Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis referred to the assumption of protection of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Ministry of National Defense, responding to a related question during today’s briefing of political editors on Monday (13/10). Specifically, the government spokesman noted: “The decision was made in consultation with all relevant ministries. The amendment will provide that the Ministry of National Defense will be responsible for the cleaning, maintenance and enhancement of the historic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that reminds us that some sacrificed their lives for the homeland. This is the meaning of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that belongs to no one individually. It is not there for any demonstration, any protest of any occasion, of any kind, without coloring this matter.”
At the same time, Pavlos Marinakis clarified that law enforcement is the responsibility of the Greek Police. “I believe this is an announcement that should find the entire political system on the same page,” he said and emphasized that “we have decided – and we were late – to align with the healthy aspirations of households, of the overwhelming majority of citizens.”
“There are dozens, hundreds of places where according to what the law and provisions for marches provide, citizens can demonstrate. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is intended for a specific purpose. To honor silently as a society those who lost their lives so that we can be free today. (…) There are exactly across, nearby, further away such beautiful spaces within the democratic functioning of our country where someone can protest. The Prime Minister was clear, I believe it was a universal demand. At the moment when society is saying “and you were late,” it is out of place and time for the opposition to say “why are you doing this.” We have democracy, no demonstration is prohibited, everything is guaranteed, no one disputes this, but we cannot put the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier into the discussion,” emphasized the government spokesman, responding to another related question.
Pavlos Marinakis: Greece is and will be present in international developments
Also, responding to a question about the Prime Minister’s trip and our country’s presence in Egypt, where the next day in Gaza will be discussed, Pavlos Marinakis said: “The presence of our country in Egypt is very important, as one of the few European countries.” Greece is and will be present in international developments, the government spokesman declared, among other things.
“Regarding Mr. Senetakis, it’s terrible how Mr. Androulakis came out today and mentioned the report and not Mr. Senetakis’s denial,” said Pavlos Marinakis regarding the report about Maximos Senetakis who mentioned that he had been informed about the wiretaps from the Maximos Mansion, which, however, was denied by the New Democracy MP himself just a few hours after its publication.
The government spokesman, also, during his introductory remarks at the political editors’ briefing, said that the Prime Minister met with the President of the Republic Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, within the framework of regular briefings. “During the meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to his upcoming trip to Egypt, in order to participate in the ‘Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit’ and as he emphasized: ‘in the signing of a very important agreement, which we all hope will be able to constitute the foundation stone for a definitive peace in the Middle East. I think we all watch with great emotion the scenes of the hostages’ release. Two years after Hamas’s horrific invasion of Israel, this chapter at least seems to be closing, but at the same time, I think that for the first time, the path opens for us to achieve something much greater,'” said Pavlos Marinakis and continued:
“He pointed out that it is worth congratulating President Trump for his persistence in approaching this extremely difficult equation of the Middle Eastern, Palestinian problem, from a different perspective, while he emphasized that Greece is one of the few European countries called to attend the signing of this important agreement and that it will play a very substantial role, as a country that communicates with all the important players in the Middle East, which has credibility, which is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and that we will also place our own services at the disposal of those who will coordinate the next steps of this extremely complex peace effort.”
Full introductory statement by Pavlos Marinakis
“Good afternoon and good week,
The Prime Minister met with the President of the Republic Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, within the framework of regular briefings.
During the meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to his upcoming trip to Egypt, in order to participate in the “Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit” and as he emphasized: “in the signing of a very important agreement, which we all hope will be able to constitute the foundation stone for a definitive peace in the Middle East. I think we all watch with great emotion the scenes of the hostages’ release. Two years after Hamas’s horrific invasion of Israel, this chapter at least seems to be closing, but at the same time, I think that for the first time, the path opens for us to achieve something much greater.”
He pointed out that it is worth congratulating President Trump for his persistence in approaching this extremely difficult equation of the Middle Eastern, Palestinian problem, from a different perspective, while he emphasized that Greece is one of the few European countries called to attend the signing of this important agreement and that it will play a very substantial role, as a country that communicates with all the important players in the Middle East, which has credibility, which is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and that we will also place our own services at the disposal of those who will coordinate the next steps of this extremely complex peace effort.
At the same time, he reiterated the Greek Government’s permanent position for a political two-state solution, which will coexist peacefully, without one threatening the other: “It is,” as he mentioned, “the only solution that can give a viable horizon of peaceful coexistence to the peoples of the region.”
Furthermore, the Prime Minister referred to the upcoming legislative initiative for the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier saying “The Monument has a very great symbolic weight. It is essentially a cenotaph where we honor the memory of all those who gave their lives so that we could be free. And I think we should all agree that it deserves different, special protection.
I think this was exactly the purpose of the proposal I made, which will soon come to vote in Parliament, for the Ministry of National Defense to undertake the cleaning, enhancement, care, maintenance of this very important monument, which is identified with the very history of our nation. Obviously, maintaining order remains the exclusive responsibility of the Ministry of Citizen Protection,” as Kyriakos Mitsotakis clarified, while at the same time expressing his conviction that the opposition parties “will understand the importance of at least being able to agree on the absolutely obvious: to highlight and protect this monument and above all to preserve its true character.”
—-
The first cross-checks have been completed and notifications are being sent, from Friday October 10, to vehicle owners who are uninsured or have not paid circulation fees.
More specifically, in the first phase are sent:
-108,781 notifications in total for non-compliance with insurance, as well as
-110,037 notifications in total for non-compliance with payment of circulation fees.
The purpose is for citizens to be informed so they can comply with the obligation to pay circulation fees and vehicle insurance within 15 days.
After this time period and completion of new cross-checks, citizens and legal entities that did not comply will receive notifications with certified fines.
In the case of uninsured vehicles, fines range from €250 to €1,000, depending on the type of vehicle. The amount of fines in cases of non-payment of circulation fees varies based on the vehicle category.
—–
Greece remains among the first EU countries in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Meanwhile, the positive assessment by the European Commission of the 6th grant payment request, worth €2.1 billion, that our country submitted last July is pending.
Payment of this request will raise disbursements to Greece to €23.4 billion, that is 65% of the program.
The European Commission’s Report on the progress of implementing the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism confirms our country’s consistently positive course regarding key implementation indicators of Recovery and Resilience Plans, as recorded for all EU member states.
Key indicators include the following:
- Payment Requests:
Greece is among the top 5 countries in payment requests, having submitted 6 requests.
- Disbursements:
Greece is in 8th place among the “27,” regarding resource disbursements in relation to the available budget.
- Milestone fulfillment:
The milestones that Greece has fulfilled, with the 6th payment request, reach 178, that is 47% of the total number, above the European average of 40%.
—-
Three new Joint Ministerial Decisions were issued following support measures for citizens affected by the summer 2025 fires. Through these decisions:
- The affected areas are officially demarcated, based on the findings of on-site inspections conducted and
- Areas where housing assistance will be granted for restoring damage to buildings are determined.
Housing assistance is provided entirely as state aid with a maximum limit of 150 square meters per property. It concerns reconstruction, repair, completion or even self-housing, that is purchasing a new residence, if the existing one cannot be restored. Housing assistance is covered 100%, without requiring a loan.
—-
To ensure that no area of the country is left without television signal, a related open Electronic Tender was announced by the Ministry of Digital Governance.
Specifically, the tender concerns the “supply, installation and operation of Supplementary Coverage Stations for television signal distribution in White Areas, through digital terrestrial broadcasting technology.”
Project implementation provides for the installation and operation of 54 Supplementary Coverage Stations in the Regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, North Aegean and South Aegean, thus ensuring universal citizen access to television information and entertainment.
Thank you for your questions.”
