Keep Talking Greece

Summer Sales Before Collapse as Greeks Prefer Window Shopping

July 19, 2011 Comments Off on Summer Sales Before Collapse as Greeks Prefer Window Shopping

Despite the generous offers reaching up to 70%, the first results for the Summer Sales are disappointed. Consumers’ favorite seem to be rather the window shopping than the real deals. According to estimations of the Greek Association of Retail Sales, chain stores are in turnover decline of 10%-15%, while small stores …

Greek Defense Minister: Turkish Threat is Real

July 18, 2011 Comments Off on Greek Defense Minister: Turkish Threat is Real

“Turkish threat is not theoretical, it is real” said Greek Defense Minister Panos Beglitis during a visit to Cyprus. “We see it on the Aegean Sea, We see it in Cyprus through the occupational presence of the Turkish army, a result of the invasion in 1974.” Also Begliti’s predecessorEvangelos Venizelos …

Hillary Clinton: What is a Greek “Frappe”?

July 18, 2011 2

I wouldn’t post about it but every Greek media, incl. websites and the state TV NET, apparently thought that the question of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is worth reporting, so I just follow the trend 🙂 The query came when Ms Clinton entered the conference room at the …

German Ex-Chancellor Blames Greece for the Euro Crisis

July 18, 2011 1

Former German Chancellor , conservative Helmut Kohl dismissed claims that he criticized Angela Merkel for her European policy. “These claims are fictitious” Kohl told Number 1 yellow-press newspaper in German, BILD, that Greece is to blame for the Euro crisis. The concerned ex-chancellor, initiator of the common currency, said that “Greece …

Too Hot in Greece – Time for a 30% Haircut?

July 18, 2011 2

This is the hottest summer ever in Greece. Because the high temperatures go hand in hand with the heated debate about the Greek debt. Hundreds of opinions and proposals worsen the uncertainty. The big players,, ECB-Chief Jean-Claude Trichet and German Chancellor Angela Merkel keep playing with our nerves as they …

Helmut Kohl: Merkel is Breaking up my Europe!

July 17, 2011 2

Ex German Chancellor Helmut Kohl is apparently less than pleased with the work of his erstwhile protégé Angela Merkel. The former chancellor reportedly told a friend privately that Merkel’s European policies were “very dangerous.” News magazine Der Spiegel reported Sunday that Kohl told a recent visitor to his home, “She’s …

Athens: 48h Taxis Strike, July 18-19/11

July 17, 2011 1

Taxi drivers in Athens will have a 48-hour strike on Monday and Tuesday, July 18th and 19th, 2011. The strike will start at 5 a.m. on Monday morning. According to their federation, this is a warning strike. They oppose the opening of their porfessions in Athens. They also plan to blockade …

Papandreou-Clinton: Talking About… Office Decoration! (video)

July 17, 2011 1

That was an aspect I admit I didn’t take into consideration when I was writing about Hillary Clinton’s visit in Athens and the agenda of the talks. Greece’s prime Minister George Papandreou and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talked about …decoration! Precicely the talked about the office decoration of Greece’s PM. …

When Stones Melt, Athens Strays Need Desperately Water!

July 17, 2011 3

I was swimming at Kavouri on Saturday afternoon when I was a big, short haired, stray black dog nearing the beach. He stood for a minute, sniffed around and walked carefully in the shallow waters. He did a few careful steps on the sliding stones under the water. When he found a place …

What in Hillary Clinton Doing in Greece?

July 17, 2011 1

Blocking traffic on the main streets? Swimming at Glyfada’s VIP resort? Keeping busy policemen and journalists over a hot weekend? Talking about economy? Crying together with the Greeks about the miserable debt situation of the two countries? She does all these and much more. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton …

Is Greece Heading for Early Elections ?

July 15, 2011 3

Prime Minister George Papandreou is proud and optimist. And stuns about the obvious, i.e. the success of the tourism industry on Greek islands like Kos. “I am proud about Greece, Greece that gives a battle everywhere, like here in Kos, where with collective effort, with common effort we promote our culture …

Germany’s New Currency: the “Merkels”

July 15, 2011 1

First I though it was a joke, but now slowly I believe it might be true: Germany is about to issue its own currency, the “Merkels”! However there is disagreement on the design of the new German “Merkel” coins and banknotes, as the Chancellor cannot decide on the banknotes colours …