ATHENS — "This year's Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) marks a symbolic and at the same time substantial return to a full life, economically, socially, in educational and more broadly in culture," government spokesperson Yiannis Oikonomou said on Thursday during a press briefing.

"Nineteen months after the start of the pandemic and despite the virus persisting, we are able to take a step forward. We are able to do it because with planning and prudent choices we have kept the country healthy, economically and socially," he added.

"With policies to strengthen the national health system and support the real economy. Now with policies that hinge on the national health system, vaccination and a better state we can further contain the pandemic and say yes to life. The next period will not be without difficulties. The pandemic continues to cause disruption and the disruption is causing concern among the people," he noted.

"At the TIF, the prime minister will address these concerns, the problems but also the expectations of society," Oikonomou underlined.