Kyriakos Mitsotakis travelled to Alexandroupolis this weekend, to support the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace candidate – and current Governor – Christos Metios.
During his visit at the severely hit by wildfires area, the Greek PM observed flood protection works in the village of Palagia.
He also took the opportunity to refer to the projected impact on Greece’s migrant influx stemming from the Israel-Hamas war.
While in Alexandroupoli, Mitsotakis said: “I want to ask you to put aside any differences. Disagreements can always exist at the local level. I know that local government elections can always cause some conflict and can also inflame passions. So let us put all that aside. Let’s go finish the job which started last Sunday, and on this Sunday night Christos Metios will continue to be the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.”
The Greek PM added: “New Democracy has never hidden the fact that it is giving political colour to the battle for the regional elections. During the first [round of elections on] Sunday, I believe that everyone drew their conclusions that Greek citizens still trust ND and that this gives us strength in many regions. As was the case in Central Macedonia, where we have far exceeded our national figures, and this is of course also a testament to the choices of individuals.”
He referred to the Evros region as one of strategic importance, not only for Greece, but for the EU and Europe as a whole. The Greek PM argued that Evros has become an energy and transit hub offering “huge development opportunities.”
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mitsotakis reiterated the government’s stance.
“We stand by Israel and of course Israel has the possibility and the right to launch its self-defense always with respect to international law so as not to extend these people’s plight to other civilians.”
And he continued: “But we are not complacent. We know very well that every crisis can be an occasion for more migratory flows. And this is why I state once again that for the border region of Evros my non-negotiable will be not taking a single step back from our strict border security policy. Whatever the means necessary, they will be deployed. Whether it is the fence, new electronic surveillance equipment or human resources. And I know that our border patrol officers protect our borders 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, often under very difficult conditions.”
