For additional positive steps in the field of defense cooperation between Greece and the USA in the next period, the government representative Pavlos Marinakis spoke, in the wake of the meeting that the Prime Minister had on Saturday with the Secretary of State of the United States, Anthony Blinken.

“They discussed international and regional issues with a focus on developments in the Middle East, given the important role our country plays in peace and stability in the wider region. The prime minister stressed the need for an unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza due to the growing humanitarian crisis. The developments in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean were also discussed, with the Prime Minister reiterating Greece’s firm and timeless position in favor of the peaceful resolution of disputes and good neighborly relations based on international law, as well as the situation in Ukraine. During the meeting, a comprehensive overview of Greek-American relations was made”, said Mr. Marinakis and repeated the words of the American Secretary of State that “he never remembers the relationship, the friendship between the USA and Greece being stronger. Of course this has to do with the close relationship between our peoples but it also has to do with leadership, and your leadership in particular. We are grateful for that”, as Mr. Blinken had characteristically mentioned.

Mr. Marinakis then reported that the Prime Minister’s meeting with the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, was completed. “Immigration is a key issue for Greece, as a country of first reception, and the prime minister has emphasized at every opportunity the need for more efficient management and an increase in resources to deal with it,” he stressed. “Greece implements a strict but fair immigration policy by reducing immigration flows, shielding its borders, the borders of Europe, always with absolute respect for human rights and the rules of international law.”

The government spokesman’s next reference was to the severe weather events that had occurred over the past two days in much of the country. “The Ministry of Civil Protection issued instructions to the citizens while the 112 message was sent on Saturday to the Epirus region, the prefectures of Achaia, Aitoloakarnania and Ilia and the Ionian Islands Region with recommendations to limit the movement of citizens.” He also referred to the actions of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection so that there is increased preparedness in order to immediately deal with the effects of the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

“An informative circular for the opening of schools was issued by the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports regarding the adoption of protective measures to reduce the transmission of respiratory infections,” the government representative then said and referred to the directives of the EODY.

“Tomorrow Tuesday, January 9 at 11 am, the Cabinet will meet under the Prime Minister at Megaros Maximos”, Mr. Marinakis announced closing his introductory statement.

In detail during his introductory statement to the political editors’ briefing, the government representative stated:

“The meeting between the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State of the United States of America Anthony Blinken took place on Saturday.

The Prime Minister and Mr. Blinken discussed international and regional issues with a focus on developments in the Middle East, given the important role our country plays in peace and stability in the wider region.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for an unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza due to the growing humanitarian crisis. The developments in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean were also discussed, with the Prime Minister reiterating the stable and timeless position of Greece in favor of the peaceful resolution of disputes and good neighborly relations based on International Law, and the situation in Ukraine. During the meeting, an overall overview of Greek-American relations was made.

As the American Secretary of State said, “I never remember the relationship, the friendship between the United States and Greece being stronger. Of course, this is about the close relationship between our peoples, but it is also about leadership, and your leadership in particular. We are grateful for that.” It was confirmed, in fact, that there will be additional positive steps in the field of defense cooperation in the next period of time.

A little while ago, the Prime Minister’s meeting with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, was completed. Immigration is a key issue for Greece, as a country of first reception, and the Prime Minister has emphasized at every opportunity the need for more efficient management and an increase in resources to deal with it.

Greece implements a strict but fair migration policy, reducing migration flows, shielding its borders, the borders of Europe, always with absolute respect for human rights and the rules of international law.

Severe weather events have occurred in the past two days in a large part of the country. The Ministry of Civil Protection issued instructions to citizens, while a 112 message was sent on Saturday to the region of Epirus, the prefectures of Achaia, Aitoloakarnania and Ilia and the Region of the Ionian Islands with recommendations to limit the movement of citizens.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection informed the government agencies involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on heightened alert, in order to immediately deal with the effects of the occurrence of intense weather phenomena.

At the same time, the General Secretariat issued informative instructions to the citizens to deal with the phenomena of intense storms and gale force winds.
In case of renewed intensity of the phenomena, instructions will be issued by the Ministry of Civil Protection.

An information circular for the opening of schools was issued by the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports, regarding the adoption of protective measures to reduce the transmission of respiratory infections.

In accordance with the instructions of the EODY and in order to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory infections, it is recommended that teachers, students and other school staff follow specific measures. The measures include observing the rules of personal hygiene and physical distancing, limiting students’ contacts or staying at home if they have symptoms of respiratory infections.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m., the Council of Ministers will meet under the Prime Minister at the Maximos Palace”