Vassilis Nedos

The rapidly evolving crisis in Syria will take center stage at the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis representing Athens.

The government is closely following developments in Syria, concerned about the prevailing uncertainty and Turkey's seeming expansion of its regional influence.

In a visit underscoring Greece’s deepening interest in the Middle East, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis became the first EU leader to travel to Lebanon on Monday following the recent ceasefire in the country’s south.

The Defense Ministry faces critical questions about its aging fleet of military helicopters, which are plagued by operational issues.

The similarities between Greece and Portugal, such as the size of their population and economies – located on the opposite sides of Europe, are more than they may seem, despite their distinct historical development. In both countries, the return of the nationalist far-right is a new phenomenon, says Antonio Costa Pinto, research professor at the Institute of Social Science at the University of Lisbon, in an interview with Kathimerini.

Athens remains vigilant and ready to collaborate with partners and allies in addressing a potential scenario involving the delineation of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between Turkey and Syria – a move that could undermine the Republic of Cyprus' interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a carefully coordinated diplomatic effort, Greece and Cyprus are pushing for European Union attention on a potential agreement between Turkey and Syria to delimit maritime zones, raising the specter of legal and political tensions reminiscent of the illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum.

As Europe grapples with shifting geopolitical forces, Greece finds itself increasingly wary of Turkey's rising influence in the Middle East. Discussions about the future of European security have intensified, particularly with the growing concerns about Turkish involvement in Syria and the changing US foreign policy under President Donald Trump.

Greece has agreed to provide Ukraine with 24 Sea Sparrow missiles, which will support the Ukrainian Armed Forces against ongoing threats. These missiles, which have been in use for nearly 40 years, are from Greece's naval and air force stockpiles and have been deemed unnecessary for operational use by Greek military standards.

Turkey has plans for Syria now that the Bashar al-Assad regime has been toppled and a wary Greece and Cyprus are looking to Israel for support.