GREECE @ UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Bakoyannis Meets Nimetz

On the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly meeting in New York, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz to discuss the most recent suggestions that the diplomat had made on September 11. In his comments to the press after the roughly 10-minute meeting, Nimetz again underlined that his mandate involves only a solution for the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the provisional name under which the landlocked former Yugoslav republic is still recognised by the United Nations. He said that he was impressed by Athens’ "decisiveness" and that he had a "better understanding" of Greece’s positions on his proposals for ending the name issue. 

Bakoyannis stated that the discussion about the negotiation process had been interesting and constructive, and it will continue, under UN auspices. 

The minister had a series of other meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, including with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, and Archbishop Demetrios of America. 

Athens News Agency: Bakoyannis, Nimetz meeting; Kathimerini daily: Nimetz upbeat after FM talks; Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Full statements of Foreign Minister with Demetris Christofias & FM with Archbishop Demetrios of America

See also: Washington Times- Menendez/Snowe: Macedonian quandary

Papandreou Chairs SI Presidium

Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou is currently in New York to chair a SI Presidium meeting, which convenes at the seat of the United Nations, on the sidelines of the sessions of the 63rd UN General Assembly. The members of the Presidium, 40 heads of state and governments and leaders of socialist, social-democratic and labour parties from all over the world, will discuss the course of the Millennium Development Goals, the world economic crisis, developments in the Caucasus, the Middle East and Bolivia. Papandreou will also take part in a conference organised from September 23 to 26 by the Foundation of former U.S. president Bill Clinton, "Clinton Global Initiative."

Greel News Agenda: Socialist International Congress

ITALIAN PRESIDENT IN ATHENS

Greek-Italian Relations Still Strong

The president of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano today completes an official visit to Athens, during which he has met with Greece's state and political leadership. Commenting on EU’s foreign relations, Napolitano stated that the solution to the Cyprus problem is a precondition for the accession talks to be continued between the European Union and Turkey. Speaking at a joint press conference, Napolitano expressed his will for constant upgrading of Greece’s bilateral relations with Italy, while emphasising the importance of the energy collaboration between the two countries. This collaboration culminates in the "Interconnector Greece-Italy," which will bring natural gas from central Asia to European markets by 2011.

Cultural Ties

Napolitano’s visit to Athens hailed a new era for the repatriation of looted Greek artefacts after the return of the "Palermo Fragment," a piece of the Parthenon marbles which had been kept at the Museum of Palermo in Italy. Yesterday, the Italian president inaugurated the "Nostoi (Homecomings): Recovered Masterpieces" exhibition which decorates the premises of the New Acropolis Museum, showcasing artefacts which were recently repatriated to Greece.

BBC News: Italy returns marble to Greece

DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY

Defenders of Democracy: The American Response to Greece’s role in World War II is an exhibition of photographs, memorabilia, newspapers, magazines and ephemera from the private collection of Gregory C. Pappas.  It includes the largest known collection of authentic Greek War Relief Association propaganda posters, which were printed in the 1940s to rally support for Greece from the American public. The event is jointly organised by the American Hellenic Institute, the Costas & Mary Maliotis Foundation, and the Maliotis Cultural Center. The exhibition begins today and runs through October 16.

THE CULTURE AGENDA

European Heritage Days

Celebrating the 10th European Heritage Days (September 6-21), an institution introduced by the European Council and European Union, the Ministry of Culture is granting free entrance to 42 archaeological monuments in Greece over the weekend of September 27 and 28.

European Council: European Heritage Days; Greece

Music

The queen of pop music Madonna will be performing live for the Greek public on September 27 at the Olympic Stadium as part of her "Sticky and Sweet" world tour. Tickets are sold out.

Ennio Morricone, the world famous composer arrives in Athens for two concerts on September 28 and 29 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The programme includes classic pieces of the famous composer’s work (approximately 250 soundtracks) as well as a first worldwide presentation of 80 year-old Morricone’s latest work "Sicilo e altri frammenti", for which he was inspired by his latest visit to Athens in 2005.

"Music in Rhodes" is a thematic music festival that brings together top Greek and international music ensembles in the historic Old City of Rhodes (September 15-28). The festival has faithful friends and the Greek and international press publishes enthusiastic reviews (New York Times, Figaro, Berliner Zeitung a.o.) The original productions of "Music in Rhodes," have toured widely across the world.

The cult music TV channel MTV Greece inaugurates its broadcasting with the MTV Music Week from September 28 until October 4. The programme includes a series of parties, gigs, music events and live shows around Athens, among which, a special REM concert.

Dance

Famous American Dance Theatre Alvin Ailey celebrates its 50th anniversary with a performance in Athens on September 26 and 27 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The performance is under the aegis of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the money raised will be donated to Amnesty International Hellas.