A tribute to diaspora Greeks is being presented up to September 28 at the "Andreas Papandreou" World Cultural Foundation for Diaspora Greeks in Nea Philadelphia, Athens. Entitled "The Big Journey to America", it includes the historical path taken by modern Greeks abroad by Professor Nikos Bakounakis, a speech by researcher Panagiotis Kounadis about Rebetiko music in the United States and the massacre in Colorado, a concert by Babis Tsertis and his associates with migration songs recorded in Asia Minor, America and Greece, and a screening of Pantelis Voulgaris' prize-winning movie, "The Brides".
Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Greece-Germany will visit Germany, following an invitation from the corresponding German Parliamentary Friendship Group, from September 21 to 26. The delegation comprises the president of the group, Filippos Petsalnikos (PASOK, Kastoria), the vice-president, Elias Fotiadis (New Democracy, Imathia), the secretary, Maria Skrafnaki (PASOK, Heraklio), and members Stavros Dailakis (ND, Drama), Theodora Tzakri (Pasok, Pella) and Athanasios Plevris (LAOS, A’ Athens).
Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis met on Thursday with the Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodore II. In statements made immediately after the meeting, the Education minister said the focus of discussions was support for the Patriarchate with executive staff, whose education would ensure the functioning of an excellent library that has been organised there. Also, it was agreed to legalise – through a legislative amendment – an institute for career orientation in Alexandria.
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis yesterday received his Danish counterpart Anders Fogh Rasmussen for a meeting focusing mainly on European issues, energy policy and climate change.
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Australia welcomes renewed new efforts for Cyprus talks
Γράφει ο/η Θεόφιλος Δουμάνης
02.08.08
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith welcomed the announcement for the renewed negotiations for the Cyprus issue between Cypriot President, Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat scheduled to take place in September.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the government welcomed efforts on
both sides aimed at securing a lasting settlement to the dispute,
adding that the situation in Cyprus had endured for far too long.
"Australia urges both leaders to look to the future, to be flexible in
their negotiations and to be prepared to compromise," he said.
"The challenges ahead will be difficult but, with sufficient political will, not insurmountable.
"This opportunity to bring a lasting settlement to Cyprus should not be missed."
United Nations special envoy Alexander Downer, who will coordinate the
talks, has voiced optimism in recent days about the prospects for
brokering a deal to reunify Cyprus.
The former Australian foreign minister, who was appointed to the UN
post on July 12, said on Wednesday from Cyprus that it would be a
difficult process but that the chances of reaching an agreement looked
"quite promising".