KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS

Greece has "40 billion euros set aside, and has the ability to plan its borrowing in a way that controls the rise of interest rates. Beyond that, achieving investment grade is an absolutely feasible target for 2023", Mitsotakis said.

"We agree that the solutions cannot be only national," Greek Prime Minister said after remotely participating in a quadrilateral summit held in Rome with his Italian, Spanish and Portuguese counterparts

Mitsotakis stressed that vaccination against the coronavirus remains an absolute priority, despite the fact that epidemiological data shows a prospect of de-escalation.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during Tuesday's online cabinet meeting that he received recommendations for mandatory rapid tests for everyone in order to enter entertainment venues. «I rejected them, because I considered that such a measure would be unfair for the vaccinated».

As there is still no agreement between Gazprom and DEPA on supply prices for next year, the Prime Minister stressed that for 30 years Russia has been a reliable supplier of natural gas and Greece, in turn, is also a reliable partner.

Under the background motto 'Greece is changing - It walks ahead - It gazes upwards', Mitsotakis delivered the customary Prime Minister's speech on the government's economic policy.

Greek Prime Minister noted that "our reactions, however, must not be blind. Any failures will be identified. And the responsibilities will be assigned whenever and wherever needed. The first issue, right now, is solutions".

In order to unlock American investments, especially from technology giants, the government completed several preparatory steps, with perhaps the most important one being the initiative that allowed Greece after many years to leave the "black" list of countries that do not protect copyright laws, allowing public services to use pirated Microsoft software.

"Today, the leading role is Self-Confidence of Greeks. These two programmes for Defense and the Economy. Two bridges that will lead the country and Greeks out from uncertainty, into certainty. From turmoil to the calm waters of progress and hope," the PM said.

According to sources, the package of measures includes a reduction of the solidarity tax and social security contributions with a time frame of one year, in 2021, and their possible extension, depending on the course of the health crisis and the budget margins. The government's careful and conservative moves on tax breaks are also aimed at holding onto resources to deal with emergencies and unforeseen situations in the economy.