Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-17

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Ban Ki-moon: 'Instead of building walls we should be building bridges'

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch, leaders of Orthodox Churches, head to Iraklion over the weekend

[03] Athens Open Air Film Festival 2016 kicks off with Prince tribute on June 21

[01] Ban Ki-moon: 'Instead of building walls we should be building bridges'

Ban spoke to volunteers, employees and refugees, as well as representatives of international organizations and the board of the NGO "Solidarity Now", which coordinates and supports financially the center.

He described the refugee crisis as an international issue and asked the international community to provide humanitarian help. "I can understand the challenges created as hundreds of thousands of people arrive every day," he said. "The numbers are large. However, this is not a crisis of numbers; it's a crisis of solidarity."

Ban then urged European and Asian countries to expand the legal routes for refugees and provide education, work opportunities and scholarships to the newcomers. He also said the U.N.'s general meeting will discuss the refugee crisis on September 19.

In an earlier meeting, President Prokopis Pavlopoulos urged the United Nations to put pressure on Turkey to implement the deal signed with the EU on migration. Pavlopoulos thanked Ban for handling the refugee issue with a humanism and solidarity that meets UN principles. "And let this be our common message today, ahead of World Refugee Day, which is on Monday, June 20," he said. He also stressed the importance of the EU-Turkey deal saying it has to be implemented and also urged EU states to do their part.

He also mentioned the Cyprus issue, saying it has to be resolved based on the decisions of the Security Council, the principles of international law and the European acquis, noting it is "unthinkable" to keep guarantor powers on the island once the issue has been resolved.

On his side, Ban hailed Greece's role in the refugee crisis, saying the country has been at the forefront of the problem and shown "solidarity of global scale", despite its economic and social problems.

He also spoke of his visit to Lesvos on Saturday, saying he will have the opportunity to see first-hand the situation.

Speaking this morning to ANA-MPA before his arrival in Greece, he said the rights of refugees forced to leave their homes must continue to be protected at all times. "I continue to stress the need for providing assistance and support to those rescued, ensuring adequate reception condition and access to asylum for those in need of international protection. The rights of men, women and children who were forced to leave, have to be protected at all times, in law and in practice," he said.

Ban is currently attending a dinner at the Acropolis Museum, along with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Parliament president Nikos Voutsis and the leader of the main opposition, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch, leaders of Orthodox Churches, head to Iraklion over the weekend

A reception will follow in their honour at the hotel Atlantis, attended by the mayor of Iraklion, Vasilis Lambrinos.

On Sunday, the Ecumenical Patriarch and his fellow Church leaders will hold a mass at the Metropolitan Church of St. Minas at 08:00 (local), which will be attended by President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and representatives of the government.

Following the mass, they will all attend a reception and breakfast at the Archdiocese of Crete, while at 14:00, the Orthodox Church leaders will attend an official lunch hosted by Pavlopoulos.

[03] Athens Open Air Film Festival 2016 kicks off with Prince tribute on June 21

This year, the 6th Athens Open Air Film Festival is cooperating with the British embassy and the British Council and participating in the international celebration marking the 400th anniversary since William Shakespeare's death. Six films inspired by Shakespeare's plays will form a tribute to the great British dramatist, called "Shakespeare in the City".

The festival will take place from June to September, projecting more than twenty movies with free entrance. Squares, museums and open air cinemas will host the events.

For the complete programme in Greek click: http://www.cinemag.gr/article.asp?catid=37406&subid=2&pubid=130380096

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