Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis left open the possibility that Greece could join France’s nuclear umbrella during his regular briefing to political editors today, Monday (02/03). Specifically, regarding a report about plans for Greece’s inclusion in France’s nuclear umbrella against the backdrop of developments in the Middle East, the government spokesperson stated: “The specific report has substance. I don’t want to say anything at this moment, but the direction described for a common European policy on this very important issue is exactly as described. More details in the coming days and weeks.”
Pavlos Marinakis on Middle East: Greece ensures the return of our fellow citizens from affected regions
Meanwhile, opening the briefing, Mr. Marinakis noted that the Foreign Ministry is activating a total of ten emergency phone lines to provide consular assistance to Greek citizens regarding the situation in the Middle East. Furthermore, Pavlos Marinakis spoke of a large-scale warfare situation and committed that Greece will ensure the return of our fellow citizens from the regions involved in the conflict.
Subsequently, when asked about Middle East developments, Pavlos Marinakis stated that embassies in countries affected by the developments remain open, operate normally, and developments are being monitored by the competent ministry. Also, responding to whether there is a scenario for using transport aircraft, Pavlos Marinakis said he cannot answer anything specific at this moment. “Those who request repatriation, when needed, the Greek state will do everything possible to make it feasible,” he said, noting that operationally the process is coordinated by the Foreign Ministry.
Fuel prices
Regarding fuel prices and whether they will be affected by Middle East developments, he stated that a sudden price increase from one day to the next is not justified and some should not raise prices preemptively, which is why relevant inspections will be conducted. “Violations are minority behaviors, we don’t put all professionals in the same basket. There are rules governing the market,” he noted.
Regarding the Souda base, the government spokesperson said all security measures are being taken and that Greece puts International Law first and above all, prioritizing citizen safety, and fortunately Greece has a government that has elevated the country rather than one of ideologues.
When asked about wiretapping, Pavlos Marinakis stated that the opposition must decide whether it trusts the judiciary. “Every judicial decision is respected. The state institutionally took all institutional-legal initiatives that were recognized by the European Commission, this was the state’s obligation,” he noted.
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Full opening statement by Pavlos Marinakis
Good afternoon,
The Greek Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is closely monitoring developments in Iran and the Middle East region. All Greek Embassies in the region remain open and are in full alert and constant communication with Greek citizens.
On the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as on the websites of the competent Greek Embassies and Consulates, emergency phone numbers, contact details of Greek Embassies and Consular Authorities in Iran and the Middle East, as well as registration platforms for Greek citizens for their repatriation when feasible, and every related announcement are regularly posted and updated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated a total of ten (10) emergency phone lines to provide consular assistance to Greek citizens regarding the Middle East situation, three (3) of which are exclusively for Greeks in the United Arab Emirates.
The Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated to provide consular assistance.
It must be emphasized for absolute clarity that as long as the airspace in the region remains closed, no flights can be conducted. With the restoration of air traffic, diplomatic authorities are ready to provide all necessary assistance to Greek citizens wishing to repatriate.
Until now, the region’s airspace remains closed in the vast majority. In countries where there are Greeks and fewer flight restrictions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning – even within the day – repatriation flights.
Until then, citizens are requested to follow announcements published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and foreign authorities, as well as on their Social Media platforms.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Mr. Gerapetritis was briefed in detail by heads of Greek Embassies and Consular Authorities in Iran and the broader region regarding the prevailing field situation and gave relevant management instructions for this particularly complex crisis. At this time, the Prime Minister is conducting the same meeting.
It must be absolutely understood that this is a large-scale warfare situation, due to the participation of many states in the conflict, and the fact that two of the countries where problems exist (Qatar and United Arab Emirates) constitute a travel hub from other destinations, resulting in Greek travelers being trapped in many other countries. This problem exists for all world countries whose citizens are in the disputed areas. Greece cares for citizen safety and full readiness so that once flight restrictions are lifted, our fellow citizens return as a priority.
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Three years have been completed since the tragic Tempi accident. Words fall short in the face of the tragedy experienced by relatives and friends of the victims. To the universal demand: “never again” we respond, as we must, with actions.
The Government’s goal and obligation is restoring the sense of safety in trains. The trinity of change we are attempting in the Greek Railway is: new infrastructure – new trains – new stations. Works on all three fronts are in full progress, with multiple completion milestones within 2026 and 2027.
Already, we have taken significant initiatives for the Greek Railway:
-The Athens-Thessaloniki central axis restoration works were signed and started.
-ETCS on board installation was completed on all trains.
-New trains were ordered, worth 308 million euros. Thus, Greece will have new trains after more than 20 years.
-We acquired new safety valves with railway.gov.gr and the precise geolocation system.
-The Public-Hellenic Train contract renegotiation was completed, resulting in more investments and stricter clauses.
-The new railway law 5220/25 was voted by Parliament. Within this framework, the following are provided -among others-:
- Total restructuring of railway operation was established.
- Permanence in OSE was abolished.
- Strict penalties for serious safety personnel errors are imposed.
-Administrations in OSE, EODASA and RAS changed.
-The “blame game” between ERGOSE – GAIAOSE – OSE ended and the company now operates unified.
-braingain.ose.gr was completed, with over 300 applications. The new OSE is staffed with Greeks from abroad with railway experience.
-The outdated training method changed and train drivers now train with an ETCS simulator.
-The process for constructing access prevention fencing to the railway network began, in three locations with frequent vandalism, theft and other damage phenomena.
Truth will shine and responsibilities will be attributed strictly and impartially, not by self-appointed judges, nor by dangerous “tele-courts” but exclusively by the independent Greek Justice, in which we have absolute confidence.
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Thanks to Government policies, Greece now constitutes a basic factor in the equation shaping tomorrow’s energy map.
Important commercial agreements were signed in Washington this week by Atlantic SEE LNG Trade, a joint venture of the AKTOR Group and DEPA Trading.
The agreements concern American LNG sales to four European periphery countries, in the so-called Vertical Energy Corridor markets.
Securing stable natural gas quantities to Europe through Greece strengthens our country’s role as a reliable energy security hub. Their importance was recognized in the joint statement of the 22 countries participating in the White House Conference.
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From its operational start on October 21, 2024, until January 31, 2026, the Organized Crime Response Directorate handled 958 cases, with charges filed against 3,094 individuals, while 2,159 were arrested, with 598 defendants remanded in custody.
A total of 173 criminal organizations and groups were dismantled, operating in: drug trafficking, robberies, thefts and fraud, tobacco and fuel smuggling, cultural goods trafficking, weapons and ammunition, human trafficking, sports-related crimes and financial crimes.
Based on estimates, the dismantled criminal networks’ activities caused damage of approximately 354 million euros.
The data certifies that Government initiatives aimed at legality everywhere are paying off. Challenges are many, but we respond to them, exercising the duty of order and security toward the Greek people and justice.
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March recorded substantial reductions in retail electricity tariffs, confirming what the Prime Minister had mentioned in his response to the Opposition Leader’s current question on Friday. Following the wholesale price de-escalation in February by approximately 27%, electricity suppliers proceeded with significant downward readjustments.
The main provider (PPC) reduced its green and yellow tariffs by over 7% and 23% respectively compared to the previous month, directly passing to customers the wholesale market reductions. It’s worth noting that the main provider’s March green tariff is 17% lower than the same month last year. Similar reductions were announced by other suppliers on the green tariff ranging from 6-34% compared to the previous month, while the green tariff starts from 9.3 cents/kWh.
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The photographs -evidence of the character and patriotism of executed Greeks in Kaisariani on May 1, 1944- are now property of the Greek State.
Competent Ministry of Culture staff, with Greek Embassy assistance in Belgium, received the 262 photographs, 16 documents and 4 old banknotes that the Belgian collector had exhibited for sale on the online auction site.
“The Ministry of Culture reacted with exceptional speed and completed a difficult task, including documenting the collection’s authenticity, characterizing it as a monument, documenting its origin, negotiating so it wouldn’t be dispersed and transferred entirely to the Greek State, and finally, completing all necessary procedures for the transfer as required by the applicable institutional framework,” stated Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
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Tourism revenues reached 23.6 billion euros in 2025, according to Bank of Greece data. This represents a 9.4% increase compared to 2024.
The travel receipts increase came from incoming travel movement growth of 5.6% and average expenditure per trip increase of 3.8%.
Both receipts from EU-27 residents increased by 6.1%, reaching 12.7 billion euros, and receipts from other countries’ residents by 14.7%, reaching 9.9 billion euros.
Greece was visited by 37.98 million travelers, a 5.6% increase from 2024.
I’m ready for your questions.
