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Russian FM calls for speedy reduction of East Med tension, closer ties to Greece

The Greek Herald
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Russian FM calls for speedy reduction of East Med tension, closer ties to Greece

Turkey is an “international troublemaker” stirring problems and undermining peace in sensitive parts of the world while dressed “in a religious mantle,” Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said on Monday, ahead of a meeting in Athens with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

“I believe that it is in our common interest to check such provocative behaviors and to remind the party acting them out that there are limits,” he said.

Mitsotakis welcomed earlier comments made by Lavrov during a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, in which the Russian official said that every state has the sovereign right to extend its territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles, as stipulated by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which Russia is a signatory.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, met with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, in Greece.

READ MORE: Greece to extend territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, says PM.

The Greek Prime Minister also indicated Athens’ desire to expand bilateral relations with Russia, saying that next year’s 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence – in which Russia played an important role – and the naming of 2021 as “Greek and Russian History Year” is an opportunity to “remember those moments when we acted together in the past,” and build those that will “accompany us in the future.”

Lavrov, for his part, stressed that Greece’s membership of the European Union and NATO should not act as an obstacle in strengthening relations with Russia, while adding that Brussels and the alliance should “not stand in the way” of this.

The Greek PM discussed Turkey’s aggression and bilateral relations with the Russian FM.

Referring to his earlier discussions with Dendias and fraught relations between Greece and Turkey over the Eastern Mediterranean, the Russian Foreign Minister stressed the need for “the fastest possible de-escalation of the tension that has built up in the region, so that the two countries can go ahead and settle their differences – and there are a lot of them – in the region, though dialogue.”

Lavrov said that overlapping interests need to be settled bilaterally through dialogue, while adding that Moscow is prepared to “contribute to the normalisation of the situation” if such an interest is expressed by the two sides.

“We have a good, steady relationship with the countries in the area,” he said.

READ MORE: Turkey to hold military drills off coast of Cyprus as Greece continues exercises with France and Italy.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Inner West councillors accuse staff of spying on emails, phone calls

The Greek Herald
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Inner West councillors accuse staff of spying on emails, phone calls

Councillors at the troubled Inner West Council have accused administration staff of spying on their mail, email and phone calls and have resorted to communicating through private email accounts to avoid surveillance, according to a Sydney Morning Herald exclusive.

The claims will be discussed at a council meeting this week at the behest of long-serving councillor, John Stamolis, who said councillors’ mail had been intercepted or withheld, and staff were being quizzed about why they had spoken to a councillor on the phone.

“It has been appalling,” Mr Stamolis told the SMH.

Councillor, John Stamolis, has issued a motion about the accusations. It will be discussed in a meeting this week. Photo: Ciao Magazine.

Inner West Council denied any such monitoring occurred. A spokeswoman said councillors’ emails were stored on a secure system which could be accessed if needed under the relevant legislation, but no access had been granted to the archive since the amalgamated council was formed in 2016.

But numerous councillors expressed concerns about monitoring of their communications.

Veteran Liberal councillor, Julie Passas, said she had called a council staff member about a personal matter and “within two minutes” a member of the council’s senior management called asking why she had phoned a council staffer.

Cr Passas also complained that mail was being intercepted and withheld. She said she had not received written correspondence from constituents in eight months, and angry residents had approached her in the street asking why she hadn’t responded to their letters.

Veteran Liberal councillor, Julie Passas, has added her voice to the complaints.

“I was absolutely shocked,” she said. “In all my years on council I’ve never come across this. It’s totally unnecessary. We are supposed to be working together for the good of the municipality.”

In his motion to be discussed at this week’s council meeting, Cr Stamolis says “it is not clear who authorises this monitoring, for what purpose and to what extent this occurs.”

“Nor is it known how any information gained through monitoring is used by Inner West Council and by whom,” he says.

“It appears that the systems, processes and practices used to do this monitoring are quite developed. It would be of value to know what these systems, processes and practices are.”

The Inner West Council has been embroiled in turmoil amid the departure of its chief executive, Michael Deegan, who formally resigned last week after a month of negotiations about ending his contract.

The SMH asked Mr Deegan whether he was aware of councillors’ emails being spied upon by staff but he did not respond before deadline.

An Inner West Council spokeswoman said: “Inner West Council does not and has never monitored councillor emails or phone calls.” She referred questions about the mayor’s communications to Cr Byrne, who declined to comment on the matter.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Nikos Kazantzakis: Greek writer of ‘Zorba the Greek’

The Greek Herald
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Nikos Kazantzakis: Greek writer of ‘Zorba the Greek’

By Billy Patramanis.

Nikos Kazantzakis is remembered as one of the most pivotal figures of Greek literature and philosophy. His most famous published works were his novel, Zorba the Greek, his poem, Odyssey: A modern sequel, and his philosophical book, Askitiki.

Kazantzakis was born on February 18, 1883 in Heraklion, Crete. At the time, Crete was under Ottoman rule. During the Cretan revolution against the Ottoman Empire (1866-1869), Kazantzakis’ family left the island of Crete and moved to the island of Naxos.

By 1902, Kazantzakis began studying law at the University of Athens. He would later go on to study philosophy with famous French philosopher, Henri Bergson, in Paris between 1907-1909.

Kazantzakis was born on February 18, 1883 in Heraklion, Crete. Photo: Why Athens.

During the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), Kazantzakis voluntarily fought for the Greek army.

After his time in war, Kazantzakis would travel to countries across the world, including Spain, England, Russia, Egypt, Palestine and Japan.

During this time in his life, Kazantzakis was fascinated by the work of his philosophy teacher Bergson, and took a real interest into the philosophies behind Christianity, Marxism and Buddhism.

While on his journey across the world, Kazantzakis wrote his philosophical work and in 1927, he published his main philosophical work, Askitiki.

After his philosophical work was completed, Kazantzakis would reside in Aegina and begin his main literature work. By 1938, Kazantzakis published his poem, Odyssey: a modern sequel. The poem continues on from where Homer left off in Odysseus’ story. While being in the form of a poem, Kazantzakis’ philosophical brilliance was on full display.

However, Kazantzakis would gain major fame for his novel writing. His most notable work, Zorba the Greek, was published in 1946 and is about a young philosopher’s journey away from his dull life, with the help of the larger than life character, Alexis Zorba.

Kazantzakis’ other notable work included The Last Temptation of Christ (1952) and Freedom and Death (1953).

While working on his famous literature, Kazantzakis was also a minister in the Greek Government in 1945, and worked for UNESCO between 1947-1948.

In 1956, Kazantzakis was awarded the International Peace Award in Vienna, Austria.

On this day in 1957, Kazantzakis passed away in Germany. The Historical Museum of Crete has a section dedicated to Kazantzakis, with his desk and even manuscripts of some of his work on display. There is also the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum, located in his birthplace of Heraklion, Crete.

Kazantzakis is a well-known and well-respected Greek writer and philosopher, and his work remains as some of the best literary and philosophical work ever produced.

Tension grows as Greece, France and Turkey have heated war of words

Andriana Simos
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Tension grows as Greece, France and Turkey have heated war of words

Over the weekend, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attacked French President, Emmanuel Macron, saying that he needed mental treatment over his attitude towards Muslims and Islam.

The statement was made twice during Erdogan’s televised address in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri.

“What can one say about a head of state who treats millions of members from different faith groups this way: first of all, have mental checks,” Erdogan said in the first instance.

“What’s the problem of the individual called Macron with Islam and with the Muslims?” Erdogan added later. “Macron needs mental treatment.”

In response, France recalled its ambassador in Ankara, marking the first time such a move has been made.

“Such excess and coarseness on the part of Erdogan are unacceptable,” Macron’s office said in a statement on Saturday. “We demand that Erdogan changes the course of his policy because it’s dangerous.”

On Twitter, Macron wrote: “We will not give in, ever. We respect all differences in a spirit of peace. We do not accept hate speech and defend reasonable debate. We will always be on the side of human dignity and universal values.”

READ MORE: France send jet fighters and navy to East Med as Greece welcomes French support.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also joined in on the war of words on Sunday, expressing his solidarity with France’s President via Twitter.

In a post, he wrote that Erdogan’s “hate speech” is “unacceptable.”

“Personal insults against President Macron and hate speech targeting France by the Turkish leadership is unacceptable,” Mitsotakis said.

“It fuels religious hatred and undermines peaceful coexistence. Full support and solidarity to Emmanuel Macron and the French people, still mourning a heinous crime.”

France and Turkey are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including maritime rights in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya, Syria and the escalating conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sophie Cotsis MP welcomes installation of traffic calming and pedestrian safety devices

The Greek Herald
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Sophie Cotsis MP welcomes installation of traffic calming and pedestrian safety devices

Sophie Cotsis MP, Member for Canterbury, welcomes the completion of various traffic calming and safety devices across her electorate of Canterbury.

Recent works that have been completed include installation of roundabouts, zebra crossings, speed humps, median island crossings, and resurfacing streets and lanes.

“The community has continued to raise concerns with my office and local councillors regarding speeding motorists and pedestrian safety. There are still many issues and concerns that need to be addressed,” said Ms Cotsis.

Sophie Cotsis MP (front right), Member for Canterbury, welcomes the completion of various traffic calming and safety devices across her electorate.

“Issues such as greater plantation of native flora and beautification of our streets are important for our community.

“Thank you to everyone that has raised concerns about local traffic and pedestrian safety – particularly the parents who had filled out the School Safety Survey from my office.”

The School Safety Survey was a NSW Labor initiative which allowed parents from schools across Canterbury to communicate any issues they saw while their children walked, biked or drove with them to and from school.

A report, based on the survey, was prepared and sent to Council and the NSW Government with a range of recommendations to ensure greater safety when children are travelling to and from school.

“I encourage everyone to continue to have your say and relay your issues and concerns to Council by contacting your local councillor” said Ms Cotsis.

Residents are able to find details about their local councillor by visiting: https://www.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/council/mayor-councillors or contacting council via phone on 02 9707 9000.

Australia’s Greek communities commemorate OXI Day with special ceremonies

Andriana Simos
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Australia’s Greek communities commemorate OXI Day with special ceremonies

Over the weekend, Greek communities across Australia commemorated OXI Day with a number of special wreath laying ceremonies and church events.

OXI Day is celebrated on October 28 every year and marks the day in 1940 when former military general and Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas, said “OXI” (NO) to an ultimatum made by Italian Prime Minister, Benito Mussolini, an ally of Nazi leader Hitler.

Here’s how the important national day was celebrated in Australia:

Wreath laying ceremony at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Sydney:

In Sydney, OXI Day was celebrated this year with a small ceremony at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney. His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa presided over the doxology service, with the national anthems of Greece and Australia being played at the end. A young student from St Euphemia College also recited a poem.

The service was followed by a small wreath laying ceremony. The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, and representatives of the expatriate organisations of Sydney and New South Wales were present.

  • Representative of Greek organisations across NSW also attended the ceremony.
  • The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, laid a wreath.

St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Burwood, Sydney:

Greek school students from St Nectarios Burwood also held a small event to commemorate OXI Day. Greek School teachers spoke in Greek and English about the importance and relevance of OXI day, while students recited poems and sang songs to mark the day.

  • Photos: St Nectarios Burwood Facebook.

St Spyridon College:

School students from St Spyridon College also took part in a special doxology service at St Spyridon church on Sunday, October 25.

Year 10 student, Penny Kezalas, and Michaela Deftereos from Year 6, recited poems on the history of OXI Day, while Year 11 students Billy Bourdaniotis, Franklin Pyliotis, James Bletsas and Valandi Michael were flag bearers.

All Saints Grammar:

A special commemoration for the 80th anniversary of OXI Day was held at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church over the weekend. Students from All Saints Grammar attended the event, with some laying wreaths and others holding the Greek and Australian flags.

  • Photos: All Saints Grammar Facebook page.

St Euphemia College:

A small representation of students from St Euphemia College attended the doxology service celebrated at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of our Lady on the occasion of the commemoration of OXI Day.

The students were treated to a morning tea from His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa.

Nicoletta Lafogiannis of Year 9 recited the poem Η Πίνδος in the Cathedral. The school Captains laid the wreath at the Cenotaph.

  • Photos: St Euphemia College Facebook page.

OXI Day celebrations in Perth:

On Sunday, October 25, a special doxology was conducted in commemoration of OXI Day by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon at the Church of St Constantine and Helene in Perth, Western Australia.

The church service opened with a blessing by the Reverend Fathers and His Grace Bishop Elpidios, and it was followed by poems from students of St Andrew’s Grammar and the Immaculate Heart College.

Following the service, a wreath laying event took place at the State War Memorial Cenotaph in Kings Park.

Australian and Greek dignitaries paid their respect by laying wreaths at the cenotaph and the ceremony was concluded with short speeches by the Consul of Greece in Perth, Ms Georgia Karasiotou, Mr Simon Millman MLA, representing the Premier of WA, and Mr Peter Katsambanis MLA, representing the Leader of the Opposition.

READ MORE: Georgia Karasiotou: ‘No matter how far we are, Greece is always in our hearts’.

  • The Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou, was in attendance. Photo: Facebook.
  • Perth’s new Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas, laid a wreath at the ceremony.
  • The Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou, gave a speech.
  • The State War Memorial Cenotaph in Kings Park, Perth.

‘Give me your skills’: Tsitsipas receives gift from Giannis Antetokounmpo

Andriana Simos
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‘Give me your skills’: Tsitsipas receives gift from Giannis Antetokounmpo

Greek tennis player, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and NBA star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, have been soaking up the sun in Greece over the last few days to celebrate the end of their respective sports seasons.

In what many would say is the perfect ending to their vacation, Antetokounmpo has given Tsitsipas a gift as a sign of his appreciation for the sports star.

In a video posted on Tsitsipas’ Twitter page, Antetokounmpo can be seen handing Tsitsipas a pair of signed sport shoes and a Milwaukee Bucks jersey.

“This is so cool. This is the best gift I have ever received,” Tsitsipas can be heard saying.

Antetokounmpo had written “greatness is a life mission” on the jersey, to which Tsitsipas cheekily responded: “I like your words” and “Give me your skills.”

This video is the latest in a number of hilarious antics between Tsitsipas and Antetokoumpo over the last few days in Greece.

Just last week, Tsitsipas and Antetokounmpo teased Greek Australian tennis player, Nick Kyrgios, in another video. Tsitsipas told his friend Kyrgios in the video that Antetokounmpo had a message for him.

The NBA star proceeded to say, “Well, Nick, you were my favourite tennis athlete. But now it’s Nadal because I just love him, sorry.”

READ MORE: ‘You’re nuts but I love you’: Giannis Antetokounmpo spreads tennis love to Nick Kyrgios.

Victoria records zero cases of COVID-19 for first time since June

Andriana Simos
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Victoria records zero cases of COVID-19 for first time since June

Victoria has recorded zero new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and no deaths, Premier Daniel Andrews announced today.

Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average for new cases has now fallen to 3.6, and there are seven “mystery” cases. In regional Victoria the average remains at 0.2.

It’s the first day since June 9 that no new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Victoria.

To mark the momentous occasion, Melbourne’s coronavirus restrictions will start being eased from 11:59pm tomorrow.

Retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and bars will be able to reopen, subject to patron limits, and more than two households will be able to gather outdoors.

Among other changes from Wednesday, beauty and tattooing services will be able to reopen for services if masks are worn.

And the four essential reasons to leave home will be removed, allowing Melburnians to leave their home for any reason.

Then, from 11:59pm Sunday November 8, more restrictions will be lifted.

The 25-kilometre limit on travel will be axed, and the border between Melbourne and regional Victoria will be removed, allowing intrastate travel again.

“The state will be one again,” Mr Andrews said.

Face coverings will remain mandatory and people will still be encouraged to work from home if possible.

Greek Navy on high alert as Turkey extends gas exploration south of Rhodes

Andriana Simos
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Greek Navy on high alert as Turkey extends gas exploration south of Rhodes

Turkey has extended by one week a gas exploration mission in the eastern Mediterranean that has caused tensions with Greece.

In a fresh notice to shipping in the area, Turkey said the Oruc Reis seismic survey vessel, accompanied by two support ships, will operate in the area south of the Greek island of Rhodes until November 4.

An earlier notice had said the ships would be operating in the area until Tuesday, October 27.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said it would file a complaint with the Turkish side following the new advisory.

The row first erupted in August when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis to disputed Mediterranean waters. Photo: Reuters.

READ MORE: Turkey to conduct military exercises on OXI Day, breaking NATO agreement.

It said the extension of the survey was an “illegal move” at odds with efforts to ease tensions and with recent conclusions of the council of EU heads of government. Turkey, it added, was behaving “like a pariah” and seeking to destabilise the region.

“Greece blatantly condemns this unacceptable behaviour, which is essentially moving even further away from the prospect of a constructive dialogue,” the ministry said, calling for the advisory to be revoked immediately.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the Greek statement was “baseless” and the area where Oruc Reis was operating was within Turkey’s continental shelf.

“Turkey is ready to talk and cooperate to find a just solution. We expect Greece to desist from setting pre-conditions and creating artificial reasons for not entering into dialogue with our country,” the ministry said in a statement.

In response, Greece issued a counter-NAVTEX in the eastern Mediterranean, arguing that Turkey’s order was illegal as it involved activities in Greek waters.

READ MORE: Turkey claims jurisdiction over half of the Aegean in new provocation.

Source: Reuters.

Turkey to conduct military exercises on OXI Day, breaking NATO agreement

Andriana Simos
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Turkey to conduct military exercises on OXI Day, breaking NATO agreement

Just hours after an agreement to cancel military activities planned on each country’s respective national holidays, Turkey announced that it would go ahead with planned military exercises scheduled on Greece’s OXI Day.

This announcement breaks the moratorium announced by NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, on Friday.

After Greece scheduled military exercises on October 29, Turkey’s Republic Day, Turkey announced its own military exercises on October 28, Greece’s OXI Day.

The Turkish Defense Ministry released this image in August of the Oruc Reis travelling towards Kastellorizo. Photo: Turkish Defense Ministry.

READ MORE: Turkey extends exploration in Mediterranean waters as Greece issues counter-Navtex.

Both countries initially agreed to cancel the provocative exercises in hopes of facilitating better relations between the neighbors and NATO members.

Speaking to the international press after meeting via video conference with Greek and Turkish representatives, Stoltenberg expressed optimism about reducing tensions after military exercises were canceled by both countries.

Worships from Greece, Italy, Cyprus and France participate in military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in August. Photo: Greek defence ministry via AP.

“These are steps in the right direction, they help to reduce the risks of incidents and accidents,” he added, expressing hope that the move would have a positive effect on German-mediated efforts to ease tensions between the two NATO members.

Turkey broke the agreement hours later, however, releasing an official navigation warning (NAVTEX) for naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean on October 28.

For months, tensions have been boiling in the eastern Mediterranean as Turkey has repeatedly violated the sea borders of Greece and Cyprus in search of energy reserves.

READ MORE: Greece, Cyprus and Egypt call on Turkey to stop “imperial fantasies” and join them.

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