ATHENS — "Ιn a rapidly changing international environment, the Greek government from the first moment took multiple initiatives at all levels and all directions to strategically upgrade Greece and ensure an environment of prosperity for the citizens," underlined government spokesperson Yiannis Oikonomou briefing the press on Thursday..

"The prime minister himself, making use of his prestige, has managed to fully turn around an atmosphere of mistrustfulness and unreliability that prevailed in the past. The fruit of this work, the fruit of our foreign policy is the agreement for a strategic upgrade of the country that we have signed with France,"  Oikonomou said.

He also added that the protection of the country's sovereign rights depends on its strategic alliances. "The agreement with France constitutes a huge national success. At the same time, it is a step of historic significance for both Greece and Europe in its effort to align its geopolitical forces with its economic strength," he said.

Oikonomou announced that the agreement has been tabled in parliament for ratification and the relevant debate will be held next Thursday, October 7. Meanwhile, the negotiations with the USA will continue for the renewal of the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement".

On the pandemic, the government spokesperson underlined that "this is part of our reality and will remain so, for as long as some of our fellow citizens behave as if it does not exist. The refusal to vaccinate is chiefly that which maintains a situation that is damaging for both the citizens and the country."

"We have managed, in collaboration with the society and the medical community, to restore normality to a significant degree but this is not enough. We seek a full return. The full operation of all the aspects of life," he added.

Oikonomou also ruled out all possibility that Greece will return to a full lockdown of the kind imposed the previous year and noted that the platform to book vaccine appointments is now allowing people over 60 and staff in healthcare to arrange a third dose of the vaccine.