Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about “a pillar of science and professionalism that is connected to all the great reconstructive periods of our modern history while also providing its own valuable assistance in the difficult moments of our society” event for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Technical Chamber of Greece.

As the prime minister explained “It is an assistance that in today’s juncture becomes decisive because on the one hand Greece is still developing by giving importance to new quality infrastructures, while on the other hand – as you said – it is facing more and more frequent natural disasters, as a result of the global Climate crisis. Consequently, this dual role of the Technical Chamber now emerges as a very important component of public life. A crucial link for the decisions of the State and a component, of course, of the citizen’s daily life itself”.

The prime minister’s entire speech

Madam President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Speaker of the Parliament, dear colleagues in the Government and in the Parliament, Mr. President of the Technical Chamber of Greece, dear George,

Thank you, thank you for the invitation you extended to me for the opportunity to share with you some brief thoughts on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Technical Chamber of Greece.

On the historic, real, birthday of an organization that is – as we saw in this very interesting video – a point of reference for our qualified engineers, but also of course the official technical advisor of the country’s governments.

A pillar of science and professionalism that is connected to all the great reconstructive periods of our modern history – and there were several from 1923 onwards – but also providing its own valuable assistance in the difficult moments of our society.

It is an assistance that in today’s juncture becomes decisive because on the one hand Greece is still developing by giving importance to new quality infrastructures, while on the other hand – as you said – it is facing more and more frequent natural disasters, as a result of the global Climate crisis.

Consequently, this dual role of the Technical Chamber now emerges as a very important component of public life. A crucial link for the decisions of the State and a component, of course, of the citizen’s daily life itself.

You, all the members of the Technical Chamber of Greece, with your hard work, with your talent, offer safe housing, transport and communication networks, bridges and roads, ports, factories, hospitals, schools, universities. In other words, you are, after all, the shapers of the environment in which Greek men and women live and work, which is directly linked to their well-being.

The responsibilities of the technical world are, therefore, great. However, his contribution is also great, let’s not forget, you already reminded us, that the TEE first studied strategic infrastructures long before they were included in the official government planning. From the Rio-Antirio bridge to the Metro, Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

Next to urban planning, he was the first to highlight proposals for the utilization of mineral wealth for the issues of waste management before they concerned us organized as a State, while he also pioneered the entry of IT – let’s not forget this – into the country’s market. We also saw a very nice photo of some of the very first computers that were then used by the technical world. And this is a project that continues and is certainly accelerating, I would say.

I would also like to thank all the members of the Board of Directors, but personally the President, George Stasinos, for his active participation in this great national development effort.

After all, TEE’s major initiatives in recent years are well known. The President also mentioned the importance of the electronic issuance of building permits, in the Register of Building Inspectors, which now exempts town planners from the on-site inspection of each new building.

And of course, I’m glad that you made a reference to this project, which we actually envisioned together, when we were still in the opposition years, the Single Digital Map. A reform that we voted for in 2019. Extremely complex, which will simplify the business environment, substantially strengthen the security of Law, promote transparency in projects.

It will be a very important stimulus for the country’s investment and development dynamics. Very important to know from your computer what you can build, where you can build it, what is allowed, what is prohibited, in every corner of the country.

However, providing the State with the possibility – in combination with the infrastructure register – to have a central picture of the situation and also of the critical issue that is of great concern to us, the maintenance of infrastructure throughout the territory.

I would like to make a special mention of the contribution of the chamber to the formation of all the “Escoonamo” programs. Extremely successful, with great response. With recommendations that make it functional and less bureaucratic. As in the important action “Konstantinos Doxiadis”, which by 2026 we aspire, Mr. Minister, Mr. Deputy Minister, to have completed the urban planning for a very large percentage of the country.

This when in the previous 40 years a very small percentage had been covered. These are all very important initiatives which are supported by the Recovery Fund.

Besides, since we are talking about 100 years, let’s not forget that 1923 is also a reference year for the country’s urban planning. So this initiative at this juncture I would say acquires a special importance.

Three more topical sections with particular importance, which I would like to highlight in closing.

The registry and public building accessibility controllers. So as to gradually ensure the unhindered access of our fellow citizens with disabilities to these buildings.

The great importance we attach to earthquake control, a pending matter that comes from the past, begins with the cooperation of T.E.E. first of all for the schools and hospitals and of course the third urgent, urgent as it emerged from the developments, the control of the study for the infamous shelter, for the two Calatrava shelters.

A process that, with the help of T.E.E., I hope, will soon allow us to safely reopen many areas in the iconic OAKA.

Ladies and gentlemen, in closing I would not like to expand on the many innovations offered by the Technical Chamber, these are reflected in many of the actions we saw, small and large, that make our everyday life better.

I would like to close with the historical, but also declarative remark, that it is no coincidence that the protagonist – as mentioned – of the modernization of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos, attended the meetings of the Technical Chamber of Greece in his last government term, and of course with the wish I wish the next 100 years to be even more creative for the Chamber, but also for the country itself.

Happy birthday, then, Mr. President to the Chamber, and I wish you an even more mature new centenary.

Thank you very much.