The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statements

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada for Persons Day

October 18, 2017
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement for Persons Day:

“Today, we celebrate Persons Day, a turning point for women’s rights in Canada. On this day in 1929, women were finally recognized as ‘persons’ and won the right to be appointed to the Senate.

“Five determined women from Alberta won this groundbreaking victory that defined the future of our country. Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Henrietta Muir Edwards – known as the Famous Five – fought for two years to expand women’s rights and extend the reach of their voices. In its final decision, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, Canada’s highest court of appeal at that time, rightly noted that ‘the exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours.’ With those words, democracy in Canada took a major step forward.

“The Famous Five were trailblazers for social justice. Their victory was one of many milestones in the push for gender equality and for a more just world. Thanks to their efforts, and to those of many others, we have made important progress – but we have much more work to do to make gender equality a reality in Canada and around the world.

“It is unacceptable that women and girls around the world do not have the same opportunities as men and boys, and struggle to receive the recognition they deserve. All of us benefit when the rights of women and girls are protected, and their voices are heard – and each of us has a role to play to build a truly gender equal world.

“That is why gender equality is a priority that drives all of our actions as a Government. It is why we are working to strengthen women’s leadership in our own Cabinet and our appointment process, while facilitating new opportunities more broadly in business and government. It is why we have committed to implement pay equity legislation, and why we have made empowering women and girls the focus of our international assistance policy. Women’s voices matter, women’s rights are human rights, and all of us are affected by the challenges we face as a world. To meet those challenges, we must ensure that all people – no matter their gender identity – feel empowered to speak up and be active in all areas of our society.

“On Persons Day, we pay tribute to five women who fought to make us a more inclusive and equal country. Their work paved the way for subsequent generations to continue their push for equality and justice. It is up to all of us, no matter our gender identity, to carry on their important work and make gender equality a reality in Canada and around the world.”

Statement by the Prime Minister on Global Dignity Day

October 18, 2017
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark Global Dignity Day in Canada:

“Today, students across Canada and around the world will gather to mark Global Dignity Day.

“Every person has the potential to transform the world around them for the better. No matter our age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or background, we all deserve to lead a dignified life.   

“The Global Dignity movement inspires young people to be their best selves, and reminds us all of our value, worth, and potential. The challenges we face as individuals are as unique as we are. Today is an opportunity to celebrate those who stand up for their rights and convictions, despite these challenges and because of them.

“Young people everywhere are making a difference. They are willing to lead, and as courageous as they are curious. Their passion and openness push us further and faster on the path toward a more just, equal, and sustainable world.

“As one of Global Dignity’s National Role Models, I encourage Canadians to promote dignity for all, not only today, but every day. As the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.’

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite Canadians to participate in Global Dignity Day events across the country. I thank the Global Dignity Organization and its partners for organizing this special day and congratulate everyone involved.”

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of Gord Downie

October 18, 2017
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Gord Downie:

“For almost five decades, Gord Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. He was the frontman of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country.

“The Tragically Hip’s music invited us to explore places we had never been – from Mistaken Point to Churchill – and helped us understand each other, while capturing the complexity and vastness of the place we call home.

“Gord’s command of language was profound. He painted landscapes with his words, elevating Canadian geography, historical figures, and myths. When he spoke, he gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be Canadian. Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest – like Gord himself.

“In the wake of his diagnosis, Gord only fought harder for what he believed in: social justice, environmentalism, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Before passing, he shined his light on the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school. For his work raising awareness of Indigenous issues, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017.

“Gord did not rest from working for the issues he cared about, and his commitment and passion will continue to motivate Canadians for years to come.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to Gord’s family, friends, bandmates and crew members, and his many, many fans. He will be sorely missed.”

Δελτίο Τύπου που εξέδωσε σήμερα ο Τομεάρχης Υγείας ΝΔ και Βουλευτής Επικρατείας, Βασίλης Οικονόμου

Δελτίο Τύπου που εξέδωσε σήμερα ο Τομεάρχης Υγείας ΝΔ και Βουλευτής Επικρατείας, Βασίλης Οικονόμου, με τίτλο: "Η Κυβέρνηση συνεχίζει την ισοπέδωση και στην Υγεία (Δ.Τ 18-10-2017)"​.

http://oikonomoub.gr/?p=3075

ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ Τομεάρχης Υγείας Ν.Δ.  Βουλευτής Επικρατείας

Ηλ/κή Επικοινωνία: 

1) Ηλ/κή Ιστοσελίδα: www.oikonomoub.gr

2) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oikonomou.vasilis.1

3) Twitter: https://twitter.com/OikonomouVasili

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

PRESS

Council of the European Union      18/10/2017 E Extending current aviation rules in the EU's emissions trading system - provisional deal reached On 18 October, the Estonian Presidency reached a provisional agreement with European Parliament representatives on a regulation to extend existing provisions covering  aviation activities in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) regulation beyond 2016 and to prepare for the implementation of the global market-basedmeasure as of 2021. The provisional text will be submitted to the EU ambassadors for political endorsement. This new regulation is the follow up to the decision reached in October 2016 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to introduce a global market-based measure from 2021 in order to regulate international aviation emissions through an offsetting system, also referred to as CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). The EU supports this measure and aims to join the 'pilot' phase of the scheme in 2021 on a voluntary basis. In the meantime, the adoption of this new regulation before the end of the year is an indispensable requirement to avoid any legal gap as regards compliance with the current ETS regulation in 2017. Today's agreement enables this adoption to happen on time. The dates for reporting and surrendering allowances from emissions in 2017 would be 31 March and 30 April 2018 respectively. "The EU believes all flights must contribute to cutting greenhouse emissions. We fully support ongoing ICAO negotiations for the development of comprehensive and unified international rules to turn this into a reality. In the meantime adopting this regulation is crucial. We will provide legal certainty to aircraft operators and make sure European flights keep cutting emissions beyond 2016." Siim Kiisler, Minister for the Environment of the Republic of Estonia The main elements of the provisional agreement are as follows: maintain current limitations within the scope of the EU ETS, particularly by prolonging the derogation for non-intra European Economic Area (EEA) flights until 31 December 2023, when the 'first' phase of CORSIA will begin;

Press statements following Russian-Croatian talks

Press statements following Russian-Croatian talks

October 18, 2017
17:15
Press statements following Russian-Croatian talks. With President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Madame President, ladies and gentlemen,

My talks with the Croatian President have just concluded. I would like to say that they took place in a constructive spirit and reaffirmed the intention of both countries to develop cooperation in all areas.

Croatia is an important partner for Russia in Europe and the Balkans. Last May we marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over this period they became truly diverse and mutually beneficial.

Today the Croatian President and I, together with the heads of ministries and departments, discussed specific measures for further upgrading bilateral cooperation, paying special attention to economic ties.

Let me recall that last year bilateral trade amounted to $808 million and increased by 64 percent in the first half of 2017.

We believe this year there is a good opportunity to return trade to the pre-crisis level of over one billion dollars.

Participants in the regular meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation held in Moscow on October 3 discussed new initiatives aimed at encouraging our trade and investment ties.

In particular, they discussed stepping up cooperation between Russian and Croatian companies to carry out joint projects in third countries. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development and the Croatian Foreign Ministry signed a memorandum aimed at helping businesses make progress on foreign markets.

We have big hopes for expanding Russian-Croatian business contacts through the business forum that will be held in Moscow tomorrow with the President of Croatia in attendance.

At the talks, particular attention was paid to the energy industry, a traditional area of bilateral cooperation. Croatia is a major importer of Russian oil products. It bought 350,000 tonnes of oil from us last year.

In addition, 2.3 million tonnes of Russia oil were delivered through Croatia’s ports and pipes for customers in southeast Europe.

LUKOIL has a ramified network of filling stations in Croatia and supplies eight percent of the fuel consumed in the country.

Russia’s Gazprom, for its part, supplies Croatia with almost half of the natural gas it consumes. It signed a long-term contract for gas supplies to 2027 with its Croatian partners in September.

The Russian corporations Silovye Mashiny [Power Machines] and Technopromexport are helping their partners develop Croatia’s power industry. The third energy unit of the Sisak Thermal Power Plant was put into service with their participation. They plan to build and upgrade other energy facilities.

The two countries' companies are boosting industrial cooperation, including in shipbuilding. Croatia's Brodotrogir shipyard has joined the work to build an Arctic tanker for the Yamal LNG project; the possibility of supplying Russian hydrofoils to Croatia is being considered.

Russian banks successfully operate on the Croatian market. There is an extensive network of Sberbank branches, which together with VTB is taking part in the financial recovery of Croatia's largest agricultural holding Agrokor.

The talks also addressed humanitarian cooperation. An intergovernmental cultural programme for 2017–19, adopted today, is aimed at putting this cooperation on a systematic footing.

We appreciate the Croatian authorities’ support for unveiling monuments to Alexander Pushkin, Yury Gagarin and Sergei Yesenin in Zagreb in 2016–17.

Russia, in turn, is considering installing a monument to Croatian philosopher and theologian Juraj Krizanic, whose life was closely tied to Russia.
Press statements following Russian-Croatian talks. With President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

Contacts are developing between twin cities. Next year, large-scale events are planned to mark the 50th anniversary of direct ties between St Petersburg and Zagreb.

Croatia is a popular travel destination among Russian tourists. Last year it was visited by 56,000 Russians. The prospects for further developing mutual tourist flows will be discussed at the Russian-Croatian business forum tomorrow.

There was also an in-depth discussion of various international issues.

To conclude, I would like to express gratitude to the Croatian authorities and to you personally, Madame President, for the comprehensive and substantive talks.

We hope that the results achieved will facilitate further Russian-Croatian cooperation in all areas.

Thank you for your attention.

President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (retranslated): Ladies and gentlemen, welcome everyone.

I would like to thank President Vladimir Putin for the hospitality extended to my delegation and me here in Sochi, Russia. Many compare this place with the cradle of Croatian tourism, the town of Opatija, which is one of the spots on the Croatian coast most favoured by Russian tourists.

As President Putin already mentioned, we covered a number of topics that are critical for further developing our bilateral relations, from political and economic cooperation to cultural cooperation.

Much of what we have discussed made it into a whole range of new acts on our cooperation which we signed today. In this year that we celebrate the 25th anniversary of recognising Croatia and establishing diplomatic relations, I want to emphasise that Croatia, a member of the European Union and NATO, is also a country that respects the international importance of Russia and therefore seeks to give a new impetus to our bilateral relations.

I must say that today, eight years after the last official visit at the presidential level, we again expressed the mutual desire to restore cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

It is in this spirit that I invited President Putin to visit the Republic of Croatia. I hope that we will make it happen next year. This would be the first state visit by the Russian President to Croatia.

Today, we reviewed a number of open questions in our relations. They are more technical than political, and we are trying to successfully address them. Today, we established and demonstrated examples of successful cooperation that managed to revitalise Russia-Croatia economic relations.
With President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic following Russian-Croatian talks.

At this point I would like to say special thanks to President Putin and the Russian administration for their understanding and constructive contribution to the resolution of the air pollution problem in Slavonski Brod.

Such positive examples of cooperation confirm again and again that many challenges can be resolved through open dialogue. Russia is a major economic partner of Croatia and we are striving to expand bilateral economic cooperation.

This is affirmed also by the enthusiasm shown for tomorrow’s economic forum in Moscow. Several hundred Croatian and Russian companies will take part in it. They will discuss opportunities to cooperate and to sign new contracts.

We acknowledge that trade is growing despite the sanctions that primarily hit our citizens and companies. I welcomed Russian investment, primarily, in the tourist industry and am ready to promote all forms of mutually beneficial investment from the Russian Federation.

Russia is displaying considerable interest in investing in the power industry. I told Mr Putin about numerous amendments to Croatian legislation, which ensure reliable investment through the liberalisation of the electricity, oil and gas markets. Although Croatia is trying to diversify energy suppliers and transport routes, it continues cooperation with Russian companies.

The contract signed between the First Gas Society and Gazprom on long-term gas supplies to Croatia is a shining example of this. I presented the Three Seas Initiative to Mr Putin.

This initiative is an informal political platform for states in Eastern and Central Europe that want to promote European ties and economic cooperation by building transport and energy infrastructure and creating digital technology with a view to ensuring the competitiveness of EU countries.

I would also like to emphasise that this initiative is primarily “for” rather than “against.” It is designed to enhance ties in Eastern and Central Europe. This initiative is very often accused of being directed against Russia but it is not aimed either against Russia or German influence in the region.

This is not an American Trojan Horse. The initiative is open for cooperation with all states, and many third countries, for instance China and other EU states, have already expressed their desire and readiness to join this project. Why shouldn’t Russia be among them?

We discussed in detail urgent crises, for instance in Syria and Libya, and global challenges that the international community is facing. First of all, this concerns the joint struggle against terrorism, extremism and radicalism.

Russia is an indispensable partner for resolving such problems and discussing global security. As a member of the EU and NATO, Croatia is committed to open and meaningful dialogue with Russia on Ukraine.

I am sure that comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements in the Normandy format will free Europe of instability that is not in European, Russian or Ukrainian interests.

I believe we can speak about progress in our economic relations. I think regular cooperation with the Russian Federation will lead to a reconsideration of the sanctions that are hitting our citizens and companies.
With President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic following Russian-Croatian talks.

We spoke about the situation in Southeast Europe and I believe that the European perspective will guarantee stability, security and prosperity for the region’s countries. We also discussed the consolidation of our cultural and scientific cooperation.

Let me mention one of our compatriots – Robert Bartini who was born in Rijeka. He was a truly brilliant aircraft designer but it is much less known that this outstanding scientist made a large contribution to the aviation and space industry.

He worked with the teams of Grigorovich, Tupolev, Tomashevich and Beriyev. The official founder of Russian cosmonautics Sergei Korolev called this genius his teacher. It was owing to Bartini’s help, knowledge and advice that Yury Gagarin became the first cosmonaut.

I am very glad to be visiting the Russian Federation and to continue my trip in Moscow and St Petersburg. I am particularly looking forward to meeting Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia because our primary mission is to defend the interests of Christians in the world. We consider his Holiness to be our partner in consolidating positive public values in religious communities.

There is a Russian Orthodox church of St Nicholas in the Croatian city of Crikvenica, which was built in 1924. The Croatian state supports its reconstruction and I believe that once it is renovated, the church could start hosting the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

We are starting our visit on the Black Sea coast and ending it on the Baltic Sea. On that note, I have to mention yet another famous Croat who was an admiral of the Baltic Fleet during the time of Peter the Great and led numerous battles. He is buried in the Church of St Louis in Moscow.

He advocated the establishment of the Black Sea Fleet and is believed to have drafted the code of the Russian naval and merchant fleet. There are many materials about this in Russian archives.

Such people truly united our two nations throughout history. They deserve our respect and may serve as an example for us.

Mr President, thank you very much once again for your cooperation and hospitality.

Beginning of meeting with President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in narrow format

October 18, 2017
15:00
Sochi
With President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Madame President, colleagues. I am happy to welcome you to Russia.

Thank you for accepting our invitation.

This year we will mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Croatia.

I am pleased to say that our trade is growing rapidly.

We maintain relations in a number of areas, which are highly promising.

We have an intergovernmental commission, which held a regular meeting recently. Its next meeting with be held in Croatia.

I am pleased to see you in Russia. It is a good opportunity to discuss bilateral relations, as well as international issues.

Welcome to Russia.

President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President.

Thank you for inviting us to Russia and for meeting with us here, in Sochi. I am particularly pleased about this because Sochi is often compared to Opatija, the cradle of Croatia’s tourism industry.

Please, allow me to begin by inviting you to make an official visit to the Republic of Croatia. So far, not a single President of Russia has been to Croatia on an official visit, although you were in Croatia in 2007 for the Energy Forum.

I am happy to have this opportunity to meet with you today, and I am sure that this meeting will boost our relations to a new stage and will open a new page in the history of our cooperation.

Today we will be speaking primarily about bilateral relations, including economic cooperation and other topics, as well as security on the European continent, primarily security in Southeast Europe, and also issues of global security, in which Russia is playing an extremely important role.

We will also discuss a number of unsettled issues, which should be addressed through an open dialogue based on mutual respect, as I see it, because an open dialogue is a very good opportunity and venue for settling any dispute. Positive conditions are a vital element of finding solutions to problems.

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Madame President, you have a busy agenda for this visit. In addition to this meeting, you plan to hold talks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and meet with Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of our Parliament’s upper house, after which you will go to St Petersburg, as far as I know.

I am confident that such numerous meetings with officials who are responsible for various aspects of life in Russia, including foreign policy, culture and the economy, will certainly benefit our bilateral relations.

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic: Yes, Mr President, I fully agree that our agenda is really very full. I am especially happy to be able to attend the opening of the [Russian-Croatian] Economic Forum, because very many Croatian companies have accepted the invitation to attend this forum, which reflects our interest in the further development of our economic cooperation.

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κ. ΣΠΥΡΟΥ ΝΤΙΝΟΥ ΒΡΕΤΤΟΥ δελτίον τύπου

Σε πολύ υψηλά επίπεδα παραμένουν η συχνότητα και η βαρύτητα των τροχαίων ατυχημάτων στη χώρα μας, με αποτέλεσμα ο φόρος αίματος να έχει αποκτήσει διαστάσεις γενοκτονίας. Το πρόβλημα είναι εθνικό και απαιτεί την καλύτερη συνεργασία κοινωνίας, κράτους και τοπικής – περιφερειακής αυτοδιοίκησης για την αντιμετώπιση του.

Δυστυχώς στις περισσότερες πόλεις της Ελλάδας, η ταχύτητα με την οποία κινούνται οι οδηγοί γίνεται αφορμή σοβαρών ατυχημάτων, πολλές φορές μοιραίων για τη ζωή των εμπλεκομένων. Κάθε λίγο μαθαίνουμε ή βλέπουμε και οι ίδιοι νέα περιστατικά, τα οποία αν τα αθροίσουμε δίνουν την εντύπωση ότι ζούμε σε «εμπόλεμη ζώνη»

Υπάρχουν διάφοροι τρόποι άμεσης και έμμεσης αντιμετώπισης του προβλήματος πολλοί από τους οποίους μπορεί να μην εμπίπτουν στις τυπικές δημοτικές αρμοδιότητες (π.χ Κ.Ο.Κ-Τροχαία) , αν και η δημοτική αστυνομία διαθέτει  από το νόμο σχετικές δυνατότητες ελέγχου και σε πολλές πόλεις έχουν αναπτυχθεί προγράμματα κυκλοφοριακής αγωγής με δημοτική πρωτοβουλία κ.α.  Αυτό όμως που σίγουρα ένας Δήμος υποχρεούται να κάνει, είναι να προωθήσει  χαμηλού κόστους αλλά μεγάλης αποτελεσματικότητας μέτρα ήπιας κυκλοφορίας και γεωμετρικές παρεμβάσεις στο οδικό δίκτυο. Ειδικοί επιστήμονες και φορείς μπορούν όταν οι τοπικές κοινωνίες τους το ζητήσουν να προσφέρουν συγκεκριμένες κατευθύνσεις λύσεων. 

Πέρα από τη συντήρηση του οδοστρώματος και τη σήμανση χαμηλής κυκλοφορίας,  υπερυψωμένες διαβάσεις- διασταυρώσεις και νησίδες, καθώς και ειδικές διαμορφώσεις, όταν εφαρμόζονται στα σημεία και με τον τρόπο που πρέπει, είναι ικανές να περιορίσουν την ταχύτητα μειώνοντας σημαντικά τον κίνδυνο ατυχήματος για οδηγούς και πεζούς. Επιπρόσθετα υπάρχουν και άλλες ωφέλειες από παρεμβάσεις αυτής της μορφής, όπως η μείωση του θορύβου ,  η αισθητική βελτίωση κ.τ.λ.

Κανείς δεν επιτρέπεται  να μένει απαθής απέναντι σε ένα φαινόμενο που αν το σκεφτούμε μας αφορά όλους. Το ελάχιστο που πρέπει να γίνει είναι ο εντοπισμός όλων των προβληματικών σημείων «black spots» και η συστηματική διάθεση ενός επαρκούς ποσοστού των  τεχνικών προγραμμάτων κάθε Δήμου για την υλοποίηση μικρών, φθηνών αλλά πολύτιμων έργων που στην κυριολεξία ζώσουν ζωές. 

http://spyrosvrettos.blogspot.gr/2017/10/blog-post.html