The Government National Security Council is meeting today at 11am under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
This is the last regular meeting of the body for 2022, during which it is expected to discuss the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations, security issues and pending defense armament procurement programs.
Against the background of the Turkish provocations
Greek-Turkish relations are expected to be thoroughly discussed at the Security Council meeting, after the meeting held last Friday in Brussels by the Prime Minister’s diplomatic adviser, Anna Maria Boura, with Ibrahim Kalin and the German Chancellor’s adviser.
However, despite the occasional meetings and the search for communication channels at the level of official positions, things remain as they were. Turkey constantly raises claims, its rhetoric remains incendiary, while responses from Athens remain in high tones – depending on the gravity of the Turkish statements each time – and if nothing else they show the difficulties of de-escalating the tension.
It is indicative that, a few 24 hours after the Boura-Kalin meeting, the Turkish president returned to aggressive rhetoric, unleashing new threats of a missile strike.
Athens, however, does not abandon the belief that the channels of communication with Ankara must remain open. Indicative are the statements of the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, before the beginning of the meeting of the armaments committee in the Parliament. The minister, when asked about the Greek-Turkish meeting in Brussels, called it “reasonable and imperative” to reopen the channel of communication between Athens and Ankara.
Wepon system procurement
As far as pending armament programs are concerned, it is uncertain whether any decision will be made on the Navy’s new corvette building program. As everything shows, the issue of the procurement of the new ships of the Navy is, unexpectedly, postponed until after the national elections.
According to the Minister of Defense, the discussion is about 3+1 ships, with one being built abroad and the remaining three in our country.
Latest News
National Bank of Greece Finances First Energy Storage Project in Country
The total financing for the project amounts to €41.9 million
Energy Giant Chevron Expresses Interest in Drilling in Greece
In line with this effort, the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management and Energy Resources Company (HEREMA) is submitting the Strategic Environmental Impact Study today
UBS ‘Bullish’ on Greek Banks
UBS highlights the positive trends in loans and savings and the financing cost, stressing corporate credit expansion acts as the driving force for the banking sector’s profit margins
Cost of Banking in Greece Drops from Monday
The measure aims to lower the cost of doing business and everyday transactions in Greece, with an estimated annual cost to banks of approximately €150 million.
Greek Tax Bureau Chief Details Efforts to Curb Evasion; Digitalize Administration
Independent revenue authority (AADE) Gov. George Pitsilis addresses OECD summit, cites reduction in lost VAT remittances from almost 30% in 2017 to 13.7% by 2022
Inflation in Greece at 3.7% in December 2023: Eurostat
According to recent data from ELSTAT (Hellenic Statistical Authority), inflation in Greece rate reached 3.5% in December 2023, up from 3% in November.
Winter Sales Season: Stores Open on Sunday in Greece
Most stores will operate between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, while shopping malls will stay open until later, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Greek Primary Surplus of €8.6bln at End of 2024
In previous budget execution reports, in October, a net amount of €3.241bln was collected from the new Concession Agreement for Attiki Odos
Fraport Greece Posts Record Numbers in 2024
In December 2024, the 14 airports posted impressive numbers in passenger traffic, welcoming a total of 805,056 visitors
Greek Economic Sentiment Steady in Dec 2024
The trade deficit amounted to 4.6 billion euros, up by 340 million euros from the same period last year.