Griechenland News

Las Vegas des Balkans Zocken beim verhassten Nachbarn: Fürs Casino vergessen Griechen ihre Prinzipien Artikel übernommen von Focus, LINK Um des Flüchtlingsandrangs Herr zu werden, hat Mazedonien an der Grenze zu Griechenland einen Zaun errichtet. Doch wenige Meter weiter dürfen 550.000 Griechen jährlich einfach so passieren. Ihr Ziel: Die Casinos der Grenzstadt Gevgelija. Vor knapp einem Jahr gingen die Bilder aus Idomeni um die Welt. Sie zeigten ein im Schlamm versinkendes Zeltlager an einer Bahnlinie am Rande des griechischen Grenzdorfes. Fast 20.000 Flüchtlinge und Immigranten trotzten hier Kälte, Wind und Regen in der Hoffnung auf eine Weiterreise nach Nordeuropa. Zwecklos. Die Grenze Griechenlands zur ehemaligen jugoslawischen Republik Mazedonien, wie das in aller Welt nur als Mazedonien benannte Land in Griechenland genannt werden muss, wurde mit einem kilometerlangen Zaun hermetisch geschlossen. Aus Protest blockierten die Flüchtlinge wochenlang die Bahnlini...

Wegen eines Journalistenstreiks in Griechenland gab es am Mittwoch im Radio und Fernsehen keine Nachrichten. Der Streik soll am Donnerstagmorgen um 6 Uhr Ortszeit enden. Auch die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur ANA-MPA wurde bestreikt. Die Medienleute wehren sich gegen die geplante Fusion ihrer finanziell relativ gesunden Renten- und Krankenkasse mit defizitären Kassen anderer Berufsverbände sowie gegen die hohe Arbeitslosigkeit von mehr als 50 Prozent in ihrer Sparte, wie die Journalisten-Verbände Poesy und Esiea mitteilten. Die Regierung des hochverschuldeten Landes muss harte Sparvorgaben umsetzen, um weitere Finanzhilfen internationaler Geldgeber zu bekommen.

Die Journalistenstreiks in Griechenland weiten sich immer mehr aus: Der griechische Journalistenverband (POESY) hat beschlossen, einen am Donnerstag (21. April) begonnenen 48-stündigen Ausstand bis Mittwoch früh (27. April) auszuweiten. Dann wolle der POESY-Vorstand erneut tagen, um zu entscheiden, ob der Streik weiter andauern soll, hieß es in einer Erklärung der Medien-Gewerkschaften am Samstag. Zeitungen erscheinen nicht. Im Radio und Fernsehen gibt es keine Nachrichten. Im Fernsehen werden nur Spiel- und Dokumentarfilme gezeigt. Im Radio gibt es viel Musik, Dokumentationen und Bildungssendungen. Auch die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur ANA-MPA wird bestreikt. Wer sich in Griechenland informieren wollte, war vor allem auf die griechisch-zypriotischen Medien angewiesen. Die Redakteure wehren sich gegen die geplante Fusion ihrer finanziell relativ gesunden Pensions- und Krankenkasse mit defizitären Kassen anderer Berufsverbände. Dies sieht unter anderem ein Gesetz vor, das in den nächs...

Greek media write about the developments with the early elections in Macedonia each day, MIA reports. "New political dead-­end in FYROM . FYROM holds early elections under threat of boycott from the Social -Democrats. Elections on 5 June in climate of mistrust", are some of the headlines in the Greek media, which use the word FYROM instead of Macedonia's name. Greek media report that opposition leader Zoran Zaev claims there is no room for holding the early elections in a free and democratic atmosphere. Greek media carry Zaev's charges that Macedonia is under an "authoritarian regime" and that therefore the opposition will not take part in the vote.

Online editions of several Greek media are reporting Monday parts of a speech made by Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki at Sunday's event organized by the ruling party VMRO-­DPMNE. "We won't accept changing the Constitution, which would pave the way for the changing of Macedonia's constitutional name, we won't even accept suggestions or ideas that could encroach Macedonia's identity, language and culture," said Poposki, whose statement made during the presentation of the VMRO-DPMNE's accountability report was widely reported in Greece. With no comments, Greek media wrote about Poposki's speech, noting the Macedonian minister had stated that'‘VMRO-­DPMNE will not allow any solution to the dispute, which has been imposed to Macedonia, to be approved by politicians or individuals, the Government or Parliament, without scheduling a referendum for the Macedonian citizens to voice their opinion over the proposal.'

VMRO-­DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski refers to a number of issues of current interest in an interview with the Greek newspaper "To Vima". Regarding allegations that the Government abused its power, no rule of law and media freedom, which has led to a political agreement and early elections, Gruevski says his party has won all elections over the past nine years due to its program. "The support we get is a result of our accountability, projects we promised and realized. Over the past nine years, Macedonia has continually made progress. We have received consecutive European Commission recommendations for the start of accession talks, met all criteria for NATO membership, became the 12. best doing business destination in the world...Would all these reforms be possible if there was no rule of law? Would we be criticized in media if there was no freedom of speech? Macedonia has been plunged into a deep crisis because of SDSM's destructive policy. Therefore, it is go...

Greek media are angry at the International Monetary Fund after the financial organization labeled Macedonia merely as MKD in the invitation for the presentation of a new report on regional economic issues and risks. Greek media are up in arms over a map that names all countries with a three letter abbreviation. The Elefteros Tipos daily denounced the IMF even after the organization put an asterisk at the bottom of the map to say they are not responsible for the names they used. "This further incriminates the Fund, because it means they were aware they will cause a disruption", the paper writes. Greece has initiated a decades long naming dispute with Macedonia, blocking the country's membership in NATO and the European Union in an attempt to force it to change its name. MIA's correspondent in Athens reports, Greek media may have an actual reason to be angry at the IMF, as the negotiations with the creditors who keep Greece financially afloat are stuck yet agai...

Greek media are angry at the International Monetary Fund after the financial organization labeled Macedonia merely as MKD in the invitation for the presentation of a new report on regional economic issues and risks. IMF uses the temporary reference "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", but Greek media are angry over a map that names all countries with a three letter abbreviation. The Elefteros Tipos daily denounced the IMF even after the organization put an asterisk at the bottom of the map to say they are not responsible for the names they used. "This further incriminates the Fund, because it means they were aware they will cause a disruption", the paper writes. Greece has initiated a decades long name dispute with Macedonia, blocking the country's membership in NATO and the European Union in an attempt to force it to change its name. Greek nationalists and most of their media use the a word FYROM , they construct from the temporary refere...

Greek newspapers can no longer be printed due to lack of paper. Some Greek newspapers can remain paperless and will be forced to stop their print until the banks are reopened, the BTA reports. The withdrawal limit for the ATMs and bank transactions have worsen the lives of millions of Greeks, and the queuing in front of the banks and the ATMs is a daily sight. The local media are also victim of the measures introduced at the end of June. The bestselling newspaper on the island of Lesbos, "Embros" has already reduced the number of pages from 20 to 16. “We have a problem with the delivery of paper”, the CEO Manolis Manolas said. The best selling newspaper in Greece "Ta Nea" wrote that it will issue only 32 pages in the editorial material because the paper stocks will be sufficient only for several days.

Greek media reported mostly about the 11 confidence measures agreed between Macedonia and Greece at Wednesday's meeting of the foreign ministers, Nikola Poposki and Nikos Kotzias respectively. It appears that the information on Wednesday's meeting between Kotzias and the Macedonian state top has been reported almost without any comments. Instead, media focused on the eleven confidence measures that 'open the way for greater trust between the two countries'. "Confidence can move mountains," Greek media cited Kotzias, adding that he stressed that Greece was prepared to use all means and expertise to contribute to Skopje's European prospect. The internet portal News.gr highlights Kotzia's statement that 'the existence of Skopje is a gift for the Balkans', and then it also reiterates, same as the other media, that the 11 confidence measures open the road for the establishment of trust between the two countries. Greek Foreign Mi...

Greek media noted with curiosity that the Macedonian flag was raised in front of the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry this week. The occasion was the visit of Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Besimi, who met with Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias, and this led the hosts to display the Macedonian flag next to the flags of Greece and the European Union. " While it's a normal diplomatic practice, the fact that the flag was raised in front of the Foreign Affairs Ministry caused curiosity ", daily Proto Thema writes. MIA correspondent in Athens reports that Greek journalists who came for the joint press conference were also surprised by the gesture. Macedonian officials visit Greece quite rarely, and when they did in the past, the flag was usually displayed only on the inside of the building. Besimi met with Kotzias to discuss the raft of measures meant to improve confidence between Macedonia and Greece. Greek diplomats are expected to travel...

Developments in Macedonia have raised the alarm in Greece, reported Netpress' Athens correspondent. For the majority of the Greek public it is already certain that the attempted coup and destabilization by the SDSM in cooperation with foreign agencies is needed in order to overthrow the government and prevent the progress of the Turkish stream. This thesis was further strengthened after the last statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry in which it says the opposition SDSM, Soros NGO and a Western country want to cause a 'color revolution' in Macedonia. Newspaper "Contranews" writes that Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and will not allow Kosovo terrorists to remain in Macedonia or the region.

Greek daily Kathimerini claims it had the possibility to see a letter sent by former Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos in December 2014 to the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in which Greece opposed the designation of the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name, during the coalition meeting against the Islamic State, held in Brussels. Venizelos then told Greek media that as a sign of protest, he had left the meeting of allies, while Athens reacted to the 'incident' after the event, after Greek media severely attacked the chief of diplomacy over the designation of the country. "The American representatives refused to change the way in which the Republic of Macedonia was denominated. Kathimerini had the opportunity to look at the letter sent by Minister Venizelos then to the Secretary of State, John Kerry. Venizelos says he is deeply disappointed with US's conduct, which chaired the meeting, and added that the US have shown lack of resp...

While Athens is struggling to make ends meet with its empty budget and is most likely preparing for a new loan from international creditors, Macedonia has paid off its debts, 13 months in advance, Telegraf.mk reads. This conclusion was announced Tuesday by Greek media, in reports related to the early payment of the debt Macedonia had towards the International Monetary Fund, citing at the same time the statement of the IMF chief, Christine Lagarde. "I salute the decision of the country to pay its remaining commitments to the Fund before due time, which is reflecting the improved approach of the international capital markets. We eagerly expect to continue the close and constructive dialogue with the Macedonian authorities," Lagarde said. Greek media add that the payment of Macedonia's last installment of the precautionary credit line, in the amount of USD 174 million, has been transferred in the end of February, i.e. 13 months before the deadline in March 2016...

In an article about the recent discovery at the archeological site near Amphipolis written by Anthee Carassava,  a correspondent from Athens  and published by The  Sunday Times the author states that the archeological site  is near the border with Macedonia. This statement caused  an avalanche of anger in the Greek media. Citation The remains were unearthed earlier this month within a vaulted structure that formed one of the inner sanctums of a huge grave, about 375 miles north of Athens, near the border with Macedonia. Read the article here: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Europe/article1490311.ece

Ganz schön peinlich fiel eine neue Werbekampagne der nationalen griechischen Touristikagentur aus, als Motiv bediente man sich in Australien und das Motiv der " Zwölf Apostel " wurde für die Kampagne verwendet. Das griechische Touristenministerium versuchte sich zu rechtfertigten und wies darauf hin, dass die Konstellationen über den 12 Aposteln "griechische Namen tragen würden".

Almost all Greek media reported the statement by Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz who asked the Council of the EU to abandon the blockade of Macedonia, MIA.  Entitled "Austrian Foreign Ministry complained of Greece", "Austria presses for Skopje", "Provocation by the Austrian Foreign Minister," Greek media transferred the statement of Kurz to the European Commission report on the progress of the Western Balkans. - Unfortunately my fears were confirmed. Continuous blockade of the accession negotiations with Macedonia, caused by the unresolved name dispute with Greece, puts into question the already achieved results. In long term it can lead to destabilization of the entire region. Therefore I call on the Council to lift the blockade on the issue, Kurz asked.

In headlines citing "The Austrian Foreign Ministry Makes Complaint on Greece", "Austria Exerts Pressure in Support of Skopje", "Provocation Coming from Austria's Foreign Minister", Greek media have transmitted Sebastian Kurz's statement on the EC report on the progress of Western Balkan countries. "The continuous blockage of the opening of accession talks for Macedonia due to the unsolved name dispute puts the already achieved results in question. In the long run, it could destabilize the entire region. Therefore, I call on the European Council to finally lift the blockade," Kurz said.

Mediator Matthew Nimetz in the coming weeks to Athens and Skopje will present new proposal for possible solution to the name issue, writes MIA. This was reported by the Greek newspaper “Eleftherotypia”, citing “reliable sources” at the United Nations in New York. “What will brought Nimitz, perhaps before the end of October, will be package of proposals that will include new version of the name, and many other topics irredentism, language etc.,” the newspaper reported. Ironically, adding that as foreign minister is busy with other critical issues such as the party, the burden of this national issue will fall on already “encumbered, but relentless, Prime Minister…” If the information by the UN is correct, according to the “Eleftherotypia” Samaras very soon will have to face the issue of Macedonia’s name, which obviously will have impact on developments in domestic politics, which at this stage is monopolized by problems associated with economy and hunting for votes of el...

Mediator Matthew Nimetz, will probably hold another round of name talks in Athens and Skopje by the end of the month, the Greek newspaper "Ethnos" reports. The paper recalls on the comment by the Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, when referring to the statement by Merkel. He emphasized that VMRO-DPMNE will not get into any initiatives and ideas that would contest or question the identity of the Macedonian people, language and nation. "It is very likely that another round of talks will be held in Athens and Skopje by the end of the month, however judging by the comments made by Gruevski, there is not much room for optimism", "Ethnos" comments. Accusations addressed to Macedonian authorities are common in the Greek media. When Samaras recently said that "there is no such thing as Macedonian language", he caused an unhidden enthusiasm among Greek journalists, which together with the Greek officials claim that Athens ...