“For the first time we can see the future with more optimism” said the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis according to his visit to Meliki in the prefecture of Imathiahis first for 2024 in the region, while for the restored palace of the Macedonian king Philip II in Aigeswhich he will inaugurate afterwards, he emphasized that “it has a cultural and national character because it confirms the Greek timelessness of Macedonia throughout the centuries”.

“As 2024 dawns I believe that, after several difficult years, for the first time we can look to the future with more optimismwith more light, with more sun, as sunny today is. In a Greece that will develop, that will take advantage of its comparative advantages. With a rural world, which despite the difficulties we all recognize exist, knows very well that enjoys the support of this government through thick and thin”Mr. Mitsotakis said in his greeting to the residents of Meliki.

He also committed “that this government will continue day and night to deal with the many problems. Because problems never stop, we never hid them under the carpet but we proved that with hard work methodically, with efficiency all problems can eventually be solved”.

Referring to the inauguration of the restored palace of Philip II, he said that “it is one of the most important cultural monuments of our country” and noted: “It is a movement which has not only a cultural but also a national character as it confirms the Greek timelessness of Macedonia through the centuries and turns your region into a cultural pole, I dare say of global scope”.

“For me it is a great honor that as the prime minister of our country I will have the opportunity to connect my own name and the name of our government with these emblematic restoration works taking place at the archaeological site of Vergina”he added.

The prime minister walked the center of Meliki, exchanged greetings with residents and addressed those who had gathered in the square.

He thanked them because Meliki gave New Democracy more than 50% in the June parliamentary elections and underlined: “I want you to know that my love for Macedonia, my love for Imathia, is constant and timeless.”

He also said that farmers were given compensations amounting to one billion euros. The farmers’ levy was 500 million euros, so the state put in another 500 million euros, which it could not do if the economy was not doing well, the prime minister said.

Mr. Mitsotakis was welcomed by the mayor of Alexandria, Panagiotis Gyrinis.

The prime minister’s speech

“Happy New Year. Mayor, dear President, dear colleagues in the government and in the Parliament, friends, today I wanted to meet you here in Meliki, in Imathia, for two reasons.

The first is especially for your own village, to say a big “thank you” for it an impressive percentage that exceeded the 50% you gave us in the national elections last June. A vote of confidence, but also of responsibility, in the great effort we continue to make to make our homeland truly a European country.

And as 2024 dawns I believe that after several difficult years, for the first time we can see the future with more optimism, with more light, with more sun, as it is sunny today, in a Greece that will develop and make use of its comparative advantages.

With a rural world that, despite the difficulties we all recognize exist, knows very well that enjoys the support of this government through thick and thin – because we’ve had a lot of hard times in the last few years. I want to remind you that for agricultural compensation alone in the last four years, ELGA disbursed an amount that exceeded 1 billion euroswhile the total contributions from farmers were 500 million euros.

This means that the State Budget put 500 million more, which it wouldn’t have if our economy wasn’t growing so fast. Because you see that everything is ultimately connected and that our central goal is that the collective well-being always turns into an individual advantage.

But the second reason I am here is because in a very short time I will be at the emblematic archaeological site of Aige to inaugurate one of the most important cultural monuments of our country and I refer to the restored Palace of King Philip of Macedonia.

A movement which has not only a cultural but also a national characteras it confirms the timeless Greekness of Macedonia throughout the centuries and transforms your region into a cultural pole – dare I say – of global scope.

Because now that we have inaugurated the Museum – you remember I was there about a year ago for the inauguration – and we are also completing the restoration of the Palace, there will be one more reason for visits, not only from all over Greece but from all over the world: to come in your area and combine cultural tourism with the exploration of beautiful nature, with culinary tourism.

All of this is combined in a development model that utilizes all the comparative advantages of our country. And for me it is a great honor that as the Prime Minister of our country I will have the opportunity to connect my name and the name of our government with these emblematic restoration projects that are being carried out at the archaeological site of Vergina.

So I want to say a big “thank you” again. And know that this government will continue day and night first of all to deal with the many problems, because the problems never stop. We never hid them under the carpet, but we proved that with hard work, with method, with efficiency all problems can eventually be solved.

I want you to know that my love for Macedonia, my love for Imathia is constant and eternal and I look forward – we have already said it about the farmers – with great joy to soon be back in your place to enjoy once again the unique Macedonian hospitality.

Be well, happy new year, happy birthday. And happy birthday to those celebrating tomorrow and the day after, and there are many and many of them.”