In the official resolution of the European Parliament, Greek MEPs from New Democracy (ND) condemn “in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack against Greek Orthodox Christians.”

A state of alert was triggered in Tanagra when four individuals of Chinese nationality were found photographing sensitive military installations in the area. Their actions were deemed suspicious and raised concerns of espionage, as the images they captured reportedly included Rafale fighter jets.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in Parliament a tougher stance on migration, following increased flows from Libya to Crete. Meanwhile, the Haftar regime attempted to smooth over tensions caused by the general’s refusal to meet with the EU migration delegation, through a conciliatory visit by Al Sadiq Haftar to the president of the Greek Community of Benghazi.

Mitsotakis’ Announcements in Parliament – Measures to Be Voted Tomorrow
On Wednesday morning, 520 illegal migrants were rescued off the coast of Gavdos. Unlike previous cases, they were not disembarked in Crete, but were taken to Lavrio and then to the Malakasa migrant facility.

The Prime Minister announced:

A three-month suspension of asylum application processing for individuals arriving by sea from North Africa.
The establishment of a permanent closed facility in Crete to detain all illegal entrants.
Ongoing dialogue with both the eastern and western Libyan authorities.
The Greek Armed Forces are prepared to assist in preventing departures from Libyan shores.
Mitsotakis stated:

“You know the numbers of illegal migrants arriving in Crete in recent weeks. This emergency demands extraordinary measures. We will notify the European Commission that tomorrow we will submit a provision to Parliament to:

Suspend asylum examination for arrivals from North Africa for 3 months.
Detain all migrants entering the country illegally.
Create a closed structure in Crete (and possibly a second one).
Cooperate with Libya’s recognized and unrecognized authorities to stop boats before they depart.
Let there be no doubt: The government is sending a message of determination. The route to Greece is closing. Smugglers and potential migrants should know: the money you pay may be completely wasted.”

Plevris’ Message in English: “You Are Not Welcome in Greece”
Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris issued a stern message in English directed at smugglers and potential migrants, outlining immediate measures:

Suspension of asylum processing
Arrest and detention
Creation of detention facility in Crete
Closure of the migration route
“Tomorrow the legislative amendment will be submitted to Parliament.”

This reflects a decisive tightening of Greek migration policy, amid both diplomatic maneuvering with Libyan factions and pressure from increased illegal arrivals.

Greece's role as a pillar of stability was underlined by Kimberly Guilfoyle, nominee for US ambassador to Greece, during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearings on Wednesday.

In her introductory speech, Guilfoyle committed to becoming a tireless supporter of American interests, a stable partner for Greek allies and a proud and loyal representative of US President Trump and the American people.

The ambassador nominee underlined Greece's critical role in NATO's southern flank, making special reference to the strong defense ties between the US and Greece and to the fact that Greece is one of the countries most consistently fulfilling its obligations in the alliance related to defense expenditures.

She also underlined the rising importance of Greece as a critical energy hub in the region, noting particularly the Revythoussa liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the vertical corridor of Alexandroupolis, and the project to link the Cyprus and Israel electricity grids.

NATO and alliance cooperation
In recent years, Guilfoyle said, Greece has developed into a pillar of stability in a complicated region, and its commitment to common security within the NATO alliance is more important than ever. Greece is staunchly among allies with the highest defense expenditures, and is forecast to continue to invest 3% of its GDP in defense in 2025, while it is on track to reach 5%, according to the alliance's commitment at The Hague, she noted,a tangible investment in collective security.

In addition, the nominee noted, a significant part of these defense expenditures are directed toward acquiring state-of-the-art American defense technology, including F-35s, advanced Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, and the updated naval ships. Moreover, the proposal for a joint production of naval frigates shows Greece's long-term commitment to the US-Greece strategic defense collaboration, she pointed out.

These efforts to upgrade are strengthening Greece's significant military capabilities, Guilfoyle said, building up the eastern flank of the NATO alliance and creating valuable opportunities for American industry. She added that if the Senate approves her appointment, she will prioritize above all the further acceleration of Greece's defense upgrade, boosting even further the collaboration and synergies between US and Greek defense sectors.

Greece as energy hub
Guilfoyle noted the tremendous progress achieved in energy collaboration, and said the Revythoussa terminal and the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupolis allows the US to export more natural gas to Europe. While natural gas from the US now represents 20% of the natural gas share in Greece - from 2% five years ago - there are tremendous opportunities to sell more American energy to Greece and its neighbors, the nominee told the Senate foreign relations committee.

The American ambassador nominee said that during her tenure, if her nomination is approved, she would work for the vertical corridor between Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Central Europe, so that Greece may become a hub of American natural gas in the region. She said she would also encourage Greece's progress in constructing electricity grid linking projects with its neighbors, including Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, which would contribute to the regional energy differentiation and security.

Economic cooperation
Guilfoyle also stressed that economic opportunities remain the central pillar of the strong US-Greek relationship, and she would, if approved, serve as a strategic partner in promoting American trade and investment interests, based on successful efforts to expand opportunities for US businesses in basic sectors, including defense, energy, shipping, infrastructure, technology, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and agriculture.

She would also actively pursue ways to encourage and facilitate Greek investments in the United States, promoting a more balanced, resilient, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation, Guilfoyle said.

Q & A
Guilfoyle told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she intended to focus on the protection of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, the strong and staunch US allies in the critical geopolitical region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Addressing herself to the committee during confirmation hearings, Guilfoyle said her main focus as ambassador should be on what the US intended to do in this region, which was so urgent for the national security of the United States, and on how America could protect its strong allies of Cyprus, Israel, and Greece.

She also referred to the critical issue of a possible reinclusion of Türkiye in the F-35 program, saying that the neighboring country has been excluded from acquiring them due to its own choices. Responding to a question by the committee chairman, Senator Jim Risch, Guilfoyle said that as he had mentioned, Türkiye was excluded form acquiring F-35s by law, after having chosen to collaborate with the Russians to buy their S-400 defense system.

During the hearing, the nominee also compared Greece and Türkiye, presenting Greece as a strong and unwavering ally that always responded to challenges and exceeded expectations. She clarified to senators that she was expressing personal opinions as a citizen and was looking forward to expanding her knowledge about the specific issues, while following directions by the US president and working with American Ambassador Tom Barrack in Ankara. She said she had a very close working relationship with Barrack in Türkiye, having known him for a very long time, and a very close relationship with former ambassador to Athens George Tsunis. She said these ties would be decisive in ensuring that she would be prepared and be able to exceed expectations as envoy to Greece from the very first day.