“The positions that have been expressed are the Greek position, both by the Prime Minister and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and by the Minister of Defense and in the briefing to the political editors by me and all the members of the government. The Greek government with a single line, with the national position is positioned at every opportunity” emphasized the deputy minister to the prime minister and government representative Pavlos Marinakis during the briefing of the political editors on Erdogan’s statements.

He then referred to the Prime Minister’s statements in Cyprus and after noting that for the first time a Greek Prime Minister gave his “present”, he said: “It is really sad, more than sad, that there are media in the country, which adopt Turkish propaganda, to adopt what the other side says for their own reasons, without having heard the prime minister’s speech. Regardless of the political differences that may exist between the parties or the intense criticism from within, we must distinguish some things. Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the Greek Prime Minister. There can be no Media in Greece that treat us this way, and talk like today’s headlines about the Greek Prime Minister, accepting what Erdogan says.”

“They play without understanding a role of useful idiot with this tactic” he underlined. He also reiterated that dialogue does not mean retreat, does not mean naivety, does not mean the slightest retreat from our sovereign rights.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis expresses the timeless national position, Mr. Marinakis emphasized, while answering a question about Mr. Kasselakis’ post, he said that it would be good if he was present at the event for the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. “It would be even better as an image for our country if all three leaders of the three largest parties were there,” he said.

When asked about the prices of the coastal ferries and the possibility of government intervention, after saying that the government has not announced any specific intervention in the coastal ferries, he said: “What we have said is that we are studying the prices and compared to last year (there are no big differences) and compared to previous years. Controls are carried out and if there is something in which we have the possibility to intervene as a state, then this is announced.”

“We are clear with the world and we do not raise expectations for things that cannot be done,” he added. Asked about the mental health bill, he emphasized that the government is strengthening the mental health sector with both resources and staff and there is no question of privatisation.

Finally, when asked to comment on SYRIZA’s announcement about the recent train accident, he said: “The government moves with actions, improving infrastructure, and the opposition with slander and easy words.”

“We are trying to run at the highest possible speed” he said emphasizing “that this will be the four years of the inauguration and completion of the major projects” Mr. Marinakis emphasized.

“SYRIZA was, is and will remain the tarpaulin party, so for the tarpaulin party to point the finger at a government that accepts the many mistakes that have been made over time and how far we have to run, is at least hypocritical,” he said.