ECB’s decision on Greek bonds a “message of confidence”, says Greece

A decision taken by the European Central Bank on Greece is a strong message of confidence and a signal of acknowledging the progress made by our country, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said on Friday, commenting on an ECB’s decision on Greek bonds.

The European Central Bank will offer threefold support to Greece after the end of the extraordinary quantitative easing program (PEPP) in March, and despite Greece’s exclusion from the conventional QE program (APP). Frankfurt will reserve the option of purchasing Greek bonds worth at least 20 billion euros and therefore cover the Greek state’s issuing activity.

That support will come through the extension of the bond reinvestment period, the flexibility that the reinvestment will have, and the possibility of reactivating the PEPP if required. Importantly, all ECB Governing Council members were in favor of that support to Greece, thanks to the systematic work by all Bank of Greece officials involved over the last six months.

“This is a very strong signal for Greece,” said ECB chief Christine Lagarde at a press conference, noting that the country “has clearly recorded great progress, especially at the front of reforms, and its credit rating has improved considerably.”

Staikouras stressed that this decision and the comments made by ECB’s president added to the chain of recent reports by partners, institutions and credit rating companies, which all certified that the country was moving towards the right direction and that its economic policy and the sacrifices of the citizens were bearing fruit.

He stressed, however, that the government and its economic team have no room for complacency that it will continue implementing reforms, and a prudent fiscal policy.

The FinMin noted that that the government and the economic team are working with a plan and with determination and confidence to further strenthen the country and to obtain, the soonest possible, the investment grade.

 

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”.

Pope Francis arrived in Lesvos

At just a few minutes after 10:00AM, the plane carrying Pope Francis to Lesvos landed at Mytilene airport.

Pope Francis will visit refugees in the “Welcome Center and Authentication” at Kara Tepe.

The President of the Republic, who arrived on the island half an hour earlier, will accompany the Primate of the Roman Catholic Church during his visit.

The two of them had a short conversation upon his arrival, while Metropolitan Iakovos welcomed him to the island.

The Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schoinas, and the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi, will also be in Kara Tepe.

The Pope will stay for about an hour at the “Reception and Identification Center” and at 12:15 he will leave Lesvos for Athens.

At 16:45 he will perform a Divine Liturgy at the Athens Concert Hall.

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.

Uni graduates seeking vocational training

An increasing number of university graduates have turned in recent years, amid the financial crisis and high unemployment, to studies offered by vocational training institutes (IEK), which had hitherto been relatively shunned. 

State Department Appoints Officials to Address Havana Syndrome

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the Biden Administration has appointed two officials to direct the State Department’s investigation into cases of Havana Syndrome.

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.

Words of Wisdom from Ancient Greek Philosophers Featured in App

The “Greek Philosopher” app gathers more than six hundred of the most profound words of wisdom from the major schools of ancient Greek thought — and delivers them straight to you on your mobile device.

Based on original sources, this work is a compilation of carefully-selected quotes of ancient Greek philosophy spanning from the sixth century BC to the first

Thinkers from the Greek schools of Stoicism, Cynicism and Epicureanism are among the thirty-six Greek philosophers featured in the app.

Ancient Greek philosophy

Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early third century BC, who was greatly inspired by the teachings of Socrates. Stoicism is a philosophy of ethics, with or without a belief in God.

According to its teachings, the path to Eudaimonia (i.e. happiness, fulfillment, flourishing) for humans is found in fully accepting the moment as it presents itself; by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or fear of pain, by using reason to understand the world, and by treating others fairly.

According to Cynicism, social values, material goods and luxuries kept man away from true happiness — which can only be found by living in the simplicity of nature.

Epicureanism refers to a way of life that encourages its adherents to seek modest, sustainable pleasure in the form of a state of ataraxia (tranquility and freedom from fear) through knowledge of the workings of the world, and limiting their desires.

 

 

Economic Freedom in Greece Improving, Albeit Slowly

Greece has made its way up four positions in the Global Economic Freedom Index since 2019, but this movement establishes the country in just the 78th place out of 165, according to the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World annual report.

The report was released on Tuesday in Greece and Cyprus by the Center for Liberal Studies.

Anti-vax teachers to face salary cut, suspension

Educators who refuse to be vaccinated or to undergo regular testing for Covid-19 before going back to class will face a salary cut and other disciplinary measures under a joint ministerial decision that is currently in the pipeline, Kathimerini understands.