ekathimerini - The Greek Letter - 12 January 2025 - TurkAegean no longer and more ...

 

TurkAegean no longerTurkAegean no longer Constantine CapsaskisNewsletter Editor Welcome to the weekly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. Turkey’s “TurkAegean” branding campaign to promote tourism in its coastal regions has been cancelled by the European Union and challenged by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the same week. The trademark registration of the campaign, launched by Turkey in December 2021, was overturned by the European Union Intellectual Property Office across six categories (advertising, media, transportation services, education, hospitality, and legal services) following longstanding Greek efforts to argue that the “TurkAegean” trademark reflects geopolitical ambitions.  The 19-page decision by the EUIPO focuses primarily on legal interpretation of trademark law, focusing on the assertion that “TurkAegean” contains strong geographic references which, being widely recognized, cannot be monopolized. Additionally, the ruling noted that the trademark lacked originality and distinctiveness.  “We are asserting our rights with full force and through all legal means”, commented Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos on the decision, adding that Greece “stands strong on the international stage, defending its national interests with determination and effectiveness, including in the commercial sphere”. Turkey can file an appeal over the next two months, with an additional four months to provide written justification if it wishes to contest the ruling. Across the Atlantic, the USPTO has reportedly requested further clarifications from the Turkish authorities on its branding campaign, specifically on the purpose and reasoning behind the choice of words. Turkey has also been instructed to provide supporting documentation to further clarify its stance. Greece has argued, in a similar vein to its efforts in Europe, that there are underlying geopolitical motivations to the tourism campaign. While a largely procedural development, it remains a significant first step in a process that could take years to resolve. Spotlight Negotiations between the Greek government and the British Museum for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles are reportedly inching towards an agreement, with a possible resolution expected as early as this year. It has been reported that, while the two sides are close and there are significant convergences in the final form of a potential deal, there remain some crucial differences. It is likely that a deal would include housing the sculptures at the Athens Acropolis Museum on a permanent basis, with Greek artifacts being displayed in the British Museum for extended exhibitions. Another important factor is that not all the pieces removed by Lord Elgin will be displayed in Athens, rather only those that are seen as essential in reuniting the Parthenon’s historical and artistic narrative.   The trilateral Cairo summit between Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus reaffirmed the excellent relations and close coordination of the Eastern Mediterranean states. The three countries agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership and to continue cooperating on critical issues, at a time when instability continues to plague the region. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides also discussed their common stance on issues arising from the Law of the Sea and the resulting maritime zone delimitations in the region, calling on actors to avoid provocative moves. Finally, the three countries focused on energy collaboration, a key issue, with Athens and Cairo in particular highlighting the importance of the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnection.

MUST READS Costas Simitis and the measure of thingsGo to article > The Greece of Costas SimitisGo to article > Thank God for SisiGo to article >

OPINION Tom EllisEditor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition Reforming Greece’s military[InTime News] Most Greek military experts, including many in uniform, have for years pointed out the need for a radical overhaul of the way the Hellenic Armed Forces are organized. It is indeed inconceivable for a country to have spent huge amounts on defense procurement, purchasing the most advanced weapon systems with an eye to the future, while the human element and the command structure of the force somehow remained stuck in the past. The radical reform, initiated by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, included among other steps, the merging of military units and some bold cuts; 47 senior military officers, including the Commander of the Army, the General Inspector of the Army, the Commander of the Navy and the Commander of the Air Force, were retired. Setting up a new structure follows a deep review, led by General Dimitris Houpis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, that aimed at eliminating an excess of high-ranking officers. As the defense minister noted, “the Greek military cannot have more senior officers than the US military, which is six times larger.” The extensive modernization effort includes the rationalization for personnel and military bases, attracting and retaining the best minds in the ranks, promoting innovative technological research and developing a modern domestic defense industry with the many benefits that would bring not only in military terms, but also economic. The process should continue in a professional manner and with the broadest political support as its aim is none other than the improvement of the nation’s security.

CHART OF THE WEEK

Many women who seek help from the police when they feel threatened continue to experience a lack of adequate care and protection. Despite the explosive rise of incidents of domestic and gender-based violence in recent years, and several high-profile cases where the Hellenic Police failed to intervene despite the victims calling for help, the situation does not seem to have significantly improved. “The only certainty is that we did not see a system that puts the woman at the center of the issue”, said psychologist Aphrodite Stathi, who shared her experience of a recent incident with Kathimerini. “I felt ashamed as a citizen that I told my friend to go to the police”, she emphasized.

ESCAPADE Thessaloniki’s top chef-approved dining spots We asked eight of Thessaloniki’s most celebrated chefs to share their go-to dining spots – places where flavor, comfort and a warm welcome come together to create unforgettable experiences. Go to article >

ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL

“The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,503.73 points, up 1.14% from last week.”

“Tourist activity in Greece is centered around a handful of regions, with the latest data published by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation noting that five regions account for 91% of the country’s total receipts. It is also very seasonal with 85% of receipts being recorded from April to September.”

“The government plans to intervene in the health insurance market according to Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, following widespread hikes (up to 15%) in insurance premiums that affect up to one million citizens.”

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

16/01/2025Presidential nominee: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is reportedly ready to announce his nomination for the next President of the Hellenic Republic. The PM is set to meet with incumbent Katerina Sakellaropoulou the day before. 16/01/2025Commissioner in Greece: European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner has announced that he will visit Greece this week in the aftermath of the verdict by the European Court of Human Rights. 17/01/2025PM in Berlin: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend the European People’s Party summit in Berlin this week, where he is expected to show his support for the CDU’s Friedrich Mertz.

Editor's PickGreece is not a carefree country to live in – quite the opposite. The simplest things can become extremely complicated, and uncertainty dominates people’s lives.Alexis PapachelasRead the article

PODCAST

07/01/2025 • 15:54Costas Simitis’ legacy and his role in shaping modern GreeceThe death of former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the age of 88 has put a spotlight on his tenure (1996-2004), with many highlighting his role in shaping today’s Greece. Key highlights include bringing Greece into the Eurozone, playing a key role in Cyprus’s quest for EU membership, establishing a framework for dialogue with Turkey, and securing the 2004 Athens Olympics. John Psaropoulos, an independent journalist and Al Jazeera’s correspondent in southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to look back at Simitis’ legacy and impact on Greece.

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