Corfu News and Events

Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis also outlined the government's policy for the modernistion of Greece's regional airports. Among the measures he listed was that of free access to the Internet through WiFi technology that would be initially be launched at a number of airports including Corfu. This will allow travellers with a laptop wireless Internet access while they are within the grounds of the airport and has already existed for some time at Athens International Airport.

Greece’s population is steadily getting older with one in three Greeks expected to be over the age of 65 by 2050, according to recently released data. Figures from the National Statistics Service (NSS) show that people aged 65 or older would account for 31.5 percent of the total, up from 18.5 percent in 2006, and the population will shrink to 10.7 million from 11.17 million in 2006. The NSS said life expectancy had risen to 77.1 years for males, from 75 years in 1995, and to 82 years for females. But the natural rate of population growth in the period 1995 to 2004 has been negative. The birthrate fell to its lowest levels in 2001, when there were 9.3 births per 1,000 people. But the fertility rate also increased slightly to 1.41 in 2006 (from 1.34 in 2005 and 1.32 in 1995). This is a theoretical rate calculated from the number of children born per woman of childbearing age. Greece’s population, almost 11.2 million in 2006, has been increasing mainly due to immigration.

Greeks, among the heaviest smokers in the world, will be running out of places to light up in a few years as the government moves to adopt European Union guidelines protecting people from passive smoke. The Health Ministry has announced it will gradually ban smoking in public places, such as cafes and restaurants, by 2010. The stricter measures, aimed at protecting smokers and non-smokers, have the backing of most Greeks. According to a recent survey, eight in 10 Greeks believe that banning the habit from all public places is not an infringement on personal rights. Additionally, 73 percent agreed that the reduction of smoking should be a target in national government policy. Authorities will also launch a marketing campaign aimed at preventing youths from taking up the habit. Some 46 percent of males are regular smokers with the respective percentage among women reaching 31 percent.

There is now an official government complaint form for tourists. Part of it is devoted to animal welfare. We urge you to download, print, fill in and mail this form if you want to report the ill treatment of animals in Corfu.

The number of state environmental inspectors will more than double by the end of the year. The service was set up in 2004 and has so far conducted some 600 checks and has recommended to authorities fines totaling about 10 million euros.

You do not need to renew your residence permit, but you do need to register - a once-only procedure. A new presidential decree published in the Government Gazette on June 21 eliminates the residence permit requirement for non-Greek European Union nationals living and working in Greece. The decree is based on EU directive (2004/38/EC), which should have been implemented by April 2006. Under article 8 of the new decree, EU citizens who wish to stay in Greece for more than three months are required to apply for a registration certificate (veveosi eggrafis) at their local aliens bureau. The registration certificate does not have to be renewed. Now registration, according to the decree, requires EU citizens to submit the following documents: a valid identity card or passport; confirmation of engagement from the applicant's employer or a certificate of employment or proof that they are self-employed. Those who are not active in the labour market will only need to submit proof of medical insurance and that they have sufficient monetary resources for themselves and their family. The public order ministry (responsible for issuing residence permits to EU citizens) has yet to inform aliens bureaux about the new rules, which means that officials across the country are continuing to issue and renew the five-year-duration residence permits for EU citizens. This means there is still no information about how this new registration certificate will be phased into the system.

The old quarter of Corfu has been added to the list of UNESCO's world heritage monuments. The decision was taken unanimously in Christchurch, New Zealand by the 21-member UN world heritage committee, following a positive recommendation by UNESCO's advisory organisation ICOMOS. Corfu is the 17th Greek location to be added to UNESCO's world cultural and natural heritage list, although its entry had experienced several obstacles since 1999, when the Greek request had been made initially. Over time, the forts have been repaired and partly rebuilt, more recently under the British rule of the 19th century, but it remains a fortified Mediterranean port with a high level of integrity and authenticity, UNESCO said.

Only ouzo, tsikoudia and tsipouro made to traditional Greek recipes can carry the name of the respective alcoholic drinks following a European Parliament vote. Production methods for less popular Greek beverages such as kumquat liqueur from Corfu have also been designated as being exclusively Greek. Similar drinks made from other ingredients can only use the name of the Greek drinks if their contents and origin are clearly indicated. The new rules replace guidelines from 1989 and were needed to ensure the quality of spirit drinks and protect their "geographic origin" indicator that helps them sell and guarantees their exclusivity.

Thousands of migrants who have been living in Greece for five or more years will be able to claim the same rights as Greeks in a number of areas after a new law has come into effect. The legislation creates the previously non-existent category of "long-term resident" for migrants who have lived in Greece for at least five years in a row and are over 18 years old. To qualify for this category, migrants will have to declare an annual income of at least 8,500 euros, rising by 15 percent for each family member that person is providing for. Some 1 million migrants are estimated to be living in Greece. Of these, around half have either entered the country illegally or have yet to be given their residence permit or have it renewed. Other restrictions include the rule that immigrants must not have been away for more than six months consecutively or 10 months in total during the last five years. They will also be required to have full health insurance, speak Greek and know about Greek history and culture. The Education Ministry offers a course of 100 hours of language lessons and 25 hours of history and culture lessons for migrants. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the course. Migrants who fulfil the criteria for "long-term residents" will gain full rights in the workplace, including those relating to hiring and firing. The new law guarantees that the migrants' professional titles and qualifications will be recognized. It also safeguards access to social security, education and professional training, as well as scholarship programs.

Greece has the second-highest number of clean and well-maintained beaches out of the 40 countries rated by the Blue Flag campaign in its annual awards. The Denmark-based organization awarded Blue Flags to 404 Greek beaches (21 more than last year), as they fulfilled 29 criteria, including those for water quality, environmental management and safety. The campaign is run by the independent Foundation for Environmental Education, which is responsible for inspecting thousands of beaches around the world. Among the Greek islands, Crete was found to have the greatest number of suitable beaches, gaining 92 Blue Flags, followed by Corfu with 32 and Rhodes with 31.