The Greek government remains on high alert over the rapid developments in the Middle East and its concern to safely evacuate all Greeks who wish to leave Lebanon, while also calling on all sides to deescalate tension, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his weekly social media post on Sunday.
Reviewing the government’s work during the past week, Mitsotakis said, “We reiterate our call for deescalation” in the region, adding that Greece had already evacuated 22 Greeks and 28 Cypriots from Beirut with a Hellenic Air Force C-130.” He also expressed anew his condolences for young diaspora Greek Ionas Karousis, who died in the terrorist attack on Jaffa, Tel Aviv.
The premier reiterated as well that Greece is a reliable partner and ally in the region, serving as a pillar of stability and security as well, which he said he had the opportunity to discuss in Chania, Crete on Saturday during a visit by a group of Republican Senators.
In terms of government actions in the past week, the premier focused on the 19 measures worth 240 million euros announced for Central and Northern Evros region, with an emphasis on property tax suspension for residents of Soufli, and a plan to encourage resettlement in the region for 1,000 individuals with a 10,000-euro bonus. Mitsotakis also underlined the start of operations for the FSRU facilities in Alexandroupolis, with the first LNG cargo unloaded there by Total.
Referring to the Medium-Term Plan, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to the plan, “to remain faithful to this plan, to continue reducing tax evasion, to continue having a surplus of revenues, so that our program – which aims at increasing citizens’ incomes – can be applied at an even faster rate.”
On another key issue, juvenile delinquency, he said that the changes being promoted, which were discussed at the recent cabinet meeting, foresee stricter penalties for child neglect by parents and for the use of arms. “The purpose is not to put children or parents in jail, but to have the existing legislative framework work as a deterrent. For families on one hand to show greater care in their children’s upbringing, while for repeating juvenile offenders to become more reasonable through reform measures.”
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
