Xydakis

Greece has temporarily suspended the return of migrants to Turkey under the EU-Turkey agreement due to a surge in the number of asylum applications.

Most of the 6750 migrants on the Greek islands are applying for asylum and there is shortage of qualified officials such as translators to process the applications.

“There was convergence in practical issues and this is positive. We did not reach an agreement because Turkey’s proposals were extremely radical for the majority of the EU member states,” Alternate Foreign Minister responsible for European Affairs Nikos Xydakis stated to Athina 9.84 FM on Tuesday.

Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis told Greece’s radio station, Praktorio 104.9, that Greece and Germany should partner together to confront the problems caused by the refugee crisis. “Germany has saved and received people regardless of what some extreme circles inside the country say and Germany is Greece’s ally and partner, they have a relation,” said Xydakis.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will participate in the conference “Supporting Syria and the Region” that will take place on February 4, in London.

The Greek government decided to ask the help of the Hellenic Armed Forces in order to complete in 15 days all the actions required so as to comply with its commitments on the refugee issue following the 3-month deadline EU has given to Greece.

Comedian Lakis Lazopoulos performed his latest satirical work, “Oh my God, what have we done to you”, infront of a star-studded audience that included Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his wife Peristera Baziana who were given a warm welcome upon their entry at the crowded theater.

The Greek government appears to have changed its  course concerning the acquisition of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum in London. Culture Minister Aristidis Baltas on Tuessday said the government is no longer mulling legal action ot win back Greek antiquities but would instead kick-start a diplomatic campaign to repatriate the 5th century BC statues.

The European Union state members ambassadors to Greece will visit Greek island of Lesvos on Tuesday in order to be informed on the conditions at the reception and registration centers of refugees and migrants in Mytilene.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visits Malta to attend the Valletta Summit which will focus on action for migration.

He is expected to reiterate his position that the refugee crisis must be dealt with as a joint European problem and not as one that concerns only the country of entry.

Deputy European Affairs Minister Nikos Xydakis and Iranian Ambassador to Greece Behnam Behrouz on Friday discussed ways in which to upgrade bilateral cooperation between Greece and Iran in sectors such as energy, trade and tourism.

The meeting was held ahead of planned visits to Tehran by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.