STAYING IN TOUCH 104
A NEWSLETTTER FROM THE SAE OCEANIA CO-ORDINATOR
SAE Oceania’s Regional Conference – the first under the new law – was held in Melbourne on 27 – 29 October, 2006. Over 160 delegates and observers participated in the various sessions and workshops to hear, inter alia, Nikos Kourtis, head of EPT World confirm that EPT would continue broadcasting its programmes free to air on satellite television; officials from the Australian Government advise the current status of negotiations between Australia and Greece on the Social Security Agreement; questions and answers on issues such as military service, taxation, land registry; a distinguished panel of academics on the future of modern Greek studies in this country; the workshop outcomes of media representatives for what is in store for the Greek language media in Australia. SAE Oceania’s Regional Council wishes to thank all participants and speakers in particular His Excellency Georgios Zois the Hellenic Ambassador to Australia for his forthright and tireless responses to all questions addressed to him; and Melbourne Consul General the Honourable Eleftherios Kouvaritakis for having in attendance with him consulate staff to provide expert advice in various fields. Thanks also to His Excellency the High Commissioner of Cyprus, Achilleas Antoniadis. The election results for Oceania were:- George Angelopoulos as the new Co-Ordinator and for the Regional Council:- Stella Bares (New Zealand), John Bellas (Queensland), Michael Christodoulou (New South Wales), Harry Danalis (New South Wales), Panayiotis Demoutzidis (South Australia), Evan Kakulas (Western Australia), Dimitris Kanellakos (Victoria) and Kyriakos Papadimitopoulos (Victoria). Congratulations to all!
Resolutions were passed for all the ethnika themata; voting for the apodimoi; the Elliniada and World Camp; Ministry of Immigration, Repatriation and Apodimoi; Migration Museum; the relationship between SAE and the AHC; cultural issues; Greek language media issues; Modern Greek studies; an increase in the number from the Youth Network to attend the Thessaloniki World Conference and the outgoing Co-Ordinator to be the Honorary Oceania Co-Ordinator.
GLOBAL TELETHON
On the 18 – 19 November, 2006 a world wide telethon/radiothon will take place in all countries that are home to sizeable Greek Communities. The culmination will be a gala concert in Athens that will run for 7 hours and at which 40 of Greece’s top entertainers will perform to a live audience of 1000 people. The global telethon is being supported by EPT World and the proceeds of the telethon will go towards humanitarian projects operated by SAE in the Black Sea countries and Albania. Donations may be deposited in any branch of the Commonwealth Bank in the following account: World Council of Hellenes Appeal 06 2200 10087044
MILITARY SERVICE
The latest Travel Advisory from the Federal Government warning Greek Australian men that they could be subject to compulsory military service has unnecessarily caused considerable consternation. Nothing has changed in Hellas that should cause anxiety. As before permanent Greek Australian residents can stay in Greece for six months without being conscripted but they should ensure they have a certificate from the Greek Consulate before traveling to Hellas. If they overstay the six months then they may be called up. It should be noted that SAE was successful in reducing the term of military service for the apodimoi from 6 months to 3 months.
ETHNIKA THEMATA
It is crunch time for Turkey and the EU. Turkey has failed to comply with any of its obligations in relation to Cyprus, its Christian minorities, its democraticisation process and in particular reform of its penal code.
Indeed, Turkey has blatantly declared that it will not implement the Customs protocol i.e. open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes. At the 16 December summit the EU will have to decide on whether Turkey’s willful and blatant failure to comply will lead to the suspension of its accession talks or freezing any further negotiations until Turkey implements the customs protocol. It is clear that Turkey will not do so therefore a Euro-Turkish crisis is imminent. The solution, according to some analysts is to force some further concession from the Greek side but unfortunately Turkey’s intransigence leaves very little room for maneuvering.
In closing I must thank all delegates at the recent Regional Conference in Melbourne for their emotional and stirring vote of thanks which was one of the most touching moments in my life.
Thank you!
Stay in Touch!
13 November 2006
Costa Vertzayias
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