After the disclosure that Germany carried off the amount of 1.3 million euros from the assistance programme for Greece, the Austrian press published Vienna's profits from the Greek crisis. "Der Standard"s front-page article points out that "Austria gained 240 million euros from the loan offered to Greece, 111.44 million euros of which, came only from the interest of the bilateral 2010 loan to Greece, of 1.55 million euros".
According to the article, during the peak of the credit crisis, the European Central Bank started buying state bonds from countries that were facing problems. This programme was carried through by most of the European central banks, including the Austrian Central Bank, which had bought Greek state bonds, among others. The amount of the interest on the Greek bonds rose, by 2016, to 190 million euros, which should have been reimbursed to Greece by the Austrian Central Bank, in accordance with the 2013 Agreement of the Economic Ministers of the Eurozone. This reimbursement never came about.
The Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Vladis Dombrovskis stated that the "Commission recommended closing the excessive deficit procedure for Greece because its fiscal position has improved and it would be possible for Greece to return to international bond markets". This is0 mainly due to the unbearably high taxation that Greek citizens have to pay each year, which we can ill afford, and which has, unfortunately, demolished and obliterated the Greek middle class.
Lord O'Donnel, former head of the British Civil Service warns that government disputes could cause "Brexit chaos". He added that in no way could all the necessary changes happen smoothly in twenty months, "So fasten your seatbelts", he said, "we are in for a rough ride".
Also, Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister, intervened to say that Brexit could be stopped if the British leaders realise that the EU officials are ready to meet them halfway. He added that British public opinion could change as the citizens "become aware of the potential economic damage of a hard Brexit".
The British government's spokesperson said: "Our aim is to build a deep and special partnership with the European Union, our closest friend and neighbour.... As we negotiate to leave the EU we are seeking the best possible deal for the UK, one that gives citizens and businesses as much certainty as possible."
The German Chancellor, Mrs Angela Merkle and the French President Mr Emmanuel Macron, at a joint press conference, agreed, among other matters, on creating an EU Finance Minister position, and a European budget in the near future. President Macron added "the absolute necessity of refounding Europe not only in the economic and social section but also in the political section." The two leaders also referred to their agreement of producing a new generation franco-german fighter jets. France and Germany will plan, produce and sell these aeroplanes together, which is considered as a "small revolution".
 |
| Chancellor Merkle and President Macron at a Press Conference on the 13th July 2017 |
After a meeting, the French and Geman Ministers of Economy presented a roadmap for the taxation of companies. By mid-September, a first mutual plan will be presented, which ought to materialize by 2018.
The French President invited his American counterpart as a guest of honour to celebrate the National Day of France, on the 14hth July. This year, Bastille Day has a dual symbolism as it also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I. The two leaders watched the French and the U.S. troops parade side by side, down the Champs Elysees Avenue.
 |
| The Presidential Couples of France and USA Watching the Parade on Bastille Day |
The two leaders have similar characteristics the first being that they were both elected without holding any high office in the past. They both pledged to change the traditional political systems in their countries and to encourage economic growth and commerce, They both collided with the traditional media, President Trump being definitely more aggressive. But President Macron, also, keeps a certain distance from the local press, so it is not curious that he was given the appellation of "Zeus" indicating the highly centralised administration of the country.
In spite of their similarities, they have several issues they disagree about, such as climate change, immigration policy and Russia.
One of the very crucial points they agree about is the battle against terrorism. In addition, they have recently decided to react simultaneously if Syria attacks with chemical weapons. Moreover, France and the USA agreed to promote "free and legal trade" according to President Macron.
The Turkish President Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the 15th July as a national holiday calling it "'Democracy' and National Unity Day". After a terrible year of hard dictatorship, violence, intimidation and fear, where tens of thousands of people have been detained or fired from their jobs in the civil service, academia and the media. Also, activists, opposition members of parliament, top officials of Amnesty International, clerics, have been arrested and Ankara, apparently, has become the largest prison for journalists. Mr Erdogan stated that if parliament voted for reinstating the death penalty, he would "approve of cutting off the traitors' heads". What more are we going to hear?
 |
| Dictator Erdogan |
According to Reuters, Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate, aged 61, died in custody, last Thursday, after being refused permission to leave the land for a treatment of terminal liver cancer. A human activist he was arrested in 2006, after having written a pro-democracy manifesto, titled Charter 08, in which he proclaimed his goal of ending the single-party rule in China and his staunch belief in democracy, human rights and freedom of speech. The day of his death thousands of his Chinese friends went on line, expressing their sympathy and grief for their famous political compatriot.
 |
| In Remembrance with Emoji Candles |
The good news of the week. Cyprus, the French TOTAL and Italian ENI have jointly started drilling for natural gas, in block 11 of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, despite Turkey's provocations.
The USA Aircraft Carrier George H. W. Bush is in the area, west of the rig, blocking communications between Turkish fighter jets. Also, two USA cruisers and several French frigates are sailing in the region.
In a matter of seven years, the "balance of energy in Western Europe will change radically" because when the Israeli-Cypriot-Greek-Italian pipeline is built, Europe will not need and or depend on gas supplies from Russia.
 |
| The Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone |
 |
| The Rig on Block 11 of the Cyprus EEZ |
Here are a few recipes which I hope you will enjoy.
SWEET POTATO SOUP
 |
| A Delicious Soup |
This a lovely soup from Israel. I have added a few leeks.
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large red sweet pepper, cut, seeded, hard white ribs discarded
1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
2 leeks, trimmed, split lengthwise, thoroughly washed and sliced (white parts only)
1 clove garlic peeled and chopped
4 tbsp mild tasting olive oil
500 ml (2 cups) hot water
500 ml (2 cups) hot chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper, optional
Saute the vegetables in olive oil, for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion and leeks are soft. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and Cayenne pepper, if using. Pour in the hot water and chicken stock, cover the saucepan and simmer over low heat for about 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
Blend with a hand-blender, until the soup is smooth. Taste and season accordingly. Serve with warm brown bread,
CYPRIOT CHICKPEA SALAD
 |
| Chickpea, Cherry Tomato, Rocket and Halloumi Salad |
I have already given you a Cypriot chickpea salad, but this is a much lighter version.
300 g (10 oz) chickpeas soaked overnight and boiled in salted water with
Half a seeded red chilli, optional
2 cups cherry tomatoes or more if preferred
2 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
150 g (5 oz) rocket, leaves only
Dressing:
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 grated rind on of 1 lemon
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
150 g (5 oz) sliced halloumi grilled
Place all the salad ingredients in a large salad bowl, drizzled with dressing and toss thoroughly. Taste and season if necessary. Arrange the halloumi slices over the salad and serve immediately.
KAPAMA
 |
| Kapama with Chips |
 |
| Over Bucatini |
A typical Greek main dish, made with lamb or veal cooked in an aromatic tomato sauce.
1250 kg (2 1/2 lb) leg of lamb, trimmed of all visible fat and cut into bite-size pieces, bone made into a stock with 1 onion pierced with 2 cloves, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 slice ginger and seasoning*
3 tbsp butter, separated
1 tbsp plain flour
250 ml (1 cup) dry white wine
500 ml (2 cups) of the above-mentioned tasty stock*
1 kg (2 lb) ripe tomatoes, cut in half, seeded, grated, skins discarded
1 tsp sugar or more
1 bay leaf
1 sprig of rosemary
1 piece of dried orange rind
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Saute the meat in butter, in batches, season slightly and place in a large saucepan.
In a small saucepan saute the flour with a little butter. stirring until the flour turns golden, remove from the heat and pour in the wine and cook and stir for 3-4 minutes until the alcohol evaporates, Then stir in 250 ml ( 1 cup) stock and simmer for a few minutes more, stirring constantly, and sieve it over the meat. Pour the grated tomatoes, sugar, bay leaf, rosemary, orange rind and season with freshly ground pepper. Swirl the saucepan, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce thick, adding more stock if necessary. Taste and season with salt if needed and discard the herbs and the orange rind.
Serve with chips or over any pasta of your choice, sprinkled with grated San Mihalis or Parmesan.
TIRAMISU
 |
| A Delicious Italian Dessert |
"Tira mi su", being such a wonderful, healthy dessert, is Italian for "pick me up".
6 egg yolks
150 g (5 oz) sugar
167 ml {about 5.5 fl oz) milk
1 vanilla
500 g (1 lb) mascarpone cheese
About 20 Savoyard biscuits
125 ml (1/2 cup) strong coffee mixed with
62.5 ml (1/4 cup) rum
625 ml (2 1/2 cups) cream whipped to soft peaks
Ganache:
150 g (5 oz) semisweet dark chocolate, chopped
150 ml (5 fl oz) cream
1/2 tsp honey
(Heat the cream add the chocolate and after 5 minutes add the honey and whip until the sauce is smooth and glossy)
Cocoa for dusting over
White chocolate curls or roasted coffee beans
Place the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and whip until frothy. Pour into a saucepan and add the milk in portions, stirring constantly, simmer for one minute, remove from the heat cover and cool.
Beat the mascarpone into the egg mixture and set aside.
Dip half the Savoyard biscuits into the coffee rum-solution and arrange n a pyrex dish. Cover with half the mascarpone mixture and cover with half the whipped cream. Drizzle with half the ganache or less. and repeat the same procedure with the remaining ingredients. Cover and ice for 4 hours at least.
Cut into serving pieces, dust with cocoa and garnish with white chocolate curls or roasted coffee beans.
No comments:
Post a Comment