Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded forcefully during a Cabinet meeting to criticism over the government’s energy policy and offshore agreements, in remarks widely interpreted as a direct rebuke of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Although the Greek PM did not mention Samaras by name, his comments came a day after the former premier questioned the government’s handling of a Chevron exploration agreement south of Crete and raised concerns about sovereignty and foreign policy.

“Sovereign Rights in Practice, Not Words”

Opening his remarks, Mitsotakis said Greece is exercising its sovereign rights “in practice, not in words,” arguing that the country is positioning itself as a key gateway for the entry and distribution of natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe.

The prime minister framed the government’s energy strategy as part of a broader national effort to strengthen Greece’s geopolitical role and economic standing.

In a pointed message, Mitsotakis urged what he described as “professional worriers” not to look for supposed traps in contractual clauses designed to shield the Greek state from potential compensation claims by companies.

The comment appeared to directly counter Samara’s arguments that provisions in the Chevron agreement could imply a potential cession of sovereign rights; a claim the government has rejected.

Mitsotakis went further, criticizing what he described as a defeatist mindset. “Those who persist in a defeatist mindset should consider that, up to now, only Turkey, and, regrettably, they themselves, have reacted against our country’s national direction.” he said.

He noted that Greece’s foreign minister is currently in Washington for his second meeting within a year with his U.S. counterpart, aimed at deepening the bilateral strategic relationship.

“True Patriots Build a Greece That Is Not Afraid”

The prime minister rejected the notion that utilizing Greece’s natural resources or advancing its energy projects undermines national interests.

“Exploiting the country’s wealth and consolidating its rights does not undermine the homeland’s position,” Mitsotakis said. “Petty doubt does.”

He concluded with a pointed political message: “True patriots are not those who constantly express fears. They are those who build a Greece that is unafraid.”