Greece experienced its worst train disaster in history, leading to a three-day national mourning period. Over 57 passengers, mostly university students, died, with an unknown number missing after a head-on collision between two trains near Larissa due to a switch error. The Greek Railway Union suggested that a GPS system, purchased in 2003 but never activated, could have prevented the accident. The incident has led to the resignation of the Transport Minister, Kostas Achileas Karamanlis, and executives from TRENOSE and HELLENIC TRAIN. Prime Minister Kiryakos Miçotakis announced plans to overhaul the railways. Protests erupted in Athens and Thessaloniki, with clashes between demonstrators and police. The political implications are being discussed, with questions about the impact on upcoming elections and the government's approval ratings. Opposition parties SYRIZA and the Greek Communist Party have made statements, with SYRIZA withholding criticism during the mourning period and the Communist Party calling the incident a crime. The train disaster's timing, following fatal earthquakes in Turkey, has also drawn comparisons to past events and led to messages of condolence and solidarity between Turkish and Greek leaders.

In Greece, two prominent political figures are stepping away from politics ahead of the elections. Kostas Karamanlis, a former Prime Minister and member of the ruling conservative New Democracy Party since 1989, has decided not to run in the upcoming elections, though he has not specified his reasons. Pavlos Polakis, known as the 'bad boy' of the radical left SYRIZA party and a former Deputy Health Minister, has been removed from the party's candidate list and referred to the disciplinary board after his controversial actions and statements, including his recent social media posts targeting journalists, judges, and bankers.

The maritime jurisdiction agreement signed between Turkey and Libya has raised concerns about escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. The agreement could fuel existing continental shelf disputes between Turkey and Greece and impact the EastMed project, which aims to transport natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to European countries. Greece has formed alliances with Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, seemingly ignoring Turkey's presence in the Mediterranean, while Turkey has responded by signing the agreement with Libya's legitimate Sarraj government. The legality of Turkey's move under international law is debated, and there are reservations from Italy, France, the United States, and Russia. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has launched a campaign to invalidate the agreement, visiting countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Cyprus, and General Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi. The planned EastMed pipeline, which would bypass Turkey, may now intersect with the maritime zones Turkey has delineated with Libya, potentially leading to new points of friction. The situation also reignites longstanding disputes over maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones, particularly around the Greek island of Crete. The possibility of naval confrontations and the fear of war are growing concerns, with some suggesting that the International Court of Justice in The Hague may eventually need to be involved. An equitable solution to the Cyprus issue is believed to potentially resolve Eastern Mediterranean disputes automatically.

Greece's new Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following tradition, made his first official visit to Cyprus where he met with Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis. Mitsotakis expressed a cautious optimism about the upcoming talks between Anastasiadis and Northern Cyprus leader Mustafa Akıncı scheduled for August 9, emphasizing the importance of resolving the Cyprus issue without outdated guarantees and the presence of occupying forces. He criticized Turkey's presence on the island and its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean as violations of Cyprus's sovereign rights. Anastasiadis echoed Mitsotakis's views on Turkey's drilling and indicated a joint response with the EU. He also stressed the need for equal rights between communities in Cyprus and expressed hope for agreement in his talks with Akıncı.

Conservative New Democracy Party leader and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined his government's program in the Greek parliament, emphasizing steps in economy, social issues, education, and development. He briefly touched on Greek-Turkish relations, expressing a desire to take bold steps forward with President Erdogan, based on international law and friendly relations. Mitsotakis also announced plans for tax reductions, attracting foreign investors, educational reforms, restoration of historic buildings in Athens and Thessaloniki, and legal changes to revoke privileges for prisoners serving life sentences. The program will be presented for a vote in the Greek Parliament on Monday midnight.

Kiryakos Mitsotakis, leader of the New Democracy Party, became the Prime Minister of Greece following the party's victory in the recent elections, taking over from SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras. Mitsotakis, who was sworn in during a religious ceremony, plans to call President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as one of his first actions to foster a climate of trust between Greece and Turkey and to ease tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The New Democracy Party is one of the few European conservative parties that support Turkey's EU membership, a stance Mitsotakis has consistently endorsed. Mitsotakis, born in 1968, is married with three children and is the son of former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis. His sister, Dora Bakoyannis, is also a former Foreign Minister. During the rule of the Colonels' Junta in Greece, their father was helped by then Foreign Minister İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil to escape to Paris via Turkey.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras responded to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's comments targeting him, asserting that he speaks on behalf of international law and the European Union, and that Greece is not alone but a pillar of stability and peace in the region. Tsipras emphasized Greece and Cyprus's determination to protect their sovereignty rights within the framework of international law. He warned that any violation of these rights would have significant costs and damage Turkey's relations with the EU and regional cooperation opportunities. The tension between Turkey and Cyprus has escalated since the discovery of rich hydrocarbon deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2010 and the involvement of major international energy companies like Noble, Exxon Mobil, ENI, and Total.

Drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean have reignited tensions between Turkey and Greece. Greece's declaration of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and cooperation with Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt has isolated Turkey in the region. ExxonMobil's drilling in the area has shown promising results, with significant natural gas reserves estimated by the US Geological Survey. Turkey, feeling excluded, has initiated its own hydrocarbon research with two vessels. Turkish officials assert their rights in the region and the protection of Turkish Cypriots' interests. The potential for conflict over maritime boundaries remains high. Greece's new Foreign Minister Yorgos Katrougalos suggests dialogue for resolving disputes. The EastMed project, supported by the US and EU, plans to transport gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe, but its feasibility is debated. The quantity and commercial value of the natural gas could either offer a chance for resolution or lead to greater conflict.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is set to visit Turkey on February 5-6, marking his third visit since taking office in 2015. He will be received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara and will then travel to Istanbul to meet with Patriarch Bartholomeos and visit the Halki seminary, closed since 1972, becoming the first Greek Prime Minister to do so. The visit is considered highly significant in Athens, with expectations to address longstanding issues such as Aegean disputes, airspace violations, the Cyprus problem, and recent tensions over drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek government hopes for progress, especially on the Cyprus issue, following the resignation of the nationalist Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, which may allow Tsipras more flexibility in Turkish-Greek relations and the Cyprus problem. The visit aims to reduce tensions and maintain dialogue between the two countries.

On New Year's Eve, Thessaloniki, a city often compared to Izmir, was bustling with Turkish tourists who felt at home due to the city's warm atmosphere and cultural familiarity. The city's cosmopolitan nature was evident with people speaking various languages, including Turkish, Serbian, Romanian, Hebrew, Bulgarian, and Greek. Thessaloniki's Mayor Yannis Boutaris was credited for reviving the city's natural cultural richness and diversity through outreach to Turkey, neighboring Balkan countries, and Israel. Despite Boutaris announcing he would not run in the upcoming May elections, the city's festive spirit and welcoming attitude towards Turkish visitors highlighted a successful cultural exchange.

Former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece, Yorgos Papandreu, spoke to SABAH ahead of his visit to Turkey from October 26-28, addressing Europe's pressing immigration issue. He emphasized that the crisis, which became apparent with Syria, has evolved into a global problem requiring collective action and discussion on necessary measures.

The death toll from the forest fires near Athens, Greece, continues to rise, with 81 confirmed deaths, including those who drowned while fleeing to the sea. The Rafina region, one of the devastated areas, is expected to have a death toll exceeding 100, according to Mayor Evangelos Bournous. There are nearly 200 injured, including 23 children, with 10 in critical condition. Over 100 people, including foreign tourists, are missing. Eyewitness accounts describe the rapid and overwhelming nature of the fires, with many unable to escape the flames. Criticism has been directed at the Greek government for inadequate fire prevention measures and failure to renew firefighting resources, drawing parallels to past tragedies in Greece where wildfires have caused significant loss of life and property.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's official visit to Greece on December 7-8 is highly valued, marking the first visit by a Turkish President to Athens in 65 years and anticipated to be a turning point for bilateral relations. The visit is expected to address Turkish-Greek disputes through dialogue, enhance economic cooperation with transportation projects, and demonstrate Turkey's continued Western engagement to the EU and the USA despite fluctuations in Turkey-EU relations.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kocyas, a member of the SYRIZA government, will be visiting Istanbul to meet with Patriarch Bartholomew I and then proceed to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Kocyas aims to reaffirm intentions regarding Confidence Building Measures between Greece and Turkey, discuss the progress of exploratory talks, and further enhance the already flourishing economic relations. He also anticipates discussing regional stability and security, acknowledging both shared and differing views with Turkey. Kocyas expresses hope for resolving Aegean disputes and looks forward to increasing cooperation, including the possibility of reciprocal visits by Greek and Turkish prime ministers.

Alexis Tsipras, Greece's youngest and most left-leaning Prime Minister since 1876, discusses the continuation of the friendship and cooperation between the Greek and Turkish people, based on common values. Despite the challenges, including airspace violations and the casus belli issue, Tsipras emphasizes the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. He outlines his government's priorities, including renegotiating Greece's debt within the EU, reviewing privatization contracts for legality and profitability, and fostering investments that benefit the public. Tsipras also supports a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue, advocating for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation. His victory in Greece has sent messages of optimism and hope across Europe.

Greece's plan to build a security wall along the Turkish border to curb illegal immigration has sparked significant controversy. The proposed barrier, intended to cover 12.5 kilometers of the 80-kilometer border, has been met with opposition from political parties, civil society, and the European Commission, which criticizes it as a short-term solution. Journalist Stelyo Berberakis highlights the ineffectiveness of such barriers, citing similar measures at the U.S.-Mexico border, and suggests that the wall could inadvertently aid human traffickers by increasing their fees. Berberakis also notes that a more effective solution might involve repatriation agreements with the migrants' countries of origin, a topic previously discussed between Greek and Turkish leaders.