Skopelos 2. Mars 2010

PM firms up gas ties with Russia

(Athens News/ANA/AP)

Issue No. 13378

PM George Papandreou with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin announce details of their meeting in Moscow

PRIME Minister George Papandreou ended a two-day trip to Moscow on February 17 by reaffirming Greece’s commitment to the South Stream pipeline project that is expected to secure the country’s natural gas needs and turn it into a regional energy hub.

The pipeline, set for 2015, would carry Russian gas to Europe under
the Black Sea.

Papandreou said that Greece and Russia are also ready to sign a legal agreement for the foundation of a company based in Athens to coordinate the cooperation on the construction of the pipeline.

“Projects like this are designed to be instrumental in overcoming crisis situations and creating conditions for crisis-free development,” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said after meeting with Papandreou, adding that South Stream is funded by a Russian, French and Italian companies. He noted that 10 European countries have so far asked to participate.

Papandreou’s visit raised speculation that Greece may seek a bailout loan from Moscow, but the officials declined to take questions on the subject.

Putin said last month that Russia had received assurances that Turkey would give the green light to the construction under its sector of the Black Sea by November.

Putin supported Papandreou’s view that Greek financial problems “can be dealt with”, noting the origin of the global meltdown.

“As we know, the global financial crisis originated neither in Russia, nor in Greece or Europe - it came from across the ocean,” he said. “In the United States, we see the same problems - massive foreign debt and budget deficit,” he said.

The talks covered a broad range of issues, from political, economic and trade cooperation to collaboration in energy and culture projects, and was sealed with the signature of a special protocol for 2012-2014.

Papandreou also expressed an interest in the expansion of agricultural exports to the potentially large Russian market. The two premiers agreed to set up a joint Greek-Russian ministerial committee that met for the first time during the visit and will reconvene in Moscow in a few months."
Athens News

Frangoulis, Theodorakis,
Sto perigiali, live 2001
The Beach - Stranden

Part of a concert (May, 2001) celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The song is part of Theodorakis' "Epiphania" cycle.

Στο περιγιάλι το κρυφό κι άσπρο σαν περιστέρι διψάσαμε το μεσημέ---ρι, μα το νερό γλυφό Πάνω στην άμμο την ξανθή γράψαμε τ’ όνομά της Ωραία που φύσηξε ο μπάτης και σβήστηκε η γραφή Με τι καρδιά, με τι πνοή, τι πόθους και τι πάθος Πήραμε τη ζωή μας λάθος κι αλλάξαμε ζωή

At the hidden beach and white like a dove thirsty in the afternoon, - but the water was brackish On the light sand we wrote her name Well, then the wind blew and erased the writing With what heart, what life, what hopes and what passion We took our lives wrong and changed lives Translation by Google & me
På den hemmelige stranden hvit som en due tørster vi i middagsstunden - men vannet var brakkvann I den lyse sanden skrev vi hennes navn - da blåste mildt en vind fra havet og skriften ble slettet ut Med hvilket hjerte og hvilket ånd med hvilke lengsler og hvilken lidelser valgte vi å leve - Et feilgrep Og vi endret våre liv Fra Bli kjent med Hellas HERA ISBN 82-991248-1-6
Giorgos or George Seferis (Γιώργος Σεφέρης) was the pen name of Geōrgios Seferiádēs (Γεώργιος Σεφεριάδης, 13 March [O.S. 29 February] 1900 September 20, 1971). He was one of the most important Greek poets of the 20th century, and a Nobel laureate. He was also a career diplomat in the Greek Foreign Service, culminating in his appointment as Ambassador to the UK, a post which he held from 1957 to 1962. Wikipedia

PM firms up gas ties with Russia

Frangoulis, Theodorakis, Sto perigiali, live 2001 The Beach - Stranden

Frangoulis, Theodorakis,
Sto perigiali, live 2001
The Beach - Stranden