the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today the repatriation of 33 Greek citizens and their family members from Syria.

Specifically, as stated in the announcement, under the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek embassies in Damascus and Beirut, the repatriation operation of 33 Greek citizens and their family members from Syria was safely completed today, Monday, December 30.

 Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. The two ministers discussed the situation in Syria and agreed to remain in close contact.

The Greek Foreign Minister stressed the urgent need for immediate peace on all fronts and underlined the importance of quickly restoring regional stability, free from any foreign interference.

The Israeli minister, for his part, in a post referred to the content of the discussion he had with his Greek counterpart, underlining the need to urgently protect Syria's minorities, including Kurds, Alawites and Christians.

He expressed his concerns about the fact that the new government in Damascus has not been democratically elected, as well as that “they are now declaring that elections will only be held after 4 years”, while inviting Mr. Gerapetritis to visit Tel Aviv.

In detail in his post he states:

“I spoke with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. We discussed the situation in Syria and I underlined the need to urgently protect the minorities of Syria, including the Kurds, the Alawites and the Christians.

I added that the new government in Damascus has not been democratically elected. But even more worrying is the fact that
they are now declaring that elections will only be held after 4 years...

I also stressed Israel’s intention to secure an agreement for the hostages in Gaza.

I invited my Greek colleague to visit Israel soon and we agreed to remain in close contact.”

Four days after the flight of French fighter jets over the Lefka area in the occupied areas of Cyprus, the so-called “Ministry of Foreign Affairs” issued a new statement, speaking of a “violation of the airspace” of the pseudo-state, expressing readiness “to take all necessary measures in cooperation” with Turkey.

Τηε municipality of Athens in Syntagma, will celebrate the New Year with silent fireworks for the welfare of animals. 

This year’s New Year’s Eve event will also feature a musical-theatrical multi-play, “The Roof of Time”, signed by Phoebus Delivoria. The artist, together with Natassa Bofiliou, Martha Frindzila and Thanasis Aleyras, will present a performance that through songs, dances and humorous moments will take us on a journey through the history of Athens, from 1945 to 2025.

Haris Doukas, from the stage of Syntagma Square, together with the artists, will count down to the change of time. For the first time, the capital will welcome the New Year with silent fireworks, while the night sky will be lit up by hundreds of drones flying over the city center.

The event will be opened musically by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the municipality of Athens. Immediately after the performance, the Laternativ will take the baton for the first big party of the year. Stavros Dioskouridis and Panagiotis Menegos with a DJ set will keep the rhythm alive during the first hours of the New Year.

The 2025 welcome event is accessible to everyone, with parallel interpretation in Greek Sign Language by interpreter Sofia Roboli and will be livestreamed from the official Facebook page of the Municipality of Athens (@cityofathensofficial) and its official YouTube channel.

The “Roof of Time”
Music, theater, comedy, dance, screenings and special guests in special roles! Phoebus Delivorias has written a spectacular musical “time machine”, dedicated to Athens, especially for the evening of the 2025 reception, directed by Angelos Triantafillos.

In an impressive vehicle – set by Angelos Mentis and with changing costumes by Alexandra Ftouli, Phoebus, as “pilot” – presenter – singer, travels from era to era of Athens (from the Liberation to the “golden” 60s, the seven years, the Post-Capitalist era, the Change, and the years of the “bubble” and the crisis), searching for 2025, through favourite Greek songs of each period.

In his journey, which starts from 1945, he meets “light” and “modern” singers embodied by Natassa Bofiliou, “popular divas” brought to life by Martha Frindzila, but also characteristic personalities of each era, into which Thanasis Aleyras transforms himself.

Against the background of images from Greek films, current affairs and documentaries that present Athens in every era, “The Roof of Time” also features a 10-piece orchestra consisting of leading Greek soloists under the direction and arrangements of Thimios Papadopoulos, dancers under the direction of Evi Soulis and young singers.

The unveiling of key aspects and tools of the national strategy for digital addiction of adults is expected to be unveiled this morning at a special event by the government, which is expected to "lift" the issue even further in 2025.