ekathimerini - the Greek letter - 10 November 2024 - No silver bullet for Greek - Turkish relations and more

 

No silver bullet for Greek-Turkish relations[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Foreign Minister Georgos Gerapetritis welcomed Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Athens this Friday. Once more, the meeting reaffirmed that bilateral relations between the two countries have improved and that there is a willingness on both sides to discuss ways forward in resolving disputes. However, as has been evident in previous meetings, the talks also confirmed that there is little hope for an imminent breakthrough or even a consensus on what exactly future talks will entail with both sides agreeing to disagree. “Our positions differ regarding the scope of the discussions, with our stance focusing on a single issue,” said Gerapetritis, reiterating Greece’s position that the only issue to be discussed remains the delimitation of the continental shelf between the two countries and the arising Exclusive Economic Zones. Fidan on the other hand referred to “interlinked issues in the Aegean”. Both sides agreed to meet again to maintain the positive momentum, at both the top and ministerial level. The current agreed roadmap foresees the next round of Greece-Turkey talks scheduled for December 2, and a likely meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the first quarter of 2025.  Additionally, the two foreign ministers agreed to establish a diplomatic mechanism to prevent tensions from escalating into crises. “Normality must be the goal in relations between neighbors”, said Mitsotakis from the informal European summit in Budapest, adding that “we are talking, and we will continue to talk. And even if we cannot find a framework to agree on our central dispute, we must preserve calm waters”. However, the two sides continue to be very far away on several critical issues, including that of the continued occupation of Cyprus. Greece’s position is that the issue must be resolved in line with the rulings of the United Nations Security Council, namely with the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federal state. Fidan noted that any discussions must be based on the “realities on the island”, stating that federal model cannot work for the island. Spotlight Opposition party SYRIZA is close to total implosion. The party conference began with hundreds of supporters of ousted leader Stefanos Kasselakis heckling party officials and delegates, with scuffles and arguments taking place both inside and outside the venue, following allegations that delegates supporting Kasselakis had been barred from entering. When the conference got underway, it was decided that Kasselakis would not be allowed to run for leader. As a result, Kasselakis announced on Saturday that he would be forming a new party. As of Sunday, four SYRIZA MPs have left the party with more perhaps to follow. Currently, SYRIZA is level with PASOK in terms of MP numbers at 31 lawmakers, but if any more leave in the coming days then the party will no longer serve as the main opposition allowing the latter to assume that role.   Yannis Boutaris, the former mayor of Thessaloniki, died on Saturday night. “Such a mayor would inevitably be challenged, but he would also inspire. I bid him farewell with deep sadness and grief as he was a tireless active citizen, a courageous human, and a very dear friend,” said President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that Boutaris “was not just the visionary mayor of his beloved city. Not only an iconic entrepreneur and an ecological trailblazer […] but above all else he was a worthy citizen”.“He was the daring visionary who fought with all his might to bring the city back in touch with its rich multicultural, colorful and cosmopolitan past,” said current Thessaloniki mayor Stelios Angeloudis. Boutaris is credited with changing the city’s image, after 24 years of hard-line conservative rule. Notably, he gave special importance to the city’s Jewish history and in examining its Holocaust history. “Greek Jewish people are in mourning because we lost a worthy fellow citizen, a loyal friend, and a magnificent human being”, stated the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, praising in particular his efforts to create the city’s Holocaust Museum. Boutaris, age 82, was also one of Greece’s leading wine producers and one of the country’s most important oenologists.

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OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition Trump and Greece’s foreign and domestic policies[Callaghan O'Hare/Reuters] The election of a new president in the US has a multifaceted impact all over the world. In that context; the debate is on about what a second Trump Administration will mean for different countries. In Greece, there are two dimensions to the discussion that has already began. The first has to do with foreign policy, and what implications, if any, the return of Donald Trump to the White House will have on the bilateral relationship and developments in our area: from Turkey and the East Med to the Balkans. The answer will be determined both by the personal chemistry of Trump with leaders of countries in the area, as well as by the personalities and priorities of the people who will be appointed to positions with direct impact on issues involving Greece. The second dimension has to do with the potential implications on Greece’s domestic politics, and more specifically the internal discussion within the ruling conservatives about the party’s ideological compass. Beyond the realization that people care about jobs and their standard of living, there is also a social dimension to the lessons drawn from the Trump victory. The question several New Democracy politicians and voters are already asking is if there should be a shift to the right instead of continuing with the present more liberal policies on issues like gay marriage. This debate is not new. The internal tug of war in New Democracy has repeatedly come to the forefront during the last few months as a result of the public criticism by former prime minster Antonis Samaras. Now, Trump’s resounding victory has intensified the discussion. Immigration and the fight against woke culture are two areas where the staunch conservatives like Mr. Samaras feel aligned with Trump’s policies. And many in the conservative party, although not the prime minister himself, seem to agree.

CHART OF THE WEEK

The ongoing issue of underage drinking was highlighted once more this month as eight minors were hospitalized after consuming suspected tainted alcohol. Despite legislation outlawing the sale of alcohol to minors, as well as prohibiting them from entering nightclubs and bars, this is often not enforced. Studies indicate that approximately 30% of high schoolers in Greece consume alcohol, a statistic which aligns with broader trends across Europe. Experts emphasize that conversations about alcohol are crucial in preventing such dangerous situations from occurring. High school parties are frequently held across the capital region of Attica, with the events proving a lucrative business for club-owners. Sources who spoke to Kathimerini noted that networks, which include promoters, operate with entrepreneurial precision to fill venues with minors eager for nightlife experiences.

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ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

“The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,413.13 points this week, up 1.69% from last week.”

“The average annual full-time adjusted salary in Greece was the third lowest in the European Union according to data released by Eurostat this week. At 17,000 euros, Greece only ranks above Bulgaria (13,500) and Hungary (16,900), with the EU average standing at 37,900 euros.”

“In an effort to open up shuttered properties in order to combat rising housing costs, the government is offering a double incentive for property owners to place their houses back on the long-term rental market. Specifically, a three-year income tax exemption on rents and the launch of a ‘Renovate-to-Rent’ scheme.”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

12/11/2024Hospital Strike: The longstanding difficulties between the medical staff and the administration of the Children’s Hospital Agia Sofia will continue this week with further industrial action by the former. 13/11/2024COP29: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to attend the proceedings of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 29 in Baku this week. 15/11/2024Sheep pox: Relevant authorities will meet to discuss extending current measures to combat the spread of sheep pox, including strict movement controls on animals, following outbreaks in central and northern Greece. 17/11/202417th of November Uprising: The Athens Polytechnic Uprising of 1973 will be commemorated with a series of events held throughout the weekend.

Editor's PickIn such an event – an event that is not at all unlikely under the new climate conditions – the Kifissos would almost certainly overflow, flooding all the highly congested areas along its banksNotis PapadopoulosRead the article

PODCAST

05/11/2024 • 09:54The Greek ‘brand’ in the US: What do American tourists think of Greece?The past years have seen an exponential increase in the number of Americans who choose Greece for their vacation, and this trend is expected to continue in 2025. While Americans are arriving in Greece in droves, what do they really think about the country? Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss a recent poll looking at how Americans view Greece as a travel destination, the positive trends in US tourism to Greece, and the importance for Greece to further develop its brand abroad.

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