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.Blogger Tips and Tricks
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.........

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Ukraine crisis..[ 4205 ]

Ukraine crisis: France, Germany threaten Russia over poll

BBC., May 2014 Last updated at 14:20 GMT
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Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, 10 May 2014
French and German leaders warned of further destablisation in eastern Ukraine
The France and Germany have threatened Russia with further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May fails to go ahead.
President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement they feared further destabilisation of Ukraine.
They also said referendums planned by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for Sunday would be illegal.
They called for a visible reduction in Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.
Russia is estimated by Nato to have some 40,000 troops near the border, though Moscow says they have been pulled back.
Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov, meanwhile, warned the referendums could result in the "self-destruction" of regions that vote in favour of federalisation.
Targeted sanctions
Onlookers next to an armoured peronnel carrier in Mariupol, 10 May 2014
Fierce gun battles were reported in Mariupol on Friday
 
A boy places flowers in front of a gutted police station building in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine 10 May 2014
At least seven people were killed in fighting round Mariupol's police station
 
Vladimir Putin at a Victory Day ceremony in Crimea, 9 May 2014
President Putin's visit to Crimea was welcomed there but criticised by Washington
 
The French and German leaders' statement was issued after they met in Chancellor Merkel's constituency in Germany.
"If there is not an internationally recognised presidential election, that would lead unavoidably to a further destabilisation of the country," it said.
"Germany and France are in agreement that if that is the case, then corresponding consequences would be drawn as outlined by the European Council on March 6, 2014."
Correspondents take this to mean economic sanctions against Russia already authorised by European leaders in March.
Both the European Union and the United States have already imposed sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.


The BBC's Olga Ivshina takes a look at a Donetsk polling station
But the joint statement also called on the Ukrainian government to refrain from military action before the 25 May poll, except "proportionate" operations to protect people or property.
'Total collapse' On Saturday, Mr Turchynov admitted many in eastern Ukraine supported the pro-Russian militants, but warned Sunday's referendums were "a step towards the abyss".
"Those who advocate self-determination do not understand that this will mean the total collapse of the economy, of social programmes, and of life in general for the majority of people in these regions," he said.
Ukraine is currently engaged in an "anti-terror" operation to disarm pro-Russian separatists in the east and remove them from buildings they are occupying in at least a dozen towns and cities.

Donetsk referendum


  • Vote held in those cities and towns of Donetsk and Luhansk controlled by separatists
  • Some 3 million ballot papers ask: "Do you support the act of state self-reliance of the Donetsk People's Republic?"
  • Separatists aim to hold second round on 18 May, on joining the Russian Federation
  • Referendum deemed illegal by Ukraine's government and the international community
At least seven people were killed and 39 injured in clashes between the two sides in the south-eastern port of Mariupol on Friday, according to official figures.
The government said there was a gun battle when pro-Russian activists tried to storm a police HQ, but some local witnesses accused the security forces of opening fire on unarmed protesters.
By Saturday afternoon, pro-Russian rebels in the city had set up more barricades with burning tyres and vehicles tipped over on their sides, sealing off the roads around the town hall and the police station.
In Donetsk, meanwhile, the Red Cross said nine of its workers, there to evaluate the needs of the local population, were briefly detained by separatists. Reports suggest they were let go once those holding them had established they were not "spies".
Victory Day Friday saw no sign that tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine might diminish.
President Putin flew to Crimea as part of ceremonies marking Victory Day - the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany. Crimea was annexed by Russia in March after a referendum described by the West as a sham.
Washington described Mr Putin's trip as provocative and unnecessary.
Sunday's referendums are due to take place in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, despite Mr Putin urging the pro-separatist organisers to postpone them.
Voters are to be asked if they support the creation of a "People's Republic" in eastern Ukraine, something the Ukraine government and the West fear would open the door to the region joining Russia.
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