State Department approves potential frigate sale to Greece, despite agreement with France

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Friday approved a pair of potential deals for frigate construction and modernization with Greece, as the Hellenic Navy navigates a complex effort to upgrade its surface fleet.

Greece has an ongoing competition for a three-part plan: upgrade its four Hydra-class MEKO 200 frigates; obtain an interim capability it can operate while the MEKOs are at the maintenance yard; and buy four new frigates. Additional objectives, as outlined to the U.S. Navy, were to involve the Greek industrial base and to increase interoperability with the U.S. as a NATO ally and frequent collaborator in the Mediterranean Sea and elsewhere.

Refugees in Lesbos await Pope to share their stories

Archbishop Josif Printezis highlights the significance of the Pope’s upcoming trip to Lesbos, noting that the camp he will be visiting is not the same as it was on his trip 6 years ago reports the Vatican news

Six years have passed since Pope Francis last visited the Greek island of Lesbos. Since then, according to Archbishop Josif Printezis, a lot of things have changed. Speaking to Francesca Sabatinelli, the Greek Archbishop notes that the conditions at the migrant camp are much better now than they were. It’s actually a new camp, he says, explaining that after Pope Francis visited back in 2016, it burnt down and a new one was built. 

The Pope visits Lesbos and meets with migrants and refugees at the island’s Mavrovouni refugee camp on Sunday, his penultimate day in Greece. 

A different reality

Another difference is that “now there are much fewer refugees”, says Archbishop Printezis. There were around 25,000 when the Pope came to visit, now there are around 2,500. This, he explained, is partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning many fewer refugees are travelling, “but also due to the agreement between the European Union and Turkey”. They are not being “sent over”, he explains. He also adds that the process of identification and asylum is much faster now, and people are getting their papers and moving to mainland Greece or to the continent. 

The agreement between Turkey and the EU was made in March 2016, EU Heads of State or Government and Turkey agreed to end the irregular migration from Turkey to the EU and replace it instead with legal channels of resettlement of refugees to the European Union.

The Pope’s concern

The Pope really is concerned for the situation surrounding migrants, said Archbishop Printezis. He is concerned about the many lives being lost, especially at sea, but he is also concerned about the situations that are causing the migration forcing people to leave their homes and their countries… about war.. about poverty. 

A significant visit

“We are looking forward to the Pope’s visit”, he says. It is a wonderful opportunity for us as such a “small Catholic community” to be able to meet the Pope, to have him visit, or even just to have him “think about us”. It is important that the Catholic people of Greece not feel left out, he continued, and for them to feel part of the bigger Catholic Church in the world. Pope Francis is very highly esteemed he concluded, by our Catholics, but also by the Orthodox.. “by everyone”, he says. “All people are very fond of him for all he says and all he does”.

90-Year-Old Greek Statue at Legion of Honor Vandalized, Pieces Missing in San Francisco

One of San Francisco’s oldest statues — a marbled Greek sculpture at Legion of Honor — was found without several parts this week, sparking calls for the return of the missing pieces by curators.

90-Year-Old Greek Statue at Legion of Honor Vandalized, Pieces Missing in San Francisco 3

Sometime before the weekend, criminals defaced a large statue at SF’s Legion of Honor museum, leaving the work of art severely damaged and missing several parts. According to ABC7, both art curators and members of the museum’s community are devastated by the actions taken by the vandals.

But what’s done has been done. Now, they just want those pieces returned so that the statue can be properly repaired.

“This is really sad, this is a loss to the museum and people of San Francisco because this is a piece of art that’s been vandalized wantonly,” said Legion of Honor European Arts and Sculpture Curator Martin Chapman in a statement published by the news outlet. Chapman added that vandals knocked the heads off the two sons of Greek God Laocoon, before sharing that part of his leg was also destroyed.

The museum has said that unfortunately, none of its exterior security cameras captured the vandalism in progress. But thankfully, other statues on the grounds — like Joan of Arc — were not targeted by the criminals.

Regardless, repairs to the damaged statues won’t be easy, especially without the recovered parts. Chapman hopes with the help of the community that the missing pieces can be found.

“What we would like to do is recover the missing parts most essential and restore the object,” said Chapman to ABC7. The curator has said that the SF police are not investigating the crime, as well.

The piece itself — a reproduction of a sculpture in the Vatican — was given to the museum in 1930. Presently, the Legion of Honor’s collection contains over 124,000 works that span the gamut of creative expression, from stone statues to oil paintings.

Six Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Greek

When visiting Greece it may be difficult for you to understand some of the cultural norms to follow during your stay in this beautiful country. To help you avoid embarrassing conversations and awkward situations, here’s a list of things to avoid saying to a Greek. You’re welcome!

Things you shouldn’t say in Greece

1. “Can I have some Turkish coffee?”

No, you may not. Truly, you never want to ask this question – not in a Greek’s home or in a cafeteria. Two reasons: first of all, it is Greek coffee and you will be told entire back story — so be sure to get comfy! Secondly, you’re in Greece — so again, it’s Greek coffee!

2. “Which way is the ocean?”

Greece is not located in the ocean! We have the Mediterranean Sea and it is divided into the other seas – the Ionian, Aegean and Cretan. If you have ever been to an island in the ocean you know there are huge waves. In Greece we are very proud of our beautiful, relatively calm blue seas, which are perfect for swimming, sailing and water sports.

3. “Where is the Pantheon”?

Wrong country. You mean the Parthenon. For Greeks, history and historical ruins are an interwoven part of culture and society. So before you come to Greece looking for the Pantheon — an Ancient Roman building located in Rome — please do a Google search!

4. “Can you teach me something to say in Greek?”

This is a bad question to ask, as many Greeks get a kick out of telling foreigners to try out the almost impossible to say, tongue-twisting word describing an ancient Greek festival dish invented by Aristophanes. Go on, try it and see how you do! It’s “Lopathotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimipotrimmatosiliphiokaravomelitokatakechimenokichlepikossiphophttoperisteralektruonoptokefalliokiglopeleiolagoosiraiovafitraganopterugon.”

5. “Here’s my address, look me up if you come to my country.”

Don’t say this unless you actually mean it! If you give your address to a Greek it is pretty much a given that if they are ever visiting your country, they will look you up. Greeks are known for their hospitality and after having welcomed you into their country, or island, or village, they will assume that you wish to do the same.

6. “Istanbul.”

Greeks still call this city Konstantinopoli. Nothing bad is going to happen to you if you call it Istanbul, but it’s a really sensitive subject for many Greeks for several reasons.

In fact, if you buy a plane ticket from Greece to go to Istanbul, you will find that it says Konstantinopoli in Greek.

Even the on the news, reporters refer to Istanbul as Konstantinopoli. Here’s why: The city is not only steeped in Greek history, it is also because of its deep religious ties. Konstantinopoli means “City of Constantine,” and was named after the Byzantine emperor who established the city as the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire.

The Ottomans took over the city in 1453 and its name was officially changed to Istanbul in the beginning of the last century. Actually even this name means “to the city” — meaning Constantinople — but that’s a story for another day.

 

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Cyprus

The island of Cyprus has long been known for the exquisite beaches which line the country’s beautiful shores.

Cyprus, located at the edge of Europe in the eastern Mediterranean, is also home to an ancient history dating back millennia.

The remnants of the country’s prominence in antiquity are found throughout the island, which has been politically divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, taking almost half the island.

 

Currently, the southern part of the island, called the Republic of Cyprus, is recognized internationally and is home to the country’s Greek Cypriot population.

Occupied Cyprus, a puppet state which is recognized only by Turkey amongst all the nations of the world, is home to the island’s Turkish Cypriot minority, as well as Turkish settlers brought to the country after the invasion.

While all of the beaches on the island are of exceptional quality, as Cyprus has some of the cleanest swimming waters in Europe, there are a few stunning destinations that stand out among the rest.

Fig Tree Beach is one of the most popular beaches in all of Cyprus. Located in the popular resort town of Protaras, Fig Tree has some of the clearest, most sparkling waters in the Mediterranean.

Due to its soft, golden sand and crystalline waters, which have been awarded a Blue Flag, Fig Tree Beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, particularly on weekends during the summer.

Although the beach is situated in the middle of Protaras, which is full of restaurants, bars,  shops, and hotels, Fig Tree is a slice of paradise and natural beauty amidst the bustle of tourists.

The beach features a small islet that visitors can easily swim to, and it is lined by fig trees, imbuing the beach with the lovely summertime scent of ripening figs.

Entrance into the beach is free, but there is a small fee for sunbeds and umbrellas. There are cafes and bars nearby to purchase food and drinks.

Nissi Beach

Located in Cyprus’ other prominent resort town Agia Napa, Nissi Beach has long stretches of light sand and light blue water so clear that it’s almost unbelievable.

Just like Fig Tree, Nissi Beach is an extremely popular Blue Flag-awarded beach for both Cypriots and tourists. On the weekends during the summer, the many sunbeds lining the shore fill up pretty quickly.

While some may worry about the crowds at Nissi Beach, the sheer length of the shoreline means that even with many visitors, you can find a spot away from other people.

Nissi Beach is known for its transparent, sparkling waters that stretch out to a small island, or “nisi,” in Greek, from which the beach got its name. As the water is relatively shallow, visitors can easily reach the island by foot.

The beach is also a popular spot after dark, as it features the famous Nissi Beach Bar, which offers drinks and live DJ sets throughout the summer.

Latsi Beach

 

Latsi Beach is located in the region of Paphos in Cyprus, but it is closer to the town of Polis Chrysochous. Unlike Fig Tree and Nissi Beach, Latsi Beach is less well-known and does not attract the same number of tourists.

In fact, the beautiful strand, which has a mix of golden sand and pebbles and deep blue waters, has been ranked one of the best “secret beaches” in Europe.

This is the perfect spot for those looking to escape the crowds and embrace the natural beauty of Cyprus.

While many of the gorgeous beaches in resort areas like Protaras and Agia Napa are lined with apartments and hotels, Latsi is surrounded by dramatic mountains.

Konnos Beach

Konnos Beach is another great choice for those looking to avoid the more “touristy” areas.

Relatively unknown to most visitors to the island, Konnos is situated in a small bay, protecting its shores from waves and providing the beach with a peaceful atmosphere.

The water at Konnos is bright blue and entirely clear, and the sand is soft and golden.

Like Latsi, the area surrounding the beach is almost entirely natural, with only one hotel located on the hill above the beach and a small cafe hidden in the brush next to the beach.

Visitors can relax on sunbeds for a small fee, and pick up a coffee or snack from the cafe nearby.

Aphrodite’s Rock, or the Rock of the Greek

Petra tou Romiou, also known as the Rock of the Greek or Aphrodite’s Rock, is the official birthplace of the Greek goddess of love.

According to myth, Aphrodite was born out of the sea foam near this very rock. For this reason, the goddess is often linked to the island of Cyprus in ancient mythology.

Currently, visitors can take a dip in the blue waters near the rock, which is located on the road toward Paphos.

While the water is beautiful, it can be rough near the rock, so tourists are advised against swimming there on windy days, or if they are not strong swimmers.

There are no sunbeds or umbrellas at the beach, so be prepared with your own beach accessories. There is a restaurant and hotel nearby, but they are not located on the beach.

Greek Students Triumph in World Robotics Olympiad

The Greek national Robotics team recently won three medals in the Robotics Olympiad, held between June and September. The “First Global Challenge Team Greece” won one gold, one silver and one bronze medals.

The Robotics Olympiad First Global Challenge called “Discover and Recover 2021” was held from June 27 to September 25, 2021. It was conducted remotely, due to the pandemic restrictions. The First Global Challenge Robotics Olympiad is a robotics, science and technology event.

Countries rush to buy Merck, Pfizer’s experimental Covid-19 pills

Merck & Co Inc has signed nine deals to sell more than about 3 million courses in total of its experimental Covid-19 pill molnupiravir to governments around the world as nations scramble to tame the pandemic.

Unvaccinated Teachers Must Show Negative Tests to Enter Schools in Greece

the development of wine tourism

Greece Extends Covid 19 Rules

 

Travel rules for international arrivals

The HCAA’s update for its Covid-19 aviation directives extends travel rules for passengers and restrictions for all international flights until Monday, June 21, at 6 am.

Who is allowed entry to Greece

People traveling for essential reasons and travelers from the following countries* are allowed to enter Greece – provided they have the required documentation – without the requirement for subsequent self-isolation: EU & Schengen Area countries, Australia, Northern Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, New Zealand, South Korea, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.

* Regulations concerning countries on the admission list are subject to change by the Greek authorities, when renewed assessments are made based on epidemiological data from country of origin.

Entry requirements

Greece will allow entrance to travelers that have filled out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) one day before travel. The PLF is mandatory and must be filled out by all travelers, regardless of their nationality.

Passengers from abroad must also have one of the following:

1. a vaccination certificate, stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19. Vaccination certificates must be issued by a public authority and in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. The name on the vaccination certificate must match the name on the passport and also include, the type of vaccine administered, the number of doses and the dates they were administered.

2. a negative PCR or rapid antigen test (in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian) performed less than 72 hours. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)

 

3. a recovery certificate (in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian) stating that one has recovered from the coronavirus in the past 9 months. This can be proven through a certificate of recovery issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)

4. a Digital COVID Certificate in digital or print form which will contain information on whether passengers have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a negative PCR/rapid test result or have recovered from the virus.

Important for travelers from Montenegro

Permanent residents from Montenegro are allowed to enter Greece with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel.

Non-EU citizens are strongly advised to choose direct flights to Greece. In any other case, travelers should abide by the stop-over country requirements.

 

Rapid testing on arrival

Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms). If a passenger is selected for a rapid test and is positive for the coronavirus then he/she must quarantine for a total of:

– 7 days, if he/she has been vaccinated against Covid-19
– 10 days, if he/she has not been vaccinated.

In both cases, passengers will have to take a PCR test on the last day of their quarantine. If the test is negative the mandatory quarantine ends.

 

Rules for domestic air travel to the Greek islands

 

According to the HCAA’s updated aviation directive (NOTAM), people in Greece (residents and foreign visitors) are allowed to travel to the Greek islands by airplane only if they have one of the following:

– a vaccination certificate stating that 14 days have passed since full vaccination for Covid-19.
Greeks can issue their vaccination certificates here.
Foreigners are obliged to have a vaccination certificate in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russia. The vaccination certificate must be issued by a public authority, include the travelers’ name, the type of vaccine administered and the number of doses.

– a negative PCR test performed less than three days (72 hours) prior to the scheduled travel date. Foreigners must have a negative test in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)
Negative PCR test results can be in print or electronic form.

– a negative rapid antigen test taken 24 hours prior to travel. Foreigners must have a negative test in one of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian.  (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)
Negative rapid test results can be in print or electronic form.

– a negative self-test taken 24 hours prior to travel.
The self-test declaration form to certify a negative result is available in Greek and English here. Travelers must print it out and present it when requested at the airport. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)

– a recovery certificate stating that one has recovered from the coronavirus in the past 9 months. This can be proven through a certificate of recovery issued by a public authority or a certified laboratory. (The rule is in force for children over the age of 6.)

According to the HCAA, tests (PCR and rapid) that have been carried out abroad and are valid at the time of boarding a domestic flight in Greece will be accepted under the same conditions under which they were accepted to allow entrance to Greece.

The staff of airline companies are responsible to check that passengers are carrying the required documentation during boarding.

The updated aviation directive concerning the rules to fly domestic to the Greek islands will be in force until Monday, June 21, at 6am.

Greece’s aviation directives are part of the Greek government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

Travelers in need of information regarding specific details on the travel rules for passengers of international and domestic flights are recommended to contact their embassy, airline or the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.