Suggestions for European “Iron Dome”, that is, a similar anti-aircraft defense system to Israel’s, but also for European intervention for different pricing from multinationals announced to SKAI that the prime minister testified Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The Prime Minister opened his papers on the show “Today” about the economy, the European elections and national issues, after the meeting with the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoganthe visit of the prime minister of Albania Eddy Rama pAthens, and developments in North Macedonia.

First, it is positive that we are talking and our contacts with Turkey enter into a framework of normality without excessive dramatization, second observation in the last 14 to 15 months, there has been a significant improvement in Greek-Turkish relations with zero violations in the Aegean, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized.

In addition to the lack of tension in the Aegean, we have made significant progress in our refugee/immigrant cooperation with extremely limited flows, we cooperate well with Turkey and thirdly the visa facilitation which was enthusiastically welcomed by the Greek islands.

Greek foreign policy has not changed in recent years with our red lines, with self-confidence, with the strengthening of our network of alliances, I welcome that we have left behind that we have left the period of tension behind us. We can agree to disagree without the finger on the trigger. Turkey is the one that said it did not want to talk with Greece, and Erdogan with me. As for the marine parks that will be built, the matter does not concern Turkey at all. We have the marine park of Alonissos, Zakynthos. Nothing is hidden. Greece obviously does not ask anyone’s opinion regarding the exercise of national sovereignty, clarified Mr. Mitsotakis.

Greece comes to these discussions with its national line strictly defined, nothing is hidden behind this initiative, beyond the protection of the marine environment.

Our only difference is the delimitation of the EEZ and continental shelf, the prime minister clarified again. The opposition has suddenly raised the flag of cheap patriotism, while in the past I remember that they were in favor of the Greek-Turkish dialogue without considering the consequences the next day. Easy for me is in quotes “proud foreign policy”. Since the visit this country has not been damaged anywhere and we have advanced our permanent positions. Foreign policy needs seriousness.

North Macedonia

I warned in ’19 that the ratification of an agreement with which we disagreed obliges us to oblige it to implement it, he said, accusing Stefanos Kasselakis of “adopting the worst habits of his predecessor” in this matter. The designation “Macedonian” is unfortunately enshrined in the Prespa Agreement, and this was our major disagreement. The offensive designation “Macedonian ethnicity” and “Macedonian language”.

I warned the new government in Skopje that any deviation from the implementation of the Agreement will have serious consequences for our bilateral relations, but also for North Macedonia’s path to Europe. I was very impressed that yesterday SYRIZA hastened to submit the three memorandums on Prespes for a vote in the Parliament. That is, now that we see what we suspected for a long time, that the next government may come, and in some way question the core of the Agreement, erga omnes (against all), now let us sanction the memorandums and cancel any negotiating weapon we have against Skopje…

“It is an act that reaches the limits of absurdity what SYRIZA is asking us to do today” said the prime minister. “We will not sanction the memorandums for the Prespas if we are not absolutely convinced that the other side complies with all the provisions of the Prespas Agreement” explained Mr. Mitsotakis.

European elections

All my interventions start from the European dimension. A strong Greece in Europe ultimately means a benefit to Greek citizens. It means more financial tools in line with those of the Recovery Fund, which I personally negotiated, and I want to claim the following day for a continuation. To tie it to geopolitics, and to what we were talking about, I am an advocate of a separate financial instrument for the financing of joint European defense actions. We can call it a Eurobond or something else… They didn’t even agree with the Recovery Fund until they were convinced. I believe that we will be much more persuasive to the suspicious Europeans if we link this European financial instrument to some flagship projects of common defense policy.

Mitsotakis proposal for a “European iron dome”

I have in mind, in particular, a European air defense system, a European canopy that will cover Europe, all European countries, against any threat. You can think a “European iron dome”. It is a proposal that I have already submitted, I am also working on it in greater detail, and you can imagine this for our country. To be able to use European resources to cover the air defense of our country without being completely dependent on the national budget. Accuracy. Europe must also mean similar or uniform prices for the products sold by our multinationals. I will request European intervention for the different pricing from the multinationals.

I believe that we will be much more persuasive if we also propose joint projects, and I have in mind to link the European financial instrument with common defense policy projects, and I have in mind a European air defense system that will cover the countries against any threat.

“I will request European intervention for the different pricing from the multinationals”

Accuracy. Europe must also mean similar or uniform prices for the products sold by our multinationals. I am preparing a letter to Mrs von der Leyen and will ask for European intervention to explain the multinationals because they maintain different pricing policies. Europe has the ability to impose a regulatory framework.

Europe has a role to play in this. Europe has the possibility of regulatory intervention, a single country is difficult to frame multinationals. Add the agricultural, demographic policy and you understand why these elections are of special importance and the only force that speaks for Europe is the ND.

We are not hiding from the problem, there is still a problem of accuracy in food, it is not there in electricity. He added, however, that there were wage increases in the private sector, while the government also gave wage increases.

“SYRIZA’s proposals mean bankruptcy”

SYRIZA’s proposals for zero VAT, end of presumptions, etc. are tantamount to bankrupting the country. Only zeroing the VAT on food is 1% of GDP, which means immediate cancellation of the primary surplus target and immediate surveillance process.

“I must warn that what the opposition is saying are completely unpriced proposals that are completely unworkable and would lead the country to the brink of bankruptcy,” warned the prime minister.

Does anyone believe that such super profits exist? SYRIZA said the same thing before the 2023 elections. The citizens have a crisis, and they realize that there are no “leftist trees” in the country.

One thing is certain, that we cannot mock the citizens, and tell rampant lies, as the leader of the opposition is doing today. But we cannot say that we live in a state of poverty, we have salary increases. The average family head is struggling amid a two-year accuracy that will decrease. However, wage increases will remain.

When I was elected, we said we would cut taxes and we cut them, as well as that we will significantly reduce unemployment, and this is shown by the data from 17% has fallen below 10%.

I have talked about an average salary of 1,500 euros at the end of 4 years, and we will achieve it. As unemployment decreases and the bargaining power of the worker increases, we will force businesses to increase wages. When I hear hoteliers complaining that they can’t find workers my answer is “pay more and you will find”.

Once there is fiscal space, we will focus our attention on reductions in employer contributions. I hope we get to the point where public finances allow us to start reducing VAT, but this will not happen immediately, Mr. Mitsotakis clarified.

Public Safety: “Someone should forget revolutionary tourism”

As long as the collaboration with the rectors progresses, where there are squatters, there will be police intervention.

“Revolutionary tourism” is not a type of tourism that we want to promote in our country… If some people think that they will come to the country and do what other countries do, this will not happen and they will forget it, he explained for the foreigners identified in Law.

We would like to get to the point of civil liability against those who make disasters, and for disasters in schools parents are responsible. We announced it, I think it makes perfect sense despite the reactions.