President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou during her meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Presidential Mansion. (Photo by Eurokinissi/ Michalis Karagiannnis)
ATHENS — "It is of the utmost importance that the message to Ankara is absolutely clear; Easy to read and not ambiguous," President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Tuesday during her meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Presidential Mansion.
Sakellaropoulou pointed out that "the only acceptable path is that of international legitimacy and cooperation with all its neighbouring countries, within the framework of the rules of international law and the principles of good neighbourliness."
She also reminded him that Greece has recently experienced a particularly intense escalation of tension, due to Turkey's delinquent and hostile actions.
"Greece's calm and decisive stance has led Turkey to a first step of de-escalation and thus the way is now open for the resumption of exploratory contacts between the two countries without the use of force. It has also contributed to the NATO initiative for an accident-prevention mechanism in the Eastern Mediterranean," Sakellaropoulou said.
In the same context, the Greek President stated that "Greece has repeatedly stressed that it seeks dialogue with all countries, without exception, in our region. But the continuation will depend on the degree of sincerity and the intentions of the Turkish side."
On his part, Stoltenberg thanked the President for her warm welcome and pointed out that Greece is a valuable partner, giving thanks for its significant participation and contribution, which – as he noted – "is appreciated by all of us."
As he said, Greece is involved in various NATO missions and operations, from Afghanistan to Kosovo, with its aircraft maintaining security over Montenegro and the Greek naval involvement being an important part of NATO's naval order.
Stoltenberg also praised Greece for meeting the target of spending more than 2 pct of GDP on defence spending for successive years.
He said that he was aware of the challenges facing Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean, while expressing his pleasure at the creation of a bilateral mechanism to avoid these crises. He explained that this mechanism will reduce the risk of accidents or incidents and, if any do occur, will contain their consequences."
Finally, he stated that he is convinced that this mechanism will also contribute to the talks, which will be held at the diplomatic level to resolve the underlying issue. "And I am confident that these differences can be resolved peacefully on the basis of negotiations based on international law and solidarity between NATO member-states," he said.
ATHENS - The Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed "its deep regret" over the Russian government's decision on Monday to expel eight staff members of the Greek embassy and the consulate in Moscow as personae non gratae.
FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.
PHILADELPHIA – The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley announced that the Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece will be participating in the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade on March 20.
O oceanic you sing and sail
White on your body and yellow on your chimeneas
For you're tired of the filthy waters of the harbors
You who loved the distant Sporades
You who lifted the tallest flags
You who sail clear through the most dangerous caves
Hail to you who let yourself be charmed by the sirens
Hail to you for never having been afraid of the Symplegades
(Andreas Empeirikos)
What traveler has not been fascinated by the Greek islands, drawn by the Sirens’ song of a traveler’s dreams?
TNH and our video show ‘Mission’ marked the change of the season by transporting viewers into the heart of summer.
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