Greece This Month – November – December 2012 ISSUE 147

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Greece

In this issue:

Agreement on Greece reached @ Eurogroup

New Ambassador of Greece in the UK

Hewlett-Packard picks Piraeus as transit centre

Greek Former IMO Chief E. Mitropoulos Receives Award

EMBASSSY OF GREECE Press & Communications Office

1a Holland Park, London W11 3TP Tel.: 020 77273071, Fax: 020 77278960 pressoffice@greekembassy.org.uk

An agreement between Greece’s lenders (the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank) concerning the sustainability of the country’s public debt was reached, at a marathon Eurogroup meeting in Brussels (November 27). Eurozone Finance Ministers agreed on a formula to reduce Greek debt to 124% of GDP by 2020.

Following 12 hours of deliberations, Eurozone Finance Ministers and the IMF agreed on a set of measures that would immediately cut Greece’s debt by 20% and then set it on a path that would see it drop below 110% of GDP by 2022.

According to a statement on Greece issued, the Euro area member states would be prepared to consider lowering by 100 bps the interest rate charged to Greece; lowering by 10 bps of the guarantee fee costs paid by Greece on the EFSF loans; an extension of the maturities of the bilateral and EFSF loans by 15 years and a deferral of interest payments of Greece on EFSF loans by 10 years.

The Eurogroup further stresses, that the above-mentioned benefits of initiatives by euro area member states would accrue to Greece in a phased manner and conditional upon a strong implementation by the

country of the agreed reform measures in the programme period as well as in the post-programme surveillance period.

The agreement thus, paves the way for the gradual disbursement of the next tranche of the bailout loan to Greece, with the first and largest installment, amounting to €34.4 billion (€10.6 billion for budgetary financing and €23.8 billion in EFSF bonds earmarked for bank recapitalization) to be paid out in December 2012.

The disbursement of the remaining amount (€9.3 billion) will be made in three sub-tranches during the first quarter of 2013.

Born in Athens in 1955 Education: Varvakeion Exemplary High School, 1967-1973 Graduated in Law with honours, University of Athens, 1978 Military Service, Hellenic Navy, 1978-79 Graduate Studies in Private Shipping Law and International Law, University of Hamburg, Germany Married to Maria Goga, father of a son and a daughter Career: 1983 Joined the Greek Diplomatic Service 1984-1988 Diplomatic Cabinet of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and from 1985 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MFA

1988-1992 Consul, Greek Consulate, Vancouver, Canada 1992-1993 First Secretary, Embassy of Greece, Algeria 1993-1998 Spokesman of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Counsellor of Embassy, Founder and Editor of the MFA foreign policy publication Thesis 1998-2002 Head of the Greek Embassy, Baghdad (as Chargé d’Affaires en pied) 2002-2005 Consul General, Greek Consulate General, Boston, USA 2005-2009 Director of the Private Office of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Karolos Papoulias, Minister Plenipotentiary Second Class

2009-2012 Head (Director General) of the National Intelligence Service (EYP), Minister Plenipotentiary First Class 2006-2009 President, Varvakeion Foundation

this month

Agreement on Greece reached @ Eurogroup

Mr. Konstantinos Bikas, the new Ambassador of Greece in the UK

Greece this month – November – December 2012 Issue 147

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Shipping Minister in London

Minister of Shipping and the Aegean, Kostis Mousouroulis, concluded an official visit to London, where he had a series of meetings aiming to promote Greek shipping.

On November 27, Mousouroulis addressed an event in honour of the Secretary General Emeritus of International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Admiral (H.C.G.) Efthimios Mitropoulos, who was presented with the International Maritime Prize 2012.

He later met with the current IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, with whom he discussed issues such as shipping safety, piracy and carbon emissions.

On November 28, the minister had a meeting with members of the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee in London, inviting them to invest in Greece, not only in shipping but also in other sectors. He also briefed them on the ministry’s efforts to reduce red tape and to also minimise, simplify and computerise the processes for registering a vessel under the Greek flag.

Mousouroulis also held a meeting with the British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond, and discussed matters of mutual concern. Speaking to the media, Mousouroulis referred to Greek shipping as a lever for economic growth that can play a crucial part in overcoming the economic crisis in Greece.

Hewlett-Packard picks the port of Piraeus as transit centre

A provisional agreement between American IT firm Hewlett-Packard (HP), Chinese Cosco and Greek Railways Trainose was announced yesterday, involving the use of Cosco's cargo terminal at the port of Piraeus as a transport hub for HP products in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The merchandise will be distributed by sea through the terminal of Piraeus and by land via the adjacent Trainose railway line. The new deal coincides with the completion of the Neo Ikonio railway track, which links the port of Piraeus with the trans- European railway network.

HP’s logistics and transport business totals US$ 50 billion, of which the largest part relates to activities in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; until now HP had a contract with the port of Rotterdam. According to initial estimates by the Greek Ministry of Development, this

2011 International Maritime Prize awarded to former Secretary-General Mitropoulos

Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus of IMO, Secretary-General of the Organization from 2004 to 2011, has been awarded the prestigious International Maritime Prize, for his significant contribution to the work of IMO.

IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu presented the award, a sculpture in the form of a dolphin, to Mr. Mitropoulos, during a special ceremony at IMO Headquarters (on Tuesday, 27 November 2012), on the second day of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 91st session.

Mr. Mitropoulos was nominated for the prize by the Government of Greece and has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to the purposes and functions of IMO during his long and distinguished career with the Organization, culminating in his eight-year stewardship as Secretary-General.

The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO.

A portrait of Mr. Mitropoulos was also unveiled. The painting, by marine artist Robert Lloyd, will be hung alongside the portraits of other former Secretaries-General of the Organization, at IMO Headquarters in London.

new contract deal –expected to come into effect by the end of 2012 could increase local cargo business at Piraeus by almost 50%, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting economic growth.

The Greek premier referred to the agreement as a "vote of confi-dence" for Greece in its effort for economic recovery, noting that it ill help the country establish its global presence.

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'Nikolaos Gyzis: the Great Painter' exhibition at the Theocharakis Foundation

More primary schools to offer Latin and ancient Greek

The Cavafy Archive has entered a new chapter in its history, reports Kathimerini daily. In a highly symbolic move, the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation thus ensuring that its rich content remains in Greece.

"I cannot paint Greece as beautifully as I feel it," Nikolaos Gyzis (1842-1901), one of Greece's most important 19th century painters and the major representative of the so-called 'Munich School', the major 19th century Greek art movement, had once humbly said. Gyzis' multi-level artistic universe is unfolded in the exhibition "Nikolaos Gyzis: The Great Painter", at the B & M Theocharakis Foundation, which will be officially inaugurated by the President of the

Republic on November 22. The exhibition coincides with the 101st anniversary of the death of the great painter, who brought the eternal colors of his homeland to Munich. The Foundation, in cooperation with the Municipal Gallery of Thessaloniki, presents a unique exhibition dedicated to Nikolaos Gyzis, one of the most important representatives of the famous Munich School with works from the much discussed donation of the Gyzis family to the Municipal Gallery of Thessaloniki. The exhibition depicts the evolution of the great painter through the presentation of 120 works, many of which are from the Gyzis family's donation to the Municipal Gallery of Thessaloniki, enriched with works from the collections of the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutzos Museum, the National Bank, the Alpha Bank, the Averoff Museum, the Holy Panhellenic Foundation of Tinos, the Bank of Greece, the Athens Concert Hall, the Emfietzoglou Collection, the Marianna Latsis Collection and many other private collections.The exhibition features major paintings and rare oil paintings, drawings, sculptures and posters of the leading Greek painter of the 19th century. The thematic sections include, among others, portraits and scenes from the artist's family, religious and allegorical subjects, ethnographic themes, landscapes and still lifes. The exhibition also includes a display of a separate chapter in Gyzis' art, comprising posters, diplomas, medals and newspaper inserts, as well as drafts and micro-sculptures that reveal his constant and arduous trials and search in the field of art.

Born in 1842 in the village of Sklavohori on the island of Tinos, which has a long artistic history, Nikolaos Gyzis was considered a realist in his folk themes, long artistic history, Nikolaos Gyzis was considered a realist in his folk themes, an idealist in his allegorical themes and a symbolist in his religious themes, according to art historians who studied his work. In 1850 his family settled in Athens, where he studied at the Athens School of Arts, where he was admitted at the age of 8 (four years earlier than the admission age of 12) and developed his natural skill in painting, following the curriculum as an observer for the first four years and as a student after that until 1864. In 1865 he spread his wings for Munich, where he won a scholarship to continue his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, were he settled for the rest of his life, until his death in 1901. It was there that he approached great masters and came to know great artists, having the support of his fellow

Greek artist and close friend Nikiforos Lytras. In the decade 1875-1885, Gyzis' paintings in Munich were nostalgically reminiscent of scenes of everyday life in Greece, but his dream of returning to Greece one day never happened. He was very soon incorporated into the German pictorial climate, becoming one of the most characteristic representatives of the Greek artistic movement of the 'Munich School'. From 1886 onward he was a professor at

the Academy of Munich and gradually turned from the detailed realistic depictions towards compositions of a singularly impressionistic character. At the beginning of the 1870s returned to Greece for a period of several years, after which he produced a sequence paintings with more avowedly Greek themes. Towards the end of his life, in the 1890s, he took a turn toward more religious themes. Nikolaos Gyzis died of leukemia on January 4, 1901 in Munich, where he was also buried. The exhibition, which opened last week and will run through February 3, 2013, is accompanied by a catalogue including texts by Marinos Kaligas, Marina Lambraki-Plaka, Nelli Misirli, Konstantinos Didaskalou and Takis Mavrotas, and is curated by Takis Mavrotas and Konstantinos Didaskalou.

Latin and ancient Greek are to make a comeback in state schools under Government plans to introduce compulsory language lessons for seven-year-olds. Latin and ancient Greek are among seven languages that could be offered in state primary schools. All primary schools will be expected to teach foreign languages to pupils from 2014 as part of a major drive to boost education standards, it emerged. At least one subject from a seven-strong shortlist – French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Latin and ancient Greek – will be offered to seven- to 11-year-olds.

The move– outlined in a consultation document published by the Department for Education –

could result in a major rise in the number of pupils studying the classical languages at a young age. According to officials, Latin and ancient Greek were included to “give primary schools further options”, with claims that they can provide a good grounding in grammar, syntax and vocabulary which can boost pupils’ understanding of other modern languages. It comes

after a major study found that schoolchildren in England were less likely to study foreign languages to a decent standard than in any other European country.

The archive’s material includes poems (originals and translations), commentaries, literary and other writings, correspondence, diaries, the Alexandrine Art archive (a journal published by Cavafy) as well as a number of the poet’s personal belongings. The oldest item in the archive dates back to 1850 and is a letter penned by the poet’s uncle, Georgios Cavafy, announcing that Constantine’s father was being dispatched to Alexandria to take charge of the local branch of the family business, while the most recent material, from 1933, is the poet’s correspondence with members of his family prior to his death at Alexandria’s Greek hospital, as well the manuscript of his final poem, On the Outskirts of Antioch.

A New Life for the Cavafy Archive

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A new communications and marketing strategy for Greece’s tourism was unveiled by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni during a press conference held in the context of the World Travel Market -one of the industry’s leading annual event that was held in London, on November 5-8. Speaking during a press conference at the opening of Greece’s stand at the exhibition, Kefalogianni pointed to the importance of tourism for the country’s economic recovery and underlined the government’s determination to reestablish Greece among the world’s top tourist destinations. «Our biggest comparative advantage is Greece itself and the timeless elements of its unique identity», noted Kefalogianni setting thus as a goal to showcase these unique features and redefine the country, not only as a summer tourist destination, but as a unique destination offering multiple options. "Tourism as a sector is of major importance for the Greek economy, and will continue to play a major role in the economic recovery," she added. "It now accounts for 18% of Greek GDP [gross domestic product] and 20% of the country's employment, so it is a very important sector in terms of job creation and social cohesion." To boost visitor numbers, Ms Kefalogianni said she was launching an advertising drive in key markets such as the UK, although she was unwilling to say how much money was being spent. "We don't have a huge budget, but aim to be as creative as possible in each market," she said. "We want more people to come and experience Greek hospitality."Kefalogianni admitted that it will take hard work and conviction but she feels

ready to make sure that despite the ups and downs, Greece itself would be

the advantage.“Greece is not only one kind of tourism, it is a signature brand”,” she said, noting the usual attractions the country offers, such as sun, sea and islands. Seasonality is the new aim combining and developing more

types of tourism available in Greece. “We are focusing

more in sea tourism but we are cautious to open the sea to divers because of the natural treasures that may be hidden there. We are developing medical tourism. It is one of our priorities mainly thanks to the variety of spa and treatment centers provided in Greece,” she said. In this context, Mr Nikos Karahalios, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) Secretary General, said that the agency’s new campaign will incorporate the experience that

the country has gained

from organising

big events, such as the

Athens 2004

Olympic Games. By September

2013 when the

outcome of the

previous steps is

known there has to be a

“restructure” that will lead to the “re-brand, re-launch” and ultimately the “re-power” of Greek tourism, he said. One of the initiatives of this new tourism strategy is the collaboration with Google + leading to the creation of the wonderful VisitGreece Google+ page (https://plus.google.com/+greece/posts) that has already surpassed the 900.000 visitors and the groundbreaking Greek official YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/visitgreecegr as presented in the World Travel Market.

Greece All Time Classic

Tourism ministry presents “Amazing Athens” SmartPhone App

The SmartPhone App “Amazing Athens” is the most recent “technological tool” at the disposal of the tourism ministry within the framework of an international tourism promotion campaign focusing on the City of Athens, was announced in Greece. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted that the English-speaking SmartPhone App, a tourist guide created for mobile phones and tablets, will be available in February and constitutes an attempt to overturn the dominant view that “Athens is nothing more than a stopover for tourists heading for the Greek islands”. The application is the result of collaboration between the ministry of culture and the “Stavros Niarchos” Foundation.

Athens among the top 10 winter destinations in Europe - Lonely Planet

Athens ranks 4th among the top 10 winter destinations in Europe acording to the Lonely Planet magazine. It’s a real downer trying to Photoshop 500 people out of your would-be-prizewinning Parthenon photo, but in winter it’s not an issue. All summer stresses – crowding, tourist pricing, intense heat, queues, air pollution – more or less disappear. It’s the best time to explore the country’s ancient heritage and get to experience local culture.

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"We just forget to die", a 101-year-old Ikaria resident, tells a NYT journalist that came all the

way to the small Aegean island to investigate its long-kept secret: the extraordinary longevity of its residents. And so goes the title of the NYT article:

Ikaria, The Island Where People Forget To Die, as, indeed, there seems to be no other explanation for the incredible state of health of the island’s fresh and sprightly centenarians. All possible factors have gone under the magnifying glass. Healthy diet, wine, physical exercise, the island’s delicious mountain tea, a culture of no stress, you name it! But the truth is, we do not know, the NYT article concludes, apart from the fact that all these mutually

enhancing factors are at work to form a uniquely healthy lifestyle, ecosystem and culture. This is too broad an explanation, for Italy’s daily Corriere della Sera, which bets the secret is in the naps: as Ikarians are known for their devotion to sleeping late in the morning and their cherished afternoon nap.

Athens Classic Marathon

The Athens Classic Marathon celebrates this year its 30th anniversary. On Sunday, November 11, athletes from around the globe tested their stamina and strength, on the original course, from Marathon to the Athens Panathenaic Stadium. The 30th anniversary was marked by the participation of thousands of runners in all road races, and especially of more than 12,000 runners in the 5km & 10km races. The international Athens Classic Marathon (ACM) has been organized, since 1983, by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) and is dedicated to the memory of the Balkan athletics champion and pacifist, Grigoris Labrakis. It is a very popular race as well as a tourist event, held annually on the 2nd Sunday of November. Since 1983, participation in the race has gradually increased to reach 5,800 in 2004, and over 18,000 in 2011. Sporting figures such as Kenya’s Patrick Makau and Portugal’s Rosa Mota along with Greek champions attended this year’s gala dinner on November 9 whereas as the 6th AIMS Marathon Symposium was held on November 10, under the title Levels & Quality Control of a Marathon Event.

Ikaria: The Island Where People Forget To Die

Ordinary Greeks strive to save their ailing economy by joining forces to fund a billboard at Piccadilly Circus

tourism now accounts for 18% of Greek GDP and 20% of the country's employment. The campaign went live today on the website Loudsauce and aims to raise a minimum of £12.000 in just 3 weeks through crowd funding - an Internet based fund-raising platform. Donors who pledge £10 or above will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a return ticket to Greece from London, kindly donated by travel website tripsta.net. The advertising video will be created by award - winning visual designer Charis Tsevis and will be displayed on the Piccadilly Lite 24 hours a day for 2 weeks starting on February 1st 2013."We chose London and Piccadilly Circus because it’s an iconic location, instantly recognisable around the world and the epicenter of a country which for years has been at the heart of Greek tourism", says Katerina Spetsiou, Project Manager for the London campaign. The campaign aims to promote Greek tourism in two ways: directly, through the outdoor advertisement, and indirectly by creating a buzz in the media and social media. "It's exciting to be part of such an inspiring project to promote Greece and Greeks in a positive light", says Anita Demetriou of the London team. The two previous campaigns raised $30,000 also through Loudsauce and sparked worldwide interest from the media (including the BBC, CNN and The Guardian). Following this success, the London campaign will aim to achieve even greater exposure and to act as the launchpad for campaigns in other European cities. “Up Greek Tourism” hope that their efforts will raise the profile of Greece as a tourist destination and also serve to inspire other Greeks to think of innovative personal initiatives to help their economy. They also want to demonstrate to the world that Greeks remain an innovative, resilient and hospitable nation.

Up Greek Tourism launches its campaign to raise money for a billboard at London’s Piccadilly Circus to promote tourism in Greece. This follows two inspirational campaigns in New York's Time Square and Washington DC. “Up Greek Tourism” is an innovative grassroots campaign managed, on a voluntary basis, by ordinary Greeks around the world whose goal is to boost the Greek economy and Greece’s image abroad. It has chosen tourism as its subject for promotion because of its critical importance to Greece’s economic recovery;

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