In his weekly review Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focused on the economy’s improvement stressing that Greece is now is the third best performer among the 27 countries in terms of growth rate – while adding that employment continues to increase and inflation continues to fall.

Mitsotakis also discussed a matter of great importance to the Greek-Australian community – and all Greeks living abroad – adding that “we must facilitate in every way we can” the life of overseas Greeks.

The Greek PM argued that one way to do this “is through the Digital Transformation of Consular Services programme. On the websites of all consular authorities there will now be a Virtual Assistant, who will ‘speak’ Greek, English and 17 other languages and answer citizens’ questions. In addition, from the end of November, the Digital Application Management Service will be activated for 150 Consular Services, which can be processed electronically, or appointments can be made when the citizen needs to be present at the Consular Authority. With digitalization we are not only achieving the facilitation of the daily life of Greeks abroad, but also the decongestion of the Greek Consular Authorities and the reduction of their operating costs.”

Mitsotakis elaborated on the positive course of the economy and the relevant forecasts made by the European Commission. He then touched on the national action against childhood obesity, the new Piraeus courthouse, the “Renovate-Rent” programme, the digital transformation of Consular Services, the conclusion of the report on water management and flood protection in Thessaly by the Dutch company HVA International, and the progress of assistance to our fellow citizens affected by the floods.

“Today I’m going to talk to you about the economy and the Commission’s forecasts, emergency aid to our fellow citizens in December, progress on the Permanent Price Reduction program and market controls, upgrading the Emergency Departments of 9 hospitals, and the National Action Against Childhood Obesity, the new Piraeus Courthouse, the “Renovate-Rent” programme, the digital transformation of the Consular Services, the conclusion of the report on water management and flood protection in Thessaly by the Dutch company HVA International, and of course the progress of assistance to our fellow citizens affected by the floods.”

The Greek PM admitted that the answer to precision is not temporary and subsidy measures.

“But they are extremely useful and necessary, in conjunction with our other interventions to keep prices on the shelves,” he emphasised.

“Like the Permanent Price Reduction programme, which now includes 848 codes – almost 200 more than last Sunday – across 37 key product categories. At the same time, controls by DIMEA are continuing – in the last few days alone, €1.6 million in fines have been imposed on two multinational companies for unfair profiteering. No one is above the law. We will protect citizens from those who think they will speculate against them by taking advantage of the effects of imported inflation,” Mitsotakis concluded.