Several options afforded to citizens to protect assets from creditors; responsible borrowers should be acknowledged

The government is consistent in trying to meet its promises but is also courageous in recognizing difficulties and obstacles when such arise, while also trying to correct them, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, speaking at a press conference in western port city of Patras.

He spoke after a tour of the Achaia prefecture in southwest Greece, with the main stops being various infrastructure works – planned or in progress – in the region, as the pre-election season slowly heats up in Greece, ahead of scheduled general elections next year.

In response to a press question, he repeated that his center-right government is committed to completing its four-year term, while bashing leftist main opposition SYRIZA party for attempting to create, what he claimed is a toxic political landscape in the country through alleged “scandals” being peddled by a partisan “yellow press”.

Asked about foreclosures and subsequent auctions of primary residences, an issue that emerged this week with a prominent case in Athens, Mitsotakis said current government policies provide several options for homeowners to preserve their assets against mortgage holders and creditors.
He again took aim at SYRIZA and his main political rival Alexis Tsipras, the former prime minister, referring to hypocrisy, in that the latter enacted legislation allowing distress funds the right to purchase NPLs, but is now seeking out television cameras in order to express his opposition and solidarity.

“A total of 30,000 auctions took place during his rule, and I never saw him at the time exhibit any heightened interest for the people losing their homes,” Mitsotakis said.

“It’s extremely unfortunate for a person to lose their home by foreclosure. I believe every such case should be treated with respect and sensitivity. However, the government’s policy on the issue of NPLs and auctions provides numerous options for citizens to keep their property. Tens of thousands of citizens have reached agreements (with banks) to protect their assets, especially their primary residence. Foreclosures are a small exception (in terms of cases). Most citizens rush to make modify and pay their debts, and to the best of their ability they’re responsible, and this is something we must acknowledge.”
In response to a question on tenuous ties with neighboring Turkey, he said Ankara has now become “unpredictable, contentious, and often aggressive”.

At the same time, he said Athens remains committed to a sincere dialogue with Turkey, “with which we are condemned, by geography, to be neighbors.”

As per the main subject for dialogue, he added, is the one and only difference in Greece’s view, namely, the delimitation and delineation of maritime zones in the Aegean and the east Mediterranean.