The European Union has stated that there is no question of Greece’s sovereignty over its islands in the East Aegean on Sunday. 

Lead Spokesperson for External Affairs, Peter Spano, released a statement following the recent comments by Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, calling for the demilitarisation of the islands.

“Comments by Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in a recent interview, disputing Greece’s sovereignty over some of its islands, are counterproductive and contradict de-escalation efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean called for in the Conclusions of the European Council from 23 March and 24-25 June 2021,” the statement reads.

“Greece’s sovereignty over these islands is unquestionable. Turkey should respect it, refrain from provocative statements and actions in this regard, commit unequivocally to good neighbourly relations and work to settle any disputes peacefully. International agreements must be respected.”

This statement comes after Cavusoglu recently reiterated Turkey’s call on Greece to demilitarise the islands, warning that if Athens does not change its stance then the debate questioning their sovereignty will begin.

On Sunday, Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, also held talks with the Vice President of the EU Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, where he discussed these provocative statements and current developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and Turkey have long been at odds over a series of disputes, including territorial rights in the Aegean Sea and over energy exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Tensions heightened between the NATO allies in 2020 over exploratory drilling rights in areas in the Mediterranean where Greece and Cyprus claim as their own exclusive economic zone.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Fully vaccinated travellers from Australia, Canada and the United States no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter Greece.

Previously, travellers from these countries were required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of their trip in order to enter the country.

READ MORE: Greece to scrap negative COVID-19 test demand for travellers.

But now, according to Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority, travellers are only required to provide a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recent illness.

To be considered “fully vaccinated,” you must have had your booster shot as well.

Vaccination certificates will be considered valid for nine months after the completion of an individual’s primary course of vaccination. No ‘expiration’ date will apply for travellers who have received a booster dose.

Travellers will still need to complete their Passenger Locator Form (PLF) prior to entering the country.

The new measure took effect on Saturday and will apply until February 21.

This change has been hailed by the Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vasilis Kikilias, as a “very important development” for the sector.

It comes at a time where Greece’s daily coronavirus infection rate has stabilised, but its death rate remains elevated.

READ MORE: ‘Danger zone’: Australian travellers locked out of Europe and US as Omicron surges.

Source: Keep Talking Greek.

By Eleni Patsalides.

Melina Travlos, Chairwoman of Neptune Lines Shipping & Managing Enterprises, was elected on Thursday as the first female president of the Union of Greek Shipowners (USG) in its 106-year history.

Travlos has been a union board member for 15 years and is currently one of the two secretaries. She will succeed outgoing president Theodore Veniamis, who has led the union for 13 years, and will start her first term of three years soon.

Neptune Lines was founded by Travlos’ father, Nikos, in 1975. It specialises in transport of vehicles and holds over 18 ships in its fleet. Over 1 million cars are transported to 20 countries per year.

Today, Travlos also runs Neptune Dry, which she founded five years ago, and that has a fleet of five bunkers.

According to Safety4sea.com, Greece is still considered the “world’s leading ship owning nation with a fleet of 4,901 vessels, while Greek shipowners control 19.42 percent of global deadweight tonnage.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

By Eleni Patsalides.

Oscar award-winning director, screenwriter and producer, Alexander Payne, was sworn in as a Greek citizen on Monday, February 7 at the Consulate General of Greece in Boston.

The event was celebrated by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in a statement on social media: “Oscar-winning director, screenwriter, and producer Constantine Alexander Payne is now a Greek citizen. He has proven once again that he does not forget his family’s heritage.”

The director born Constantine Alexander Payne has previously paid homage to his Greek roots as he was made an honorary citizen of Aigialeia in the Peloponnese in 2016.

During this event, Payne was also named Aigialeia’s Ambassador of Art and Culture, and he addressed the audience in Greek and told them of his grandfather who had moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1912.

In an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos in 2013, Payne explained how his grandfather’s decision to change the family name from Papadopoulos to Payne came as a result of the “anti-Greek riots of 1909” and how this motivated him to “totally Americanise it.” 

Payne is best known for the films “Sideways,” “The Descendants,” and “Nebraska,” having won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay twice and been nominated three times for Best Director.

Source: Ekathimerini.