THESSALONIKI – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis effectively launched the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair (Sep.10-18) with his speech at the ‘Ioannis Vellidis’ Congress Centre on Saturday night.

The premier began his speech by saying that “the national stake, which continues to pervade time, remains one and one only: that through ever-changing conditions the land be free, sovereign and independent, and its citizens prosper, breathing the air of a democracy that protects them and provides them with opportunities to create more for themselves and for their families.”

“Division and demagoguery only breed defeat, while unity and truth only lead to victories,” he underlined, and he noted that after 12 years of memoranda, Greece has now regained its economic autonomy from European financial supervision, while it plays a leading role in development and exports.”

Earlier, Mitsotakis visited several exhibitors’ pavilions at the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF 2022) on Saturday.

The premier first went to the Fire Brigade’s pavilion, where he expressed his sincere thanks for the effective tackling of the country’s summer 2022 wildfires.

“Last year, when the country was hit by the devastating fires in August, I made a commitment that we would take a hard assessment of our weaknesses and proceed with a substantial realignment of forces. We created the new civil protection & climate change ministry (…), and the results of this work are already visible,” he observed.

Mitsotakis continued to point out that “the fact that we’ve had many more aerial vehicles and never heard any complaints this year about their numbers and location response is all down to your hard work. And of course, we don’t stop there. First of all, the fire season is not over yet, we remain vigilant. But it is very good proof that we are able, as a state, to keep getting better. To recognize with courage -and in all honesty- our mistakes and move forward.”

He then visited the pavilion of the Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE), where he was shown the new ‘Apodixi’ (Receipt) application, by which people can electronically check the authenticity of their purchase receipts with their smartphones.

“The professional who steals from the state, ultimately steals from all Greek taxpayers,” he said, adding that “if you steal from the state, we now have the tools to find you. And we will do it, because this is the socially responsible attitude, so that some people cannot profit at the expense of other citizens.”

Next, the prime minister visited the National Defence Ministry’s pavilion, where he went into an F-35 flight simulator. He was also briefed on Rafale fighter jet and Sikorsky helicopter simulators available there.

Mitsotakis also visited a special pavilion at the 86th TIF which commemorates the 100 years since the Asia Minor catastrophe of 1922, where he was welcomed by both the Athens and Thessaloniki mayors. Mitsotakis also watched a documentary on the historical event.