Greek lawmakers approved of a third bailout agreement with European creditors in the early morning hours of Thursday by 229 to 64 with six MPs voting "present", in a vote that saw 39 ruling SYRIZA deputies defy the "party line" to set the stage for a government reshuffle or even an internal showdown.

Events augur a critical day long and a long night, which will determine the fate of the coalition but also of the country.

A clear message to the neighboring country that provocative reactions to exploit gas reserves in the Cyprus EEZ are a flagrant violation of international law and may create another crisis in the region, was sent Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, during an event organized by the Greek Parliament in cooperation with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.