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Ellis, Athanasios
journalist, i kathimerini
5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Greece wants Turkey's EU accession
Athens actually wants its Turkish neighbour to join the EU because the advantages outweight the disadvantages, the conservative daily Kathimerini writes: "Greece is perhaps the only country that really wants a European Turkey. It has a strategic interest in backing the country's move towards the EU and ultimately its EU accession. Unlike other European countries that oppose Turkey's bid for reasons of their own, Greece would prefer a Turkish neighbour who belongs to the European family and therefore won't provoke it or make threats against it. This is not a typical communication trick. Greece stands to benefit from this development. This is why all Greek governments in the past years have supported this position unanimously. ... The current Prime Minister George Papandreou has even shown genuine interest in the course of his political career in normalising Greek-Turkish relations, and the political leaders and citizens of our neighbouring country are aware of this."
» full article (external link, Greek)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Greece, » Europe, » Turkey
Wrong decision to hold new elections in Greece
The conservative daily I Kathimerini criticises the decision of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis to hold early elections in October: "His decision was taken on the basis of pressure from recent developments and his staff. The young, imperishable politician triumphed in 2004 and was lucky enough to be in power during the successful Olympic Games [also 2004]. After making it look like he'd bring about the necessary reforms he hasn't had the heart to do so. He hasn't pressed ahead with a single innovation, and nothing came of the reconstruction of the state. ... A good part of society doesn't adhere blindly to one party or another but subjects all parties equally to its strict but good-natured judgement. ... These voters make up 6 to 8 percent of the electorate and their votes are largely responsible for an election's outcome. ... And they're disappointed in the prime minister. They believe that true leaders make developments happen, and are not bulldozed by them."
» full article (external link, Greek)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Greece
The search for a new leader
The pro-government Greek daily I Kathimerini analyses the mistakes of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, and casts about for potential replacements. "The prime minister tries in vain to keep up with events. His ministers are incapable of dealing with circumstances, and he has lost control of this incendiary situation - with catastrophic consequences for the entire country. ... It is being left up to the police, who lack orders or any plan to speak of, to improvise. ... The images of police sitting pathetically as stones and Molotov cocktails pour down on them were unbelievable. ... The people are looking for a new leader, someone who can restore confidence in the public institutions, put an end to the immunity of politicians, journalists and other celebrities ... and who has the courage to fight corruption. ... Unfortunately such a leader is nowhere in sight."
» full article (external link, Greek)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Greece
Implementing an economic policy
According to the Greek daily Kathimerini, Obama must first tackle the economy: "After all, we have seen that in practice it was the economy that gave Obama his victory. ... In 1992 Bill Clinton was elected under the slogan 'It's the economy stupid'. For the second time in 16 years a democratic candidate has won because his economic message gained acceptance. ... Obama must now make good on his promises to implement a progressive economic policy that helps both the working class and the middle class and at the same time preserves the trust of the markets. ... 62 percent of the voters in a survey said that the economic situation was the most important factor behind their decision. Only 10 percent mentioned terrorism or other issues."
» more information (external link, Greek)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Economic Policy, » U.S.
A dangerous name dispute
Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, a former Yugoslavian republic, last week called for the recognition of the Slav-Macedonian minority in Greece, triggering an escalation in the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia. The Greek daily blames the Macedonian prime minister for this impasse: "This 38-year-old arrogant and nationalist prime minister ... threatens to destroy the precarious balance in the Balkans. ... Gruevski is trying to widen the [political] agenda with Greece either in order to ... force a concession in the name dispute or because he believes that those countries that are sensitive to minority issues in Europe and America will support him ... in his campaign. ... Should the latter be the case, Gruevski is walking on thin ice by trying to create problems where there are none and open wounds that Europe had healed long ago. ... Gruevski is turning into a troublemaker in the Balkans."
» full article (external link, Greek)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Greece, » Europe, » South East Europe
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