The Hellenic Wire

Category: Greece

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine visited NSA Souda Bay in Greece, @TheJointStaff announced on @X.

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  • Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ) has cosponsored of H.R.3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act.

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  • Rep. Donald Davis (D-NC) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) met with Greek Ambassador Eikaterini Nassika on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X.

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  • Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, @GreeceMFA announced on @X.

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  • Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) has cosponsored of H.R.3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act.

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  • Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

    Rep. Smith marks the 10th Member of Congress to join Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) in her leadership of H.R.2510.

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  • Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) attended a Greek Festival at a Greek Orthodox Church within his district, he announced on @X.

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  • President of Ukraine Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa met with Prime Minister of Greece @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis in Odessa, the former announced on @X.

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  • Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has cosponsored of H.R.3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act.

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  • Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • U.S. @SecDef @PeteHegseth emphasized that the U.S. and Greece share a longstanding and robust defense partnership, crediting much to Greece’s commitment to allied priorities, including NATO missions, defense spending, and support for U.S. Forces, as reported by @ToVimacom.

    @SecDef also highlighted the pivotal role of Souda Bay Naval Base in Crete, and reaffirmed @DeptofDefense’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Greece and expressed optimism about the relationship’s future, referencing participation in the F-35 fighter jet program.

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  • Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in his office on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X.

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  • Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) has become the first cosponsor of H.R.3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act.

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  • H.R.3307, a bipartisan bill to increase cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean in order to strengthen energy security and defense capabilities, and for other purposes, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday.

    The effort is led by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).

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  • Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos @Pierrakakis met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos @Pierrakakis, commenting on how Greece navigates their relationship in China, stated “we are open to investment but always within our strategic & geopolitical priorities. Our relationship with the U.S. is paramount,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greek Minister of Finance Kyriakos @Pierrakakis held a meeting today at the White House with @MKratsios47, Director of @WHOSTP47, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Athens in October to lead the American delegation at the sixth round of the U.S.–Greece Strategic Dialogue, as reported by @PetrosKas for @ToVimaCom.

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  • Greece’s National Security Council is meeting today to discuss the future of the Great Sea Interconnector project, as reported by @Visegrad24.

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  • Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) has become a cosponsor of H.R.2510, the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025.

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  • Greek Defense Minister @NikosDendias received the French Defense Minister @SebLecornu today at the Ministry of National Defense in Athens.

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  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @Netanyahu spoke with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday and updated him on his diplomatic visit to Washington, as announced by @IsraeliPM on @X.

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  • Last week, the Israeli Air Force participated in “Ineos,” an international air exercise held in Greece under the leadership of the Hellenic Air Force, as announced by @IAFsite on @X.

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  • Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nuh Yılmaz met with Ambassador of Greece to Türkiye Theodoros Bizakis, @MFATurkiye announced on @X.

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  • Greece, Cyprus, and Israel have resumed preparatory work on the Great Sea Interconnector, an undersea cable project to link their electrical grids, but Turkish officials have asserted that the project can’t go ahead without Turkish consent, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Greece will publish a tender for offshore hydrocarbon exploration by the end of April following an expression of interest from U.S. energy giant Chevron, Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said at the Delphi Economic Forum, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Athens Mayor @H_Doukas, speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum, stated that Athens hosted 8 million visitors in 2024 and is projected to receive 10 million tourists this year, as reported by @ToVimaCom.

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  • Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in his office on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X. @RepMikeLawler

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  • President Trump @POTUS reacted to @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis’ statements on U.S. tariffs, stating “I know him, he is a good man. I appreciate his comments. Yes, a deal can be made with any one of them. There will be fair deals with everybody,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • A nationwide strike will disrupt services across Greece today, including grounding all flights and halting all sea-faring vessels, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Greek Foreign Minister @NikosDendias met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Foreign Minister Michel Menassah today during his visit to Beirut, he announced on @X.

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  • Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in her office on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X. @YoungKimCA

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  • Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), regarding her introduction of H.R. 2510, stated “the counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus is an important one, and we must continue to improve and strengthen it.”

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  • The Hellenic Air Force is hosting a “large-scale multinational air exercise” to enhance skills and strengthen operational readiness, as announced by @NATO on @X.

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  • H.R.2510, a new bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, “envisions Cyprus and Greece as key operational platforms for regional training” and “expands existing military and security training programs” at Souda Bay and the Cypriot’ CYCLOPS, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

    The bill authorizes $5 million in FY2026 for the development of maritime security training infrastructure at Souda Bay, and an additional $5 million for expanding counterterrorism facilities and resources at the CYCLOPS training center, as reported by @PetrosKas.

    Τhe bill “also eliminates the remaining elements of the U.S. prohibition on arms sales to the Republic of Cyprus,” which “marks a major shift in US policy and shows growing trust in Cyprus as a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean,” as reported by @LenaArgiri.

    The bill authorizes increases for International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding over the next four years, specifically $4 million allocated to Israel and $1 million each to Greece and Cyprus, as reported by @PetrosKas.

    The American Hellenic Institute (AHI, @TheAHIinDC) initiated the bill and is helping to coordinate its passage on Capitol Hill, as reported by @LenaArgiri and @PetrosKas.

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  • Trump’s tariffs seem to be at Ankara’s “advantage” for now, as Türkiye was only hit with 10% tariffs as opposed to the EU’s 20% mark, Turkish Vice President @_CevdetYilmaz stated, as reported by @DailySabah.

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  • Multinational aeronautical military exercises titled “Noble Dina 2025” took place between March 19 and April 3, featuring personnel and equipment from the Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy, Israel, and the United States, as reported by @CyprusMail.

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  • Greek Prime Minister @KMitsotakis ruled out early elections, saying he would stay the course until 2027 elections, as reported by the @NationalHerald.

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  • Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis met with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels, @GreeceMFA announced on @X.

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  • Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in his office on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X. @RepDWStweets

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  • Greek @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis said Greece “will play a leading role within the European Union” in shaping their response to 20% U.S. tariffs, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Greece will spend €25 billion over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies, specifically around the planned “Achilles Shield” defense system, officials announced Wednesday, as reported by @AP.

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  • Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan met with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, in Brussels, @GreeceMFA announced on @X.

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  • The Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Loverdos, is visiting New Jersey and Philadelphia from April 3 to April 7, per an announcement of @GreeceMFA on @X.

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  • Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in his office on Capitol Hill, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X. @RepJoshG

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  • H.R.2510, a bipartisan bill to enhance maritime security and counterterrorism cooperation between the United States, Israel, Greece, and the Republic of Cyprus was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.

    The effort is led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ), and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).

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  • A survey by S&P Global showed Greece’s manufacturing sector experienced its most robust growth since April 2024 last month, driven by accelerated expansions in output, new orders, and employment, as reported by @Reuters.

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  • Greece will experience a nationwide 24-hour strike on April 9, which will include the Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association, meaning flights will be severely impacted throughout the day, as reported by multiple outlets.

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  • Rep. Rick McCormick (R-GA) met with Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika in his office on Capitol Hill today, as announced by @GreeceinUSA on @X. @RepMcCormick

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  • A powerful storm hit the Greek islands of Paros and Mykonos today, resulting in widespread flooding, closed schools, a ban on all traffic except emergency vehicles, as reported by @AP.

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  • Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) (@RepGregoryMeeks), Ranking Member of @HouseForeign, stated that “the F-35s will not go to Turkey. We’re going to make sure that Greece continues the strategic advance that it has,” as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Israeli President @Isaac_Herzog called @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis a “dear friend of Israel and the Jewish people” via a post on @X.

    “Greece and Israel are more than neighbors in the region, we are true friends and partners,” Israeli President @Isaac_Herzog stated on @X.

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  • Chevron’s investment in Greek maritime plots “demonstrates that Greece is recognized as an energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean,” @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis stated, as reported by @ToVimacom.

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  • Greece’s Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation announced a new €24 million program aimed at bolstering domestic production of UAVs intended for military, commercial and humanitarian applications, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • A meeting took place in Paris today between French President @EmmanuelMacron, @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis, Cypriot President Nikos @Christodulides, and @LBPresidency Joseph Aoun, as announced on @X.

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  • S.Res.141, a resolution recognizing the 204th anniversary of the Greek independence and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States, was passed and agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent on Wednesday.

    The effort was led by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). A total of 19 senators representing 16 states were cosponsors of S.Res.141.

    It was resolved that the Senate “appreciates the ever-stronger bilateral relationship [between the U.S. & Greece], based on shared values and interests” and “Greece’s critical role in ensuring regional stability.”

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  • Chevron has expressed a further interest in gas exploration off the island of Crete, which Greece has accepted, the Greek energy ministry announced this morning, as reported by @Reuters.

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  • Greek @PrimeMinisterGR Kyriakos Mitsotakis and @IsraeliPM Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Jerusalem on Sunday, as reported by @Reuters.

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  • U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) posted on @X to commemorate Greek Independence Day, calling attention to the contributions of Greek Americans who have “made our nation a stronger place.” @SenJackReed

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  • U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) posted on @X to commemorate Greek Independence Day, and called attention to the strong relationship between Greece and the United States. @SenatorShaheen

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  • “America is inextricably tied to both ancient and modern Greece. We are tethered by history and tradition, the struggle for self-governance, emancipation, and rebirth,” @POTUS proclaimed on the occasion of Greek Independence Day.

    “Greece is one of our Nation’s oldest friends, strategic partners, and a valued NATO ally,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

    “We appreciate the support of @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis in our economic and diplomatic partnership as we forge opportunities for collaboration in key sectors including energy, science, technology, shipping, logistics, and defense,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

    “The permanent presence of naval forces in @NSA_SoudaBay and bilateral training events enhance warfighting capabilities and reflect our mutual commitment to joint military cooperation as a cornerstone of security and stability in Europe,” continued the @POTUS proclamation.

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  • “We welcome Greece’s commitment to defense spending to modernize its armed forces, which strengthens our collective defense and deters threats to our shared security,” @SecRubio stated, as reported by @LenaArgiri.

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  • Greece is preparing to raise its monthly minimum wage from €830 to approximately €880, expected to take effect on April 1, 2025, pursuant to confirmation by the Council of Ministers, as reported by @ToVimacom.

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  • Greek government spokesman @PavlMarin announced that current conditions will make it difficult to hold the scheduled High Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Türkiye, reiterating that “curtailment of the Rule of Law cannot be tolerated,” as reported by @ToVimacom.

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  • Italian fintech giant ION proposed a plan for a €2 billion technology hub in Anavyssos, which is reported to host as many as 3,000 people and centralize ION’s R&D operations, per @DanieleLepido, @NikasSotiris, and @LCasiraghi for @Bloomberg.

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  • Registered unemployment in Greece is down 5.6% from February 2024, the Greek Public Employment Service announced, as reported by @HellenicNewsofA.

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  • At a Greek Heritage Celebration, @NYCMayor Eric Adams said “the spirit of the Greek people inspired the Western world when you rose up against the Ottoman Empire and continue to show you are resilient and you will never, never succumb to any form of tyranny,” the @NYCGov announced in a release.

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  • French Minister of Defence @SebLecornu is scheduled to visit Athens on April 14, as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Greek Prime Minister @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis called the @EU_Commission’s €800 billion defense proposal “a step in the right direction,” but stated that “we need to be more ambitious,” on the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels, as reported by @CNBC.

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  • Mayor of Athens @H_Doukas offered support to detained Mayor of Istanbul @Ekrem_Imamoglu, calling his arrest a “serious blow to democracy,” via an announcement on @X.

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  • The European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility announced Greece will receive €3.13 billion for 31 reforms and investments, including the upgrade of the electricity network and the simplification and digitalization of the public sector, @EcFin announced on @X.

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  • Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tasos Chatzivasiliou met with Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem today in Athens, @GreeceMFA announced on @X.

    Amsalem, who was accompanied by representatives from leading Israeli energy and infrastructure companies, stating that “we have come here with the most prominent development companies from my country in the fields of security, energy, and infrastructure,” as reported by @eKathimerini.

    The meeting took place 3 months after the signing of the Greece-Israel intergovernmental energy cooperation agreement last December. Amsalem stated that Israel “believes it is in the strategic interest of all our nations to establish an interconnection corridor linking Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and ultimately Europe,” as reported by @eKathimerini.

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  • Greek Minister of Defence @NikosDendias met with @USEmbassyAthens Charge d’Affaires Maria Olson at the @Hellenic_MOD today, he announced on @X. They discussed bilateral defense relations and the ways they could be further strengthened.

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  • Greek @PrimeMinisterGR @KMitsotakis spoke with @10DowningStreet Sir @Kier_Starmer via phone call earlier today.

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  • Earlier today, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan met on the sidelines of the Cyprus talks in Geneva.

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  • Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis emphasized the importance of keeping the Cyprus issue at the top of the @UN agenda. “The only solution is the reunification of the island,” he stated in Geneva.

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  • Introducing the Hellenic Wire: an automated stream of news developments pertaining to #Greece, #Cyprus, #Turkiye, and the #EastMed.

    Reviewed by experts. Powered by @TheAHIinDC.

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