International organizations

French President Emmanuel Macron has defended his recent comments on Taiwan, in which he said France should not be drawn into an escalation between the US and China, the BBC reported.

Macron made the comments in an interview over the weekend following his three-day state visit to China. He also said that being an ally of the US does not mean being a "vassal".

The Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) has upwardly revised its forecast for Greece's growth in 2023 to 2.4%, from 1.4% three months ago, following a general trend after statistical agency ELSTAT's positive data for a growth rate of 5.9% in 2022.

Italy will push for a law imposing stiff, five-figure fines on vandals who damage monuments or other cultural sites, to help pay for the repairs and clean-up.

At a Cabinet meeting on April 11, the government approved proposed legislation championed by the culture minister that would impose fines starting at 10,000 euros (nearly $11,000) and as high as 60,000 euros (about $65,000).

Laurence Boone, France's minister of state for European affairs, expresses Paris' satisfaction at the lowering of Greek-Turkish tensions. Speaking to Kathimerini, she praises the Greek response to the earthquakes in Turkey and confirms France's abiding interest in the Mediterranean.

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Wednesday signed a Joint Action Plan in targeted areas of tourism with the US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, following the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the two countries.

The signing was held in a special event that took place at the National Gallery.

Greece said Tuesday it would welcome expanded cooperation with Turkey after both countries hold elections next month ‒ including on energy issues that have been at the heart of decades-old disputes.

Italy's right-wing government on Tuesday declared a six-month national state of emergency to help it cope with a surge in migrants arriving on the country's southern shores.

State TV said a special commissioner was expected to be named. Initial funding of 5 million euros (nearly $5.5 million) was also approved as part of the measure approved by Premier Giorgia Meloni and her Cabinet.

The port of Volos could potentially play a pivotal role in the maritime transport of Greece and part of the Balkan Peninsula, thanks to its geographical position and its proximity to existing and developing road and rail infrastructures.

"If we differ on the most existential of issues, it will be hard to cooperate on other fronts," summarises Andrzej Sadecki, head of the Central Europe team and a Hungary specialist at OSW, the Warsaw-based Center for Eastern Studies.

The "tourism model" pursued on Mykonos is an embarrassment for the state. But it is also a valuable sign from the future. It shows what might happen to Greece's natural and cultural wealth if we only chase after "record" years. 

It has happened to other countries before us that allowed whole regions to turn into seasonal entertainment venues.