Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Marfin, the Murder of Vagia Nestora, and Turkey at the Center of the Review

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has published his weekly review, focusing on significant political and international events. He addressed the recent arrests related to the Marfin Bank arson case and the murder of Vagia Nestora, framing them as crucial steps for justice and the rule of law. Mitsotakis stated that the state fulfilled its commitment to not leave these cases in the dark, emphasizing that a democratic state responds to violence through institutions and legality, not vengeance.

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Good morning. Before I speak about what happened this week, I consider it imperative to start with a development that is of particular importance to Democracy and the rule of law.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of unity and consensus in the face of terrorism, asserting that there is no room for "asterisks or balancing acts" against violence. He called for a united front to deny perpetrators any tolerance or political alibi, deeming it a minimum obligation to the victims and future generations.

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On Friday, arrests were made of the alleged perpetrators of 4 murders of our fellow citizens that have deeply hurt us. I am referring to the recent murder of Vagia Nestora and the 16-year-old murders of the pregnant Angeliki Papathanasopoulou, Epaminondas Tsakalis, and Paraskevi Zoulia.

Turning to international affairs, Mitsotakis discussed the NATO Summit, where critical geopolitical challenges were addressed. He reiterated Greece's position as a stable and reliable ally committed to collective security and national interests. He highlighted Greece's early achievement of its defense spending target (3.5% of GDP by 2026) and a significant modernization program for the Armed Forces, amounting to 28 billion euros, as proof of investment in national security.

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A day after Vagia Nestora's funeral, the State fulfilled its commitment to not leave these cases in the dark. With the arrest of the suspects, a decisive step is taken so that Justice is served and an obligation is fulfilled towards the victims of the Marfin arson, their families, and their colleagues.

Mitsotakis also underscored that the strength of a defense alliance is measured not only by armaments but also by adherence to its founding principles and the maintenance of good neighborly relations. He implied that cohesion within NATO is also judged by these factors, suggesting a link between regional stability and the alliance's overall effectiveness.

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This is the answer a democratic state always gives in the face of violence: not with revenge, but with institutions, legality, and the effective action of the authorities.