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Greece to boost military amid tension with Turkey

Andriana Simos
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Greece to boost military amid tension with Turkey

Greece plans to acquire arms, boost its armed forces and revamp its defence industry, the government’s spokesman said on Monday, as tensions with NATO ally Turkey over energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean grow.

Greece, which emerged from its third international bailout in 2018 and has been struggling with the economic impact of the novel coronavirus, wants to spend part of its multi-billion-euro cash reserves on its defense sector.

“The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece,” Greek government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, said.

“We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights.”

Air force jets participate in a joined training drill with armed forces from Greece and the United Arab Emirates near the Greek island of Crete, southern Greece. Photo: Greek Defense Ministry via AP.

Petsas said Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the country’s military during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday.

“We are in contact with friendly countries in order to reinforce the equipment of our armed forces,” Petsas said.

Last week, Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ($4 billion) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Greek media has reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate.

Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President, Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of European Union Mediterranean countries.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the European Union’s strained relationship with Turkey, Macron’s office said.

Turkey and Greece have long disagreed over the extent of their continental shelves. Tensions rose last month after Ankara sent an exploration vessel into disputed waters, accompanied by warships, days after Greece signed a maritime deal with Egypt.

Ankara has since been extending the vessel’s work in the wider region, issuing advisories which Athens calls illegal.

READ MORE: Turkey issues third NAVTEX for illegal survey activities in East Med.

Maria Sakkari’s hopes of playing in US Open final crushed by Serena Williams

Andriana Simos
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Maria Sakkari’s hopes of playing in US Open final crushed by Serena Williams

No.15 seed Maria Sakkari had her hopes of playing in a US Open final crushed by Serena Williams last night, after an immensely hard-fought game 3-6, 7(6)-6, 3-6.

Sakkari dominated the early stages of the match, outhitting Serena and sending a message to her storied opponent by delivering three aces in her opening service game of the match.

The Greek had three break points in the fifth game but failed to take any of them and duly paid the price as punishing hitting forced Sakkari to fire a forehand into the net and give Williams the break.

An ace sealed the first set for Williams, who was left screaming in frustration at the end of a gruelling second as a net cord brought up set point for Sakkari.

Williams saved that set point and another to force a tie-break that was dominated by Sakkari. 

The world number 22 raced into a 4-0 lead and, though a powerful winner from Williams saw off another set point, an overhit forehand sent the contest into a decider.

Williams again went long in the opening game of the third to surrender the break, which Sakkari consolidated despite some shaky serving.

But Williams brought concerted pressure on the Sakkari serve two games later and it told as she broke back with a blistering cross-court forehand.

That marked a changing of the tide and Williams brought up three break points in the eighth game of the set, taking the third thanks to a tame off-balance forehand into the net from Sakkari.

Despite admirable resistance from Sakkari, there was never a sign of Williams failing to serve out an absorbing match and staying on track to finally end her wait for major number 24.

The final outcome comes just 12 days after Sakkari defeated Serena in the Western & Southern Open.

READ MORE: Maria Sakkari beats former World Champion Serena Williams in thrilling US match.

St Nectarios Burwood marks 50th anniversary with touching ceremony

Andriana Simos
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St Nectarios Burwood marks 50th anniversary with touching ceremony

With much joy and emotion, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was among the faithful of the Parish of St Nectarios in Sydney on Sunday morning, 6th September, to celebrate a historic milestone for their parish.

It was 6th September 1970 when the church, which until then belonged to the Methodists, was officially handed over to the Greek Orthodox community of Burwood.

During the handover ceremony, a Doxology service was held by the late Archbishop Ezekiel, who three years earlier had given his blessing for the Greek Orthodox community to form a committee to find a suitable place for the purchase or construction of a church.

  • Only 50 people were allowed to attend. Photo: Facebook.
  • Archbishop Makarios held a divine liturgy. Photo: Facebook.

Exactly fifty years later, in the same place and in an atmosphere of joy and emotion, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was conducted, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios.

The President of the Parish-Community and members of the Board of Directors were among those present, as well as members of the Philoptohos Association.

Two members of the committee that was founded in 1967 – Mr Peter Kariatlis, who was the first treasurer of the Parish-Community, and Mr James Soulos, son of the first president, the late Andrew Soulos – were also present.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence addressed the congregation and made the point that the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Parish of St Nectarios is not only a celebration for the local parishioners, but it is a celebration for the entire Holy Archdiocese of Australia.

  • Everyone enjoyed the ceremony. Photo: Facebook.
  • Parish Priest, Fr George Liangas, was raised to the rank of Spiritual Confessor. Photo: Facebook.

He then expressed his gratitude to those who struggled and laboured, offering money and devoting their precious time for the acquisition of the Holy Parish of St Nectarios and for its future progress.

He did not fail to mention his predecessor, Archbishop Ezekiel of blessed memory, as well as the late Fr Ezekiel Petritsis who, as he noted, “struggled and laboured and was ‘spent’ for this parish.”

The Archbishop also focused on the fact that the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Burwood parish, coincided with the 100th anniversary of the repose of St Nectarios.

During the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios raised the Parish Priest, Fr George Liangas, to the rank of Spiritual Confessor.

  • A luncheon was held after the service at Le Montage. Photos: Facebook.

Following the liturgy, a small luncheon took place at The Glasshouse, Le Montage for the Board, Ladies Philoptochos, Church Committee and chanters.

His Eminence, Father George and President, Penelopy Kioussis, marked the occasion with some short speeches and Vice-President, Chris Syrios, presented His Eminence with a gift as a token of appreciation.

Larger celebrations, to allow more people to celebrate the 50th anniversary, will hopefully be able to go ahead in 2021.

Tony Popovic arrives in Greece for his next coaching challenge

Andriana Simos
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Tony Popovic arrives in Greece for his next coaching challenge

Touching down in Greece after being announced as the head coach for Greece’s second division side Xanthi FC, Tony Popovic is set to light up the Greek stage, with the new season starting this week.

The Croatian-Australian coach was lured by the prospect of working for a European club with an Australian owner, Sydney Olympic director Bill Papas.

Convincing him to quit Perth Glory and join his venture overseas, Popovic is prepared for the challenge of coaching abroad and the responsibility of returning his new club, Xanthi, to the country’s top division.

Tony Popovic has arrived in Greece. Photo: DAN HIMBRECHTS.

While the Australian coach had high hopes of playing in Greece’s first division, Popovic revealed that the vision of president, Sydney-based Greek-Australian businessman Bill Papas, convinced him to sign regardless.

“The idea was to join a first division team, but I’m accepting if it is second division. I believe in myself and know I have the knowledge and experience to succeed,” Popovic told Optus Sport.

“I feel that with the backing of the owner and leadership team, we’ll do everything we can to go back up, but do it in a professional and respectable manner.

“I’m excited by the opportunity first and foremost, then the challenge. I’ve always loved a challenge and tackled them head on.”

Currently, Xanthi’s only hope of retaining its Greek Super League status comes down to the slim chance of the league being expanded from 14 to 16 teams.

Popovic’s move echoes Postecoglou’s move to Greek third tier side Panachaiki in 2008, while he will find familiar faces in former A-League combatants John van’t Schip and Michael Valkanis, who are in charge of Greece’s national team.

He joins a Xanthi club at a low ebb in their 53-year history, and is plotting a return to the days when the club regularly qualified for the Europa League, most recently 2013-14.

READ MORE: Tony Popovic set to join Bill Papas in Greece after announcing departure from Perth Glory
READ MORE: Bill Papas reportedly submits bid to purchase Greek Super League team Xanthi FC

At the time when the announcement of Popovic’s move was made, Xanthi’s president, Bill Papas, said he was excited by the future.

“This is a new beginning for the club. I cannot wait for the season to commence and to be with the fans in our stadium. As we navigate challenging times in the global sports industry due to COVID, football will play an even more critical role in society, and we hope to bring pride to our fans,” Papas said.

Sophie Cotsis MP: Dominello must take responsibility for massive cyber theft from Service NSW

The Greek Herald
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Sophie Cotsis MP: Dominello must take responsibility for massive cyber theft from Service NSW

Labor is calling on Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, to face the public after the NSW Government admitted today that cyber criminals stole 3.8 million documents relating to 186,000 people from Service NSW.

“Under Mr Dominello’s watch, cyber criminals have broken into Service NSW and may have stolen people’s birth certificates, credit card details, medical records, financial information and even sensitive legal enforcement information,” Shadow Minister for Better Public Services, Sophie Cotsis, said.

“Minister Dominello and the Premier must explain and account for why they have failed to secure and protect sensitive information from cyber criminals.”


The data was stolen after cyber criminals were able to gain access to email accounts belonging to 47 Service NSW staff. In total, 738 gigabytes of data has been stolen.

While the hacking was reportedly discovered in April this year, the NSW Government still has not notified the people whose personal information was stolen.

“The scale of this cyber-attack is unprecedented but four months later, the NSW Government still has not notified the 186,000 NSW citizens who had their private information stolen,” Ms Cotsis said.

Service NSW delivers programs on behalf of 36 other agencies, including driving licences, firearms registration, cost of living programs and Working with Children checks.

Labor will hold Minister Dominello and senior bureaucrats to account at the upcoming Parliamentary Inquiry into Cyber Security which Labor and the crossbench successfully pushed for. 

Remembering the 1999 Athens earthquake that killed 143 people

Andriana Simos
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0
Remembering the 1999 Athens earthquake that killed 143 people

On September 7, 1999, Athens was struck by a devastating earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale. It led to the death of 143 people, more than 700 were injured, 50,000 were homeless and there was damage to 70,000 buildings.

Damage:

The earthquake struck unexpectedly at 2:56:50 pm local time and lasted approximately 15 seconds near Mount Parnitha in Greece.

The proximity to the Athens metropolitan area resulted in widespread structural damage, mainly to the nearby suburbs of Ano Liosia, Acharnes, Fyli, Kifissia, Kamatero and Metamorfosi.

The Acropolis of Athens and the rest of the city’s famous ancient monuments escaped the disaster either totally unharmed or suffering only minor damage.

A landslide as well as several fissures were reported along the road leading to the peak of Mount Parnitha. Minor damage was also reported to water and waste networks close to the epicenter.

Response:

Rescue teams sifted through the rubble in Athens in an effort to find any survivors. Local residents joined in, contributing garden tools and hammers to the work of the cranes which moved large chunks of damaged concrete.

People yelled into narrow crevices in the rubble, desperately trying to communicate with anyone who might still be alive beneath the damage.

Dust-covered and shocked victims were pulled from the rubble and quickly whisked off in ambulances to the nearest hospital.

The quake was the most costly natural disaster to hit Greece in nearly 20 years.

Erdogan: East Med crisis is a test of EU’s sincerity

The Greek Herald
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Erdogan: East Med crisis is a test of EU’s sincerity

President Tayyip Erdogan told European Council President, Charles Michel, on Sunday the EU’s stance towards the East Mediterranean would be a test of its sincerity, calling on it to take an impartial stance in Turkey’s row with Greece.

NATO allies Turkey and Greece have been locked in a dispute over hydrocarbon exploration in the sea’s disputed waters and the extent of their continental shelves.

Provocative comments and steps by European politicians on regional matters would not help achieve a solution, Erdogan was cited as saying by his office.

Last month, Turkey sent a seismic survey vessel for hydrocarbon exploration in the east Med.

“President Erdogan said the attitude shown by the EU in the Eastern Mediterranean will be a test of sincerity from the perspective of international law and regional peace,” the statement said.

“President Erdogan called on EU institutions and member countries to behave responsibly and remain just, impartial and objective on all regional issues, notably the Eastern Mediterranean,” it added.

Michel had said on Friday that European Union leaders will decide on a “carrot and stick” approach to Turkey when they meet on September 24-25, proposing a conference to defuse tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

READ MORE: EU threaten Turkey with sanctions if ships don’t withdraw from Greek waters.

Last month Turkey sent a seismic survey vessel for hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters in the region after a maritime deal between Greece and Egypt.

On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, said Greece and Turkey had agreed to start technical talks to avoid accidental clashes in the region.

The following day, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece would start talks with Turkey to resolve a dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean once Turkish “provocations” ceased.

READ MORE: Greek PM tells Turkey to ‘let threats go’ and begin dialogue.

Source: Reuters.

Greece beefs up patrols along border with Turkey

Andriana Simos
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0
Greece beefs up patrols along border with Turkey

Two new quick response units of 30 men each will patrol the Greek-Turkish border along Evros river, SKAI television reported on Sunday night.

The two new units will be patrolling the Evros borderline to stem a rising tide of illegal migrants trickling in from neighboring Turkey and dismantle migrant-trafficking rings.

At the same time, the island’s border guard will be strengthened, with 530 new border guards already recruited. Of these, 240 will be stationed on Lesvos, 100 on Kos, 98 on Chios, 40 on Leros, 30 on Samos, 20 on Symi and 12 on Kastellorizo.

746 new border guards are also expected to be hired in the next recruiting period, of which 480 will be distributed in five Pre-Departure Detention Centers and another 266 will strengthen the guard of the islands.

Greek Police guard the Evros border.

RELATED: Greece strengthens defence of Evros border with blade wire fence and 400 new guards.

United Nations statistics show that illegal land entries into Greece from Turkey have doubled in the last month alone, stoking concerns of a new migration crisis as tensions between the feuding countries have flared over energy rights in the East Med.

Greek Migration Minister, Notis Mitarachis, has explained the thinking behind the decision to fortify the border.

“We want Turkey to conform to agreements it has signed to stem the flow of illegal immigration,” he said recently. “Any attempt to weaponise the suffering of refugees for geopolitical interests will not be tolerated.” 

The border reinforcement also comes amid a flurry of media reports saying that Turkey was withdrawing 40 tanks from Syria, moving them instead to the Greek-Turkish border.

Turkey has not explained the deployment but Kostas Lavdas, a professor of international relations at Panteon University in Athens, told VOA that Greece must be ready for war.

It may be a simple rotation of forces, he said, because Turkey has several military fronts open. But he added that regardless the reason, Turkey has repeatedly shown that it wants to be ready for all scenarios relating to Greece, including war.

Greece, he said, may want to avoid that but it also needs to be prepared for it.

READ MORE: TGH Exclusive: Evros border guards empowered by support of Greek diaspora.

Georgios Filiopoulos to show how Greek Australians can invest in Greece

Andriana Simos
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0
Georgios Filiopoulos to show how Greek Australians can invest in Greece

On September 9, 2020, Georgios Filiopoulos, the CEO of Enterprise Greece, will be holding a video conference via Zoom focusing on Greece’s economy and how Greek Australian business leaders can consider investing in Greece.

The event is sponsored by the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Katia Gkikiza the Trade Commissioner (Australia) Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs, Consulate General of Greece in Sydney.

Starting at 5.30pm, Mr Filiopoulos will give participants the opportunity to be informed about the course of the Greek economy and to evaluate the possibilities of commercial cooperation with Greek companies, as well as the possibilities of investment activity in Greece.

Following his presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask Mr Filiopoulos a question in the Q&A session.

If you would like to RSVP, please reply to Paul.Nicolaou@australianchamber.com.au as soon as possible to secure your place on the video conference. A Zoom link will be sent to you afterwards.

SYNOPSIS:   

Greece is changing and it is changing fast. More important, it is on the verge of a significant growth path, as the economy becomes more extrovert/outward looking based on Foreign Direct Investment and Export Trade.

Businesses around the world are in a position to benefit from an environment that welcomes new enterprises, fully supports investment, and promotes Greek products and services to a global marketplace.

Enterprise Greece is designed to promote and support Greece’s substantial investment opportunities and to engage the global business community with (first-class) high end export products—goods and services made in Greece.

Enterprise Greece’s united effort allows them to effectively promote entrepreneurship in Greece, showcase trade opportunities to global buyers, and successfully lead to more holistic business partnerships.

Mr Filiopoulos will brief attendees at this session on how Greece is doing economically, how it is managing COVID and how Greek Australian business leaders can consider investing in Greece.

Turkey begins military exercises in occupied Cyprus

The Greek Herald
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Turkey begins military exercises in occupied Cyprus

Turkey’s armed forces on Sunday began annual exercises in the breakaway republic of Northern Cyprus – an entity recognised only by Ankara – as tensions continue to rise with Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey’s hunt for gas and oil reserves in waters claimed by Greece has put a huge strain on the relationship between the two NATO members. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday raised the stakes by warning Greece: “They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or on the field through bitter experiences.”

As tensions run high, the Turkish military began its exercises called “Mediterranean Storm” with the Turkish Cypriot Security Command, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter. 

“The security priorities of our country and the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] are indispensable, along with diplomatic solutions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Oktay wrote. 

The Turkish defence ministry also tweeted the military exercises, which last until Thursday, continued “successfully.”

Cyprus is divided between the Greek Cypriot-run south – an EU member state – and the Turkish Cypriot north.

Erdogan and European Council President Charles Michel discussed developments in the Eastern Mediterranean on Sunday, CNN Turk reported.

Michel said on Friday that European Union leaders will decide on a “carrot and stick” approach to Turkey when they meet on September 24-25, proposing a conference to defuse tensions. 

READ MORE: Turkey slams EU call for cooperation with Cyprus as ‘far from serious.’

Source: Al Jazeera.

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