Greece will defend its sovereign rights

The Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs issued announcements concerning the sea surveys conducted by “Piri Reis,” a Turkish naval research ship in an area between the Greek island of Kastellorizo and Cyprus.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the “Piri Reis surveys an area outside Greek territorial waters, however, Athens has claimed the rights to potential undersea mineral and fossil fuel deposits.”

National Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that “Athens is watching closely” and that “in any case, Greece will defend its sovereign rights.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Differences with Turkey     [PHOTO]: Kastellorizo

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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Greece: Bodossaki Prize

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Board of Trustees of the Bodossaki Foundation decided to award the “Bodossaki Aristeio” (Bodossaki Prize) for the year 2009 to John Hopkins University Professor Evangelos Moudrianakis for his pioneering studies in the field of Bio-Medicine.   The award ceremony will be held today (June 17) at the University of Athens in the presence of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.  The Aristeio Bodossaki – which is accompanied by the sum of €150,000 and is awarded every two years – was instituted to give recognition to Greeks who have devoted their lives to science and have made a distinctive contribution towards furthering their field of science.

Greek PM Meets with Outgoing NATO Secretary General

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Greek Commander @ Helm of EU Naval Operation

The Council of the European Union adopted a Joint Action on an EU military operation on November 10 to tackle piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. Greek Commodore Antonios Papaioannou was appointed as the commander of EU naval forces in the area. The operation (EU NAVFOR, Somalia) under the code name “Atalanta” is the first naval operation launched by the European Union within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), Javier Solana congratulated Papaioannou, adding that he brings “his considerable expertise and the experience of his national navy to his role as Force commander for this operation in a new area for the EU.”  The success of the operation will secure a safe passage for vulnerable vessels, including those of the United Nation’s food aid programme. Following the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence’s meeting yesterday (12.11.2008), Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis announced that Greece will participate in the Atalanta operation. Ministry of Defense: Hellenic Navy & International Presence