Mitsotakis outlines €13 billion debt repayment and addresses Turkey tensions

Wildfire emergency and relief response

In his first Sunday review following a two-week August break, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis detailed the government's response to summer wildfires across the country. Emergency crews and volunteers confronted more than 500 forest fires from early August, bringing the total to approximately 2,700 since the beginning of the fire season. Data from the National Observatory of Athens indicated that severe winds lasted for 20 days, reaching levels unusual even for the traditional summer meltemi winds. These extreme gusts hindered containment operations and repeatedly grounded aerial firefighting aircraft in regions including Boeotia and West Attica. State authorities evacuated at least 1,000 people by sea from active fire fronts to safeguard residents and visitors. Although burned acreage across Greece remained lower than in recent years and below comparable figures in other Mediterranean countries, Mitsotakis acknowledged the loss of human lives during the fires. On-site property inspections continue across affected regions to accelerate the delivery of state aid, emergency allowances, and reconstruction compensation.

Obviously, as I have said before, climate change does not start fires. But it makes conditions much more difficult when they break out.

Diplomatic stance on Turkey

Mitsotakis addressed foreign policy relations with Turkey after officials in Ankara criticized Greece's new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources and reiterated territorial claims regarding Aegean grey zones. The prime minister affirmed that Greece acts in full compliance with international law and exercises its sovereign rights independently. He stated that Turkish threats or unlawful territorial assertions will not alter policy decisions in Athens. Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece consistently pursues open dialogue and peaceful neighbourly relations with Ankara, but clarified that diplomatic talks will not involve territorial compromises.

We steadily seek dialogue and good neighbourly relations with Turkey. But dialogue does not mean retreat. And it certainly does not mean that we will stop doing what we consider right and necessary for our country.

Sovereign debt reduction and fiscal targets

On economic performance, Mitsotakis announced a planned early repayment of €13 billion in public debt scheduled during 2026. This upcoming transaction follows €36 billion in debt that the Greek state has already settled ahead of schedule since 2019. The prime minister pointed to these repayments as evidence of the country moving away from its previous status as an over-indebted economy. He noted that Japanese credit rating agency R&I recently improved its outlook for the Greek economy, pointing to continued fiscal consolidation. Mitsotakis stated that systematic debt reduction constitutes an essential release of state resources and strengthens long-term economic stability.

Energy grids, land planning, and education

In energy and infrastructure developments, Mitsotakis reviewed the progress of the Great Sea Interconnector, an undersea cable project connecting the electrical grids of Greece and Cyprus. French investment management firm Meridiam acquired a majority stake in the operating company, while industrial cable specialist Nexans took responsibility for manufacturing and laying the subsea line. Alongside energy links, the Greek government prepared updated spatial planning frameworks covering national tourism development and renewable energy installations. In the education sector, the Ministry of Education introduced the FinStart program, designed to reach roughly 40,000 primary and secondary school pupils. The initiative provides foundational training in financial literacy while teaching students how to identify digital economic risks and avoid online fraud.