Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis had phone contact with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday in the aftermath of the tragic train crash which claimed the lives of 57 people last week in central Greece.

The conversation focused on “the modernisation of the railways in Greece and the improvement of their safety” and the pledge by the EC to support the country’s railway system.

“This morning I discussed with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the further technical support that the EU can provide to Greece to modernise its railways and improve their safety” Von der Leyden tweeted.

Experts from the Commission and the EU Agency for Railways will travel this week to Athens. “Rail safety is paramount”, she said.

This morning I discussed with PM @kmitsotakis further technical support that the EU can provide to Greece to modernise its railways and improve their safety.

Commission and @ERA_railways experts will travel this week to Athens.

Rail safety is paramount.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 6, 2023

For his part, the Prime Minister thanked the president of the Commission for the immediate response to the government’s request, noting that “we are determined to mobilize all available resources.”

Thank you dear @vonderleyen for your swift response to our request. We are determined to mobilize all resources available. We are glad we can count on our European partners for assistance. https://t.co/ILFq02QZpl

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) March 6, 2023