgaria and Greece will open a new crossing point on their joint border, thus celebrating the 130th year since the establishing of formal diplomatic relations.
The new Ivaylovgrad-Kyprinos border crossing close to Bulgaria’s Kardzhali and Greece’s Alexandroupolis will be inaugurated by the Presidents of Bulgaria and Greece, Georgi Parvanov and Karolos Papoulias, at 11:30 am today. After that, the two presidents will have a tete-a-tete meeting in Ivaylovgrad.
The construction of the new border crossing is expected to facilitate the regional connections in the area where the borders of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey come together.The opening of the new border crossing was announced at the end of July at the first ever joint sitting of the Cabinets of Bulgaria and Greece.
This will be the fifth crossing on the 493-km long Bulgarian-Greek border, which already has four border crossings – Kulata-Promachonas, Ilinden-Exochi, Svilengrad-Ormenio, and Zlatograd-Thermes. The last one is only for cars and was opened in January 2010 by the two Prime Ministers Boyko Borisov and George Papandreou.