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The Weekend Neos Kosmos : 14 July 2018
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NEWS 6 THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 14 JULY 2018 Greece to expel Russian diplomats over suspected attempt to undermine Greece-FYROM deal Greece is moving towards expelling two Russian diplomats, and blocking two others from entering the country, who are suspected of having been involved in an attempt to undermine the deal between Greek and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Speaking to the Associated Press, a Greek official, who requested to remain anonymous, revealed that Russia had been given until Friday 13 July to have the diplomats out of Greece. In response, Russia said it would take similar action with regards to Greek diplomats in Moscow. The decision to expel the diplomats, follows evidence that they encouraged rallies against the name deal, along with offering bribes to opponents. According to reports, their motivation was fuelled by the fact that the deal will likely see FYROM join NATO, and as a result weaken the influence of Russia in the western Balkans. "We had issued warnings to Russian authorities for some time over [the actions of] these specific four diplomats and civilians, and last Friday it was officially raised, giving them a reasonable period of a few days to leave the country," a Greek government source said. During the NATO summit in Brussels, FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev alluded to the fact that he was aware of Russia being responsible for some of the protests that took place outside the FYROM parliament. But he added that they were in no way interested in conflict. "We are a small country. We want to build a friendship with everybody. There is no alternative but NATO membership," Zaev said. DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM Air traffic increases in Greece while cruise sector plummets According to data collected in the first half of 2018, passenger traffic in Greece is witnessing an all-time rise having increased by 45 per cent over the past four years. Following the acquisition by Fraport of 14 Greek regional airports, air traffic went up by 10.9 per cent, seeing 4.36 million passengers go through the airports, with the busiest airports being Athens, Iraklio, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Hania. Santorini, Kos, and Cephallonia, on the other hand reported double-digit annual passenger increases with numbers reaching up to, and over, 3,500 flights per day. The annual income estimated to derive from the arrivals to Greece especially during summer months is being received positively by Greece's lenders. As a result, a construction years. "We witnessed the most pro- Piraeus cruise port. PHOTO: MARITIME TRAFFIC license has been issued for a major €90 million renovation of Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport. Greece's tourism market keeps expanding, allowing more job openings in the aviation sector. Since 2014, Greece's Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) has hired an additional 70 air traffic controllers to meet safety standards due to increased traffic levels. While Greek airports have every reason to celebrate, ports, and especially the cruise ship sector, is suffering a drop in bookings way below 2017's levels. Last year, in fact, also witnessed a significant slide in the specific – and lucrative – tourism sub-sector, a confusing development given Greece's healthy holiday and travel numbers over recent found decrease in 2017," said Theodoros Kontes, president of the Association of Cruise Ship Owners and Maritime Agencies (EEKFN). "Compared to recent years, [it is] down by 20 per cent … but our initial forecasts were for a small correction of around 2 per cent for 2018, and a gradual upward trend in the coming years. Instead, after researching travel agencies and ports, it appears that 2018 will post another significant decrease – 2 per cent for docking of vessels, and 3.2 per cent for arrival of passengers." Kontes has recorded a total of 3,353 cruises scheduled to take place in 2018, which translates into 4.48 million passengers; a reportedly lower number compared to the 2017 statistics. Oldest written record of the Odyssey discovered in Olympia The Homeric exctract comprises 13 verses engraved on a clay tablet, dated to Roman times (L) Greek PM Alexis Tsipras and (R) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. PHOTO: BBC The oldest known extract of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey was discovered in Ancient Olympia, by a team of Greek and German Archaeologists. The extract comprises 13 verses from the 14th Rhapsody, in which Odysseus addresses his lifelong friend Eumaeus, engraved on a clay plaque. Although the exact date of the plaque is yet to be confirmed, according to the reasearchers on field, it dates back to the Roman era, before the 3rd century CE. In its announcement, the Greek Ministry of Culture spoke of "a great archaeological, epi- graphic, literary and historical exhibit." The discovery was made near the ruined Temple of Zeus in the ancient city of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic games. It took three years for the archaeologists' team to uncover the plaque. A seminal work of western literature, spanning some 12,000 verses, the Odyssey was presumably composed by Homer in the late 8th Century BCE, that is about 1,000 years prior to this written extract. It has been handed down in oral tradition for centuries. AUSTRALIA Greek Australian lawyers host conference in Rhodes The inaugural international legal event is centred around the ‘influence of Hellenism’ Over 400 delegates and other members of the international legal community gathered on the island of Rhodes this week for the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association’s inaugural International Legal Conference. The opening ceremony of the six-day event, on Monday 9 July, was opened by the president of the Greek Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, at the Grand Master's Palace alongside the mayor of Rhodes, Fotis Hatzidiakos. Also present at the event was the Australian Ambassador in Greece, Kate Lo- gan, who gave a speech on "the endurance of the Greek Australian bilateral relationship". The conference featured a number of speeches by revered members of the court system from both countries. The keynote speech was delivered by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon Susan Kiefel AC. Her speech, titled ‘Rhetoric and Reasoning – Contributions to the Common Law’ centred on the conference theme of contemporary legal issues and the influence of Hellenism. Sydney’s Greek Orthodox Community honours its 120-year history The event was held in Sydney in the presence of community leaders and politicians The Greek Orthodox Community (GOC) of Sydney celebrated 120 years since its foundation back in 1898 at their community centre in Brighton. President of the GOC, Harry Danalis, spoke of the significance of the community and pointed out that its goals are still in effect to this day, as they were when it was first founded. He also noted that they will continue to strive so that the Greek language is more widely used in Australia, and that Greeks are able to maintain all their traditions and way of life, while also adapting more easily to their new environment. It was pointed out that more events such as this will occur so that the younger generation of Greeks can have a better feel for their heritage, in addition to the Sydney Greek Festival and the Greek Film Festival. A congratulatory word for the work of the GOC over the years was given by the NSW Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Ray Williams, State Opposition leader Luke Foley, and MP Linda Burney. Also present at the event was the representative of the Greek Embassy in Sydney, Eleni Karapanagou and NSW MPs Mark Joseph Coure and Jihad Dib, among others. The event was focused on Greek traditional dances that were performed by the GOC's dance group, led by Paroula Galleli-Thurban and Nicole Thurban-Egglezou. The presentation of the event was hosted by Samantha Danalis, a member of the GOC's committee. All attendees were given a special commemorative album honouring the GOC's history, with special messages from Mr Danalis, the Greek Ambassador in Canberra Katerina Xagoraris, and the General Ambassador of Greece in Sydney, Mr Karras, along with other political figures. The GOC celebrated 120 years since its founding. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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