Speaking to Greek correspondents on Tuesday, ahead of the new round of the Strategic Dialogue that will take place on Friday in Washington, the US Secretary of State noted that Greek-US relations were at a historically high point. He attributed this success to the effort being made on both sides of the Atlantic. As far as Greece is concerned, Huck referred widely to its broader geopolitical role as well as to the diplomatic initiatives it has undertaken in the region. As he noted, "Greece is not just a stable partner, but is a country that promotes stability in the region." F-35 fighters and modernizing Greek defense capabilities Huck said that the sale of fifth generation fighter jets to Greece was a positive development for US-Greece defense cooperation and for NATO, estimating that the F-35s will strengthen Greece's defense capabilities and at the same time increase the overall defense readiness of the Alliance. He referred to the fact that the US supports a broader plan to modernize Greek defense capabilities. "However, there is not only support for Greece in the air, but there is support at sea and on land. Therefore, we are not only talking about strengthening the air force, but we are talking about a broader plan to modernize Greek defense capabilities, which is part of an already very strong defense relationship," he noted. The US will continue to promote bilateral relations with the Republic of Cyprus. "We do not support a two-state solution, 100%," Huck said. With this phrase, he made it clear that the US remains completely opposed to a solution dividing the island, which has recently been promoted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In this context, he reiterated Washington's firm position on the Cyprus solution: "We continue to support a comprehensive Cypriot-led and UN-facilitated settlement that will lead to the reunification of the island. We very firmly support a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots. Clearly, nothing has changed (in our position)."

They paid significant attention to showcasing Greek gastronomy and enhancing Greece’s overall appeal as a desirable tourist destination for Swedish visitors, not only during the summer months but throughout the year. Furthermore, they explored the use of innovative digital tools, including artificial intelligence, in the tourism sector, and explored the opportunities for technical know-how exchanges between the 2 countries.

Hellenic Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament the diesel measure would cost the state 82 million euros ($89.31 million) in 2024 and announced additional steps to help farmers. "Things will improve for our farmers... and solving their problems is in the heart of our government's priorities," he said. Farmers have been setting up blockades in central and northern Greece, echoing protests by farmers in other parts of Europe, and have threatened to step up their action unless the government helps them cope with higher energy prices and the growing impact of climate change. Mitsotakis, who met protesting farmers in central Greece this week, said PPC, Greece's biggest power utility, would offer an extra 10% rebate on electricity for farmers from May to September. The government also promised that farmers' overdue power and water bills will be settled. Farmers said the actions announced were not enough and unions will convene after a planned rally on Saturday to decide their next moves. "The measures ... are not adequate. We want a permanent tax exemption on diesel," said Rizos Maroudas, president of the farmers federation in Larissa in central Greece. Thousands of farmers in Thessaly, one of Greece's breadbasket regions, saw swathes of crops and thousands of animals submerged in flood water when 2 rainstorms hit the area in September. Sixteen people died in the floods. Mitsotakis said the state will spend in total 3.3 billion euros over the coming years to repair damage in Thessaly.  

Following a blessing ceremony, the minister noted that Greece and Turkiye share a common goal and mutual benefit of a sustainable tourism that will extend through the entire year, developing all regions and respecting the environment and local communities. She also referred to the joint Greek-Turkish declaration on tourism signed in Athens on December 7, in the context of the High-Level Cooperation Council, with Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The declaration includes the main axes of bilateral cooperation in the new chapter on Greek-Turkish tourism relations. "Nearly ten years ago I had the privilege to inaugurate the then-new GNTO office in Istanbul. Much has changed since then in general, but especially in tourism," she said. "The tourism flow between Greece and Turkiye in both directions exploded from a few thousands in the 2000s to over a million from each side before the (coronavirus) pandemic put a break on tourism and tourism flows as in other sectors. Today we are here on the opportunity of a new start." Kefalogianni also referred to the new locally issued visas to be issued to Turkish citizens and their families for ten Greek islands in the East Aegean as of March, and she expressed the hope that this program would contribute substantially to increasing the flow of tourism from Turkiye, to the benefit of both sides. "Bilateral tourism with Turkiye is of unique importance: not simply in its economic aspect, which is obviously important to both countries, but also because tourism also serves as a bridge of friendship and trust at the level of civil society, and thus contributes to creating a positive climate and good neighborly relations," she underlined.

Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis said he would instruct his lawmakers to vote for the proposal, although he argued that it didn’t go far enough on parenthood rights. Kasselakis, who married his male partner in New York in October, has expressed the desire to acquire children through a surrogate mother. Syriza’s support would practically ensure the draft law’s approval in the 300-seat parliament. The governing New Democracy party has 158 lawmakers, but about a dozen have voiced objections to the proposal — which has also met with reservation from the country’s influential Orthodox Church. However, the backing of Syriza’s 38 lawmakers should suffice to tip the balance. Kasselakis said in an interview with private Star TV that despite its “imperfections,” the proposal Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled Wednesday contained “some positive elements,” Kasselakis also criticized the prime minister’s refusal to force all New Democracy lawmakers to back a human-rights issue as “political cowardice.” Nevertheless, he said, “when this draft law comes to parliament, it will be approved thanks to Syriza.” According to Mitsotakis, the reform would allow civil marriage for same-sex couples but preclude them from acquiring children through surrogate motherhood in the future. Full parental rights would be granted to same-sex couples that already have children. A draft law on the same issue that Syriza tabled earlier this week would have accorded same-sex couples the right to parenthood through surrogate mothers. The country currently only allows that procedure in the cases of women — single or married — who are unable to bear children on health grounds. As well as heterosexual couples, single men or women are allowed to adopt. Greece legalized same-sex civil partnerships in 2015. Opinion polls suggest Greeks are evenly divided on the issue of same-sex marriage, but opposed to extending full parental rights to gay or lesbian couples. The raising of children by same-sex couples was also the main focus of the Church’s objections. The full details of the government’s proposal are expected to be released within the coming days. Once that happens, it would take several weeks for it to come to parliament for approval. Four smaller center-left and left-wing parties in parliament have not specified their stance on the proposal, while three small right-wing parties strongly oppose it.

Speaking to national broadcaster ERT, Mitsotakis quoted Blinken as telling him that relations between the two countries had never been at such high level in the last 30 years he served as a diplomat. The Greek premier added that this relationship has affected positively several sectors, including the economy and the geopolitical level, while Greek Armed Forces have been significantly boosted as a result of the strategic relationship with the US. "The Greek government has submitted a substantiated request to acquire F-35 jet fighters, and I believe this request is mature and will be approved by the American authorities - that is, the State Department - relatively soon, in my opinion. Congress has already agreed to it, so we may be able to proceed to a significant procurement that will boost even further Armed Forces, especially the Hellenic Air Force," Mitsotakis said. He reiterated that in terms of Turkiye's procurement of American F-16s, this does not relate to Greek-American relations, "nor are we the ones that will obstruct or have the power to influence the sale of armaments to another country." Obviously, he said, defense material cannot be used within an alliance for flights over Greek islands, for example. "But I will hold on to the good climate of recent months in Greek-Turkish relations, and I would hope that the times of greater tension are behind us and part of the past," the PM added. Greek-Turkish relations Mitsotakis also spoke extensively of Greek-Turkish relations following the recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athens. He spoke of the reduction of aggression by Turkiye ("nearly zero"), the agreement signed between the two countries to allow Turkish citizens to travel to the Greek islands without a visa as of March 2024, and of being able "to gradually come to the core of our difference, which is none other than the delimitation of the maritime zones - the EEZ and continental shelf, in other words - in the Aegean and the East Mediterranean." He called it a long-standing and "very difficult issue" but added that "we will approach it with good will, establishing our 'red lines' clearly." Asked whether the two countries would resort to the international court at The Hague, the Greek PM replied, "We are not near going to The Hague yet, but we are certainly not as far away as we were a year ago." New York, Chicago The premier added that in two weeks he will visit New York for a large investment forum "to present to American investors the great success of the Greek economy and to capitalize on the significant positive developments in the last few years." He will also travel to Chicago to meet with the Greek community there, while the mail-in ballot bill will have been voted, allowing diaspora Greeks already on voting lists to cast their vote at the Greek Europarliament elections in June. He described the mail-in ballot as "a great democratic achievement for Greece and a standing request of Greeks globally that is finally achieved." Among other issues, the Greek premier also spoke of the government's efforts to reduce high prices in food and household goods, and said the same price review would occur for phone providers, with the help of the Competition Commission. He referred to the issues of bullying in school, the high incidence of femicide, and the health sector, outlining the government's measures for them, each of which he said was a complicated issue. Same-sex marriage Speaking of same-sex marriage and the bill the government brought to parliament, he explained that what the bill proposed was not radically different from what 20 European countries - 15 of them European Union members - had already legislated. "We are not trying to reinvent the wheel, or do something beyond what many European countries already do," he stressed. "I want to underline that we are speaking of civil marriages, right? We are not speaking of the church, or of wedding crowns." Mitsotakis also noted that he respected all opinions and did not want to divide society on the issue. His greatest concern however was for children in same-sex couples. "I do not believe anyone denies this reality: that same-sex couples have children, and these children will not cease to exist, will not disappear. Yet these children, you know,do not have equal rights. Why so?," he underlined, citing as example a foreign married couple with a child born in Greece. If one spouse were to die of cancer, the child would have to be sent to a home for parentless children. Responding to a question on the bill tabled by main opposition SYRIZA, he explained that the difference between the two is that the government's bill does not change the case of assisted reproduction, and, further, will not approve the use of a surrogate mother. "That is not going to happen. [...] That is a key difference from SYRIZA's proposal," he noted.

The new leadership announced is as follows: Citizen Protection Minister: Michalis Chryssochoidis; Deputy Minister: Andreas Nikolakopoulos Health Minister: Adonis Georgiadis Labor and Social Welfare Minister: Domna Michailidou Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Deputy Minister: Ioanna Lytrivi Pavlos Marinakis remains government spokesperson and is upgraded to deputy minister to the prime minister.   Government officials for the changes in the government structure: "The PM, when making a decision, takes corrective actions in order to strengthen the effectiveness of government work." Government officials after the announcement of the changes in the government structure report the following: "The prime minister, as he has shown in all the previous years, when he makes a decision, takes corrective actions in order to strengthen the effectiveness of government work. And in this case, he acted immediately and decisively to have a more dynamic start to the new year in critical areas. In this context and given the priority given by the government to issues of citizens' security, the head of the Ministry of Citizen Protection is assumed by Michalis Chrysochoidis, who has rich experience in this field, while the deputy minister is assumed by an executive of the younger generation, the member of parliament Ilias Andreas Nikolakopoulos. Head of the Ministry of Health, a sector in which the government also places great emphasis, is assumed by Adonis Georgiadis, a minister with reform experience, in order to advance the reforms that have already started in the previous months. Domna Michailidou, who has successfully served in this ministry, is the Minister of Labor, while the Deputy Minister of Education, with responsibility for Vocational Training, is assumed by State Member of Parliament, Ioanna Lytrivi, an executive with great expertise and experience in this field. The government representative Pavlos Marinakis, also an executive from the new generation, is promoted to deputy minister in addition to the Prime Minister and together with the representation of the government, also assumes the responsibilities of the press. It should be noted that with the changes, one more woman assumes a ministerial position and another is added to the positions of deputy ministers, while 3 executives of the younger generation enter the ministerial structure. The number of ministers and deputy ministers is not increasing, since the Deputy Minister of Defense N. Hardalias has already been elected Regional Governor of Attica and has not been replaced." The new ministers will be sworn before President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou at 18:00 on Thursday, January 4th, 2024.

In terms of its technical layering, the government characterizes the bill as "fundraising", a term it introduced into the legislative process in the previous parliamentary term, to capture any legislative initiative that brings together regulations without a similar object. The opposition insists on talking about a "broom bill", which undermines parliamentary debate, transparency and ultimately democracy. As in the previous times when the National Delegation was asked to take a position on the provisions of fiscal bills, so now, the government defends the specific way of legislation on the grounds that it ensures an organized discussion, processing in the committees, listening to bodies. However, the multi-law bill of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance was submitted to the Parliament with 98 articles (along with the deadline for entry into force). After its vote, however, it will "take the road" to the National Printing Office with at least 123 articles, since the articles of three amendments submitted by the government will be added, a few hours before its debate in plenary. The provision that generated the greatest dissatisfaction and reaction of the opposition is the one that modifies the status of the joint-stock company "Anaplasi Athens Anonymi Etairia", which is renamed "ANAPLASI SA". With the amendment, the purpose of the company is expanded, in order to include the coordination, planning, programming and implementation of renovations throughout the Greek territory, and not only within the limits of the Municipality of Athens, as is currently the case. The amendment foresees that the number of members of the company's Board of Directors will be reduced by five, instead of the current eleven members. The status of the members participating in the new composition is also redefined. With its current composition, "Anaplasi Athens SA" was chaired by the mayor of Athens. With the new provision, as the president of "ANAPLASI SA", a person of well-known prestige, scientific training and professional experience will be appointed, in the thematic areas of the company. The opposition links the amendment with the change of baton in the municipality of Athens and asks the government to withdraw it. Other provisions of the bill, such as the one for the redetermination of the remuneration of non-parliamentary ministers, the increases in the allowances of judicial officers are also receiving shots. However, many of the proposed provisions will be voted on by the opposition in the end, with the reasoning that they may not constitute definitive solutions for a number of issues, but they are moving towards improvement. For all the other provisions of the "fundraising" bill, the government underlines that the aim is to strengthen the growth dynamics of the Greek economy but also to strengthen social cohesion, given that the bill includes regulations with a social footprint, such as the extension of medical contracts and nursing staff needed by the National Health System, up to the new recruitment of permanent staff. The governing majority declares the strong will of the government to utilize all the opportunities and possibilities that exist to support investments, businesses, the private economy and society. At the same time, he emphasizes that the Government has a fresh, clear and above all strong mandate from the citizens to proceed with deep changes and reforms, to continue to move the country forward together with the citizens, together with all the productive forces of the place. The bill "with practical as well as substantial provisions" is part of this effort. The "fundraising" bill is the last one to be voted on in 2023. Yesterday, the Speaker of the Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, informed the members of the Conference of Presidents, that with the new year, the processing of three bills in the competent parliamentary committees will be scheduled: The changes to the Criminal Code, the Vocational Training Bill and the Postal Vote Bill.

Erdogan made the comments on his return from a visit to Athens on Thursday, where longtime regional rivals Greece and Turkey took significant steps toward mending their troubled ties. “We strive to develop and expand cooperation with Greece not only in the field of energy but also in all areas, including nuclear energy,” Erdogan told a group of journalists on his flight back. “For example, we can provide Greece the opportunity (to benefit) from energy from our nuclear power plant to be built in Sinop (Province).” His comments were reported by state-run Anadolu and other media on Friday. During Erdogan’s visit on Thursday, Greece and Turkey signed more than a dozen cooperation deals on trade, energy and education and announced a roadmap for future high-level consultations aimed at avoiding crises. Erdogan traveled to Greece promising to pursue a “win-win” approach that could lay the foundation for broader cooperation. “I believe that my visit, which took place in a very positive atmosphere, will open a new page in Turkey-Greece relations,” Erdogan said. Longstanding disputes have led Athens and Ankara to the brink of war three times in the past 50 years. The latest flare-up occurred in 2020, when Greek and Turkish navy ships shadowed each other in the eastern Mediterranean over a dispute about maritime boundaries and exploration rights for resources. Erdogan was cited as saying he believes that a fair sharing of the natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean is possible “as long as we build the groundwork that will ensure this, work out a roadmap and not allow provocations.”  

The full text of the declaration is as follows: "PP1. Recognizing the renewed will for cooperation between the Governments of the two countries; PP2. Underlining that the bonds between the two neighbouring nations harbour the potential to markedly increase the region’s prosperity and dynamism; PP3. Emphasizing the need to continue jointly working for the benefit of both societies in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust; PP4. Seeking to intensify the bilateral relations through existing institutional mechanisms; PP5. Underscoring that in order to enhance the good neighbourly relations, both Parties will cultivate a spirit of solidarity in the face of current and future challenges without any prejudice to each other’s legal positions; PP6. Underlining that to promote the said positive atmosphere and agenda, both Parties will encourage exchange of visits at every level with a result-oriented approach; PP7. Recalling that among the fundamental objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and the universally acknowledged principles of international law are the maintenance of international peace and friendly co-operation among states; PP8. Determined to foster friendly relations, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and understanding, and to resolve any dispute among them by peaceful means and in accordance with international law; PP9. Underscoring the importance of effective communication channels and mechanisms at every level for the successful management of their bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on avoiding conflictual situations and potential escalation; PP10. Emphasizing that both Parties will approach their relations with the objective of increasing economic cooperation and deepening of people-to-people ties, thus contributing to the prosperity and peaceful coexistence of their two neighbouring peoples, further stressing that to this end, in view of the significant progress made in fostering the positive agenda on economic and commercial affairs through the Joint Action Plan, the two sides will explore additional items of cooperation; Have agreed on the following: OP1. The Parties agree to engage in continuing constructive and meaningful consultations based on the following pillars: (a) Political Dialogue: -On issues of mutual interest, -Exploratory/Consultative talks; (b) Positive Agenda, within the scope of the enhanced Joint Action Plan, involving measures of common interest in the fields of business-economy, tourism, transportation, energy, innovation, science and technology, agriculture, environmental protection, social security and health, youth, education and sports or any other field to be jointly decided, with the aim of attaining significant and concrete deliverables, streamlining and continually updating the agenda in a structured fashion with new items; (c) Confidence Building Measures, involving measures in the military field, which would contribute to the elimination of unwarranted sources of tension and the risks thereof; OP2. The Parties are committed to refrain from any statement, initiative or act likely to undermine or discredit the letter and spirit of this Declaration or endanger the maintenance of peace and stability in their region. OP3. The Parties will endeavour to resolve any dispute arising between them in an amicable manner through direct consultations between them or through other means of mutual choice as provided for in the United Nations Charter. This Declaration does not constitute an international agreement binding upon the Parties under international law. No provision of this Declaration shall be interpreted as creating legal rights or obligations for the Parties. Done in Athens, on the 7th of December 2023, in two copies, each in the Greek, Turkish and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail." Government sources on the Declaration of Friendship & Good Neighbourliness of Athens Government sources referring on Thursday to the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighbourliness signed by Greece and Turkiye on Thursday pointed out the following: - It is a very important text, as it is the first time that Greece and Turkiye, with the signatures of the Greek Prime Minister and the Turkish President, commit to relations of friendship and good neighbourliness and to remaining in 'calm waters'. - Specifically, the declaration highlights the significance of effective communication channels at all levels and emphasises the prevention of conflict situations and possible escalation. - Additionally, the declaration outlines the principles and the milestones of Greek-Turkish dialogue and of the contacts based on the three axes agreed at Mitsotakis and Erdogan's meeting in Vilnius in July. Political dialogue (on issues of mutual interest, including the exploratory talks), the positive agenda (which will be constantly enriched), Confidence Building Measures (in which are included measures for the reduction of unjustified sources of tension as well as the risks deriving from them). - It is a statement of intentions in which Turkiye commits to UN Charter objectives and to the principles of the International Law and to friendly cooperation between the countries. - There is a clear reference to a commitment for refraining from statements and actions that undermine that spirit and the letter of the Declaration or set at risk the peace and the stability in the region. - The neighbouring country commits to amicably resolving any dispute that may arise with Greece  either with direct consultations or with other means of mutual choice as provided in the UN Charter. -The Declaration of Athens does not affect the legal positions of the two countries.

Ahead of his one-day visit, Erdogan had promised a “win-win” approach that could lay the foundation for broader cooperation, with hopes of also resetting his country’s ties with Western allies. “It is natural for there to be problems between two countries, even more so among brothers,” Erdogan said after meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “The issue is the will to resolve those problems and differences of opinion.” With both leaders showing a marked departure from the testy, sometimes outright belligerent rhetoric of the last few years, Erdogan said of the Aegean Sea through which the two NATO members’ border runs: “We want to convert the Aegean into a sea of peace and cooperation. We wish to be an example to the world with the joint steps we will take as Turkey and Greece.” “I say it openly,” Erdogan said, according to a translation of his comments. “There is no problem between us so great that it cannot be resolved, provided we move with good faith and we focus on the big picture.” The longstanding disputes between Greece and Turkey have led the two countries to the brink of war three times in the last 50 years. Centering on maritime boundaries and exploration rights for resources in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, the latest flare-up occurred in 2020, when navy ships from the two countries shadowed each other in the eastern Mediterranean. As relations deteriorated, Erdogan said as recently as last year that he no longer had any interest in meeting with Mitsotakis. But Thursday’s visit will be the third time this year that Erdogan and Mitsotakis have met, signaling a significant push to improve ties. “Our bilateral relations have experienced turbulence that at times have dangerously threatened them, and with them (threatened) security and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Mitsotakis said, addressing the Turkish president as “my dear president,” and “Mr. President, dear Tayyip.” Mitsotakis noted the importance of the “calmer path” that bilateral relations have been on over the past few months. “Greece and Turkey, Turkey and Greece should live in peace, express their known differences, discuss them honestly and keep looking for solutions,” he said. “And if these are not resolved, however, they should not automatically produce tensions and crises.” Erdogan was accompanied on his trip by several ministers, with joint Cabinet talks with Greek ministers and the signing of several cooperation agreements on the agenda. The significance of improved relations extends beyond bilateral ties and could help Turkey mend rocky relationships with the European Union and other Western allies. One crucial agreement in Athens focuses on migration, establishing communication channels between the coast guards of the two countries. Mitsotakis also said he is backing holiday visas for Turks visiting Greek islands and is backing Ankara’s request to ease travel restrictions for Turkish nationals in the European Union. Other agreements include deals on trade, energy, education, agriculture, sports, technology and tourism. Mitsotakis said a “realistic target” over the next five years was for bilateral trade, which currently stands at over 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion), to increase to 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion). The intention to work toward improved relations was evident in Erdogan’s first meeting of the day, with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. “We will discuss what steps going forward we can take on all issues after preparations have been made by the relevant ministers. We will proceed in a more logical way,” Erdogan told the Greek president in televised comments. “I believe it is best for the future of both sides to discuss looking at the glass half-full.” Sakellaropoulou, whose role is largely ceremonial, said disasters in both countries this year, when Turkey was hit by a deadly earthquake and Greece suffered deadly wildfires and floods, brought out sentiments of solidarity between the two nations. “The tragic events that our countries faced this year were an occasion to prove once again that a sense of solidarity and the demonstration of humanity in difficult circumstances is a common characteristic that unites our two peoples,” Sakellaropoulou said. “This finding is a strong basis for building on the mutual political will to establish a climate that will allow deepening cooperation and avoiding tensions in our bilateral relations.” She said it is now “perhaps more necessary than ever for Greece and Turkey to work together to enhance prosperity, to preserve peace, stability and respect for international law, and to promote good neighborly relations for the benefit of both our peoples and the wider region.” Security was tight in the Greek capital, with major roads and some subway stations shut down as Erdogan’s motorcade headed from the airport to central Athens.  

Measures include the gradual and temporary restriction of circulation traffic, and a ban on stopping and parking at several sections of the road network. The roads affected include Katechaki, Messoghion, Vassilissis Sofias, Kifissias, Vassileos Konstantinou, Vassilissis Amalias, and Alexandras avenues, and Michalakopoulou, Stadiou, Panepistimiou and Akadimias streets. Diversions will be in place.