This Week
Monday President Costis Stephanopoulos attends navy celebrations in honor of St Nicholas, patron saint of the navy. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis holds news conference with Alternate Culture Minister Fanni Palli-Petralia to announce plans for post-Games development of Olympic facilities. Netherlands Prime Minister Peter Balkenende visits Greece and Cyprus ahead of the EU summit starting December 17. Greece’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Adamantios Vassilakis, meets with his counterpart Igor Dzundev of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s special representative, Matthew Nimitz, to discuss a commonly acceptable solution for FYROM’s official name. Government to present bill aimed at regulating media ownership by people doing business with the state. Athens City Council discusses 2005 budget proposal. Fourth International convention of member states of UNESCO on Physical Education and Sports opens at the Astir Palace Hotel in Vouliagmeni. To Wednesday. Tuesday Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis pays an official visit to Moscow. To Thursday. Defense Ministry general secretary for procurements, Giorgos Zorbas, to appear before parliamentary committee probing purchases by members of the former government. Wednesday Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) organizes a conference on «Building Safety,» to be held at the premises of the Hellenic Management Association (EEDE), 200 Ionias & 60 Iakovaton, 9 a.m. Tel. 210.367.1187 or visit www.tee.gr. Thursday Municipal workers (POE-OTA) hold a 48-hour strike demanding higher pay. Communist-led PAME labor movement holds demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities. Friday Doctors at state hospitals in Athens and Piraeus hold 24-hour strike in protest at new roster system, demanding more hirings and higher pay. Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) holds a conference on «Waste Management in Attica,» at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 10.30 a.m. Tel. 210.329.1252 or visit www.tee.gr. State Technical Colleges (TEI) professors stage a 24-hour strike. Saturday Christmas shopping hours come into effect. Stores will be open all day long until 8 p.m. daily, and up to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.
