Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin presents Greece's eco policy priorities to ECOFIN council

[02] EU Monetary Affairs commissioner satisfied with agreement on revised GDP for Greece

[03] Different estimates over Greek GDP revision a technical issue, govt spokesman says

[04] PM Karamanlis confers with new education minister; 'reforms will continue'

[05] Government ministers discuss illegal immigration

[06] Papandreou says he assumed PASOK helm in '04 to avoid 'crushing, anticipated' defeat

[07] Evangelos Venizelos criticises PASOK leader's television interview

[08] Roussopoulos on PASOK

[09] SYRIZA head requests Parliament debate on environment

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch satisfied with results of meeting with Gul

[11] Gov't hails fast-track pension decision

[12] Bank federation on bank social security

[13] Eurobank managing director on Greek fiscal system

[14] Cross-border mountain tourism promotion by Greece, Bulgaria

[15] Greenpeace proposals for energy conservation in buildings

[16] New BSTDB vice-president of operations assumes post

[17] British-Hellenic event on 'new legal framework of S.A.s'

[18] Tanker truck owners call off planned strike

[19] Greek stocks end 0.85% up on Tues.

[20] ADEX closing report

[21] Greek bond market closing report

[22] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[23] Ecumenical Patriarch on Greek Archbishop's health problems, Holy Synod convenes

[24] America Archbishop visits Archbishop Christodoulos in Miami

[25] Council of Hellenes Abroad president extends warm wishes to Archbishop Christodoulos

[26] Parliament president at Parliament's day-care centre blessing

[27] Sophocles' 'Electra' to be performed in New York

[28] French Institute marks centenary with 'Fluxus: C'est gratuit' exhibition

[29] Culture as a Tool for Economic and Social Development

[30] International conference on migration and culture

[31] American break dancers in Athens

[32] Illegal immigrant killed, 8 injured in traffic accident

[33] British teen dies in balcony fall

[34] Scattered showers on Wednesday

[35] Cyprus government's envoy to try solve problem with Syria over ship

[36] Hungarian Speaker arrives in Cyprus Politics

[01] FinMin presents Greece's eco policy priorities to ECOFIN council

The Greek government' s top economic policy priorities include eliminating fiscal deficits by 2010 and promoting economic reforms, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis reiterated here on Tuesday.

Addressing an EU Economy and Finance Ministers' Council in Luxembourg, the Greek minister briefed the council over the country' s positive economic prospects and the challenges ahead. Alogoskoufis said the most significant achievement of the Greek economy over the last few years was its high growth rates, around 4.0 percent annually in the period from 2005 to 2007.

He underlined that economic growth mainly reflected private investments and exports, while per capita GDP rose from 73.8 pct of the EU average in 2003 to 80.1 pct in 2007. Alogoskoufis also noted that several macro-economic imbalances were effectively resolved in the past few years, such as a decrease in the fiscal deficit to 2.5 pct of GDP this year, from 8.0 pct in 2004 and a decline in the inflation and unemployment rates.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that despite progress made, the Greek economy still faced significant problems and noted that the government would continue working towards eliminating fiscal deficits by 2010, as well as promoting a second wave of reforms aimed at sustaining growth rates and boosting investments and exports. These measures include more privatisations, promoting joint projects between private and public sector companies, simplifying business activity and the tax system.

Alogoskoufis said the government aimed at improving the drafting of state budgets and the control of spending by public enterprises, local authorities and healthcare agencies. Efforts will continue towards combating tax evasion and expanding the tax base in the country. Alogoskoufis told his ECOFIN counterparts that reforming the country's pension system was a top priority for the government and that a draft law was expected to be tabled to Parliament in the first six months of 2008. He noted that next year's budget envisages a fiscal deficit of 1.7 pct of GDP next year.

Commenting on a GDP revision, Alogoskoufis said it was a technical matter managed by the national statistical service and Eurostat. He underlined that both sides, using the same methodology, agreed that the country's GDP should be revised upwards by 9.6 percent and noted that this decision was a positive development.

[02] EU Monetary Affairs commissioner satisfied with agreement on revised GDP for Greece

The European Union's Economic & Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia late Monday expressed satisfaction over the agreement reached a few hours earlier between the Greek and EU services on the revised GDP for Greece.

Speaking in Luxembourg after a meeting of the eurozone finance ministers, Almunia said the achievement of agreement between the EU's statistics service EUROSTAT and Greece's national statistics service ESYE was an example of correct cooperation between the two sides, and assessed that the increase in the Greek GDP would be approved in the near future by the authoritative EU committee.

Almunia also noted the efforts that Greece must make in order to achieve fiscal balance by 2010, while regarding the draft 2008 state budget recently tabled in parliament he described it as positive and ambitious with respect to further reduction of the fiscal deficit, noting however that risk of diversion from that target also existed.

Greece's Gross Domestic Product, with a base year of 2000, grew by 9.6 percent, according to revised figures by ESYE released on Monday. The statistics service said the figure was the result of a cooperation between Eurostat and the Greek statistics service, in the framework of the European Statistics System. The cooperation completed a revision of the national accounts system with a base year of 2000. The revision was based on a 2001 census and a new series of updated statistics of primary research in commerce, transport, construction and hotel sectors.

[03] Different estimates over Greek GDP revision a technical issue, govt spokesman says

The Minister of State said there were different estimates over the issue and noted that Economy Ministere will comment on the issue after completion of all remaining technical procedures.

Roussopoulos stressed that different estimates over Greece's revised GDP figures did not mean that the figures were wrong. "We are talking over different estimates and not questioning of the figures," he noted, adding that Greece will respect Eurostat's decisions.

On Monday, Greece's National Statistics Service said that Eurostat had approved a 9.6 percent upward revision of Greek Gross Domestic Product with 2000 as the base year. Greece had asked for a 25.7 percent upward revision of the country's GDP with 1995 as the base year.

[04] PM Karamanlis confers with new education minister; 'reforms will continue'

"Education reform is continuing," Stylianidis said, an indirect refutation of a bevy of recent press reports claiming that the government has "froze" recently passed measures.

Stylianidis, a recent deputy foreign minister, said reform efforts for higher education will continue, while noting that he is in contact with the academic community.

Finally, he expressed his best wishes for the recovery to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

[05] Government ministers discuss illegal immigration

Those attending included Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos (whose ministry is now also in charge of the law enforcement portfolio), National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, Merchant Marine and Island Policy Minister George Voulgarakis and Deputy Public Order Minister Panagiotis Hinofotis.

The ministers noted the need to better coordinate action between their respective ministries and greater cooperation with the European Union in combatting what was a challenge of international scope that could only be dealt with through cooperation on a global, international and bilateral level.

According to an announcement made afterwards by foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos, the ministerial meeting made an in-depth appraisal and evaluation of the phenomenon of illegal immigration and examined ways to better handle and deal with it.

Among the observations regarding illegal immigration listed in the announcement, ministers noted that the intensifying phenomenon of illegal immigration was particularly complex, both in terms of its causes and the ways of dealing with it, as well as the fact that it was an international and European challenge that required a coordinated approach on an international level and between states.

They also noted EU concern with an effective approach to illegal migration and the fact that Greece's entire border was at the same time a border of the Schengen area, while the greater part was also an external border of the EU, as well as Greece's active participation and contribution in all policies, initiatives and EU actions for fighting illegal migration.

"Apart from the Schengen area, we participate in the European organisation for management and operational cooperation at the external borders of member-states, known as FRONTEX. We also actively participate in formulating the European system for the surveillance of external borders (EUROSUR), in the European Patrols Network and in promoting the creation of a Common European Coast Guard, which was a Greek initiative," Koumoutsakos said.

The announcement additionally noted the need for optimal cooperation of all ministries and organisations in Greece on a national level, as well as enhanced cooperation and support from the EU, while noting that on a bilateral level Greece put special weight on enhanced cooperation with all neighbouring countries and those with shared borders.

It added that the necessary international and inter-state cooperation would have to be based on well thought-out and effective national policies for dealing with illegal migration, especially between neighbouring states, while inefficient policies actually encouraged the problem, especially toward neighbouring states

In this context, the ministers ascertained a recently increased flow of illegal immigrants toward the eastern land and sea borders of Greece and said that Greece, apart from further reinforcing its own policies with specific measures, also expected a substantial response and cooperation from Turkey in the framework of existing bilateral cooperation and called for more rapid progress in concluding the EU-Turkey rapid readmission agreement.

[06] Papandreou says he assumed PASOK helm in '04 to avoid 'crushing, anticipated' defeat

In an interview with a private Athens television station, aired on Monday evening, Papandreou said this would have been the case if his request for a confidence vote was rejected by party MPs.

Papandreou said his next move would have been to resign as Parliamentary group leader, without clarifying if he would have resigned from party leader as well.

Papandreou revealed that on evening of the election, Sunday, Sept. 16, Evangelos Venizelos (his rival in the PASOK presidential election race) was among those to whom the public statement he intended to make was read out, while adding that the latter had voiced no objections at the time. He also stated that Venizelos, a top PASOK cadre and former minister, had "concealed" his moves.

Referring to January 2004, when he became PASOK party president, he said that he took over the party's reins to "limit an anticipated and crushing defeat as much as possible."

The former foreign minister also referred to mistakes, as he said, he made over the past three and a half years, stressing that from now on party cadres, who publicly express different positions from those unanimously adopted by party's bodies, will face with sanctions.

"Those different opinions undermined the party", he underlined.

He also referred to the role played by business interests and stated that he will fight against the manipulation of politics by private interests and the mass media.

In case of defeat in the Nov. 11 party presidency race, he said he will stand by the new leader and continue to fight for PASOK.

Papandreou said he is not asking for a "blank cheque", insisted over "real party unity", warning that results will be negative if the rise to power is the only criterion set by PASOK.

[07] Evangelos Venizelos criticises PASOK leader's television interview

Venizelos said that he intends to do to PASOK what Papandreou did not do over the period of the past 3.5 years, since the latter acceded to the leadership. He said would change everything. He also requested until November 11, when the leadership election will be taking place, that the party apparatus should be made available to all and contacts between candidates and voters should be organised by the local organisations.

Referring to the September 16 general election result, he said that if it had not been for "the claim for victory and for the feeling of a derby, PASOK would have polled a lower percentage than 38.5 percent that it received on September 16."

He further said that he does not intend to quit PASOK in the event that he does not win on November 11. Asked how this could be, he pointed to the example set by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Public Works Minister George Souflias, whom he had expelled. He stressed that he considers it natural not to be holding a high position in the event that Papandreou is re-elected.

Venizelos did not agree that he has privileged support from elements lying outside institutions and disputed that he is being supported by the media that are friendly towards the party. In the best case for himself, he said, there has been equal treatment between himself and Papandreou.

[08] Roussopoulos on PASOK

Roussopoulos also noted that there is no reason for him to make any comments on the internal affairs of other political parties.

[09] SYRIZA head requests Parliament debate on environment

In a letter addressed to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, Alavanos notes that the "environmental crisis in which our country finds itself becomes more and more evident, while the summer of 2007 revealed to us that chronic indifference regarding forest protection, the important deficiencies in the fire-fighting and civil protection system and the equally important deficiencies in environmental monitoring mechanisms constitute the basic reasons behind the devastating wildfires."

Alavanos called for the off-the-agenda Parliamentary debate "in order for us to contribute, in a substantive manner, to their handling."

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch satisfied with results of meeting with Gul

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Tuesday described his meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul as "satisfactory" and "positive".

The Patriarch said he had raised the problems being faced by the Ecumenical Patriarch and asked for their solution.

Financial News

[11] Gov't hails fast-track pension decision

Based on the decision, all social insurance funds will have 15 days to approve and pay a temporary pension corresponding to 80 percent of the original sum claimed.

In an unrelated development, the spokesman referred to a possible reduction -- via mergers -- of the number of prefectures, municipalities and regions in the country, saying a relative discussion is underway, although no decisions have been reached as yet, according to information he said he received from Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

[12] Bank federation on bank social security

The Executive Secretariat, following an analytical briefing by legal and technical advisers and an extensive discussion that followed, decided that OTOE will not intervene in issues concerning competition among banks, believing that the implementation of the law on these issues is exclusively up to the banks and their appeals on this question.

It also decided that judicial interventions, appeals by OTOE and its arguments focus on the defence of the social security rights of the employees and the collective labour agreements agreed with the banks.

At European level, the Federation will act on the issue of the abolition of collective contracts and agreements on the social security issue at the European Social Affairs Committee, the European Court and the European Parliament.

[13] Eurobank managing director on Greek fiscal system

"The strength and the profit-making of the banking system in particular is often misinterpreted and presented as being contrary to the interests of society in its entirety. Such a position is based on a mistaken, populist conception that bank profits are excessive and that their restriction could lead to more attractive terms for people receiving loans and for depositors," he said.

"This approach ignores the fact that large indicators, in absolute figures, correspond to even more important capital which is owned by shareholders, as well as by other investors who invest through the capital market in bank shares, assuming risks and expecting some financial benefit," he added.

Lastly, Nanopoulos pointed out that "consequently, the weakening of banks' profit-making would intercept their development course, as well as their possibility to finance businesses and households, supporting economic activity in our country."

[14] Cross-border mountain tourism promotion by Greece, Bulgaria

A Greek-Bulgarian action plan to promote cross-border alpine tourism, funded with 170,000 euros by the EU's PHARE 2004 programme, was unveiled here on Tuesday, entitled "Green Trails of Mt. Pirin, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace".

Among others, Greek and Bulgarian journalists and tour operators will visit the regions at the end of the month.

[15] Greenpeace proposals for energy conservation in buildings

According to figures presented during the press conference, about one third of total energy resources in the country are consumed to cover the energy needs of buildings and these contribute 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

They also stressed the plans to construct new lignite-fuelled power stations to cover rising electricity demand, in addition to a new rise in oil prices.

"The efforts for energy conservation and rationalisation of energy consumption to date have failed because there was no clear, concise and ambitious programme for saving energy that was focused on the biggest energy consumer, which is none other than buildings," stressed Greenpeace director Nikos Haralambidis.

He also pointed out that the two most important community directives dealing with energy use and energy conservation in buildings were not yet being implemented in Greece, which had failed to meet obligations to present an action plan for ensuring a minimum 1 percent annual reduction of energy consumption.

Among others, Greenpeace proposes improvements to the current legislative framework that would lift current disincentives to the use of non-polluting energy technologies in buildings, such as solar power, in new buildings and public sector buildings, as well as the introduction of higher charges for electricity at peak hours to avoid wastage.

It also proposed subsidies and tax deductions to the public for the purchase and installment of clean energy in buildings and for facilitating the supply of energy services from private and public bodies toward citizens.

[16] New BSTDB vice-president of operations assumes post

Mygashko assumed his duties on Oct. 1, 2007, replacing Valentina Siclovan, whose term in office expired.

The BSTDB is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Wth an authorised capital of approximately USD1.5 billion, the Bank supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects in the public and private sectors in its member countries.

[17] British-Hellenic event on 'new legal framework of S.A.s'

The aim of the event is to present the basic axes of law 3604/2007 which amended law 2190/1920 regarding S.A.s. The participants will have the opportunity to exchange views regarding the manner with which the new provisions affect, in practice, the operation of S.A.s

Deputy Development Minister George Vlachos will be the main speaker at the event.

[18] Tanker truck owners call off planned strike

Minister Kostis reminded that problem-solving through dialogue is a daily practice in most EU countries.

[19] Greek stocks end 0.85% up on Tues.

Sector indices moved higher, with the Food/Beverage (3.19 pct), Travel (2.08 pct) and Commerce (1.60 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Media (1.04 pct), Technology (0.78 pct) and Healthcare (0.65 pct) suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.70 percent, the Mid Cap index ended 0.90 pct higher and the Small Cap index fell 0.37 pct. Vivartia (8.94 pct), Centric Multimedia (6.11 pct) and Sidenor (5.15 pct) were top gainers, while ANEK (9.73 pct), Viosol (8.33 pct) and Tria Alpha (7.68 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 150 to 97 with another 51 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.43%

Industrials: +1.46%

Commercial: +1.60%

Construction: -0.40%

Media: -1.04%

Oil & Gas: -0.48%

Personal & Household: -0.54%

Raw Materials: +1.58%

Travel & Leisure: +2.08%

Technology: -0.78%

Telecoms: +0.36%

Banks: +0.46%

Food & Beverages: +3.19%

Health: -0.65%

Utilities: +1.40%

Chemicals: -0.44%

Financial Services: +1.53%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Bank of Cyprus, Marfin Popular Bank, DEH and National Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 25.06

ATEbank: 4.12

Public Power Corp (PPC): 28.00

HBC Coca Cola: 40.88

Hellenic Petroleum: 11.20

Emporiki Bank: 20.40

National Bank of Greece: 45.82

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 26.22

Intralot: 29.60

Cosmote: 24.94

OPAP: 27.96

OTE: 25.94

Titan Cement Company: 35.60

[20] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 5,173 contracts worth 70.800 million euros, with 33,442 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 438 contracts worth 14.825 million euros, with 1,647 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 7,686 contracts worth 13.216 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Investment Group's contracts (1,206), followed by Eurobank (374), Marfin Popular Bank (326), PPC (688), National Bank (457), Intracom (435), ATEbank (322) and Cyprus Bank (522).

[21] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate rose to 3.85 pct from 3.60 pct on Monday, the two-day rate rose to 4.02 pct from 4.0 pct, the one-month rate was 4.31 pct and the 12-month rate fell to 4.69 pct from 4.71 pct on Monday.

[22] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.414

Pound sterling 0.697

Danish kroner 7.511

Swedish kroner 9.236

Japanese yen 165.86

Swiss franc 1.680

Norwegian kroner 7.767

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.398

Australian dollar 1.581

General News

[23] Ecumenical Patriarch on Greek Archbishop's health problems, Holy Synod convenes

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Tuesday expressed surprise and sorrow at the continuing health problems faced by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, whose liver transplant operation was cancelled after doctors found that his cancer had spread.

Bartholomew made the statement in Ankara, shortly after a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

He stressed that both he but also the entire Ecumenical Patriarchate were praying for the Archbishop's speedy recovery and return to his duties.

In Athens, meanwhile, the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece convened without Christodoulos present, with Lagada Metropolitan Spyridon as chairman.

Seven members of the Synod were absent, while the Greek Church's top ecclesiastical body discussed the Archbishop's health problems, with all present expressing their wishes for his recovery and swift return to Greece.

At the suggestion of Dimitriada Metropolitan Ignatius, the Holy Synod decided to send the Archbishop a letter of sympathy and support, to be delivered in Miami by two metropolitans who would also visit Christodoulos.

They also decided to cut the Synod meeting short by two days and all the attending bishops took part in a prayer for the Archbishop's health at the Synod chapel.

[24] America Archbishop visits Archbishop Christodoulos in Miami

America Archbishop Demetrios visited Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece at the ICU at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Monday, shortly after Christodoulos underwent an operation for a liver transplant that was finally aborted after doctors found his cancer had spread.

"He is calm and I can say that his post-operative condition is progressing satisfactorily," Archbishop Demetrios said in exclusive statements to the ANA-MPA after the visit. He said Christodoulos had been informed by his doctor about the events during the operation and had told him that no surgery was possible at this time.

Asked whether the course of treatment for the Archbishop would take place in an American hospital or in Greece, Archbishop Demetrios said that it was still too early to decide because doctors needed to get back the results of biopsies and have an overall picture of Christodoulos' state of health, since they did not currently know whether the new tumours they found originated from the liver or the large intestine.

According to Demetrios, Doctor Andreas Tzakis who is treating Archbishop Christodoulos had been "shocked" at the overall picture presented by Christodoulos abdominal cavity.

"There is progress in the post-operative condition of the Archbishop's health but we do not have progress in terms of fighting the cancer," Archbishop Demetrios added.

Instrumental in improving ties between the Vatican and the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos, 68, was diagnosed with cancer in June and flew to Miami in August to wait for a compatible liver donor.

According to doctors treating the Archbishop, he will now follow "treatment suitable for his case."

[25] Council of Hellenes Abroad president extends warm wishes to Archbishop Christodoulos

World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Stefanos Tamvakis extended warm wishes to Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos for his recovery.

In a letter addressed to the Archbishop, Tamvakis extended to him the wishes of SAE's directorate and of Greeks all over the world for his health to be restored.

"We wish to assure you that the thoughts, love and prayers of all of us are with you," the letter said.

[26] Parliament president at Parliament's day-care centre blessing

The day-care centre at Parliament is available for the children of MPs, Parliamentary staff and accredited journalists.

Sioufas congratulated those who originated the idea of a day-care centre for Parliament and managed to raise it to its current standard of quality, including his predecessors Apostolos Kaklamanis and Anna Psarouda-Benaki.

[27] Sophocles' 'Electra' to be performed in New York

Five performances will be given from Wednesday until October 14. The directing of the performance, which has been presented in Greek cities and abroad is by German theatre director Peter Stein.

[28] French Institute marks centenary with 'Fluxus: C'est gratuit' exhibition

The exhibition is a tribute to one of the most ground-breaking and original modern art movements of the past century that was born by a group of artists in the 1960s. Georges Maciunas, Joseph Beuys, Ben Vautier, Nam June Paik, Yoko Ono and others - influenced by the Dada movement and by Marcel Duchamp, the teachings of John Cage and Zen philosophy, attempted to break down the separation between the arts, to deconstruct the meaning of a work of art and to bring art closer to life.

They organised concerts, invented Mail Art, happenings and video art, published theoretical volumes and street art. Forty years later, Fluxus is still very much alive.

As the Latin root of its name suggests, the movements sought to create a flow (or flux) between different forms of expression such as music, theatre, visual arts, literature, architecture and design. At its core lies the artists' steadfast opposition to the commercialisation of art and an irreverent humour targeted against the 'sacred cows' of classical, bourgeois art.

The exhibition aspires to offer an approach to contemporary art through the presentation of a variety of works, which are characterized by one of Fluxus' main objectives: art to be more accessible by everyone. The exhibition opened on Monday and will run at the Benaki Museum's Pireos street annex until November 4.

[29] Culture as a Tool for Economic and Social Development

The event will pose the crucial questions: with what strategy will the state portray Greek cultural tradition? What does international experience teach? How important is the contribution of private initiative in expoiting culture to the benefit of the economy and of society?

The event, which will take place at the new building of the Benaki Museum (Piraeus Street 138 & Andronikou, Athens), will be addressed by Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis and amin opposition PASOK deputy and former commissioner of Greece at the European Union Anna Diamantopoulou.

[30] International conference on migration and culture

An internataional conference on "Migration:Reflections on art and history" was organised by the Migration Policy Institute (IMEPO) and the Migration Policy centre of Istanbul's Bilgi University.

The conference's programme included the presentation of the establishment of Kalliopi Lemou on the same premises as the Bilgi University, where a Modern Art Museum is also operating.

The initiative has a double goal: it wishes to provide an incentive for dialogue on the experience of migration, as it is being handled by various sectors of the sciences of man, and to examine the significance of migration reality for modern-day culture.

"An initial effort is being made for a visual art approach to the phenomenon of migration through an artistic work," said IMEPO President Alexandros Zavos.

[31] American break dancers in Athens

On Wednesday, October 10, at 8:30 p.m., the group will be at the Arts Center at ACS in Halandri, Athens. This show will feature the popular hip hop group TagRam as hosts, as well as an opening performance by top Greek break dancers Breakers Without Fear. The performance will be free to the public. In addition, HaviKoro will offer a free workshop to aspiring break dancers at the Arts Center at ACS, on Thursday, October 11, at 4 p.m.

The Greek tour of HaviKoro is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Athens and Mosaiko.gr, the Embassy's unofficial website focused on culture, education and technology, the American Embassy's Public Affairs Section said in a press release on Tuesday.

[32] Illegal immigrant killed, 8 injured in traffic accident

According to police, an Albanian people-trafficker had stolen the truck, and picked up approximately 25 Albanian illegal immigrants from the border area between the two countries in order to transport them to Thessaloniki. The truck overturned near the Kastania exit due to speeding.

The driver and the surviving illegal immigrants fled the scene, while the eight injured persons were taken to Veria Hospital, where they were admitted for treatment, and were out of danger, according to doctors.

[33] British teen dies in balcony fall

The 17-year-old tourist plunged to his death while attempting to climb down from his second floor balcony, reports state.

A police investigation is underway.

Weather Forecast

[34] Scattered showers on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[35] Cyprus government's envoy to try solve problem with Syria over ship

The Republic of Cyprus decided to send to Syria an envoy in the framework of its efforts to solve the problem that emerged between Nicosia and Damascus after a cruise ship sailing from the closed Turkish occupied port of Famagusta docked illegally to the Syrian port of Latakia.

In statements to CNA, government's envoy and Honorary President of the EDEK Social Democrats Movement, Vasos Lyssarides said he would travel to Syria on October 20th with the aim to help normalize the relations between both countries and maintain the traditionally friendly ties between Nicosia and Damascus.

He expressed the view that Syria would continue playing a role on the Cyprus issue especially in "less friendly" international fora, which do not back the official Cyprus government positions.

"We can not afford to lose Syria's support and I am sure that by following the right tactic and strategy we will return to our traditionally friendly relations that characterize and unite our countries", Lyssarides said.

Last month a Turkish cruise ship sailed from the closed port of Famagusta for Latakia.

Moreover, a company in the occupied areas has announced two special routes on 11 and 14 October for the Ramadan Bayram celebrations and from 18 October onwards it will start scheduled routes.

Nicosia has sought explanations from Syria to ensure that such an incident will not occur again and that no agreement has been reached between Damascus and the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus on permitting vessels to travel from occupied Cyprus to Syria.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis has addressed a letter to her Syrian counterpart Walid Al Muallem demanding explanations as regards illegal routes between the closed ports of Famagusta, under Turkish occupation since 1974, and Latakia.

The Cypriot minister stressed that she was expecting an answer from Syria before 11 October, the day of the next illegal route.

Famagusta has been declared by the government of Cyprus a closed port following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

The UN has branded the illegal regime in occupied Cyprus "legally invalid" and called on all states not to recognize or facilitate it in any way.

[36] Hungarian Speaker arrives in Cyprus

Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Katalin Szili arrived here Tuesday on a five-day visit, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, at the invitation of Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias.

Speaking to the press upon her arrival at Larnaca airport, Szili said the establishment of financial and cultural relations between Cyprus and Hungary is very important for her country to take place along with the establishment of relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

She described her visit to Cyprus as very important and added that both herself and her country are always on the side of Cyprus.

Szili also said that Cyprus and Hungary agree as regards the framework for the reform of the Constitution of Europe.

Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias, who welcomed the Hungarian delegation, expressed certainty that Szili's visit will contribute furthermore to the development and deepening of relations and exchanges between Cyprus and Hungary.

Christofias also thanked Szili and the Government of Hungary for their stance on the Cyprus question.

He noted that the relations between the parliaments of Cyprus and Hungary are very good, close and are developing even further since the two countries' were under accession to the EU and exchanged experiences and delegations.

Furthermore he noted that Hungary and Cyprus have had traditional relations of friendship since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

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