Kyriakos Mitsotakis gives a clear response to Antonis Samaras, just days after his expulsion, speaking on Alpha TV’s show “Autopsia” with Antonis Sroiter.
“What was said in this interview far surpassed anything said in the past, so I judged that I had no other choice. I cannot allow such theories to circulate that the foreign minister and I are appeasers, that we are conducting secret diplomacy,” the Prime Minister emphasizes in an excerpt from the interview broadcast during the station’s main news bulletin.
When asked what bothered him the most about what Mr. Samaras said two Sundays ago in To Vima, the Prime Minister responds: “It was the phrase about the ‘flirting’ during the meeting in Budapest. That reference by itself was so unacceptable that it left me no room… A former prime minister cannot tell the sitting prime minister to fire the foreign minister,” Mr. Mitsotakis stresses.
In response to a related question, Mr. Mitsotakis makes it clear that there is no possibility of New Democracy MPs leaving to follow Antonis Samaras, adding, “we have a strong government with a four-year mandate.”
Furthermore, Mr. Mitsotakis responds to Kostas Karamanlis, who expressed his disagreement with the expulsion of Samaras: “I disagree, in this way I protected the prestige of the government and the party,” Mr. Mitsotakis states.
Difficult to discuss in greater depth
At the same time, the Prime Minister appears cautious about the possibility of further progress in the Greece-Turkey dialogue under the current conditions. “Turkey insists on its positions, and we insist on ours,” he points out, stating that there is no room for in-depth discussions on the difference regarding the EEZ and continental shelf. “Turkey wants to discuss other issues, which means that, at this moment, no progress has been made in this area,” Mr. Mitsotakis stresses.
The Prime Minister also visits the Tanagra airbase with the show’s camera, the “home” of the Rafale jets, emphasizing that these fighter jets are the most modern. He also notes that the Viper program is progressing. He mentions that by 2030, 20 F-35s will be stationed in Andravida, and by 2025, the first Belh@rra frigate will be operational. He adds that Greece will also proceed with an anti-aircraft defense shield.
Targeted measures
Finally, Mr. Mitsotakis announces plans to support the income of Armed Forces personnel, many of whom are facing financial struggles. “As the economy improves, public sector salaries will increase. Beyond that, we can make some targeted moves for the personnel of the Armed Forces,” Mr. Mitsotakis says, thus opening the door for an emergency support measure.
