Prokopis Pavlopoulos

The leftist opposition party Monday criticized the conservative administration for failing to nominate a candidate for Greece's presidential elections next year.
Incumbent Prokopis Pavlopoulos' term officially expires on February 15. SYRIZA has said it will back Pavlopoulos, a conservative, if he is nominated by ruling New Democracy.

The civil funeral of prominent composer and former culture minister Thanos Mikroutsikos was held Monday at the First Cemetery of Athens.
He died of cardiac arrest at the capital's Metropolitan Hospital on Saturday after a long bout with cancer. He was 72.

"I am 110% Greek," Tom Hanks said some time ago and now it is official

Upon the initiative of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had met him in the past, Hanks and his family will receive honorary citizenship and the decision was signed today by President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

It is considered a particular and rare honour in most countries.

Tensions in Greek-Turkish relations may influence Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' choice for President of the Republic by selecting a politician, instead of a non-political figure, sources close to the premier have said.
The final choice of candidate is expected to be announced near the end of January 2020.

With that meeting, Vucic ended his two-day official visit to Greece.
Vucic and Tsipras cooperated while Tsipras was still at the helm of the Greek government, as part of regional co-operation between Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Sunday underlined the importance of defending democracy and the freedom of the press at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kathimerini newspaper. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, seen here with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos (right), has backed Greece's efforts to retrieve the Parthenon Marbles, held by the British Museum in London for the past 200 years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (r) signs a guest book in the presence of his Greek counterpart Prokopis Pavlopoulos (l) before attending an official dinner at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, Monday. The Chinese President is paying a two-day official visit to Greece. [EPA]

Greece and China have signed a joint statement on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership it was announced Monday.
The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping paid an official visit to Athens during which he met with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Below is the full statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Athens on a two-day official visit.

Xi was met at the Athens Airport by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

On Monday, Xi is due to meet President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who visited China last May, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Xi and Mitsotakis also met a few days ago, at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.