Selected press cuttings Title: A gadfly during the dictatorship Date: 29 January 2012 Publication: Athens News It was

for his prominent stance against the seven-year rule of the colonels that Yannis Horn, the newspapers founder and publisher for some 48 years, is best remembered. The dictatorship was probably the darkest and simultaneously the brightest period of the Athens News, said his widow, Stephanie, in a 2002 interview marking the papers fiftieth anniversary. Horn, described as a businessman to the marrow of his bones, was quick to make the then daily one of the few voices of opposition to the junta regime, which had seized power on 21 April 1967. The colonels quickly set about muzzling the press through a stringent system of censorship. As coup leader George Papadopoulos spelled out in his first broadcast as dictator, the freedom of the press does not mean irresponsibility, shamelessness, yellow press writing and the betrayal of all national values

Title: EU-Iran relations could hurt oil supplies Date: 5 December 2011 Publication: Athens News Last weeks storming of the British Embassy compound in Tehran has intensified already strained relations between certain EU states and Iran bearing implications on the future of Greeces energy supplies.

According to a Reuters report on November 11, Greece is now relying on Iran for much of its oil and gas imports as traders refuse to credit the country due to fear that Athens will eventually default on its debt. Data released by the EU recorded that 16 percent of Greeces oil imports in 2010 came from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Traders have said that the country has turned to Iran as traders have shown reluctance to deal with Greece.

One independent trader from a major international oil company said that "companies like us cannot deal with them (Greece). There is too much risk. Maybe independent

traders are more geared up for that Our finance department just refuses to deal with them. Not that they didn't pay. It is just a precaution"

Title: Turkish president calls on UK over Cyprus Date: 29 November 2011 Publication: Athens News Turkish President Abdullah Gul has called on the United Kingdom (UK) to escalate its involvement in Cyprus before Nicosia assumes the rotating EU presidency in July 2012. According to the broadcaster, CNN Turk, Gul was quoted as saying to UK opposition Labour leader, Ed Miliband, that if the UK sincerely wants to take a step on the Cyprus issue, it is just the time to do this. You will be able to take action until June 2012. The UK together with Greece and Turkey remains a guarantor of Cyprus and maintains a military presence through its two sovereign bases on the island

Title: Joint air force exercise with Israel Date: 18 November 2011 Publication: Athens News In a sign of ever strengthening ties, a four day joint military exercise between the Greek and Israeli air force, were today concluded in southern Israel.

Greek-Israeli military ties have been developing in recent years and will continue to do so under the Greece-Israel 2011 Military Cooperation Programme.

Similar air force exercises between the two states have taken place in recent years causing concern in some nations including the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Title: The Cypriot Conundrum Date: 31 October 2011 Publication: Global Policy Institute Operation Barbarossa: Aegean Shield is the title given by Turkey for the escalation of its military presence in the East Mediterranean. It is part of Ankaras response to Cyprus gas and oil explorations in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as a way to demonstrate its ability to act as a regional power. As a result of rising tensions in the

East Mediterranean the United Nations (UN) has voiced concern over fears that the current energy dispute, which involves Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Turkey, could destroy any progress made in Cypriot peace talks that have taken place in the past years.

Alexander Downer, the UNs special advisor on Cyprus appeared enthusiastic to reporters on Monday 31st October saying These discussions have been positive, productive and vigorous from our point of view. This comes as a contrast when in July Mr Downer said that the last three months have been the worst three months weve ever had since these negotiations began in September 2008. Since 2008 the UN has sponsored talks between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the (Turkish only recognized) breakaway north. This summer dialogue was intensified to find a solution to the divided Mediterranean island before Cyprus assumes the European Union (EU) rotating presidency

Title: Rundown area of Athens given an esthetic boost by artistic action Date: 21 October 2011 Publication: Kathimerini-International Herald Tribune Standing tall on a junction on busy Pireos Street a colossal mural painted on the side of a building catches the eye. A pair of delicately painted black-and-white hands point to the street level. The intricate detail of the veins, knuckles and nails diverts the onlookers attention away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Athens.

As part of the varied Athens-Attica 2014 urban regeneration program, the 600-squaremeter mural composed by Pavlos Tsakonas has been painted on the south-facing flank of the Hotel Vienna. It is the first of three works to be applied on different buildings within Athens in what has been dubbed artistic interventions in public spaces -painting on the blind sides of buildings.

In cooperation with the Athens School of Fine Arts (AFSA) and the Ministry of Environment, the project of three works (one is already completed) aims to revitalize and improve the quality of public space Title: Death in Athens Date 20 October 2011 Publication: New Internationalist All that was missing from the Greek crisis was for someone to die. On Thursday evening Parliaments deputy speaker Anastassios Kourakis announced the death of a 53-year-old trade unionist just ahead of the vote on a new wave of austerity measures.

A 48-hour general strike had already halted much of the countrys infrastructure, bringing Greece to its knees over the past two days. The strikes also gifted Athens its biggest demonstrations since democracy was restored in 1974. Unions from both the public and private sectors called the strike, timed to coincide with the parliamentary vote on Thursday night... Title: Tensions rise in the east Med Date 18 September 2011 Publication: Athens News Greece said this week that it expects Turkey to abide by international law regarding Cyprus intention to drill for gas off its coast by the end of the month.

Turkey needs to acknowledge the reality, which is set out by international law, and act with clear-headedness and not contribute further to the creation of tension, said Greek foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras on September 15.

He added that Cyprus, in agreement with its neighbours, has delineated its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with Israel, stressing that Cyprus will go ahead with the exploration and exploitation of its natural resources. This cannot be disputed by anyone, and is reflected in the statements of all the international factors that have interest in the matter.

US-based energy company Nobel Energy plans to commence explorations at the end of the month for useable gas in Cyprus EEZ- specifically Block 12 - an area located southeast of the island. According to estimates, there are 483 billion cubic metres of useable gas within Cypriot territorial waters

Title: Libya still some way to go Date 29 August 2011 Publication: Athens News It has been reported that other Libyan cities have taken the rebels entry into Tripoli as a cue to start celebrating the fall of Muammar Gaddafis 42-year-rule and an end to the seven bloody months to overthrow his dictatorship. The entry of the rebel forces into the capital and the subsequent disappearance of Gaddafi have come at a time when optimism concerning the Arab Spring is at an all-time low.

The al-Assad regime in Syria has shown its true colours through a state-sponsored violent crackdown on opposition. The Shia-dominated demonstrations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia didnt bring about any significant change, while Yemen finds itself in stalemate. In Egypt, the military establishment is very much in control and the parading of a caged Mubarak on television screens during his court appearances has done little to change the situation domestically

Title: Ethnic tensions in Albania Date 29 August 2011 Publication: Athens News In the Athens neighbourhood of Metaxourgeio buses leave every evening for Albania. The passengers carry with them boundless amounts of luggage and cardboard boxes that resemble moving home rather than going on holiday or for a short visit. Their tickets are one-way.

Petros, who runs a travel agency specialising in bus travel to Albania, said that business was going well for his company for two reasons. Firstly, Albanians are returning to Albania because of the crisis in Greece. Secondly, tourism is a growing market in Albania and bus travel is the cheapest way to get there.

This opinion was shared by a second travel agent, Aphrodite, who claimed that many Albanians were making their way back to seek opportunities in their home country.

From 1948 to 1991, Albania was isolated from the rest of the world. Only two decades ago, it was almost impossible for a foreigner to enter the former hermit communist state, nor was anyone permitted to leave. Enver Hoxhas dictatorship lasted 45 years and cost two generations their right to individualism through the banning of religion, private property and freedom of movement. The extensive network of informers and secret police meant that bands of people vanished into Albanias many prisons.

When communism eventually collapsed in 1992, seven years after Hoxhas death, vast amounts of people left a country which had to make the difficult adjustment from a communist dictatorship to a modern democracy in what became known as the democratisation period.

Today, many of those who left behind a struggling depressed country are beginning to see a future in Albania as the global economic crisis stagnates European economies. In contrast to Greece, where the economy deflated by 4.5 percent in 2010, Albania witnessed a 3.5 percent growth rate

Title: Turkey hardens its stance Date: 24 July 2011 Publication: Athens News Cyprus marked the 37th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of 1974 on July 20 amid hard-hitting speeches and remarks from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan reiterated the stance of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglus warning a week earlier that Turkey and the European Union cannot continue relations if the Republic of Cyprus takes on the 27-member blocs rotating presidency in July 2012. The outspoken Erdogan reflected Davutoglus comments saying if they (the EU) accept handing over the presidency to them (Greek-Cypriots), we will never sit with them at the table. We will never accept that

Title: Turkey warns EU ties will freeze over Cyprus Date: 16 July 2011 Publication: Athens News Turkeys Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned on July 13 that relations between Turkey and the European Union will freeze if Cyprus assumes the EU presidency in July 2012 without a solution to the Cypriot conundrum.

If the Greek-Cypriot side stalls negotiations and takes over the presidency of the European Union in July 2012, this means not only a deadlock on the island but also a blockage, a freezing point in Turkey-European Union relations, Davutoglu told a news conference. His remarks followed a visit to the Turkish-Cypriot breakaway entity of northern Cyprus on July 9.

On July 7, just days before Davutoglus visit to the Turkish-occupied territories, Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had been engaged in a third round of trilateral talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva

Title: The EU and the Western Balkans after Mladic Date: 10 June 2011 Publication: Global Policy Institute Last weeks extradition of Ratko Mladic to The Hagues International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is a breakthrough for Serbias EU ambitions. Chief ICTY prosecutor Serge Brammertz commented after Mladics arrest that Belgrade had fulfilled one of its main international obligations which is certain to add weight to Serbias EU aspirations. Many now will be anticipating how Belgrade will be rewarded from Brussels for the speedy and non- complicated arrest and extradition of Mladic. Yet, in spite of Mladics extradition to The Hague, several significant geopolitical challenges remain within the Western Balkans acting as obstacles for eventual EU ascension.

Staffan Hemra, a fellow from the London based think tank Chatham House emphasised that the arrest of Mladic was a momentous development concerning Serbias EU policy objectives. However complications remain over Belgrades relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Kosovo. On the one hand there is reason to be optimistic as on the 12th of May a Serbian official and the head of Serbian talks with Kosovo, Borislav Stefanovic travelled to Pristina for bi-lateral talks. Although met by Albanian protestors, this was the first meeting of its kind since the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo in February 2008. Despite the progress made by this symbolic visit, it is doubtful that Belgrade will be quick to recognise Kosovo but as Mr Hemra points out BelgradePristina dialogue is about seeking arrangements which could facilitate the handling of practical issues such as border controls (or) customs. Aligned to Serbias geopolitical challenges in the Western Balkans is the BiH question

Title: Is the Eastern Mediterranean Basin Approaching Crisis Point? Date: 18 April 2011 Publication: Global Policy Institute With the continuation of regional political instability agitating much of the Middle East, together with the discovery of vast amounts of useable natural gas in disputed waters and a changing geopolitical context, the strategic East Mediterranean Basin is fast approaching a crisis point. The unearthing of an estimated 16 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Leviathan gas fields by the US based Nobel Energy group in June 2010 introduced a new dimension to Israeli-Lebanese hostilities and brought other regional actors into the equation. Beirut claims that the northern section of the Leviathan field is within its territorial waters, a position contested by Israel