AGP Executive Report

EU Sanctions Row: Italy and Bulgaria push back on an EU plan to blacklist Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, adding friction to the bloc’s next sanctions package. Property Reform: Greece’s Justice Ministry is drafting a first-ever Property Code to modernize apartment ownership rules, speed up co-owners’ expense collection, and lower voting thresholds for urgent repairs and energy upgrades. Spyware Probe: A report says Israeli spyware (Pegasus) was used to hack the phone of former Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou during his work on the EU’s Pegasus investigation. Defense Diplomacy: Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias is set to visit Australia mid-July to discuss security in the Southeastern Mediterranean. Tourism & Travel Pressure: Greece ranks fourth among Europeans’ preferred destinations for summer and autumn, while airport groups warn EU EES border checks could cause up to five-hour queues. Local Life: A major moped crash in Athens’ area left a 66-year-old man dead after injuries. Culture: “Hypatia: Uranography of Memory” premieres at the National Observatory of Athens, blending theatre, poetry, and stargazing.

Political Violence in Thessaloniki: Bulgaria’s president and government condemned the firebomb attacks on New Democracy officials’ homes, which killed one woman and injured others; authorities say gas cylinders were used in the early-morning assaults. Olympiacos Stadium Plans: Olympiacos unveiled a new 53,000-seat “G. Karaiskakis” arena in Piraeus, privately funded and aiming for an August 2028 opening pending approvals. US-Greece Defence Ties: US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle said Greece’s F-35 acquisition will boost operational cooperation with NATO allies, with deliveries expected to start in 2030. EU Energy Funding: The European Commission and EIB disbursed €2.5bn from the Modernisation Fund for 51 energy projects across 11 EU states, including Greece (€233.9m). Water Strategy Debate (Cyprus): Cyprus officials urged a unified national water management authority to secure long-term water adequacy. Local Public Safety (Greece, NY): A Walmart on Dewey Avenue in Greece, New York, was closed to the public Thursday afternoon, with the reason unclear.

Political Violence in Thessaloniki: Attackers targeted homes of New Democracy figures with homemade explosives, killing one and injuring five, prompting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to vow zero tolerance. EU Energy Funding: The European Commission and EIB disbursed €2.5bn from the Modernisation Fund for 51 clean-energy and grid projects across 11 EU states, including Greece. Border Chaos Warning: Ryanair renewed calls to delay the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) after warnings of up to six-hour passport queues at several airports, with Greece mentioned among countries already affected by the rollout. Parthenon Restoration Milestone: Scaffolding has been removed from the Parthenon’s western pediment, letting visitors see the monument’s full western face for the first time in about 220 years. Banking Update: National Bank of Greece bought back 675,000 shares in late June as part of its ongoing program. Wildfire Risk: Greece faces elevated wildfire danger, with reports of fires and evacuations in the wider region.

Social Media Rules for Kids: The EU is weighing a bloc-wide ban or major restrictions on children’s social media use, with an announcement expected in September during the State of the Union. Politics in Thessaloniki: Coordinated firebomb attacks targeted homes of New Democracy officials, killing one and injuring four; police say the Counterterrorism Unit is investigating. Digital Payments Boost: India’s UPI has gone live in Greece via Eurobank, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal calling it a milestone for instant, low-cost cross-border transfers. Tourism Watch: A National Bank of Greece hotel survey says 2026 demand expectations remain resilient, even as costs and inflation pressures bite. Wildfire Risk: Europe’s heat is proving deadly, and officials warn extreme heat is increasingly driving fatalities. Local Culture & Nightlife: “Energy Athens 2026” opens as a major group exhibition, while Giannis Dionysiou and Giannis Papageorgiou perform “Lakouva” at Lampeti Theater.

Wildfires & Public Safety: Two people died after a wildfire gutted a house near Thessaloniki, with a woman rescued; residents had been told to evacuate as strong winds fed the blaze. Arson Attacks: In Thessaloniki, three pre-dawn firebomb attacks targeted homes of New Democracy party figures, injuring five people. Metro Upgrade: Athens Metro rail replacement on Lines 2 and 3 is running ahead of schedule, with more than two-thirds of the 32-kilometer track work completed. Culture & Heritage: The Ancient Agora’s temple restoration is under way, while the Archaeological Museum of Argos reopened after 12 years with repatriated treasures. Tourism & Lifestyle: U.S. and Canadian buyers are driving a 50% jump in Greek holiday home demand, with many buyers of Greek descent. Tech & Payments: India’s UPI has gone live in Greece via Eurobank, enabling instant, lower-cost cross-border transfers. EU Politics: Ireland began its six-month EU Council Presidency on July 1, setting out a competitiveness-focused agenda. Aviation & Travel Chaos: EU border changes are sparking calls to suspend the biometric EES system as queues and missed flights hit summer travel.

Digital Payments Boost: UPI has gone live in Greece via Eurobank, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attending the launch and touting instant, lower-cost transfers. Public Safety & Disasters: Greek authorities say no one was trapped after a four-storey apartment collapse in Athens’ Petralona; emergency teams searched after initial reports, with occupants found outside. Wildfire Crisis: A wildfire near Thessaloniki left one man dead and a woman injured, with over 100 firefighters and aircraft battling flames toward nearby villages. Crime Crackdown: Greek police dismantled a football fan criminal network in Northern Greece, arresting 20 people and linking the group to drug trafficking and violent attacks. Local Community: Athens 706 Day returns July 5 with free food, music, sports and local deals, while Athens Summer Festival continues with free city events. Culture Spotlight: Greece’s Napul’e in Vari won Best Margherita Pizza in the World at an awards event in Milan.

Athens Building Collapse: Four people were trapped after a four-storey apartment block collapsed in Petralona, central Athens, but all were later found safe as rescue teams continued searching; investigators are looking into what caused the collapse, with construction work reported at a nearby site. India-Greece Payments: India’s UPI has gone live in Greece, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announcing real-time, low-cost transfers via a Eurobank-NPCI International Payments partnership, expanding UPI’s reach to 10 countries. Cyprus Diplomacy: UN chief António Guterres is pushing for a breakthrough on the Cyprus issue before his term ends, with talks aimed at restarting negotiations and bridging long-running positions. Thessaloniki Protest: Greek Jewish groups condemned an “anti-Zionist patrol” in Thessaloniki organized by left-wing anarchist Rouvikonas, marking 95 years since assaults on Jews in the city. Wimbledon Spotlight: Reuters reports Wimbledon Day 2 action, including Greece’s Maria Sakkari winning and Novak Djokovic facing Stefanos Tsitsipas in a headline match. EU Security Ties: A report says the US could revisit selling F-35 jets to Turkey if Ankara transfers S-400 systems to a third country, with Greece and Israel opposing the move.

Health Update: Greece says a free “afternoon surgeries” programme has cut hospital waiting lists by 98%, with cases over four months dropping from about 90,000 to roughly 7,000 as the initiative ends at month’s close. Culture & Tourism: Athens’ Ancient Agora is getting a restoration boost, with the Southeast Temple and the Panathenaic Way set for works to improve access, visibility and the site’s historical flow. Digital Work Reform: Greece expands its Digital Labor Card to five new sectors, aiming to protect workers and tighten records of working time and pay. Wildfire Tech: Greece is leaning on satellite tools to detect wildfires, part of a broader push to use space tech for faster response. Regional Security: Turkey’s Erdogan renewed calls for Turkey to be included in Europe’s defence structures ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, a move Greece has warned it could block. Sports (Greece link): Panetolikos signs Ghanaian striker Kwadwo “Mahala” Opoku from CF Montreal on a two-year deal. International Spotlight: UN Security Council debates renewed calls to halt Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Greece–India Business Push: Trade minister Piyush Goyal told Greek business leaders India offers “great opportunities” to invest, partner and grow, with Greece positioned as a gateway to Europe. Energy Transition in Northern Greece: RWE and PPC have started operations on a 930MW Greece PV portfolio in a former lignite mine, with more solar and storage momentum. Cyprus Talks and EU Diplomacy: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said progress on the Cyprus issue could unlock solutions to other regional problems, while UN-led contacts are expected to pause until after the NATO summit. Turkey and NATO Defence Debate: Erdoğan urged NATO and Europe to include Turkey in defence structures and remove defence-trade barriers, with Athens flagged as a potential blocker to EU SAFE access. Tourism and Culture: Greece unveiled a revamped VisitGreece.gr tourism portal and promoted exclusive Acropolis private tours as demand for premium experiences grows. Local Athens Safety/Infrastructure: A hotel in Greece (Studio 6) was ordered to close by Monday over fire and public-safety violations. Space Ambitions: Greece’s €350m space plan targets satellite production, including a satellite factory as part of a national strategy.

Business & Innovation: India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Greece leading a startup-focused business delegation, with pitches and presentations at THEA aimed at boosting trade, investment, and cross-border innovation links. Tourism Pressure: A new T&E/NEF study warns that air tourism is driving rent hikes across Europe, with Greece forecast to see increases of about €160–€220 per year by 2031, hitting lower-income households hardest. Health Tech: Thessaloniki’s Theageneio Hospital has started using a new €1m robotic system to prepare chemotherapy drugs with higher accuracy, safety, and full traceability. Archaeology & Heritage: Work begins on a €1.7m restoration of the Octagon at Ancient Olympia, including mosaic protection and safer visitor routes. Local Safety: An electric scooter explosion at an Athens hotel in Omonia injured three people, with firefighters responding quickly while investigators examine the cause. Travel Disruption: Greece’s summer travel strain continues as airlines adjust Middle East routes, including renewed Thessaloniki–Tel Aviv service. Sports: Greece’s men’s water polo team is preparing for the World Cup finals in Sydney, starting 23 July vs Montenegro.

Hotel Fire in Central Athens: A blaze at an Omonia Square hotel was triggered by an exploding electric scooter while charging, sending thick smoke through an eight-story building and evacuating guests; three people were treated for minor injuries and smoke inhalation, with a 41-year-old man hospitalized for burns as firefighters contained the fire fast. Acropolis Rally: Sébastien Ogier won the Acropolis Rally in Athens after Thierry Neuville suffered a double puncture on the penultimate stage, giving Ogier a 58.3-second victory margin. Cyprus Diplomacy: UN envoy María Ángela Holguín heads to Brussels next as Nicosia awaits UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ next steps on the Cyprus issue. Tourism & Sustainability: Halki is pursuing a low-impact model—solar, water upgrades, and climate resilience—to extend the season without mass-tourism pressure. Public Safety: Greek police arrested four people, including two minors, in a nationwide operation targeting online child sexual abuse material. Crypto Regulation: Binance withdrew its Greece MiCA license bid and is set to restrict services across parts of the EU from July 1.

AthFest Culture: Athens’ AthFest Day Two kept the music going despite intermittent rain, with bands and crowds dancing through weather delays and soaking performances. Live Music Spotlight: After Hourz Band brought blues-rock-R&B-soul grooves to the streets, while Athens also hosted fresh touring acts and themed nights like IMAMU’s neon “Glow in the Dark Trip” on the Athens Riviera. Theatre & Community: Talk Is Free Theatre unveiled its 25th season, promising productions that “F*#% the System” by exploring power, belonging and community-building across Canada and beyond. International Relations (Greece): Greece is in advanced talks with Canada to join a new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank aimed at funding allied defence and supply-chain projects. Piraeus Events: The US Embassy and Piraeus are teaming up for “Freedom 250” with a free country concert featuring Restless Road and Julia Cole on July 1. Sports: Greek swimmers shone in Rome with wins and medals at Sette Colli. Environment: Greece launched a paid bounty to curb toxic toadfish damaging nets, offering fishermen €5.33 per kilo.

Wildfire Watch: Greece issued a very high fire-risk alert for Attica, the Peloponnese and parts of central/western Greece and the North Aegean, with Civil Protection raising readiness and possible movement restrictions. Tourism & Safety: Athens airports are seeing summer flight delays again, blamed on air-traffic controller shortages, aging equipment and radar malfunctions, while the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) adds longer border checks. Culture & Heritage: The Acropolis is rolling out exclusive private tours for groups of up to five, and the Hellenic Olympic Committee is upgrading Panathenaic Stadium ahead of major athletics events. Local Life: Athens is set to expand social services access via a new digital platform, and the city’s homeless survey highlights who is living on the streets. Environment & Food: Toxic silver-cheeked toadfish are spreading in Greek waters, and fishermen are being paid to catch them as tourist season ramps up. Tech & Finance: Binance is set to suspend EU services after failing to secure a MiCA license, with Greece’s earlier application withdrawal adding to the fallout.

Space & Safety: Greece is betting on a new satellite network to spot wildfires early, sending commanders AI-processed location and intensity data as blazes spread fast in extreme heat. First Astronaut Push: Prime Minister Mitsotakis says Greece will send its first astronaut into space within two years, backed by €350m to expand the space sector. Sports & Culture: Panathenaic Stadium renovations have started with private funding, including a new World Athletics-certified track, marble cleaning, and upgraded lighting ahead of major events. Public Order: Athens-Clarke County police ask for tips on a reported peeping tom near College Station Road and Riverbend areas. Cost of Living: A report says Greeks are still getting priced out of summer even after economic recovery. Drugs & Crime: Greece’s drug enforcement chief says cannabis and cocaine dominate the market, with trafficking increasingly using online apps and parcels. Fireworks: Texas Freshwater Fisheries hosts a family fireworks night July 5. Crypto Shock: Binance will suspend most EU services from July 1 after missing MiCA licensing deadlines.

Toxic Fish Bounty: Greece is paying fishermen €5.33 per kilo to catch invasive silver-cheeked toadfish, blamed on warming seas, after the puffer-family predator tore up nets off Crete and other islands. Heatwave Pressure on Tourism: Europe’s heatwave is hitting beaches hard, with drought and “heat dome” conditions worsening conditions for visitors and locals alike. Wildlife Under Threat: WWF Greece and ARCHELON warn only 12% of loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches are in good condition, citing beach furniture, night lighting and heavy evening human presence. Defence Industry Deal: Rheinmetall and Athens-based GEK TERNA signed a long-term framework to support land systems for Greece’s armed forces, including upgrades and domestic production. Aegean Water Crisis: Greece’s islands are still struggling with severe drinking-water shortages as peak tourism strains supplies. Sports Business Shock: Floyd Mayweather’s planned Athens exhibition with Mike Zambidis is off after court filings, while the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch has also been postponed indefinitely. Panathenaic Stadium Upgrade: Renovations have started at the historic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, funded by a private Marinakis donation, with a new certified running track and lighting planned.

Sports & Culture Shock: Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight in Athens against Mike Zambidis has been called off days before the bout, after a lawsuit and emergency court filings in the U.S. halted promotion and ticket sales, with a possible reschedule depending on the injunction outcome. Local Economy & Travel: A new direct ferry link is set to connect Lemnos (Myrina) with Çanakkale in Turkey, aiming to boost tourism and local business. Business & Deals: Australian Ambassador Alison Duncan told Greek CEOs that newly finalised Australia–EU agreements could open fresh trade and investment opportunities for sectors like pharma, energy, construction and tech. Heritage & Law: Greece returned six Egyptian cultural objects to Egypt after documentation and legal steps, including four ancient items and two counterfeit pieces. Energy & Compliance: Greece’s tax authority moves to require invoices for wholesale fuel transactions at gas stations from Jan. 1, 2027, tightening how fuel receipts can be used for business expenses. Arts in Athens: Heir Apparent returns to Athens for a one-off concert at ILION Plus, while Rationalistas is set for a Technopolis show on Sept. 14.