News about Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who rules the Asante people in the west African country, negotiated a deal for the temporary return of ancestral artefacts from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Now he hopes to keep hold of the Asante gold for good despite the current Conservative government refusing to change laws which ban museums from repatriating such items overseas permanently. Sir Keir Starmer 's Labour party has been mooted as most likely to give the go-ahead - with experts saying this loan was 'just the beginning' for similar repatriations. Former Labour MP Tristram Hunt has called for overhauls of the British Museum Act 1963 and the National Heritage Act 1983 which currently bar the two museums from permanently returning items to countries where they originated.

Officials say that anyone who was evacuated from a hotel in Rhodes and had their holiday cut short is eligible to claim vouchers of up to 500 euros that will cover the cost of a week-long stay. Customers whose claims are approved can enjoy another holiday in Greece at any time between now and May 31, or from October 1 to November 15. Some 5,000 holidaymakers have already signed up, officials claim, with many more expected to take up the offer. The scheme, named 'Rodos Week', was concocted by Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in conjunction with the country's tourism ministry and hoteliers on Rhodes. The travel and tourism sector is a huge part of Greece's economy, accounting for almost one-fifth of the nation's GDP in 2022. Almost 4.5 million Britons visited Greece that year, according to official figures, with some 10,000 Brits among the 25,000 tourists evacuated from Rhodes amid July's wildfires (right).

According to a Sunday Times article, the Defense Secretary had to cancel the trip after being told by British intelligence that the Russians had been warned of his travel plans. When returning from RAF Northolt last week, he was alerted that an armoured convoy carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis barely escaped a Russian missile attack while visiting the port city on March 6. According to Ukrainian authorities, five people were killed in the explosions. This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron made increasingly hawkish remarks after claiming that Western ground operations in Ukraine were likely 'at some point.'

According to Greek newspaper Protothema, a Moscow missile launched just 150 meters away from the building where the Greek diplomatic mission was waiting for the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky is believed to have been traveling to the meeting in a presidential motorcade, with grainy footage of which seemed to have been posted on the Telegram messenger app at the time of the attack. The deadly explosion in Odesa came just hours after Russia launched overnight drone strikes in the largest wave of aerial attacks on Ukraine for weeks.

After Prince William dropped out of speaking at a memorial service for his late grandfather a year after his death, Camilla led the British and international royals in a Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine of Greece yesterday. In an apparent tribute to the former King, dressed in a dark overcoat, navy suit, and a smart white shirt, Charles could be seen wearing a tie draped in fluttering Greek flags today. As the car traveled through the mall this morning, he waved to onlookers through the car's open window.

Farmers have voiced their dissatisfaction with what they believe are excessively tightening regulations on agriculture and unfair competition, among other things. Last month, a national revolution broke out in France, and demonstrations have also been held in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Greece, and the Netherlands. Farmers have blocked motorways and disrupted traffic in major cities, with tractor convoys. Around 150 tractors assembled in Orte, about an hour north of Rome, on Saturday. Hundreds of farmers on tractors in Germany blocked access to Frankfurt airport, the country's busiest airport, because of a diesel tax reform, according to local police. However, the farmer dissatisfaction has also affected non-EU Switzerland, where around 30 tractors paraded in Geneva on Saturday in the country's first national protest since the movement has not appeared in Europe.

In his first address before France's National Assembly, the newly elected 34-year-old prime minister made the remarks defending the EU vociferously and slammed the National Rally party, whose leader has characterized the bloc as 'the enemy of the people.' Less energy for France is reduced in Europe's Lesser.' I'll just take one example - Brexit. 'Attal said that supporters of the British economy and the English people are celebrating happy days.' 'Last week, because of Brexit, the last blast furnaces in Great Britain closed and steel is no longer produced in the United Kingdom! On the other hand, French industry is making a comeback, particularly thanks to European investment,' he announced from the podium. However, Attal's speech was marred by the tragedy engulfing his own country, as thousands of dissatisfied farmers took to the streets to protest cheap imports that threaten their livelihoods and excessive bureaucracy.

The grand palace in ancient Aigai, northern Greece, is now accepting visitors. Harry Mount of the Daily Mail takes a look at the inside. 'Standing in the massive colonnaded courtyard, where 4,000 Greeks proclaimed 20-year-old Alexander, King of Macedonia, in 336 BC, is an almost unfathomable thrill,' he writes.

According to June Field, the city is on a roll, recovering from an economic recession and years of Covid lockdowns, and it now rivals Berlin and Barcelona as a city break destination for foodies and art enthusiasts. 'At the top of the market, hotel openings such as The Dolli and the One&Only have opened,' a spring in Athens' step.' For more information, click here.

After a police officer was wounded in clashes between rival supporters, the Greek government has announced that top-flight football matches will be played behind closed doors until February 12. During a volleyball match in Athens last week, a police officer sustained a punctured artery in their thigh, prompting the need for action. The match was between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, with both teams naming the same name.

He took to the stage at the climate conference to urge nations to work together to combat climate change ahead of 2050, the year in which the United Kingdom has pledged zero carbon dioxide emissions, followed by other nations. However, there have been rumors that the King made a completely different plea for international cooperation with his choice of tie, stitched with a pattern of Greek flags stitched in the wind. Charles was also photographed wearing the tie when speaking with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had snubbed a meeting with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the Elgin Marbles days earlier.

Rishi Sunak tried to put an end to the Elgin Marbles row with Greece today by insisting that he was focusing on 'problems that really matter'. The Prime Minister appeared to try and calm tensions with Athens a day after he accused his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, of 'grandstanding.' Mr Sunak canceled a planned meeting with the Greek Prime Minister this week in the latest controversy over the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon sculptures. It came after Mr Mitsotakis made a fresh plea for ancient artefacts, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, to be returned to Athens from the British Museum. According to the Greek premier, retaining the 2,500-year-old sculptures in London was similar to cutting the Mona Lisa painting in half. However, Mr Sunak, who postponed planned talks with Mr Mitsotakis, enraged him as No.10 accused the Greek Prime Minister of reneging on a promise not to address the matter in public, but he was enraged by his remarks. Mr Sunak's behavior, dubbed a "hissy fit" by critics, was mocked by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who held talks with Mr Mitsotakis in London this week. Mr Sunak's dismissal of Mr Mitsotakis has also slammed by the Greek government, with Athens claiming that he had "domestic reasons" for his dismissal of him. Despite Mr Sunak's regular attempts to'reset' his premiership ahead of the looming general election, they referred to him as 'quite behind in the polls.'

How one longs for Scotland's princes to discover the ferocious understatement of deadly understatement. Or a quiet, self-deprecating humour, rather than incessantly fire-hosing us with utterly pointless venom. Like Stephen Flynn the other day, he spoke out on the controversial issue of the Elgin Marbles, which was central to a hissy match between the Greek and British governments earlier this week. This was as clear as possible: this dunderheaded SNP Westminster leader knew nothing about - and not only did he embarrass himself, but he embarrassed us. Rishi Sunak and his Hellenic counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, became embroiled in a bizarre brawl.

Rishi Sunak denied cries over canceling a meeting with colleague Kyriakos Mitsotakis yesterday during a tumultuous PMQs. Since his fellow premier broke an agreement to address the long-running crisis in private, he insisted it was the right thing to do. However, Keir Starmer argued that Mr Sunak had shown that he was not a serious king, boasting that he had 'lost his marbles' over the feud. The row erupted after Mr Mitsotakis said that continued UK ownership of the sculptures was akin to 'ripping the Mona Lisa in half."

Rumble over Marbles There was more than a hint of political obliqueness in the Greek prime minister's expressions of indignation at being'snubbed' by Rishi Sunak on his visit to the country. On Monday, the two had been supposed to meet until Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a rousing BBC interview, calling for the'reunification' of the Elgin Marbles. According to he, being a part of London's 2,500-year-old frieze cut the Mona Lisa 'cut in half.'

INAYA FOLARIN IMAN: The Prime Minister's decision to cancel his meeting with his Greek counterpart number due to a lack of diplomatic respect can be seen as either petulant or opportunistic. For me, it was the latter: a weak effort to win a skirmish in the culture wars. Rishi Sunak, I suspect, was keen to underline his commitment to combating the 'decolonizers', who would have Britain participate in a never-ending battle of breast-beating over its imperial history. In liberalism circles, it has also become fashionable to call the Elgin Marbles the "Parthenon Sculptures" in order to separate them from the narrative of how they came to be in Britain. But I'm not sure what Mr Sunak has accomplished in goading Kyriakos Mitsotakis to shorten his three-day trip to Britain. It has no reason to encourage the artefacts to remain in this world. Indeed, by exacerbating the row with Athens, which is, incidentally, one of Europe's largest allies, No 10 will not only toughen the activist's resolve, but also make it impossible for us to form a united front on the small-boat issue. And this is sad because the government is absolutely correct in saying that the Elgin Marbles should not leave the UK.

After he had raked up public calls for the return of the Elgin Marbles, No10 abruptly ended planned talks between Rishi Sunak and Kyriakos Mitsotakis last night. If the Greek Prime Minister was simply going to grandstand on the subject, a senior Tory source insisted there was "no point" in the meeting going forward. Mr Sunak was insistent that the priceless sculptures be housed in the British Museum, according to Athens, who said to have reneged on an agreement to avoid the controversy being revealed during the tour to the United Kingdom. Mr Mitsotakis said in a rare open rebuke that he was 'annoyed' the talks had been postponed 'hours' before they were supposed to take place.

Rishi Sunak has cancelled talks with Greek Prime Minister Boris for the return of the Elgin Marbles. During talks this week, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is visiting the United Kingdom, said he would discuss the issue specifically with Mr Sunak. However, the meeting was never confirmed by Downing Street, and government sources say it would now not proceed. Mr Sunak's statement that the priceless sculptures belonged to the British Museum was clear, and he chastised Sir Keir Starmer for last week's that Labour will not'stand in the way' of returning to Greece.

Downing Street said today that Rishi Sunak would rule out a return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens if he meets the Greek Prime Minister this week. Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit to London, during which he is set to speak with both Mr Sunak and Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, has triggered a fresh controversy over the artefacts. The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, have been subjected to a 200-year fight over ownership between Athens and London. Mr Mitsotakis has claimed that keeping the sculptures at the British Museum is artistic vandalism similar to cutting the Mona Lisa painting in half. However, No10 in Athens denied the Greek Prime Minister's remarks and rebuffed any suggestion that legal ownership of the marbles could be transferred to Athens. Asked if Mr Mitsotakis' comparison of the sculptures to a divided Mona Lisa, Mr Sunak's spokesperson said: "Obviously it is not something we should accept." These were lawfully obtained at the time, and the museum's trustees are legally responsible for their care.' We support that situation, and there is no proposal to change the law that regulates it.'

Kyriakos Mitsotakis weighed in on the controversy over whether the 2,500-year-old friezes, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, should be removed from the British Museum. Greece has long wished for the restoration of the ancient art, which was withdrawn from the Parthenon 200 years ago when Athens was under Ottoman rule. Last week, it was announced that if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were to repatriate them if he were to become prime minister at the next election. Mr Mitsotakis said on Sunday that if the Parthenon Sculptures would look better, the answer is straightforward.' They do look better in the Acropolis Museum, a state-of-the-art museum that was built for the purpose.'

President Zelensky (in Greece right) met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (together inset), and also met with country's figurehead president Katerina Sakellaropoulou. He is also expected to attend an informal dinner, hosted by Mr Mitsotakis, for top officials from nine Balkan countries, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (left) and European Council President Charles Michel. It comes after Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Sunday that they would sell warplanes to Kyiv, which may be delivered before the year's end. Mr Zelensky and his partner Olena Zelenska are photographed left at Copenhagen's Danish Parliament Christiansborg.

On a long line, Ukrainians walked along Kreshchatyk Street in the heart of Kyiv today, marveling at the charred shells of armoured assault vehicles and other bits of hardware organized in a long line similar to a military parade of the dead. Locals expressed delight with the shattered Russian equipment on display, as well as the Ukrainians' hope that it would restore the fighting spirit. The parade takes place on Ukraine's second wartime Independence Day. On Thursday, Moscow, which celebrates 32 years of post-Soviet unification, will descend on Moscow, exactly 18 months after Russia announced a full-scale invasion of its southern neighbor.

After clashes erupted between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb hooligans, which resulted in the death of a 29-year-old, UEFA has concerns over the hosting of the Conference League final in Athens. There were initial suspicions that the deadly clash between two groups of ultras supporters was accidental and spontaneous, but a new video shared on Twitter tells the tale of a pre-meditated rumble. Huddles of thugs can be seen gathered outside the Greek club's stadium, with some people holding guns before flammable projectiles are launched over a wall.

Next year, Greece will celebrate a free week on Rhodes Island, destroying homes and hotels, prompting thousands of people to flee. The recent re-elected Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Good Morning Britain today that the wildfire in Rhodes affected 15% of Rhodes and that the situation is'back to normal,' although officials acknowledge that visitors were affected by the inconvenience.' During the interview, he said that the government would work with local authorities to provide holidays in honor of all those whose holiday was cut short as a result of the wildfires... and that we should all return to the island and enjoy its natural splendor.'