HIGHLIGHTS NEW 2020

    The signing of the Strategic Partnership Declaration, as well as the Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Foreign Policy and Defence during the recent Greek delegation’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, headed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, further strengthens the relations between both countries. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al … ...

  A model of constructive regional cooperation   “It was emphasised that the countries of the wider region should not necessarily rely on third parties to settle the various issues in the region, but rather should launch joint initiatives in order to convey a clear message to promote peace and stability.”   Foreign Affairs Minister … ...

    Strengthening relations in the military and security sectors     The Minister of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulos had discussions with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and his Egyptian counterpart, General Mohamed Zaki, within the context of his Official Visit to Egypt on December 3rd-5th. The Greek Minister was welcomed by … ...

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    The Western Balkans remains a focal point of Austria’s foreign policy. Our vision is a democratic, stable and economically successful Western Balkans region, embedded and integrated within the European Union. Experience has taught us that the perspective of EU Membership is a crucial motor for transformation and stabilisation in the countries of the … ...

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    Η ΕΔΑ Αττικής προσφέρει πρόσβαση στα πλεονεκτήματα του φυσικού αερίου στους κατοίκους της Αττικής Η χρήση του φυσικού αερίου είναι ευρέως διαδομένη σε όλους τους τομείς της κατανάλωσης, τόσο για οικιακή όσο και για επαγγελματική, αλλά και βιομηχανική χρήση, προσφέροντας αναρίθμητα οφέλη στον τελικό καταναλωτή και συμβάλλοντας, παράλληλα, στη μείωση των εκπομπών ρύπων. … ...

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    Egypt and Greece an important bridge of Meeting, Dialogue and Cooperation   Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi paid a State Visit to Greece at the invitation of President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou on November 11th-12th. Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias received the Egyptian Head of State at the airport on behalf of … ...

  Greece is “one of Russia’s most important partners with long-standing historical ties of friendship”   The talks also focused on bilateral issues, including economic and energy cooperation. Minister Lavrov also met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and main opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras. The last time that the Russian Foreign Minister visited … ...

Strengthening cooperation in the interest of both peoples   Greece and Albania recently decided to refer their maritime zones issue to the International Court at The Hague, during a meeting between and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and visiting Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. “Having examined the issue thoroughly, we agreed that Greece and Albania … ...

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      “Iraq has inherited a heavy legacy of hostility and distrust as a result of the policies of the previous regime. Since 2003, the political system has faced many challenges in an effort to restore Iraq to a position worthy of its rich cultural heritage, its honourable people and its abundant wealth. Iraq … ...

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  Greece and the United States reaffirmed their excellent bilateral relations and mutual desire to further deepen cooperation in a series of areas, from defence and security to investment and energy and to education and culture, as well as the developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, according to a joint statement released after the … ...

    Greece hails Cyprus’ determination to reach a solution that will lead to the reunification of the country   The situation in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, following Turkey’s illegal actions, the Cyprus issue and immigration were among the issues discussed during a meeting that the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos … ...

    Establishing a robust strategic partnership across all fields   The relationship between Greece and the United Arab Emirates has taken on a strategic nature, improving the multi-level bilateral ties between the two countries, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said after a meeting with his UAE counterpart, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, … ...

  Canada is ready to be “an honest broker”   Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met with his Canadian counterpart, Francois-Philippe Champagne, on October 13th for talks focusing on bilateral, regional and international issues, with emphasis on Turkey’s illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, cooperation within the context of NATO and EU-Canada … ...

    Enhancing historic ties – Memoranda of Understanding signed   Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias travelled to Iraq, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Konstantinos Fragogiannis, to meet with the country’s State and political leadership on October 14th. Minister Dendias first met with the Minister of … ...

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    MED 7 countries deliver an unambiguous message of solidarity to Greece and Cyprus; a coordinated European effort is deemed necessary within the Mediterranean territory, calling upon Ankara to abstain from further provocative and unilateral actions in the Mediterranean.     The EU Med Group, widely known as MED7, met in Ajaccio, Corsica, on … ...

    The national exhibition organiser continues to plan for the future     The preservation of public health goes beyond any financial dimension and within this context the 85th TIF did not take place this September. However, the leading institution of Thessaloniki, which has 94 years of history, counting 84 editions of the Fair, … ...

    Greece-Egypt Agreement: A model application of International Law of mutual respect and good neighbourliness   Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias met with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Athens on September 15th, and he called the recent Greece-Egypt agreement for the partial delimitation of the two countries’ maritime zones “a model application … ...

    Talks focus on bilateral, regional and European issues, with emphasis on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the migration issue   Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias travelled to the Republic of Slovenia and the Czech Republic on September 18th for a series of meetings with top officials both capital cities. Most notably, … ...

    “There is an urgent need for the EU to play its role in the region. What are at stake is European sovereignty and the strategic independence of the EU. De-escalation must be achieved at once. And it must originate from those causing tensions. All Turkish vessels, both military and survey, must be withdrawn immediately, … ...

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                His Excellency Manh Cuong NGUYEN Ambassador of Vietnam to the Hellenic Republic         Dear friends, On September 2nd 1945, people all over Viet Nam celebrated the country’s independence after many years of struggle. In the following 75 years, the Vietnamese people have made great … ...

    Hagia Sophia: The violation of a symbol   By Constantinos Alexandris   “It is quite clear that no logical or plausible excuse could justify the violation of a symbol – because this is exactly what the decision for the conversion of Hagia Sophia amounts to. This is not just contempt for history or … ...

    Agreement on Maritime Boundaries Signed   Greece and Italy signed an Agreement on Maritime Boundaries on June 9th, delimiting an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two neighbouring countries, ending a 43-year pending issue. The deal, which was signed by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio during … ...

    Two countries enhance cooperation in all fields   Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias travelled to Egypt on June 18th, where he was received by the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He then met with the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, with whom he discussed bilateral and regional issues, with … ...

    “The Greek Chairmanship will send the message that we must see the world through the eyes the young people of Europe. We must focus even more on their problems and concerns, especially in the new environment being created by the pandemic, but also beyond that.”     Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis … ...

    Protection of human life and public health within the context of a pandemic Greece, Member of the Council of Europe since August 1949, assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the emergency circumstances imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In such an extraordinary context, the Greek Chairmanship … ...

  The benefits for the country’s economy and the Armed Forces from the active participation of the Greek Defence Industries in the armaments programmes are multiple. The outflow of foreign exchange is limited, economic growth is ensured, expert personnel are employed, specialised jobs are increased while the Defence Industry gains autonomy. At the same time, … ...

    “It is time to identify the new challenges of technological excellence and industrial viability that render cross-border collaboration a mandatory process.”   General Director, GDDIA, Lt. Gen. Theodoros Lagios   GDL: What kind of collaboration is needed so that the technological gap between European, American and other defence industries will be bridged? TL: … ...

“HAI considers that strengthening its innovative level by investing in R&D and new methods is the key to repositioning itself in the global market.”   The Hellenic Aerospace Industry SA (HAI) is the leading aerospace and defence industry of Greece. Established in 1975, its major mission is to deliver services and products to the Armed … ...

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  Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Vice President Global Pursuits Initiatives, Dennys Plessas   “The Hellenic defence industry is a national asset and as such needs to be addressed. Continuous modernisation is important with new capabilities, technologies and training.”   GDL: Could you describe the relationship of Lockheed Martin with the Hellenic Aerospace and Defence Industry. What is … ...

GDL: Giorgos Economou, Deputy General Manager of the EPC Projects Department and Factory Manager of Mytilineos tells us about the course of Metka over the past few years? GE: Mytilineos’ factory in Volos is part of the Greek industrial history. From 1964 it is working continuously, despite difficulties. It hasn’t stopped, not even during the … ...

  GDL: We asked the Business Development Manager and BoD Member of Miltech Hellas, Stephen Kiosseoglou, how does Miltech compare with other defence companies in terms of range and technology? SK: Miltech Hellas SA is one of the leading Hellenic companies in the defence sector specialising in design and manufacture of high quality cost effective … ...

    Greek seafaring is, over time, one of the healthiest and most extroverted sectors of the Greek economy and at the same time a key pillar for the country’s future economic development and employment. At European level, the European shipping industry contributes around €60 billion/year to European GDP while providing more than 600,000 direct … ...

    “We have developed a number of specific measures to support maritime work by recognising the specifics of the maritime profession.”     GDL: How has the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy confronted and participated in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic? YP: The first priority of all of us, in this … ...

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The 11-year-old ancient Athenian Myrtis is taking part in the global fight against coronavirus with an animation video message   In 430 BC, the 11-year-old ancient Athenian Myrtis − a victim to the great plague of Athens like Pericles – could not imagine that after 2,500 years, she would take part in the global effort … ...

  H.E. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India   It has been a topsy-turvy start to the third decade of this century. COVID-19 has brought with it many disruptions. Coronavirus has significantly changed the contours of professional life. These days, home is the new office. The Internet is the new meeting room. For the time … ...

  Message from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to citizens on the plan to phase out the restrictive measures – 28th April 2020   Thirty-seven days after Greece went into full lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled a a long-awaited plan for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures that … ...

The General Secretariat for Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the second and final part of the video “Staying at Home, Traveling through Literature: Diplomats recite Greek Literature”. This initiative aims at sending out a message of international solidarity in the fight against the global threat of COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging us … ...

A year has gone by, since the worldwide grief over Notre Dame de Paris when time was wrapped in flames. Notre Dame de Paris, this architectural masterpiece of Gothic rhythm which is included in UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Sites since 1991, was deeply damaged from the fire that broke out on the night of … ...

Message from the Secretary-General for Public Diplomacy, Religious and Consular Affairs Konstantinos Alexandris   The General Secretariat for Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively participates, within its competence, in the efforts to tackle COVID-19 pandemic. With the aim of raising public awareness and transmitting the message that in this fight we all … ...

  MessageBy His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Beginning of Holy and Great Week (Lazarus Saturday, April 11, 2020) Brethren and children in the Lord, Once again, Holy and Great Lent has come to a conclusion. Today, we joyfully celebrated the resurrection of Christ’s intimate friend, Lazarus, which serves as a prefigurement of the “common resurrection.” … ...

    In support of the friendly Spanish people, who have been hit hard by the pandemic, the Spanish flag was raised in a symbolic ceremony on April 10th at the central building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis … ...

    Greece has expressed its solidarity to Italy during a special event organised by the Greek Foreign Ministry, standing by its neighbour in one of the most trying times in its history. At that time, Italy had been the hardest hit country in Europe with 13,155 Covid-induced deaths, surpassing every other country in the … ...

  A fight against time: A new environment for the economy and the energy sector As the spread of the coronavirus causes economies around the world to come to a standstill, all eyes are currently set on two things: 1) The timeframe for reducing coronavirus expansion and gradually returning to normality and 2) the after … ...

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  “When we have left this difficult time behind us, we will have rebuilt society on the basis of empathy, love of others and shared responsibility.”   The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, wrote an inspirational message on her personal facebook page calling on Greeks to embrace the spirit of volunteerism and solidarity … ...

  “Turkey’s refugee ‘extortion diplomacy’ must end” By Nikos Dendias Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic   From the summer of 2015 until early 2016, the EU faced a massive influx of asylum seekers, most of them fleeing the conflict in Syria. About 1 million people entered Europe, most of them from Turkey, … ...

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    “PAM consolidates its unique role of Parliamentary Forum for dialogue and action, gathering more than 240 delegates from the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.”   The 14th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) took place in Athens late last month, generously hosted by the Hellenic Parliament. More than 240 parliamentarians … ...

    European institutions in solidarity and support Greece defending the borders of Europe EU strongly condemns Turkish propaganda and fake news exploiting migrants for political goals   The heads of the EU institutions at the Greek-Turkish border Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, thanked the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who first had … ...

  Ascertain total agreement on how to address security challenges in the wider region     Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and visiting French Defence Minister Florence Parly discussed the strategic partnership between Greece and France, particularly emphasising defence cooperation. Also participating in the meeting were Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Head of the Diplomatic … ...

  The 30th Anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuanian Independence   By H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, Rolandas Kačinskas   It was a combination of words “independence” and “coronavirus” that I least expected to use when writing a commemorative article on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuania’s … ...

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  Ambassadors of New Zealand, Colombia, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, the Bahamas, Gambia, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Namibia and of Nepal present Credentials to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.   New Zealand, Anthony George Simpson (Rome), Colombia, Gloria Isabel Ramirez Rios (Rome), Republic of Liberia, Geraldine Bass-Golokeh (Paris), Equatorial Guinea, Cecilia Obono … ...

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  Greece and the United States of America reaffirmed their desire to further enhance their strategic defence and security partnership, which greatly contributes to the security of both nations. The Greek Government appears convinced that the key objective of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to the US, which was to promote Greece as the key … ...

  “The only tangible result for Libyans after all these efforts is the Skhirat Agreement.”   Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias highlights, on January 16th in Rabat, the “great effort” that the Kingdom of Morocco has made to resolve the conflict in Libya. “The only tangible result for Libyans after all these efforts is the … ...

  On January 20th, the conference ‘January 20th – a milestone of Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence’ took place at the Cultural Centre of Webster University, Athens. It was devoted to the 30th Anniversary of the January 20th (1990) violent crackdown on the civilian population of Baku by Soviet troops. Speakers, including HE Anar Huseynov, Ambassador … ...

  Working jointly as stabilising factors in the region.   Minister οf Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias received his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the Foreign Ministry on January 24th. Following a meeting with the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister, Minister Dendias said that Athens and Riyadh are working closely together towards … ...

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  ‘Economic Diplomacy in Greek Foreign Policy’ By Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Fragogiannis   In the modern era, the differences between the traditional expressions of diplomacy and economic diplomacy are growing ever more subtle. The decade-long national crisis, which led to a 25% drop in Greek GDP and had a devastating effect on … ...

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Two notable personalities, two individual women who have made significant strides in medicine and journalism, have been awarded by the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists (HAPSc). During a special ceremony held in the Athenian Club, HAPSc President Symeon Sidiropoulos and the Board of Directors honoured the Doctor and HAPSc Honorary Member Dr. Pari Rapti (pictured … ...

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The Jewel of fruits – Pomegranates Health benefits and New Year traditions “In Greek culture, the pomegranate holds much significance. It is a sign of luck, prosperity and fertility. It is also a sign of renewal and regeneration. Since the rituals that surround New Year’s usually involve ways to bring luck, it makes sense that … ...