Mitsotakis – Lauds strategic partnership with France – Pledges reforms will continue

“Reforms will continue, not only because our work is already reflected in overall growth. We will have the opportunity today to revise our forecast for the development of 2021 to 6.1%,” underlined the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his introductory position at the meeting of the Council of Ministers, adding that “the work we do is reflected, however, in increasing the disposable income for everyone, in most jobs, in new investments. “But because we now know that we can have even better results in a place that will prosper, with citizens who will prosper.”

The Prime Minister also spoke about the signing of the strategic partnership between Greece and France in the fields of defense and security.

“This is a development that obviously shields the National Armed Forces, as it is accompanied by the supply of three state-of-the-art frigates for our fleet, after in fact the procurement of 24 Rafale fighters that strengthen our Air Force,” he said.

Introductory position of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the meeting of the Council of Ministers

“Good morning. Welcome to our regular meeting. The first which takes place after a very important Agreement – and I dare say, one without precedent for the country – the signing of the strategic partnership between Greece and France in the fields of defense and security.

This is a development that obviously shields the National Armed Forces, as it is accompanied by the supply of three state-of-the-art frigates for our fleet, after in fact the procurement of 24 Rafale fighters that strengthen our Air Force.

However, the qualitative and strategic characteristics of this option make it – I believe – much deeper than an ordinary bilateral cooperation. As well as a much wider supranational alliance. Because on the one hand, the new partnership between the two countries clearly provides for a defense assistance clause if one of the two is attacked by a third party. While on the other hand, it forms in practice an upgraded alliance within the framework of both the European Union and NATO.

In other words, it is a dynamic Agreement in favor of the national interest at present, but also in favor of an autonomous European perspective in the future. A great leap for a stronger Greece and a first step for a more independent and strong European Union. But also an initiative that makes the Mediterranean wing of the Atlantic Alliance even stronger, even more effective.

Therefore, we are talking about a development that serves peace and stability in our wider region on many levels. We will have the opportunity to say more on Thursday, in Parliament, where the government will bring the Greek-French partnership for discussion and ratification .

Today, I believe that it is worthwhile to briefly consider two more elements of this new Agreement: Firstly, that in addition to the defense value, it also has a positive financial footprint, because while it cost much less than the amounts of the initial offer, this commission can be served by the budgetary space we have. That is, it is worth more and costs less.

And secondly, it brings Greece to the forefront of a major European initiative of tomorrow. Next to the largest military power on the continent it lays the first foundation so that the defense capability of the Union corresponds to its economic strength. While at the same time it extends the influence of NATO. Thus, from now on, our country becomes not only a recipient of allied guarantees but also a dynamic provider of security with a profile in the Mediterranean and beyond.

Today, however, is doubly important, as it coincides with the 47th anniversary of the founding proclamation of New Democracy. We honor it, then, by shielding our defense and alliances, but always taking care of the economic and social progress of the country.

Today we will have the opportunity to examine the draft Budget for 2022 that the staff of the Ministry of Finance will present to us. But we will also talk about the incentives for strengthening, merging, growing small and medium enterprises. But also for the prospects of the economy in the next two years.

This agenda of perspective alone, I think, responds to the pseudo-saber rattling of the main opposition regarding elections. Because, as I have said repeatedly stated, these will be done on time, as stipulated by the Constitution, ie at the end of the four years. But now a fruitful two years have concluded and a new one is being launched, which is even more optimistic for everyone. And it will even have a wider horizon.

The relative rumor mongering, then, is both outdated and invalid. I would say that sometimes it is corrosive for the work we have to do. That is why we respond to all this cynology with work.

Reforms will continue, not only because our work is already reflected in overall growth. Today we will have the opportunity to revise our forecast for the growth of 2021 to 6.1%. The work we do, however, is also reflected in the increase of the disposable income for everyone, in most jobs, in the new investments. But because we now know that we can have even better results in a place that will prosper, with citizens who will prosper. This means development for all of us. And we will have the opportunity to consider these sector initiatives immediately afterwards.

These are actions that we are called not just to implement, we are also called to highlight. Because indeed, in the very things that are done, there are very serious cuts that are lost in the flow of current affairs. For example, the very important initiatives of the Ministry of Labor for the Personal Assistant for the disabled, the “Neighborhood Nanny” for the working mother, very important initiatives that were voted in last week. Consumer rights in online shopping that we will examine today. These are measures that need to be made known, next to our central reforms.

I close by reiterating that we are today after an agreement of national importance which goes beyond the current year. And we have before us a challenge of economic and social renaissance that also transcends constitutional terms.

As of today, therefore, we all talk less while working harder.