Latest news with #ConstantineTassoulas
Al Arabiya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Al-Sisi says Egypt, Greece set to sign deal to boost ties
Greece and Egypt will sign a 'strategic partnership' agreement on Wednesday as the two countries seek to step up political coordination to help safeguard stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said. 'Our relations are traditional and historical. We have the basis to enhance this relationship,' said al-Sisi during a televised meeting with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas in Athens. 'We will have today the chance to sign a joint declaration for a strategic partnership.' Al-Sisi is due to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, more than a year after they agreed to set up a cooperation board of senior officials from both countries to improve ties. The two leaders were expected to reaffirm their joint stance over the need to respect international law to promote peace in a turbulent region amid the ongoing war in Gaza, a Greek government official said. Migration was also expected to top the agenda of bilateral talks as European governments have long been worried about the risk of instability in Egypt, a country of 106 million people where economic adversity has pushed increasing numbers to migrate. Egypt largely shut off irregular migration from its north coast in 2016, but the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have seen a steep rise in migrant arrivals, mostly from Afghanistan and Egypt. The European Union last year announced a 7.4 billion euro ($8.40 billion) funding package and an upgraded relationship with Egypt, in part of a push to stem migrant flows from Egypt to Europe. Last month, its executive arm included Egypt, where human rights have come under scrutiny, on a list of 'safe countries' where failed asylum seekers could be returned. ($1 = 0.8811 euros)
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Morocco: His Majesty the King Congratulates Greek President on National Day
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine Tassoulas, on his country's National Day. In this message, HM the King expresses His warmest congratulations to Mr. Tassoulas, and His sincere wishes for further progress and prosperity to the Greek people. The Sovereign takes this opportunity to commend the distinguished relations uniting the two countries, reaffirming His keenness to work with the Greek president to strengthen these ties for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Al Etihad
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE President, VPs congratulate Greek President on Independence Day
25 Mar 2025 13:01 ABU DHABI (WAM) President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to President Constantine Tassoulas of Greece on the occasion of his country's Independence Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent two similar messages to President Tassoulas and to the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Euronews
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Greek lawmakers elect former parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas as president
Greek lawmakers have elected a former parliament speaker and leading advocate for the return of the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum as the country's new president. Constantine Tassoulas, 65, was elected to the largely ceremonial post by the 300-member parliament on Wednesday, winning with 160 votes in the fourth round of voting. He takes over from Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the first woman to serve as Greece's head of state, who was not nominated for a second five-year term. Speaking after the result was declared, Tassoulas called the presidency 'a supreme honour for me, but above all a precious responsibility'. Tassoulas belongs to the governing centre-right New Democracy party, and served as culture minister a decade ago. During his tenure, he helped reinvigorate the campaign to repatriate the 2,500-year-old Parthenon sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, from the British Museum. During his tenure as culture minister, he collaborated with lawyer Amal Clooney, who lent her support to the country's bid for the sculptures' return, helping raise international awareness of the campaign in the process. The sculptures were removed from the Acropolis in Athens by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 1800s and have since been kept in the British Museum in central London. The Greek government insists their removal was illegal, and has long demanded their return, seeking to reunite them with other Parthenon artefacts displayed in a museum in Athens. Greek officials are more optimistic about the future of the sculptures since the advent of a Labour government in the UK, with its perceived openness to loan agreements. A potential arrangement to facilitate rotating exhibitions of ancient Greek artefacts at the museum is among the various proposals circulating.
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Greece has a new president. Here's what it means in the battle for the Elgin Marbles
Greece has elected Constantine Tassoulas, a prominent advocate for the return of the Parthenon sculptures, as its new president. The 65-year-old former parliament speaker secured 160 votes in the 300-member parliament during the fourth round of voting. He succeeds Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the country's first female head of state. Following the announcement, Tassoulas described his election as 'a supreme honor... but above all a precious responsibility'. A lawyer and member of the governing center-right New Democracy party, Tassoulas previously served as culture minister. During his tenure, he played a key role in revitalising Greece's campaign to reclaim the 2,500-year-old Parthenon sculptures, often referred to as the Elgin Marbles, from the British Museum. The largely ceremonial role will see Tassoulas take on the mantle of head of state for a five-year term. During his time as culture minister, he hosted lawyer Amal Clooney in Athens, who lent her support to the country's bid for the sculptures' return. Clooney, the wife of actor George Clooney, helped raise international awareness of the campaign. The sculptures were removed from the Acropolis in Athens by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 1800s and have since been kept in the British Museum. The Greek government contends their removal was illegal and has long sought their return, seeking to reunite them with other Parthenon artefacts displayed in a museum in the Greek capital. Greek officials believe the return of the sculptures is more likely now due to the Labour government's perceived openness to loan agreements. In December, Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece in his meeting with his Greek counterpart despite claims from Athens that progress had been made on the issue. While Downing Street insisted that the ancient sculptures would not be on the agenda for the bilateral meeting between the Sir Keir and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a Greek government official said progress has been made and it will be discussed further on Tuesday. The Greek official told The Times: 'Progress for the return of the Parthenon marbles has been made by the two sides and that is why Mitsotakis is meeting today with the British prime minister. Nothing is in hiding. Nothing is hidden.' Ongoing discussions on a potential arrangement would likely include an offer to facilitate rotating exhibitions of ancient Greek artefacts at the British Museum. In Decmber, a British Museum spokesman said discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are 'on-going and constructive.' 'We believe that this kind of long term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum.'
