Member states of the United Nations

Turkish and Greek military representatives have come together as part of a de-confliction mechanism launched by NATO, a week before the much-anticipated exploratory talks for the resolution of the problems stemming from the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

Greece ranks fourth among the most popular destinations for Europeans planning their holidays, according to a report commissioned by the European Union that has not yet been published in its entirety.

The survey shows Greece has climbed one place in the top 10, leapfrogging over Germany among the preferred destinations for Europeans for 2021.

As of today, 14 January 2021, Serbia has waived the requirement for Bulgarian citizens and all arrivals from Bulgaria to Serbia to present a negative PCR test result on entry into the country.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio in Rome Wednesday.

Despite the positive atmosphere of the meeting, Dendias expressed Athens' disappointment over Rome's stance at the recent European Council on the issue of sanctions against Turkey.

Exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece will restart in Istanbul two weeks from Jan. 11, Turkey has announced.

"The 61st round of the Exploratory Talks will take place in Istanbul on 25 January 2021," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday thanked the Portuguese government and coast guard for their contribution in guarding Greece and Europe's eastern sea border in the Aegean.

Gulf leaders signed a "solidarity and stability" deal on Jan. 5 after the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar publicly embraced, bringing Doha back into the regional fold after a three-year rift.

Saudi Arabia will reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar, U.S. and Kuwaiti officials said on Jan. 4, a major step towards ending a diplomatic rift that has seen Riyadh lead an alliance isolating Doha.

Turkey on Jan. 4 welcomed the end of a nearly three-year feud between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as the two countries have agreed to reopen their airspace and borders.

"We welcome the agreement made to open land, sea, and air borders between Qatar and Saudi Arabia as of tonight," said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

Greek-Turkish relations were precarious in 2020 and the fact that an "accident" or military engagement was avoided is important. The new year may bring big developments in Greek-Turkish relations but also on the Cyprus issue.