Nikos Dendias

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has ordered the armed forces to be on standby as a new wave of bad weather hits Greece.

The Civil Protection Authority in central and northern Greece is also on standby for potential problems caused by the cold weather and strong winds expected in many parts of the country.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has called on Ankara to accept that Cyprus is an internationally recognized state, noting that the move would be a potential boon for Turkish Cypriots in view of the existence of energy resources off the island’s coast.

"In one hand Greece holds an olive branch but in the other it holds the sword of justice," said Greece's new Defense Minister Nikos Dendias as he was sworn in on Monday. The danger is, though, that Greece is bringing a sword to a gunfight. Within hours of Dendias taking over the role, the Turkish Navy corvette Buyukada was sailing in Greek waters, not far from Athens.

A Turkish navy corvette was spotted sailing in Greek waters in the early hours of Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the vessel was closely monitored until it re-entered Turkish territory.

Outgoing Development Minister Nikos Dendias submitted to Parliament on Monday a plan for dealing with billions of euros in non-performing loans (NPLs) held by Greek businesses, a long-awaited reform which still requires the approval of the troika.

Greece’s new defense and development ministers are due to be sworn in on Monday after a mini reshuffle caused by the departure of Dimitris Avramopoulos from his post at the Defense Ministry to become the EU's Home Affairs and Migration commissioner.

Nikos Dendias, 55, leaves the Development Ministry to replace Avramopoulos.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Friday appointed Nikos Dendias as defense minister, replacing outgoing Dimitris Avramopoulos, who assumes the European Commission’s immigration portfolio next week, with Costas Skrekas to take over Dendias’s spot at the helm of the Development Ministry.