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Pantelis Pantelidis: Remembering the much-loved Greek singer

The announcement of the death of popular singer Pantelis Pantelidis, on February 18th 2016, left everyone shocked.

Pantelidis died in a car crash when he lost control of the car he was driving and crashed against the road barriers in Athens.

Just one day after his tragic death, Pantelidis was set to start performing at a night club in Athens, along with popular singers Despoina Vandi and Kostas Martakis.

He was also set to tour Australia in May, with Greek icon Antonis Remos. The tour went ahead in his honour.

His death came as a shock to his colleagues, friends and fans all over Greece and abroad, who expressed their sadness and condolence to his family via social media, and his loss is still felt today.

The 32-year-old singer was born in 1983 in Athens and he was a self-taught musician. He was working as a non-commissioned officer in the Hellenic Navy when he decided to abandon his career in the Hellenic Navy to pursue his dream and become a singer.

He became famous when he started posting his songs on Youtube stealing the hearts of many fans who were watching him playing his guitar at home and singing his songs.

His talent soon became recognised and he started performing in Greece’s biggest nightclubs, while his songs became great hits.

Pantelidis’ career was rising, and he was on his path to being a star in Greece. He still became that star, with his music reaching new heights of popularity after his death.

After his death, two of his songs reached the #1 spot on the Billboard chart “Greece Digital Songs”. The two songs being “Ta Shinia Sou” and “Pino Apo ‘Ki Psila Gia Sena“.

On June 25, 2016, a CD single was released with 1 unpublished song and 1 song that was only available on video clip (which was planned to be in the new CD). The song Thimamai in YouTube has nearly 30.000.000+ views. On 14 December 2016, his pre-recorded song “Alli Mia Efkeria” was released via artist’s official YouTube channel and gained over 1.1 million views in 2 days after the release and 20.000.000+ views after few months.

On February 18, 2017, one year after his death, another unpublished demo song was released Karavia Sto Vitho.

On October 27, 2017, Tha Zo, another unpublished song of the artist was released. It was written and composed by Pantelis Pantelidis and sung by Amaryllis. Within a month, it received 3,000,000 views.

On December 1, 2017, his final unpublished song was released (“Na Se Kala”). Within one month, it had been viewed 6.000.000+ times.

The impact of his loss is still felt through the power of his music, which is enjoyed by all Greeks, in Greece and abroad, by all generations.

Coronavirus: Greece to accelerate recruitment of medical staff in hospitals, labs, entrance gates

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Greece has decided to accelerate the recruitment of health personnel as one of the alert measures of the country to deal with possible infections of coronavirus. This was decided at the meeting of the National Public Health Council on Monday with the aim to shield Greece against the disease.

Recruited will be doctors, nurses, paramedics and lab specialists who will fill personnel shortage sin hospitals, laboratories and entrance gates in the countries.

Professor for Infectious Diseases Sotiris Tsiodras said after the meeting that in the coming weeks there could be a coronavirus infection in the country.

He revealed that  28 “pseudo-suspected cases” have so far been tested in the epidemiological laboratories, and that all tests were “negative.”

Health Minister Vassilis Kikkilias advised citizens to pay no attention to rumors and follow the protection guidelines by the epidemiologists at the National Health Organization.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Chinese nationals have increasingly purchased masks to sent them to China.

The President of Pharmacists Association in Piraeus, Konstantinos Kouvaris, told newsit that Chinese nationals were buying masks in bulks, 200-300 masks, to send them to relatives in their home country. They would come from Cosco, from the port form cruise ships, especially in the first days of the coronavirus outbreak and we would not know why, he added.

Sourced via Greek Media Group.

Greek billionaire Alki David to bring marijuana empire to Australia

A billionaire weed merchant, who was arrested with 5000 cannabis plants on his private jet in the Caribbean, plans to open shop in Australia. 

Greek Coca-Cola bottling heir Alki David, who is part of the Leventis family, has told Daily Mail Australia he has big plans to expand his medicinal cannabis operations down under. 

Mr David revealed he was looking to distribute his Swissx brand of products throughout the country and create a weed-lovers resort off the coast of Australia. 

Based out of Switzerland, Swissx is described as the Red Bull for cannabis and boasts its cannabis oil contains 65 per cent cannabidiol (CBD) – a non-psychoactive part of the plant hailed as a cure for disease.

As cannabis laws in Australia continue to be relaxed, the bong smoking billionaire plans to move in. 

‘Australia is championing changes to cannabis laws in March, which is great,’ he said. 

Last September, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed a bill legalising possessing and growing cannabis for personal use in the nation’s capital. 

From this month Canberrans aged over 18 are allowed to possess 50 grams of cannabis and grow two plants.

Victoria was also the first Australian state to legalise medical access for cannabis patients back in 2016, with most states following its lead.   

Mr David said he recently returned to St Kitts at risk of being jailed to submit a constitutional case to allow the sale of hemp. 

‘The law is wrong,’ he said. ‘The state has accepted our case to represent that hemp should be exempt from the cannabis act. And it’s going to happen which is great news.’

Mr David said he was in the process of organising import licences to bring his cannabis products, which include strains named Swissx Cherry Wine and Donald Trump, into Australia.

‘There is a huge opportunity for hemp farming in Australia … these are tough plants that yield three or four times a year,’ he said.

‘Bringing that farming knowledge and the efficiency of the farming to Australia is something that, to tell you the truth I haven’t fathomed the potential, because the opportunity is massive.’

Part of his plan includes a Swissx resort similar to one he operates in Malibu. 

Mr David purchased the Malibu mansion, which once belonged to the granddaughter and heir of legendary Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor, for $19 million. 

‘I’ve looked at a number of private islands (around Australia),’ he said. 

Mr David said the Swissx Island would be a ‘wellness experience’ that he hoped would see visitors get whacked on the most potent hullucinogenics known to man.  

‘It’s known on YouTube as the spirit molecule. It is so profound – the change to our perception of what reality is that it’s the most powerful medicine that we have. It’s the greatest technology that we have,’ he said. 

‘It is a three-day vomit show of existential experiences where the mystical aspects of these experiences effect your very thinking and your very being.’

Mr David said these ‘transformation holiday experiences’ were already operating in certain parts of the world where they were legal, including Antigua, Italy and Mexico. 

‘The drug laws around the world are really bizarre,’ he said. ‘How it’s okay in some countries to have magic mushrooms and peyote legalised and in other countries these are Class 1 narcotics. 

‘In other countries they are sacraments to churches and others they are Class B narcotics. It is completely a cross-cultural dynamic that is fascinating.’

Mr David said he had gained support from the World Health Organisation, which was instructing governments to legalise cannabis. 

‘There is a massive movement in the world right now which is truly transforming our entire species,’ he said. 

Mr David described our time as a ‘golden age’ which would only get better. 

‘In Australia there is a huge movement  … there are movements of plant medicine lifestyle,’ he said. ‘My intention is to bring plant-medicine wellness to Australia as best as I can … Cannabanoids are part of the arsenal of medicine that is revolutionising our species.’

Mr David has a long list of celebrity endorsers, including Mike Tyson, Scott Disick of Keeping up with the Kardashians, guitarist Dave Navarro of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg, Chief Keef, and Lil Wayne, as well as cannabis legend Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong. 

‘I can show you 100 major, global clinical trials that prove cannabis kills most cancerous cells,’ he said.  

Speaking from his Californian mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mr David gave an insight into his strange world, which includes a genetically cloned dog named Vader.

So identical is the dog to its genetic father, which was also named Vader, he shares the exact same birthmark on his tongue.  

‘He’s seven months old. One year ago he was a concept. The DNA from my previous dog was replaced into the DNA of a surrogate that was merged with her cells and impregnated into her eggs and then she gave birth to four exact atomic copies of my previous dog,’ he said. 

So impressed was Mr David with the outcome that he hired the Korean doctor responsible and made him his head geneticist. 

‘So we’re starting to make some interesting plant genetic modifications,’ he said. 

Mr David said he was fully licensed in California to grow 99 cannabis plants in his own home and drive around with up to eight pounds of weed. 

‘I can smoke this thing anywhere I choose to because I have a licence from a doctor that I paid for because the powers that be that govern society on a global scale deem that it’s time to deregulate the most sacred plant we have,’ he said. 

 Mr David said his company is already shipping hemp products to Australia with a 0.001 per cent trace of THC – the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. 

‘Our products are legal even ahead of the Cannabis Act and we ship today to Australia,’ he said.   

Mr David said he had much love for Australians. 

‘They’re as naive as all f**k and they are beautiful for that,’ he said. 

Asked for one message to Australians about his plans, Mr David reverted to his company slogan – one he passionately believes in. 

‘It’s for the higher good.’

Sourced via Infosurhoy.

Greece welcomes new mission to enforce Libya arms embargo

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Greece welcomed a decision by European Union foreign ministers on Monday to launch a new maritime effort focused on enforcing the UN arms embargo around Libya.

Speaking in Brussels where the meeting of EU foreign ministers took place, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias reiterated Greece’s commitment to take part in the operation.

After chairing the meeting, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the operation, which is still unnamed, will centre on implementing the arms embargo with the deployment of aerial, satellite and maritime assets.

Sourced via Ekathimerini.

Whittlesea councillor quits “scandal-plagued” area

A local councillor, Ricky Kirkham, has quit scandal-plagued Whittlesea Council, saying he no longer has faith in the council’s ability to discharge its duties in the best interests of the community.

The council, in Melbourne’s north-east, has been beset by claims of bullying and alleged workplace safety breaches since late 2019.

The council’s chief executive, former police chief Simon Overland, was sacked in December after a long-running effort by councillors to oust him. He was the third chief executive in four years to be fired by the council.

Mr Overland, who was on leave for medical reasons, was sacked a week before giving highly-anticipated evidence to the royal commission into Victoria Police’s handling of barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo.

Soon after the sacking, a government monitor was installed to oversee the council and report on whether the council should be dismissed.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday, Councillor Ricky Kirkham said the council’s inability to perform its key duties “made it impossible for me to discharge my obligations to hold council accountable”.

“This situation has led me to determine that despite my best efforts, I can no longer in good conscience continue in this role,” he wrote.

Cr Kirkham, who was first elected to council in October 2012, has served as mayor twice, most recently in 2016-17.

He said it was a “privilege” to serve as a councillor, but said he was “unable to provide the level of representation and accountability” the public deserved.

Whittlesea mayor Emilia Lisa Sterjova sparked tensions between the local Greek and Macedonian communities after posting a photo on Facebook showing her holding a flag with the Vergina Sun symbol. She has since removed the post

Emilia Sterjova, the council’s current mayor, was pictured dancing with a flag featuring the Vergina Sun symbol – a contentious symbol that is a flashpoint in hostilities between the Greek and Macedonian communities.

A man was allegedly assaulted following a protest over Ms Sterjova’s flag-waving at a council meeting in December.

Whittlesea council will be monitored over the next six months, with an interim report about councillor behaviour due on March 27.

Yehudi Blacher – a former deputy secretary in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and a former administrator for the City of Greater Geelong when that council was sacked in 2016 – is acting as the monitor.

Speaking last December, Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek did not rule out sacking the council, as it did on Monday with Casey Council, but said he would wait for the report from the monitor.

“Mr Blacher has extensive experience in public administration … and will play an important role at the City of Whittlesea,” said Mr Somyurek in December.

“Mr Blacher will help the council make decisions in the best long-term interests of local ratepayers.”

Sourced via The Age.

The Greek Herald celebrates new beginnings with official ‘Relaunch’ Party and 94th year anniversary

The Greek Herald, one of the first Greek Australian newspapers, and currently the largest national daily Greek newspaper in Australia, signified its transition into the new era, with a relaunch party last Thursday evening.

The newspaper, which still stands as one of the only national daily Greek newspapers outside of Greece, celebrates its 94th year under new management, as new visions were announced by the two young women who will lead the paper into a new age.

Sisters and new publishers, Dimitra Skalkos and Elaine Kintis officially introduced the Greek Australian community to their new vision for this historic, landmark platform.

The “new” Greek Herald

The Greek Herald publishers Elaine Kintis (left) and Dimitra Skalkos (right)

With 28-year-old Dimitra assuming the role of Publisher, after the death of her late father Theo Skalkos, in February 2019, she signified the importance of young Greek Australians “stepping up” to carry on the legacies, and fill the very big shoes, left to them by the generations before.

The sisters announced they will be continuing the daily print newspaper, which continues to be a landmark in the homes of older generations, whilst also engaging younger Greek Australians through a new digital platform that was established in June, 2019. The Greek Herald aims to build on the multi-generational audience it has already congressed, to achieve three main outcomes:

  1. To engage young Greek Australians in the Greek community, and to inspire them to carry on the legacies left behind for them
  2. To promote Greek language and culture for successive generations
  3. To engage the Greek Australian community in continuing what The Greek Herald always was…a platform to celebrate the success, achievements, initiatives and stories of all individuals, groups and organisations, and to unite the Greek Australian community in continuing the strong presence of Greeks in Australia.

“The Greek Herald has been there throughout history, and is itself a part of history,” said Ms Skalkos.

YOU CAN READ DIMITRA’S FULL SPEECH HERE

Continuing on from Ms Skalkos, her sister and co-Publisher, Elaine Kintis emphasised the significance of The Greek Herald in promoting the Greek language and culture amongst younger generations. This is particularly pressing, as it was recently announced that Greek is the second fastest disappearing language in Australia.

READ MORE: Greek is the second fastest disappearing language in Australia

“I’m sure you will all agree, there are two things that remain relevant and prominent for all of us and is possibly at the core of everything that we do as a community. That is our language and our culture. I believe that through The Greek Herald, we can help continue to play a role in promoting our language and the Greek culture, which is imperative for our future generations. We are in an era of change,” said Ms Kintis.

The Greek Herald has undergone its biggest transformation in 94 years, with plans to reach out to younger generations through the development of its online platform, which has a primary audience of Greek Australians that starts from 25-years-old. This, combined with a following through the newspaper that spans up to 90-years-old, means The Greek Herald “has the market covered”.

YOU CAN READ ELAINE’S FULL SPEECH HERE

Dimitra Skalkos (left) with Archbishop Makarios (middle) and Elaine Kintis (right)

The event

The event was MC’d by former news presenter prominent Greek Australian, John Mangos.

“I think the loveliest thing to say about the The Greek Herald is that it has just always been there…The Greek Herald has played such a vital role in our society, in the decades of its existence…When I say the paper was just always there, well it was. It was there when Cyprus was invaded, it was there when reporting the Polytechnio, it was there when the ‘Patris’ landed in Australia and it played a significant role I think in connecting Australians to Greece, especially newly arrived Greeks,” said Mr Mangos in his opening address. 

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Consul-General Mr Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner Katia Gkikiza, MP Eleni Petinos representing the State Premier, CEO of Multiculural NSW, Joseph La Posta, Shadow Minister for Transport and Corrections, Chris Minns, MP Sophie Cotsis, MP Steve Kamper, John Loukadellis President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, and Paul Nicolau, CEO of Australia Chamber of Commerce, were among the distinguished guests.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios joined celebration of new beginnings at The Greek Herald, took the opportunity to thank the Greek Australian community for their acceptance of him and his new approach as head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

READ MORE: His Eminence Archbishop Makarios announces 2020 plans for Archdiocese at name day event

His Eminence offered to make a speech to signify this occasion, and placed emphasis on the importance of new beginnings, abandoning tensions of the past, and moving forward as a united community.

“This Relaunch for the Greek Herald is a very appropriate theme because we are, in truth, experiencing a new beginning. A new era is unfolding before us, with many opportunities at our doorstep because it is a period of love and unity between the Church and the people and we should take advantage of this to rise even further,” His Eminence said, before cutting a vasilopita – the cake of the new year – with both Dimitra and Elaine.

Archbishop Makarios giving his speech at the Greek Herald Relaunch

His Eminence assured his support for The Greek Herald and the rest of the Greek Australian community, highlighting values of unity and forgiveness.

“As your Archbishop, I would like to assure you that we, the Church, are by your side and that you have our support in whatever you may need. I mean these words because unless we remain united and have forgiveness and love, we will not be able to give a good witness to those around us,” said His Eminence.

YOU CAN READ HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS’ FULL SPEECH HERE

The room was truly filled with a fresh air with all attendees consumed by the words of Archbishop Makarios, Consul-General Christos Karras, Publisher Dimitra Skalkos, and Co-Publisher Elaine Kintis, who discussed the new era of unity in the Greek Australian community, put forward by The Greek Herald.

Consol General Christos Karras speaking at the Greek Herald Relaunch

Guests were also entertained by a number of musical Greek acts.

The Australian Hellenic Choir, under the direction of Thessaloniki’s Penelope Menounou, and Foteini Stavridis on the piano, performed three wonderful songs: “Tis Agapis Emata”, “Menexedes and Zoumpoulia” and “S’agapo”.

The Greek Australian community that were present at the event also experienced a performance by three generations of bouzouki players – traditional prodigy, Sotiris Prokopiou, the ever-popular young bouzouki player, Tommy Tsonis, and an up-and-coming young star that stole the hearts of the room, 10-year-old George Athanasiou.

The performance aligned with the significance of the night, joining together all different generations through the universal connection of our Greek culture.

Bazouki players Tommy Tsonis (right) and 10-year-old George Athanasiou (left).
The Hellenic Choir performing at the Greek Herald Relaunch

Co-publisher, Elaine insisted that, despite suggestions that there was no future in print, the sisters understand that this newspaper holds a historical legacy, and for as long as there is a shred of demand, The Greek Herald will continue to publish. In saying this, The Greek Herald also understands the demand for an online platform in catering for the needs of younger generations. With a hard-working, collaborative team behind it, who range from 19 to 70 years-of-age, The Greek Herald has secured a personal understanding of meeting modern needs, whilst respecting traditional values, which is showcased throughout its pages and into the community.

Full coverage of the event in-print will also be posted in Wednesday’s edition of The Greek Herald newspaper.

Greek government to have thousands of migrants work in agriculture

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The Greek government is planning to create a “job vacancy” scheme where refugees and migrants can find seasonal work in the agriculture fields. The scheme aims to revitalise the countryside and the rural economy.

According to an exclusive report by daily ‘Ta Nea‘, the government plans a “migrants’ job agency” for farmers, a so-called “migrants’ OAED” for farmers so that they can find workers for their fields.

“Workers for seasonal jobs and for various crops are sought all over the county,” the daily notes adding that the government and the relevant ministries have set up a committee assigned to find a solution to the problem.

The “migrants’ jobs agency” is scheduled to be implemented initially as a pilot program and thus in the Prefecture of Imathia in West Macedonia, a region with rich agriculture.

About 80 cooperatives will have a list of the number of employees they need for seasonal work and the needed working time and will work with the local OAED agencies.

The plan is being developed by the Ministry for Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministries of Migration Policy, of Labor and the state “Employment Agency” (OAED.)

“The idea is simple and can bring things upside down, both in terms of the management of Refugee-Migration, as well as in revitalising the countryside and the rural economy,” the daily notes.

According to the daily, “there are currently about 66,000 refugees and immigrants in Greece who are registered, are legal and have social security number AMKA.”

Employed from this manpower tank” will be those who are needed for agricultural work throughout Greece. From harvesting olives in Crete, to the production of citrus fruits, cotton etc.

The advantage with respect to workers from Albania or other countries is that they will be registered and officially insured at the unified social security fund EFKA, so that farmers can register the salaries expenses at their tax declaration, ‘Ta Nea‘ stresses.

It is noted that according to the newspaper, Greek producers are unable to find cheap labor hands. That’s why they bring workers from Albania for 2-3 months, but as they say, there is a problem with both consulate procedures and visas as well as with the workers’ insurance rights.

The government plan can solve several problems of the local farming sector, boost the Greek countryside and the agricultural economy, ‘Ta Nea‘ notes.

Sourced via Keep Talking Greece.

UN to post EEZ maps of Libya, Turkey deal

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Athens is bracing for the United Nations’ Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea to post the geographical coordinates outlined in the maritime border agreement signed by Turkey and the Tripoli-based government in Libya on November 29, 2019. 

The inclusion of the memorandum’s sea zone maps in the UN’s database is expected to give them an official character, much to the concern of Athens, which is preparing for whatever consequence this may entail.

Greece, which is situated geographically between Turkey and Libya, has vehemently denounced the memorandum as illegal and a blatant violation of its sovereignty.

For its part, Turkey has conveyed that the posting of the maps by the UN will essentially make the memorandum official and will pave the way for Ankara to begin exploratory drilling activities for natural resources in the maritime zones that are outlined in the accord as part of Turkey’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including an area off southern Crete. 

Based on the geographical distortions Turkey has introduced in order to justify the meeting of its EEZ with that of Libya’s, the islands of Kasos, Karpathos, Kastellorizo and Rhodes are completely overlooked. Moreover, Turkey’s maps show the larger island of Crete as having a limited effect on the process of delimiting an EEZ.

On the contrary, in order to achieve this delimitation with Libya, Ankara has relied on uninhabited Turkish islets, which are assigned full effect in determining the EEZ.

Athens has sought to highlight these distortions at the highest diplomatic level. However, given that the memorandum is a bilateral agreement between two internationally recognized governments, its objections are excepted to achieve only limited results.

Sourced via Ekathimerini.

Greeks express solidarity with Chinese people in coronavirus outbreak

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The pedestrian path at the foot of the Acropolis hill in the heart of Athens was lit red on Friday evening for an hour, as Greeks and Chinese people living in Greece held a symbolic gathering and walked around the neighbourhood holding Chinese red lanterns.

Under the auspices of the City of Athens, the Chamber of Greek-Chinese Economic Cooperation, along with business associations of the Chinese community in Athens and other groups representing citizens of Athens, organised the event to express solidarity with the Chinese people who are battling the novel coronavirus outbreak and stigmatisation.

“We feel obliged … this is something we feel deep in our souls, to offer support, to tell them we are here, standing by their side, they are in our thoughts, they have our solidarity. This is very important and we see it from their reactions to our emails,” said Fotis Provatas, president of the chamber and former vice mayor of Athens.

George Vernicos, president of the Economic and Social Council of Greece, general secretary of the Greek Tourism Confederation and general secretary of the chamber, was also among the participants.

“There are very close ties connecting Greeks and Chinese historically and culturally. Whatever concerns China affects us and we feel the impact immediately. Therefore, we wish to send a message of friendship and solidarity that we stand by their side in this difficult period,” Vernicos said.

“We are here to send a message of solidarity with Chinese people. We are all Chinese,” said Stavros Monemvasiotis, member of the Chamber of Greek-Chinese Economic Cooperation.

“We hope that this will be over very soon so that we continue our creative cooperation,” said Kostas Konstantinidis, managing director of a company specializing in digital consultancy in culture, which has been promoting China-Greece cultural exchanges in recent years.

Culture has been a strong link between China and Greece, the two ancient civilizations, and cultural exchanges between them have increased in recent years, strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation in many other fields.

Ilias Chatzichristodoulou, director of Athens Digital Arts festival and member of the chamber, communicates with his Chinese friends every day via emails. They are organizing performances by Greek artists in China this May. The coronavirus epidemic is a factor which worries them, but has not derailed their plan.

“Everybody’s heart, including people in Greece, should be this bright,” he said, raising the Chinese red lantern.

“This bullying we are witnessing currently should not exist,” he added, referring to the discrimination against Chinese people in a few countries recently.

“It is obvious that this is racism expressed by people with no education and no brains. But it is still a dangerous racism. It is equally dangerous if it is against Chinese or Africans or Europeans. We should be and we will be decisive in addressing this phenomenon in Greece and Europe as a whole,” Provatas told Xinhua.

Many Chinese have been living and working in Greece for years, forging strong bonds of friendship with Greeks.

“We live together as brothers for decades. We cannot allow this. If we will allow any person with no brains to attack Chinese children today, if we don’t stop it, tomorrow he will attack other children,” Provatas stressed.

The Greek society defends the right of each individual, regardless of race, skin color or religion, to live in peace without anyone insulting them, he said.

The world should show gratitude to the Chinese people for their courage and sacrifices in battling the disease decisively and in preventing its spread to other countries, he said.

“We really admire the patience and determination of the Chinese people facing this problem … We appreciate and we admire all this gigantic effort, their determination and discipline, because they know that this is the only way to help themselves and the world from the further spread of the epidemic,” Provatas noted.

Sourced via ECNS.

Greek government outline seven priorities on migration

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Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi sent a message of unity to New Democracy (ND) party on the management of the migration/refugees issue at a meeting held on Sunday at the party’s headquarters.

“We are addressing the crisis with unity; we are all on the same side of the table. The central government, the regional governments, the local governments, we are all facing a common problem,” he said.

The government has seven priorities, he explained, which are the strengthening of the borders protection, the acceleration of the asylum procedures, the increase of returns, the operation of closed and controlled hosting facilities, the effective control of the NGOs, the internalisation of the crisis and the support of the local communities.

In this context, the minister announced that an improved draft law on the further acceleration of the asylum procedures and of the returns will be tabled in parliament in the following weeks.

“We are facing a crisis, a crisis that we will not allow the islands to bear the whole burden. A crisis that must be resolved at European and international level,” he said.

Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis, the general secretary for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias, the general secretary of the Migration Ministry Patrokolos Georgiadis and the ministry’s special secretary Manos Logothetis also spoke at the event.