President Sakellaropoulou: Greece “Returns to Normalcy”

“Greece is gradually and carefully returning to normalcy, along with the rapid expansion of (its) vaccination program,” President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Monday.

In her opening address to the Delphi Economic Forum (DEF), she pointed out that this year’s forum was dedicated to the bicentennial of the 1821 Greek Revolution, which led to the foundation of the modern Greek state.

The Forum was not being held in its “natural surroundings,” as it usually is, in Delphi, but in a hybrid fashion due to the pandemic, with some events held online but also a significant number of speakers attending in person.

“This, therefore, marks the start of the exit from conditions of forced restriction imposed by the pandemic,” Sakellaropoulou noted.

She remarked that the year was a double anniversary for Greece, which was not only celebrating the second century of its independence but also its fourth decade as a member of the European Union, which it joined in 1981.

“These two anniversaries come together to form a single historical narrative,” she added.

Referring to the narrative of modern, European Greece, which inspired younger generations of philhellenes to link their lives to Greece and to love what the country stood for, she said that Greece was a nation devoted to international legality and the works of peace; it had gone through a great deal but had always “stood on the right side of history.

“A robust, liberal democracy that has gone through terrible crises but withstood and emerged even stronger. An economy that was greatly tested but adapted, reformed and is making a leap to a digital and green transition, aspiring to become an international destination for investments,” Sakellaropoulou said.

Delphi Economic Forum shapes agenda in Greece

Heads of state, policymakers, academics and business leaders from around the globe are participating in the Delphi Economic Forum (DEF) which kicked off at the Zappeion Megaron in Athens.

The conference, which features a roster of current and former national leaders, will include a keynote speech by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and an address by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The DEF 2021 will feature eight thematic pillars: Greek Revolution Bicentennial: 1821-2021; Geopolitics & International Security; Global Economy; the Future of Europe; Sustainability and Climate Change; People, Organizations and Society; Technology and the Future of Growth; and Greece: Structural Reforms and Sustainable Growth.

Other speakers throughout the week include Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia, Zuzana Čaputová, President of the Slovak Republic, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Albert Bourla, CEO Pfizer and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President Greece 2021 Committee.

For a full list of speakers, please click here.

Delphi Economic Forum is a nonprofit, member-driven organization, committed to deliver and promote innovative ideas for sustainable and competitive growth for Europe and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.

It engages political, economic, business, academic, and other thought leaders in an effort to address emerging challenges, influence the national and regional agendas and promote sustainable and socially responsible growth policies for Europe, the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Greece.

 

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Greece Recovery Fund Amount for 2021 Doubled by EU

The European Union’s Recovery and Resilience fund will give Greece 7.5 billion euros ($9.1 billion) in 2021, which is almost double the amount Greece initially expected to receive.

Alex Patelis, the chief economic adviser to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a statement at the Athens Stock Exchange’s annual investment forum announcing the increase: “We now expect some 7.5 billion euros, up from an initial 4 billion euros.”

Greece plans on using the funds to aid in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the lingering effects of the debt crisis. This aid is part of a six year national recovery plan that Greece submitted to the EU, known as ‘Greece 2.0.’ The amount that has been doubled is the first year of funding.

The Top Five Most Beautiful Beaches on Evia, Greece

Evia is known for stunning beaches and pristine natural sites. The second-largest island in Greece, Evia is located just a short drive away from Athens, making it the perfect spot for a quick getaway.

The heat index has spiked in the past few days all over the country, and Greek summer is here, bringing with it all that the country is known for, including fresh fish, all-day swimming in deep blue seas, and cocktails all night long.

Evia offers many less expensive vacation opportunities for those looking to escape the heat on a budget, and it is full of stunning beaches. Its capital, Chalkida, has more than eight beaches surrounding it.

What’s better, or more “summery,” than a city where locals walk around with their swimsuits on, carrying their beach towels as they head for the closest beach?

With so many beaches to choose from, travelers may be a bit overwhelmed while trying to pick the perfect spot to visit.

While all the beaches on Evia are beautiful, some stand out from the rest.

Koufonisia Islands: The Hidden Greek Paradise

The islands of Koufonisia have often been described as the hidden paradise of Greece and they remain a top destination for both Greek and foreign tourists.

Koufonisia is a group of islands belonging to the East Cyclades archipelago, consisting of Pano Koufonisi (Upper Koufonisi) and Kato Koufonisi (Lower Koufonisi).

These idyllic isles are known their calm beaches with golden sand and turquoise waters, their many natural pools and the magnificent sea caves.

Bank of Greece: Financial System Remained Resilient Through Pandemic

The Greek financial system remained strong throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bank of Greece stated in its report called the Financial Stability Review, which was released on Thursday.

Greece’s financial realm managed to weather the economic turmoil brought about by the pandemic and the two lockdowns that were imposed in the country, despite concerns over its strength, it noted.

While Greece’s economy has proven resilient, it did suffer a major recession in 2020 due to the pandemic, much like almost all other countries around the world.

How to Get a Greek COVID Vaccine Passport for Travel

Greece has published recently all the necessary information for those wishing to obtain their COVID Vaccine Passport for travel purposes.

Greece was the first EU country to implement the COVID Vaccine Passport, having already gone through a testing phase and prepared a fully-operational online platform for it. PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the very first national leader to promote the idea back in January of 2021.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Health, it was revealed that for the passport to be issued, those obtaining it must hold a Greek identity card that contains the holder’s details in Latin characters or a general travelling passport.

The EU Digital Passport can be obtained by Greek citizens as long as they provide proof that they meet one of the following statements:

New Coronavirus Cases in Greece Almost Halved on Sunday

Greece’s  new coronavirus cases number 248 on Sunday, which marks 146 fewer instances of the virus than the 394 cases that had been recorded on Saturday.

Coronavirus figures in Greece decrease

Massachusetts Greek Orthodox Parish Wipes

Massachusetts Greek Orthodox Parish Wipes Out $3.5 Million Dollars of Medical Debt for Needy Families

World Famous Samaria gorge opens to public

The famous Samaria Gorge in southwestern Crete will reopen for visitors from 7 a.m. on Saturday.

Trekkers entering the 16-km-long gorge, which stretches from Xyloskalo to Aghia Roumeli, will have to wear face masks and follow the health protocols presented at the entrance.

“The Samaria Gorge is a unique natural ecosystem of great beauty, and its crossing is a complicated and lengthy process,” the announcement said, urging visitors to respect health rules.

Visitors from all over the world attempt trekking at this gorge. In 1962, Samaria Gorge had been declared a National Park to survive the endangered species kri-kri, the rare Cretan wild goat that lives only in Samaria. Apart from the kri-kri, many other endemic and rare species of flora and fauna live in this gorge.  A small village used to be there, Samaria village, but all its inhabitants abandoned it in 1962 to gorge a national park. The town and the canyon were named after the church of Santa Maria that is found inside the valley.

Greek Coffee could be key to living longer

A cup of Greek coffee a day, which is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants and contains only a moderate amount of caffeine, could just be the key to living a longer life.

American scientists have just unearthed fresh evidence that coffee exerts protective effects against heart failure and stroke. According to the researchers, for every extra cup of coffee drunk per week, there was a 7% reduction in risk of heart failure and an 8% risk reduction for stroke.