ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday expressed his certainty that this time also, during the second wave of the pandemic, "Greek society and the Greek state will rise to the occasion," during his meeting with President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the Presidential Mansion.

Mitsotakis said that the economy will remain open "with the fewest possible compromises and concessions that we must all make to preserve the health of all our fellow citizens," until a vaccine or an effective treatment is found. He added that, despite the increase in cases, Greece is still managing the second wave of the pandemic better than most European countries.

The prime minister also sent a message to Turkey, welcoming the "calmer waters" in bilateral relations following the withdrawal of a Turkish survey vessel and noting that this calm does not only depend on Greece.

On her part, Sakellaropoulou said that the "diplomatic moves and pressure from our allies have likely led to the action on Turkey's part in this direction. Time will tell, of course."

Finally, she said that it was time for Turkey's leadership to understand that intimidation and provocations lead nowhere and that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward, with respect for international legality and the rules of international law.

She also referred to the issue of Moria, saying that it was an open wound and a constant reminder that European values must be present in the humanitarian crisis as well, expressing her hope that Greece will be able to find a solution in the EU's new plan for migration and asylum.