Receiving the new main opposition leader Nikos Androulakis at his offices on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of having "open channels of communication" in a statement made prior to their meeting.
"I am glad we had the opportunity for this meeting, so we can have an open channel of communication and discuss with sincerity," Mitsotakis said to the leader of the PASOK-Movement for Change party.
Androulakis asked the prime minister about his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with Mitsotakis replying that it "went well, it was an interesting discussion."
"I know the British prime minister well but now I had the opportunity to have a discussion on all issues and we expect developments," he added.
Addressing Androulakis, the prime minister said he was very glad to "have the opportunity for this meeting in your new capacity. Let me begin by officially congratulating you …. obviously, it is not the job of the opposition to agree with the government. It would be very strange if this happened with great frequency. I think, however, that we have an obligation to have open channels of communication, on a personal level also, and to always discuss the issues with sincerity," he said. He expressed hope that this will happen whenever necessary, while noting that the "situations and difficult times we are going through" made it imperative.
Androulakis, on his part, said that the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures was a national goal with "powerful symbolism" for PASOK-KINAL and that the party will offer its help in achieving it.
He also added: "For me, due to my previous experience in the European Parliament, I think the only way to move forward is through consensus. But with a sincere dialogue where we will look at the true facts regarding the challenges and each see how we can help from our respective ideological standpoint. In any case, I think that in these first weeks we have submitted a number of proposals in various fields that have social, economic and national interest."