Log in
A+ A A-

Greece among European champions in covid testing

Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou made a statement on the number of diagnostic tests for coronavirus.

The whole statement of Giannis Oikonomou:
"Those who are arrogant and irresponsible try to deceive society with a storm of screams and insults in order to hide their inadequacy. But facts are the best friend of the truth. And the truth about the tests is this:

Greece is among the top 5 countries in Europe in testing.

- From 1/5/2020 - 30/12/2021 only EODY has performed 8,759,556 free diagnostic tests, of which 7,642,167 rapid and 1,112,389 pcr. These, of course, do not include the millions of free tests that have been done for free by the NSS.

- Our country is in 4th place in the EU with the most rapid and pcr tests

- From April to 30/12/2021, 86,403,820 self tests were given free of charge to 7,669,956 citizens

- Thanks to the self tests, 1 in 5 confirmed cases were identified, ie 247,464 cases out of a total of 1,170,293.

- To date,  more than 300 million euros have been allocated for free tests (self, rapid, pcr) 

This is the only truth about checks, the truth of numbers and facts.

In a difficult turning point in the global pandemic, some continue to engage in political speculation, with inappropriate verbiage and insults that have nothing to do with the real issues of society.

The government is here, next to society, with a plan, with realism and with honesty, fully committed to the effort to protect public health and ensure the normalcy of economic and social life.

This is our difference. And it's not just politics. "

  • Published in Greece

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).

  • Published in Greece
Subscribe to this RSS feed