March 6, 2022
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos has clarified Greece’s decision to further reinforce its defensive capabilities. In an interview with Kathimerini Sunday edition, he said that “we can expect decisions on new corvettes, the acquisition of new guided missiles from Israel and upgrades of Block 50 F-16 fighter jets and Leopard battle …
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November 30, 2021
FEATURED, Greece, Politics
“We are considering sending a group of combat soldiers to Sahel,” said Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos adding that there has been a relevant request by France. “In case Turkey tries to attack and we ask for help from France, the French troops will be there, they must be there,” …
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July 21, 2021
Greece
Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos visited France on Wednesday to attend the handover ceremony of the first of the 18 Rafale fighter jets that will join the Greek Air Force. Panagiotopoulos is accompanied by the Chief of the Defense General Staff General Konstantinos Floros and the Chief of the Defence …
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January 27, 2021
FEATURED, Greece
Greece plans to purchase a total of 40 fighter jets, including the 18 recently agreed Rafale from France, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said late Tuesday. Speaking at the prime time news program of Alpha TV Panagiotopoulos said that the Greek national defense upgrade plan “is very ambitious and extends into …
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August 18, 2020
Greece, Politics
Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos on Tuesday congratulated the captain of Greek frigate Limnos that accidentally collided with Turkish frigate Kemal Reis during a standoff in the eastern Mediterranean last week. According to tovimaonline, Minister Panagiotopoulos contacted Limnos Commander Ioannis Salaris via radio and congratulated him for his professionalism. “You’re a …
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May 3, 2020
Turkey-GR
Two Turkish fighter planes harassed the helicopter carrying Defense Minister, Nikoss Panagiotopoulos, and the Chief of General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, on Sunday morning. Greece’s top defense political and military leadership was visiting the islands of Oinousses, Agathonissi and Farmakonissi in the eastern Aegean Sea. The incident took place after …
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February 14, 2020
Greece
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos called for the strengthening of NATO ‘s presence in the Aegean Sea in order to halt the migration influx from Turkey. Speaking at the two-day meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels, Panagiotopoulos called on all allies, to the best of their abilities, to contribute …
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January 26, 2020
Greece
Defense Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos has warned Turkey that Greece is examining all possible scenarios to meet with its neighbor’s provocations and these included also “military involvement.” “If we need to respond, if we think the red lines have been crosses that means we are examining all scenarios, even that of …
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January 17, 2020
Greece
“If Turkey violates our sovereignty, we will consider all scenarios”, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said on Friday. “We are not warmongers but we will react if deemed necessary,” he added. The threats come just hours after President Recep Erdogan said that Turkey will grant licenses for hydrocarbon exploration and …
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January 9, 2020
Greece, Politics
Defense Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, revealed Greece’s armament plans following the official visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House. Greece plans to acquire 24 F-35 aircraft at a total cost of 3 billion USD including the infrastructure, proceed with the upgrade of 82 F-16 and possible purchase war …
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December 14, 2019
Greece
Defense Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, was forced to clarify the role of the Greek Armed Forces in the national security of the country. He came under the fire of opposition for having said during a debate in Parliament that “the Armed Forces were in charge for the external and the internal …
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September 23, 2019
Greece
“We will seal the Evros river for refugees and will step up measures in the Aegean Sea,” Greek Defense Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, said on Monday. Stressing that it is not thousands who cross the border from Turkey in North-East Greece but much less, he added “no one will soon pass …
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June 17, 2019
Greece
A “hot incident with Turkey is unlikely at this time,” Greek Defense Minister Evangelos Apostolakis said on Monday evening. In an interview with private ANT1 TV, Apostolakis said that there is always the possibility that something happens with Greece’s neighboring country. “My point is, however, that it is not possible …
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October 24, 2018
Greece
After a marathon deposition of 20 hours, former Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou was remanded in custody late on Tuesday. Handcuffs were passed also to his wife Stavroula Kourakou. Both face charges for money laundering of 2.800.000 Swiss Francs (2.4 million euros) from kickbacks from the time he was Defense Minister …
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February 7, 2018
Greece, Politics
Defense Minister Panos Kammenos has dismissed media reports that the “case file regards sales of projectiles to Saudi Arabia” is about to be or was already submitted to the Greek Palriament for investigation. The information was allegedly attributed to the Corruption Prosecution. In a letter to Corruption Prosecutor, Kammenos asked …
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October 17, 2017
Greece, Politics
Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos contradicted Us President Donald Trump about the cost for the upgrade of F-16. He clarified that the 2.4 billion USD – as Trump claimed – are not for the upgrade of F-16 only. Η οροφή για την αναβάθμιση των F-16 από τον προϋπολογισμό είναι 1,1δις …
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June 2, 2017
Uncategorized
A Corruption prosecutor pressed criminal charges against former defense minister Yiannos Papantoniou and his wife Stavroula Kourakoy for money laundering. The couple has been banned from leaving the country. The charges were brought after a preliminary investigation by the office of the Corruption Prosecutor concerning the legality of the couple’s …
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April 27, 2017
Greece, Politics
Ex defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos may be leased from prison even today Thursday, after friends of him donated the bail amount of 200,000 euros. It is a matter of bureaucratic details that have yet to be settled, Greek media report. 77-year-old Tzochatzopoulos is currently at the hospital of Korydallos prison …
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April 21, 2017
Greece, Politics
Former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos was taken back to prison after his family failed to get together to sum of 200,000 euro needed for his bail. The former minister returned to prison after a a heart surgery in a public hospital. 77-year-old Akis Tsochatzopoulos has been convicted to 20 years …
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April 5, 2017
Greece, Politics
The five-member Court of Appeals for Felonies decided to release from prison former PASOK Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos due to health reasons.Akis Tsochatzopoulos was convicted to 20 years imprisonment for bribes and money laundering. Total time he spent in prison is five years. By a majority of three to two …
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