The interview itself, in fact, was laden with symbolism, as Mitsotakis sat for questions inside the Louvre and near the iconic Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace.
Asked directly about a pending Greek-French defense agreement that includes the warship acquisitions, he merely said announcements will come on Tuesday, following his official meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Asked about the primary reason for his government’s decision to boost defense spending and upgrade weapon systems, namely, Turkish aggressiveness and provocations, and whether he foresees any “incident”, Mitsotakis said he had forecast a quiet summer in 2020, “and I don’t see any reason for us not to have a quiet autumn and winter”.
Queried further on the issue, the center-right Greek premier said there are issues where Athens can cooperate with Ankara, such as climate change, the migration problem and expanded economic ties, “but the condition is respect for your neighbor and international law on major issues… the only tool for resolution is international law… in the face of Turkish threats we’ll react as we’ve reacted always, something that we’ve done effectively and confidently”.
Latest News
ELSTAT: Greek Health Expenditures Reach €5.89 Billion in 2022
Finally, healthcare financing as a percentage of GDP decreased to 8.5% in 2022 from 9.18% in 2021, as per the Health Accounts System report.
Sonoco Paper Mill Plants Close After 30 Years in Greece
The shut down of the two paper mills in northern Greece comes a week after a glass plant closed in Athens
BoG: Private Deposits Down by 1.068bln Euros in Feb. 2024
Corporate deposits decreased by 912 million euros, compared to a decrease of 3.167 billion euros in the previous month
Greeks’ Buying Power Second Lowest in the EU
Greeks’ purchasing power is under pressure, ranking 26th among 27 EU member states.
Greek FinMin Says Digital Work Card Tackling Undeclared Work
Greece's recently launched digital work card aimed at tackling undeclared labor has already started to produce results, said Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis
MSC Cruises: More than 400 Visits to Nine Greek Destinations
MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of international shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A, will be sailing to Greek ports as of this month, expanding operations in the region year-round
Eurostat: Greece Among Cheaper Hourly Labor Cost Zones
In contrast, the countries that posted the highest hourly labor costs are Luxembourg (53.9 euros), Norway (51.9 euros), Iceland
GSEVEE: Economic Sentiment Indicator in Greece Down in Q2 2023
The drop follows a significant uptick in the ESI in the second half of 2022 (69.5 units) and a slight decline in the first half of 2023 (66.7 units)
Manpower Report: Sectors in Greece that Have Achieved Full Gender Equality in the Workplace
Greece surpasses this with 45%, showcasing progress but also room for improvement. Sectors like Consumer Goods and Services lead with 69% reporting full equality globally
Bank of America (BofA): Three Reasons Greek Economy Outperforms EC Average
BofA projects growth of 1.1% in 2024 and 1.7% in 2025, compared to forecasts for eurozone growth at 0.4%/1.1%, respectively