“Greece protected its borders,” he emphasized regarding migration, citing data showing that flows remained at low numbers in recent months. He recalled the signing of the EEZ agreement with Italy as well as other government actions that had not been taken by previous corresponding administrations. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis spoke to OPEN television about the latest Turkish provocations in the Thracian Sea, migration issues, OPEKEPE, and the electrical interconnection with Cyprus.
Initially, he referred to the incident with Turkish fishermen and gunfire in the Thracian Sea, saying that whenever intervention is necessary, the competent authority intervenes. He reiterated Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis’ claims that the meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Regarding the electrical interconnection between Cyprus and Crete through the cable, Pavlos Marinakis said it is a very important project overall for Europe. “Without Cyprus, the project cannot proceed,” he said, emphasizing that “our position does not change.” The project is proceeding as provided by the applicable regulations, he underlined immediately after.
Pavlos Marinakis on OPEKEPE: “We will get the money back”
Pavlos Marinakis then addressed the OPEKEPE front. “We have seen assumption of political responsibility,” he said initially, recalling what the prime minister had said in his speech in Karpenisi, namely that “we will get the money back.” He added that “Now we can say that we are already getting the money” from those who were not entitled to it, while mentioning methods such as property seizures. He spoke about the 1,036 tax numbers and 22 million euros that were frozen. “We assumed responsibility for OPEKEPE, with whatever mistakes and failures,” he said, adding that “cross-checks were conducted after 2019, before the European prosecutor’s office intervened.” Concluding on this matter, he said “The guilty must go to prison and pay, but those entitled to subsidies must continue to be paid.”
Immediately after, Pavlos Marinakis spoke about what is expected to be announced by the prime minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair on Saturday. “Permanent measures for everyone, with emphasis on families with children, support for pensioners, freelancers, and public employees” will be the government’s character at the fair, he said, while emphasizing that there will be a series of tax reliefs with a permanent character.
Regarding PASOK’s attacks over the 13th salary, which is not included in the measures package, Pavlos Marinakis responded that “based on European rules, if we give the 13th salary, then pensioners, public employees, and others will get nothing.”
In closing, he spoke about Alexis Tsipras and scenarios of his return through establishing a new party. “The bar for us is not any former prime minister. Our only concern is when we are judged, to be judged on whether we managed to stand by society’s side.”
