2023-12-19 17:04:26
An order for the withdrawal of a work of art exhibited at the Consulate General of Greece in New York was given yesterday by Giorgos Gerapetritis, after protests that it presents the Greek flag in pink colors. This is the work of the Greek-American visual artist Georgia Lale, which was inaugurated last Friday in an exhibition on the topic of femicide and gender-based violence in Greece. It is a symbolic work, a flag made from pieces of 22 sheets of Hellenic femicide victims (donations from their families) inscribed with their names, date of death and neighborhood. The fact, of course, that this “collage” forms a flag with pink hues raised protests about the “desecration” of the national symbol from certain circles, while the president of NIKI, Dimitris Natsios, also brought it to the Parliament.
Rama insists on the challenge
Edi Rama appeared unyielding on the Freddy Beleri case yesterday, speaking to members of Albania’s special EU negotiator team. Referring to the Greek “veto”, Rama said “in no way do we doubt the importance it has for our neighbours”. the case of the elected mayor of Heimarras, however, emphasized that in this matter “there is no possible compromise, not because we don’t want it, but because the Justice we want is more “stubborn” than us”. I note, of course, that this… announcement of the attitude of the Albanian Justice was made on the eve of the continuation of Beleri’s criminal trial, today, in the special anti-corruption court in Tirana.
Revelations from Pierrakaki
The “combatants” put on their gloves and the referee prepares to ring the bell for the start of the first great ideological battle of 2024. This one for the establishment of non-state universities and, in particular, branches of foreign non-state universities, without revision of Article 16. The unveiling of the legislative regulation by Kyriakos Pierrakakis will be almost solemn, tomorrow, at the last cabinet meeting of the year. With the aim, as defined by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to be posted immediately to the public consultation and to be voted on by the Parliament after the holidays, in January.
They prioritize partnerships
Why study? Apart from the ideological mark that the government wants to give with this particular reform, there is already a lot of practical interest, mainly from EU and US universities. From what I hear, there have been very advanced discussions, especially with some universities in Cyprus. With the prospect, in fact, that these partnerships and connections with Greek universities will start operating from the coming school year. In any case, priority will be given to European universities, followed by… transatlantic collaborations.
Black Hawks are also on the scales
The State Department has approved the sale of 35 Black Hawk helicopters to Greece, but this does not mean that their sale will take place. Let me explain: Greece had asked the US to buy 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, along with all their equipment, personnel training and future support. A $1.95 billion package, for which the formal letter of acceptance of the sale is expected to be sent within 14 days. I also note that the contracting manufacturing company, Sikorsky, which belongs to Lockheed Martin, hastened to welcome the reaching of an agreement, stressing that it is “ready to support the possible production of Black Hawk in Greece”.
All this is good, but – as sources from the Ministry of National Defense confirmed to me – this agreement will also be re-evaluated and, if they decide to go ahead with it, it will be prioritized. For the general re-evaluation of all equipment programs we have written to you in this column and in detail in a report and will be carried out, I remind you, as soon as the next crises in the army are completed.
Consent and due to re-evaluation
By the way, from discussions I had with my different sources, I concluded that the announcement by Dendias of the “freeze” and re-evaluation of all procurements, was a decision that made it “easier” for the opposition parties to vote defense spending in the budget. I remind you that on matters of defense procurement, the party officials discuss behind closed doors and in the Equipment Committee of the Parliament and with direct updates from the ministry. And my information says that they were informed in advance of this design and responded positively.
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