Petsas: An emblematic trial is coming to an end, proving that there's no room for neo-nazis in Greece

"In a few hours, the Court of Appeals will announce the sentences for the leadership and the members of the criminal organisation Golden Dawn, the perpetrators of the Pavlos Fyssas [murder] and those involved in its criminal activity," government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said on Monday, during a press briefing with the participation of Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi.

"Thus, an emblematic trial is approaching its conclusion, one that proved that not only society but also justice have stood firm, that our country's institutions and democracy are strong. That neo-Nazi formations have no place in Greece," he stressed.

Petsas referred also referred to the problems with Turkey, stressing: "The EU Foreign Affairs Council is meeting in Luxembourg today. During the meeting, both Cyprus and Greece will raise the latest Turkish provocations, with the opening of Famagusta's beach front as well as the issue of the new illegal Turkish Navtex south of Kastellorizo and southeast of Rhodes. A detailed announcement has already been released by the foreign ministry, as has an announcement from the Navy Hydrographic Service station in Heraklion, Crete."

Petsas noted that "Turkey's actions fully conflict with the conclusions of the Special European Council of October 1-2, 2020" and that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has stated that the foreign ministers' meeting on Monday will discuss the illegal Turkish actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on Greece and Cyprus.

He also said that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in view of the upcoming European Council on October 15-16, will raise Turkey's latest illegal and provocative actions in a phone conversation later on Monday with European Council President Charles Michel.

Turning to developments regarding the pandemic, Petsas pointed out that "as of this morning, the health safety and coronavirus protection map came into force, based on which every citizen will know what preventive measures apply in a specific area."

"This map shows that the measures we have taken to protect public health from the coronavirus are many. And what is needed at the moment is to implement the existing measures, not to adopt new ones," he added.

The government spokesperson also referred to the prime minister's programme, saying that "on Tuesday, [he] will receive Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne at the Maximos Mansion at 13:00, and the German Foreign Minister Haiko Maas at 19:00.

At 17:00, the prime minister will participate in an event launching a platform for start-ups called Elevate Greece.

Mitsotakis is also scheduled to meet Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Wednesday at 12:30, Petsas announced, while on Thursday morning he is scheduled to depart for Brussels to take part in the European People's Party (EPP) summit at noon, before attending the start of the two-day European Council later the same day.