The key priority in the OPEKEPE case of fraudulent distribution of EU farm funds is the process to recoup the illegally dispensed subsidies, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said during a Saturday morning interview on Skai TV.

Marinakis said in particular that inspections would start from the largest subsidies, to determine if they were properly allocated. "The money will be sought and attributed through automated procedures. It is not an easy process," he added.

Greece will also try to "reduce the fine" imposed by the EU for the former distribution agency's actions, "and to have its repayment period extended, or at least in agreement with Europe in the framework of offsets." Marinakis asserted that "the fine will not be included in the state budget, and we will do whatever we can so that farmers face the lowest possible repercussions." The government will appeal to the EU, but "for sure, the Greek taxpayers overall will not pay" for the misused subsidies, he underlined.

Among other questions he was asked, the spokesperson referred to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum on maritime borders and said "no third country recognizes it, and that's final. Therefore, there is nothing to discuss over something that is unsubstantiated and illegal. And this, to reiterate, is not just a Greek stance, it is a European stance, and not just so." Speaking of the migration flows, he noted, "This is the great issue. An aside, here: Greece and Libya have coasts facing each other, therefore, based on International Law, we would like to further discussion. I want to extol the job of the coast guard officers who save [people] every day, but also protect our borders - we will manage the issue of increased migration flows from North Africa."