Greece - ekathimerini.com (English)

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1. ‘Greece has a history, an identity and a future in wine’

   Focusing on the dynamism of small and independent wineries and the strategic importance of the wine sector for the Greek economy, the Artisanal Greek Wineries 2026 exhibition, dedicated to Greek wine, took place last weekend at Zappio, central Athens.

2. First Greece-Turkey remarks from activist Karystianou, entering politics

   Activist Maria Karystianou, who is launching a new political party, made her first public comment on Greek-Turkish relations, calling on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to inform the Greek people about his upcoming meeting agenda with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

3. NTUA tops Greek university rankings

   The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) topped Greek university rankings for 2026, according to the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education. 

4. Athens, Riyadh in Patriot upgrade talks

   Athens and Riyadh are in advanced talks for upgrading Patriot long-range mobile air defense batteries operated by the Hellenic Air Force, five years after one of Greece’s six batteries was deployed to Saudi Arabia.

5. Barbershop crackdown in Limassol

   A coordinated police and inspection operation in Limassol last Thursday targeted barbershops and other businesses linked to foreign management.

6. Written exams for civil service managers

   A sweeping overhaul of how managers are selected across Greece’s public sector is planned under draft legislation prepared by the Interior Ministry, ending interviews and introducing written exams run by the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP). 

7. Patra port to undergo modernization and new infrastructure upgrades

   The port of Patra is entering a new period of modernization and upgrading following the Council of State’s approval of a master plan, expected to be published in the government gazette.

8. Cyprus pension reform expected to take effect in 2027 if approved

   Cyprus’ pension reform is expected to come into force on January 1, 2027, provided it is approved by the House of Representatives, Labour and Social Insurance Minister Marinos Moushouttas told the House Finance Committee on Monday, adding that the government plans to submit the bills to Parliament in June. 

9. Legislative missteps

   Nothing eats away at the political system’s legitimacy like the perception that those in power exploit their position to forward their personal interests.

10. Crime group seen as moving to Cyprus after crackdown in Greece

    Greek and Cypriot authorities are investigating the activities of a suspected crime racket led by a fugitive known as “Edik” on Cyprus. Cooperation intensified following a series of violent incidents in Larnaca and Limassol.