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In an interview with SKAI radio, Mitsotakis said Rubio\u2019s visit took place \u05d1\u05de\u05e1\u05d2\u05e8\u05ea the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue and carried particular significance because the US secretary of state does not frequently travel abroad to participate in such discussions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe visit confirmed the excellent framework of Greek-American relations. Its impact was positive,\u201d Mitsotakis said, adding that Rubio had highlighted Greece\u2019s role as an indispensable partner. He also stressed the importance of the two countries\u2019 close defence cooperation.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis Highlights Greece-US Ties and Rubio\u2019s Pnyx Speech<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mitsotakis also referred to Rubio\u2019s speech at the Pnyx in Athens and highlighted the strong personal relationship between the Greek and American foreign ministers.<\/p>\n He said it was important for officials to maintain direct communication and know they could pick up the telephone and receive an answer.<\/p>\n On Greece\u2019s strategic relationship with Israel, Mitsotakis said Athens maintained ties with the Israeli state rather than necessarily endorsing every action of its government. He argued that the relationship offered significant benefits, including through the Achilles Shield defence initiative.<\/p>\n He rejected claims that closer relations with Israel had harmed Greece\u2019s ties with Arab countries or the Palestinian Authority, noting that Athens had criticised Israeli government actions when they conflicted with Greek principles and values.<\/p>\n Greece-Cyprus Electricity Cable Must Proceed, PM Says<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mitsotakis said the United States supported energy interconnection projects, including the electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus, partly because the connection could eventually reach Israel.<\/p>\n He noted that the project also had a European dimension and interested France. However, he declined to discuss operational details, insisting that the cable should proceed without Greece compromising its sovereign rights.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis Defends Defence Spending and F-35 Programme<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Responding to opposition criticism of Greece\u2019s military spending and claims that Turkey had secured F-35 fighter jets, Mitsotakis said Greece remained part of the F-35 programme and expected deliveries in 2029 and 2030, while Turkey remained outside it.<\/p>\n He questioned former prime minister Alexis Tsipras\u2019s comments suggesting Turkey would acquire the aircraft, arguing that Greece needed to maintain a lasting strategic advantage over Turkey.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis said NATO membership alone could not guarantee Greece\u2019s security without strong national defence capabilities. He also noted that Europe had recognised the need to develop greater strategic defence autonomy.<\/p>\n On relations with Turkey, he said communication channels remained open but confirmed that no meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan had been scheduled.<\/p>\n He described Turkey\u2019s \u201cBlue Homeland\u201d doctrine as historically unfounded and inconsistent with international law, adding that Greece remained prepared for any eventuality.<\/p>\n PM Defends Greece\u2019s Foreign Policy and Support for Ukraine<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Rejecting criticism that Greece pursued a one-dimensional foreign policy, Mitsotakis pointed to the country\u2019s strategic alliance with the United States, membership of the European Union and NATO, and strong relations with Arab countries and China.<\/p>\n He defended Greece\u2019s support for Ukraine following Russia\u2019s invasion, citing both international law and moral considerations.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis said a Ukrainian defeat would not represent a fair or desirable end to the war and invoked the unresolved Cyprus issue as a reminder of the importance of respecting international law.<\/p>\n He argued that consistency between words and actions remained essential in foreign policy.<\/p>\n Greece\u2019s Energy Role Expands as Ionian Drilling Nears<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mitsotakis said Greece\u2019s Vertical Gas Corridor already operated and strengthened the country\u2019s position as a provider of energy security.<\/p>\n He argued that the corridor enhanced Greece\u2019s geopolitical importance and confirmed that the first exploratory drilling operation west of Corfu was scheduled for the first half of 2027.<\/p>\n On economic policy, he also referred to a letter he had sent to the European Commission seeking greater flexibility in fiscal rules amid turbulence in bond markets.<\/p>\n He said the Eurogroup had recently signalled that it could offer Greece additional flexibility, although he did not expect a dramatic change. He insisted that the government would remain within its budgetary targets.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis Cites Falling Debt and Tax Relief for Young People<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The prime minister described the rapid reduction of public debt as one of his government\u2019s greatest economic achievements.<\/p>\n He said people aged up to 25 now benefited from income-tax exemptions and highlighted housing support for students as examples of measures that previous governments could not have introduced under Greece\u2019s earlier fiscal conditions.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis also defended the Hellas Gold mining investment, arguing that it could create 3,000 jobs and generate substantial benefits for local authorities and the state through revenue and fees.<\/p>\n He criticised the former SYRIZA government for opposing the investment, saying Greece needed to exploit its untapped economic potential.<\/p>\n No Early Elections or Cabinet Reshuffle Planned<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mitsotakis ruled out calling early elections, arguing that Greece needed political stability ahead of what he described as a difficult winter.<\/p>\n He said he would prefer to complete his government\u2019s full four-year term and allow voters to judge its record at the end of the mandate.<\/p>\n The prime minister rejected the idea that an early election would benefit the country merely because it might offer a political advantage to the government. He also said he wanted ministers to continue delivering on outstanding commitments rather than slow their work as the next election approached.<\/p>\n Asked whether he planned a cabinet reshuffle, Mitsotakis gave a one-word answer: \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He also defended Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, saying the country had made significant progress in healthcare.<\/p>\n Third Term Ambitions Focus on Growth and Investment<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Asked why he wanted a third four-year term, Mitsotakis said he aimed to maintain a growth rate consistently twice the European average and attract substantial new investment.<\/p>\n He argued that single-party governments could make decisions more quickly and remain more clearly accountable to voters, while coalition governments risked diluting responsibility.<\/p>\n He rejected claims that arrogance had become widespread within his government, insisting that he had made clear that arrogant behaviour would not be tolerated.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis also acknowledged problems in Greece\u2019s clientelist political system, saying the government had taken responsibility for addressing the OPEKEPE agricultural payments scandal. He identified reform of the primary sector as one of his three priorities for the next four-year term.<\/p>\n On education, he highlighted reforms to technical training and defended plans for non-state, non-profit universities, arguing that Greece could become an international education hub. He also said universities had become more outward-looking and that authorities would remove illegal campus occupations.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis Rejects Political Narrowing Within New Democracy<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Responding to criticism from the right wing of New Democracy, Mitsotakis said the party needed to remain broad enough to appeal beyond traditional left-right divisions.<\/p>\n He recalled that Konstantinos Karamanlis had advocated a political approach that transcended those labels and argued that a broad political coalition of ideas had benefited Greece.<\/p>\n On the absence of former prime ministers and party leaders from New Democracy\u2019s anniversary celebrations, Mitsotakis said the circumstances differed from person to person. He added that the event had celebrated the party\u2019s supporters rather than himself.<\/p>\n Government Prepares Support for Heating Fuel and Petrol Costs<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Addressing rising living costs and fuel prices, Mitsotakis said the government would soon announce a significant intervention concerning heating oil and increase the heating allowance.<\/p>\n He stressed that financial support would remain limited by the state\u2019s available resources.<\/p>\n The prime minister also warned that supermarket prices could rise again after a period of relative stability. He said the government would ask businesses to help absorb the pressure and would seek smaller profit margins where necessary.<\/p>\n Mitsotakis Says Election Results Will Determine His Political Future<\/p>\n Asked whether he would step down as New Democracy leader if the party secured only 25% of the vote, Mitsotakis said every party leader ultimately had to answer to the electorate.<\/p>\n He rejected claims that he was indispensable and insisted that Greece\u2019s future mattered more than his personal political prospects.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to the next election, he urged voters to choose a prime minister and party based on their governing plans and assess whether the government had delivered on the commitments it made in 2023.<\/p>\n He described fulfilling those promises as the foundation of political credibility.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n