Latest news with #Athens-based
Middle East Eye
24-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Why Trump is trying to put his seal on an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal
The US is using "magic" to bring Armenia and Azerbaijan together for a peace deal, US President Donald Trump says. As the two historic foes appear to inch closer to an agreement, the Trump administration is conjuring diplomacy in the South Caucasus - fairly uncharted waters for the US. In May, Trump's billionaire Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that Armenia and Azerbaijan could both join the Abraham Accords - the normalisation agreement that Israel signed with Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco in 2020 - after a deal between the two. Trump considers the accords a signature part of his foreign policy. Then, in July, Trump's other good friend and billionaire envoy, Tom Barrack, said the US was ready to sign a 100-year lease on a strategic transit corridor on Armenia's border with Iran. Baku wants to use the sliver of land, referred to as the Zangezur Corridor by Turkey and Azerbaijan, to connect with its exclave, called Nakhchivan, and eventually Turkey, where Barrack is also the US ambassador. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Trump's bid to put his stamp on a peace agreement through economic deals and the Abraham Accords comes as the South Caucasus is in flux. Trump, Turkey and a diplomatic win Russia, the region's historic great power, is tied down on the battlefields of Ukraine. Its prestige as a security guarantor was undermined in 2023 when Azerbaijan wrested back control of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia in a lightning offensive. Christian Armenia had long relied on Russia for support against Turkic Azerbaijan. To the south, Iran - which has deepened its ties with Armenia and is wary of Israel's security links to Baku - is trying to regroup after a blistering 12-day conflict with Israel. Tehran's ability to project power abroad was clipped by Israel's takedown of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria late last year. 'The status quo benefits Iran a lot. Right now it is the only connector between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan' - Alen Shadunts, American University of Armenia With Russia distracted in Ukraine and Iran on the back foot, Turkey's power in the region is growing. The US itself is signalling that it can work with Turkey as the predominant external power in Syria. Barrack's role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks, experts say, is further evidence that Washington sees Ankara as a new regional power in the South Caucasus. "Trump doesn't have a stake in either Armenia or Azerbaijan. But he sees that a deal is possible. A win," George Meneshian, an Athens-based expert on the Middle East and Caucasus, told Middle East Eye. The US's foray into the region is led by Barack, who has been well received in Ankara. That has fueled concerns that Trump sees the region as an extension of Turkey's neighbourhood, Meneshian added. "The US is already giving Turkey its own zone of influence in Syria. That is clear. The same is happening in the South Caucasus," he said. The goodwill was visible on Tuesday when Trump shared a social media post of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev thanking him for his "aspiration" to end the dispute with Armenia. Aliyev praised Trump's "fundamental values, including family values" that he said mirror Azerbaijan's. From Syria and Gaza to Ukraine and the Caucasus The idea of the US leasing the corridor is in keeping with the Trump administration giving primacy to economic dealmaking, including with US control over physical assets, in conflict zones. It has had mixed results. Earlier this year, Trump said the US would take over the Gaza Strip, evict Palestinians and turn it into the Middle East's "Riviera". That proposal was widely slammed as calling for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Israel continues to invoke the "Trump plan" to insist on the forced displacement of Palestinians. The US backed off after resistance from its Arab allies. 'Trump doesn't care about the European Union. In the Caucasus, that is especially obvious' - George Meneshian, Caucasus expert Trump's penchant for business deals in countries where sectarian and regional tensions are rife has been better received by Turkey and Gulf states in Syria, where he has pushed through the speedy lifting of sanctions. The Zangezur Corridor idea seems to fall closer to the minerals deal Trump signed with Ukraine in April. That agreement set up a joint fund to monetise Ukraine's mineral wealth. Earlier this year, Trump also said EU states would purchase air-defence systems from the US on Ukraine's behalf. Azerbaijan, a major gas exporter, flaunts the sort of energy riches that Trump prizes, but Armenia is poor. The South Caucasus's value to the US is that the region is crisscrossed by trade routes, including the Middle Corridor that aims to link Asia and Europe, bypassing both Russia and Iran. Peter Frankopan, an expert on trade routes at the University of Oxford, told MEE that having a third party operate the corridor "is not a bad idea in principle", but faces obstacles. "First, the US proposal is that it is a commercial endeavour – which means it needs to be run for profit. So an operator needs to be clear and certain that it can make a return on investments," he said. In January, Armenia replaced Russian troops at its southern border crossing to Iran with its own forces. Moscow continued to oversee the crossing after the collapse of the Soviet Union. "Russia is likely to react badly to any US presence [in the corridor], whether commercial or notionally benign," Frankopan, the author of Silk Roads, added. A US presence would also unnerve Iran. 'If the border opens, Iran loses' The Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia enjoy good ties. Iran's parliament allocates three seats for members of its Armenian minority. Earlier this year, the two conducted joint military drills. Both countries are wary of Turkey and Azerbaijan's growing power in the region. "The status quo benefits Iran a lot," Alen Shadunts, an Iran specialist at the American University of Armenia, told MEE. "Iran right now is the only connector between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan." With no direct land link now, Azerbaijani trucks have to pass through Iran to reach the exclave. Azerbaijan also relies on Iran to help supply electricity to Nakchivan. That has been a source of leverage for Iran to use against Azerbaijan since the end of the Cold War. "If the border opens, Iran is going to lose," Shadunts said. "There are suspicions of an Israeli presence in Azerbaijan already. If an American company comes in and leases the corridor, Iran may see that as encirclement." Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) shaking hands with Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (L) during a meeting in Tehran on 30 July 2024 (ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP) Iran has also received a $1.4bn loan from Russia to complete a rail link for the International North-South Transport Corridor that will run from Russia through Azerbaijan to Iran's coast. The route is intended to cut travel time between India and Russia. Trade between the two hit $68bn in 2024 - more than four times the amount it stood at before western sanctions were slapped on Russia in response to the Ukraine war. Azerbaijan already has deep security ties with Israel. Baku has been hosting talks between Syria and Israel. The city is so swarming with Israeli spies that Iranian officials have accidentally bumped into them at the same restaurant, MEE has reported. Armenia also has diplomatic relations with Israel. But Steve Witkoff said in May that the US was looking to bring both countries into the Abraham Accords. Regional analysts say that could mean more economic ties. "Armenia is interested in connectivity with Israel. Any regional project could be a lifeline for resource-poor Armenia," Shadunts said. Will the US manage the Zangezur Corridor? Barrack's offer to lease the Zangezur Corridor faced backlash in Armenia. Experts say the idea for a 100-year lease that Barrack floated in public would go against Armenia's constitution. Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan is already under pressure from an escalating feud with Armenia's Catholic Apostolic Church and faces resentment from pro-Russian voters who are wary of the country's tilt to the US. 'The US proposal is a commercial endeavour – which means it needs to be run for profit' Peter Frankopan, author Silk Roads Pashinyan's bid to reach a peace deal with Azerbaijan, with an eye towards normalising with Armenia's bigger neighbour, Turkey, has been met with wariness. Resentment and anger over Ottoman atrocities against Armenian Christians in the final years of WWI, which many historians label a genocide, still feel warm to the touch. Armenia is still reeling from its 2023 military loss to Azerbaijan, and is worried its neighbour harbours territorial designs on its southern Syunik province, where the corridor sits. For its part, Azerbaijan does not want the corridor to be controlled strictly by Armenia. "They're arguing over 32 kilometres of road, but this is no joke. It's been going on for a decade – 32 kilometres of road," Barrack said earlier this month in a press briefing. "So what happens is America comes in and says, 'Okay, we'll take it over. Give us the 32 kilometres of road on a hundred-year lease, and you can all share it'." Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a military parade, 8 November 2023 (AFP) Pashinyan confirmed in July that the US gave "proposals" to manage the corridor. The idea has been around for years, Olesya Vartanyan, a conflict analyst in the South Caucasus, told MEE: "Before the Americans, the Europeans were floating this." She said it drew inspiration from projects in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan's northern neighbour. More than a decade ago, Switzerland mediated a US-backed deal that saw corridors established through two breakaway Georgian regions controlled by Russia to enable trade. European powers floated a corridor deal based on that model to Armenia and Azerbaijan. "People in the region were waiting for Trump to come in. There is an interest to engage with the administration. It's not like they have a well-crafted plan, but the Americans are willing to adjust." Barrack's comments caught many US diplomats off guard, one former US official briefed by colleagues told MEE. "This is very top-down. Barrack is a one-man show. He has a relationship with Erdogan and Trump. He feels that is all he needs," the official said. The Trump administration's language, as well as those involved in the diplomacy efforts, seem to suggest that this US government sees the South Caucasus as closer to the Arab Middle East than Europe. "Trump doesn't care about the European Union. In the Caucasus, that is especially obvious," Meneshian told MEE. 'Turkey is in the middle of all of it, just like Azerbaijan and Armenia' Tom Barrack, US envoy and Ambassador to Turkey Meneshian said the focus on the Abraham Accords "says something" about the true balance of power on the ground. In 2023, the UAE emerged as the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in Armenia. The Emirates state-owned renewable energy company Masdar is working on construction of Armenia's largest solar energy plant. It already has a plant in Azerbaijan. Latching onto that trade would help Witkoff package a deal to Trump with his seal on it. But the US does face real economic competition. Last week, Armenia applied to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Chinese-led regional security and trade club. "It's dealing and trading with everybody," Barrack said. "Where East meets West with the Bosphorus and Dardanelles; with the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Spice Road – everything comes through there. "Turkey is in the middle of all of it, just like Azerbaijan and Armenia."
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo makes EuroBasket 2025 plans with Greece official
The post Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo makes EuroBasket 2025 plans with Greece official appeared first on ClutchPoints. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo EuroBasket/status/1947586720255381706" rel="noopener">has officially committed to representing Greece in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament, NBA insider Marc Stein shared. With group stage games set in Cyprus and Riga, Latvia, and the tournament tipping off on August 27, Antetokounmpo's decision comes at a pivotal moment, not just for Greek basketball but for the Bucks' franchise as well. The two-time NBA MVP will headline a 19-player preliminary roster announced by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, with games set to start on August 28 against Italy. He'll join his brother Kostas, along with veteran players like Kostas Sloukas and Tyler Dorsey, in a renewed push for Greece's first EuroBasket title since 2005. This isn't just another international outing for the 'Greek Freak.' After a summer filled with speculation about his future in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo's decision to play for Greece reveals a player grounded in purpose. At a recent event in Athens held by the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, Giannis emphasized his deep connection to his homeland, stating, 'When I retire, I plan to stay here. Always in Athens. Athens is my home.' Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dreams of a homecoming He even hinted at a future reunion with his brothers at Filathlitikos. In this Athens-based club, his journey began: 'We can go back and play for Filathlitikos… promote it to the first division.' This summer's EuroBasket is personal. Antetokounmpo has long used international play as both a source of pride and motivation. His prior stints in FIBA competition, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, saw him dominate opponents, averaging 27 points on nearly 69% shooting. For Bucks fans, the message is clear: while questions about Giannis' long-term NBA future remain, especially with his potential free agency looming in 2027, his commitment to greatness is unwavering. He's preparing to lead Greece to continental glory this summer, and Milwaukee back to title contention this fall. Related: Bucks' Myles Turner draws Brook Lopez comparison Related: How Bucks feel about Damian Lillard returning to Blazers
Fashion United
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Labels to Watch: 5 Brands debuting on the Scoop fair floor this season
Scoop is just hours away from opening its doors for the SS26 season. The contemporary fashion event, which considers itself more of a showroom than a trade show, is making big steps for this edition, namely in the form of a new, larger venue: Olympia National Kensington. Following the theme, 'The Magical Summer of Love', the fair, spanning July 13 to 15, intends to draw inspiration from the 'surrealist energy of the 1970s, promising a kaleidoscopic journey filled with psychedelic touches' alongside 'expressive fashion'. Over 200 new and emerging designer labels will be exhibiting in the technicolour setting, some of whom are entirely new to the show. Here are the ones to look out for; Devotion Twins Devotion Twins campaign imagery. Credits: Devotion Twins / Scoop. Athens-based Devotion Twins incorporates its Grecian identity into chic designs that make up collections that intend to fit perfectly in both fashion and lifestyle boutiques. The brand champions itself as 'slow fashion', putting an emphasis on responsible sourcing and producing on-demand only in order to counter overproduction and waste. This is further reflected in Devotion Twins' long-term purchase agreements with suppliers and production companies, which underline the brand's commitment to regional craftsmanship. The products themselves bring together an eclectic colour palette, signature patterns and handmade elements that the brand says point to rich folkloric heritage and textile traditions. About Devotion Twins Founded: 2001 in Greece, clothing later followed in 2013. The brand began expanding internationally in 2018. 2001 in Greece, clothing later followed in 2013. The brand began expanding internationally in 2018. Signature piece: Self-designed jacquards inspired by Greece and loose, flowing silhouettes Self-designed jacquards inspired by Greece and loose, flowing silhouettes Target audience: 'Ageless' customers seeking feminine simplicity with a boho edge. 'Ageless' customers seeking feminine simplicity with a boho edge. Points of sale: Stocked in both fashion and lifestyle boutiques, serving customers through a global network of around 1,500 points of sale across 40 countries, including in the US. Monsoon London and Otrium are among stockists. Stocked in both fashion and lifestyle boutiques, serving customers through a global network of around 1,500 points of sale across 40 countries, including in the US. Monsoon London and Otrium are among stockists. Production: 100 percent manufactured in Greece. The brand makes significant contributions to rebuilding local production structures and follows a 'responsible' nearshoring strategy. Production is on-demand. 100 percent manufactured in Greece. The brand makes significant contributions to rebuilding local production structures and follows a 'responsible' nearshoring strategy. Production is on-demand. Retail price: 34 to 114 euros for accessories like bags, scarves and handbags. Clothing, including shorts, dresses and trousers, sits between 90 euros and 620 euros. Sesa Sesa campaign imagery. Credits: Sesa / Scoop. Family-run, Italian brand Sesa has an established reputation for its in-house crafted footwear. What started out as a provider for American corporations has become a globally recognised label, releasing typically unisex styles that aim to appeal to the style-conscious consumer. Sesa is largely known for its signature penny loafers and moccasins, both of which emphasise a commitment to authentic Italian craftsmanship. Unlike other brands with a lengthy history that have adapted and moved abroad in pursuit of more affordable production, Sesa has remained firm in its stance that traditional construction techniques must remain intact. About Sesa Founded: 1976 in Marche, Italy 1976 in Marche, Italy Signature piece: Penny loafers Penny loafers Target audience: Style-conscious young adults Style-conscious young adults Points of sale: Via stores and boutiques like the US' Gravity Pope and No. 6 Store; Garmentory; X21; Fabiani etc. Via stores and boutiques like the US' Gravity Pope and No. 6 Store; Garmentory; X21; Fabiani etc. Production: The brand prioritises traditional construction techniques in its home country of Italy The brand prioritises traditional construction techniques in its home country of Italy Retail price: Prices range from around 110 pounds to 320 pounds Ma Petite Capsule Ma Petite Capsule campaign imagery. Credits: Ma Petite Capsule. Knitwear specialist Ma Petite Capsule characterises itself through vibrant colour palettes that define each and every collection that emerges from its Marseille base. It is best known for its innovative Mink Wool material, a blend made primarily of wool and natural mink fibre, which are combed by hand to align with tradition and 'respect for the animal'. The soft, fluffy material is an alternative to cashmere, and is used for the brand's varied selection of modern and bold knits, which are a reflection of blending local heritage with global fashion trends. About Ma Petite Capsule Founded: 2022 in Marseille, France 2022 in Marseille, France Signature piece: Colourful knitwear, Mink Wool knit Colourful knitwear, Mink Wool knit Target audience: The brand's designer, Anouk Minassian, says she designs collections 'for all women'. The brand's designer, Anouk Minassian, says she designs collections 'for all women'. Points of sale: The brand is currently stocked in select French boutiques. The brand is currently stocked in select French boutiques. Retail price: Knitwear sits at around 135 euros; dresses are between 465 and 115 euros; T-shirts and blouses range from 255 to 85 euros. Psophía Psophía campaign imagery. Credits: Psophía / Scoop. After stepping down from Hoss Intropia, a brand she founded in 1994 that is now in the hands of Tendam, designer Paloma Vázquez de Castro decided to start a new venture in the form of Psophía. The ready-to-wear brand brings womenswear into new sculptural heights, offering architectural silhouettes in elevated fabrics with sophisticated details. For de Castro, Psophía represents a means of owning her time and work, making the project very personal and maintaining its roots in Spain, where collections are both designed and produced. About Psophía Founded: 2018 in Madrid, Spain 2018 in Madrid, Spain Signature piece: Sculptural silhouettes Sculptural silhouettes Target audience: Women who appreciate quality, sophistication and exclusivity, looking beyond trends to value timeless designs. Women who appreciate quality, sophistication and exclusivity, looking beyond trends to value timeless designs. Points of sale: The brand sells in stores across Spain, Italy, Benelux, the US, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria and Greece. The brand sells in stores across Spain, Italy, Benelux, the US, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria and Greece. Production: Psophía designs and produces in Spain, according to the brand's website. Psophía designs and produces in Spain, according to the brand's website. Retail price: Prices range from around 119 euros for simple blouses, T-shirts and scarves to 689 euros for more elaborate, embroidered dresses. V. De. Vinster V. De. Vinster campaign imagery. Credits: V. De. Vinster / Scoop. Designer Virginie de Vinster was inspired by her travels when she created the initial foundations of V. De. Vinster. The France-based brand incorporates inspiration de Vinster garnered from Africa, India, Peru, the Andes and Southeast Asia, where different trades, customs and people have helped to inform vibrant pieces that hold a simplicity to their form. Starting with African Wax as her primary material, de Vinster has since moved on to create garments using an array of ancient fabrics and techniques, often working with makers from villages in Peru or Rajasthan to formulate garments with 'bohemian flair'. About V. De. Vinster Founded: Launched 2006, based in Bidart, Basque Country, France Launched 2006, based in Bidart, Basque Country, France Signature piece: Items that draw inspiration from or utilise African Wax material. Items that draw inspiration from or utilise African Wax material. Target audience: Consumers seeking 'slow fashion' Consumers seeking 'slow fashion' Points of sale: The brand is currently sold in an exclusive selection of European stores, however, is now ready to grow its appeal in the UK. The brand is currently sold in an exclusive selection of European stores, however, is now ready to grow its appeal in the UK. Production: Many products are dyed, knitted or sewn in a remote village in Peru or Rajasthan, thus incorporating ancient materials and techniques. Some blouses are made from Himalayan pashmina, while others use a dyeing and knotting process called Ikat. Many products are dyed, knitted or sewn in a remote village in Peru or Rajasthan, thus incorporating ancient materials and techniques. Some blouses are made from Himalayan pashmina, while others use a dyeing and knotting process called Ikat. Retail price: Prices range from 50 euros for printed shorts or bags to up to 570 euros for intricate dresses and patterned jackets.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
3 Tier Heating & Cooling Recognized Among Top Local Contractors in Annual Community Contest
Voted a community favorite, the HVAC company Athens TN residents trust earns a top-three spot in local rankings. ATHENS, TN, UNITED STATES, July 8, 2025 / / -- Athens-based 3 Tier Heating & Cooling, a leading HVAC company serving Athens, TN and nearby communities, is celebrating a milestone moment after being voted one of the top three HVAC service providers in a local newspaper's annual readers' choice contest. Selected by community nominations and public voting, the recognition highlights the company's ongoing commitment to quality service, honest pricing, and strong neighborhood values. Out of nine contractors entered, 3 Tier Heating & Cooling proudly secured third place, a reflection of the trust they've earned from local homeowners and businesses alike. 'We're incredibly honored to be ranked among the top HVAC teams in our hometown,' said Tyler Reynolds, owner of 3 Tier Heating & Cooling. 'To be recognized by the community we live and work in—it means a lot. This is why we do what we do.' Known for fast response times, transparent recommendations, and clean workmanship, 3 Tier Heating & Cooling has become a trusted go-to for everything from seasonal tune-ups to full system installations. Their services cover both residential and light commercial HVAC systems, with a focus on long-term comfort and system efficiency. Recent growth in the company's customer base is a clear sign of their reputation spreading across Athens and beyond. The team regularly handles calls from nearby areas such as Englewood, Etowah, Sweetwater, and Niota, bringing high-quality HVAC support to a wide range of Tennessee homeowners. 'Our team is made up of locals,' said Tyler. 'We care about our customers because they're also our neighbors, our family, our friends. We're not just fixing systems—we're taking care of people we know and respect.' Every service call is handled by licensed and trained technicians who take the time to explain the issue and offer straightforward solutions. Whether it's a routine maintenance visit or a weekend emergency call, customers can expect courteous service and no sales pressure. The team also emphasizes the importance of regular HVAC maintenance, especially during peak seasons. Preventive care helps avoid surprise breakdowns, reduces energy costs, and extends the lifespan of heating and cooling systems. As a locally owned HVAC company in Athens, TN, 3 Tier Heating & Cooling continues to set itself apart by staying customer-focused and community-driven. Recognition like this recent top-three placement underscores the impact of their approach. 'Getting this kind of feedback from the community reminds us why we started this business in the first place,' Tyler added. 'We're thankful for every vote, every review, every customer who calls us first. We don't take that for granted.' To learn more about services or to book an appointment, visit or call (423) 435-7112. About 3 Tier Heating & Cooling 3 Tier Heating & Cooling is a locally owned and operated HVAC company based in Athens, TN. The team specializes in residential heating and cooling, offering services that include new system installation, AC and furnace repair, seasonal maintenance, and 24/7 emergency support. With a reputation for honesty, speed, and quality service, 3 Tier Heating & Cooling serves Athens and surrounding areas with care, professionalism, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Tyler Reynolds 3 Tier Heating & Cooling +1 423-435-7112 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Euronews
03-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Greek farm fund scandal to impact discharge of Commission's budget
A scandal involving Greek use of EU agricultural funds is set to play a role in the EU Parliament's discharge of the Commission budget later this year, the co-chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Anti-Corruption has told Euronews. German Green MEP Daniel Freund was commenting on the "fake farmer" fraud scandal, a sprawling case that has triggered political turmoil in Greece and raised questions over the management of EU agricultural subsidies. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) announced in May that it has an ongoing investigation into an alleged organised fraud scheme involving agricultural funds and corruption involving public officials of the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aids (OPEKEPE). Five high-ranking Greek government officials, including a minister and three deputies, resigned on Friday following allegations of involvement in the case, which stems from the alleged mismanagement of EU subsidies for agriculture between 2019 and 2022 by OPEKEPE, a government agency tasked with handling the funds. According to the EPPO, a "significant number of individuals" received subsidies through the agency based on false declarations, including claims of owning or leasing pastures that were in fact public land. 'In September 2024, Greek authorities placed OPEKEPE's accreditation on probation, and an action plan was designed to address the deficiencies identified,' a European Commission spokesperson told Euronews, adding: 'The Commission is working closely with the Greek authorities in this context.' Freund called on the European Parliament's budget control committee to investigate whether the alleged fraud points to deeper structural issues in Greece's management of EU funds. 'This issue will for sure play a role into the discussion on the discharge of the Commission's budget after the summer,' he said. The Commission said it could not comment on ongoing EPPO criminal investigations or criminal trials. Under EU law, member states must accredit only those paying agencies that meet minimum standards for managing EU funds, and if an agency fails to meet these conditions, it must be placed under probation and eventually stripped of its accreditation. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has publicly acknowledged the scandal as 'evidence of the state's inadequacy' in addressing corruption, pledging to establish a special taskforce to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. 'Clientelism cannot govern the way we conduct business,' he told his cabinet, vowing that 'since OPEKEPE didn't manage to do its work, the state will do it centrally.' In June the Athens-based EPPO referred to the Hellenic Parliament information regarding the alleged involvement of two former Ministers of Rural Development and Food in criminal offences. The Greek Constitution provides that only the national Parliament has the power to investigate and prosecute serving or even former members of the Greek government. This legal limitation has forced EPPO to split its investigation, a move the office argues undermines its mandate under EU law. EPPO has reported this issue to the European Commission, suggesting that national legal protections for ministers could limit the EPPO's competence and therefore be in breach of the EU's prosecutorial framework. Former agriculture minister Makis Voridis, who was serving as migration minister until recently, was one of those who resigned last week. 'I hope that the Greek Parliament lifts the immunities of MPs involved, in order to allow a proper investigation,' Freund said.
