Kyriakos Mitsotakis refers to the crisis in the Middle East in his weekly review. Specifically, in a post he made today, Sunday, on social media, he notes that Greece would stand by Cyprus even if no European partner did not, while he goes on to intervene with the imposition of a cap that the government has already made to deal with the immediate consequences of the war.
The fiscal seriousness of recent years allows for interventions as the crisis develops, the Prime Minister says.
The Prime Minister’s entire post:
Good morning! We’re already halfway through March, with developments around us remaining dense.
-On the visit with Macron to Cyprus
Earlier this week, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, we visited Cyprus and met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides. Our presence there was an obvious act of support for our Cypriot brothers and sisters at a difficult time. A clear message that Cyprus is not alone. I have said it and I repeat it: Greece would stand by Cyprus even if none of its European partners did not. Fortunately, however, European solidarity and common defence support have shown in practice that Europe can respond to critical moments with unity and determination.
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-On international developments:
International developments, however, are never confined to the level of geopolitics. They almost always affect the economy as well, putting pressure on prices and ultimately on the daily lives of citizens. In a period of international market and price turbulence, it goes without saying that the state must monitor and intervene, ensuring that the situation does not lead to the appearance of obscenity. We are therefore proceeding to impose a ceiling on the profit margin both on fuel – with special arrangements for the islands – and on 61 products in the supermarket. The measures will be implemented immediately, supervised by the new Consumer Protection Authority in cooperation with the Ministries of Development and Energy, and will be in force until the end of June, with high fines of up to EUR 5 million. But it can set rules on the market so that the pressure that already exists does not turn into an undue burden on citizens.
-The intervention margins:
When it comes to the broader implications for the economy – beyond prices, that is – we are of course monitoring developments, along with all other European governments. We will act accordingly when there is a clearer picture in relation to the evolution of the crisis and, of course, based on the resilience of the economy. The fiscal severity of the last few years gives us room for intervention today, with the hope that we will soon lead to a de-escalation.
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Such periods also remind us of the importance of the energy policy we have pursued in recent years. This is because the increased participation of Renewable Energy Sources in the national energy mix that we have achieved in recent years significantly strengthens the country’s resilience against the international turbulence caused by the tension in the Middle East on energy prices. Today, our country’s renewable energy sources cover more than 50% of electricity production and contribute decisively to the lower energy costs in Greece, both at wholesale and retail prices, compared to our neighbouring countries. At the same time, we are investing in energy storage and natural gas as a transitional fuel so that the energy system remains reliable and stable. The contracts ratified by the Parliament with the Chevron and HELLENiQ Energy joint venture are also an important step in the country’s energy shield, paving the way for new investments with significant economic and geopolitical implications.
-For nuclear power:
However, in a time of great geopolitical turmoil, all options must be on the table. As I mentioned at the recent summit convened by President Macron in Paris, Europe cannot achieve its key objectives, such as strategic autonomy, economic competitiveness and carbonisation, without also discussing the role of nuclear energy. It is enough to see that the low energy prices on the French wholesale market are largely due to the solid base of nuclear energy that protects the French economy from exogenous energy shocks. Greece should therefore seriously consider whether small modular reactors can play a role in its energy mix. Some people refer to my earlier statement rejecting classical nuclear reactors, which I stand by. Small modular reactors are a different technology, both in terms of safety requirements and the size of the investment, and I believe that this option should be considered. We will set up a high-level ministerial committee which will make specific recommendations to the Government on this issue.
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-For the fire season
I’m changing the subject now and, as the weather is already spring-like – for the more impatient, summer is approaching – I’d like to say a few words about our preparations for this year’s fire season. As I have already mentioned, we are proceeding with the modernisation and upgrade of seven Canadair CL-415 aircraft. The contract signed a few days ago provides for the installation of modern avionics equipment – the so-called “glass cockpit” – and a comprehensive operational upgrade of the aircraft, so that our fleet can continue to operate with high standards of safety and reliability for many years to come. Let me also remind you that the delivery of seven new Canadair CL-515 aircraft is imminent and, together with the remaining seven upgraded aircraft that we will start taking delivery of from March 2027, we will be the country with the world’s largest fleet of this type. This contract completes the entire procurement of the aircraft included in the AIGIS programme and implemented by the PPF, the strategic project maturity mechanism of the Yperta Fund.
-On uninsured vehicles and inspections
After two years of preparation, the system of cross-checks for vehicles without insurance or without having paid road tax is now fully implemented. Some 300,000 owners have received notices of their debts and fines, after repeated notices to comply had been issued without success. A total of 297,561 notices were sent: 125,051 for uninsured vehicles and 172,510 for non-payment of 2025 road tax. The total amount of debts and fines amounts to approximately €109.5 million. Those who believe there is an error can file an objection online via the “Cross-checks” application at oximata.gov.gr. However, there can be no tolerance in such matters. Adherence to the rules is a matter of justice for all and, above all, a matter of safety on the roads.
-For vulnerable households:
The Government is moving to implement a new, more modern way of supporting the most vulnerable households. The old system of distributing food through several intermediaries is being replaced by a digital card given directly to beneficiaries so they can meet their needs in a more direct way. At the same time, retroactive payments are foreseen so that no beneficiary loses the support to which he or she is entitled during the transitional period. The system is linked to the Minimum Guaranteed Income and uses digital procedures, allowing for a more immediate and automated integration of beneficiaries. Vouchers will be used exclusively for the purchase of food and basic goods in retail outlets, ensuring that support goes where it is really needed. The programme, with a budget of around €400 million until 2029, will substantially strengthen the social safety net, increasing the financial support of beneficiaries by around €55 per month on average. Another targeted initiative to support our most vulnerable citizens.
-To the successes of the Greek FBI and ADSE
I would also like to mention two important cases solved by the Financial Crime Division of the Directorate for the Suppression of Organized Crime. One concerns the dismantling of a criminal organisation that allegedly set up illegal casinos in dozens of Internet cafes in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Agrinio, with profits estimated at EUR 16 million. 17 arrests have been made, but investigations are continuing. The second success of the so-called Greek FBI was the identification of a powerful Roma family involved in a gold pound fraud case. ELAS officers got on the trail by systematically studying individual complaints from victims who had been defrauded using the same methodology.
But significant success was also achieved by the AADE, which managed to identify a multi-member fuel smuggling ring that systematically channeled smuggled fuel into the market through three shell companies, making profits of at least 9 million euros. EUR 9 million. Investigations lasted a year and resulted in the arrest of 14 people allegedly involved in the fraud, from which the state had suffered a loss of €2.7 million in lost customs duties.
This week, the government has put its focus on two regions of the country that have been hit by major natural disasters in recent years. I am referring to Thrace and Thessaly.
-On unemployment
I was very pleased to see the latest employment figures for the region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, which has faced high unemployment for many years. Unemployment there, well, it has dropped significantly, from about 17% in 2019 to 9.4% today, while 14,300 more workers are registered than then. It is a development that shows that the region’s growth can translate into real opportunities for citizens. At the same time, new targeted measures to boost employment in the region were announced by the Ministry of Labour: a subsidised employment programme for 2,000 new jobs is being activated, while a special work experience programme for 250 unemployed people in the livestock sector is being launched. A commitment I announced two years ago is also being implemented: the establishment of a Music School in Orestiada, using a property of the DYPA that was granted to the municipality. A new educational and cultural reference point for the region. Supporting Thrace and the Greek region is not a slogan. They are projects that proceed step by step.
-For Acheloos and Thessaly
In addition, during my visit to Thessaly yesterday, I had the opportunity to discuss with local stakeholders an issue that has been pending for decades: the partial transfer of water from Acheloos to Thessaly. This is a project that started as early as the 1960s, with significant parts of the infrastructure having been built but remaining inactive to this day. The government has decided to relaunch the project in an organised manner, under the coordination of the Vice President of the Government, so that there is finally a unified plan. Thessaly is facing a significant water deficit and, according to experts, a judicious transfer of water, making use of the large hydroelectric project in Mesochora, can make a substantial contribution to tackling it. At a time of intense climate pressure and water scarcity, ensuring sufficient water resources is a prerequisite for the future of agricultural production and the development of Thessaly.
-For the Thessaloniki State Conservatory:
A historic building of Thessaloniki that withstood even the great fire of 1917 is returning to the life of the city again. The fully restored building of the Thessaloniki State Conservatory on Fragon Street was inaugurated this week, after extensive restoration work. The building now has a modern infrastructure and returns to its role as a centre of musical education and creativity for Thessaloniki. At the same time, a new state-of-the-art Recording Centre and Augmented Reality Studio was inaugurated at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, which allows for the live recording of concerts and the creation of modern audiovisual productions with cutting-edge technologies. These two interventions are part of our strategy to invest simultaneously in the protection of cultural heritage and the development of new cultural and technological infrastructure, strengthening Thessaloniki’s role as an important hub of artistic creation in the country and the wider region.
-For Culture
But just as we invest in the development of new cultural and technological infrastructure, we also invest in the protection of our cultural heritage. Greece is one of the few countries that has a National Strategy for the protection of its cultural heritage from the effects of climate change. The Ministry of Culture, since 2019, has been implementing a comprehensive programme of climate risk identification and assessment, prevention and resilience building, in alignment with international standards and in harmonisation with the broader National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. But now we are gaining a long-term action plan up to 2050, with five-year interventions for risk mapping, prevention and strengthening the resilience of iconic archaeological sites and monuments to extreme climate events. From Dion to Mistra and from Delos to Mallia, dozens of interventions are being implemented to protect against fires, floods and landslides. Our country, as a country with a unique cultural footprint in the history of mankind, has the responsibility to protect its monuments not only for the present, but also for future generations.
-To Yanis Antetokounmpo
I conclude with the unanimous selection of Yannis Antetokounmpo, following a proposal by the government, as one of the 20 personalities awarded the European Order of Merit by the European Parliament. This is an absolutely fair recognition for an athlete who, beyond his great successes, embodies our common values: human dignity, equality and social inclusion.
