AHEPA e-News! | Vol. 12 Issue 28

Meet us in A.C. for the 96th Supreme Convention.  More info | Meet our honorees! | 2018 National AHEPA Basketball Tournament | Online registration deadline extended to Monday, 7/16, 6 p.m., EDT   Congressional Hellenic Caucus Membership is 126.   Help It Grow.   Although Congress is heading into the homestretch of the 115th Congress, there is still plenty of time to increase the membership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. AHEPA asks for your help. The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.  It is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and its co-founder, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Membership in the Hellenic Caucus stands at 126.   Is your U.S. representative a member?  Click here to find out. Download & Share: Action Alert to help you outreach to your U.S. representative   Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:                                            Upcoming Events & Deadlines July 22 - 28 | 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Atlantic City, N.J. Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Greek American News Digest   Editor's Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.     'Classical Greek Oligarchy,' 'House of Names' share Runciman Award Ekathimerini (July 4)    It is said that Sir Steven Runciman fell in love with the Byzantine Empire as a young man in 1929, while on the deck of the family yacht. Looking out to Monemvasia on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, he saw the castle town's walls and churches from afar and felt a strong affinity toward Greece.  This affinity lasted his entire life and compelled him to study Byzantine history and bring it out of international obscurity. He taught, wrote and forged friendships with important Greek literary figures, such as Giorgos Seferis and Angelos Sikelianos, becoming an important bridge between Greek and British culture.  read more    Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals how Roger Federer played key role in his Wimbledon run Metro (July 10)   Stefanos Tsitsipas' impressive Wimbledon run was brought to an end on Manic Monday as he failed to deal with the ruthless serving power of John Isner. The young Greek Next Gen star had wowed crowds at the All England Club with his all-action style, particularly his Boris Becker-esque dives, and he has now firmly established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport.  read more   Additional coverage Clay plaque found at Olympia hailed as oldest written record of Odyssey Ekathimerini (July 10) Archaeologists in Greece have discovered what they believe to be the oldest known extract of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey."  A team of Greek and German researchers found it on an engraved clay plaque in Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games in the Peloponnese peninsula, the Greek culture ministry said on Tuesday.  read more   Energean asks Cyprus for approval to import Israeli gas via new pipeline Reuters (July 5)   Energean is seeking approval from Cyprus for the Greek oil and gas firm to build a pipeline from its Israeli offshore gas fields and import 0.5 to 1 billion cubic meters of gas a year to the island, Energean's chief executive said on Thursday.   read more    Greece's population shrinking due to crisis  Ekathimerini (July 7)   Greece's population has decreased by around 355,000 people since the financial crisis started hitting hard in 2011, and if nothing is done to offset this downward trend, by 2050 Greek citizens will at most number 10 million, according to the country's statistics agency (ELSTAT).  Even more worrisome is ELSTAT's prediction that by 2080 the country's population could drop to 7.2 million.  read more    Uruguay: The Little South American Country with Many Philhellenes  Greek Reporter (July 7)   One can say that Uruguay is a country of philhellenes, as out of the 3,500,000 million people living there, at least 6,000 people speak fluent Greek as if it is their mother tongue.  Ancient Greece features prominently in the South American country.   Roads and squares have Greek names and statues of ancient philosophers decorate public buildings.   read more    Greek-American Daughter of Seattle AHEPA Member Publishes Book The National Herald (July 4)      A night of spooky fun exploring a haunted house takes an unexpected turn when Anthony meets the undead Emily. Their awkward, newfound friendship attracts an eccentric group of demon-fighting paranormal investigators-as well the cult of dark mages holding Emily's soul captive for their mysterious schemes.  Released in April 2018 by Blysster Press, "Midnight Waltz" is the first book from the Greek-American author Maria Giakoumatos, and the first of the four-part Infernal Symphony series.  read more

Συνέντευξη του βουλευτή Αττικής Πάνου Σκουρολιάκου..

Συνέντευξη του βουλευτή Αττικής Πάνου Σκουρολιάκου στον ραδιοσταθμό 247 για την πλαζ Λουκιανού Κηλαηδόνη (Βίντεο/ηχητικό)
Συνέντευξη του βουλευτή Αττικής Πάνου Σκουρολιάκου στον ραδιοσταθμό 247 για την τελετή μετονομασίας της πλαζ Βουλιαγμένης σε πλαζ Λουκιανού Κηλαηδόνη, και αναφορά στο Πάρτι του Λουκιανού στην πλαζ της Βουλιαγμένης,  το 1983, όπου ο Πάνος Σκουρολιάκος μετείχε στην διοργάνωση. Παναγιώτης (Πάνος) Σκουρολιάκος Βουλευτής Περιφέρειας Αττικής Βασ. Σοφίας 2 (Μέγαρο Βουλής), 10021 Αθήνα Τηλ.2103708473-4,fax:2103707576,e-mail: p.skouroliakos@parliament.gr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWufotMertw ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΕΔΩ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΒΙΝΤΕΟ › Βουλή: Πάνος Σκουρολιάκος για ΚΛΕΙΣΘΕΝΗ Ι και κατάτμηση περιφερειών  (Βίντεο) Η ομιλία του βουλευτή Αττικής  Πάνου Σκουρολιάκου στο νομοσχέδιο για την τοπική αυτοδιοίκηση (ΚΛΕΙΣΘΕΝΗΣ Ι) όπου συμπεριλαμβάνεται  και η κατάτμηση των Περιφερειών Αττικής (σε Δυτική και Ανατολική Αττική) και της Β Αθηνών σε τρείς Περιφέρειες (Βόρεια, Νότια και Δυτική Αθήνα). Παναγιώτης (Πάνος) Σκουρολιάκος Βουλευτής Περιφέρειας Αττικής Βασ. Σοφίας 2 (Μέγαρο Βουλής), 10021 Αθήνα Τηλ.2103708473-4,fax:2103707576,e-mail: p.skouroliakos@parliament.gr https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=hnB7p3EI1B4 ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΕΔΩ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΒΙΝΤΕΟ
MHTROPOLEOS 1, 10557, ATHENS, Greece

Ντόρα Μπακογιάννη, για τις προβλέψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής σχετικά με το ρυθμό ανάπτυξης της ελληνικής οικονομίας

Αθήνα, 12 Ιουλίου 2018   H Τομεάρχης Οικονομίας και Ανάπτυξης της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, βουλευτής Α’ Αθηνών, κυρία Ντόρα Μπακογιάννη, για τις προβλέψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής σχετικά με το ρυθμό ανάπτυξης της ελληνικής οικονομίας, έκανε την ακόλουθη δήλωση: «Οι προβλέψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής για τους ρυθμούς ανάπτυξης της ελληνικής οικονομίας, όπως παρουσιάζονται στην τακτική Ενδιάμεση Έκθεσή της, επιβεβαιώνουν τον εγκλωβισμό της στην παγίδα της χαμηλής ανάπτυξης. Σύμφωνα με την έκθεση, η ανάπτυξη το 2018 θα παραμείνει κάτω του 2% του Α.Ε.Π. (1,9%). Την ίδια στιγμή, χώρες που ακολούθησαν προγράμματα προσαρμογής όπως η Ιρλανδία, η Κύπρος και η Πορτογαλία, καταγράφουν υψηλούς ρυθμούς ανάπτυξης, ανακτώντας την απώλεια πλούτου που υπέστησαν στην περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης. Η στάσιμη εγχώρια κατανάλωση, η περιορισμένη αύξηση της απασχόλησης, το μεγάλο επενδυτικό κενό και η αδύναμη αύξηση των εξαγωγών δεν επαρκούν για να οδηγήσουν στην ισχυρή και διατηρήσιμη ανάταξη της οικονομίας.  Μοναδική διέξοδος από το φαύλο κύκλο των ασθενικών οικονομικών επιδόσεων και των χαμηλών προσδοκιών είναι η εφαρμογή ενός φιλόδοξου σχεδίου ανάπτυξης που θα προωθήσει τις αναγκαίες μεταρρυθμίσεις και θα αποκαταστήσει την πολιτική αξιοπιστία της χώρας. Η Κυβέρνηση έχει αποτύχει σε όλα τα πεδία, χρειάζεται άμεσα πολιτική αλλαγή».

EUROGROUP-COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION interesting news

Eurogroup 12/7/2018  Main results - Eurogroup, 12/07/2018 The Eurogroup was briefed on the outcome of the June Euro Summit. It discussed the economic situation and the outlook for the euro area as well as the euro area's budgetary situation as a whole. A meeting about Bulgaria's intention to join the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) took place in the margins of the Eurogroup. Main results Information from June Euro Summit Eurogroup President Mário Centeno informed ministers on the outcome of the Euro Summit, which took place on 29 June. He also briefly outlined the issues relating to the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union on which the Eurogroup would be expected to work before the next Euro Summit meeting, scheduled to take place in December this year. These include terms of reference for the common backstop to the single resolution fund to be provided by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), and a term sheet for the further development of the ESM, as well as a roadmap for the beginning of political negotiations on EDIS. The Eurogroup will also discuss all other elements listed in the Eurogroup president's letter of 25 June 2018 to President Tusk. Euro Summit, 29 June 2018 Euro Summit Statement, 29 June 2018 Letter from Eurogroup President Mário Centeno to European Council President Donald Tusk Presentation of the summer interim forecast The Eurogroup discussed the economic situation and the outlook for the euro area, on the basis of a presentation by the European Commission on its summer interim forecast. The Eurogroup regularly discusses the economic situation and economic policy challenges as part of its efforts to effectively contribute to economic growth and job creation. European Economic Forecast. Summer 2018 (Interim) Budgetary situation and prospects The Eurogroup held a discussion on the budgetary situation in the euro area as a whole, focusing on prospects for 2019. The results of this exchange will contribute to the preparation of the draft budgetary plans of the euro area member states and the recommendations for the euro area member states in 2019. The Chairman of the European Fiscal Board (EFB), Niels Thygesen, presented the EFB report. The EFB is an independent advisory body of the European Commission. It provides advice on matters related to the euro area fiscal stance. The Eurogroup is required by EU law to discuss the euro area's budgetary situation and prospects, in the framework of the assessment of the draft budgetary plans of the euro area member states. It therefore holds regular discussions on the euro area fiscal stance. European Fiscal Board (EFB) EFB report: Assessment of the prospective fiscal stance appropriate for the euro area Ireland and Spain: post-programme surveillance missions The European Commission and the European Central Bank presented to the Eurogroup the main findings from their post-programme surveillance missions to Spain and Ireland, which respectively took place in April and May 2018. The European Stability Mechanism presented findings in relation to its early warning system in both countries. The International Monetary Fund also informed about its recent Article IVconsultation with Ireland. According to the institutions' reports, the economic performance of both Ireland and Spain remains strong, and the risks in terms of the repayment of their respective loans are low to very low. Post-programme surveillance (PPS) is carried out in countries that have completed financial assistance programmes until at least 75% of the financial assistance received has been repaid. The purpose is to assess whether there are any risks to their ability to repay loans received during their programmes. Statement by European Commission and ECB staff following the conclusion of the ninth post-programme surveillance mission to Ireland Statement by the staff of the European Commission and the European Central Bank following the ninth post-programme surveillance visit to Spain Post-Programme Surveillance Report. Ireland, Spring 2018 Post-Programme Surveillance Report. Spain, Spring 2018 Ireland : 2018 Article IV Consultation Bulgaria's intention to join the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II)  In the margins of the Eurogroup meeting, the representatives from the euro area members states, the European Central Bank and Denmark met in the presence of the European Commission and of Bulgaria to discuss the prospects of Bulgaria's participation in the ERM II. The participants of the meeting adopted a statement. Statement on Bulgaria's path towards ERM II participation (press release, 12/7/2018) Letter by Bulgaria on ERM II participation