The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mytsotakis gave a press conference in Thessaloniki during the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) and answered questions which were, naturally, focused mainly on the natural disaster in Thessaly with the resent unprecedented floods.

“No one was able to predict what happened precisely because we had never seen it before. Messages from Emergency Number ‘112’ were sent all over Thessaly, in the flood the command of the Civil Protection is to go to a high grounds and this happened in the case of Thessaly and that is why we did not mourn a large number of dead”, emphasized the Prime Minister and said that it is a lie the alleged slow intervention of the military.

Answering a question from the journalist of protothema.gr Grigoris Tziovaras about whether mistakes were made by ministers in the management of floods and fires, Kyriakos Mitsotakis answered: “I always make strict self-criticism, I never said that no mistakes were made in the management of this summer, it is not now the time to talk about them”, and made it clear that he has “no intention” for a reshuffle of the government.

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87th TIF: Greek PM Mitsotakis’ speech (video) (Upd.)

Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations the PM stated, “the Hague is still a long way off. Issues related to national sovereignty and integrity of the country will never be brought to the table by me. It’s out of the question,” stressed the Prime Minister and added that “we shouldn’t expect decades-old issues to be resolved overnight”.

“I consider it extremely positive that communication channels have been restored at all levels. Greece never changed its strategy. This has been my will since 2019. To be able to talk about a solution based on the rules of International Law. And when we disagree not to reach tensions”.

“Turkey has an interest in approaching the West, the approach with Europe goes through good relations with Greece” he explained.

“The rest after my meeting with Mr. Erdogan in New York” concluded Mr. Mitsotakis.

Regarding the serious deterioration of the relations between Greece and Albania over the issue of the mayor-elect of the Greek populated Albanian city of Himara, Freddi Beleris, who is been held in prison with no evidence by Albania, the Prime Minister stated that,  “the matter overshadows the bilateral relations with Albania and reverses the progress we had achieved. I am particularly troubled by the fact that even today Albania refuses to give him the opportunity to be sworn in as mayor. It is a clear violation of International Law and will have wider implications for Albania’s effort to approach the European family. I wish and hope that a solution will be found soon, I will not stop raising the issue to the EU and to Mr. Rama”.