Stelios Petsas

Beneficiaries of the so-called "social dividend," a one-off handout stemming from the primary surplus overrun, should expect to see the amount charged to their accounts on Monday or Tuesday, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said last week.

A government handout of 215 million euros stemming from a primary surplus overrun will be distributed next week, spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Tuesday.

If the European Union approved the Eastern Mediterranean pipeline, then Turkey has no legal justification to block the development of the project, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday.

Petsas said Athens has been discussing the project for several years and the Energy Ministry has conducted research which shows the pipeline will be viable.

Greece will shut down overcrowded refugee camps on its outlying islands and replace them with more restrictive holding centers, authorities said on Wednesday.
Living conditions for thousands of people in camps on five Aegean islands have been decried by aid groups as appalling. The country is currently struggling with a resurgence in migrant and refugee arrivals.

The Greek government on Wednesday announced plans to set up five closed pre-departure centers for migrants on the Aegean islands of Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Kos and Leros.

Five closed pre-departure centers for migrants are expected to open on the Aegean islands of Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Kos and Leros, with details to be announced by government spokesman Stelios Petsas on Wednesday. 

The centers are to host no more than 5,000 people each and are expected to replace the open camps such as Moria and Vathy. 

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday essentially offered his support to North Macedonia Premier Zoran Zaev and his country's effort to unstick its stalled bid for European Union accession talks but emphasized that Skopje would have to honor the terms of the Prespes name deal. 

In the wake of the vehement political exchanges that followed clashes between police and far-left protesters at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) on Monday, the conservative government has underlined its determination to crack down on lawlessness, accusing SYRIZA of reverting to its radical days of openly defending anti-government violence.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus on Friday condemned a vandalism attack on her private office in downtown Athens, in which around half a dozen members of the Rouvikonas anarchist group splashed paint on the entrance door and spray-painted slogans on the wall.

At least five closed pre-departure centers will reportedly be created for migrants who are not entitled to asylum in Greece, while the government will seek to ensure the return to Turkey of 10,000 by the end of 2020.