Marinakis: Greece ahead in discussion on need for strong EU defence

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced at the press briefing held on Monday the joint meeting of Seismic Risk Assessment Committee was held at the climate crisis and civil protection ministry midday to discuss the flurry of earthquake activity between the islands of Amorgos and Santorini over the past two days.

Speaking to journalists in Thessaloniki, Marinakis said the meeting was being chaired by the head of Greece's Earthquake Planning & Protection Organisation (OASP), Professor Efthymios Lekkas, in the presence of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias and Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas, as well as the Secretary-General for Civil Protection Vasilis Papageorgiou and the leadership of the fire department.

The spokesperson noted that schools were closed on the islands of Thera, Anafi, Ios and Amorgos on Monday, based on the committee's decisions the previous day, while people had been warned to avoid large gatherings within buildings, to stay away from abandoned buildings and ports or coastal areas. Citizens were also advised to empty swimming pools and pick safe routes for their movements.

He also noted that precautionary measures have been taken in preparation against a stronger tremor, with the fire department in the South Aegean on alert and the regional commander sent to direct fire department forces on Santorini. The authorities have also flown in an EMAK search-and-rescue team equipped with a rescue dog, two Special Forest Operations Units (EMODE), a team of drone operators and their equipment and air-rescue personnel.

Marinakis then referred to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' participation in an informal European Council in Brussels on Monday, where he proposed strengthening and spending more on European defence, with a dedicated fund of 100 billion euros along the lines of the Resilience and Recovery Facility and greater flexibility in fiscal rules.

Marinakis pointed out that Greece's defence spending currently exceeds 3% of GDP, "with Greece already ahead in the discussion regarding the need for a strong European defence."

The spokesperson then spoke about actions in Central Macedonia with a total budget of 9.6 billion euros that have boosted growth rates and reduced unemployment, with investments that are changing Thessaloniki.

He also commented on the actions presented to the cabinet meeting on Friday for boosting investments in the economy and a bill to protect minors against tobacco products and alcohol, with tougher controls over the sale of such products and police powers to inspect even private events for such offences.

Marinakis concluded with a reference to a visit by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni to Ukraine and her participation in a conference to support the country's cultural sector held on February 1-2.