Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the event to present the national animal protection mechanism in cases of natural disasters, at the animal rescue center in Galatsi.
The Prime Minister, who was welcomed by Interior Minister Theodoros Livaniou and Deputy Minister Vasilis Spanakis, was given a tour of the station’s facilities by Eleni Dede, founder of the animal welfare organization Dogs’ Voice.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited, among other places, the sorting and reunification areas, the veterinary clinic, and the coordination center, where he was briefed on the management of rescue operations in the event of an emergency.
He also had the opportunity to talk with volunteers and learn about the adoption procedures for rescued animals.
“I am particularly pleased that we are here in Galatsi, where there is now a permanent center for the reception, identification, care, reunification of companion animals in the event of a natural disaster. I believe that today’s event demonstrates in the best possible way that when the State listens to and collaborates with civil society—those who are always on the ground, on the front lines, in this case dedicated to the mission of protecting animals—then something truly good can come of it,” said the Prime Minister.
“I believe that the establishment of this special secretariat represents a very significant innovation for the Greek administration, as it can now serve as the official institutional interlocutor with the rest of the public administration, because cooperation is required with the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, but, above all, I believe one of its difficult tasks is to bring animal welfare organizations to the same table,” the Prime Minister added, emphasizing that nothing could be done without the unwavering support of volunteers. “I want you to reserve your warmest applause for the volunteers, in this case from Dogs’ Voice, the people who will be on the ground if needed, who will leave their jobs or their vacations to be able to provide this very important service,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s speech follows:
Dear colleagues in the government and in Parliament, dear Elena, dear representatives of animal welfare organizations, I truly feel that today’s event would be more fitting if it concluded with the presentation given by dear Elena and with the words she expressed in the interview she gave in October 2023 regarding her expectations of what she would expect from the Greek State on issues of animal protection in cases natural disasters.
And indeed, something that began piecemeal, as a result of difficult experiences, we had to manage major crises and especially large wildfires, something that emerged from civil society itself and animal welfare organizations, was eventually embraced by the Greek government, institutionalized, and today we are pleased to be able to present this very important national mechanism, for the effective management of companion animals in cases of natural disasters.
I am particularly pleased that we are here, in Galatsi, where there is now a permanent center for the reception, identification, care, and reunification of companion animals in the event of a natural disaster.
I believe that today’s event demonstrates in the best possible way that when the State listens to and collaborates with civil society, those who are always on the ground, on the front lines—in this case, dedicated to the mission of protecting animals—then something truly good can come of it.
I would like to give a special mention to Nikos Chrysakis —I think he deserves a warm round of applause—for his overall dedication to the protection of companion animals. I believe this is a very significant innovation for the Greek administration, the fact that we established this Special Secretariat, which can now serve as the official institutional interlocutor with the rest of the public administration, because cooperation is required with the Ministry of the Environment, with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, but above all, I believe its most difficult task is to bring animal welfare organizations to the same table.
I know very well from my own experience that not everyone always agrees on everything, but it is very important to have an institutionalized dialogue that can ultimately lead to results that are truly commendable and that essentially establish best practices at the European level.
But let me conclude by saying that none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers. I ask that you reserve your warmest applause for the volunteers—in this case, those from Dogs’ Voice— the people who will be on the ground when needed, who will leave their jobs or their vacations so they can provide this very important service.
Now you will be able to do this in a much more organized manner, with a representative from the Special Secretariat present at ESKEDIK, with better coordination, and a mechanism that will safeguard your personal safety while also making your work easier and more effective.
So, I would like to conclude by once again offering my warmest congratulations to all those who worked so that we could reach this very important day today.
I hope this mechanism will never be needed, but we know very well that the climate crisis is upon us. We will face forest fires every summer.
We’re starting in Attica, with the goal of being able, as you said, Elena, to expand across the entire country by 2029.
Once again, a very warm thank you to all those who have made it possible for us to reach this day. I am, of course, referring to all the non-governmental organizations, to civil society, and to everyone who worked together so that what was once a vision and a dream could finally become a reality.
Thank you very much.
