ekathimerini - the Greek Letter - 01 December 2024 - to modernize and reform the Hellenic Armed Forces (HAF), new Syriza leader, Greece - Turkish dialogue and more...

 

FORWARD TO A FRIEND > Si vis pacem, para bellum[InTime News] Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Following the proposals drafted by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to modernize and reform the Hellenic Armed Forces (HAF), further developments have been reported in Greece’s military this week. One of the key pillars of boosting Greece’s deterrence capabilities is the further adoption of new technologies, with the HAF moving to steadily integrate advanced drone systems which have proven to be key in military operations both in Ukraine and the Middle East. Among weapons systems being examined for acquisition are loitering munitions (with the US-made Switchblade believed to be high on the list of potential candidates), surveillance and strike UAVs, drones for intelligence gathering, target tracking, and firing-data provision, as well as surface and underwater drones. However, the Defense Ministry and the Chiefs of the General Staff are also very interested in developing homegrown drone R&D and production capabilities. The “Archytas” and “Centaur” are considered key in this regard, with the latter also seeing operational use in the Red Sea.  At the same time, it was reported that the Hellenic Army will likely seek to procure and operate cruise missiles, to complement the long-range capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force and the Hellenic Navy. Additionally, Greece’s ground forces missile artillery capabilities will also be boosted. Finally, the Hellenic Air Force stated that it is expecting to receive up to two more Rafale fighter jets as well as a modernized Viper configuration F-16 fighter jet by the end of the year.  Greece’s prioritization of procuring modern technology for its armed forces and its consistent high levels of spending on defense were one of the topics discussed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and new NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during the latter’s visit to Athens this week. However, there are some lingering questions about the HAF’s ability to both attract and retain talented individuals. Following the decline of interest in applying to Greece’s military academies, with approximately 450 unfilled slots at these institutions this summer, dropout rates soared this year. Indicatively, the Navel Cadets School recorded a 42.1% dropout rate. Spotlight Sokratis Famellos, the former leader of SYRIZA’s parliamentary group, was elected as the party’s new leader last Sunday, winning outright in the first round without the need for a runoff. Famellos likely has his work cut out for him in restoring unity within the leftist party, with two further MPs leaving SYRIZA’s parliamentary group this week. Most notably, former Defense Minister Evangelos Apostolakis who often worked closely with former leader Stefanos Kasselakis announced his decision to leave the party, despite being elected on the party’s nationwide list. “Apostolakis’ predestined decision is completed today with his shameful defection”, was the reaction from his former party. Furthermore, Famellos will have a monumental task ahead of him in proving that his party can bounce back from its disastrous 15 months since the last leadership election. Currently, in the latest polls the party is polling at about 6.5% (tied for fourth place) and significantly behind second place, and now official opposition, PASOK at 14%.   The Education Ministry is planning to introduce the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to five out of the 21 so-called “model schools”, institutions aiming to promote more innovative teaching methods and advanced curriculums (equivalent to US magnet or British grammar schools), as a pilot program in 2026. This is the first time the two-year globally accredited IB program, widely accepted by universities around the globe, will be offered by the Greek public education system, after previous efforts to introduce it had been scrapped following opposition from educators. Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis is set to visit the IB headquarters in Geneva to meet with its leadership and discuss teacher training. MUST READS The best and brightest for the armed forcesGo to article > ND and PASOK at a crossroadsGo to article > TikTok, the clock ticks for the centerGo to article > OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition Greece-Turkish dialogue alive, barely Despite the positive intentions of the Greek side, the complex and potentially explosive Greek-Turkish puzzle remains unresolved and indications are that this will continue for the foreseeable future. Obviously, the relatively calm waters in the Aegean should and can be preserved. It is to the benefit of both countries to maintain the recent multifaceted dialogue alive, and to even support each other in international fora whenever the opportunity arises as they are presently doing. But substantive progress in resolving differences over the maritime zones in the Aegean Sea seems elusive. Agreeing to seek international arbitration, which is the only way to resolve these differences, remains difficult as the two NATO allies do not agree on what must be discussed. Greece has made clear that the only issues to be settled are the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone, while Turkey through the years is steadily and unilaterally raising additional issues that claims that need to be resolved. The 2019 memorandum between Turkey and Libya delimiting the two countries’ maritime zones – the legality of which is disputed by the international community – is the latest obstacle created by Turkey that prevents any substantive progress in its relations with Greece. In that context Ankara tries to prevent certain commercial actions, despite the fact that they conform with international law, and in so doing threatens to derail the efforts and positive atmosphere that has been created over the last two years. In a subjective and subverted interpretation of the Bern Protocol, signed by the two countries half a century ago (1976), Turkey is now trying to derail the process of laying a cable for the power grid connection between Cyprus and Greece, and has even sent four frigates south of the Greek islands of Karpathos and Kassos, to prevent such a development. The ongoing lower-level discussions will most likely continue, from military contacts to political talks and agreements on the so-called “positive agenda” prioritizing economic cooperation and trade, as will the engagement of the two foreign ministers, and even the periodic meetings of the leaders themselves, including the upcoming High Level Cooperation Council planned for January. But, for the time being at least, it seems that progress in dealing substantively with resolving the maritime disputes is stalled. CHART OF THE WEEK One in eight Greek adults lacked dental care in 2023, according to a new report by the OECD. The report highlights financial constraints as the primary cause of this, with Greeks unable to go to the dentist even when there was a need to do so. Public spending on dental health over the last fifteen years (starting with the financial crisis, right through the Covid pandemic) has been significantly reduced, while many Greeks cut down on trips to the dentist to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. Overall, while countries in the European Union average just 3.4% in unmet dental needs, Greece recorded a 12.9% in the same metric. This is more evident in the poorest segments of Greek society, where the rate rises to 21.2% (compared to 11% in 2008).   ESCAPADE 10 day trips to restaurants near Athens You don’t have to travel far to have a good time in Greece. Here’s our list of 10 eateries for day trips from Athens. Go to article > ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL “The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,393.49 points. Despite the benchmark dropping by 0.58% from last week, on a monthly basis it advanced by 0.78%” “The Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) is set to activate a Microfinance Fund in early 2025. The fund will give out loans (with an upper limit of 25,000 euros) to very small businesses, self-employed individuals and freelancers, and startups. Its goal will be to support and strengthen small entrepreneurship.” “The government is preparing to implement a 100-million-euro subsidy package to protect households and businesses from continually rising electricity prices. The plan will include direct subsidies and tax breaks for consumers, as well as a temporary tax on electricity producers’ profits.” WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA 02/12/2024PM in London: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will conduct a two-day visit to London, and will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday at Downing Street. 02/12/2024Greek-Turkish Dialogue: The 7th round of Greek-Turkish dialogue will take place over two days in Athens, with two meetings between deputy foreign ministers over two days. 04/12/2024Mitsotakis-Androulakis: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet with PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. The meeting, the first since the latter’s re-election as party leader, is also institutionally important as Androulakis is now the head of the official opposition. Editor's PickThe overinflated egos, insecurities, hysteria and vendettas of various prominent players have turned politics into fodder for speculation and rumor.Alexis PapachelasRead the article PODCAST 26/11/2024 • 09:52A plan to integrate Cyprus into NATOThe launch of a strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the US last month was quickly followed up by another historic development: President Christodoulides’ visit to the White House. With US-Cyprus ties deepening at a rapid pace, this was a chance for Christodoulides to present his strategic vision for Cyprus, including, as reports indicate, the potential future integration of Cyprus into NATO. Lena Argiri, the Washington, DC correspondent for ERT – the Greek Public Broadcasting Company – and Kathimerini, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this plan to institutionalize Cyprus’ relationship with NATO, a potentially transformative opportunity for both Cyprus and the whole region. 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