Canada Attempts to Streamline Immigration

A. Makris
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Canada Attempts to Streamline Immigration
Jason Kenney

Canada is currently struggling to deal with a backlog of immigration applications.
The backlog of immigration applications is hurting Canada’s reputation as a top immigration destination for skilled migrants. In some cases people are choosing Australia as an alternative immigration destination.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said that the situation was a “huge problem”. He has spoken frequently about the need to streamline the application process and get the backlog under control.

A number of hearings on the matter are due to take place before the House of Commons immigration committee.
Critics say that while the government talks about alleviating the backlog, they are also continuing to accept large numbers of new Canadian immigration applications, so exacerbating the problem.
“While Canada continues to welcome historically high numbers of new immigrants, and maintains the most open and generous immigration system in the world, we have to carefully manage the large number of people who want to be Canadian,” a spokesperson for Kenney told the Globe and Mail.

The government asserts that since 2008, they have reduced the rate of increase in the backlog through measures which limit immigration in certain areas, such as the investor route.
Moreover, people who apply as skilled workers and have experience in a prioritized job sector are fast tracked and have their applications approved within months.
The people who suffer the longest waiting times include parents and grandparents of permanent residents and immigrants who applied before the changes introduced in 2008.

Digitalization of Libraries in Ecumenical Patriarchate Under the Aegis of HTO

Fani Toli
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Digitalization of Libraries in Ecumenical Patriarchate Under the Aegis of HTO

Greek HTO and Cosmote company have undertaken the work of digitalization and documentation of Libraries in the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Theological School of Halki.

The chairman and chief executive of HTO, Michalis Tsamaz visited the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople in order to give information about the contribution of HTO to digitalization of libraries in Patriarchate, using modern methods of analysis and access to the digitalized material.

A working team consisting of analysts, consultants, and engineers will be responsible for the creation of an information infrastructure for digitalization and documentation of written cultural documents in Patriarchate and Theological School.

Tsamaz also stated: “Within the activities of the Liability Companies of HTO and Cosmote we decided to promote the digitalization of these two libraries that are of great importance for our civilization.  Our cultural inheritance can make us pull through the current problems we are facing”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Opinion of Inventory of Greek Minorities in Albania

Fani Toli
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Opinion of Inventory of Greek Minorities in Albania

The Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Grigoris Delavekouras stated on Thursday, that Greek minorities’ inventory in Albania should serve as a motivation for better functioning of the Albanian Public Administration and protection of the rights of minorities in Albania.

Delavekouras also added: “The desicion-making of the representatives of the most important minorities, including Greek minority to abstain from the inventory, indicates lack of trust between minorities and the country of Albania”.

The representative underlined that respect to monorities’ rights is essential for the accession process to EU. He concluded that “Greece has relied on the existence of good relations with Albania, taking for granted the respect and protection of Greek minorities”.

Greek Academic Suggests Charities Instead of Dogfights

Fani Toli
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Greek Academic, Charis Tzimitras, who has lived for 10 years in Turkey, makes a simple suggestion to the Greek Government in order to unify the two sides of Aegean Sea: “Instead of dogfights, deposit the money spent for dogfights in order to make charities in Turkey. In this way, many will realize that it is not the end of the world.”  And even if someone thinks that this is an “academic naivety”, Charis Tzimitras remains optimistic about the efficiency of this measure.

Tzimitras, who is giving lectures to the university of Bilgi in Turkey is constantly involved in both countries. Viewing the two countries within, Tzimitras admitted: “Greek public opinion intervenes more often in the everyday incidents, protesting, and organizing demonstrations. On the contrary, Turkish public opinion either does nothing or has a limited reaction to incidents. That has as a consequence; the different actions of the two Governments.”

However, Turkish Government has made it clear that Greece is neither an enemy nor a priority for Turkey. There is a current economic crisis in Greece that constitutes a chance of redifinition of Greece’s position and its priorities, such as the limitation of defense expenditures.

Patriarch of Alexandria Travels to Ethiopia

Fani Toli
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On Thursday, the Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and all Africa, visited Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

This was the first visit of the Patriarch as a part of the Orthodox mission, after his election as a Patriarch of the Apostolic Throne 7 years earlier.

Metropolitan Petros of Axum, Greek Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michalis Daratzikis, Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Idris, the representative of the Greek Community in Addis Ababa and other eminent persons were waiting for the arrival of the Patriarch at the airport of the Ethiopian capital.

The Patriarch of Alexandria thanked Greek Ambassador and simultaneously congratulated Egyptian Ambassador for the Egyptian National Celebration of 6th October.  The Patriarch of Alexandria was accompanied by Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo.

The Patriarch of Alexandria is also going to visit Malawi, where he is going to dedicate new churches of the Orthodox Metropolis of Zambia.

Roesler Backs Investment in Greece

A. Makris
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Roesler Backs Investment in Greece

Germany’s economy minister backed calls to get German companies to invest in Greece to get the debt-drowned country’s economy growing again.
German Economics Minister Philipp Roesler and Greek Development Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said Friday they had signed a memorandum of understanding over a range of measures to assist Greece in implementing structral economic reforms.
After a working breakfast as part of a day of back-to-back meetings with Greek government officials, Roesler said he and Michalis agreed it is necessary “to do everything to ensure to keep all member states in the euro zone.”
Germany has agreed to help Greece by providing assistance in reforming its bureaucracy in areas such as competition law and start-up support.
“We are determined to respond decisively to the crisis,” said Michalis. “We want to rebuild our country and give our highly qualified young people a chance.”
(source: AP, Dow Jones)

Cabinet Approves Plans for Oil Exploration, Drilling

A. Makris
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Cabinet Approves Plans for Oil Exploration, Drilling

The Greek government approved Thursday plans for Crude Oil exploration and drilling in western Greece that could raise up to 25-B Euros in revenues in the next 20 yrs.
The project is promoted in the context of efforts to reduce the country’s heavy dependency on energy imports and solve a severe Greek debt crisis with the assistance of European Union and International Monetary Fund.
“This is the 1st time Greece is doing this, and everything will be conducted with full transparency,” said Environment, Energy and Climate Change Deputy Minister Yannis Maniatis at the end of a Cabinet meeting.
Mr Maniatis announced that the drilling will take place in the Gulf of Patras, the Sea region West of Loannina in Epirus prefecture and Katakolo, off the coast of Peloponnese.
The formal “Open Door” invitation of interest to investors will be issued in January 2012, he added.
It is estimated that 3 regions under review could produce as much as 300-M bbls of Crude Oil over a period of 15-20 yrs that could raise some 15-B Euros for the Greek state and 10-B Euros for investors.
It is not the 1st time Greece decided to allow for drilling in western Greece. In Y 1997 a similar exploration project ended with no concrete results due to “technical reasons.”
This time under an over 350-B Euro debt burden that threatens the EuroZone member country with default since late Y 2009, Athens explores all options to reduce budget deficits and raise revenues.
According to Greek officials, procedures for seismic studies for possible hydrocarbon deposits in South Crete on the Aegean Sea will soon be completed.
The basic priorities of the energy policy amidst the crisis is the security of the supply, the reduction of dependence on energy imports and the tackling of climate change and instability in the international energy market, he explained.
(source: Live Trading News)

Papoulias: Turkey's Behavior, a Dangerous Adventurism

A. Makris
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Papoulias: Turkey's Behavior, a Dangerous Adventurism

President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, stressed that Turkey`s attempts to put obstacles to Cyprus` exploratory drillings for hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) constitutes a dangerous adventurism.
Addressing visiting President of the Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych during a state dinner, Papoulias referred to Cyprus` exploratory drilling in its Exclusive Economic Zone, saying that the Republic of Cyprus has exercised – as it should – its undeniable right to delineate its EEZ.
“Drilling, which began some weeks ago, is absolutely in compliance with international law and Cyprus` sovereign rights“, he underscored.
President Papoulias stressed that Turkey attempts to turn Cyprus` sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, into a bilateral dispute.
“This attempt of Ankara to put obstacles to Cyprus` drillings is a dangerous adventurism“, he pointed out.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, the Greek President said that Greece supports the achievement of a comprehensive solution that would be functional, viable and should be based on the UN Security Council resolutions, in full respect of the EU acquis communautaire.
He noted that the solution of the Cyprus problem becomes even more imperative after developments in the wider Mediterranean region.
“Geopolitical and geo-economic balances have changed and the role of the Republic of Cyprus as a factor of stability and security becomes even more crucial“, he stressed.
Concluding, he thanked his Ukrainian counterpart for his country`s long-lasting stance as regards the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.
Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.
Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.
Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.
UN – led Cyprus talks are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, aiming to reach a mutually agreed federal solution.
The illegal regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey. Numerous UN Security Council resolutions have called upon all states not to cooperate with the regime and have described the declaration of the regime as invalid, stressing that the only legal government in Cyprus is the Republic of Cyprus.
(source: cna)

Police Say Kidnapping of Singaporean Man Unlikely

A. Makris
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Police Say Kidnapping of Singaporean Man Unlikely

Mr Kouk's wife, teacher Seow Shu Ping, appealed for help on Greek TV

He has been kidnapped. He was hurt during street riots. Theories abound about what has happened to Singaporean medical student Kouk Leong Jin, 28, who has been missing in Athens for more than one week now.
Wednesday was the eighth day since anyone last heard from the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School student, who arrived in Athens on Sept 26 to attend a medical conference.
One theory supports that he could have been kidnapped. Greek police however denied this theory. An officer at the Greek police’s Office of Disappearances in Athens told that not a single tourist had been kidnapped this year.

“The Promise of Tomorrow 1940-1960” premieres in NYC Greek Film Festival 

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The Greek Heritage Society of Southern California premieres “The Promise of Tomorrow 1940-1960,” a documentary highlighting the first generation Greek Americans, at the NYC Greek Film Festival. The screening will take place on
October 17th @ 7:00 P.M. at the Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011 This film is narrated and hosted by Academy Award Winner Olympia Dukakis.

“The Promise of Tomorrow,” part 2 of a Greek-American trilogy, continues the story of the Greek immigrant experience in southern California, beginning with those brave soldiers who fought in World War II.  We follow the progeny of the Greek Pioneers as they establish themselves within the community yet struggle with duality – Greek at home and American outside.  Determined to get an education and make a good life for themselves and their families, the Greatest Generation lives up to this synonym.  In a very short period of time, they have become prominent leaders in the arts, business, technology, academia, science and government – virtually all levels of contemporary American society.

The question of identity permeates throughout their adult life:  “We are not just Greeks; we are not just Americans, but we are a new breed – Greek Americans!”

Collaborators in the project are writer and director Anna Giannotis; executive producers Zoye Fidler, Shelly Papadopoulos and John Gregory-Panopoulos, Producers, Antonia Lianos, Gus T. Dalis and Harry Ratner, editor Rich Uber, director of photography Philip Georgious, and composer Bob Luna, along with many hard-working volunteers and contributors.

For more information about the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California, visit: www.greekheritagesociety.org

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