Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the pandemic, national issues and the economy on ANT1's main newscast and journalist Nikos Hadjinikolaou.
On the criticism of the management of the second wave of the pandemic
«In no way have we defied the possibility of a second wave. That is why we prepared during the summer and autumn. For all countries the second wave was more violent. Greece has done better than other European countries. The pandemic is receding and official data show this.
The truth is that at no time did the Commission ever suggest to us that Thessaloniki should be closed before 26 October. We were consistent with the evidence we knew, although there were individual opinions that did not always coincide with the Commission's final decision. Everything was done that was humanly possible to support the hospitals and their potential.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the criticism he often hears «completely uninformed», noting that despite this, the national effort should not be undermined. This is the real picture of Europe today, he said and showed a map of the cases in all countries.
«Are we going to compare Mati with a global pandemic?», the Prime Minister said in response to comments conveyed to him by Nikos Hadjinikolaou, pointing out at the same time the tragedy of comparing deaths.
«What we see in Greece is not opposition. It is disappointment,» the Prime Minister said.
He referred to the debate to be held on Friday at the level of political leaders to confront the opposition.
«From the beginning, Greece has adapted and participated in Europe's great effort to supply the vaccine. It was a success for Europe that we all bought the vaccine together,» the Prime Minister said.
We have pre-purchased twice as many vaccines as we need. We have sufficient vaccines especially from April onwards, I want to assure citizens. The pace of vaccines is gradually increasing, he assured.
On the concerns of the tourism world for this summer
Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that «we will have about 4 million vaccines by the end of March, so about 2,000,000 of our fellow citizens will have been vaccinated.
From February, four large vaccination centres will be set up in Athens and Thessaloniki to serve mass vaccinations.
I have sent a letter to the President of the Commission, Mrs. von der Leyen, for the approval of a European vaccination certificate.».
He also expressed optimism that «it will be possible to safely welcome millions of visitors this summer». He explained that «we are better prepared, we are doing better tracking, and the improvement of the NHS and vaccination is contributing. «I am optimistic that we will be able to save this season and it will be much better than last year,» he said.
He explained that there is no correlation of the second wave that came in early November and did not come in areas with high tourist traffic. Also that there is not an immunity wall. There is the first which is vaccination of citizens who are most at risk of coronavirus so that is why there was prioritization and then comes the mass vaccination. I expect by June to have a significant portion of the population vaccinated, he said.
For the purchase of vaccines and outside the EU framework
«This would make sense to cover the needs of the next two months. Under no circumstances are we going to violate European agreements,» the prime minister pointed out.
He added that at the economic level, what Europe achieved in July was a leap forward, with the Recovery Fund being very important. This did not even seem possible last March. He also estimated that the European Recovery Fund will not be delayed.
«We are absolutely convinced of the correctness of the choices we have made,» the Prime Minister said.
Regarding the mechanism in our country for vaccination, he reiterated that it is the most complex exercise that the Greek government has undertaken for a long time.
Also that it is very important to convince our reluctant citizens to get vaccinated. If there was a serious side effect we would have known about it because millions of vaccinations have been given. Vaccines are perfectly safe and effective.
On the economic consequences of the pandemic
Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that he knows how difficult the situation in the real economy is and reiterated that the State has been and will be by the side of businesses and workers.
He stressed that the State moved with speed and duration, without spending all the money from the beginning but with strategy and plan.
He pointed out that the refundable deposit will continue for as long as needed but we cannot operate with the market permanently closed.
«One of the reasons we are making the effort is not only to save lives but also to be able to restart economic activity,’ he said. »I am not the one to tell the commission what to decide. But the click away worked and we are in a better place today than we were on December 15.«.
He also added that on his own decision, he did something tougher than the experts' recommendations by closing the market for two weeks in early January, to prevent any ill effects from the relative laxity of the holidays. Citizens complied, the Prime Minister stressed. He also stressed that the degree of deviation of citizens' behaviour from the experts' recommendations was less than in other countries.
There was a disagreement about the celebration of Epiphany with the Church but the problems were overcome and the Church complied, he also commented in response to a question from the journalist.
On loans, there was the Bridge programme and there will be a new programme and there is a tax and insurance suspension scheme for those affected.
«Our main concern is to help trade to unlock the door,» the Prime Minister said, noting that he prefers the word responsibility to accountability.
Nikos Hadjinicolaou conveyed demands from the guides« sector and from the cultural sector. »We will stand by each and every person in need," the Prime Minister said, stressing the importance of strengthening the culture sector.
He also stressed that he has taken care to establish objective criteria for the distribution of advertising for vaccination.
On national issues and the prospect of exploratory contacts
He pointed out that the Greek government had from the outset set a specific framework for the resumption of exploratory contacts.
The subject of the exploratory contacts is the delimitation of the maritime zones, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed and underlined the importance of the agreements with Egypt and Italy.
If Turkey continues its provocations, there will be consequences, the Prime Minister stressed, pointing out in detail what his government has done in terms of foreign policy, building alliances and developing a clear strategy. «We are guarding our borders with respect for human life,» the Prime Minister also underlined.
He also spoke about the red lines on the Greek-Turkish dialogue table and said he was optimistic that 2021 will be better than 2020.
In fact, he expressed optimism that we will find a framework for long-term understanding and resolution of the only dispute we can discuss with Turkey.
On the Novartis case
«What I was saying in February 2018, I am still saying today.» That is, that the country will claim money from Novartis but no political figures are involved.
We learned from this case, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed.
On the five years in the leadership of the Southwest
«Time does indeed pass quickly. I was committed to renewal, enlargement and reforms and I am serving these commitments,» the Prime Minister said.
«I honour and value all the executives, and today the Southwest is the dominant force in what we call the political centre,» Mitsotakis said, adding that «those who expect hard work, efficiency and transparency are expressed by the Southwest.».
«My intention is for this government to exhaust its four-year term. 2021 will not be an election year. We have a solid and effective parliamentary team, we have a reserve of confidence and our goal is to put the country back on a growth track,» the prime minister said in closing his interview.
