Drowning in debt, Greece won the pledge of a new bailout on top of a July cashflow fix, but only after surrendering some of its financial autonomy, on Friday.
“There is an agreement,” Prime Minister George Papandreou said as Europe rallied to avoid bankruptcy in Athens and a damaging exit from the euro currency area.
The plan hinged on a positive review by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund of Greek budgetary efforts despite a worse-than-expected national recession since last year’s 110-billion-euro rescue.
Emerging from talks in Luxembourg, both Papandreou and Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the eurozone finance ministers, indicated Athens stood poised also to win a fresh bailout deal, including help from private banks, to bring it back from the brink.
Papandreou said despite “big sacrifices by the Greek people, still much has to be done. At the same time we have seen that the markets remain sceptical and this is why we are now discussing about additional financial support.”
Juncker, hailing Greek commitments to balance the national books, said the 17-nation eurozone was likely to agree to fresh aid for the indebted nation and, crucially, private sector banks were set to help on a voluntary basis.
Papandreou reassured that the country will continue the hard work and fully meet its obligations with the aim to boost growth and raise employment.
“Our aim is Greece to become a very different country,” he concluded.
Greece Wins Last-Minute Fresh Aid Pledges
Greek FA Suspends Operations, Cites Fan Violence
The Hellenic Football Association (EPO) on Friday essentially ceased operation until further notice, after a same-day general assembly vote of 49 to seven opted for such an unprecedented suspension.
FA chief Sofoklis Pilavios called for a vote by the body’s executive, which was carried by a margin of 49-7, arguing that he wanted to take the game out of the “hands of hooligans, violence, and match-fixers.”
The shocking decision followed a proposal by the federation’s president, Sofocles Pilavios, which was also supported by the Super League federation — which runs the first division pro football championship — as well as the groups representing the second and third division pro leagues.
The suspension will start on Monday, after Greece’s 2012 European Championship qualifier at home to Malta on Saturday. Greece leads Group F after three straight wins.
The FA said that a scheduled friendly match between Greece and Ecuador would go ahead at New York’s Citi Field baseball stadium on June 7.
Greek football has been marred by repeated outbreaks of fan violence this season, along with allegations of corruption.
PASOK Blames SYRIZA for Harassing Spokesman
The Greek government has lashed out at the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), which it holds responsible for a protest that saw government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis penned in for several hours at a retirement home in an Athens suburb on Thursday night. Petalotis was prevented from leaving the building in Argyroupoli, where he had been delivering a speech, after dozens of protesters gathered outside.
They shined laser pens into the retirement home, threw eggs and yogurt and chanted slogans. One woman was slightly injured when a smoke bomb went off. Petalotis had wanted to leave via the front entrance, but he was eventually escorted by police via the back door into a waiting car.
It is the latest incident of voters targeting politicians but the government suggested that Thursday’s protest had been organized by SYRIZA, which it accused of trying to capitalize on the recent Indignant protests in Athens and other cities. On Thursday Petalotis strongly condemned the incident on the island of Corfu on Wednesday night, stressing that the Parliamentary system in the country cannot be intimidated.
The incident had occurred when a group of protestors blocked off sixty Greek and foreign parliamentarians in a restaurant late on Wednesday, where the Greek parliament was hosting a dinner for the participants in a regular meeting of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population.
Communist Party Supports Indignant Movement
The leader of the Communist Party, Aleka Papariga commenting on the ”Indignant Movement” said that it is logical that a growing number of people feel the need to express their anger and their frustration. She noted that ”it is important that this anger and frustration be turned into concrete political positions and into an alternative political solution.”
Mrs. Papariga thinks that in Syntagma, ”there are people dissatisfied with the New Democrats and Pasok, feeling betrayed for having believed in parties that finally fell short of their expectations.”. She also says that the Communist Party would like to discuss with these people, ”because nobody can either know what a party comprehensively supports or can understand what a party states from the news.”
Pireaus-Kifissia Line Running Smoothly as of June 7th
After many months of inconvenience for train passengers, the ISAP Pireaus- Kifissa line will be running smoothly again on Tuesday, June 7th. The trains will make an obligatory transfer to the central Omonoia platform.
On Monday, June 6th, the Taurus- Monastiraki portion will remain closed from 21.00 until the end of the route, due to renovation works of the railway line.
Stephan Caras' Designs Amazing Winter 2011-12 Collection
At the Xclusive Designers Week held in Greece, Stephan Caras presented his new Winter 2011-2012 collection. Many notable celebrities attended the show and greeted Stephan with thunderous applause at the finale of the show.
Elegant models strolled down the catwalk wearing his designer belts, technicolor jackets of silk taffeta, and necklaces beautifully designed with crystal, quartz, gemstones and marcasite. Male models wore among other garments, elegant cuff links sparkling with clear and pastel crystals, featherweight handkerchief linen shirts in subtle shades of soft pastels, naturals and nautical. This latest collection is now available in stores.
The Stephan Caras Design Showroom will also exhibit sculptural works by Camie Geary- Martin from Toronto.
Please see below for information regarding the show:
When: June 4th- 5th, 2011
Time: 12.00pm- 18.00pm
Exhibit location: 744 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4
Foreign Ministry's Stance on New Albanian Certificates
The removal of a holder’s ethnic origin from new certificates issued by Albania was a decision that raised questions regarding its motives, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras stressed on Thursday.
The spokesman pointed out that the decision reversed the practice of decades and he also noted delays in completing a census of Albania’s population, due to pressures from nationalist circles opposed to the inclusion of questions on ethnic origin, language and religion.
Combined, these two developments gave the impression that Albanian government decisions were slowly falling in with the dictates of extremist nationalist elements that disputed the existence of ethnic minorities in the neighboring country and systematically undermined bilateral relations between Albania and Greece, Delavekouras stated.
(source: ana-mpa)
Swedish – Greek Bilateral Discussion – June 9
The Swedish Trade Council and the Swedish Embassy in Greece are organizing an assembly at the Residence of the Ambassador, Fillothei in Athens, on Thursday, June 9. The Swedish – Greek Bilateral Discussion will concentrate on business opportunities and development projects in Greece.
The event is planned to start with registration and refreshments at 12:oopm, followed by a welcoming speech at 12:30pm delivered by the Swedish ambassador and moderator, Mr. Hakan Malmqvist.
A number of Swedish and Greek government officials, and key representatives from major industries are expected to discuss and exchange ideas on three themes: Telecommunication, Healthcare and Public Funding/Energy Efficiency.
The half-day meeting will be significant for Greece for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will create a forum where important topics and concrete business projects can be aired between the two countries. Secondly, it will enable Swedish businesses to come out into the limelight and highlight their values and established reputations. Finally, it will promote perspective and knowledge on how companies can help the Greek economy.
The Bilateral Treaty Framework between Greece and Sweden dates back to October 15, 1852, when the two countries signed a treaty on Trade and Shipping. Today, Greece and Sweden have very good political, economic, defence and cultural relations. They also enjoy a good level of cooperation within international organizations (UN, EU, OSCE and the Council of Europe).
For more information on the Swedish – Greek Bilateral Discussion: www.hellenic-swedishcc.gr.
State Revenues Plunged In May
State revenues recorded a 10% reduction in May, although gross income (before tax refunds) increased marginally, as the dramatic increase of tax refunds resulted in the collapse of net revenues.
According to reliable Finance Ministry sources, the Treasury raised approximately €4.3b in May, €50b more than May 2010. But, tax refunds amounted to €800m from €500m in May 2010. Tax refunds for the Jan-May period amount to €2.5b, while estimates for the whole year were €3.8b.
The huge shortfall in tax revenue was caused by the increase of additional measures from €3b to €6.4 in 2011.
(source: capital)
Steven Harper’s Communications Director Soudas Announces Resignation
Following a successful nine-year course, next to Canada’s current Prime Minister, Steven Harper, Greek Canadian, communication director, Dimitri Soudas, officially announced his resignation. He resigned so he can devote more time to his family and “start a new chapter” in his life.
Soudas stated that he intends to his post on September 5th. He has been Harper’s Communications Director since April 2010, while before that, the 31-year-old politician worked as a Press Secretary and served as Quebec adviser to the Prime Minister.
“He has served the Prime Minister with immense passion, loyalty and commitment, not to mention sacrifice,” PMO spokeswoman Sara MacIntyre said in an email. She said those who have worked with the indefatigable father of three young children, “remain in awe of his dedication, loyalty and tenacity.”
Harper paid tribute to his spokesman last week by visiting a village in Greece that was the scene of a Second World War Nazi massacre that claimed the life of Soudas’s grandfather.
The Huffington Post reports that it is yet not known who will replace Soudas.