Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, PM says
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced plans for a new law that will impose stricter penalties on migrants who stay in the country after their asylum claims are rejected.
Greece has submitted its long-awaited maritime spatial plan to the European Union, outlining how it will organize various maritime activities such as fishing, tourism, offshore energy, and more.
This submission comes after a series of delays that drew criticism from the European Commission and led to a ruling from the EU Court of Justice in February, which found that Greece had violated EU regulations by failing to finalize its plan by the March 2021 deadline.
The maritime spatial plan is critical for managing activities in Greece’s vast and strategically important maritime areas. It sets out where specific activities, including fishing, sea transport, aquaculture, tourism, and renewable energy projects, can take place, helping to ensure sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of ecosystems from overfishing and pollution. These plans are a requirement under EU law for the protection and sustainable management of marine and coastal areas.
The Greek government acknowledged the delays, attributing them to the challenges posed by the country's extensive coastline, numerous islands, and complex geopolitical conditions in the eastern Mediterranean. The plan, however, does not include any exclusive economic zones (EEZs), which Greece and its neighbors, including Turkey, are still negotiating. While Greece has established EEZs with Italy and Egypt, talks with Turkey regarding maritime boundaries remain unresolved due to ongoing disputes over mineral rights in the Aegean Sea and the issue of Cyprus.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and WWF, have long pressured Greece to deliver its maritime spatial plan, accusing the government of neglecting the environmental aspects of maritime management. The submission of the plan is seen as a positive step toward fulfilling Greece's obligations under EU law, but it remains to be seen how effectively it will address the ecological concerns raised by environmental organizations.
The EU now awaits Greece's formal approval of the spatial plans, with the expectation that they will serve as a framework for sustainable and coordinated use of Greece's maritime areas while also facilitating ongoing discussions with neighboring countries on maritime zones.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has positioned Italy as a key gateway for EU engagement with Central Asia, securing over €7 billion in deals during a high-level tour of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan aimed at reinforcing energy, trade, and diplomatic ties.
Since taking office in January, Trump's sweeping tariff decisions, ranging from steel to smartphones have shaken markets, sparked global tensions, and triggered legal battles, with major duties hitting China, the EU, and even U.S. allies.
The UK will boost its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and push defence readiness in response to evolving global threats and shifting U.S. security commitments under President Trump.
Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and eurosceptic, has won Poland's presidency with 50.89% of the vote, promoting a nationalist platform, military aid to Ukraine, and a strongman image that resonated with right-wing voters.
The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to launch a security and defense dialogue aimed at addressing emerging challenges such as cyber threats and foreign interference, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo announced on Monday.
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