G. Economou: The government will announce a new package of measures for energy increases

Greece is becoming an energy hub with the official start of implementation of the floating storage and gasification terminal LNG (FSRU) off Alexandroupolis, said government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou in his introduction while briefing political authors.

Mr. Economou also stated that a new package of support measures will be announced to address the increases in energy prices, and stressed that there will be intervention for horizontal substantial support with a broad horizon, and in consumptions that exceed the limits set so far.

Mr. Oikonomou initially referred to the presence of the Prime Minister in Alexandroupolis for the inauguration of the LNG storage terminal and said that our country is becoming an independent gateway to natural gas in Southeast Europe.

“It contributes to Greece becoming an energy hub of major importance, upgrading the country to many levels. Our country is making the crisis an opportunity to become stronger,” he said.

He added that the government is working for the country’s energy efficiency and independence from Russia, while he said that payments in Moscow will be made in a way that does not violate EU sanctions and does not endanger the country’s energy security.

The government is determined to stand by every citizen, said Mr. Economou, noting that a new framework of society support for energy accuracy will be announced in the near future.

“More than 4 billion euros have been given to support households so far | he pointed out and referred to the opposition, accusing SYRIZA of” outrageous lies and toxicity “regarding PPC.

Mr. Economou said that the State owns 34% in PPC today, and with this percentage the property of the State due to the share value of PPC exceeds 1 billion euros when in 2019 it was 150 million euros. “In 2019 PPC had gone bankrupt. One understands that if the crisis found us as PPC was, then the consequences would be much worse since there would be no possibility of support,” he said. He said that “the stock market program gives the board the right to dispose of shares but it is not going to be exercised” and stressed that “the claims for bonuses do not correspond to reality”.

Mr. Economou also said that “it is a lie that Greeks pay more for electricity in Europe” and noted that the data show that the retail price in our country is lower than the European average.

“The problem with the increases is pan-European, and the state support has paid off. The support has resulted in 2,321,000 households seeing small increases. “Professionalism and hard work. The measures will be for everyone without exceptions,” said Mr. Economou.

He referred to the government’s philanthropic interventions, to the increase of the minimum wage and unemployment benefit, and said that the government distributes the social dividend to our fellow citizens.

“The economy exists for man and not man for the economy. We do not pursue politics with slogans but with actions,” the government spokesman said.

He cited falling unemployment from 17.2% to 12.8% last February and said 200,000 new jobs had been created in pandemic conditions, “reducing unemployment at the fastest rate in Europe”.

Mr. Economou underlined a series of government interventions in favor of the employed and the unemployed as well as interventions of social sensitivity such as the promotion of assisted reproduction.

Finally, he referred to the fire protection, the preparation of which, as he said, started earlier this year than ever.

He stressed that many meetings have been held with the participation of many ministries for better preparation, added that air and ground surveillance is increasing and said that the number of air vehicles will be increased this year, since last year there were 6 helicopters, this year there will be 1, while they will be active and the Armed Forces with patrols and the deployment of Army equipment.

SOURCE: AMPE