That Was the Year That Was
Kathimerini English Edition
Kathimerini English Edition is a daily newspaper published and distributed along with the International New York Times.
By Constantine Capsaskis
Newsletter Editor
Happy New Year and welcome to the yearly round-up of news by Kathimerini English Edition. There was no shortage of news in 2022 and it was, unfortunately, not always particularly uplifting. Indicatively, over the last six months, the “GreeK Letter” has covered events that include threats of war made by Turkish officials, wildfires, more threats of war made by Turkish officials, and economic hardship.
The continued Russian invasion of?Ukraine is undoubtedly at the top of any account of 2022. The Greek government unequivocally chose to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, something confirmed as late as this Friday when Prime Minister Kyriakos?Mitsotakis assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his continued support.
The Greek government wasted no time and?sent both civilian and military aid?to Ukraine mere days after the invasion unfolded, later?also participating in a swap deal?with Germany to send armoured vehicles to the Ukrainian forces.
It is worth noting that this clear support is not without its detractors in Greece, with?a very significant percentage of the population?being far?more?ambivalent.
However, the United States were clearly in favour of this firm stance as became obvious?during the address of Mitsotakis to the United States Congress.
Greece was also impacted by the international energy crisis that accompanied the Russian invasion. This has been exacerbated by a?high inflation rate that has eroded the purchasing power?of many Greeks.
The government has offered several subsidies, particularly to energy providers, to keep electricity bills low, while also implementing several “passes”, including the ‘Fuel Pass’ and the controversial ‘Market Pass’, to alleviate the burden.
The moves by the government, particularly ahead of an election year, have revived fears that one of the most perennially troubling aspects of Greek politics,?political patronage, may be making a comeback. Additionally, Greece has come under fire in the European Union for its support measures as they are considered to be “not sufficiently targeted”.
The government is also closing the year with one of its biggest controversies remaining unresolved, that of alleged mass wiretapping by the National Intelligence Service. It began when PASOK leader Nikos?Androulakis claimed that there had been an attempt to hack his phone?using the Predator software.
In the immediate aftermath of the denunciation, the head of the Intelligence Service and the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General?both resigned. What has followed has been?a long period of protracted and acrimonious political debate, particularly as allegations continue to surface.
As late as two weeks ago, an audit by the Authority for Communication Security and Privacy confirmed that?decrees had been issued for the surveillance of an MEP and a journalist.
The government has also faced difficulties beyond Greece’s borders. The?revival of the Turkish-Libyan memoranda led to significant consternation?in October, also resulting in a diplomatic spat when Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias refused to meet with his Libyan counterpart in Tripoli.
However, the year also closed on a far more promising note when an Egyptian unilateral declaration of its maritime rights?provided a shield against Turkish and Libyan claims around Crete.?
Finally, in a year where Qatar was high on the list of controversial subjects due to its hosting of the World Cup, Greek former Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili was arrested for?her alleged involvement in accepting cash and gifts from Qatar in exchange for influence?in Strasbourg.
There are plenty more newsworthy events that could be included in this edition of the newsletter. However, it is also important be aware of what is shaping up to be a particularly tense 2023 with elections in both Greece and Turkey, along with the continuing war in Ukraine and a global recession.
Perhaps the world needs more of a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
MUST READS
OPINION
A wish for Turkey in 2023: A change in behavior
By Tom Ellis
Editor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition
As we enter what, according to all indications, will be a critical year for the region,?Turkey has to decide?if it wants to be part of a peaceful cooperative regional scheme based on widely accepted norms, good neighborly relations and international law, or continue to pursue its revisionist fantasies and further ignite tensions with a number of countries in the area.
In that context,?Ankara has to realize that?continuing on the slippery slope of direct threats?and challenges to Greece’s sovereignty, the latest having to do with Greece’s?legal right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles around the island of?Crete,?will not bring it any benefits.
领英推荐
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut?Cavusoglu declared?recently: “Our position is clear, not only do we not allow the extension of territorial waters to 12, but not even 1 mile further”.?One wonders who made Turkey the “supreme leader” of the Mediterranean Sea.
Obviously,?Greece can?exercise its?rights at any time?and at any part?of its territory it chooses. Its approach?is based on international law,?while its?strengthened deterrent capability?– its military being at its highest level and its partnerships and alliances more robust than ever – adds to its confidence and allows it to not feel threatened by anyone.
If Ankara – whose?attacks are not confined to Greece or Cyprus, but are also aimed at the US and Europe –?is worried that it might be left out of the energy developments in the Mediterranean,?the best way to become part of the equation and rip the benefits is?changing its behavior: refrain from aggressive rhetoric and even actions, choose engagement over confrontation and cooperation over direct or indirect intrusion into other countries, follow the rules and accept international arbitration where needed.
For its part,?Greece will continue being?a reliable partner and ally?that aims at finding?solutions instead of creating problems,?and?acts as a factor of stability in an unstable region.
CHART OF THE WEEK
ESCAPADE
Aigai: Α Fresh Look into Ancient Macedonia
With the inauguration of the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, visitors can now explore Greece’s newest archaeological park and gain a more complete, multi-focus view of life and death in Macedonia’s ancient capital.
ECONOMY IN A NUTSHELL
WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA
01/01/2023
Tsipras in Brazil: Leader of main opposition party SYRIZA Alexis?Tsipras will attend the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s third term as the President of Brazil, at the invitation of Lula.
04/01/2023
Treasury Bill Auction: The Greek?state will auction off 13-week treasury bills?(expiring on April 11) worth an estimated 625 million euros.
06/01/2023
Androulakis travels to Istanbul: PASOK leader Nikos?Androulakis has been invited by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios?to attend the?traditional ritual of the Blessing of the Water?on the Golden Horn.
PODCAST
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to look at what the EU can learn from the Coal and Steel Community if it is going to maintain peace and security, discuss where Greece and Cyprus fit in this narrative, and break down the role the US can – and should – play in supporting its European allies.