The importance of the imminent lifting of the enhanced surveillance regime and the progress that has been made in many areas in recent years was emphasized during their meeting at the Maximos Palace, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margaret Vestager.
They also discussed the protection of healthy competition, Europe ‘s energy and food security, given the challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, tackling inflationary pressures across the EU, and progress in its implementation. National Recovery and Sustainability Plan “Greece 2.0”.
“What Greece has achieved in recent years is truly impressive. And we are in this multifaceted crisis of war, energy, inflation, climate, which unfortunately brings to the background the festive atmosphere that should accompany the end of Enhanced Surveillance,” he said. Mrs. Vestager at the beginning of the meeting.
“This has been achieved – I was present and I witnessed it first hand – and even then many questioned whether this was possible, if it could be done. When success finally comes it has ‘many fathers’. I believe your government has every right to do so, because he worked hard to make it happen “, continued the executive vice-president of the Commission, while emphasizing the great importance of the sacrifices of the Greek citizens.
“Every time this time of year comes, late June, early July, we remember what happened in 2015 and how close we came to total disaster. We paid a heavy price for the choices made that year. But I think you are doing well to point out Greek society has proven to be extremely resilient. sustainable “, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister referred to the rapid development of the digital state, to the reforms for the modernization of the legislative framework that governs the operation of competition, as well as to the implementation of the “Greece 2.0” programs. He also presented Greece’s proposals regarding energy prices and better functioning of markets.
Margaret Vestager thanked the Prime Minister for the excellent level of cooperation of the government with the European Commission in matters within its competence.
From the Greek side, the meeting was attended by the Minister of State Akis Skertsos, the Head of the Finance Office of the Prime Minister Alexis Patelis, the Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Prime Minister Paris Vlachakis and the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Ni Thematas.
The full dialogue between the Prime Minister and the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission is as follows:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: I am very glad to see you again. There is a lot to discuss, but I must say that we have made significant progress as a country since the last time we met. As you know, the Enhanced Surveillance regime will expire in August. We have all worked hard to ensure that this very painful chapter for the country, which started 12 years ago, has come to an end.
I also believe that we have made great progress on various issues in your field of interest and I would like to thank you personally and your services. I think we have a very good and honest cooperation. But also in terms of digitization, which I know is your great passion, I believe we have done a lot in Greece in this area.
We used Covid as an “accelerator” to significantly promote digital services, at an unprecedented rate, but of course much remains to be done in terms of digital infrastructure. I know that you also had a constructive meeting with the Minister of State and Digital Government Kyriakos Pierrakakis and we look forward to using the funds of the Recovery Fund to further promote the digital transformation.
And of course, I would also like to congratulate you on your leadership on the European initiatives we have taken in the digital field. It is important to have a pioneering public policy regulatory system starting with Europe. When we talk about big tech companies, with all the benefits that come with it, we have to recognize that there is another side to which we need to pay attention. My personal congratulations on the inexhaustible energy with which you invest in this very important field.
Margaret Vestager: Thank you very much. I really appreciate that you say that, because it all depends on teamwork. Many people have dedicated themselves to the digital sector to accomplish this work in recent years. The same goes for all the help I needed during the pandemic. The team works 24 hours, 7 days a week and I believe that it works very well with our colleagues here in Greece. So, the realization of the goal is due to the work of the teams.
It is more or less a visit to congratulate you because what Greece has achieved in recent years is really impressive. And we are in this multifaceted crisis of war, energy, inflation, climate, which unfortunately brings to the background the festive atmosphere that should accompany the end of Enhanced Surveillance.
This was achieved – I was present and I watched it first hand – and even then many questioned whether this was possible, if it could be done. When success finally comes he has “many fathers”. I believe that your government has every right to do so, because it has worked hard to make it happen. However, we should not overlook the pain and sacrifices of the Greek people until we get here, because it was indeed a painful process.
It’s painful to correct an economic course that was so wrong. I believe that from this point of view, this indicates something very important for Greek society. But you know how journalism works. The good news is on the fourth page, while the bad news is making headlines.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Every time this time of year comes, late June, early July, we remember what happened in 2015 and how close we came to total destruction. We paid a heavy price for choices made that year.
But I think you are right to point out that Greek society has proven to be extremely resilient. We have also shown that it is possible to shift from low growth to a high growth perspective, while at the same time ensuring that growth is inclusive, that we address the concerns of young people, that growth is digitally smart and environmentally sustainable.
That is what we are trying to achieve. Our goal, which is also my personal goal, has always been not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We want growth that comes from investment, from innovation and not from consumption that is fueled by debt. Therefore, we are fully aware of the fact that whatever we do at the level of public intervention should be evaluated in the context of fiscal policy constraints.
And that’s why we believe we have managed to implement targeted support measures and, after the pandemic, measures to tackle inflation in a smart way.
But do you know something? If we had not advanced the digital transformation, we would not have been able to achieve it. I am sure that at the moment there are European countries that can not offer targeted assistance because they simply do not have the ability to interconnect the databases. We, for example, when we want to adopt a targeted approach we are able to do so. Three years ago we could not do it. We should rely on horizontal measures, which we know are not effective.
Source: Capital
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