The new framework for the support of Greek households and businesses, was announced in a televised message, by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The main points of the Prime Minister’s message were, that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings war back to Europe. It paves the way for the questioning of borders, the violent imposition of the strongest and the uprooting of millions of people. But it is also causing a huge energy crisis, with unprecedented waves of high prices threatening the well-being of all societies.

The unrest, however, is international. That is why tackling it can only be, first and foremost, a matter for our European family.

I also know that what we have achieved for almost three years, reducing taxes and increasing the minimum wage, is now besieged by the increase of prices. While the fact that the economy and society have survived thanks to the 43 billion against the pandemic is not enough to feel safe today.

That is why, following our proposal, the Commission is already working on interventions in shaping wholesale gas prices. In order to hit the international speculation that feeds the geopolitical crisis, causing chain price increases.

It is time for politics to set rules in the markets. And companies with profits from this situation to take a share in the cost of overtaking it. I hope that at the next European Council we will agree on this.

But that is not enough. We must act, once again, at national level as well. So, tomorrow morning, the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Rural Development will announce a quarterly program of significant additional aid. These are measures aimed at the weakest and the middle class.

Planned interventions of 1.1 billion that will relieve 3.2 million vulnerable citizens, but also households with an income of up to 30,000 euros per year.

The measures cover all fronts of the crisis: boosting income with an extraordinary allowance for the low-paid and low-income. Supporting families with children, who now have the most expenses. But also the partial absorption of increases in fuel, with the coverage of 180 liters for the movement of vehicles. While combined with special concerns for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, which have been particularly hit by increases in electricity.

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And, of course, all this is framed by the new, lower ENFIA and the impending second increase of the minimum wage. Because wages in our country are, unfortunately, still low.

It is an initiative that follows the 2.6 billion euros that have already been allocated since the outbreak of the energy crisis. As I said, their implementation will be simple and will be explained in detail tomorrow by the competent Ministers.

However, all the new regulations serve two principles: first, they are targeted and not horizontal, with a special emphasis on supporting the weakest. And secondly, they are in line with the prudent fiscal policy that we have pursued from the beginning. A choice that converges with the needs of society, but does not deviate from the resilience of the economy.

At the same time, the country is playing a leading role in overcoming old dogmas and building Europe’s Strategic Autonomy. On the international chessboard we are on the side of Peace, International Law and the West. Something that also concerns our national issues, where I think that the attitude of most of the political forces is common, as I found out talking to the leaders of the parties.

Finally, we claim our energy self-sufficiency. This means investing in renewables, overcoming any bureaucratic hurdles. Development of electrical connections with countries such as Egypt. Conversion of our homeland into a gateway for liquefied natural gas. And, of course, exploitation of national gas fields with economic interest. There will be new announcements on this issue soon.