Hundreds of people participated in a rally and march to mark International Women’s Day 2022 in Athens on Tuesday.
Besides chanting slogans in support of women’s rights, participants also chanted against the war in Ukraine while a central banner called for the reinstitution of the General Secretariat for Equality.
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, also added her voice to mark the day in Parliament on Tuesday.
In a speech, Sakellaropoulou made special reference to the women of Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the former Soviet republic.
“On a day like today, a day of honour for women around the world striving for a better future, the women of Ukraine are in our hearts and minds,” Sakellaropoulou, who was dressed in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, said.
The female President stressed that TV footage and images of refugees escaping war in Ukraine brings up “painful memories” of refugee waves triggered by the Asia Minor disaster and Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus.
Η Παγκόσμια Ημέρα της Γυναίκας γίνεται φέτος αφορμή όχι μόνο για να ευχηθούμε, όσο κυρίως για να στοχαστούμε και να αγωνιστούμε. Γιατί χωρίς αμφιβολία, το μήνυμά της αποτυπώνεται σε ένα μόνο πρόσωπο: αυτό της γυναίκας της Ουκρανίας. #WomensDay#IWD2022
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) March 8, 2022
For his part, Greece’s Prime Minister marked International Women’s Day with a message on Twitter pointing out the strength of the “Ukrainian woman” who “stayed in her homeland to defend it from the Russian invasion.”
Later in the day, the European Union’s executive arm also unveiled plans to harmonise the criminalisation of rape across the 27-nation bloc on the strict basis of lack of consent. The plans also include the criminalisation of female genital mutilation and cyber violence.
“I want Europe to be at the side of women with protection and support. I want a society where violence against women is prevented, condemned and prosecuted when it occurs,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.
“The time for justice and equality is now. That’s why we come forward today with the right rules to accelerate change.”
The proposed directive also lays out targeted support from member countries to specific groups, including women fleeing armed conflict.
The building that housed the Consulate General of Greece in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol has been damaged as a result of missile and bomb attacks by the Russian army, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed.
The Foreign Ministry said that the office of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine was also damaged, while the honoured consulates of Slovenia, Azerbaijan and Albania in Kharkiv were destroyed.
We strongly condemn shelling of the premises of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces. All facts of destruction will be added to the international lawsuits against Russia to bring perpetrators to account.https://t.co/y5025DlM0fpic.twitter.com/tdCbFyVxHK
“Russia’s armed attacks on the premises of diplomatic missions represent gross violation of international humanitarian law, the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations,” the Ukrainian Ministry said in a statement.
“We call on the international community to condemn Russia for its barbaric shelling of civilian objects in Ukraine, which results in murders and injuries of civilians, including children.”
In response, Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, wrote on Twitter that Greece is “very much trying to create a humanitarian corridor so that people that want to leave, can leave.”
We are very much trying to create a humanitarian corridor so that people that want to leave, can leave. As we speak, I have a Consul General in Mariupol, the last EU diplomat there and we have a very difficult time getting him out of there. We are trying our best.
“As we speak, I have a Consul General in Mariupol, the last EU diplomat there and we have a very difficult time getting him out of there. We are trying our best,” Dendias continued.
According to Ekathimerini, Consul General Manolis Andoulakis is currently sheltering in the building of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Mariupol.
This comes after Dendias met with the Secretary General of the OSCE, Helga Schmid, in Vienna on Tuesday.
The two leaders discussed at length the situation and latest developments in Mariupol and Dendias stressed that his Ministry “will do everything in our power to bring the Greek consul general home safely.”
Dendias also thanked all Greek diplomats involved in the risky evacuations of Greek citizens and members of the Ukrainian Greek community from the country.
Nearly ten years ago Helena Kidd, a first generation Australian of Greek Cypriot heritage, came across her mother’s, Maria Avraam’s, Greek handwritten diary and had it translated to English for the family.
“I found my mother’s A4 pages of Greek writing and because I can’t read Greek, I asked her what it was and she said it was her diary. She said it was her heartache and that she just had to put it into writing.
“And she did that writing when she was 64 after she moved out from a house we have lived in, in Richmond that belonged to my uncle and finally bought her own home,” Ms Kidd tells The Greek Herald.
Some years later, she felt the need to share her mother’s story with a wider audience and this led her to rewrite sections, edit and improve upon the story, “When the Past Awakens: A Mother’s Pain”.
“I self-published the book with my mum’s permission. She was ok to reveal to the world what’s in the book and there is a lot of mental and physical abuse by my father -a story that many Greek women take with them to their grave,” Ms Kidd said.
“It’s a real and brutally honest account of her life and thoughts, straight from the heart. Her domineering mother was a constant battle of the mind and spirit.”
Arriving in Australia from her village in Cyprus presented even more challenges especially when she found herself alone, a deserted wife, with three small children to raise.
However, Maria proved to be a survivor who triumphed against the odds.
“It’s a very important story to be told with so much abuse currently going on in our communities,” said Ms Kidd.
Helena Kidd with her late mother Maria Avraam
When the book was published Ms Avraam was in her 90s and knew she wouldn’t live much longer.
“She knew she was ready to go and she didn’t care what people would think and couldn’t hide these secrets anymore.”
Until she read the translated notes of her mother Ms Kidd had no idea what her mother had been through but she says she feels lucky that her mother got to see the book before she passed away late last year aged 98.
“She got to see the book and an award. She couldn’t believe that people read her story and what she went through. And it’s not about misery. It is a beautiful story.
In the second part of the book, Helena shares further insight and creates a bigger picture for the reader of the family’s life in 1960s and 1970s.
“Today, women are still the silent victims just as Maria was. It still happens, so her story is very relatable in today’s society and other cultures,” Ms Kidd says.
“Despite the difficulties my mother gave us the best life. She instilled to us -my siblings and me- her power and strength. This book is not only about my mother but also other mothers of her generation. For the mothers that never give up but keep going despite the adversities.”
Due to the current weather conditions in Sydney, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW under the direction of Property NSW, has been forced to make the difficult decision of postponing the Greek Fest Darling Harbour that was scheduled to take place this Sunday, 13 March.
“Following a meeting with Property NSW, we were faced with concerns of not being able to deliver an effective and safe festival in the current conditions,” Festival Chair, Nia Karteris, said.
“Even if this weather was to clear up, we would still have problems with many other issues such as power and turf conditions.”
The Festival Committee is in discussions for a new and suitable date which will be announced shortly.
Linked to the Darling Harbour celebration is the nine-week-long Greek Festival of Sydney, with over 30 events scheduled in this year’s quality program line-up. The Greek Festival of Sydney is an initiative of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW.
By Argyro Vourdoumpa, Andriana Simos and Eleni Patsalides.
They are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters and best friends. They are the women next door who step up to keep our communities safe during challenging times, question the status quo and push to shatter the gender mould in their industries.
To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we asked 14 Australian women of Greek and Cypriot backgrounds to share their messages and tell us what motivates them to confront bias and work towards a world free of stereotypes and discrimination.
Dr Yiotoula Sotiropoulos – General Practitioner
The theme of 2022 International Women’s Day is #Break the Bias, “A world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, where difference is valued and celebrated.”
In the mid 1950’s, my parents migrated from a small village in Peloponnesus with little formal education, not unlike most migrants. They did however possess optimism and hope to build a better future. They spoke no English and therefore, nor did I until I started school. As a child, my dream was to become a doctor and I’m grateful my parents supported me. They never saw my gender as a barrier, which upon reflection was very progressive for the times. Their attitude was always “hard work will always pay off.” I never considered my gender, nor my migrant, non-English speaking and working-class background as a barrier, but rather part of my identity and success. I’m acutely aware of my parents’ (and all migrants) sacrifices and I think it’s important we honour those by doing our very best.
Medicine was my dream and I’m grateful to have been in my own practice for 34 years with the support of my family and the community. Hopefully, I can inspire younger people as a role model, and to show them not to focus on stereotypes or prejudices, but rather on their strengths and what they have to give.
Caroline Diamantis – Pharmacist
Working as a pharmacist on the frontline, instantly pivoting and responding to the Federal Government’s call to provide critical health care and advice (especially vaccinating), has made me extremely proud. When I bought my first business over 30 years ago, less than 10 percent of pharmacies were owned by women but today it is around 30 percent, and it is far more acceptable.
With hard work and perseverance, I was also invited to join various Pharmacy Boards over the years including the Board of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia as a National Director and NSW Vice President. These roles have traditionally been dominated by men and it is refreshing and exciting to see females being recognised for our ability and contribution to business.
Helena Cannon – Paramedic
My name is Helena and I’m a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic with Ambulance Victoria (AV). I have been with AV for 21 years and have seen many positive changes in this time. Frontline healthcare during the COVID-19 global pandemic response has been challenging for many of our staff, and our colleagues across the healthcare system. The impacts of the pandemic have been broad and far reaching within our service and our paramedics, alongside our partner agency staff, have worked hard to manage increasing workload demand, prioritise medical need and deliver the best of care to the Victorian community.
In the past we’ve celebrated how far we’ve come towards gender equality in AV, and there are now just over 50% of female staff in frontline operational roles. International Women’s Day, affords us all a moment of self-reflection, and I am so proud to celebrate my place amongst the many women who contribute positively to AV every day. My hope for the future of women in paramedicine is that it continues to be a supportive, safe and inclusive workplace that promotes diversity and inclusion for all staff. True equality exists when we are no longer having the conversation.
Helen Zahos – Nurse
Men dominate senior executive roles in nursing despite it being a female dominated profession. This is depicted in the WHO equity and gender analysis of global healthcare: Delivered by women, Led by men. I #BreakTheBias in my role as a nurse by encouraging my female colleagues to apply for senior roles and help them recognise that they are good enough and can do it! As women, we can all #BreakTheBias by boosting each other up rather than dragging each other down.
International Women’s Day highlights the need for everyone to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping against women. I grew up in a Greek immigrant family and was conditioned to believe that a woman’s role was to be a wife and mother. At the age of 42, I challenged that misconception and joined the Police Force. As a NSW Police Officer, I am proud to be part of an organisation committed to equality and free of discrimination. I am thankful for the evolution of women in policing and I aspire to help ‘Break The Bias’ through my actions, working role and community work.
International Women’s Day for me is also an opportunity to acknowledge our Greek mothers and grandmothers who paved the way for a better life. Some remained traditional, others challenged the ways of the past and adopted a more modern outlook. Either way, their dedication and devotion to family never wavered.
Like so many of their generation, they travelled to this foreign land without the protection and security of their parents and siblings, leaving behind the life they knew. They lived in a time where bias, stereotype and discrimination against women was acceptable. Though they didn’t know it at the time, their courage, resilience and tenacity to create a better life for their family instilled a belief that we can break the bias against women. They were not revolutionaries but wished for their daughters, granddaughters and generations to come, to live in a world where women would be embraced as equals.
To these incredible women, we say Thank You!
Niki Habibis – Victoria Country Fire Authority
Niki Habibis was born in Cyprus and migrated to Australia with her family when she was two years old.
“We came as refugees from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus,” she said.
Niki Habibis joined Country Fire Authority (CFA) more than 26 years ago to protect her local community, as an active volunteer firefighter and woman with intersectional identity.
“There were not too many other female firefighters around at the time,” she said. “When I first became Captain, nearly 18 years ago, there was one other female Captain in my District.
“There are now seven female Captains in my District, and many more women coming up through the leadership ranks, who are also active volunteer firefighters.”
Niki says the gender stereotype that only men can be firefighters, or leaders, in emergency services is being constantly challenged, with an increasingly diverse representation of women across all areas of CFA.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of CFA as we collectively #BreakTheBias.”
Cathy Wilhelm (Constantinou) – Victoria Country Fire Authority
Australian-born Cathy Wilhelm (nee Constantinou), of Greek and Cypriot heritage, has been a volunteer firefighter with Country Fire Authority (CFA) since 2019.
Cathy said she chose to volunteer with CFA as family members were also CFA volunteers, and she has always enjoyed helping others.
“I always looked up to my family for what they did for their community and hoped that one day I could do the same,” she said.
“Living in a small Country town, I took the plunge and thought it was fitting to join the local fire brigade.”
Cathy says it is extremely important to have women representing emergency services. “Whether they are on the front line or helping behind the scenes, we all need to work together and gel as one.
“That’s what makes volunteers so special, we are equal and have one thing in common – we just want to help our community.”
Cathy says she is fortunate to be part of a wonderful group of volunteers at the Macclesfield Fire Brigade.
“We have many female volunteer firefighters in our brigade, including our brilliant captain; this is how we #BreakTheBias.”
Katherine Manoulios – Secondary Teacher
As a secondary educator, it is imperative that I celebrate the achievements of all students and create an inclusive environment. However, I consistently strive to support young girls in achieving their goals, celebrating their victories and ensuring equality in the classroom. As a female teacher, I aspire to be a role model for these students, guiding them towards a bright and successful future with endless possibilities. Therefore, for International Women’s Day 2022, I encourage you to support the women in your life, particularly your young daughters, family members, friends – they are the future.
Chrissanthy Tsigolis – Childcare Worker
I am a female operator of childcare centres in Sydney’s east and believe that gender is not the only barrier to success in our or any industry. Age is also a barrier, with many women not taken seriously because of their youth. At my centre and past businesses, I try to break this stigma by focusing on strength and talent not age. I have recently encouraged two of my young staff members, Carla and Rena, to use their passion, drive and leadership skills to move up into management. They remind me of myself when I was younger and dreamed of being my own boss, which became a reality for me at the age of 28. I hope I can continue to mentor these young women and I encourage other young girls to take on leadership roles as well.
*In my mothers memory working from a very young age with love passion for everything she did. 27.10.55 – 5.3.22
Paraskevi Athanasiadi – Carer, Fronditha Care
Paraskevi Athanasiadi moved from Dasos Haidariou in Athens to Australia seven years ago. She migrated to the country with her husband and their three children.
“The economic crisis had made things much more difficult and we wanted something better for our kids,” she said.
In Australia, Paraskevi decided to change career and moved into the aged care sector. She soon started working for Fronditha Care in Melbourne as a Personal Care Worker for the elderly living in their own homes.
“I started helping them with their domestic chores. I then decided to sit another course and can now assist them with their personal needs as well. The more you learn, the more you want to help them,” she said.
“I get life lessons from the elderly because they encountered a lot of struggles and that didn’t stop them. Their stories empower me to overcome difficulties and live a happy life with my family. I feel like I am helping my parents.
“The aged care sector offers much more than monetary benefits. It makes you feel fulfilled. As a woman, I feel that we can achieve a lot. We have enormous mental and physical strength, and we only need to believe in ourselves.”
This year’s theme ‘BreakTheBias’ is another reminder to us all that addressing inequality and stereotypes is a collective responsibility, and we still have a long way to go. Knowledge has always been the driver for major changes in society. We are responsible to educate and role model to our sons and daughters what equality and inclusiveness looks like. Simply talking about it will not make a difference.
In the community sector I would like to see more women assisting young women with mentoring and connecting them to networks that will benefit their personal growth and aspirations.
Joanna Kirlagitsi – Psychologist
Part of my role as a psychologist involves empowering women everyday to be the best version of themselves. The pressure for women and teenage girls to meet unrealistic societal beauty standards today is worse than it’s ever been and that is due to social media. Many women and young girls are constantly comparing themselves to an ideal physical standard that is unrealistic and creates difficulties with self-confidence and self-esteem. Low self-esteem tends to lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which all work together to create a mental barrier for women to be the best they can be.
Fortunately, I am privileged to contribute toward breaking that barrier by helping women and young female teens to build their own healthy standards, and shedding light on other factors that make up their sense of self, such as their strengths, abilities and values.
Another very significant role I hold as a psychologist is helping women identify signs of unhealthy relationships and empowering them to step away from either physical, emotional, or psychological abusive relationships. It is an honour to be able to support women through my work and help them to pursue personal goals, recognise their strengths and achievements, capitalise on their unique qualities, and overall develop a healthy self-esteem so they can live a rich and meaningful life.
Litsa Diakanastasi – Senior Social Worker
My name is Litsa Diak (Diakanastasis) and I am a Senior Social Worker with NSW Health with 21 years experience in the public and non-government sector. My profession is mostly made up of strong, determined, highly motivated hardworking women who go beyond the call of duty, and do so with integrity, honesty, openness and reliability.
In addressing the 2022 International Women’s Day theme #BreaktheBias, social workers break the bias by practicing within a social justice and human rights framework, facilitating people’s empowerment and working to eliminate violations of human rights. Identifying social systems and structures that preserve inequalities and injustices and advocate for change. Challenging policies and operations that are oppressive and fail to meet international standards of human rights, social inclusion and social development.
As a proud Greek Australian female social worker, breaking the bias and removing the stigma as well as the inter-generational gap in the areas of age care, disabilities, mental health, domestic violence and homelessness has been very challenging but very rewarding. Knowing that you have played a pivotal role in changing people’s lives is one of the greatest joy’s and acknowledgements one can receive and makes it all worthwhile.
Eleftheria and Anatoli Amanatidis – Business Owners
We own Eleni’s Bar & Kitchen and during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, we opened up our kitchen to prepare and provide over 2000 free meals to frontline workers across the Footscray, Sunshine and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, as well as those in need in the local community.
Giving back to the community, who have given so much to us already in the time that we’ve been open for dine-in and takeaway, has meant so much to us and we felt it was important to give back to them at such a difficult time. We’re all in it together and breaking down the barriers of inequality, which is so pronounced in such challenging times, is how we #BreakTheBias.
Cypriot Australian actor, Nicholas Papademetriou, is set to star in Freud’s Last Session at Riverside Theatres in Sydney from Wednesday, March 9 to Saturday, March 12.
The play centres on legendary psychoanalyst Dr Sigmund Freud, played by Papademetriou, and his conversation with the young C.S. Lewis, played by Yannick Lawry.
On the day England enters the Second World War, Freud and Lewis clash passionately about love, sex, the existence of God and the meaning of life, just weeks before Freud was to take his own.
Papademetriou.Yannick Lawry.
“It’s very entertaining and very funny. It sounds very serious but it’s very amusing,” Papademetriou, who is best known for his work in The Odd Couple and Othello, tells The Greek Herald.
“I mean people will leave [the theatre] very moved because it’s got some very interesting arguments for people who are religious and for other people who are atheist. It really does open a lot of questions that you have to answer yourself at the end of the day.”
To get into character, Papademetriou says he had to undergo ‘quite a transformation,’ including wearing the iconic Freud spectacles and having a prosthetic placed into his mouth.
The theatre production.
“I tried to find some footage of him but there’s not much footage of him because he wasn’t filmed very often and he was very frail [from mouth cancer]. I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of pictures,” he explains.
“I also actually observed my mother… I mean she’s much older than Freud was because he was 83 and she’s 96 but because he was so frail, he didn’t move in the same way. So it was interesting watching my mother and how she moved and how she was slightly hunched over.”
It’s this dedication to his craft which will see Papademetriou shine when he hits the stage this Wednesday at 8pm.
All photos supplied.
What:Freud’s Last Session.
When: Wednesday, March 9 – Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 8pm. 1 hour and 15 minutes with no interval.
Where: Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market St, Parramatta.
Tickets: Adults $49, Concession $45, 30 & Under $39, 18 & Under $34, Groups 8+ $45, School Groups/ Teachers $23. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fee $4.60.
Bookings via riversideparramatta.com.au, phone at (02) 8839 3399, or Box Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9:30am – 1pm and one hour prior to performance.
Performance Warning: This performance contains loud noises of an air raid siren which may be triggering to some audience members.
Football Australia unveiled the ParaMatildas on Monday night. It is the organisation’s first national team for women and girls with cerebral palsy (CP), acquired brain injury and symptoms of stroke.
At the launch event in Sydney, Nicole Christodoulou was named as one of the ParaMatildas and spoke passionately about her love of football and what led her to donning the green and gold.
Christodoulou described how she experienced two strokes at the age of 21 which left her paralysed down the left side of her body. This never stopped her from achieving her goals.
“I’ve always been a happy person, even when I was in hospital. All I wanted to do was play football,” the high school teacher said at the launch.
“I had to learn how to walk again, how to run, how to kick a ball, so being here today, means everything to all of us.”
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor (centre) poses with ParaMatildas players Nicole Christodoulou, Holly Saunders, Tahlia Blanshard, Georgia Beikhoff and Matilda Mason, as well as head of women’s football Sarah Walsh and ParaMatildas coach Kelly Stirton. Photo: Getty Images / Brendon Thorne.
The ParaMatildas will head into camp for the first time in April to prepare for the inaugural International Federation of CP Football Women’s World Cup, which will be contested in Spain in May.
Christodoulou said she’s looking forward to the event and the sky is the limit.
“We’re going to make all of you proud. As our coach [Kelly Stirton] said, ‘We’re going to take over the whole world’,” Christodoulou concluded.
Much-loved Greek chef, David Tsirekas, has said farewell to his Petersham restaurant, Perama 2.0, after it reopened only four months ago.
“It is with incredible heartbreak that I have decided to hang up my apron – for now,” Tsirekas wrote in an Instagram post after news of his departure first emerged.
“I have stepped down from all my responsibilities at Perama 2.0 and won’t be returning back to any kitchen in the foreseeable future.”
Tsirekas, who suffered a stroke in 2019, tells The Greek Herald his decision to leave Perama 2.0 comes as he attempts to focus on his mental and physical health.
“The hardest thing about making this decision was about looking after myself. My parents always taught me the need of the many outweigh the need of the one,” Tsirekas says.
Tsirekas is hanging up his apron for now. Photo: Andriana Simos / The Greek Herald.
“The best way forward was for me to focus on health, especially mental health. I would do injustice to the values of philotimo if I didn’t do it.
“To be selfish now means that I can survive my mental, physical and spiritual self for me to continue to live the life of those virtues for my family, friends and community for the next 50 years.”
Elvis will continue to operate the new-look Perama 2.0.
Elvis Sabapathy, the restaurateur who bank-rolled Perama 2.0’s relaunch, will continue to operate it. Tsirekas said he wishes Elvis and the team “all the best for the future.”
As for his own future plans? The popular chef said he hopes he can bring his philotimo “creatively in other ways.”
“I shall return one day with a new renewed sharing of what fills my soul,” Tsirekas concluded. “Thank you for all the great times. Time to look forward to new hope.”
Paraplegic drift car racer, Christina Vithoulkas, has been crowned ‘Community Champion’ in South Australia’s prestigious Women of the Year Awards 2022.
A motocross accident in 2018 left Vithoulkas paraplegic, but that never stopped her from achieving her dreams.
She was recognised for using her platform as a social media influencer on YouTube and Instagram to break down the stigma of spinal injury with candour and positivity.
“I honestly cannot believe I won the community champion of the year award,” Vithoulkas wrote on Instagram after the award announcement.
“So lost for words. It was very emotional for me so thank you. I’m so very honoured.”
Her win was announced on Monday night at a ceremony by the Award organisers – SkyCity, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail.
Vithoulkas was among five other inspiring SA women recognised for their significant contributions to science, social justice, innovation and the arts.
This includes prominent vaccine researcher Helen Marshall, who was named SA Woman of the Year, Oakden whistleblower Barbara Spriggs, who won the Most Inspirational category, and researcher Alicia Byrne, who won Innovator of the Year for trailblazing research on stillborn and newborn deaths.
The spokesperson for Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Omer Celik, confirmed on Monday that the two leaders will discuss a ‘big dossier’ of issues.
Celik listed a number of specific issues which will be focused on including the delineation of the continental shelf, Turkish claims about the militarisation of Greek islands, the Blue Homeland doctrine and Cyprus.
“Greece must understand that we are her neighbours, we live together. We can solve our own issues,” Celik said.
A ‘dossier of issues’ including the East Med will be on the table for the meeting.
“There are mechanisms that work, but there are clearly issues we disagree on. We do not have to hide this from anyone. By extent, this meeting will address all these issues extensively.”
Greece’s leftist opposition has welcomed this planned meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan and expressed the hope that it will provide “an opportunity for substantial dialogue with clear red lines and with the immediate aim of reducing tension.”
