In his Sunday post, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis refers to the benefits for Greece from hydrocarbon exploration, following agreements between the Greek state and the Chevron–Helleniq Energy consortium granting exclusive rights for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in maritime areas south of the Peloponnese and Crete.

As he notes, “by the end of the year, the first seismic surveys in the new areas are expected,” with the Greek state securing “approximately 40% of the profits in the event of discovery and production of potential deposits, without requiring public expenditure for these high-risk investments.” With these agreements, Greece strengthens its energy autonomy and security, creates fertile ground for new investments and competitive jobs, as well as significantly increased public revenues. He also points out that “we are finally actively utilizing potential natural gas reserves within the framework of strategically important alliances that highlight our geopolitical position in the wider region, while at the same time guaranteeing our security against those who challenge our sovereign rights.”

The full post of Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Good morning. Since tomorrow is Clean Monday, some might have expected us to be flying kites already. But, as every Sunday, we are here to review what happened over the past week. After all, consistency is also a good tradition.

I will start with the signing of agreements between the Greek state and the Chevron–Helleniq Energy consortium granting exclusive rights for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation in maritime areas south of the Peloponnese and Crete. This development, combined with the planned first exploratory drilling in the offshore “Block 2” in the Ionian Sea expected in early 2027, marks two major milestones in natural gas exploration after 40 years. It is a substantial restart.

After ratification of the agreements by Parliament, research programs will begin and, by the end of the year, the first seismic surveys in the new areas are expected. With the four new concession contracts, the Greek state secures approximately 40% of profits in the event of discovery and production of potential deposits, without requiring public capital expenditure for these high-risk investments.

Through these agreements, Greece strengthens its energy autonomy and security, creates fertile ground for new investments and competitive jobs, and significantly increases public revenues. Our energy policy invests in diversifying energy sources and leveraging our national advantages so as not to depend on expensive energy imports.

Over the past 6.5 years, we have literally made a leap in renewable energy sources — with 50% of produced energy coming from renewables — we are already an energy-exporting country, and at the same time we are finally actively utilizing potential natural gas reserves within strategically significant alliances that enhance our geopolitical position in the broader region, while also guaranteeing our security against those who challenge our sovereign rights.

Another sector shaping the future is Artificial Intelligence. At the recent India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, I had the opportunity to present to heads of state, leaders of international organizations and top technology executives the digital leap our country has made in recent years and our position that technology requires rules, transparency and a social orientation. Technological governance will determine geoeconomic power in the coming decades, and our country cannot be absent from shaping tomorrow’s framework. Soon we will speak more specifically about measures we will take to address digital addiction among minors.

In New Delhi, I also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — for the third time in two and a half years — reaffirming the strategic relationship between our countries. A relationship that gains even greater momentum through the emerging EU–India trade agreement, which creates new access opportunities for European products and businesses in a vast market.

In 2026 we are opening two new consulates in Mumbai and Bangalore, while a direct Athens–New Delhi flight connection has already begun. Greece can serve as the Indo-Pacific gateway to Europe and a critical hub of the Middle East–India–Europe Corridor (IMEC), a position also shared by Prime Minister Modi.

I now turn to other important government actions of the week. A landmark bill was submitted to Parliament extending the right to postal voting to Greeks abroad in the 2027 national elections, as was done in the European elections.

I call it an institutional breakthrough because our proposal provides that compatriots permanently residing outside Greece will be able not only to choose the party of their preference, but also a specific Member of Parliament as their representative in the National Parliament, through the creation of a special three-seat Constituency for the Greek Diaspora.

In this way, we strengthen ties with Greeks abroad and actively support the “brain regain” policy. For the regulation to apply from 2027, an enhanced majority of 200 MPs is required. Dialogue with political parties has already begun, and I expect them to approach this important reform with a spirit of responsibility and consensus.

Another step toward modernization was taken this week with the launch of “ERGANI II,” bringing less bureaucracy for businesses, better oversight of the labor market, transparency, and greater protection for employees. By less bureaucracy, I mean, for example, that three out of four paper declarations for hires and staff tables are abolished, and this information is now recorded digitally without the time-consuming obligation of posting notices. At the same time, employees, through the upgraded myErgani app on their mobile phones and via the platform myErgani.gov.gr, can access in real time all information related to their employment relationship. I encourage you to download it!

The “Neighborhood Nannies” program is now expanding nationwide, following positive results from its pilot phase in 62 municipalities across the country. Specifically, 1,209 certified caregivers participated, 2,243 families were served, and care needs were covered for 2,370 children up to 2.5 years old. Supporting the family is a central pillar of our social policy, with interventions that are tested, evaluated, and expanded.

The next issue concerns the utilization of public property — specifically, two inactive areas of the Technical University of Crete, where infrastructure will be built for the student and research community. Relevant contracts were signed for the development, near the university campus, of a student housing complex with low rent and flexible lease terms, as well as modern, environmentally sustainable conference facilities. The project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership, with the support of the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (Superfund). The second intervention αφορά the development of a plot in the “Kokkini Chani” area. For the first time in the country, starting with the Technical University of Crete, an organized plan is being launched to utilize the assets of a public university, with direct benefits for the academic community and local society.

What else happened this week?

On Thursday, the platform opened for the settlement of Swiss franc loans, resolving a long-standing issue affecting 50,000 borrowers. The arrangement provides for the conversion of obligations into euros at a fixed, low interest rate, as well as a haircut of 15% to 50%, depending on financial and asset data, along with the possibility of extending repayment by up to five years. There is a special provision for the most financially vulnerable, without burdening the state budget. The platform will remain open for six months, until August. Participation is voluntary, but the deadline is final.

Additionally, the bill for the establishment of a Higher School of Performing Arts was put up for public consultation, fulfilling our policy commitment for this emblematic reform in Education and Culture. It provides for university-level studies in the performing arts and advances institutional regulation of artistic education with rules, transparency, and perspective. A long-standing and fair demand is satisfied for the performing arts to gain a university home in our country, with an institution worthy of the history, talent, and international presence of Greek creators. Transitional arrangements are provided for current students to ensure a smooth transition, while the professional recognition of degrees is regulated in line with guidance from the Council of State. The same bill also introduces the International Baccalaureate framework in public schools and upgrades school libraries.

Another important development is the detection of serious irregularities in the approval of social solidarity benefits during the period 2020–2022, following audits ordered by the administration of OPEKA after reports of actions incompatible with protocol and serious deviations from prescribed procedures. It appears that benefits were granted to non-eligible individuals. The National Transparency Authority is assisting in the investigation so that a complete case file can be forwarded to the judiciary. The government demonstrates in practice, in any case that comes to light, its absolute respect for legality and zero tolerance for unlawful behavior. New institutional tools for more effective anti-corruption efforts, such as the National Transparency Authority, are now producing visible results in the public interest.

Let us move north, to Thessaloniki. The first 100 new electric buses have arrived and will join the OSETH fleet through the KTEL consortium, taking to the streets next month after the necessary testing. These are modern, comfortable, and safe vehicles with innovative features: from automatic adjustment of interior lighting to an alcohol detection system that prevents the bus from starting if the test is positive. By September, another 130 new buses are expected, completing the largest fleet renewal in decades in the city. Residents recall that in 2019 only 240 old vehicles were operating. Today, the fleet exceeds 500 and continues to be renewed. Together with the Metro extension and the Western Thessaloniki Suburban Railway, the city’s transport map is changing substantially.

Another transport-related development: a long-pending issue was resolved in Piraeus with the operation of the new “Akti Poseidonos” tram terminal, fully activating the connection of Line 7 with the port. The tram now reaches the port and will serve thousands of passengers who will no longer struggle with their luggage through the streets of Piraeus.

Finally, the State, through the Ministry of Culture, acted immediately regarding photographs that appeared on an online auction site depicting Greek patriots before their execution in Kaisariani on May 1, 1944. They were examined by the competent council and declared a monument, as highly significant documents of modern Greek history, allowing the Ministry of Culture to claim and acquire the collection on behalf of the Greek state. Experts have already traveled to Belgium, contacted the holder of the photographs, and confirmed the authenticity of all 262 images. A preliminary agreement was signed between the Ministry of Culture and the collector, the collection was withdrawn from the auction site, and it will now become the property of the Greek state. This material is directly linked to our national memory, and we must safeguard it.

This week we also bid farewell to three distinguished personalities: Anna Psarouda-Benaki, Eleni Glykatzi-Arveler, and Antonis Manitakis. All three excelled in their respective fields. They opened new paths, honored the country, and left a strong legacy. Much has already been said. Let us be inspired by their example.

That’s all for this Sunday. I wish you a pleasant time, whatever you may be doing. Happy Lent!