The members of the "One ship to Gaza" rejected the Greek government proposal to transport by ships the humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, which is isolated from Israel. At the press conference regarding the ban on ships departing from the Greek ports, they defined the Greek government's decision as "unacceptable and disgraceful" and said it extended the isolation of the Gaza Strip to the territorial waters of Greece.

The hoteliers in the centre of Athens are exhausted and would not stand long and if the government does not soon take a final decision on how to deal with the phenomenon of violence and crime, the consequences for tourism could be dramatic.

The Mediterranean temper, which the Greeks showed during the crisis and in implementing the measures for fiscal consolidation and structural reforms made Europe doubt the success of Greece's economic recovery. The foreign debt is growing and financial stability will be missing for many years.

Commentators say the changes will modernize and raise the rating of Greek universities. While the head of colleges have welcomed the new draft the rectors of major universities have expressed their dissatisfaction.

7000 athletes from 180 countries took part in the Games the closing ceremony of which was to the sounds of Zorba, Children of Piraeus and Waltz of Lost Dreams.