Mitsotakis reiterates support for North Macedonia, Albania’s EU perspective
Athens, 11 September 2022 (MIA) – Wiretapping, the elections and the electoral code, the economy and measures announced on Saturday, the energy crisis, the harsh winter ahead, as well as relations with Turkey and foreign policy, were some of the topics in the focus of Sunday’s press conference by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as part of the Thessaloniki International Fair, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports.
In response to a reporter’s question about relations with Tirana, Mitsotakis, among other, reiterated his support for Albania and North Macedonia’s European perspective.
He said Albania’s joining to the European path is to the benefit of Greece.
“That’s why I personally supported the start of the accession negotiations for both Albania and North Macedonia,” Mitsotakis pointed out.
Speaking at the press conference in Thessaloniki, the Greek PM highlighted the “three NOs”, i.e. “no” to early elections, “no” to change to the Electoral Code, and “no” to government reconstruction. In terms of the energy crisis, he reiterated that European decisions are expected, noting that Greece is trying to introduce a limit on the price of natural gas.
In addition, he reiterated that Russia is choosing to instrumentalize natural gas to cause destabilization, and expressed support for Ukraine, "so that it can negotiate with Russia on its own terms, not as a defeated country", but denied that Greece would send additional military material except for the decision to send old armored vehicles on the condition that they be replaced by more modern ones from Germany, on which talks are ongoing.
He also said that he remains open to communication with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan despite a wide-ranging dispute about territory and resources.
“I’m always ready to meet with the Turkish President,” Mitsotakis said, adding that despite the escalation, he “cannot imagine a war between Greece and Turkey.”
As regards the wiretapping scandal that engulfed Greece, he said all planned procedures were immediately started, adding that he took responsibility by accepting resignations.
The press conference on Sunday lasted for three hours, and Greek PM Mitsotakis responded to over 50 reporters’ questions.
