Sun. Mitsotakis: The government creates wealth and distributes the dividend fairly to all citizens

Responding to a related question during the press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the following remarks regarding the measures he announced yesterday: «We must understand the significance and scope of these measures. This is not merely a list of measures but policies that follow a logical framework. As the economy grows, citizens must reap the benefits. Wherever we need to support our fellow citizens who are suffering today, we will do so. I announced a doubling of the solidarity allowance for those who depend on the guaranteed minimum income. The wealth that will be created will be redistributed fairly.»

 «I have no indication that a wave of migration from Afghanistan is imminent in the coming weeks.»

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking about the government’s plan for Evros and Thrace and asked during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair about a possible wave of migrants from Afghanistan, he replied as follows: «As I said, I have no indication that a wave of migration from Afghanistan is imminent in the coming weeks. The people of Evros know how diligent we have been in securing the border. I have asked a cross-party committee to finalize its report on Thrace; it will address these questions. Many of the country’s major investments are in Thrace and Evros.».

«I don't see any political incitement of anti-vaxxers, but it's clear that the official opposition has never turned its back on vaccination.»

Regarding the anti-vaccine movement—whether there is any support behind their protests and what message he would like to send them— the prime minister replied—during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair—that anti-vaxxers exist all over the world.

He said that the backlash in Greece is relatively limited, and that those who are ideologically opposed to vaccines cannot be easily persuaded.

«All I have to say to them is that they’re taking a very big risk. Our job is to engage in dialogue with everyone, no matter how difficult it may be to persuade them. I don’t see any political incitement, and on the other hand, it’s clear that the official opposition has never turned its back on vaccination. »Under no circumstances, however, do I believe that these protests are instigated,” the prime minister concluded.

«I'm not going to get involved in personal disputes.»

I’m not going to get into that kind of confrontation, but I also have no indication that the official opposition intends to change its practices, but it’s their own loss if they believe this will distract me from my main objectives, replied Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in response to a question about the personal attacks he has been receiving from his political opponents during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

The Prime Minister told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA): «The situation on the islands is nothing like it was a year ago.»

During the press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, in response to a question from the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency regarding the migration issue—specifically, whether he feels confident that we have secured European solidarity and to what extent he feels confidentabout the domestic dimension of the issue, especially on the first-reception islands, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis replied: First of all, the situation on the islands bears no resemblance to the situation a year ago. This is something even the government’s most ill-intentioned critics acknowledge. It is much better. We were very honest with our islanders that there would be permanent first-reception facilities on the islands. On Samos, the facility is already nearing completion. This will allow us to close the facility in Vathi and inaugurate the new, safer one. We did the same in Mytilene, while on Kos and Leros, construction is moving forward. And on Chios, we’ve made significant progress. So, we will have permanent facilities on all five islands. In return, these five islands have a lower VAT rate.

»So, we do have the infrastructure in place in case we face a new wave, but I don't think that will happen.".

As for European solidarity, Mr. Mitsotakis said that, of course, it exists, but we are the ones doing the work. It is being carried out by the Coast Guard, the Hellenic Police, and the armed forces, and this will continue to be the case. EU solidarity is expressed through financial support for our efforts. The greatest European solidarity we could have is agreement on the new Migration and Asylum Pact, which will fairly distribute obligations and rights among all member states to address this complex problem.

 «We have the highest number of people in the workforce in the last 10 years and clear signs that the brain drain is reversing.»

When asked during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair about the issues of unemployment and training, the prime minister stated the following: «There are significant resources in the Recovery Fund for education and training. As long as the economy continues to grow at this pace, I believe unemployment will be kept in check. I am not satisfied. But we have the highest number of people employed in the last 10 years. We have clear signs that the brain drain is reversing. For me, the major competitive advantage is human capital.».

«We expanded the membership of the Conference of Mediterranean Countries from 7 to 9 to discuss current issues in the Mediterranean.»

«We expanded the membership of the Summit of Mediterranean Countries from 7 to 9 to discuss current issues in the Mediterranean. It will be a continuation of the discussion that took place in Marseille, with the climate crisis as the main focus,» Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized, in response to a question—during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair—regarding the upcoming summit of the leaders of the nine Mediterranean countries in Greece.

 «The new social security system isn't a gamble»

«Obviously, it’s not gambling, since the government guarantees that no one will lose the money they’ve deposited in their own savings account. These systems generally offer higher returns and are used all over the world. »We’re not talking about privatizing social security. It will provide resources to the economy and, ultimately, better pensions,” the prime minister said regarding the new social security system.

He also had the following to say regarding pending pensions: «Ever since he took office, the Minister of Labor has made speeding up the processing of pensions his top priority. We have doubled the pace. This issue will have seen significant progress within the coming months.».

«We will purchase new Canader aircraft in cooperation with other countries»

During a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded as follows to a question about the wildfires and civil protection:

«We have presented our plan in detail, and it is already being implemented. The expertise is there, and so are the people to lead the effort at both the national and European levels. I’m talking about rescEU, which was created by Christos Stylianidis. We want to acquire new Canadair aircraft; to do so, we need to approach the manufacturer and request a new production line. It would be better for 4–5 countries to join forces to purchase 30 aircraft—we want 6. Christos Stylianidis can make this happen; we’ll need to form partnerships with other countries, and we must be certain that we’ll have the resources to tackle numerous, large-scale, and simultaneous wildfires. And, of course, a new approach to Civil Protection is urgently needed—it’s not just about fires, but also floods and earthquakes. So we have the plan.

«Greece is currently viewed in Washington as a very reliable partner in the eastern Mediterranean.»

When asked whether the reports are accurate that discussions on renewing Greece’s defense cooperation with the U.S. take place on a five-year rather than an annual basis, and how this fits in with the upgrade ofdefense cooperation with France, the Prime Minister said that the reports are accurate and that he is pleased because this allows both sides to plan more effectively, a more significant U.S. presence in our country, and a reaffirmation of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, which I believe is at its best ever. And this is due to President Biden’s commitment, as well as Congress’s support, for Greece’s just claims regarding the eastern Mediterranean. Greece is now viewed in Washington as a highly reliable partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, and this defense cooperation will serve as a confirmation of that.

This partnership, Mr. Mitsotakis said, in no way closes the door to other strategic agreements.

He emphasized: “We have a very good working relationship with France, and we want Greece to play a leading role in the ongoing discussion on the European Union’s strategic autonomy.”.

«We're winning the tourism challenge»

Referring to the state of tourism this year and when asked about the future, the prime minister made the following statement during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair: «We’ve won—and we’re continuing to win—the tourism challenge. We had a plan—from the Digital Certificate to clear communication and well-defined protocols. We safely reopened the tourism sector. I believe we will exceed the targets we had set.”.

I think what we achieved during the pandemic was that we generated more revenue without a corresponding increase in visitor numbers. There are destinations that are reaching their absolute limits. We won’t hesitate to take more drastic measures for some of them. We must protect the core of our product.».

«It is my duty to bring people together and engage with society.»

When asked about the escalating confrontation with the official opposition and whether there is a division within Greek society, the prime minister replied that Mr. Tsipras has chosen a strategy of escalation and personal attacks.

"I can't follow that line of reasoning. I know that anyone who resorts to such insults usually lacks arguments," said Mr. Mitsotakis.

He continued: “I feel that right now, a political, values-based, and cultural divide separates us from SYRIZA. But that does not mean that Greek society is divided.”.

«It is my duty to bring society together and engage with it, and to avoid, as much as possible, unnecessary tensions, which I believe society rejects,» the prime minister emphasized, adding: If some people imagine that 2021 is 2011, they are sorely mistaken. Society has moved on. It wants calm, normalcy, and for everyone to be able to look forward to a better future for themselves and their children.

«That is why I will continue to reject this kind of rhetoric. You can ask Mr. Tsipras from here on out what exactly he is seeking,» he said.

«We need to take action to manage the water we have»

Responding to a question—during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair—regarding the primary sector, the prime minister commented:

«This is a very complex undertaking that requires cooperation among many stakeholders; for example, water management in the Thessalian Plain is a long-standing problem. The steps we need to take are to figure out how to manage the water we have. In a number of areas, we are effectively held hostage by stock market values. I have high hopes for young farmers; we need to make targeted hires.».

«Some people are bothered by the fact that we support the National Health System and want to make it more effective.»

In response to a question regarding the labor bill and the phrase the prime minister had used last year in Thessaloniki—that with this bill, «the drums of war will sound»— and whether this year the drums of war would sound in the health sector due to the privatization of parts of the public sector, Mr. Mitsotakis said: The drums of war did not sound very loudly in the case of the labor bill, and I believe they did not sound because, in the end, even the official opposition supported a significant portion of the provisions that we introduced.

Perhaps some people are bothered, he said, by the fact that we support the National Health System and want to make it more effective for the benefit, first and foremost, of the Greeks who use it and, of course, of the people who work in the health system.

During the pandemic, the prime minister emphasized, there was cooperation with the private sector, always for the benefit of the public, because we said that in a time of such crisis, the healthcare system needs collaboration to better address it.

«All over the world, the public and private sectors have collaborated to provide this healthcare,” Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized, adding: If anyone imagines that there could be a public health system anywhere in the world that does not collaborate with the private sector, they should think again, because that is simply not the case.”.

«We will take the strictest disciplinary action possible regarding forged vaccination and illness certificates.»

When asked—during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair—about the issue of fake vaccination and illness certificates, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: «You may recall that, when I was a minister, I was the first to raise the issue of forged certificates by public servants. What happened is unthinkable. We will apply the full rigor of our disciplinary measures, and at the same time, the justice system will take action.».

On the phenomenon of overfishing

The Mediterranean is facing overfishing; we’re essentially sawing off the branch we’re sitting on, and the best way to address this is to establish a no-fishing zone, covering approximately 10%, by 2030. Where such practices have been implemented, fish stocks are larger; we must therefore convince our fishermen that this is the best course of action. Scientists will advise us on where to establish these zones; we will continue to make our living from the sea; we must discuss this with fishermen and scientists to find the best possible solution,” emphasized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in response to a question about how overfishing can be curbed.

 «We are on a path of no return toward phasing out lignite»

Regarding the plan to phase out lignite, Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the following remarks during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair:

«It is a given that the plan to phase out lignite will be implemented for both environmental and economic reasons. We had foreseen how things would unfold. Lignite is now very expensive. Lignite is not an option today. We were right when we made that decision. A structure has been established within the Ministry of Development to oversee the entire just transition plan. What does the so-called pro-environment Left want? For us to keep burning lignite? We can’t say no to lignite and yes to wind turbines. Let’s discuss where they will be located.

»I would ask everyone to be more serious. I understand the anxiety people in Western Macedonia are feeling, but the region’s future will be brighter. We are on a path of no return.".

 Regarding the Northern Road Corridor of Crete

The prime minister was then asked to comment on the fact that the final cost of the Northern Road Axis of Crete will exceed the budget, with the point being made that the issue of a modern highway has been a concern for Crete for decades, as well as the question of where the funding will come from.

In response, the prime minister noted that he did not have the detailed information at his disposal, but, as he recalled, a detailed presentation had been given in Chania regarding the concession contract, the public-private partnership, the section to be built first, and the financing arrangements.

"Obviously, the concession agreement will include tolls, and they will be set at the same rate as the tolls paid by all Greeks for using modern highways throughout Greece," said Mr. Mitsotakis, adding: “I would not consider it reasonable for Crete to be exempted, and that will not happen because it would drive up financing costs too much.”.

"Of course, Crete shouldn't have had to wait fifty years, but I haven't been in office for fifty years," the prime minister said pointedly.

«I would advise Mr. Tsipras not to talk about the middle class, because he destroyed it out of ideological obsession.»

«The middle class remembers very well what Mr. Tsipras did to it; I pledged during the campaign to give back everything that Mr. Tsipras took from them, and that is what I am doing. I would advise Mr. Tsipras not to talk about the middle class, because he destroyed it out of ideological obsession,» replied Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in response to a question—posed during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair—regarding the middle class and Mr. Tsipras’s related accusations.

«No one is infallible. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes.»

When asked during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair what he considered his biggest mistake as prime minister and what he did about it, Kyriakos Mitsotakis replied:

«I don’t think I’ve ever hesitated to acknowledge when I believe things haven’t been handled properly. I said regarding the pandemic that we were wrong not to have locked down Thessaloniki sooner. The same goes for the wildfires. No one is infallible. The key is to learn from our mistakes. What I ask of my colleagues is what I ask of myself. To set the bar high and become better. It’s a way of life. And more mistakes will be made. The key is to acknowledge them, not to get trapped in the arrogance of power, and if certain policies aren’t aligned with what we want to achieve, to identify them. There is a cost to doing what is right, and you must persevere. There is also a cost to making a mistake, and you must correct it.».

«In the coming years, the economy will continue to grow at a rapid pace.»

This is a very important measure for everyone—namely, offsetting the increase in electricity prices—and it is being carried out in cooperation with the Public Power Corporation (PPC). We have never said we would abolish the ENFIA property tax, but rather reduce it so that we have a fairer ENFIA; “I want the measures to be fair,” said the prime minister, responding to a question regarding the announcements he made yesterday during the official opening of the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

The prime minister also said that he would discuss the ENFIA in greater detail during the budget debate. «Our view is that the economy will continue to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. The announcement regarding parental benefits is very important,» the Prime Minister emphasized.

Multi-year program to assist those affected by the fires in Northern Euboea

When asked about the widespread destruction of forests in Northern Euboea and how the hardworking people who made their living from the forest would manage, as well as the potential trust issue that may exist toward the government, the prime minister was asked to respond during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

Mr. Mitsotakis said: «You are referring primarily to the resin farmers who are facing a dead end. From the very beginning, we said that we want to offer them a multi-year restoration program and, in a second phase, protect the forest as it regrows.’.

Initially, they acknowledge that the proposal we have made is attractive. We want to keep them in the region; more than 7.5 million have already been disbursed to assist those affected in Euboea, and more than 20 million in total through the arogi.gr platform.».

The prime minister highlighted the speed with which the process moved forward, as well as the flood-control efforts. At this point, however, he wished to highlight the outstanding work of Mr. Benou, whom he publicly thanked, as well as the fact that we are talking about a holistic approach, an approach that requires all projects to be integrated into a unified framework so that the region can thrive, be revitalized, and retain its population.

At the same time, he emphasized the importance of learning from the disaster that occurred and implementing the highly ambitious prevention plans that have been developed.

«Greece is pursuing a strategy of active border control»

When asked about the migration issue in light of his recent communication with the Turkish President, the Prime Minister replied: «Our interests are fully aligned with those of Turkey. I believe we must always engage in dialogue. We have significant differences. It is important to avoid unnecessary tension. To a certain extent, we have succeeded in doing so in 2021. Greece is pursuing a strategy of active border protection. It will continue to do so in the future. We have seen a reduction in migration flows and have saved many lives at sea. I said I would crush the smuggling rings. A big thank you to the Police, the Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces. The fence along the Evros River is practically complete, and if an extension is needed, it will be built. Greece’s borders are also Europe’s borders. In this way, we are safeguarding Western sovereignty.».

«We will deploy the universities» special security units when we are fully prepared."

«Policies do not change; significant steps have been taken to ensure the country's security,» Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized in response to a question posed during a press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair regarding the police and the maintenance of public order.

«If you look at the statistics, significant strides have been made in the country’s security; 2021 was better than 2020. We will continue to uphold this policy. We want a police force that is friendly to citizens and an ally to them. We have said that we will deploy the special university security units when we are fully prepared. We will need time and the cooperation of the university presidents, such as for controlled access. If some people are imagining violent incidents at universities, I would really like to discourage them. »And in any case, if the police need to intervene today, they will do so,” the prime minister added.

«The minimum admission requirement will not change»

When asked about the opposition’s allegations regarding the government’s policy toward the younger generation and criticism of young people’s access to higher education, the prime minister said he had already addressed the philosophy behind the government’s policy.He pointed out that even under SYRIZA, not all students were admitted to university, and emphasized that the minimum admission threshold will not change. It is a measure that is here to stay. He added that the Minimum Admission Threshold is set by the universities, and I believe the universities themselves have acknowledged that in some cases they made the wrong choices.

«The government will serve out its full constitutional term—if we do not secure a majority, the country will be forced to hold a second election.»

In response to a question about whether the New Democracy government is one that still has another two years ahead of it or a government on the decline that will not serve out its four-year term, the prime minister replied that the government will serve out its constitutional term.

And since I am obviously hoping for a victory in the upcoming elections, we are planning our country’s future with a ten-year outlook.

"I know there will always be talk of early elections, but I would like you to focus on my assurances," said Mr. Mitsotakis.

«What I do know is that »As a rule, turkeys aren't in a hurry for Christmas to come,'" he said pointedly.

When asked what would happen if New Democracy failed to secure a majority in the upcoming elections, he replied: «We will strive to secure a majority in the first round of voting. If we do not achieve it, the country will be led to a second round of elections. The simple proportional representation system essentially does not allow for the formation of a government except through cooperation between the first and second-place parties, something I categorically rule out.».

«There is no scheduled meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York»

«»There is no scheduled meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York during the United Nations General Assembly; besides, our schedules do not align,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized during a press conference he gave as part of the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

«Our policy toward Turkey remains unchanged; we seek good relations based on international law and respect for our sovereign rights. Everyone knows that our right to self-defense is absolutely non-negotiable. I view it as a positive development that 2021 did not see the tensions of 2020. We can cooperate more on the refugee issue; that was the focus of our recent discussion. There is a basic agreement between Europe, Greece, and Turkey on this matter,» the prime minister added.

 «I presented a set of measures designed primarily to give young people the opportunity to participate in the country's economic, social, and political life.»

During the Prime Minister’s press conference at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded to a question regarding the harsh criticism he has been receiving from the opposition regarding his policies toward the younger generation and whether the measures he announced are sufficient.

He said he spoke with great candor, acknowledging the significant difficulty the political system as a whole faces today in communicating with the younger generation. He declined to comment on the opposition’s positions because, on the one hand, it criticizes the government for giving everything, and on the other, it accuses the government of giving only crumbs.

However, there is an objective problem here, he emphasized. What young people are given is less than what they deserve, and we must address this in practice. That is why I presented a set of measures designed to offer young people equal opportunities, better access to knowledge, openness to the world, and, above all, the opportunity to participate in the country’s economic, social, and political life. The measures we have announced are targeted, and we must communicate this message—perhaps through meetings across the country—during which we should also listen to young people.

«I would expect the opposition,» said the prime minister, "to comment on the measures we announced, such as the 'first stamp.'" We’re providing an incentive—is that right or wrong? Is it right or wrong that we’re granting access to technology?;

Mr. Mitsotakis also emphasized that we must teach children the concept of organized saving, which they will manage themselves.

«I will continue to engage with young people and try to tailor my policies to their needs,» he added.

In closing his response, the prime minister also referred to climate change policies, saying that they are, first and foremost, policies for the younger generation.

 «Our goal is for schools to remain open.»

At a press conference held as part of the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, the prime minister, when asked whether schools might be closed due to the pandemic, stated the following: «Our intention is for schools to remain open. Obviously, I am not in a position to predict the course of the pandemic. What is certain is that we must increase vaccination rates among children over the age of 12. We need to talk to pediatricians. The vaccine is safe and effective for both children and adolescents. I place great importance on self-tests. If a class has more than 50% sick [children], the class will be closed. No one can predict what will happen. It’s encouraging that more than 8 out of 10 teachers are vaccinated; they’ve shown great maturity.».

«What matters to me is that the government be able to bring people together, not divide them.»

When asked to comment on the polls and the government’s declining approval ratings, as well as whether the government had shifted to the right following the cabinet reshuffle, the prime minister said that heapologized for what happened this summer regarding the wildfires. Although we tried very hard and were better prepared than in any other year, we were unable to protect the natural environment to the extent we would have liked.

Of course, an apology must be followed by tangible results, he added, emphasizing that the big picture is that, in these two pivotal years, the government holds a double-digit lead over the official opposition.

If there is any legitimate dissatisfaction expressed, he pointed out, we must take it seriously, examine where we went wrong, engage in self-criticism, and from there move forward to improve.

As for the shift, he said, I don’t use either right-wing or left-wing metrics. What matters to me is that the government covers a lot of ground—kilometers of work—and is able to articulate politically what I spoke about yesterday: a broad, inclusive social alliance for Europe, for reason, and for rationality—one that abhors polarization, that wants action rather than words, and that demands of politicians to be sincere and effective, and which, at the same time, is capable of uniting rather than dividing.

"I will focus on the qualitative characteristics of this form of governance," the prime minister emphasized.

 «The third dose will be mandatory for those sectors where vaccination is required.»

During his interview at the 85th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki, the prime minister stated that the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for the occupational groups for which vaccination is already mandatory.

He also said that the scientific data suggest that a significant portion of the population should receive a third dose and that it is essential for immunocompromised individuals. Mr. Mitsotakis said that the Vaccination Committee will make the final decision and that it is important for those who received the vaccine early to get the third dose. «We have requests from healthcare workers for whom it will be mandatory. I believe we should extend it to others as well,» he added.

«I'm in dialogue with society, and I'll continue to do so.»

«Before any potential cabinet reshuffle, many articles are written, and you all think you’ve mapped out the reshuffle you’d like to see, but let me tell you: the selection of ministers is my exclusive prerogative. The core of the government has remained intact, and the government is doing well. An area such as civil protection has no ideological connotations. I felt I had chosen a person whose resume met the criteria. You know the rest; I don’t want to elaborate. Ultimately, Christos Stylianidis was selected—a hands-on minister—along with an even more hands-on deputy minister—to continue the important work of Nikos Hardalias. I believe I have exhausted my willingness to seek consensus with people and political factions that show no willingness to reach a consensus. I am in dialogue with society, and I will continue to do so. As for people who ask me for consensus in Parliament and then, a week later, do exactly what they did before—I don’t have much to say to them,» replied Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in response to a question about the recent cabinet reshuffle.

«»The measures will be announced tomorrow, along with an increase in the heating allowance, which will be distributed in a much more targeted manner."

When asked about government support in the face of price hikes and whether there is a broader plan in place should the high prices persist, the prime minister, during the relevant press conference, replied that we are facing a global phenomenon that is largely imported and is a problem that all European countries are facing.

First of all, he said, inflation in our country stood at 1.9% in August, compared to 3% in the eurozone. ’Apart from the fact that this is a temporary phenomenon, we have significantly boosted disposable income. That is precisely what the tax cuts were and are intended to achieve.«.

We have tools at our disposal, such as reducing the VAT rate on specific product categories, and we plan to implement them by June 2022. »The second line of defense is market oversight to ensure that competition functions properly. There is relevant legislation against price gouging,” said the prime minister, adding:

«We are taking very significant action regarding electricity rates to keep any increases to a minimum. We have our finger on the pulse of society. We’re taking action before the problem arises. Tomorrow, the measures will be announced, along with an increase in the heating allowance, which will be distributed in a much more targeted manner.».

«The country will not go into lockdown again; economic activity will not be restricted.»

In response to a related question, which concerned the uncertainty caused by the pandemic in the coming months and whether this would affect the measures, the prime minister stated that public health protection measures will remain in effect and that we will be wearing masks for some time to come.

He stated that we will continue to conduct extensive testing, and regarding the vaccination strategy, he said that while he is not ruling anything out, they do not intend to expand the requirement to make vaccination mandatory. «I can’t rule it out. At this point, it’s not my intention,» he said.

Regarding the economy’s performance, he said he feels confident about the forecast for 5.9% growth in 2021. «This is the minimum level of growth we can achieve in 2021,» while regarding the measures he announced, he noted that they are part of the government’s overall strategy to create wealth and distribute it fairly.

He also stressed that we are not yet done with the pandemic, but emphasized that the uncertainties do not relate to the possibility of restrictions on economic activity, and noted that the country will not go into lockdown again, as,whatever happens, there will be no restrictions on economic activity.

The Thessaloniki Metro will be completed by the end of 2023

«There is no other region, no other city in our country, where so many infrastructure projects are being carried out simultaneously. I want to emphasize the government’s consistency in fulfilling its pre-election promises, as well as its consistency with what I said at the first Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, where I spoke as prime minister. The Metro is scheduled to be completed and handed over by the end of 2023.

As far as land-use projects are concerned, we have completed all the procedures. For example, work on the “Pavlos Melas” Park will begin in the coming months. The redevelopment of the waterfront is also a visionary project, and the cancer hospital is very important as well.

Of course, there are also the PAOK and Aris stadiums. The 11 stremmata located at the northeastern edge of the plot, which belong to the Ministry of National Defense, will be transferred to the local government to enhance green spaces in the area. Thessaloniki is thriving, attracting investment; it is a city that promotes research and education. In Thessaloniki, we have a foreign-language undergraduate medical program with tuition of 12,000 euros.

»This is my vision for Thessaloniki," emphasized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in response to a question about the projects planned for Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in general during the traditional press conference at the 85th TIF.