Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during an interview on Bloomberg TV with Francine Lacqua, expressed confidence in the positive trajectory of the Greek economy for 2024. Mitsotakis highlighted the country’s growth surpassing the euro area average, attributing it to a substantial increase in foreign direct investment.
“If one looked at Greek spreads, Greek bonds were trading at comparable levels to Spanish bonds,” Mitsotakis noted.
He expressed his belief that Greece is embarking on a prolonged cycle of growth despite concerns like the high cost of living.
“What we must do is … continue to generate a primary surplus and reduce our debt to GDP ratio through sustainable growth. We have shown that this is doable,” he added, pointing to past government measures such as tax reduction, improved business conditions, and an enhanced international image.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the Athens International Airport IPO, indicating that the process is likely to commence in the early months of 2024.
“The airport benefits from the increase in tourism… There have been huge investments in terms of infrastructure in Athens…. And whatever is built now in Greece must be sustainable,” Mitsotakis said, stressing the importance of sustainable tourism and positioning the Athens airport as an attractive investment option.
Regarding the banking sector, Mitsotakis acknowledged previous concerns but expressed optimism about the positive outlook for Greek banks. He stressed the need for increased competition within the banking industry.
In a significant legislative update, the Prime Minister announced that the cabinet would discuss a bill on same-sex marriages next week.
“The issue of equality in marriage will be discussed in the cabinet next week and will be submitted to Parliament after public consultation,” Mitsotakis stated, explaining that he expects the bill to become law in the first two weeks of February, emphasising the importance of protecting the rights of existing children in the discussion.
Mitsotakis reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing inequality, recognising it as a driving force in their program, highlighting “the importance of fiscal space to support vulnerable populations” and announced upcoming measures to support young families, especially those facing financial insecurity.
Discussing the geopolitical landscape, Mitsotakis acknowledged Greece’s position in a troubled Mediterranean region and expressed concerns over the ongoing war in Ukraine. He affirmed Athens’ efforts to support Ukraine and prevent further tensions in the Middle East.
Mitsotakis also voiced support for generous EU economic assistance to Ukraine, calling for backing from the next European Council, and underlined the need for additional funds to address migration and climate crisis repercussions in Greece.
