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In a world in which countries are ever more closely linked and with neighbouring Italy developing into the China of Europe it was simply a matter of time for the coronavirus to reach Greece.

Understanding these facts about the virus is crucial in Greece which is in a process of recovery after a decade-long crisis and fear is an obstacle in the effort to jumpstart the economy.

Who offered these individuals the status of protected witnesses with immunity from prosecution in order to receive so little –mere rumours – and on whose orders?

The coronavirus threat (the first case in Greece was identified today in Thessaloniki) poses a huge challenge to the National Health System and to what is ostensibly the government’s strong suit – the recovery of the Greek economy.

Greece, which has 11 million people but attracts more than 30 million foreign tourists annually, has identified 13 hospitals across the country for treating infected patients.

The government spokesman did not clarify any particular logical link between the threat of the prospective spread of the coronavirus and the thousands of migrants crowded in the Moria camp, and how closed detention centres would limit it.

The Greek print and electronic media have focused on the need for the public to remain calm and composed in the not unlikely event that cases arise in the country.

Noting measures that the Greek government has taken the foreign minister referred to the relocation of refugees and migrants from the five Aegean islands were they arrive and are concentrated – Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Leros - to the mainland.

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told Ta Nea about plans to intensify French investment in Greece in various sectors, from energy to tourism and infrastructure.

G20 finance ministers and central bank governors who met in Riyadh instead of attempting to forge a common effort to manage the coronavirus crisis simply issued platitudinous observations. In the final communiqué of the meeting, which China did not attend, officials merely articulated their commitment to bolster international monitoring of how the epidemic is evolving. Naturally that message did not allay the fears of investors. Yesterday was a “black Monday” for stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic and the Greek bourse collapsed without resistance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) expressed heightened concerns about the sudden rise in incidence and warned about a prospective pandemic. The rapid spread of the coronavirus is undoubtedly linked to the constantly increasing mobility of people and the inter-dependence between countries. The dependencies resulting from globalisation were discussed in Riyadh but of course the participants came up with no answers. In our globalised world major problems require global coordination. The powerful of our planet have a duty to step up their efforts to confront the threat and adopt a unified action plan

The coronavirus death toll climbed to seven in Italy on Monday and several Middle East countries were dealing with their first infections, sending markets into a tailspin over fears of a global pandemic even as China eased curbs with no new cases reported in Beijing and other cities.

Wall Street’s three major averages plunged on Monday as investors ran for safety after a surge in coronavirus cases outside China fanned worries about the global economic impact of a potential pandemic.

Given the challenges with which the EU is confronted one might have expected more generous approaches and dynamic policies in line with the geopolitical and other ambitions of the powers that play a leading role.

On the one hand Parliament must probe to find the truth and on the other it must ensure the legal and constitutional order. The one is a precondition for the other.

Cyprus' energy minister categorically rejected calls by those who want Turkey to be an equal partner despite its lawless actions and to put Cyprus’ hydrocarbons drilling programme on hold pending a solution of the Cyprus problem.

A study conducted by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) concluded that over-taxation broke the back of the middle class, especially in the last years of the crisis.

What is certain is that the country’s political leadership can no longer sweep the migration-refugee problem under the rug or pretend that it will be resolved on its own.

Provocative statements from Ankara certainly stir concerns and Turkey in the 21st century appears to be adopting an ever more aggressive stance toward its neighbours.

European Council President Charles Michel warned last week that European leaders who are today attending an extraordinary summit will not leave Brussels until they have reached agreement on the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework.

'They must know that we don’t want them here,” New Democracy MP Konstantinos Bogdanos, among the party’s most right-wing members said of economic migrants.