Her vice president European Commissionresponsible for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuicathe Minister of State Stavros Papastavrou and the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis met at the Maximos Palace.

The ministers developed the measures taken by the Greek government to reverse demographic trends, strengthen the Greek family, as well as the repatriation of young scientists and professionals.

The vice-president of the European Commission praised the Prime Minister’s initiative, Kyriakou Mitsotakisto set up a Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family with responsibilities for Demographics, while he mentioned that the European Commission recommends other member states to follow Greece’s example.

During the meeting, the Minister of State, Mr. Papastavroustated:

“We welcome you to Greece and to the Presidency of the Greek Government. Today, the European Union is faced with demographic deterioration.

For the Greek Government, the support, development and protection of the family is and remains a top political priority. After all, families have always been the basic building block of European societies.

We have put measures in place to support both parents and children. We continue our efforts in the same direction. This is a common problem faced by all member states, although not with the same intensity.
However, we need common solutions, based on an informed and forward-looking strategy.

Obviously, there are no easy solutions. Greece, however, is committed to working hard and ensuring the demographic and democratic future of the European Union.”

THE Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Mrs. Sugarstated:

“At the beginning of May, the prime minister will have in his hands the National Demographic Action Plan which we are preparing in collaboration with all the ministries as part of the national strategy that is being prepared for the first time in the country. Demography is a problem that concerns the perspective of all developed countries and runs horizontally through most European societies. For Greece, however, it also includes the dimension of national risk and is therefore a matter of national priority.

With a coherent and far-reaching plan of action, persistence, consistency and the maximum mobilization of political and social forces, we will be able to put a “brake” on the downward trend that began several decades ago.
We look forward to the cooperation of parties, local government, scientific bodies, civil society with whom we will consult the plan, listen and incorporate proposals. Government policy is already creating the necessary conditions for young people to trust Greece and the future it can offer them.”

Finally, in the context of Mr. Papastavrou’s responsibility for the formulation of the long-term strategic planning of the Government, the possibilities of cooperation, at the European level, in matters of the “silver economy” and the acquisition of digital skills by citizens over 50 years of age were discussed , who can actively participate in the labor force of our country. Equally important, the development of the countryside and its full interconnection with the rest of the country, as well as de-urbanization.

The General Secretary of Demographic and Housing Policy, Mrs. Marina Stefou.