ATHENS — "Greece, with its relatively few ICUs, is holding up well, while countries with a strong tradition, such as Belgium, are currently facing a huge shortage of ICUs," said State Minister George Gerapetritis on Tuesday, speaking on the Parliament's television station. The health system "has been strengthened in the last 15 months in a way that had never happened in the post-junta era," he added.

In his introductory comment on the terrorist attack in Vienna, the state minister spoke of actions that are not directed against systemic actors and state officials, but against ordinary citizens. It is – he added – a "threat against basic ideals and freedoms".

Asked to confirm or deny reports that jihadists have entered Greece, the minister clarified that "very strict controls are carried out at the legal entrances", while flows from the illegal entry points have been very significantly reduced in the last year. In any case, he added, "there has not been any action that poses a threat to our national sovereignty."