“Greece will continue to dialogue with partners and allies for the benefit of peace,” emphasized government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Monday (16/6) during a briefing with political editors. “Developments in our region cause great concern, as yet another crisis is added to an already turbulent geopolitical landscape. Further escalation in the Middle East carries risks of serious ignition with severe consequences at all levels,” the government spokesperson said characteristically.
“From the first moment, we stand by Greek citizens who are in Israel and Iran, providing every possible assistance. We closely monitor developments, engage in dialogue with countries in the region, with partners and allies, aiming for de-escalation. The last thing needed is another crisis hotspot,” he added.
Regarding Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ phone communication with Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, Pavlos Marinakis said: “The Prime Minister emphasized that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. However, he reiterated that the solution must be sought through diplomacy. Furthermore, he stressed to his Israeli counterpart the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ contacts
Subsequently, the government spokesperson said that the Prime Minister also spoke with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman about geopolitical developments and they agreed on the need for de-escalation and restraint. “Within the day, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to communicate with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” the government spokesperson added.
“We remain vigilant for Greek citizens in the region. Greece will continue to dialogue with partners and allies for the benefit of peace and security. The path to regional stability passes through diplomacy,” Pavlos Marinakis also stated.
Meeting with Yale’s new president
He then referred to the meeting the Prime Minister had with Yale University’s new president Maurie McInnis earlier at the Maximos Mansion. “Yale is one of 63 universities, along with Harvard, Columbia and Boston University abroad, whose cooperation proposals with Greek public universities were approved by ETHE,” he said, noting that “the occasion for the meeting is the Joint Graduate Program titled ‘Global Environmental Sciences and Public Health’ being launched jointly by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with Yale.”
Pavlos Marinakis also said that “with a historically significant decision, the Council of State ruled constitutional the law of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports for the establishment and operation of non-state, non-profit departments of foreign universities in Greece. Our country had been an exception for years, along with Cuba, due to the ideological fixations of the Left and Center-Left political space, which refused to give the opportunity to Greek students who wished to study at a non-state university without having to go abroad. Of the 13 universities that applied, 4 are ranked higher than Greek universities, while the rest are at the average level of Greek universities.”
He emphasized that “the moves by Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government have improved the image of higher education, as security has been restored in educational institutions with occupations being cleared with the assistance of the Greek Police and funding for public universities has reached 1 billion euros.”
He also said that “non-state universities will further upgrade the level of higher education in Greece, providing opportunities to prospective students, bringing additional revenue to the country, creating new jobs, attracting qualified scientific staff to our country and opening the way for Greeks abroad to return to their homeland.”
Drug distribution
The next topic of the briefing was the launch of home delivery of High-Cost Medicines to any patient who wishes it throughout the country. “As Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis emphasized, ‘today one of the biggest changes in health service provision takes place. This way puts an end to the ordeal of patients and their relatives in queues of shame whether in heat or cold.’ Furthermore, the minister announced that interventions will continue with immediate cooperation between the Health Ministry and private pharmacies.”
Plot cleaning
He then mentioned that yesterday the deadline for plot cleaning for this year’s fire prevention period was completed. “In total, approximately 702,000 declarations were made. This number constitutes a particularly positive indication, proving the measure’s effectiveness and will contribute to addressing the particularly hot conditions that favor fire outbreaks. Additionally, with the contribution of the Interior Ministry, it became possible to register almost 100% of municipalities nationwide on the platform, compared to last year when only 55% were registered. Plot cleaning constitutes another step in addressing the probability of fire outbreaks, especially near urban areas. The measure’s goal is not punishment, but citizens’ compliance with a prevention culture that will work supportively toward the Fire Service’s work and aerial surveillance and firefighting means.”
SDOE upgrade
The next topic was the upgrade of the Economic Crime Investigation Unit which “is incorporated into AADE, where responsibility for conducting inspections passes. The goal of unifying control mechanisms is to detect the circulation of ‘black’ money from economic crime, tax evasion and smuggling. This is an initiative to strengthen and ‘armor’ controls. For the government, the fight against ‘black’ money and tax evasion constitutes a national obligation, which is why it continues initiatives in this direction,” the government spokesperson emphasized.
Additionally, Pavlos Marinakis mentioned that “today at 18:00, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will preside over the New Democracy Political Committee session to be held at the party’s central offices with the subject of electing a new Political Committee secretary. The Prime Minister’s proposal, as ND president, is Trikala MP Kostas Skrekas.”
