US State Department praises Greece’s fast, effective reflexes in the Ukrainian crisis

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias spoke with his counterpart of Israel Yair Lapid on Tuesday.. Protest march against Ukraine war held in central Athens Tuesday evening.

The US Department of State praised Greece on Tuesday for its fast and effective reflexes during the Ukrainian crisis.

A spokesperson said the United States congratulate the Greek government on its significant and timely humanitarian and military assistance to the government of Ukraine.

“This significant aid, delivered within hours of President Zelensky’s request, demonstrates once again Greece’s solidarity with Ukraine,” it was added.

The US State Department representative also highlighted Greece’s role as the US’s strategic ally, one that actively promotes security, stability and democracy, not only in Europe, but in various regions of importance to the United States.

As such, Greece plays a critical role in defending NATO’s southeastern flank, it was noted.

Greek and Israeli FMs say will stay coordinated on developments in Ukraine

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias spoke with his counterpart of Israel Yair Lapid on Tuesday.

“We discussed various issues of common interest with a focus on developments in Ukraine and agreed that Greece and Israel will remain in close coordination,” Dendias wrote on Twitter.

In its own tweet, the Israeli Embassy in Greece wrote that the two ministers also discussed “a plethora of issues (…), and they decided to continue their close consultations.”

Protest march against Ukraine war held in central Athens Tuesday evening

A protest rally against the war in Ukraine was held in central Athens on Tuesday evening by leftist organizations and fringe grassroots movements.

Road traffic was restored shortly after 21:00.

New property tax bill tabled in parliament

The government’s bill on the new property tax (ENFIA) was tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

According to the updated bill, of the approximately 6,200,000 property owners currently paying ENFIA, an 80 pct, that is some 5mln of them, will see a distinct reduction in comparison to last year’s rates. Some 900,000 owners will see no change, while 320,000 will actually see a slight increase.

Thousands of property owners in Greece are expected to see substantial reductions in their property tax, as the government decided to axe ENFIA charges by 345mln euros, against a state budget reduction figure of 70 million euros.