In his customary Sunday post, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis focused on the climate crisis and the fires that are affecting the country, expressing his gratitude to the forces of the state apparatus for their immediate response. “The picture looks better today,” he stressed, noting the importance of early mobilization through 112 and the constant presence of the State next to the affected people. He assured that there will be substantial and rapid restoration of the damage.

Initiatives for climate resilience
The Prime Minister referred to two major environmental policy initiatives. First, the creation of two national marine parks in the Ionian and southern Cyclades, covering a total area of 27,500 sq km, makes Greece a pioneer in the Mediterranean in protecting the marine environment. Secondly, he announced a reform to tackle water scarcity, with a full plan to be presented in September. “Water was, is and will remain a public good,” he stressed.

Radical changes in the armed forces
Special reference was made to the second phase of the “Agenda 2030” for the transformation of the Armed Forces. It includes increases in the salaries of conscripts, rearrangement of camps, strengthening of unmanned means and new defence armouring projects in Evros and the islands. At the same time, the housing program for troops is being boosted, with more than 2,000 new homes by 2027.

Agreement on bank charges
Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a new amendment to protect citizens from abusive bank charges. Commissions for cash withdrawals or balance checks at ATMs of another bank within the DIAS network are zeroed out, while a cap of 1.50 euros is set for any other transaction. “When banks do not serve the citizen, the state intervenes,” he noted.

Inclusive access and inclusion
The digital platform for the “Accessibility at Home” programme, which finances interventions for people with disabilities with amounts of up to 14,500 euros, has been launched. At the same time, 3,448 new Inclusion Units are being established in schools across the country, increasing by 89.6% the number of units available for pupils with learning or communication difficulties. “A big step towards equality and pedagogical care for all,” the prime minister stressed.

Legal recognition of the Sinai Monastery
For the first time, the Holy Monastery of St Catherine of Sinai has acquired legal personality in Greece, under a bill by the Ministry of Education. Mitsotakis spoke of “satisfying a 15-centuries-old demand” with respect to the historical and spiritual importance of the monastery.

Reforms in public health and blood donation
Attikon hospital joined the electronic bracelet system for better control in the emergency rooms, while 245 new positions for doctors were advertised in Attica and Rhodes. In addition, thanks to the new centralised blood donation system of the ECDC, Attica has full platelet coverage for the first time. The same system will be implemented in Northern Greece.

Tourist support to affected areas
The Thessaly-Evros Pass program returns with 11,328 intangible cards for tourist support in the affected areas. The cards will cover accommodation, catering and travel and will be used in three phases until the end of 2025.

Road safety and local projects in Crete
Safety works are starting on the BOAK, in high risk areas such as Chania and Heraklion. Junction reconfiguration, recesses and lighting are planned, while by the end of 2025 such interventions will be extended to five more sections of the axis. At the same time, the construction of a new bridge on the Keriti River will begin.

Allocation of the Peace and Friendship Stadium to Olympiacos
The government has reached an agreement on the concession of the use of the Peace and Friendship Stadium to Olympiacos BC for 49 years, with full guarantee of the labor rights of the employees. The agreement complements similar moves for PAO and AEK.

“Golden” Greece in polo
The prime minister ended his post with a reference to the successes of the national polo teams: the women’s team won the gold medal at the World Championships, while the men’s team won bronze. “In these victories we see Greece that perseveres, that believes in the goal and that succeeds,” he said.