Greece’s armaments program is proceeding with respect for taxpayers, Mr. Marinakis said. referring to the launching of the “Kimon” frigate yesterday. In recent years, Greece has been stronger diplomatically, geostrategically and defensively.

In particular, when asked about the publication of Yeni Safak, Mr. Marinakis emphasized that there has been absolutely no change in strategy in relation to the distribution of forces and the defense armor of the country.

There is no discussion around these issues and the discussions that do take place are done in a specific context. The Greek position is clear and there will be no such discussion, said Mr. Marinakis.

Regarding the judges’ retroactive decisions, the government representative replied that it was a decision concerning two applicants, stressing that for the government there are no two categories of pensioners.

Mr. Marinakis referred to the passing of the Ministry of Health’s bill regarding the strengthening of the protection of public health and health services, the electronic system for monitoring the circulation of medicines and the Unified List of Surgeries. Greece is the country with the fewest drug shortages, said Mr. Marinakis. Health is the absolute priority for the government and the strengthening of the health system, he emphasized.

It has been a while since we heard the word “coup” from the official opposition, he answered when asked about Ms. Fotiou’s criticism of the bill for local authorities. Regarding the nurseries, he replied that nothing is being abolished, but their operation is getting better.

Regarding the visit of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Albania and the issue of Fredis Beleris, Mr. Marinakis stated that the position of the Greek government on this specific issue is non-negotiable and we are not going to back down. We will do what is foreseen for the self-evident rights of Mr. Beleris.

The entire opening statement of Mr. Marinakis:

The Ministry of Health Bill was passed yesterday which, among other provisions, provides for:

The creation of the Single List of Surgeries which will digitize the entire planning process, inform the patients and connect the Hospitals, in order to make the best decisions.
A new system of free delivery of high-cost medicines to the homes of chronically ill people, which will start on January 1.
Electronic Drug Monitoring System, which will inform and warn of any shortages.
Notably, Greece is the country with the smallest drug shortages in Europe.

In addition, thanks to the contribution of the Armed Forces, the shifts of EKAB crews increased by 30% three months after the implementation of the Legislative Content Act.

159 officers of the Armed Forces in 57 regions of the country contributed to the work of EKAB, ensuring the realization of 1500 transfers that would not have been carried out otherwise.

In total, 5,965 transfers were made in these areas, 3,823 by mixed crews.

These moves follow important interventions that began in the previous four years, such as, among others,

the increase in the NSS budget from 3.8 billion Euro in 2019 to 5.2 billion. Euro in 2023,

the securing of 1.5 billion euros from the Recovery Fund and the start of renovations of 90 hospitals and 156 Health Centers and all this in the midst of a health “war”.

Health is an absolute priority and the Government is rapidly and diligently implementing a specific program aimed at improving the health services provided to citizens, strengthening the infrastructure of the National Health System and supporting the medical and nursing staff.

The Law Bill of the Ministry of the Interior for the reform of the Governance System of Local Self-Government Organizations was passed by the Parliament. A bill that brings us one step closer to the big change that self-government and, above all, citizens need.

The simple analogy that had led the local self-government to anarchy is put to an end in parentheses.

Public accountability in Municipal and Regional Councils is strengthened.

Legal entities under public law, non-profit enterprises and the financial management of school committees are integrated into the core of the Municipalities.

Quality indicators and monitoring of local government performance are established, with data openly available to all citizens and rewarding the most efficient.

It is only the beginning of a series of interventions that we are launching, so that the new self-governing period will also be a new era for local governance.

Disbursements of first aid to those affected by the flooding in Thessaly continue. On Tuesday, October 3, an additional 2.6 million euros were credited, while a total of 39.3 million euros have been paid to almost 7,300 beneficiaries in Thessaly and in areas of Central Greece.

In continuation of the autopsies that have been carried out so far, which exceed 22,000 in more than 250 communities in Thessaly and Central Greece, the Housing Assistance scheme is activated, amounting to 116 million euros.

The scheme includes support for the restoration of homes and other building facilities, where 80% of the repair or restoration of the building is covered by free government aid and 20% by an interest-free loan guaranteed by the Greek government.

With respect to the people who lost their properties, we are committed and will remain by their side, so that, as the Prime Minister has said, “whatever we have lost, we can build it together”.

The launching ceremony of the “Kimon” frigate took place yesterday at the Naval Group facilities in Lorient, France, in the presence of the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias.

The country’s armament program is progressing, always with respect for the Greek taxpayers. Greece is getting the most modern boats, the most efficient fighters and the most suitable equipment, the new frigates and corvettes, the Romeo helicopters, the Rafale and the F16 Viper.

Our country today is stronger than ever defensively, geostrategically and diplomatically.

And I want to make it clear once again and from this step that there is and has been absolutely no change in strategy in relation to the distribution of forces and the defense armor of the country.

It was announced by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis and the Minister of Rural Development and Food Lefteris Avgenakis that from November 1st the VAT will be reduced from 24% to 13% for the acquisition of agricultural machinery.

A standing demand of the farmers is being implemented and it comes at a time when the rural world needs it most – especially those affected by the unprecedented natural disasters.

This intervention is another tool to stimulate agricultural production, but also the faster recovery of producers in Thessaly.

Another important intervention is the inclusion of the provision of services to overcome or remove architectural obstacles that limit the mobility of Persons with Disabilities in buildings, public or private that serve the public interest, in the reduced VAT rate of 4%.

Equality of access for people with disabilities and facilitating their unimpeded mobility everywhere is a matter of social justice.

And that is why the Government is providing this facility so that the works to remove obstacles can be completed quickly in the public and private buildings that serve the public interest.

The Prime Minister went today to Granada where the Third Summit of the European Political Community is taking place, with the participation of 47 heads of European states and governments.

Today, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will co-chair with the President of Switzerland a panel on multilateralism in the light of security and geostrategic issues. The High Representative of the EU will participate in the same panel. for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell, and, among others, the leaders of Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Cyprus and Georgia.

Tomorrow, Friday 6 October, the Prime Minister will participate in the informal European Council which is expected to focus on the future of the European Union and its strategic agenda, its resilience and competitiveness and the priorities for the next period, while there will also be a discussion on Immigration.

Regarding the debate on the enlargement of the European Union, Greece is in favor of enlargement as an investment in the future: however, a fixed Greek position is that the process of joining the EU is a process based on reforms and the same the performance of candidate countries.

It is, however, important for the European Union to discuss immigration and climate change, two crises at the center of which are the countries of the European South.

As far as dealing with natural disasters and adaptation to climate change are concerned, these are issues that should be included in the discussion on the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework and in the new architecture that is now being designed.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had raised both of these issues as an immediate priority at the recent Summit in Malta, and also in his speech at the UN General Assembly.