Nikos Panagiotopoulos

Greece's ministers for Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias are on Tuesday to brief lawmakers on the situation at the country's northeastern land border with Turkey.

The Greek naval training exercise "Kataigida '20" that was originally scheduled to begin on Monday was postponed until further notice over the weekend due to concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and, reportedly, as part of a bid to find a balance in Greek-Turkish relations.

Ankara on Monday attempted to present its stance in the Aegean as part of "routine" operations after Sunday's harassment by Turkish jets of the helicopter that was transporting Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA) Konstantinos Floros to military posts on Oinousses and Panagia, Agathonisi and Farmakonisi.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos urged the country's NATO allies to contribute more to efforts for defending the country's sea border against migrant flows from Turkey amid rumors of a new planned push from the neighboring country.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos will on Wednesday take part in the NATO defense ministers teleconference to discuss the alliance's response to the Covid-19 crisis.

As well as ensuring the safety of allied troops and personnel, NATO is coordinating military support to allies in response to the pandemic.

Greece will remain on high alert on land and on the islands over the Easter holidays in case Turkey suddenly decides to escalate tensions, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said Tuesday.

Greece will not extend its suspension of asylum applications, the government said Monday, vowing however to tighten up security at the borders.

The country announced a one-month block on new claims on March 1 after Turkey "opened the doors" for migrants to travel to the European Union. 

Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis on Monday joined his Defense counterpart Nikos Panagiotopoulos on a visit to the Greek-Turkish border area of Evros, where they stressed that despite the departure of thousands of migrants and refugees from the Kastanies crossing, the "state of emergency" is not over.

Greek authorities believe Turkish authorities are starting to evacuate the migrants sent to the border in the northeastern Evros region to try to cross into Europe.

Shortly after midnight on Thursday, migrants who have been camping out on the Turkish side of the fence collected their tents and other objects and set them on fire inside the forest of Kastanies.

In her first visit to the Defense Ministry on Tuesday, Greece's new President Katerina Sakellaropoulou underlined the crucial role of the armed forces in protecting the country's territorial integrity and averting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.