“We are in a very difficult turning point and situation,” said government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou, noting: “We have helped and will continue to help people in energy.”
As he mentioned in detail in a TV interview with ERT1, the government is watching “the unfavorable developments and we are here, ready to intervene with the available tools we have, telling the truth to the world about what we can do and how we do what we do.” they can have the maximum possible positive effect in their pockets “.
However, regarding him Special Consumption Tax pointed out that “it does not follow from analyzes of the financial staff, from analyzes of official agents, that any reduction in the Excise Tax in fuel“would give that increase in consumption, which would make up for the revenue.” He also reiterated that “as the Prime Minister has said, our intention is for the Solidarity Contribution, from 2023 onwards, to end for everyone”.
Regarding the Ukrainian crisis He stressed that “in terms of security of supply of the country, we observe the developments and we must prepare for all contingencies.”
Also for provocative rhetoric of Turkey he pointed out that it is not based on any reality of International Law “. He stressed that “Greece was and will remain a factor of peace and stability in both the Aegean and the Southeastern Mediterranean.”
“We do not sit idly by”
Regarding the price increases in the market, Mr. Economou stressed: “Obviously there is concern. There are very big difficulties in the family budgets, in the businesses, in the whole of the Greek society. We are facing a new dimension to this problem, following the very negative developments in Ukraine, following Russia’s move, which is a direct violation of international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
This gives rise to a domino of energy developments. We had negative developments yesterday for both oil and gas. And this has its imprint on the economy as a whole, not only in Greece, but also in the rest of Europe. It shows how complex the international environment is and how immediate the consequences are in the lives of all of us. Especially in the lives of those who are most tested, because their income is lower.
Against this, from the first moment we try, in every available way, by every possible means, within the framework of endurance of our economy and Budget, to stand on the side of society. The difficulties are great. No government, anywhere in the world, can nullify them. We do not sit idly by. We want it to be clear to the world. We continue, coolly, decisively. We have helped and will continue to help people in terms of energy. We have a plan to boost incomes by raising the minimum wage coming in May. We proceeded to the further relief for ENFIA as well. With prudent and prudent steps we will be on the side of society, doing what is possible, without at the same time disrupting the development trajectory and dynamics of the Greek economy “.
He stated in particular: “We are implementing a policy of indirect income support. Pretty much everyone has seen in the past that we pay less taxes and insurance premiums. We are taking action on the huge increases we are all facing in electricity each month, with hundreds of millions of euros reducing the imprint of the increases on households, businesses and farmers. We are watching the unfavorable developments and we are here, ready to intervene with the available tools we have, telling the truth to the world about what we can do and how what we do can have the maximum possible positive effect in their pockets “.
For EFK
Regarding the Special Consumption Tax, Mr. Economou pointed out: “It does not appear from analyzes of the financial staff, from analyzes of official agents, that any reduction in the Special Consumption Tax on fuel, would give that increase in consumption, which would replenish the income. . If one looks at the ratio of taxes on fuel – it is about 1.10 – 1.15 the Special Tax, together with VAT – one will realize that consumption must be increased fivefold, in order to replenish the lost revenue. That is, the relationship between the numbers and the ratio is such that it does not appear that the reduction will lead to higher consumption so as not to lose this critical percentage of revenue.
It is a very, very difficult situation, without a doubt. People are having a hard time. One crisis after another finds us. Many things seem to be getting worse. We are in a very difficult turning point. But what the people need to keep in mind is that here the State will be called upon to make up for a revenue that supports the Budget.
An income that supports benefits that concern us all, that pays salaries, that allows us to get more teachers, health, to shield much more public order and public safety, to support the welfare state.
If these resources are lacking, they will have to be sought elsewhere. Things are very difficult and the one who has the responsibility to continue this smooth course of development of the country on the one hand, but also on the other to stand on the side of society, must weigh everything with prudence, wisdom and always aiming at decisions to be very effective, especially for those in need. “
“Our intention is for the Solidarity Contribution from 2023 onwards to end for everyone”
The government spokesman also reiterated: “As the prime minister has said, our intention is for the Solidarity Contribution, from 2023 onwards, to end for everyone. Due to the economic policy that we pursue and the budgetary possibilities that we have, the private sector does not pay a Solidarity Contribution in 2022, as it did not pay – by decision of our Government – from 2019. This has multiple positive consequences on their income, while helping increase of jobs.
It remains our intention and our plan and that is where we want to go. There should be no Solidarity Contribution in 2023 in general. It also remains our intention to have very targeted support policies, especially for the most vulnerable, within the framework of Budget Sustainability. But because I realize that at this time, when everyone is struggling, everyone is waiting to hear something specific, we have to be very careful.
And when, weighing the things and the strengths of the economy correctly, we decide on the size and scope of the support, then with great honesty and in a very specific way, as we have done all the previous time, we will say what specific can be expected world”.
“We are preparing for all contingencies”
“The very big concern has to do with prices. This is the reality and this is the big picture now. Regarding the security of supply of the country, we observe the developments and we must prepare for all the possibilities. All those initiatives have been developed by the competent Ministry and the competent Authorities, so that there is no supply problem. The flow of gas to the country does not seem to be in immediate danger. This is the picture.
Provisions have been made for both LNG and gas supplies. We will exhaust the potential of the pipeline coming from Azerbaijan and the possibility for dual fuel plants to be able to produce electricity with both natural gas and oil. There are a number of options that are estimated that will not shake the security of energy supply, in terms of natural gas in the country. Beyond that, anxiety and worry remain about where prices will be shaped. Something that does not depend in any case, as one understands, on the country. “It is an agony that the whole planet is facing,” said Mr. Economou.
Regarding the Greeks of Ukraine, he pointed out: “We have been in contact from the first moment with the Greek nationals who are in Ukraine and with our expatriates in Kiev and Mariupol. At any time we are ready to provide any assistance, support, assistance required. Developments are unpleasant and we must all share the reaction, the frustration of the whole western world for them. In 2022, some people cannot invoke power and try to rewrite history and “repaint” the maps.
It is absolutely clear that our country is fully coordinated in this direction and in the reaction with its allies in NATO and its partners in the European Union. Everything we see happening around justifies the Government’s policy over the last two years to invest in armaments to strengthen the country’s deterrent power and to invest in very critical and important Agreements with superpowers – and with the USA. and with France – and to implement Agreements based on International Law with great powers and with countries in the region “.
“Turkey’s rhetoric is not based on international law”
Mr. Oikonomou also said that “this rhetoric of Turkey, which oscillates between extreme challenges and completely non-existent, is not based on any reality of international law. It is a logic that does not surprise us. Greece always resolutely, calmly, rejects these non-existent and provocative allegations in all diplomatic forums, in the Organizations it participates in, in its bilateral relations with all the countries in the region, but also in the great powers of the planet.
No one has any doubt about the non-existent and completely unfounded arguments of the Turkish side on a number of issues, whether they concern maritime borders, immigration, or anything else. Our country always faces these challenges with determination and calm.
These challenges and their intensity obviously reflect the nervousness of the opposite side for the big steps, leaps, that our country has made in strengthening its geostrategic and geopolitical “footprint” lately. I think this is obvious and anyone understands it.
The government will always continue calmly, with determination, bearing in mind that Greece was and will remain a factor of peace and stability in both the Aegean and the Southeastern Mediterranean. We follow a policy that strengthens the country at all levels. And that is a priority and an end in itself. Everyone realizes this, reading a little about the environment and the latest unpleasant developments around us “.
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