NEARCHUS: The EU's president... [ 492 ]

The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The EU's president... [ 492 ]

Who will be EU president?

BBC ,07:27 GMT, Wednesday, 18 November 2009

The race to be president of the EU is heating up, with seven candidates standing out from the pack.

With the decision looming, Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond has profiled the runners and riders.

Click on the images below to listen to his take on the personalities in line for the biggest job in Europe.

Copyright: AP/AFP/PA

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER - LUXEMBOURG

Prime minister of Luxembourg is the EU's longest serving PM and head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers.

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JAN-PETER BALKENENDE - THE NETHERLANDS

The Dutch prime minister has led four successive governments in the Netherlands. Politically positioned on the centre-right.

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TONY BLAIR - UK

Former British prime minister and current Middle East envoy for the US, UN, EU and Russia. May lose support over Iraq war.

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HERMAN VAN ROMPUY - BELGIUM

Belgian Prime Minister said to be the frontrunner in the contest. A Christian Democrat, and former president of the Belgian parliament.

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VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA - LATVIA

Former president of Latvia, and the only woman in the seven. Dubbed the Iron Lady of Latvia, she served as president for eight years.

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JOHN BRUTON - IRELAND

Former Irish prime minister is currently the EU ambassador to Washington. Led Ireland at a crucial time for the Northern Ireland peace process.

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CARL BILDT - SWEDEN

Former prime minister of Sweden with noble roots, has been a key player in peace negotiations over the Balkan conflict.

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