“When the state leaves holes in the enforcement net and the ‘big fish’ slip through them, other citizens feel they are being treated unfairly. And that injustice gradually erodes trust in the state and its institutions,” the prime minister says in his Sunday message.
In detail:
Good morning, everyone.
I’ll begin with a development of historic significance: the agreement between the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai and Egypt, which provides a secure legal basis for the continued existence of a living Orthodox pilgrimage site with a history spanning 15 centuries.
For the first time, a special, legally binding text enshrines in perpetuity the Monastery’s religious character and monastic way of life, as well as the brotherhood’s exclusive use and possession of its places of worship, guaranteed by Egypt and with no possibility of altering those places of worship.
This resolves an institutional issue dating back 1,500 years, which had left the very existence of the Holy Monastery exposed. The Greek government persistently and discreetly supported this effort, in cooperation with friendly Egypt and with respect for the Monastery’s autonomy. The consent of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Jerusalem, and the Archbishops of Athens and Cyprus is particularly significant: a powerful message of unity and responsibility from the Greek Orthodox world.
I want to congratulate both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs for the persistence and methodical approach with which they worked to achieve this national success. I also want to thank the Foreign Minister personally for coordinating the entire effort, as well as Archbishop Simeon, with whom I spoke personally to express the support of the Greek people for the Monastery’s decisions, for his substantial contribution to bringing it to fruition.
Some legacies extend beyond the horizon of any government or generation. It is our duty to pass them on safely to those who come after us.
This important development comes in the same week that Greece and Egypt resumed negotiations on delimiting the remaining section of our Exclusive Economic Zone, following the agreement signed by our government in 2020.
Both developments confirm the depth of a relationship built on trust, with tangible results for our country. We respond to our neighbours’ revisionist claims, which have no basis in international law, with strong alliances in the Arab world, dialogue and legally binding agreements that safeguard our national interests. This policy requires patience, preparation and consistency.
Its results are the most substantive response both to critics at home and to those beyond our borders seeking to impose faits accomplis that are rejected by the international community as a whole, as well as by our partners and allies. This is the only way Greece can become stronger: by turning its rights into agreements and its relationships into lasting partnerships.
Some weeks, different news stories bring us face to face with the same question: whether we can build a society in which rules protect people and power does not secure exemptions. This responsibility links three developments of recent days, which I want to address before turning to today’s review.
On Thursday, the age limit of 15 for access to social media was passed. It is a step we owe to children and to parents who are worried, often feeling they are fighting an uphill battle alone.
I would have expected more political forces to be able to come together on this. Unfortunately, the law was approved only with the votes of New Democracy. PASOK abstained on the principle of the bill and voted against its key provisions.
I find this choice difficult to understand, particularly from a party that lays claim to the space of responsible opposition. When 80% of citizens support restrictions and an age limit to protect minors, it is worth asking why this broad social consensus is not reflected in parliament.
The desire to distinguish itself from the government seems to have outweighed the opportunity to do something useful for families together. Every delay, however, prolongs a situation that suits the big platforms. Children and parents need protection now. Politics must be able to reach agreement, especially when something as important as childhood is at stake.
The same responsibility towards the public interest applies to the fight for legality. This week we saw the arrests of the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation and referees, as part of an investigation into bribery and match-fixing. We also saw arrests in the case involving the well-known restaurant chain, over an alleged organised operation involving large-scale tax evasion.
These are serious cases on which the courts will rule, with full respect for the presumption of innocence. But I want to recall something I said at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September 2023, when I set the rule of law as a central mission of this government’s term in office: when the state leaves holes in the enforcement net and the “big fish” slip through them, other citizens feel they are being treated unfairly. And that injustice gradually erodes trust in the state and its institutions. I also said then: “We counter injustice with equality before the law.”
This commitment remains. Tax evasion deprives health, education and support for those in need of resources, while also subjecting law-abiding businesses to unfair competition. Our target, then, is the “big fish”. This is neither the first such case, nor will it be the last.
As for corruption in sport, it harms first and foremost the efforts of athletes and children’s belief that hard work and talent are rewarded fairly. It will not be tolerated by our government. No arrest amounts to a conviction. But an unhindered investigation, even when it involves people with economic or institutional power, is an essential condition for a state that wants to earn its citizens’ trust.
It is our duty to strengthen the oversight bodies and ensure they can do their work without exceptions. And, of course, if necessary, the state will do whatever is required to support workers affected by these developments.
I know that trust is hard to build. It takes consistency and results, every day. From protecting a child from digital giants to enforcing the law against those who think they are above scrutiny. That is where the value of politics is judged. And by that measure, we will continue.
I now turn to the other issues of the week:
- 1. We inaugurated the new national supercomputer “DAEDALUS” in Lavrio, at the Greek AI Factory “PHAROS”. To give you an idea of its capabilities, it performs 89 quadrillion calculations per second — it would take a person almost 3 billion years to complete them! It is one of the EU’s seven national supercomputers and puts Greece among the top 14 worldwide, as well as at the forefront of Europe in the use of artificial intelligence by researchers and businesses. Securing its installation in our country was a choice we pursued and one we persuaded the European Commission to back.
- 2. At “Demokritos”, we inaugurated the new building of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, with state-of-the-art facilities for research into artificial intelligence, cyber security and next-generation networks. It houses “Demokritos”’ data centre, which will soon also serve “DAEDALUS”, and the offices of “PHAROS”. The centre is also establishing its eighth institute, dedicated to research integrity, security and ethics.
- 3. A new collective labour agreement was signed in the cement industry, providing annual pay rises of more than 5.5%, a 55% seniority increment, €600 in support for the third child and each subsequent child, and a student allowance of up to €400. It is the 161st collective labour agreement signed since parliament passed the National Social Agreement on Collective Labour Agreements, between the Ministry of Labour and all the National Social Partners. Higher pay, more benefits, better working conditions: this is the value of collective labour agreements in practice.
- 4. Tourism continues to perform impressively: in the first eight months of the year, arrivals of foreign visitors rose by 10% and receipts by 9.4%, reaching €18.2 billion. Over the same period, goods exports rose by 17.3%, almost twice the rate of imports.
- 5. Final plans for the expansion and upgrade of the National Archaeological Museum were approved. The project includes new exhibition spaces, modern visitor facilities and a large public garden with around 250 new trees. This will transform not only the country’s largest archaeological museum, but also an entire stretch of Patission Street.
Those were some of the most important developments this week. We now move into a week of particular significance for Thessaloniki and the whole country. Tomorrow, the city celebrates Saint Demetrius and 114 years since its liberation, while on Wednesday I will be there for the 28 October parade. These two anniversaries remind us what we achieved as a people in the most difficult moments of our history, and how much strength we have when we are united. Let us not forget that in our daily lives, even when we disagree.
Best wishes to everyone named Dimitra and Dimitris celebrating tomorrow and, of course, to all Greek women and men on our national anniversary! Have a good Sunday!