WASHINGTON — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—strengthening passenger information sharing and ensuring strict security standards while streamlining travel for Greek citizens visiting the United States.
“Our efforts to guard against terrorism while enhancing legal travel and trade depend upon close collaboration with our international partners,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I commend our partners in Greece for committing to strong screening and security standards and enhanced information sharing for travel by Greek citizens to the United States as we work together to protect our citizens and strengthen our economies.”
Greece’s VWP designation represents a major step forward in the continued and long-standing economic and security partnership between the United States and Greece—reflecting more than two years of coordination between the two countries on Greece’s entry into VWP.
In accordance with the VWP designation process, DHS determined that Greece complies with key security and information-sharing requirements—such as enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States; timely reporting of lost and stolen passports; and the maintenance of high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, aviation and document security standards. In turn, Greek citizens will be permitted to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
With this announcement, Greece joins the 35 nations already participating in VWP—established as a pilot program in 1986 to help eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel and made permanent on October 30, 2000. Like VWP travelers from other countries, Greek citizens will be required to apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Web-based system. Greek citizens will be able to visit the United States without visas in approximately 30 days.
Today’s announcement augments Secretary Napolitano’s ongoing efforts to bolster the international aviation security system—including recent joint declarations to strengthen the international civil aviation system between the United States and Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama on Feb. 17, and between the United States and the European Union on Jan. 21.
Secretary Napolitano will travel to Tokyo later this week to meet with her counterparts from the Asia/Pacific region and officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)—the third in a series of major international meetings attended by the Secretary to build consensus on strengthening global aviation security and identify specific steps which nations can take individually and collectively to protect all passengers.
Since January, Secretary Napolitano has met frequently with top government and private sector officials from across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America on ways to strengthen the international aviation security system.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov or esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Entertainment Gossip from Greece!
Anna Vissi is "Fabulous"!
Anna Vissi puts on an amazing show in Athens last week for the fans of Love Radio. Looking better than ever, no one would ever guess the Greek Madonna was 52 years old. Anna tells reporters at the concert that she stays in shape by working out every day of the week, and taking 2 or 3 of those days concentrating on legs. About being in love, Anna says that her only love right now is her amazing daughter Sophia and her current concert show Fabulous.
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Elena Paparizou returns!
Elena Paparizou returns to the Greek music scene with a new full album of 12 songs. This is her first full CD release in quite some time and has been much anticipated. The first single from the CD has been released “An Isoun Agapi”(and can be heard on GreekBoston.com). This song has already claimed its place at the top of the music charts and in the hearts of her fans! Elena is going on tour with Onirama and will be promoting her new CD. She hopes to finish her tour by June. We are so happy to have her back!
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"Dancing with the Stars" comes to Greece!
“Dancing with the Stars” goes to Greece! The dancing show we all love will now be in Greece with all our favorite Greek celebrities. The host of the show will be Zeta Makripoulia. The judges who have been named so far are Fokas Evangelos, Alexis Kostalas, and Gkalena Velikoka. There is still one judge who needs to be chosen, as well as the celebrities who will partake in the dancing portion. Can’t wait to see which celebrities will make the show!
Greek commercial broadcaster Antenna is due to produce The series will air in a primetime slot in March 2010.
Dancing is an international phenomenon having been licensed to more than 30 countries around the world and viewed in more than 75 countries worldwide and, the phenomenal format shows no sign of slowing down.
"Greece is just one of a number of new territories we are talking to about licensing this phenomenal format. Every country, including Greece, has a great culture of dancing and music which makes this format adaptable to any market. There are plenty more countries which are yet to enjoy the dazzling delights of Dancing." Dancing with the Stars is also an official record breaker after the Guinness Book of World Records announced it as the world's most successful reality TV format.
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Katerina Karavatou wedding bells!
Katerina Karavatou, host of “Kous Kous to Mesimeri” and her soon to be husband Krateros Katsoulis of “Omorfos Kosmos to Proi”, have been discussing their wedding plans. Katerina wants a very small and simple wedding with a plain wedding gown and a closed ceremony. It seems a little hypocritical for them to have a closed ceremony (no cameras or news crews around) since their daily lives and jobs are informing the public about all celebrity news and gossip. It only seems fair that they share their special day and moments with all of us! Be on the lookout for this wedding to happen soon, Katerina wants a winter wedding in 2010, and both Katerina and Kratero want children very soon to follow the wedding! We wish them both much happiness in their life together!
Anna Vissi puts on an amazing show in Athens last week for the fans of Love Radio. Looking better than ever, no one would ever guess the Greek Madonna was 52 years old. Anna tells reporters at the concert that she stays in shape by working out every day of the week, and taking 2 or 3 of those days concentrating on legs. About being in love, Anna says that her only love right now is her amazing daughter Sophia and her current concert show Fabulous.
-----------------------------------
Elena Paparizou returns!
Elena Paparizou returns to the Greek music scene with a new full album of 12 songs. This is her first full CD release in quite some time and has been much anticipated. The first single from the CD has been released “An Isoun Agapi”(and can be heard on GreekBoston.com). This song has already claimed its place at the top of the music charts and in the hearts of her fans! Elena is going on tour with Onirama and will be promoting her new CD. She hopes to finish her tour by June. We are so happy to have her back!
-----------------------------------
"Dancing with the Stars" comes to Greece!
“Dancing with the Stars” goes to Greece! The dancing show we all love will now be in Greece with all our favorite Greek celebrities. The host of the show will be Zeta Makripoulia. The judges who have been named so far are Fokas Evangelos, Alexis Kostalas, and Gkalena Velikoka. There is still one judge who needs to be chosen, as well as the celebrities who will partake in the dancing portion. Can’t wait to see which celebrities will make the show!
Greek commercial broadcaster Antenna is due to produce The series will air in a primetime slot in March 2010.
Dancing is an international phenomenon having been licensed to more than 30 countries around the world and viewed in more than 75 countries worldwide and, the phenomenal format shows no sign of slowing down.
"Greece is just one of a number of new territories we are talking to about licensing this phenomenal format. Every country, including Greece, has a great culture of dancing and music which makes this format adaptable to any market. There are plenty more countries which are yet to enjoy the dazzling delights of Dancing." Dancing with the Stars is also an official record breaker after the Guinness Book of World Records announced it as the world's most successful reality TV format.
-----------------------------------
Katerina Karavatou wedding bells!Katerina Karavatou, host of “Kous Kous to Mesimeri” and her soon to be husband Krateros Katsoulis of “Omorfos Kosmos to Proi”, have been discussing their wedding plans. Katerina wants a very small and simple wedding with a plain wedding gown and a closed ceremony. It seems a little hypocritical for them to have a closed ceremony (no cameras or news crews around) since their daily lives and jobs are informing the public about all celebrity news and gossip. It only seems fair that they share their special day and moments with all of us! Be on the lookout for this wedding to happen soon, Katerina wants a winter wedding in 2010, and both Katerina and Kratero want children very soon to follow the wedding! We wish them both much happiness in their life together!
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