Section1.Greece


 * 1. History and Background of E.U. Country **

|| Here are some facts about Greece;
 * [[image:Greee_history.jpg width="181" height="134"]]

Athens, the capital of Greece, began as a civilization in 1300 B.C. and was the center of the Byzentine Empire, which fell in 1453 A.D.. Greece led the world in art, math, and science. Some famous actors of Greek heritage are Jennifer Anistan, and Tina Fey. One of the first Olympic Games was held in southern Greece in the 700`s. Later, there was a war in 1821 for freedom against the Turks. Today Greek is the official language and 98% of people belong to Eastern Greek Orthodox religion. Women in Greece wear dresses far more than women in the United States. To point a finger at someone is considered impolite. Education is free and manditory for everyone. The average income in Greece is the same as $28,517.00 American dollars. Life expectency for men is 77 years of age and for women it is 81 years of age. Greece is a penisula, so it is surronded by water on three sides. It is just south of the countries Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania. It is west of Turkey and to the east of Italy. It is part of the Balkin Peninsula and includes over 2,000 islands. ||


 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:Greece's_flag.jpg width="282" height="191"]] || The founders of the European Union made this supernational organization to construct a united Europe throw peaceful means. The E.U. was known as the European Community until 1993. Twenty-seven European countries are members of the European Union. One of the countries is Greece which maintains strong ties with other European Union members and is developing closer ties with Eastern Europe. It entered the European Union in 1981 and adopted the Euro as its currency in 2001. The Euro is being used from Portugal to Austria, Ireland, Finland and Greece and all over Europe. ||

Surface wind energy is a renewable resource in this part of the world. Greece and Turkey both opened a $300 million pipeline, mining the natural gases from the Caspin Sea and Europe. It will be used to pump nautral gas to Turkey through a Azerbijan and will carry 250 millionmeters of gas a year to northeast Greece.
 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * [[image:beach.jpg width="272" height="209"]] || Greece has risen the final energy consumption that has been driven to a large extent by continued growth and demand energy transport. Emissions of total greenhouse gases decreased 1.2 percent. Greece made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 20 percent. The E.U. adopted a plan to accelerate development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technology through a joint planning and more effective implementation of programs.

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 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || Greece is a large countributor to the E.U. and a member of ISAF(International Securtiy Assistance Force). The E.U. and various countries are helping with civilan, political, and developmental activites in Afghanistan, spending about one billion Euros per year on these efforts. The importance of eliminating terrorism has been openly declared by Greece. In 2004, Greece had many NGO's (Non-Govenmental Organizations) in Afghanistan, such as the Greek Red Cross. As of January 2007, Greece was not increasing its military presence in Afghanistan, but was helping Afghaistan in other ways, such as supplying equipment and other financial assistance.

Heavy pressure is on Greece as the E.U. has limits on the amount of debt in their budget. In December 2004, Greece recieved a formal warning from the European Union after it was discovered that, to recieve the Euro as it's national currency, Greece presented the E.U. with false data about their budget debt. Greece's currency exceeded the budget spending level allowed in the E.U.'s currency Euro zone but was still allowed to adopt the Euro in 2001. Public inflation and unemployment remain problems, even though a strict monetary policy has accelerated economic growth. Tax evasion and black market deals are widespread. The only currency accepted in Greece is the Euro but Greece formerly used the Drachma before they became part of the E.U. media type="file" key="Rebecca 3.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * [[image:euro.jpg width="163" height="160"]] || Greece is one of the least advanced countries in the Eurpean Union. It continues to help other economically unstable countries in the E.U. Tourism is one of the main industries in Greece. Major exports are fruits and olives. It is also known for its ownership of ships. Trade activity is mainly with Italy and Germany.