There is no issue of shortages, as there is full adequacy of all products, according to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, during today’s regular briefing for political editors on Thursday (05/03), when asked about the situation following developments in the Middle East, after attacks by the US and Israel on Iran. He also warned that any profiteering phenomena “will be combated,” with inspections being intensified. Additionally, responding to a question about whether any kind of fuel pass has been decided, he said “there is currently no such decision,” as prices are not at levels that would activate such measures. Pavlos Marinakis also noted that there is a comprehensive plan in all sectors that could be affected, beyond fuel, such as food.
Furthermore, Mr. Marinakis emphasized that the country is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and the broader geopolitical environment. At the same time, he said, security measures are being strengthened at sensitive military and critical infrastructure, as potential risks that may arise from tensions between opposing states in the region are being assessed.
Pavlos Marinakis: If Cyprus needs any assistance, we cannot be absent
“Generally circulating from the political sphere of reality denial is the question of why we don’t do it like Sánchez. Those who say this should open a map of Europe and see where Greece is and where Spain is, which ultimately sends frigates to Cyprus. Strong Greece now makes decisions that are later vindicated,” Pavlos Marinakis said, among other things, when asked about this. “If Cyprus needs any assistance, we cannot be absent,” he emphasized at another point.
Subsequently, regarding the Turkish reaction to the presence of Patriot systems in Karpathos, Mr. Marinakis referred to the Foreign Ministry’s announcement, noting that there is already a response from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. He reiterated that “unilateral and unfounded accusations have been rejected in their entirety.”
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the statement by KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas that two of the four drones intercepted in Cyprus were heading towards Souda, he said that “Nikos Dendias answered clearly yesterday in his interview” and that “there is no basis” to the claim. He also added that “more caution” is required in what is said under the current circumstances, especially when it comes to undocumented references.
“In no case did it refer to Mr. Karamanlis and Samaras,” Pavlos Marinakis emphasized, answering a question from parapolitika.gr about whether the former prime ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras are included in the “lentil patriots” – as Kyriakos Mitsotakis characterized yesterday those on the right of New Democracy. “Something like that could not apply to people who have led the party and the country,” he added. “Beyond that, every political leader is in Parliament because citizens chose them. Whether some political leaders display a ‘lentil patriotism,’ as the prime minister said, does not mean they are not representatives of a part of society. Therefore, the prime minister’s obligation to brief them is institutional,” he said when asked about how the prime minister will brief these specific political leaders privately.
Watch video:
Full opening statement by Pavlos Marinakis
Good afternoon,
Yesterday, under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, the National Foreign Policy Council convened with the topic of developments in the Middle East.
Greece is closely monitoring developments in Iran and the Middle East. We express concern about the situation in the region and, once again, call on all parties for immediate de-escalation and restraint, so as to avoid regional conflagration, with potentially serious consequences for international peace and security.
Sustainable solutions to the region’s security challenges can only be achieved through negotiations, that is, through the diplomatic route.
Greece has repeatedly expressed intense concern regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Following instructions from Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and under coordinated efforts of the Central and External Service of the Ministry, the first repatriation operations of Greeks and their family members from the Middle East were completed on 03.03.2026 and 04.03.2026.
Specifically, the following were repatriated:
- 93 Greek citizens and their family members from Oman, with a special Aegean Airlines flight, organized by the Greek Embassies in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
- 42 Greek citizens from Bethlehem by road to Egypt, accompanied by the Consul General of Jerusalem.
- 27 members of the Aris Thessaloniki youth team, who moved by air from the United Arab Emirates to Constantinople and from there by road to Thessaloniki, with the care of the Consul General of Constantinople.
Operations continue. The Foreign Ministry remains in full readiness to provide every possible assistance to Greek citizens affected by the war situation in the broader Middle East.
We emphasize again that all emergency telephone numbers and contact details of consulates and embassies are posted on the Foreign Ministry website.
The protection of civilians and respect for International Humanitarian Law remain absolute priorities. Compliance by all member states with the UN Charter, International Humanitarian Law, and Human Rights Law becomes even more critical at this juncture.
The Foreign Minister has been in continuous contact with Greece’s partners and allies in the broader region from the first moment.
– – – –
Following communication between the Prime Minister and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek state sent to Cyprus the frigate “Kimon,” the frigate “Psara,” and four F-16 Viper aircraft.
“Greece is present, with responsibility and strength, wherever national duty calls and puts its upgraded Armed Forces at the service of worldwide Hellenism,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized.
At the same time, security at sensitive military infrastructure has been increased. The same applies from the Ministry of Citizen Protection regarding potential targets connected to opposing states.
Given that developments in the Middle East affect the international economy, European bonds, and energy prices, relevant ministries are on standby, proactively examining measures to absorb as much as possible any negative consequences from the crisis on the economy.
There is full adequacy of all products and there is absolutely no reason for concern. Any increases observed that are unjustified and show profiteering cannot under any circumstances be accepted.
In the fuel market, inspections continue with undiminished intensity. Overall, from Saturday until yesterday afternoon, more than 700 inspections were conducted, while prices at all gas stations across the country are monitored through the FuelPrices.gr platform. In cases where violations were found, prescribed fines were imposed.
Additionally, the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence is implementing interventions, in cooperation with mobile phone providers, to ensure uninterrupted communication between Greeks in Gulf countries with their families and relevant authorities.
– – – –
With 201 votes, provisions of the Interior Ministry bill were approved for the possibility of establishing postal voting for overseas Greeks in national elections, beyond European elections.
Additionally, designating an Overseas Hellenism electoral district with 3 seats will allow voters outside Greece to choose their own MPs to represent them in the national parliament. Since these specific provisions did not gather the positive vote of 200 MPs, the Overseas Hellenism electoral district will take effect 18 months after the next parliamentary elections in 2027.
“In such times, the participation of our overseas Greeks in public affairs becomes a powerful ‘link’ that strengthens our bonds with Hellenism everywhere on earth, making our homeland stronger and our path in an uncertain environment more secure and optimistic,” the Prime Minister emphasized, speaking of a reform that grants all Greeks equal rights, regardless of where they live.
– – – –
Four new applications from foreign university institutions were submitted to the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports for licensing establishment and operation in Greece, aiming to begin operations in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Specifically: Georgetown University, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, European University Cyprus, and Roger Williams University.
Also, an application was submitted by the University of Sunderland to begin branch operations in the 2027-2028 academic year.
Simultaneously, within the relevant deadline, the following five parent institutions requested re-evaluation of their original applications for licensing establishment and operation of University Education Legal Entities:
1) University of Essex
2) Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
3) London Metropolitan University
4) University of Derby
5) The University of West London
Applications will be immediately forwarded to the National Higher Education Authority, which is responsible for evaluating establishment and operation prerequisites of branches, as well as certifying their study programs. Simultaneously, files will be forwarded to the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance, which will examine building prerequisites of the branches to be established. The criteria they will apply are strictly defined based on the institutional framework and constitute the strictest in all of Europe.
Greece steadily strengthens its position on the international academic map by creating new alternatives for its students, thus giving them – after many lost decades – the opportunity to study at foreign universities without needing to leave the country.
The trust shown in our country by major foreign educational institutions constitutes another argument for the necessity of revising article 16 of the Constitution so that non-state universities can be established from scratch in our country.
In any case, the pillar of tertiary education was, is, and will be the Public University, which is why we strengthen regular funding, allocate historically high amounts for student welfare, and implement significant investments in dining, housing, infrastructure, equipment, and research, alongside an institutional framework that protects institutions and their members. “Our goal is a dynamic and open academic ecosystem where Greek and international institutions operate complementarily,” emphasized the responsible Minister Sofia Zacharaki.
—–
According to the latest data from the independent European organization HEPI for February 2026, electricity prices for households in our country stand at 23.63 cents per kilowatt-hour, significantly lower, for another month, than the European Union average of 26.13 cents per kilowatt-hour.
A similar picture is recorded for natural gas, where the price for Greek households stands at 7.73 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to 10.67 cents per kilowatt-hour which is the European Union average.
These data confirm that, despite intense fluctuations in international markets, Greece continues to maintain affordable prices for households, lower than the European average.
—–
Just two weeks after voting on the historic National Social Agreement for Collective Labor Contracts, the first Collective Labor Agreement in the confectionery sector was signed under the favorable provisions of the new framework.
It provides a basic daily wage from 8% to 12% higher than the minimum daily wage, and significant other additional benefits for thousands of workers in the sector.
It covers approximately 6,000 workers in the sector, and if extended under the new law’s provisions, its favorable terms will apply to all 23,000 workers employed in the sector.
The National Social Agreement brings better wages and better benefits for all workers.
—-
A comprehensive meeting was held to prepare for this year’s fire season, with participation from co-responsible ministries and Civil Protection operational agencies.
The goal is implementing comprehensive plans before the fire season begins, emphasizing prevention interventions, forest and peri-urban area cleanups, creating and maintaining firebreaks, and close cooperation between involved services.
This year, 18,800 Fire Service men and women will operate across the country, reinforced with new ground equipment received under the “AEGIS” program, while the contribution of 5,500 Civil Protection volunteers will also be valuable.
– – – –
The digital empowerment of elderly people and people with disabilities is the goal of the “Everyone Digital” initiative, presented yesterday at an event co-organized by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence.
Based on calculations, a total of 3,600 elderly people and 2,800 people with disabilities are expected to be trained in familiarization with modern technologies and practical support. Characteristic examples include: safe internet navigation, using digital communication tools, accessing gov.gr services, and conducting electronic transactions like e-banking. Already, within just a few days of opening the platform, more than 2,200 participation applications have been submitted.
– – – –
The Prime Minister, in a short while, at 13:00, will speak at an event at the Maximos Mansion about the donation from the Stelios Haji-Ioannou Foundation to the National Health System, aimed at financially supporting doctors serving on small islands with populations below 4,000 residents during winter.
At 16:00, the Prime Minister will meet with former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
– – – –
I ask for your questions.
