Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis began his briefing to political correspondents with a reference to the statements made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as he arrived at the European Council Summit in Brussels.

Among other points, Mr. Marinakis stated that “Greece is playing a leading role in shaping a more active defense policy for the European Union” and noted that Kyriakos Mitsotakis would inform his counterparts about his visit to Lebanon.

“The most important thing,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized, “is to ensure the territorial integrity of Syria. This means that the new government must first and foremost be inclusive, one that supports and safeguards the rights of religious minorities. Naturally, in this discussion, Europe must present a united stance, and Greece must play a decisive role in shaping the European approach to issues concerning Syria,” Mr. Marinakis underlined.

He then went on to stress that “significant progress is being made in the procedures for launching two very important housing programs, which will be implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Fund. Firstly, the Joint Ministerial Decision has been signed by the Minister for Social Family Policy Sofia Zacharaki, the Deputy Minister for National Economy and Finance Nikolaos Papathanasis, and the Deputy Minister for National Economy and Finance Athanasios Petralias for the implementation of the ‘My Home 2’ program […]. Secondly, the Joint Ministerial Decision has been signed by the Minister for Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister for National Economy and Finance Nikolaos Papathanasis, and the Deputy Minister for National Economy and Finance for the implementation of the ‘Upgrade My Home’ program […].

These two programs are yet another action by the government aimed at facilitating citizens, both in acquiring their own home with low-interest loans—which will significantly ease housing concerns—and in energetically upgrading their homes, thereby reducing their cost of living and contributing to a smaller energy footprint […].”

Mr. Marinakis concluded his statement by noting, “The Prime Minister, following an invitation from the Finnish Prime Minister, will travel to Finland, where the informal North-South summit will take place on December 21 and 22.”