Live interview with Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Greece does not need permission from anyone for the electrical interconnection of its islands

Greece will not ask anyone’s permission for electrical interconnection projects in the Aegean

Commenting on Turkey’s NAVTEX, the Prime Minister reiterated:
“We have a firm position regarding their illegal legal character.”
As he stressed, “Greece will not need to seek permission from anyone if it wishes to proceed with electrical interconnection projects in the Aegean.”

He added that “sometimes entrenched positions are repeated almost mechanically by Turkish bureaucracies,” while noting that “if President Erdoğan wishes to leave this chapter in the past, I would be willing to engage in discussions.”

However, he clarified: “I do not consider this likely under the current circumstances.”
Regarding Kasos, he stressed that “there was no pending issue, nor any fait accompli.”

02/02/2026 – 21:12

The only difference: EEZ and continental shelf

Speaking about Greek-Turkish relations, Mr Mitsotakis noted that “since signing the Athens Declaration, we have achieved significant gains that should not be overlooked.”
As he said, “there has been a significant reduction in tensions in the air,” while also pointing to “good cooperation on migration, fast-track visas for the islands, and the establishment of open channels of communication to defuse tensions if they arise.”

“I harbour no illusions,” he stressed, adding that “the major issue, the sole substantial difference, is the EEZ and the continental shelf.”

The Prime Minister also noted that “the fact that I speak directly with Erdoğan is positive,” clarifying that “we do not discuss only Greek-Turkish issues.”

At the same time, he underlined that “we could consider the issue of a broader regional conference involving Turkey,” stressing that “communication channels must exist.”

02/02/2026 – 21:10

Mitsotakis: Greece has a strategic relationship with the United States

“I do not share these concerns. Greece has a strategic relationship with the US. I have known President Trump since his first term. Our relations are at their best level. It is not only our relationship with President Trump, but also with Congress and other centres of power in the US. I will be travelling to Ankara in the coming days; I do not believe we need a mediator to discuss issues concerning the two countries.”

02/02/2026 – 21:08

When will you meet President Erdoğan?

The Prime Minister announced that his meeting with the Turkish President will take place by 15 February.

He noted that a possible solution could be the referral of disputes to an international judicial body. However, he explained that “as long as the so-called ‘grey zones’ theory remains on the table, as long as sovereignty—not merely sovereign rights—is even indirectly challenged in the Aegean, and as long as a threat of war hangs over us, it is difficult to reach that point.”

“As long as Turkey adds additional issues to the agenda, moving further in this direction is difficult at this juncture,” he added.
He said he views a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as “a positive acknowledgment that Turkey may be reconsidering some of its longstanding positions or at least not promoting them with the same intensity as in the past.”
He noted, however, that this was followed by reaffirmations of traditional positions by Turkey’s Ministry of Defence.

02/02/2026 – 21:06

Question: Have you received official information regarding a Trump visit to Greece?

Asked to comment on remarks by Kimberly Guilfoyle regarding an upcoming visit by the US President to Greece, the Prime Minister said he is not aware of any such plans.

02/02/2026 – 21:03

On the extension of territorial waters

The Prime Minister reiterated that a possible solution would be referral to an international judicial body, adding:
“But as long as the so-called ‘grey zones’ theory exists, as long as sovereignty—not sovereign rights—is even indirectly disputed in the Aegean, and as long as a threat of war looms over us, it is difficult to reach that point.”

“As long as Turkey continues to add other issues to the agenda, advancing in this direction remains difficult at this time,” he said, while again pointing to Mr Fidan’s statement as a potentially positive sign.

02/02/2026 – 20:21

There is no dilemma of ‘Mitsotakis or chaos’

Reiterating that elections will take place as scheduled in spring 2027, Mr Mitsotakis stressed that the dilemma is not “Mitsotakis or chaos,” but rather “Mitsotakis or Androulakis, Mitsotakis or Konstantopoulou, Mitsotakis or Velopoulos.”
“Chaos is not my opponent,” he said. “My political opponents are.”

02/02/2026 – 20:02

Message to Turkey regarding casus belli

In a teaser aired during SKAI’s main news bulletin, Kyriakos Mitsotakis made clear that as long as the casus belli remains in place, Turkey cannot benefit from European funding under the SAFE programme.
“Despite some doubts, the outcome proved that we achieved our objective,” he added.

02/02/2026 – 19:59

Greek-Turkish relations and energy

The Prime Minister is also expected to address national issues and make special reference to recent energy agreements signed by Greece.

02/02/2026 – 19:45

Key points of the constitutional revision

In his address earlier on Monday morning, the Prime Minister focused on:

• the revision of Article 86 to lift ministerial immunity
• ending the outdated monopoly in higher education through the establishment of non-state universities (Article 16)
• introducing a single six-year term for the President of the Republic
• the participation of judges in selecting the leadership of the supreme courts

02/02/2026 – 19:38

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ interview on SKAI

Speaking with journalist Alexis Papachelas, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to outline his positions on the proposed constitutional revision, while also commenting on domestic political developments, Greek-Turkish relations, and international affairs.