Former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos’s decision not to respond to summonses from Belgian police—seeking his testimony in the Qatar Gate investigation—has backfired dramatically. The probe centers on former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, widely regarded as the mastermind behind the scandal, and the NGO he led, where Avramopoulos worked for one year in exchange for €75,000.
A Mounting Legal Crisis
Avramopoulos reportedly hesitated either out of fear of reputational damage or lack of trust in Belgian authorities—who could potentially arrest him, according to Brussels-based legal experts quoted in the column. But his silence has only deepened the crisis: a Belgian arrest warrant has now reached Greek judicial authorities and been forwarded to Parliament, where lawmakers must vote on lifting his parliamentary immunity.
Avramopoulos has filed a motion for annulment at Greece’s Supreme Court (Areios Pagos), citing procedural flaws—including the absence of a national Belgian warrant accompanying the European arrest warrant, as required under EU law. Yet today’s column reveals that such a national warrant does exist, undermining a key pillar of his legal challenge. His defense team continues to pursue multiple legal avenues—but it now appears highly unlikely he will avoid testifying in Belgium, whether in custody or not.
Parliamentary Timeline Tightens
According to parliamentary sources, Avramopoulos’s case will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee no later than 20 July, with a full plenary vote expected before month’s end. This timeline follows other high-profile complaints already under review—including those against Zoe Konstantopoulou and Adonis Georgiadis’s criminal complaint against journalist Mario Salmas.
If immunity is lifted and Avramopoulos still refuses cooperation, the arrest warrant may be executed immediately. Further delays are untenable: summer has begun, and procedural deadlines are closing in.
NATO Summit Diplomacy: Trump, Erdogan, and Symbolic Gestures
At the NATO summit currently underway, Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan projected an image of close alliance—exchanging warm handshakes, repeated embraces, and effusive praise. Erdoğan touched Trump’s arm several times, while Trump repeatedly referred to him as a personal friend.
Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for Turkey’s long-standing bid to acquire F-35 fighter jets—a promise that remains aspirational, with no concrete roadmap or actionable steps announced. Instead, the first likely green light may come for U.S. engine integration into Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter program.
Greek Government Cautiously Optimistic on F-35s
Greece’s delegation expressed cautious confidence yesterday evening regarding its own F-35 procurement process, citing specific U.S. briefings that remain unchallenged. Still, illusions should be avoided: Turkey is expected to eventually join the F-35 program—though significantly later than Greece, which is set to begin receiving its aircraft imminently.