Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about his visit to Canada, the first by a Greek prime minister since 1983, the meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, contacts with the diaspora and the purchase of 7 Canadairs in his usual Sunday post on Facebook.
The prime minister also referred to the anniversary celebration on March 25, emphasizing among other things: “Let us look with self-awareness and self-confidence at the big picture, that is, let us see how much we have achieved in the 203 years since the revolution for independence us. But also where we stumbled, wasting time and opportunities to conquer even more together”.
In addition, Mr. Mitsotakis spoke about a series of recent health and economic reforms, while he also spoke about the alarming levels of crime among minors, with special reference to the decision of the Ministry of Education to change the framework of consequences.
< p>Finally, he also referred to Greece's progress in dealing with corruption, according to the new report of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe-GRECO.
Details of the Prime Minister's post
“Happy birthday to all Greek women, to all Greeks. Happy birthday to our Greece.
On the eve of the double celebration of National Independence and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, I want to start today's review with an exhortation to all of us. To look with self-awareness and self-confidence at the big picture, that is, to see how much we have achieved in the 203 years since the revolution for our independence. But also where we stumbled, wasting time and opportunities to conquer even more together. Let's put aside for a moment what we think divides us and think about how much this “beautiful and strange country” went through in the two centuries from the national uprising for its independence until it became a modern liberal European Republic. A country with history, present and future, known and respected throughout the world. Let's think about how many disasters he experienced and how many triumphs he achieved, the big mistakes he made but also the wise decisions he made at critical turning points in history. And to realize that divided Greeks we bent, while united we flourished. Whenever demagoguery took hold, the country paid dearly and fell behind the rest of the world. When the patriotism of responsibility won, Greece took us forward and opened roads for the rest of the world.
We will celebrate the history of this place tomorrow. With pride but also full awareness that of what we have achieved – State and society – until now, nothing was self-evident, nor easy. But also with a deep awareness that much more needs to be done at all levels to resolve “Gordian ties” that come from the past, to build even more solid and durable democratic institutions, to correct age-old lags, pathologies and also attitudes that block the rebuilding the strong Greece of tomorrow, so that it is able to face the great challenges that are already rapidly changing our world. In this common battle we need everyone, because – I'll say it again – only united peoples can overcome difficulties.
I firmly believe that the diaspora can play a very important role in this collective effort, for the advancement of the country and the Greek people, much more so now with the possibility that Greeks everywhere now have to vote from their place of residence but also by postal vote, starting with the upcoming European elections.
I chose this great day to be close to our compatriots of the wider Hellenism. I will have the opportunity in my meetings – today and tomorrow – with our compatriots in Montreal and Toronto to encourage them to make use of this important democratic right which broadens and strengthens our democracy through wider participation and at the same time facilitates those who have objective difficulties to vote. And I am proud that the ND faction and our government made it a reality.
During my visit to Canada, the first by a Greek Prime Minister since 1983, together with my counterpart Justin Trudeau we will attend the great parade for the anniversary of March 25 organized by the diaspora there, which is estimated at 350,000 of our compatriots.
At the same time, after the approval of the Parliament, we will complete the agreement with the Canadian manufacturing company for the purchase of 7 Canadair DHC 515 firefighting aircraft, with a total cost of approximately 360 million euros, the five financed by the Recovery Fund as part of the equipment program “AEGIS” and 2 through the rescEU civil protection mechanism of the European Union.
We must never forget that the important resources for civil protection, as in the case of Canadair, and for national defense, as in the case of the new Romeo MH-60R Seahawk helicopters that the Navy received a few days ago, come from the backlog of the Greek people. But they are absolutely necessary to preserve our national independence, which is a prerequisite for social progress and social cohesion.
To close with those of Canada, I will have the opportunity to present to the business community of one of the 7 strongest economies in the world, a member of the G7, the investment opportunities offered by the recovery and development of the Greek economy. We don't say it. According to the latest report of the Economist Intelligence Unit – the most authoritative international economic publication – Greece has recorded in recent years the greatest improvement in the business environment among 82 countries, rising by 28 places since 2018: from 62nd to 34th. Is it enough for us? I would say no. We can and must go even higher because only through strong growth can we achieve better incomes, prosperity for the many and better quality democracy. The spectacular progress of our country is attributed to the reforms we have made, the reduction of taxes and the initiatives to strengthen business confidence.
We are determined to proceed with all the necessary structural reforms, facilitating both businesses and citizens. I have a recent example of such a facility to quote you: the new, user-friendly application myAADEapp that will make the daily life of millions of citizens less complicated. Paying taxes and dealing with the tax administration may not be the most pleasant contact a citizen has with the state, but since it is necessary, we must make it as easy as possible for citizens!
This application works as a tax calendar, but also as a tax “alarm clock”. The average citizen can now have the “x-ray” of his tax obligations on his mobile phone. And it can do a number of actions such as issuing tax awareness, paying tax liabilities, getting notified about tax refunds, receiving notifications about payment deadlines, etc.
Also, through the new tax procedure code put out to consultation this week, your contact with the Tax Office will soon change a lot more for the better. I give you a taste of the simplifications. The completion and submission of the tax return from wages and pensions is automated. The obligation to present books is abolished mainly for professional and small businesses. Tax information will be issued faster and the time for tax audits will be reduced. All these intersections, among the most important of the last decades in the operation of the tax mechanism in Greece, lead to less bureaucracy and more transparency.
Before I change the subject, let me point out one more piece of good news from the digitization front. Interfacing businesses with POS systems to reduce tax evasion and improve the collection mechanism is progressing well. They have already reached 110,000 at the rates recorded in recent weeks – even exceeding 5,000 businesses per day, the project is expected to be completed within the schedules. Another nearly 185,000 businesses applied for funding to cover part of their POS purchase costs, this is the fourth round. In the previous 3, 40.6 million euros were allocated in the form of vouchers to 290,975 businesses, while the start of the 5th round of financing is expected for those businesses that did not join the previous rounds and are entitled to financing.
Another change to our policy to support affordable housing was announced this week as part of the many measures we have already taken. We are making even more stringent the framework for obtaining the so-called golden visa by foreign citizens through the purchase of houses in our country. This measure was adopted during the difficult years of the economic crisis and really helped a lot at that time to bring investments and income to the Greek economy. But it is now creating problems and distortions in the real estate market, along with the rapid growth of short-term rentals. That is why, and for the benefit of our tenants and those of our fellow citizens who find it difficult to rent or buy a home, we are significantly increasing the limits for the acquisition of real estate by foreigners throughout the country and prohibiting their use for short-term rental.
I will continue with the results from the implementation of the digital labor card, to tell you that 3500 workers have been paid their dues by 250 companies precisely because unpaid overtime was detected through an electronic audit. It is the proof that the digital card works in favor of the worker and even the weakest. This year there are 20% more checks and they are targeted. Where third-national citizens are mostly employed, in seasonal work and construction. All workers without any exception should be paid for the hours they work.
Let me move on to the alarming levels of crime among minors, in particular to the rapid increase in bullying incidents, a phenomenon that is of course not only Greek, we see it all over Europe and throughout the Western world. The decision of the Ministry of Education (in addition to the operation of the platform for reporting incidents with named complaints and the national anti-bullying campaign that will start in April) is very correct to make a change in the context of consequences. In other words, to bring back the 5-day suspension for bullying in schools as well as the separation of absences into unjustified and justified. At the same time, as far as the abuser is concerned, there will now be the possibility to change the school environment.
Now, let's go to Health: the decision on free preventive diagnostic tests for cervical cancer, as part of the implementation of the “Spyros Doxiadis” program, was published in the Government Gazette. Very soon, the first sms and emails will be sent to the beneficiaries. These are 2.5 million Greek women, as well as female citizens of other countries who legally reside in Greece, aged between 21 and 65, as long as they have an AMKA, regardless of whether they have an active insurance capacity. The referral will be issued automatically and will be valid for 6 months. The respective preventive tests for breast cancer saved many women who were diagnosed in time with suspicious findings and started the appropriate treatment immediately.
And something else that also concerns public health, the health of each and every one of us. It was established by the relevant ministry, the National Nutrition Committee, with the participation of expert scientists for the formulation of a National Nutrition Policy, which aims to protect and promote public health at the national level. The Commission will give an opinion on draft legislation regarding nutrition in relation to health. A paradigm shift is needed in terms of prevention and health promotion. Changing the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of all of us on issues related to the promotion of physical exercise and healthy eating. I remind you that Greece holds the European lead in childhood obesity and we must change that.
I will continue with the new report of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe-GRECO which recognizes the significant progress Greece has made in dealing with corruption. The GRECO team examines each country's compliance with its recommendations to limit corruption of politicians, judges and prosecutors. It therefore certifies that since 2018 our country has taken further positive steps in adopting the 19 recommendations that were made to us. In particular, it recognizes that 13 of the 19 recommendations have been fully implemented (in 2018, 6 had been fully implemented), 5 of the 19 recommendations have been partially implemented (in 2018, 7 had been partially implemented), while 1 recommendation has not yet been implemented (6 had not been implemented at all in 2018). . Are we happy with this performance? Yes, but we can and must do even better. After all, only the authoritative reports of international organizations that assess the state of the rule of law reflect the reality and not the biased and unfair – not for the government but for Greece itself – attempts by part of the opposition to present another image of the country abroad.
Coming to the end of today's review and because we are celebrating Greekness, let me suggest that you take advantage of the “Day of Greek Cinema” the day after tomorrow, March 26. It is an action of the Hellenic Film Center to support Greek cinema, mainly outside the urban centers of Athens and Thessaloniki. With a ticket price of just €3, the public can see domestic productions of the last three years, feature and short films as well as documentaries.
Have a nice Sunday and a happy birthday!”
