American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the eve of his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Washington, D.C., to encourage a candid discussion on the state of U.S.-Turkey relations based upon Turkey’s demonstrated actions that undermine the interests of the United States and NATO.
Finance Minister Christos Staikouras spoke about the prospects of the Greek economy, the course of exports and investments, the support measures, but also about the discussions taking place in the EU on the energy crisis and the revision of the Stability Pact, in an interview with CNBC's Joumanna Bercetche on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu went to Washington and had a bilateral meeting with his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, where, among other things, the purchase and modernization of F-16s was discussed. The Turkish official had a difficult mission and cultivated high expectations, while also putting Greece on the "menu".
New data in the Qatargate scandal comes to the surface through the decision of the alleged mastermind, Antonio Panzeri, to cooperate with the Belgian authorities by giving detailed names and addresses of all those involved, in exchange for more favorable judicial treatment.
An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 04:22 Greek time, off Lesbos.
According to the Geodynamic Institute, the epicenter of the tremor is located in the sea area 27 km north of Sigri on Lesvos and the focal depth was calculated at 15.7 km.
The city of Athens, with mayor Kostas Bakoyannis as host, will on January 22-24 welcome mayors from 66 cities and 10 countries in the Balkans, in the context of the B40 Balkan Cities Network Conference aiming at a common course for stability and prosperity in the Balkans.
Originally from Naxos and studying at the University of Crete, he arrived in London in 2015 and began an investigation into sudden death, which causes many deaths especially among young people.
Huge investments of 30 billion euros by 2030 on an annual basis and 38,000 new jobs is foreseen by the updated National Plan for Energy and Climate (ESEK).
Free preventive dental care program, which will include all children aged 6-12, is activated next March. In fact, the service network will have no restrictions, as all dentists in Greece will be able to participate, with parents making appointments without bureaucratic obstacles by simply using the Dentist Pass.
New Greek TV article: Arts & Culture Greece
Moments by Mina Balali
Abstract & Impressionist Exhibition - Rhodes, Greece
January 19, 2023. 11am-3pm
Rhodes is one of the most visited islands of Greece, and one of the most cosmopolitan vacation destinations. Rhodes offers a significant vast history with the Castle of the Order of St.John’s Knights, one of the most well-preserved UNESCO castles in Europe, which promises romantic strolls on the medieval cobblestone streets of the old town that is surrounded by quaint shops, art exhibits, cafés and restaurants.
Next month we will have a better picture regarding electricity prices, which will affect inflation and the economy as a whole, Deputy Finance Minister Theodoros Skylakakis said speaking to SKAI television.
On the shoulders of his three sons and his grandsons, the late King Constantine was led to his final abode near the graves of his parents and other ancestors, in Tatoi.
During the long ceremony leading up to his burial, there were moments that stood out, such as when his wife, Anna Maria, entered the Metropolis and stood in front of the coffin, or the funeral (with political messages) of their son, Pavlos. Also noteworthy was the participation of a large number of people in the pilgrimage to the body of the former king, while the wreath made of "lilies of the valley" with which Anna Maria said goodbye to Constantine was also special.
The burial of the former king was preceded by a service at the Church of the Resurrection, in the complex of royal tombs in which Archbishop Hieronymos officiated, as well as at the funereal procession in the Metropolis. The members of Constantine's immediate family, Anna Maria, children, grandchildren, his sisters Irene and Sofia, together with her husband Juan Carlos, and her three children - the King of Spain, Felipe and her daughters.
Despite the family's initial decision not to allow the public to enter the site of Tatoi, the assembled were finally allowed to enter on foot after the burial.
The body of the former king had been placed in a popular pilgrimage since dawn Monday at the chapel of the Metropolis of Athens. The coffin was covered with the Greek Flag, while the citizens who wanted to say goodbye to the former King Constantine were more than the police had estimated, as a result of which a small extension was given to the time of lying in state in Agios Eleftherios.
The procession started after 12 noon. The three sons of Constantine: Pavlos, Nikolaos and Philippos, alone followed their father's body from the chapel to the Metropolis.
After 11.30, the rest of Constantine's family, royals and "blue bloods" from all over Europe, began to arrive. His eldest son, Pavlos, at the entrance of the Metropolis, welcomed the "high" guests. The King of Spain Felipe with his wife Letitia, the Queen Mother of Spain and sister of the former King Constantine, Sofia, with her husband the former King Juan Carlos, as well as the sister of the deceased, Irene.
Last to arrive, according to the protocol, was the wife of the former king, Anna Maria, who was hailed and cheered by the people outside the Metropolis. The pain and sadness of Anna Maria was evident in her every move, in every look, throughout the funeral.
The wreath with which Anna Maria said goodbye to the former king Constantine was also special: it was made of muguet, or "lilies of the valley", the same white flowers from which her bridal bouquet was made.
The government was represented in the exodus procession by the deputy prime minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos and the minister of culture, Lina Mendoni, who were received by the crowd with applause.
The exodus service was presided over by archbishop Hieronymos and 12 synodal hierarchs participated.
187 official guests and eleven representatives of royal houses from eleven European countries attended.
Evidently moved, Pavlos delivered the eulogy for his father, former King Constantine, at his funeral in the Metropolis of Athens at noon on Monday. "Constantine, your majesty, king my father, grandfather, Olympian, it is a difficult day for us children and grandchildren for all those who came to say goodbye to you for the last time but also for all those who honor your memory and for whom it was impossible to be together you", said the eldest son of the former King Constantine.
You lost your father King Paul and my grandfather when you were very young. You always followed his bequest when you assumed responsibility for the throne. He told you "dedicate your life to the happiness of your country, there is no more worthy mission, always remember that it is better for the king to suffer than for the people.
The race was a hard fought battle of mind and body to the final victory with the late crew. It was a hard time when you ascended the Throne. And the result was something no one wanted. Your attempt failed, but you didn't want to be the reason for a new bloodshed by staying in Greece, respecting the decision of the Greek people.
Family was everything to you and our mother. You created a family united by love and duty to the Motherland. God brought you to breathe your last breath in the homeland. As you taught us father, we your children and grandchildren offer and will offer forever to the homeland and Greece.
My power, the love of the people was and will forever be the rule of our family. For every Greek and every family, the strength is the love of every Greek for it.
"Have a good trip" Pavlos concluded with obvious emotion for his father, former King Constantine.
When the funereal procession ended and the coffin with the former King Constantine came out of the Metropolis, the gathered crowd began to shout "Constantinos, Constantinos, long live the king" while also singing the national anthem.
His family stood on the steps of the Cathedral and watched the crowd.
The funeral of the former King Constantine was attended by members of the royal houses of Europe, from kings and queens to crown princes and princesses. Seven monarchs, kings-heads of state were present (five with the title of king, one prince-head of state (Albert of Monaco who has the title of prince and not king), and one with the title of Grand Duke (as the head of Luxembourg formally bears this title).
King Felipe of Spain, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Carl Gustav of Sweden, Grand Duke Henry of Luxembourg, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King Philippe of Belgium and Prince Albert of Monaco.
Spain was represented by King Felipe and Queen Letitia of Spain, Queen Margrethe of Denmark (sister of the deceased's widow, Anna Maria), her son and heir, Prince Frederik, her other son, Prince Joaquim, as well as Princess Benedict, (sister of the Queen of Denmark and Anna Maria).
The British royal family was represented by Princess Anne, sister of King Charles. According to protocol, the King of England can only attend the funerals of sitting kings. Princess Anne was accompanied by her husband Timothy Lawrence while Prince William, who was christened by the former king, was represented by Lady Gabriella Kingston (daughter of Prince and Princess of Kent Michael).
Belgium was represented by King Philip and his wife Mathilde, while Norway was represented by Prince Haakon and his wife Princess Mette Marin. Monaco was represented by Prince Albert, while Luxembourg was represented by Grand Duke Henri with his sister, Princess Margaret of Luxembourg.
At the ceremony of the former King Constantine, the Government was represented by the vice-president, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, and the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendonis. Some, however, also attended the popular pilgrimage to the chapel of Agios Eleftherios, with the presence of Antonis Samaras standing out.
Under the cheers of hundreds of citizens, the former prime minister - accompanied by his wife - paid their respects to the remains of the former king, a move he had announced on Sunday through his entourage.
Together with the former prime minister were New Democracy MPs from Messinia , Miltos Chrysomallis and Periklis Mantas, as well as New Democracy MP for the 2nd district of Thessaloniki , Dimitris Vartzopoulos.
New Democracy MP Giorgos Koumoutsakos and the MEP Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou also went to the chapel of Agios Eleftherios, while Failos Kranidiotis and Konstantinos Bogdanos were also present.
With the final rehearsal of the funeral on Sunday afternoon, the preparations by the family for the funeral of the late King Constantine were essentially completed. From the morning the wives of Pavlos and Nikolaos took care of the last details for the dinner of the first guests.
At the same time, the sons of the deceased, Nikolaos and Philippos, walked from the hotel to the Metropolis and visited Father Thomas Synodinos with whom they had a brief discussion about the ceremony.
The funereal service was scheduled for 12 noon with Archbishop Hieronymos and twelve Metropolitans from all over Greece officiating.
On Sunday afternoon, Pavlos and Nikolaos together with the grandchildren from the first-born son of the former king were at the First Cemetery and did the final rehearsal for tomorrow's funeral of the last monarch of Greece.
As planned, they are the ones who lifted the coffin of the former King Constantine from the chapel of Agios Eleftherios to the temple of the Holy Metropolis of Athens.
Members of Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on Monday announced a decision to extend the term of the chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDS), Gen. Konstantinos Floros, for another year.
Greece was the honored guest at the first, post-pandemic, international tourism exhibition REISELIVSMESSEN 2023, held in Oslo, Norway (6-8/01/2023).