Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the event to present the National Mechanism for the Protection of Animals in Cases of Natural Disasters at the Animal Rescue Center in Galatsi.
The Prime Minister, who was welcomed by Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios and Deputy Minister Vasilis Spanakis, was given a tour of the Center’s facilities by Eleni Dede, founder of the animal welfare organization Dogs’ Voice.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited, among other areas, the sorting and reunification areas, the veterinary clinic, and the coordination center, where he was briefed on the management of rescue operations in the event of an emergency.
The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to speak with volunteers and learn about the adoption procedures for rescued animals.
The Prime Minister’s speech follows:
“Dear colleagues in the government and in parliament, dear Elena, dear representatives of animal welfare organizations, I truly feel that today’s event would have been more fitting had it concluded with the presentation given by dear Elena and with the words she expressed in the interview she gave in October 2023 regarding her expectations of what she would expect from the Greek state regarding animal protection in cases of natural disasters.
And indeed, something that began piecemeal, as a result of that difficult experience—we had to manage major crises and especially large wildfires—something that sprang from civil society itself and animal welfare organizations, was eventually embraced by the Greek state, institutionalized, and today we are pleased to be able to present this very important National Mechanism, essentially for the management of companion animals in cases of natural disasters.
I am particularly pleased that we are here in Galatsi, where there is now a permanent center for the reception, identification, care, and reunification of companion animals in the event of a natural disaster.
I believe that today’s event demonstrates in the best possible way that when the state listens to and collaborates with civil society, those who are always on the ground, on the front lines—in this case, dedicated to the mission of protecting animals—then something truly good can come of it.
I would like to give a special mention to Nikos Chrysakis—I think he deserves a warm round of applause—for his overall dedication to the protection of companion animals. I believe that the establishment of this Special Secretariat represents a very significant innovation for the Greek administration, as it can now serve as the official institutional interlocutor with the rest of the public administration, because cooperation is required with the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, but above all, I believe one of its difficult tasks is to bring animal welfare organizations to the same table.
I know very well from my own experience that not everyone always agrees on everything, but it is very important to have an institutionalized dialogue that can ultimately lead to results that are truly commendable and that essentially establish best practices at the European level.
Let me conclude, however, by saying that nothing could have been achieved without the unwavering support of the volunteers. I would like you to reserve your warmest applause for the volunteers—in this case, those from Dogs’ Voice—the people who, if necessary, will be on the ground, leaving their jobs or vacations behind to provide this vital service.
Now you will be able to do this in a much more organized manner, with a representative from the Special Secretariat present at ESKEDIK, with better coordination, and with a mechanism that will ensure your own personal safety, but at the same time will make your work easier and more effective.
So, I’d like to conclude by once again offering my warmest congratulations to all those who worked to make it possible for us to reach this very important day today.
I hope the mechanism will never be needed, but we know very well that the climate crisis is upon us. We will face forest fires every summer.
We are starting in Attica, with the aim, as you said, Elena, of expanding throughout the country by 2029.
Once again, a very warm thank you to all those who have made it possible for us to reach this day. I am, of course, referring to all the non-governmental organizations, to civil society, to everyone who collaborated so that what was once a vision and a dream could finally become a reality.
Thank you very much.”