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Veto on Turkey’s involvement in EU defense

Veto on Turkey’s involvement in EU defense

Last May, Turkey formally applied to join the EU's PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) framework. It is, as is well known, the scheme that aspires to give flesh and blood to the effort of the EU member states to give a defense-military dimension to the project of “European integration”.

It is noted that since the autumn of 2020, the “27” decided to open the door to PESCO in third countries, outside Europe and the EU, in order not to perceive their project as a competitor of NATO, but also to take advantage of existing structures and expertise. In fact, agreements have already been reached with three countries – the United States, Canada and Norway.

A matter of principles and policy

With Turkey, however, things are quite different, as it does not meet the conditions set for participation in PESCO. The result is that, for the time being at least, it remains the only NATO member state that has no formal and organic relationship with it – something that, as it turns out, is not easy to change, at least not immediately.

Several EU partners, moreover, openly disagree with the possibility of expanded military cooperation with Turkey. Indicative of the prevailing climate is the statement made by the Austrian Minister of Defense in the German newspaper Welt am Sontag.

“Article 2 of the Treaty clearly states that the third country concerned must share the EU’s democratic principles and maintain good neighborly relations with the EU,” said Claudia Tanner. She added that in her opinion, “Turkey should not be involved in EU defense policy in the near future.”

Ankara sees discrimination

Ankara, of course, is protesting against this attitude. As government officials and diplomats note, Turkey’s blockade creates new and dangerous dividing lines within NATO and “does not contribute to the transatlantic security architecture,” Euractiv reports.

Nevertheless, the situation does not seem to be favorable for Turkish positions. “Given the tensions between Turkey and Greece and Turkey and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as Turkey’s slide into democracy, this may not be the right time for such co-operation,” said Ilke Toigur, an executive. of the German Institute for International Affairs and Security (SWP).

Crete: Digital journey to the Nazi prisons of Agia

Crete: Digital journey to the Nazi prisons of Agia

In Crete in 1941 there was no turning back as if you were entering the war against the Nazi occupiers. However, the airborne landing of the Germans during World War II under the code name "Unternehmen Merkur" (Operation Mercury) against the island did not frighten the Cretans, who put up an unexpectedly strong resistance against the numerically superior Germans.

Aegina International Music Festival returns with 8 music filled nights

Aegina International Music Festival returns with 8 music filled nights

fter last year's postponement, due to the pandemic, the 15th International Music Festival of Aegina returns this August, with eight musical nights in the Courtyard of the Church of the Savior and the Beach of Aura.

From the 8th to the 28th of August, Greek and foreign artists will perform works by great composers of classical music, favorite arias, works inspired by Greece and its radiance, but also contemporary creations - Greek ballads and jazz music.

As the artistic director, Dora Bakopoulou, notes for this year's event, "normally, we should have counted our 16th Festival this year", but as we know, the times were horrible and unexpected. For us, the shock of canceling last year's Festival, at the last minute, was great. Fear has taken over our lives. But today, we can say that we have won a great victory. Not the final one, but with faith, common sense and determination we will win this too! I was very hesitant about holding the 15th International Music Festival of Aegina 2021, but when I realized that people wanted it very much, they missed it and waited for it, I decided to do what I can to make it happen ".

The 15th Aegina Music Festival, in line with the extraordinary conditions of the time, has taken all the necessary measures against the spread of Covid 19 and follows absolutely all the relevant instructions for concerts in open spaces, as the organization points out.

Program

  • Wednesday, August  7th 2019 – Sotira ‘s Church

 “About Debussy”
Theodora Baka, mezzo soprano
Natalia Geraki, flute
Dionisis Malouchos, piano
Nikolas Tsalikis, piano

  1. DEBUSSY: Golliwogg's cake-walk for solo piano (Dionisis Malouchos)
  2. FAURÉ: Rêve d’ amour (poetry: Victor Hugo) for voice and piano

                               Clair de lune (poetry: Paul Verlaine) for voice and piano
                               Au bord de l’ eau ( poetry : Sully Prudhomme) for voice and piano
                               Mandoline ( poetry : Paul Verlaine)for voice and piano

  1. BOULANGER: D' un Matin de Printemps for flute and piano
  2. RAVEL: Shéherazade , for voice and piano
  3.   Asie, 2. La flûte enchanteé, 3. L' indifferent (poetry : Tristan Klingsor)

 

  1. RAVEL: Ma mère l'Oye piano suite for 4 hands
  2. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant: Lent
  3. Petit Poucet: Très modéré
  4. Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes: Mouvt de marche
  5. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête
  6. Le jardin féerique: Lent et grave
  7. SAINT-SAËNS: Romance in D flat for flute and piano op.37
  8. BIZET: Chant d' amour ( poetry : Alphonse de Lamartine) for voice and piano
  9. SATIE: Gnossienne αρ.1 for solo piano (Nikolas Tsalikis)
  10. SANCAN:    Sonatine for flute and piano
  11. DEBUSSY: Beau Soir for voice, flute and piano (4 hands)

Natalia Geraki flute - Dionisis Malouchos piano

Theodora Baka mezzo soprano - Nikolas Tsalikis piano

  • Thursday, August 8th 2019 – Sotira ‘s Church

Victoria Kiazimi, piano
Christofor Miroshnikoff, cello
George Kartelias, violin

 

  1. SCHUBERT: 4 lieder from “Winterreisse” transcription for cello
  2. RACHMANINOFF: “Vocalise” transcription for cello

P.I. TSCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Trio in A minor, op. 50

                                   “In memory of a great artist”

Pezzo elegiaco (Moderato assai - Allegro giusto)
Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto
Variazione finale e coda

 

  • Friday, August 9th 2019  –  Sotira ‘s Church

 

Dora Bakopoulos, piano
Christofor Miroshnikoff, cello
George Kartelias, violin

  1. BRAHMS: Sonata for cello and piano, op. 38

Allegro ma non troppo
Allegretto quasi menuetto
Allegro

  1. van BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio in B flat major, op.97 (of the Archduke)

Allegro moderato
Scherzo (Allegro)
Andante cantabile ma però con moto - Poco piu adagio
Allegro moderato - Presto

  • Saturday, August 10th 2019 – Sotira’s Church

«Spiral» Jazz Trio
USA – Greece, jazz interplay

 

Spyros Manesis, piano
Arion Gyftakis, double bass
Anastasis Gouliaris, drums

  • Tuesday, August 13th 2019 – Sotira ‘s Church

Elena Maragkou, mezzo soprano
Marios Sarantidis, baritone
Eutixia Veniota, piano

  1. WOLF: Michelangelo -  Lieder

Wohl denk ich oft an mein vergangenes Leben
Alles endet, was entstehet
Fühlt meine Seele das ersehnte Licht

  1. BRAHMS: Dort in den Weiden Op.97, 4

Sonntag
Der Gang zum Liebchen

  1. SCHUMANN: So war die Sonne scheinet
  2. SCHUBERT: Der Fischer

                           Auf der Donau
Der Schiffer

  1. SCHUMANN: Herbstlied
  2. BRAHMS: Die Meere

Zigeunerlieder Op. 103
Vier Duette Op. 28
Es rauschet das Wasser       

  • Friday, August 16th 2019 – Sotira ’s Church

Tasis Christogianopoulos, voice
Dora Bakopoulos, piano

  1. SCHUMANN: The love of a poet, op.48 (poetry: H. Heine)
    Μ. HATZIDAKIS:    The circle of CNS (poetry: M. Xatzidakis)

Captain Michalis (based on N. Kazantzakis’ novel)
In memory of Kostas Galanis.

  • Saturday, August 17th 2019 – Sotira ‘s Church

Christina Basili, cello
Tzenia Manousaki, piano
Manos Kitsikopoulos, piano

CHICK KOREA:          Children Songs (Selections)

THE BEATLES:           Norwegian Wood (piano arrangement: Manos Kitsikopoulos)

  1. LISZT: Ballade no. 2, in B minor
  2. BARBER: Sonata op. 26, for piano

Allegro energico
Allegro vivace e leggero
Adagio mesto
Fuga: Allegro con spirito   (Manos Kitsikopoulos, piano)

 

  1. RACHMANINOFF: Sonata for Cello and Piano, op.19

Allegro Moderato
Allegro scherzando
Andante
Allegro mosso    (Christina Basili, cello - Jenia Manousaki, piano)

  • Friday, August 23rd 2019 – Sotira ‘s Church

“Dans le jardin des Mélodies Françaises”
Marilena Liakopoulou, piano
Philippe Forget, tenor
Jenny Drivala, soprano
Dimitris Karamanolis, piano

  1. Saint Saëns:Pourquoi rester seulette
    C.     Saint Saëns :  La Cloche
    Cl. Debussy:        La belle au bois dormant
    Cl.     Debussy :       Trois Mélodies de Verlaine
                               I.   La mer est plus belle que la cathédrale,
    II.  Le son de cor
    III. L’échelonnement des haies

Cl. Debussy:        Fantoches
M. Ravel :            La Chanson de la Mariée
C. Saint Saëns :   Epithalame
F. Poulenc :         Quatre Poèmes de G. Apollinaire
                            I. L’ Anguille
                            II. Carte-postale
                            III.Avant le cinema
IV.1904

  1. Massenet: Ouvre tes yeux bleues
    J.     Massenet:        Elle s’en est allée
    J. Kosma:              Chansons de Prevert 
    I.  La pèche a la baleine
    II. Barbara
    III. L’orgue de la barbarie
    G. Bizet:              L’Adieu de l’Hôtesse Arabe
      L. Delibes:          Jours passés
    L.     Delibes:          Les Filles de Cadix
      E. Satie :             La Diva de l’Empire
                                 Je te veux
      B. Vian:               La complainte du progrès
      S. Gainsbourg:  La javanaise
      J.Massenet :      “Poems d’amour” ( No 6)
  • Saturday, August 24th 2019 - Small Theater “I. Molfesi”, Pacheiorachi

Kostis Theos, cello
Vasilia Guilloteau, voice
Panagiotis Andreoglou, accordion

J.S.Bach:              Suite No. 4, in E flat major, for cello

  1. D. Scarlatti:       Sonata Κ 394 in E minor, transcription for accordion
  2. Gubaidulina: In croce 1979/1991 for cello and accordion

Cl. Monteverdi:   Lamento della Ninfa Madrigali Libro VIII 1638

  1. Vivaldi:  Sposa con disprezzata
  2. Scarlatti: Sonata K 380 in E major, transcription for accordion

G.F.Händel:         Credeto al mio dolore

  1. Scarlatti: Sonata Κ 159in C major, transcription for accordion
  2. Purcell: When I am laid in earth
  • Wednesday, August 28th 2019 – Sotira’s Church 28/8/2019

New Stars!

Daniele Pilkington Scimone (16 years old), piano
Christoforos Petridis (15 years old), violin
Maria Ellie Petridis (13 years old), cello

 

  1. PAGANINI: Solo Violin Caprice No.5 in A Minor, op.1
  2. de SARASATE: Zigeunerweisen (Gipsy Airs), op 20.
  3. SCHUMANN: Symphonic Etudes, for solo piano, op.13
  4. van BEETHOVEN: Trio for piano, violin and cello op.11
  • Saturday, August 31st 2019 - Avra Beach

Maria Farantouri -  Elli Paspala
and Katerina Polemi in concert
Takis Farazis  piano
David Lynch  saxophone, flute, percussion
A great celebration of the Greek Song,
dedicated to “Médecins du Monde”

 

Pandemic: Great concern for the… "orange" islands

Pandemic: Great concern for the… "orange" islands

The rapid spread of the coronavirus in Greece - and especially on the islands - during the summer has proven a "migraine", at a time when people are preparing for the big holiday season of August and while the cases of the Delta mutation are increasing alarmingly.

FM Dendias to Cyprus and Israel for talks

FM Dendias to Cyprus and Israel for talks

Greek-Cypriot close co-ordination to address Turkish provocation is expected to be at the heart of Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias' current contacts in Nicosia, a day after the 47th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the Turkish side's declaration of secession of the enclosed area of ​​Varosha.

Blinken: US to call for strong UN response to Varosha opening

Blinken: US to call for strong UN response to Varosha opening

The strong condemnation but also the intention of Washington to react to the Turkish plans for the enclosed area of ​​Varos was announced by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. The US diplomat assured that the US is currently in contact with like-minded partners in order to refer the matter to the UN Security Council, where they will ask for its strong reaction.

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