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It is true that this Christmas will be different, said government spokesman Stelios Petsas answering questions from journalists during the political editors briefing.
“It just came to our attention then. There is no way it can be like last year. This is clear. We are moving at a relatively rapid pace in promoting the necessary vaccines and the 4 companies that we know are currently in a good stage, a great effort is being made in terms of drugs but we are not there yet to allow us to relax. Therefore, it is certain that in the coming months we will experience the second wave of cases and deaths in Europe with strict measures, unfortunately it shows that we are still far from the new normal and vigilance is necessary. “When we are ready to put this pandemic behind us, then we will all say that this year will be different and we will say by 2021 that it will not be until 2020,” said Mr. Petsas .
Mr. Petsas on the issue of the coronavirus and on developments on the front of the pandemic stated in his introductory position that “the European Council was particularly concerned about the new coronavirus outbreak and the leaders of many countries expressed great concern, already that the number of cases, intubation and deaths is increasing in most of the Union. “Normally, yesterday about 30,000 new cases were reported in France, about 17,000 in the United Kingdom, almost 11,000 in Belgium, more than 8,000 in the Netherlands and about 1,800 in Portugal. “
He also stressed that “in Greece, at the moment, we are in a much better epidemiological situation than many other countries.” This can be seen in the maps published by the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) that record the risk assessment in relation to the number of cases of 14 days (per 100,000 inhabitants), the number of tests ( per 100,000 inhabitants) and the positivity rate. of tests. It stands out that in Greece, in recent days we have passed 20,000 tests and the positivity rate is around 2%, while in Belgium -for example- it has exceeded 10% ”.
But he stressed that “the image that exists today can be overturned at any time. As it happened, in the Kozani Regional Unit, which was established at the highest level of risk. The epidemiological picture in some neighborhoods in Attica, but also in the Regional Units of Kastoria, Ioannina and Thessaloniki, is already in orange. And this points out in the strongest terms that complacency is not allowed. On the contrary, all are obliged to adhere to the measures suggested by the experts and promulgated by the State. But it’s not just the citizens. “Professionals, from health to transport and from social assistance to catering and tourism, must meticulously implement the measures.”
As Mr. Petsas said, “It is for the good of all. It is about protecting public health and social responsibility. And the few, astute, professionals who violate the measures and speculate at the expense of their constant colleagues, operating, for example , spaces that should be closed after midnight, know that there will be an immediate and exemplary punishment for such phenomena.
Meanwhile, the government continues to intensify the strengthening of the Health System. This morning, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated 50 new ICU beds. in the Hospital “Sotiria”, which were created after a significant donation by the Greek Parliament. As the Prime Minister highlighted, this is a permanent legacy for the Health System and at the same time a great relief for all of us, that within the next month we will have a significantly greater number of intensive beds that will initially be put in the fight against the coronavirus. .
The government’s commitment, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis points out, is that Greece will soon reach the number of intensive beds, the average for the European Union. And this commitment will be put into practice. “
Petsas: Ankara’s new movement clashes head-on with international legitimacy and does not produce legal results
“Ankara, with a new movement adding to the successive challenges of the last period, proceeded unilaterally and arbitrarily to redefine the limits of the area of search and rescue responsibility that is under its jurisdiction.”
“This decision is clearly illegal, as it covers areas that belong not only to Greek jurisdiction but also to Greek sovereignty,” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said, beginning to brief political editors.
“It is not based on commercial criteria. It does not serve the purposes of safety of human life.” It conflicts head-on with international law and does not produce legal results, “Mr. Petsas said characteristically.
He continued: “It is underlined that the Greek area of responsibility for search and rescue was defined in the 1950s, declared since 1975 to the competent international shipping organization and coincides with the area of flight control undertaken by Greece, that is, the Athens FIR. It is also highlighted that Greece, through the competent joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Piraeus, effectively coordinates all search and rescue operations in its area of responsibility, providing its services to all ships and aircraft that may be in danger. “
Petsas: PM raises arms embargo issue with EU leaders with Turkey
The government spokesman went on to say that “the latest summit reiterates in the text of its conclusions the unanimous demand of the EU leaders for Turkey to cease its provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.” It reiterates the need for Turkey to respect the Security Council resolutions on Varosi and reverse its latest actions. It reaffirms the conclusions of the previous summit that refer to specific articles on sanctions. “The implementation of common EU decisions to defend its interests is sowing the seeds of a European policy of deterrence.”
At this point, Mr. Petsas stressed: “At this Summit, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue of the embargo on the sale of arms to Turkey to the leaders of the member states of the Union, in order to enrich the box of tools already adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council. He recalled that the Conclusions of previous European Councils on Syria referred to the decisions of states to impose an arms embargo on Turkey. And he referred to similar recent US decisions. and Canada. The general assessment of Turkey’s behavior will be carried out in the coming weeks. “The final horizon is December, but no one can ignore the statements of the French and German Foreign Ministers, not even for a shorter period,” He said.
Petsas: The construction of the new fence in Evros sends a clear message that Greece is protecting Europe’s external borders
The government spokesman then referred to the prime minister’s visit to Evros over the weekend, noting: “In recent days, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressing great interest in the effective protection of our borders and the support of our extremists, visited E. He held meetings with representatives of local organizations and was informed at the event about the construction of the fence, which will be completed in April. It is noted that a new 26-km fence is currently being built and more sections are being improved old 10 km. It is obvious that the creation of the new fence contributes to the protection of the sovereign rights of the country and sends a clear message in all directions that Greece is protecting Europe’s external borders. “
He added: “At the same time, in addition to its basic defensive and dissuasive character, this fence brings multiple benefits as it will function as a modern flood protection project guided on the one hand by the special geomorphology of Evros and on the other by respect for the local agricultural production.
It should be noted that, for the most effective surveillance of our borders, 400 new permanent border guards will take over immediately in Evros, while another 800 will be in the eastern Aegean islands and another 480 in the rest of the country. “In one year, a total of 1,680 border guards are deployed in all areas that require a reinforced police presence.”Ν
Petsas: Cohesive Reform approves the bill of the Ministry of Justice that is presented to Parliament today
Before concluding his introductory speech to the briefing of the political authors, Mr. Petsas referred to the bill of the Ministry of Justice that is presented today in Parliament and as he said “it constitutes a coherent reform step aimed at accelerating the administration of justice and on the other hand, the Bar Code. In its specific points, among others, the trial of pending cases of the Katselis Law is accelerated, until the end of 2021. The objective is to permanently grant protection status to weak borrowers and eliminate the circumvention of this framework by strategic defaulters, who have subject to the Katselis law, awaiting a remote trial that extends until 2032.
In addition, provisions are proposed to modernize the Bar Code. The purpose is to address chronic problems in the exercise of the legal function and regulate issues such as the acquisition of legal personality, the adaptation of the collective bodies of the bar associations to the digital age, as well as the rationalization of disciplinary sanctions by the Law School. Associations “.
In conclusion, Mr. Petsas referred to the Prime Minister’s program and noted that Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have a teleconference this afternoon with the Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Zervas, on the issues related to dealing with the city from Thessaloniki.
On Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister will travel to Nicosia for the tripartite Summit of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus, while on Thursday, October 22, he will visit the President of the Republic as part of his regular monthly meetings.
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