Latest News from Greece
Police record 1,795 lockdown violations in two days
The Hellenic Police (ELAS) announced on Wednesday that on Tuesday they recorded 1,631 violations of a lockdown imposed by the government on Monday to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In all cases, officers imposed a fine of 150 euros on offenders.
A total of 1,795 violations were recorded on Monday and Tuesday, ELAS said.
Community in northern Greece placed in lockdown due to Covid-19
The village community of Echinos in the regional unit of Thrace, northern Greece, was placed on lockdown as of Wednesday afternoon after health authorities recorded an unusually high number of coronavirus infections.
Coronavirus cases rise to 821 with 78 new infections, death toll up to 22
Greece's Health Ministry representative Sotiris Tsiodras announced 78 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the new total number to 821.
The death toll has risen to 22 with two new deaths, he said.
Of the 134 people in hospital, 53 of are in intensive care, Tsiodras said, adding that 36 patients have recovered.
Marinakis stresses need for national unity on Greek Independence Day
Olympiacos FC chief Evangelos Marinakis stressed the importance of national unity at a critical juncture in the nation's history at which it faces multiple tough challenges.
In a message marking the celebration of Greek Independence Day, which is also his name day, Marinakis expressed confidence that Greece will emerge victorious from the Coronavirus pandemic.
On Independence Day Mitsotakis stresses public health battle, economic trials
Greece's current struggle is one of keeping Greece strong and Greeks healthy, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his Greek Independence Day message.
Pompeo: Alliance with Greece ‘stronger and more important than ever’
"Shared values and democratic ideas" inspired US and Greece to struggle for independence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a message marking Greece's uprising against the Ottoman empire, adding that the alliance between Athens and Washington is "stronger and more important than ever."
Presidents Rumen Radev and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Under Conditions of Crisis, Solidarity Should not Remain only in Words
Under conditions of crisis, European solidarity should not remain only in words. The quick coping with the situation created by the coronavirus in Europe requires that the European institutions and member states should pool joint efforts. This was the common stance adopted by the Presidents of Bulgaria and Portugal, Rumen Radev and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who held a telephone conversation.
Athens says Ankara undermining peace in the Aegean, East Med
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Greece accused Turkey of undermining stability in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece marks 1821 War of Independence
Four Mirage-2000 fighter jets and six helicopters of the Hellenic Armed Forces flew over Athens on Wednesday as Greece marked the anniversary of its war of independence against Ottoman rule. The annual parades were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Tsipras cautions Turkey over provocations, urges ‘bold decisions’ on coronavirus
In a message on the anniversary of the 1821 uprising against Ottoman rule, leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras issued a call for unity in the face of Turkish provocations against Greece's territorial integrity.
Turkish jets fly over Greek island of Ro
A pair of Turkish F-16 fighter jets flew over Greece's southeastern Aegean island of Ro on Wednesday without authorization.
According to an announcement from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), the pair of jets flew over the tiny islet near Kastellorizo at 9.25 a.m. and 9.28 a.m. at an altitude of 14,000 and 13,500 feet respectively.
AHI chief urges US government to keep engaged on border crisis
American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis has written to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo out of concern the international community will lose its focus on "Turkey's propensity to cause instability in the region" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Greek PM delivers message of unity on anniversary
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the country's war of independence against Ottoman rule sending a message of unity and resilience in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"The enemy is now the pandemic and against it we will parade our strength and unity," Mitsotakis said.
US President hails bonds with Greece
President Donald Trump has highlighted strengthened defense and security cooperation between the United States and Greece saying that close partnership between the two NATO allies promotes Washington's interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Western Balkans.
Greece Ramps up Restrictions but Faces Criticism over Coronavirus Response
That same day, the health ministry called for trained doctors and nurses, not currently working, to volunteer. Documents seen by BIRN suggest the ministry is organising fast-track training in triage and intubation in regional hospitals.