The briefing of political editors by government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis.
Pavlos Marinakis against PASOK for leaks from the Committee of Institutions: Dangerous practice, has no precedent
The briefing of the political editors by the government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
For “illegal and dangerous practice”, which …
A “illegal and dangerous practice” that offends the functioning of institutions and the rule of law, Pavlos Marinakis said when asked about the leak from PASOKconversations from the closed-door meeting of the Institutions and Transparency Committee on watching. As he said, “it has no precedent”.
Specifically, asked about the leak by PASOK of what the EYP commander said at the Transparency and Institutions Committee, he said that “no political force, not even SYRIZA in the most acute periods, has proceeded to such a violation”.
He added that PASOK, “which presents itself as the defender of legality and the constitution“, not only did not limit itself to the official briefing it posted on its website, but also proceeded to invoke part of what the NIS commander said, sending journalists “coptic dialogue”. He said he turned “a secret process into a sieve”, adding that “insolence and irresponsibility have their limits.”
The government spokesman also made it clear that targeting the NIS commander “goes beyond the bounds of institutional behavior,” stressing that he handles critical national security issues.
Conduct of Israeli National Security Minister unacceptable
When asked about this, he called the behaviour of Israeli Minister of National Security towards the citizens who participated in the mobile to Gaza, as noted in yesterday’s Foreign Ministry statement calling on the Israeli authorities to fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights, as well as the swift completion of all procedures.
Baseline a strong Greece
As for the Defense Minister’s statement that he is not a fan of calm waters, the government spokesman said: “The basic line of the country’s foreign policy, which is served by all the members of the government, much more so by the Foreign Minister, the Defence Minister and the participating ministers and all the other government officials and the members of the armed forces in the KYSEA, is a proud, strong Greece that is growing day by day substantially. A country which first and foremost respects international law, believes in dialogue and any calm waters, as they have been called, or I will say dialogue with the neighbouring countries, does not imply any retreat or naivety“.
“What we achieved during the days of Kyriakos Mitsotakis on defence and foreign policy issues we had not achieved cumulatively in all the previous years of post-independence,” he stressed.
“Mr Dendias in this government, this four-year term, is the Minister of Defence. He has a very specific and nerve-wracking role and I think that exactly this position is in line with his very important and nerve-wracking tasks and in fact it is a very important part integral part of a broader strategy. Again, it matters, he is Minister of Defence, Mr Dendias. The government believes in dialogue, believes in good neighbourliness, puts international law before and above all else, but neither retreats nor is naive,” Marinakis said, adding.
“So at the same time that all this is happening, it has managed to more than multiply its deterrent power, it has been equipped as never before and looks to the future with pride and optimism, without false patriotism, but with substance,” he added.
The opening statement
With reference to government policy for Athens’ urban transport, Pavlos Marinakis began the briefing, referring to a major renewal of the bus fleet, upgrading of Line 1 and support for workers.
Specific reference was made to the inclusion of nurses, nurses, nursing assistants, drivers and assistants of ambulance-rescuers of the NHS and the EKAV in the heavy and unhealthy ranks.
He emphasized the Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources that was put to public consultation yesterday by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. He said that for the first time, the adoption of three Special Spatial Frameworks is proceeding simultaneously: for tourism, industry and renewable energy, ensuring that these plans do not conflict with each other, but are functionally and strategically linked.
The government representative’s introductory statement reads as follows:
Improving urban transport is a key political priority and the progress made in recent years in Athens’ public transport is significant.
New buses
First, in relation to new buses We set a target of having at least 1,000 new buses on the streets of the capital by mid-2026. Today, that target has not only been met, but exceeded, with 1,076 new buses already on the road, and we are continuing to invest to reach 1,700.
The new electric buses are fully accessible, environmentally friendly, air-conditioned and offer better driving conditions and increased levels of safety for drivers and passengers.
Secondly, we have made significant recruitments of staff to increase the frequency of services and improve the daily service for passengers.
At the same time, the new collective labour agreements will be signed in the coming days – as announced by the Prime Minister at an event at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – in accordance with what was agreed between the unions of OSI, STASY, OASA and the administrations.
Third, our decision to maintain the lowest fare among European capitals for the Athens urban transport system is a clear policy with a strong social dimension.
Fourth, another key priority is being implemented: the upgrading of Line 1, the old “Electric”. The first fully rebuilt train will enter service next month, and 14 more trains of the same type will be delivered over the next year.
We have already secured the resources for the reconstruction of 10 more trains, while it is worth noting that the reconstruction from scratch of the trains is being done in Volos by a Greek company.
We continue with a plan, consistency and measurable results, as the upgrade of urban transport is not just an infrastructure project. It is a substantial investment in the quality of life of citizens, in their daily lives and in the sustainable development of the city.
Citizen support measures
In April, the Government, based on the upward trend of the national economy and public revenues, announced 8 additional measures to support citizens, totalling 800 million euros. Coinciding with this announcement, the Prime Minister announced at his meeting with the President of the Republic that the payment of the extraordinary financial aid of 150 euros per child to the vast majority of Greek families will be made in June.
The aid will be paid without an application, based on the declared data and IBAN of the beneficiaries to the ADSE, covering about 80% of families with children, i.e. almost 1 million households and more than 3 million citizens. The payment is expected to be made by the end of June, as part of the regular payments of the OPEKA, confirming in practice that the Government is exhausting every fiscal space to return to society the dividend of the positive course of the economy, in a fair, targeted and socially effective manner.
Inclusion of nurses, nursing assistants, drivers and ambulance assistants in the heavy and unhealthy
A regulation, which provides for the inclusion of nurses, nursing assistants, drivers and ambulance assistants – rescuers of the NHS and EKAB in the heavy and unhealthy ranks is being promoted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
This regulation is based on a targeted, technically elaborated and workable model, which clearly defines the specialties to which they belong, the pension conditions, the insurance contributions, the coverage in the main and supplementary insurance, the recognition and redemption of time, as well as the overall implementation framework.
With this regulation, the government is meeting a long-standing demand of the sector, employment in which is objectively very demanding and therefore we are taking measures to further support and strengthen it.
The new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources
The new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources was presented yesterday by the Ministry of Environment and Energy and put to public consultation, which sets clear rules, criteria and restrictions for the siting of projects, taking into account environmental, social and economic conditions, with a view to the next decades.
For the first time, clear rules for the development of Renewable Energy Sources and stricter exclusion criteria are established, including for:
– Natura 2000 sites, with emphasis on Special Protection Areas,
– other specially protected areas,
– forests and woodlands,
– areas with an altitude of more than 1,200 m,
– monuments and archaeological zones,
– island and tourist areas,
while creating a stable and transparent framework for investment and licensing.
Greece is also meeting its European commitments, with an increased share of RES in electricity generation, expansion of investments in electricity storage and interconnections, and emission reduction. It should be noted that for the first time in the country, the NAP for RES is not prepared in isolation. The Ministry of Environment and Energy is simultaneously proceeding with the adoption of three Special Spatial Frameworks: for tourism, industry and renewable energy. This ensures that these plans do not conflict with each other, but are functionally and strategically linked. This coordinated spatial planning is a holistic development model adopted for the first time in the country.
Greece completes the loan part of the Recovery Fund
Greece completes the loan part of the Recovery Fund with 100% absorption, while on Monday the 8th disbursement request from the subsidy part is submitted.
With the NSRF 2021-2027 we are consistently among the first in the European Union in terms of absorption of funds. Furthermore, there is a steady upward trend in the activation of NSRF programmes, with more than €23 billion already activated in calls, giving a strong financial boost to critical sectors of the economy.
The largest Public Investment Development Programme of the last 16 years, with total annual resources of €16.7 billion, is being implemented smoothly to date at a rate of 21.8%.
The National Development Programme 2026-2030, with a total budget of €16.6 billion, has been fully activated.
At the same time, the implementation of the Fair Development Transition programmes, the actions under the Public-Private Partnerships for the improvement of infrastructure and the daily life of citizens, as well as the interventions of the Hellenic Development Bank are accelerating.
Prime Minister’s Programme
The Prime Minister will speak today at 18:00 at the ceremony of the delivery of the protection and enhancement works of Mystras and the Museum Exhibitions at the Palace of the Despots.”
