The prime minister appeared cautious about the possibility of further progress Kyriakos Mitsotakisreferring to the Greek-Turkish dialogue, in his television interview.

He was categorical about the government’s strategy in the ongoing dialogue, rejecting the former prime minister’s complaints Antonis Samaras about tolerance.

“OR Turkey she sticks to her positions and we stick to ours. So, at the moment there is room to discuss in greater depth the one difference with Turkey (including the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf), since Turkey wants to discuss other things and we are not willing, it means that in this area no progress has been made. If some people took the fact that we are talking and that there is a good atmosphere as tolerance, the problem is theirs”said the prime minister as broadcast by ERT.

Rafale, F-35 and Belh@rra

During his interview with Alpha TV station, Mr. Mitsotakis visited the Tanagra air base, where the Rafale fighters are located.

He pointed out the importance of strengthening the Greek defense, stating that “the Rafales are the most modern” and that the procedures for the integration of the F-35 are progressing, with 20 fighters to be in Andravida by 2030.

He emphasized that in 2025 the first Belh@rra is expected to fall into the water and noted that the country will proceed with the creation of an “anti-aircraft dome” for maximum protection.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that targeted moves will be made to support the income of the Armed Forces executives, many of whom are facing financial difficulties.

“As the economy improves, salaries in the State will increase. However, we can make some targeted moves for the officers of the Armed Forces”he said, leaving open the possibility of emergency financial support.

Message of unity in the NT

The prime minister and president of the ND emphasized that the statements of Mr. Samaras in his interview in the newspaper “To Vima” went far beyond the limits.

“I cannot allow theories to be floated that the foreign minister and I are indoctrinated or that we are doing secret diplomacy”he said.

He stood by the phrase about “charms” during the meeting in Budapest, which he described as “unacceptable” and why he “left no room” for a different decision. “A former prime minister cannot instruct the prime minister to fire the foreign minister”he said.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis assured that there is no possibility of ND MPs leaving in the wake of Mr. Samara. “We have a strong government with a 4-year mandate”he noted.

Responding also to Kostas Karamanlis, who had expressed his disagreement on the deletion of Samaras, Mr. Mitsotakis said: “Disagree. In this way I protected the prestige of the government and the faction.”