The important international role played by Greece as a major force in international shipping, which is of strategic importance for the US and the global economy, as well as the country's heightened economic presence in SE Europe, were underlined in the briefing made to US Congressional staff members on Thursday by the Greek ambassador to Washington, Alexandros Mallias.

The Leonidas Loizides' Theater Company presented Euripides' "Bacchae" at the Portland High School John Ford Auditorium on September 24 within the framework of a world tour. The performance was in the Greek language with English surtitles. Director Loizides was honored by Portland Mayor Ed Suslovic for his contribution to the spread of the messages of the Greek culture through an innovative and creative approach of the ancient Greek classical masterpiece.

The Ministry of Education is organizing a one day conference on October 9, 2008 at 6pm for a presentation on the International University of Greece. Addressing the conference will be Education Minister, Evripides Stylianides, the president of International University's governing board, Kostas Grammenos and the president of the Northern Greece Industrialists Union, George Mylonas.

France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded French scientist Joseph Sifakis, laureate of the 2007 Turing Award, with the Grand Officier de l’Ordre national du Merite medal, at a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on September 30.

SAE President Stefanos Tamvakis attended the 1st Meeting of Europeans Residing Outside Their Country of Origin held in Paris on September 30 within the framework of the French EU Presidency, accepting an invitation by Foreign Minister of France Bernard Koushner and the Assembly of French Nationals Living Abroad (AFE), a SAE counterpart organization.