A few minutes past noon, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of PASOK-KINAL, Nikos Androulakis, began their meeting in the Prime Minister’s office in Parliament.

According to reports, two trays of kourabiedes from Dora Bakoyannis awaited Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Androulakis.

Their initial conversation, held in front of cameras, focused on Mitsotakis’ visit to London and the ongoing discussions about the Parthenon Sculptures. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for “an open channel of communication,” while Androulakis stressed that “the only way forward is through consensus, but with honest dialogue.”

Mitsotakis opened the meeting by saying, “Everything in its time. I’m glad we have this opportunity; I want us to maintain an open channel of communication.”

As the PASOK leader entered the office, Mitsotakis quipped, “They asked me what I should offer you, and I said dolmadakia.”

The Prime Minister referenced his trip to London and the Parthenon Sculptures, saying, “The visit was interesting. I know him (Keir Starmer) well. We are awaiting developments.”

“It’s obviously not the opposition’s job to agree with the government. But we need a channel of communication. We look forward to this candid exchange,” Mitsotakis continued.

Androulakis began by emphasizing the importance of the Parthenon Sculptures for PASOK, saying, “For us, they symbolize a national goal—a fight initiated by Melina Mercouri.”

He added, “The only way forward is through consensus, but it must be accompanied by honest dialogue. We’ve already put forward proposals.”

A Lighthearted Start

Before the meeting began, journalists asked Mitsotakis, “What will you be serving?” to which he replied, “Whatever the guest asks for.”

When asked if he’d offer raki or green tea, Mitsotakis joked, “I drink green tea all the time.”

Asked whether a meeting delayed by three years might be better, he laughed and said, “We’re right on time. Everything in its season.”

The Full Exchange Between Mitsotakis and Androulakis at the Start of Their Meeting

Mitsotakis: Welcome!

Androulakis: All good, how are you?

Mitsotakis: They asked what to serve you, and I replied…

Androulakis: Dolmadakia.

Mitsotakis: Green tea.

Androulakis: How was your meeting with Starmer yesterday?

Mitsotakis: It went well. It was an interesting discussion. I know the British Prime Minister well, but this was our first formal institutional meeting. We covered everything, including the well-known issue (the Parthenon Sculptures), and we’re awaiting developments.

I’m very pleased we have this opportunity for a meeting in your new capacity. Congratulations again, officially, now that you hold a state role. Clearly, it’s not the opposition’s role to agree frequently with the government—it would be odd if that happened too often. However, we have a responsibility to keep open lines of communication, both personally and institutionally, to discuss pressing matters face-to-face. That’s what these challenging times demand.

Androulakis: Thank you for the invitation. For PASOK, achieving the national goal of returning the Parthenon Sculptures is highly symbolic, a struggle that began with Melina Mercouri, and we’ll support it however we can.

Now, regarding consensus: from my experience in the European Parliament, I can tell you that the only way to move forward is through consensus built on honest dialogue. We need to present the real challenges and contribute from our respective ideological perspectives. Over the past few weeks, we’ve submitted proposals in several areas of national, social, and economic importance.