Following the quandary of the privatization of the 14 regional airports, the Greek government announced the temporary stoppage of ongoing works in the Skouries Gold mine, in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. Exiting the Maximos Hall, after a meeting with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, Panagiotis Skourletis, Minister of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy said the mines would close temporarily citing violations of technical studies by company Hellenic Gold. After closing down the operations of the company, he added that investments were necessary in Greece, as long they respect the agreed terms in order not to harm the public interest and the environment.