Greece is becoming an energy hub with the official launch of the floating LNG storage and regasification terminal (FSRU) off the coast of Alexandroupolis, the government spokesperson emphasized, Yannis Oikonomou in his opening remarks during the briefing for political editors.
Mr. Oikonomou also stated that an announcement will be made a new package of support measures to address rising energy prices, and emphasized that measures will be taken to provide broad-based, substantive support, including for consumption that exceeds the limits set thus far.
Mr.Oikonomou began by referring to the Prime Minister’s visit to Alexandroupoli for the inauguration of the LNG storage terminal and said that our country is becoming an independent gateway fornatural gas distribution in Southeast Europe.
«It helps transform Greece into a major energy hub, upgrading the country on many levels. Our country is turning the crisis into an opportunity to become stronger,» he said.
He added that the government is working to ensure the country's energy security and independence from Russia, while he said that Payments to Moscow will be made in a way that does not violate EU sanctions and does not jeopardize the country's energy security.
"The government is determined to stand by every citizen," said Mr. Oikonomou, noting that a new framework to support the public in coping with rising energy costs will be announced in the near future.
«More than 4 billion euros have been allocated to support households so far, he pointed out and referred to the opposition, accusing the SYRIZA for «blatant lies and toxicity» regarding the Public Power Corporation (PPC).
Mr. Oikonomou said that the government currently holds a 34% stake in PPC, and with this stake, the government’s assets—based on PPC’s share value—exceed 1 billion euros, compared to 150 million euros in 2019. «In 2019, PPC had gone bankrupt. It’s clear that if the crisis had caught us in the same state as PPC was in, the consequences would have been much worse, since there would have been no way to provide support,» he said. He noted that «the share buyback program grants the Board of Directors the right to sell shares, but that right will not be exercised,» and emphasized that «the allegations regarding bonuses do not correspond to reality.».
Mr. Oikonomou also said that «it is a lie that Greeks pay more for electricity than anyone else in Europe,» and noted that the data show that The retail price in our country is lower than the European average.
«The problem with price increases is a Europe-wide issue, and government support has made a difference. This support has ensured that 2,321,000 households have seen only small increases. Through measures we are planning in the near future, there will be significant support for households with the highest consumption. »The solution to these problems lies in professionalism and hard work. The measures will apply to everyone, without exception,” said Mr. Oikonomou.
He referred to what he called the government’s pro-worker measures—such as the increase in the minimum wage and unemployment benefits—and said that the government is distributing the social dividend to our fellow citizens.
«The economy exists for people, not people for the economy. ». 'We don't pursue politics with slogans, but with actions,' said the government spokesperson.".
He referred to the decline in unemployment from 17.2% to 12.8% last February and said that 200,000 new jobs were created during the pandemic, «reducing unemployment at the fastest rate in Europe.».
Mr. Oikonomou highlighted a series of government measures in support of workers and the unemployed, as well as socially conscious initiatives such as the promotion of assisted reproduction.
Finally, he mentioned fire protection, the preparations for which, he said, began earlier than ever this year.
He emphasized that numerous meetings involving many ministries have been held to ensure better preparation, added that aerial and ground surveillance is being stepped up, and said that the number of aerial assets will be increased this year—whereas last year there were 6 helicopters, this year there will be 1, while the Armed Forces will also be active, conducting patrols and deploying Army equipment.
The prime minister is continuing his efforts to secure a pan-European response to rising energy prices
«Announcements will be made very soon. The timeframe will be quite broad. As far as resources are concerned, we will exhaust every available option,» said Yiannis Oikonomou regarding the support plan the government is set to announce concerning electricity prices.
«The prime minister has committed to taxing any excess profits identified by the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE), », "We will make use of the same tools that were used previously, as well as additional resources from the state budget," added the government spokesperson.
«Announcements will be made soon,» he replied when asked whether this government plan would be made public within the week. At the same time, he noted that the prime minister is continuing his efforts and exerting pressure at the European Commission level to secure a pan-European response.
«In any case, we’re talking about a very drastic and substantial intervention,» he emphasized, while answering in the negative when asked whether there were supply chain problems similar to those in Germany.
Regarding the purchase of 700,000 shares with PPC funds to be distributed as bonuses to executives, Mr. Oikonomou replied that the company took this action following a directive from the General Meeting. «However, any plan to distribute these shares has been put on hold; it has not been implemented and will not be implemented,» he added.
When asked about the possibility of changes to the VAT rate on consumer goods, he replied that The government is focused on drastically reducing electricity prices.
Regarding the investment in Alexandroupoli, Mr. Oikonomou emphasized that it is important because We have the ability to increase our liquefied natural gas storage capacity but also for the facilities and the potential to liquefy it again. «It will help not only our country but the entire Balkan region become independent from existing natural gas supply sources, in combination with all the infrastructure projects being implemented in Northern Greece,» he emphasized, while also noting the presence of leading political figures.
Regarding the payment method Russian natural gas, he reminded everyone that in his previous update he had said that Our country has been paying in euros and will continue to do so and the method of conversion to rubles is a technical matter, and the European Commission will issue guidelines. «We will make payments in a way that does not violate the sanctions and, of course, does not jeopardize the security of our natural gas supply,» he added.
Regarding the article in the newspaper “TA NEA,” Mr. Oikonomou stated that what is described as the Supreme Court prosecutor’s recommendation is shocking. «Of course, the recommendation does not amount to an indictment, much less a conviction. Nevertheless, we are seeing things that, if proven true, would highlight the an attempt by the SYRIZA government to manipulate the media. An obvious attempt to create a completely controlled television station, funding and coordination for the financing and publication of a newspaper—all of which constitute utterly unacceptable behavior for a democracy and a state governed by the rule of law. The Greek judiciary always has the final say; our comment concerns what has come to light today. »We are talking about a clear attempt to manipulate freedom of the press and freedom of information,” he emphasized.
Mr. Oikonomou was also asked about the fact that, according to the 2022 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Greece has fallen 38 places. «Freedom of the press in our country is fully enshrined in the Constitution and protected by the competent authorities of the Greek State. Anyone who spends even a few days in Greece realizes that there is clearly no issue regarding press freedom or the quality of the press. Pluralism and diversity of opinion are obvious and easy for anyone to see and recognize. This particular report has its own methodology. I have read that part of the methodology involves evaluating cases that are under judicial review and are still pending. We believe it is inappropriate to include in its assessment—and indeed to present in a negative light—matters under review by the independent judiciary before such reviews have been concluded. The same applies to issues concerning the impact of the pandemic on the functioning of the press. No one in the country can claim that there is a lack of diversity of opinion, pluralism, or freedom. Greece is a state governed by the rule of law, and all of the government's initiatives contribute to the defense of this rule of law, the independent authorities are doing their job. In contrast to what has come to light today—unheard-of things, such as ministers teaming up with contractors through third-party companies to establish newspapers and create party-affiliated TV channels. These are times when the Hellenic Republic, the state’s institutional checks and balances, and of course the social majority that shaped the situation that followed, have helped us leave these things behind, and they will remain behind us for good,» he added.
Regarding the incident of animal abuse in Edipsos, the government spokesperson stated that it was something that has caused revulsion in all of us, and it is absolutely positive how quickly and to what extent public opinion has been mobilized. «The Greek government reacted immediately, and the justice system will do its job as it should. If this is possible, it is because the government, through legislative and institutional measures, has created the conditions so that we do not pass over such incidents with indifference, as was often the casein the past,» he emphasized.
