Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-25 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Pavlopoulos: Greece striving for just and viable solution to Cyprus issue [02] Top court expected to announce decision on 'Turkey's 8', but new postponement possible [03] EU and UNICEF announce joint project to help refugee children in Greece --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Pavlopoulos: Greece striving for just and viable solution to Cyprus issue Greece and Cyprus are striving for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, which must be in absolute accordance with the sum of international and European law, President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos said on Wednesday in a phone call to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Pavlopoulos called the UN Secretary General to congratulate him on his election and wished him every success in his mission, which he said had become especially demanding and difficult at this conjunction. He also noted that Greece, one of the founding members of the UN, remains a guardian of the timeless values supported by organisation's charter and will continue to participate in UN peacekeeping missions to restore peace and security worldwide. [02] Top court expected to announce decision on 'Turkey's 8', but new postponement possible The penal sections of Supreme Court are expected to announce on Thursday afternoon their ruling on whether to extradite the eight Turkish army officers who fled to Greece after the failed coup attempt in Turkey, as requested by their country. However, sources said the ruling may be postponed again if deliberations have not concluded. The decision was initially planned for Monday but was postponed after one of the judges was taken ill and because deliberations hadn't concluded. The former president of the Athens Bar Association, Dimitris Paxinos said earlier today that no judge could decide in favour of the extradition, particularly after the deputy prosecutors in all three hearings proposed that the court dismiss Turkey's request. [03] EU and UNICEF announce joint project to help refugee children in Greece BRUSSELS (ANA/ C. Vasilaki) The European Commission on Wednesday announced a new UNICEF-EU joint project to help 6,000 refugee and migrant children across Greece, including unaccompanied minors. The action will be financed with 8.5 million euros from the European Union's emergency support instrument, which enables the European Commission to fund emergency operations within the EU. "Child refugees, especially unaccompanied minors, are among the most vulnerable individuals and it is our moral obligation to help them and protect them as much as we can," said European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. At a time of harsh weather conditions in Greece, the project will help keep refugee and migrant children safe and cared for and give them access to child protection and educational services, a Commission announcement said. According to the Commission, there are an estimated 21,000 refugee and migrant children in Greece. Many of them suffer deep psychosocial distress as a result of their troubled experiences, the tough living conditions in refugee sites and lingering uncertainty. Many of them, regardless of their age, have been out of school for two years on average. Particular emphasis will be placed on services for unaccompanied children – 400 of whom will be provided with temporary accommodation while they wait for asylum, family reunification or relocation in Greece or elsewhere in Europe. Another 6,000 vulnerable children and women living in open sites and urban settings will benefit from psychosocial support, case management and referral to specialised child protection services.