Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis began his weekly review expressing his particular pride in the completion of the restoration of the western facade of the Parthenon, emphasizing that it is a project of historical importance for the country's cultural heritage and highlighting the interventions carried out on monuments and cultural sites in the Dodecanese. Then he referred to the launch of the new platform posokanei.gov.gr, noting that transparency in the market and better consumer information can help address high prices. "Inflation remains one of the biggest challenges for households and there are no easy or magic solutions. There is only continuous effort, on many levels simultaneously," he said, while also presenting the new "Home Renovation" initiative, which aims to increase the supply of housing through the renovation of closed or old properties. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of citizens' participation in the second cycle of evaluation of public services, noting that the conclusions of the previous process contributed to promoting reforms. In labor issues, he referred to the signing of a new collective labor agreement for food technologists and scientists, while pointing out that the Greek initiative to strengthen collective agreements is now attracting European interest.
He placed particular emphasis on fire prevention, calling on citizens to proceed with clearing their plots, and also highlighted the operation of the National Animal Protection Mechanism for the rescue and care of animals in natural disasters. Referring to international developments, he welcomed the framework agreement between the United States and Iran, stressing its importance for stability in the Middle East and the de-escalation of energy pressures, while noting Greece's upgraded role in the energy map of the Eastern Mediterranean. He also mentioned the country's inclusion in the European defense financing tool SAFE, calling it an important step for strengthening the country's defense capabilities, and closed his message with a reference to Father's Day.
The full text of the Prime Minister's post:
"If I had to single out just one image from the past week, an image that filled me with deep pride, it would undoubtedly be from the Acropolis. After about 220 whole years, the western facade of the Parthenon is regaining its fullest possible form. The scaffolding has been removed and we can now admire this architectural wonder unhindered, with the restoration of the western pediment. This is an achievement of historic significance for the monument and world civilization. A project of exceptional difficulty that became a reality thanks to the scientists, engineers and craftsmen of the Acropolis Monuments Conservation Service. They worked with exemplary precision and dedication, and they deserve a big bravo from all of us.
For our government, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage is not a secondary policy, but a permanent national obligation. That is why the image from the Acropolis is perhaps the most emblematic, but it is not the only one. In Symi, the restored bell tower of Agios Ioannis Prodromos was delivered, in Rhodes important interventions were completed on three monuments of the Medieval City, and in Chalki a new Archaeological Museum was created, along with the restoration of Panagia Chorianis. Smaller or larger, all these projects, funded by the Recovery Fund, reflect a steady choice: to invest in culture not only as part of our identity, but also as a valuable legacy for future generations," he said.
"From culture I move on to a completely different topic. This week we presented the new platform posokanei.gov.gr. A remark from the outset: a platform will not solve the problem of high prices. If it were that simple, we would have solved it long ago. However, I believe that more transparency in the market, better consumer information, and more effective controls throughout the supply chain, from field to shelf, can be useful tools in the battle we are fighting for better prices. Posokanei does not attempt to shift the responsibility of controls onto consumers. On the contrary, it helps both us as a state and you to exercise more effective control over the market. Download the app, try the functionalities it offers, and you will see that it can make us as consumers more demanding and aware, and businesses more competitive. As for those who question it as a tool for transparency and competition, whether from the opposition or from the market, let them get used to it because posokanei is here to stay and every week it will get better. It is the evolution of e-katanalotis, with more than 8,000 products for comparison, more data, and the ability to track price trends over time as well as compared to similar products in other European countries. Inflation remains one of the biggest challenges for households and there are no easy or magic solutions. There is only continuous effort, on many levels simultaneously.
From the cost of living I now move on to another major challenge, which is housing. The programs already underway to address the problem are now joined by the new "Home Renovation" initiative. Very briefly, I will tell you that with this program we are providing strong incentives for the renovation of closed or old homes, either to be used as the main residence of their owners or to be offered for long-term lease. At the same time, it is possible to renovate homes already used as a main residence. Why is this new initiative important? Because it addresses the problem of thousands of closed, inactive properties, i.e. limited housing supply. And also because it is a pilot program throughout Europe that Greece first proposed and is implementing with EU funding. The subsidy can reach up to 36,000 euros or 95% of the cost of the works for low- and middle-income households. It is estimated that through this initiative, up to 20,000 homes that currently remain inactive can return to the market. Interest is already very high, as more than 6,700 eligibility certificates have been issued through anakainisi.apps.gov.gr.
I promise this is the last platform I will mention today. But it is important because it concerns the evaluation of public services and therefore how we can improve them. So, the second evaluation cycle has begun through axiologisi.ypes.gov.gr. I remind you that from the first evaluation process, in which about 65,000 citizens participated, useful conclusions emerged for services that needed changes. A characteristic example is the urban planning offices, which were rated negatively by citizens and are now at the center of a major reform with their inclusion in the new digital Cadastre. Therefore, I would like to encourage as many citizens as possible to participate. Your opinion matters and, most importantly, it bears fruit."
Labor issues were the next topic the Prime Minister addressed in his post. "Now on labor, another collective labor agreement was signed this week, this time for food technologists and scientists. It is the first agreement in the sector in 15 years, with pay increases and additional benefits for workers. But let me dwell on this issue, as the Greek effort to strengthen collective agreements is now being discussed at European level. A few days ago, I had the opportunity to present in Brussels the National Social Agreement we signed with the social partners, which is attracting particular interest as an agreement signed on the initiative of a center-right government has already led to the extension of collective agreements, covering within a few months more than 15% of the country's workers with wage increases and additional protection."
He then stressed: "Let me now move on to the very important issue of fire prevention, which requires the constant attention of all of us. We are now entering the most demanding period of the fire season and conditions favor both the outbreak and rapid spread of fires. Since May 1, 803 fires have been recorded across the country, which fortunately were dealt with immediately, without causing major damage. I particularly emphasize the clearing of plots. It has been proven in practice, time and again, that it can prevent a fire from breaking out or significantly limit its spread. From Tuesday, checks by municipalities and the imposition of prescribed penalties begin. So I urge those who have not done so to hurry even now. It has been proven that homes that were threatened by fires in previous years were saved precisely because they had carried out these clearances. Prevention is always preferable to dealing with a disaster, and clearing plots is perhaps the simplest but also the most effective preventive measure we have at our disposal.
Preparing for natural disasters, however, also has another important dimension: the care of animals that are at risk from fires and other extreme phenomena. That is why the National Animal Protection Mechanism, which we created, is particularly important. What started a few years ago through the cooperation of the State, volunteers and animal welfare organizations has now acquired an organized and permanent form, coordinating rescue and care operations for animals in cases of natural disasters. I had the opportunity to see first-hand the new hosting and care structure for affected animals in the Municipality of Galatsi, where excellent work is being done. I hope these facilities never have to be used to the extent they were designed. But it is important that they now exist.
Finally, I have left issues concerning international affairs.
I will start, of course, with the framework agreement signed by the United States and Iran on Friday in Switzerland, which encourages the continuation of dialogue and diplomatic efforts to reach a final agreement to end the conflict in the Persian Gulf. Greece welcomes the agreement and, as an EU member, can contribute to promoting a comprehensive strategy for lasting peace throughout the Middle East. It is urgent, of course, to restore - without restrictions - free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as the smooth flow of the region's energy reserves is of paramount importance for both regional stability and the global economy. Already, with the mere announcement of the framework agreement, international oil prices have fallen by 20%, which means that reaching a final and implementable agreement will be a catalyst for reducing energy costs and for the retreat of inflationary pressures that have 'hurt' European economies and households.
This important development comes at a time when Greece's position as a reliable energy partner in the Eastern Mediterranean is being upgraded. Our country participates together with the USA, Cyprus and Israel in the creation of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, an initiative aimed at strengthening energy security, developing new infrastructure and attracting investments in the region. At the same time, the procedures for Chevron's entry into a new research project off the Kyparissiakos Gulf have been completed. As I have said, the presence of one of the largest energy groups in the world is yet another vote of confidence in the prospects of our country and the strategy we are following for the utilization of our energy potential.
Another important piece of news, and I will close with this, is the official inclusion of our country in the European defense financing tool SAFE, securing 700 million euros for investments in critical defense capabilities, such as strategic surveillance, secure communications and anti-drone technologies. I consider this development particularly important because for the first time Europe is taking such a substantial step of joint defense funding and our country is at the forefront of this effort. In an era of geopolitical turmoil, security is neither a theoretical concept nor a given good. It is a prerequisite for stability, development and national self-confidence. And that is why we must take advantage of every opportunity that strengthens the position of our country.
I close with a more personal thought for today's Father's Day. Of all the roles I have in my life, that of father is one of the most important and defining. And as a father, but also as a son, I know well how deep this imprint is. It is a role full of responsibility, but also the greatest joy: to be there, support in good times and bad, and to see your children grow up and go their own way. Happy day, then, to all dads.
Have a nice day!"
Source: ANA-MPA
