UN chief encouraged by Ukrainian president-elect's commitment to de-escalation

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday said he was encouraged by Ukrainian president- elect Petro Poroshenko's commitment to de-escalation and dialogue after a phone conversation with the latter.

In the phone conversation, the UN chief said Poroshenko's commitment to de-escalation and dialogue "will be critical within Ukraine, as well as with its neighbors."

Separatist leader vows more Russian annexation in Ukraine

"New Russia (Novorossiya) will not remain limited with Donetsk and Lugansk", said Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic

DONETSK, Ukraine. -Denis Pushilin, one of the leaders of self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, said on Saturday in Donetsk that his group will extend the region's borders.

"New Russia (Novorossiya) will not remain limited to Donetsk and Lugansk," Pushilin said in Lenin Square during a rally called "No Election.. The country's presidential election, scheduled for Sunday, was protested during the rally.

Presidential Proclamation: Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2014

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

A PROCLAMATION 

Almost two centuries ago, the people of Greece laid claim to their independence and began a long struggle to restore democracy to its birthplace. Greek Americans crossed oceans to fight for the freedom of their ancestral homeland, and through two World Wars and a Cold War, Greece and the United States stood side-by-side. On Greek Independence Day, we honor the deep connections between our two nations and celebrate the democratic ideals at the heart of our shared history.

Deputy FM Gerontopoulos’ meetings in Melbourne. -MFA

MFA, Monday, 24 March 2014

Deputy Foreign Minister Kyriakos Gerontopoulos continued his tour of Australia today, 24 March, meeting in Melbourne with Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, at the Archdiocese offices, and visiting two of the city’s Greek schools, where he met with, students, teachers and administrators, and was taken on tours of the school facilities.

Mr. Gerontopoulos then met, at the Parliament of Victoria, with state MPs from the Greek Australian community: John Pandazopoulos, Jenny Mikakos, Lee Tarlamis, and Andrew Katos. Mr. Gerontopoulos thanked them for everything they are doing, not just for Greeks of Melbourne and Australia, but also to support Greece on its national issues, and he requested ongoing communication and cooperation with them and other Greek Australian politicians.