Pavlos Marinakis described the decision to establish non-state universities as a historic reform for education during the briefing of the political editors.

“The bill concerns both the liberation of the Public University from bureaucracy and the strengthening of self-government, as well as the formation of the framework for the operation in our country of HEI branches which are established in European Union countries or in third countries and which they will have a non-profit nature” continued Mr. Marinakis.

The government representative reiterated that the government’s priority remains public universities and explaining that “more than 60 million euros from the Recovery Fund will be directed to further strengthening the internationalization of Universities. It is possible to finance start-ups in HEIs, which exclusively concerns students or researchers. 50 million euros have been earmarked for this initiative. The public university will benefit with more than 1 billion euros from the Regular Budget, the Recovery Fund and the NSRF.

Regarding the operation of the specific institutions, he emphasized that “in the first year of operation, they should have three departments and certification from the country of origin, while the degrees should have the same value as those of the country of origin”.

Asked whether the establishment of non-state universities is possible with article 28, Mr. Marinakis stated that “the establishment of non-state universities, branches of foreign non-state universities from abroad in our country is based on article 28, but we will proceed with the review of article 16 with which a private person will be able to establish a university”.

Also, the decision is made in the context of EU law

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As far as ANAPLASI is concerned, Mr. Marinakis said that there is no question of control or intention to hide something and it has nothing to do with the change of the municipal authority. The amendment for ANAPLASI concerns the need to manage issues beyond the Municipality of Athens. After all, when the specific amendment was voted, Mr. Doukas’ candidacy did not even exist.

Referring to the recent EU decision on the migration pact, Mr. Marinakis stated that it satisfies Greek claims after many years.

When asked if it means Greece’s involvement in the war in the Middle East by sending a frigate to the Red Sea, the government representative emphasized that “Greece, with the largest ocean-going shipping, cannot be absent from such a decision.”