ATHENS – Government spokesperson Yiannis Oikonomou, during the regular press briefing on Monday, expressed the government’s deep sorrow for the two people that died in Saturday’s flash floods on Crete, noting that the intensity of the weather was proof that the world was now facing a climate crisis.

Referring to migration and the incident with the 92 irregular migrants found stark naked at the border in Evros, Oikonomou called Turkey’s behaviour “inhuman” and said it proved “that Turkey continues the weaponisation of the migrants”.

“The Greek authorities rescued 92 migrants, who were abandoned naked. As they stated to Greek authorities, they were transferred to the site in three vehicles belonging to Turkish authorities and got into dinghies to go to Greece. This inhuman behaviour is shameful and Turkey has an obligation, instead of putting the blame on others, to conduct an investigation into the incident and punish those responsible. Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi has informed the UN and the EU and asked for a meeting with the president of UN General Assembly, while Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos has informed EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson about the incident.

Referring to the draft budget for 2023, he said that it was the first to be tabled without being subject to supervision under the memorandums, something that increases the government’s responsibility for the people’s sacrifices.

He said that the budget was drawn up and tabled in conditions of global uncertainty and foresees “fiscal balance, while serving growth and supporting the vulnerable”.

Finally, he said that “society is suffering from the imported hike in prices and this is very hard for a people stricken by the economic crisis, the pandemic and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine. Our strength is tested but the situation could have been worse in terms of prices and sufficiency of goods, as is happening in other countries”.