Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made it clear in an interview with Proto Thema that Turkey will not be granted access to the EU’s low-interest loan program SAFE unless it demonstrates tangible progress in improving its relations with Greece.
“If the casus belli remains on the table and Turkey continues to promote the baseless theory of grey zones, then it will not be allowed into the European Union’s cheap loan program,” Mitsotakis stated.
On Tempi Tragedy: “What was done, was done for operational safety”
When asked about the Tempi train tragedy and reports of a cover-up, Mitsotakis responded: “What was done, was done operationally. The area was covered so that cranes could safely lift the carriages. That’s what the experts on the ground advised. What do we now know for certain? That all the talk about xylene and the carriages was a lie. That is now proven and, I hope, clear in people’s minds.”
Elections Will Be in Spring 2027: “Judgement Comes at the End”
Addressing speculation about the timing of elections and political pressure due to the OPEKEPE affair, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that elections will be held in spring 2027, as originally planned.
“Every government faces difficulties and turbulence, but the final account is taken at the end,” he emphasized.
On OPEKEPE Scandal: “We Didn’t Make It – I Admitted It Myself”
Mitsotakis acknowledged failures in the state’s handling of OPEKEPE (the agency responsible for agricultural subsidies):
“I admitted myself that we didn’t succeed at OPEKEPE. We attempted consecutive interventions while trying to keep monthly subsidy payments to farmers on track. When things reached a breaking point, I decided to close down OPEKEPE and integrate it into the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). The process will take about a year.”
He added: “We will also seek to recover misused funds, starting with the ‘big fish’, using the state’s audit mechanisms, including the Financial Police.”
“We’re On the Right Track — But I Never Promised to Make Greece Switzerland in Four Years”
Despite admitting to setbacks, Mitsotakis believes the government has stayed the course:
“We are overall above the bar. We’re absolutely on the right path. In these four years, we’ve done what we said we would do in 2023. That’s how you should judge a politician. I never said I’d turn Greece into Switzerland in four years.”
Source: pagenews.gr