Bakoyannis

The decision on Friday by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's Culture Committee condemning Turkey's move to convert Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque was hailed by the Greek delegation head, Dora Bakoyannis, as Europe's response to Turkey's "systematic violations of democratic principles and values."

A protest rally by healthcare workers and ongoing public works in central Athens created long bottlenecks in main streets on Tuesday morning.

The ambitious project to create an extensive network for pedestrians and bicycles in the center of Athens begins on Thursday with Vasilissis Olgas Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street.
This means the imposition of restrictions on cars, with the exception of certain categories.

Environment Minister Kostis Hatzidakis (center) is seen with Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis (left) just before a bicycle ride organized by the Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) to coincide with World Bicycle Day on Wednesday. Hatzidakis announced the creation of two new bicycle lanes in Athens with a total length of about 25 kilometers, which will be financed by the Green Fund.

The Municipality of Athens has given the green light for electric vehicles, cars and scooters to enter the planned pedestrianized networks in the so-called Commercial Triangle of Athens and the iconic area of Plaka, where the use of private cars will be prohibited - with exceptions.

Migration and Asylum Policy Minister Notis Mitarakis on Tuesday held talks with Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

According to a post by Mitarakis on social media, talks focus on the integration of refugees and on ways to contain the impact of the migration crisis on the Greek capital. [ANA-MPA]
 

Ranging from the changes being planned for Panepistimiou Street to the recent revamp of Omonia Square, my discussion with Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis was focused on his plans for the "Grand Walk," as he's dubbed an ambitious overhaul of the city center. The capital's new mayor, elected in May 2019, also responded to criticism over last week's unveiling of the new fountain in Omonia.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (center), seen here with Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis (left), on Wednesday attended the opening of a municipal homeless shelter in the center of the capital. Speaking to reporters, Sakellaropoulou said vulnerable people should be "surrounded by care," adding that the need had been accentuated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis apologized for the crowds that gathered for the unveiling of the new fountain at Omonia Square last week. He admitted that, despite the best of intentions, the event in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, at a time when the state is trying to drive home the continued need to maintain social distancing (including with fines), was a mistake.

City Hall on Monday unveiled a 24-million-euro project to repair and maintain sidewalks across Athens with the aim of making the capital safer and more accessible for pedestrians.