Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of Greece's strong voice in Europe during an interview with ANT1 TV on Wednesday evening.
"Our motto is firmly closer to Europe, and in my political speeches, I have promoted the great importance of Greece having a strong voice in Europe the day after significant decisions are made," he underscored.
Mitsotakis also strongly criticized "the new expression of populism that seems to be rearing its head, with some people promising money that doesn’t exist, but also reintroducing the toxicity we had left in the past," he said, urging that it be repelled. The stronger New Democracy is on the evening of the European elections on Sunday, he said, "the sooner we will carry out the reforms that we have planned," stressing that "we will implement our program regardless of the electoral result."
Asked about the effectiveness of his government, Mitsotakis said: "Over the last 11 months, we have quickly implemented many reforms, recovered investment-grade level, and raised wages." He stated that the first term focused on handling crises, while the second will address long-term state problems and strive for modernization.
Mitsotakis reiterated that the recipe for long-term income support is permanent wage increases and tax cuts, adding that his government intervened in the market to mitigate high prices for households.
The prime minister noted that his government taxed the excess profits of energy companies, which helped control electricity prices. This is why, he said, electricity prices did not rise further. Referring to banks, he noted that no country in the European Union has dared to tax them without being forced to revoke it.
On unemployment, Mitsotakis estimated that it will fall below the two-digit rate in 2025, earlier than initially forecast, and reiterated his call to employers to pay more if they want to attract workers.
Regarding the migration issue, he noted that Greece follows strict border controls and that nobody, not even human traffickers, can determine who enters the country. On relations with Turkey, Mitsotakis stressed that in the last 15 months, there has been undeniable progress in Greek-Turkish relations. "We have had no airspace infringements and violations," and there is much better cooperation on immigration issues as well, he added.
Concerning North Macedonia, he sent a clear message to the prime minister-elect: "The electoral period is over. The Prespa Agreement, which for us had many issues, still has a basic acquis, which is the single use of a name for all purposes, the erga omnes. He has an obligation to respect it and to state unequivocally, when he assumes office, that he respects the Prespa Agreement." Asked what would happen if he did not, Mitsotakis said, "Otherwise, the only thing he will achieve is a very unpleasant direct experience when we all gather in Washington for the 75th anniversary of NATO" on July 9, as North Macedonia is a NATO member.
Greece considers the neighboring people as friends, but they need to understand that "if they want to converge towards Europe, the road to Europe goes through Greece and through good relations with Greece," Mitsotakis said. The same, he noted, applies to Albania. "But I believe that we will not have to get to that point because I am sure that logic will prevail," he added.
