“Good morning, and happy November to everyone! We’ve entered November and, for those already counting down, Christmas is now a little closer. For the more realistic among us, of course, we still have two months and plenty of work ahead. Whichever camp you’re in, I hope you can spare a few minutes for our Sunday roundup,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis says in the opening lines of his weekly review of the government’s work, posted on Sunday.
“Returning from New York, where I chaired the UN Security Council meeting on maritime security, I am struck by how directly the issues discussed in the halls of international diplomacy are connected to the security and future of every Greek family,” the prime minister goes on to say, adding:
“For a country like ours, with Greece’s history and geography, peace and respect for international law are prerequisites for progress and for being able to plan our lives with confidence and a sense of direction. That is why, from the UN podium, I explained again why the illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum cannot erase our islands’ rights. Behind the lines on maps are people, living communities, history and a future.
“It is our responsibility to defend them with steadiness, strong deterrence, alliances and well-founded arguments, always on the basis of international law. With confidence, but without grandstanding. With resolve, without closing the door to dialogue. Because a strong Greece is one that effectively defends its interests, contributes to peace and creates security and opportunity for future generations.”
He then turns to the week’s news and says:
“1. We are extending fuel subsidies until 15 November, at 20 cents per litre for heating oil, 15 cents for diesel and 10 cents for petrol.
2. More than €323 million in state aid is being recovered after 141 investment projects under the 2016 Development Law, which were never completed, were removed from the scheme. This follows inspections by the Ministry of Development of 572 investment projects in total, while checks are also continuing on projects under earlier development laws.
3. Applications have also opened for the new “Home Renovation” programme, which enables low- and middle-income households to renovate their homes with grants covering 70% to 95% of the cost, up to €36,000, plus up to €2,500 for support services. Initially, it will cover vacant homes, so they can be put back to use by their owners or rented out. The programme will later be extended to occupied properties. Applications can be submitted at anakainisi.tee.gov.gr until 11 January 2027, once the property has been issued with an Eligibility Certificate.
4. From today, farmers can buy cheaper diesel directly at the pump, without having to wait for a tax refund. The saving is as much as 50.84 cents per litre, and all they need is a digital voucher from the AADE’s myDiesel app. The quantities they are entitled to have also increased by 50% compared with last year. There was important news from Brussels, too, with a political agreement on the new Common Agricultural Policy that provides greater support for young and small-scale producers and more flexibility to meet the specific needs of Greek agriculture. Negotiations on funding, however, are continuing.
5. After submitting the Presidential Decree for the South Cyclades National Marine Park to the Council of State, we are now moving ahead in the Ionian Sea as well. The Special Environmental Study for 22 Natura 2000 sites has been approved, from Othonoi and Corfu to Zakynthos and the Strofades islands. The next step is to issue the Presidential Decree setting out the protection rules, while taking the needs of local communities into account. The two new marine parks will advance the commitment we made at the “Our Ocean” conference to protect more than 30% of Greek waters before 2030. At the same time, the management plan for Gyaros is being put into effect, with measures to protect marine life and manage visits to the island, a valuable refuge for the Mediterranean monk seal.
6. The heliports on Ereikousa and Othonoi, in the Diapontian Islands, are reopening after years of neglect. Work on Ereikousa is already 80% complete, while improvements are continuing on Othonoi. For residents of these small, remote islands, a functioning heliport means greater safety and, above all, the ability to arrange an emergency air evacuation immediately when every minute counts.
7. A new Presidential Decree transposing a European directive sets stricter limits on workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals. Specifically, the permitted limits for lead are being lowered, and limits are being introduced for the first time for diisocyanates used in industry. Medical monitoring is also being strengthened, and workplace inspections improved with new digital tools.
8. On Friday, the Greek flag was raised in France on the “NEARCHOS”, the second state-of-the-art FDI frigate for our Navy. Nothing but pride! The “FORMION” will follow in December, and then the “THEMISTOCLES”. It is the latest in a week in which the Armed Forces featured prominently, beginning with the 28 October parade in Thessaloniki. There, we saw the new generation of weapons systems, but also something that particularly struck me: thousands of people patiently queuing to board the “KIMON” frigate. Today, respect for the “No” of 1940 is expressed in this way, too: through a strong Greece that guards its borders and peace.
I’ll end with Thessaloniki and… light. The White Tower is now illuminated in an entirely new way, bringing out its beauty and history. The change was made possible by a donation from METLEN, and by January 2027 the Eptapyrgio and parts of the Byzantine Walls will follow.
And while we’re in Thessaloniki, those visiting Aristotelous Square in the coming days will see something different: an open-air design museum, as part of the first Design Dialogue Days of the DNA Thessaloniki initiative, featuring exhibits ranging from everyday objects to the colour red in Pedro Almodóvar’s films. The exhibition also extends across 30 shop windows in the historic centre, with free admission until next Sunday. Two different initiatives that show how beautifully a city can combine its history with contemporary creativity. Happy Sunday!”