Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis engaged with citizens in Velestino after visiting the renovated local Health Center and the Cooperative of Nea Anchialos.
During his address, he discussed government investments in public health, the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the region following the “Daniel” storm damage, and initiatives aimed at bolstering the middle class. He also highlighted efforts to create new, better-paying jobs and tackle long-standing issues related to OPEKEPE.
Mitsotakis stated:
“Dear Mayor, colleagues from government and parliament, friends,
I am truly pleased to be here today in this historic location to inaugurate an important project for the local community: the fully renovated Health Center of your Municipality.
I recently had the chance to tour its facilities, and I believe you, as its service users, are well aware of the condition we inherited a few years back. In a short time, with oversight from the Ministry and the responsible Governor, it has transformed not just into a Health Center but essentially a fully staffed, state-of-the-art hospital to meet local needs.
It’s noteworthy that this project was funded by Recovery Fund resources. Five years ago, through complex negotiations, we secured an additional €36 billion for our country. The effects of this negotiation are visible throughout Greece. We aim to renovate 160 health centres nationwide, including the one here in Velestino.
Moreover, with Recovery Fund resources, Emergency Departments in over 80 hospitals are being revamped. We are significantly investing in public health, improving equipment, human resources, and preventive screenings.
If you receive a notification for a preventive test, please do not ignore it. To date, 60,000 individuals have been diagnosed with previously unknown health issues, including tens of thousands of women with early-stage breast cancer who were notified by the Greek state to undergo screening.
This illustrates our commitment to health as a proactive measure to protect our citizens before illness arises, marking a substantial shift in public health strategy in our country.
However, my visit to Magnesia today is also to assess the facilities impacted by natural disasters.
I recently visited the beautiful Cooperative of Nea Anchialos, which faced significant challenges from a fire two years ago. Thanks to state support, it has now fully recovered, producing excellent products and looking to a bright future.
The Mayor also mentioned the devastation caused by the “Daniel” storm. I have visited Thessaly many times and we’re closely cooperating with all relevant bodies. Billions of euros are being allocated to restore the damage.
Contracts for road and railway projects following “Daniel” have already been signed, and irrigation repairs are underway, with several already completed.
This significant natural disaster has reminded us of the urgent need to address the climate crisis, requiring us to build resilience as a country.
Today marks World Environment Day, highlighting our duty to safeguard our most precious resource: water management.
The Water Management Agency of Thessaly has begun operations, albeit with some delays, but is expected to ramp up its efforts. We will invest heavily in protective measures for Thessaly, including civil protection and water management initiatives. We are also investing in closed irrigation systems.
We must work together to conserve water, which is vital for the survival and prosperity of Thessaly. Let us remember this today, on World Environment Day.
After my visit here, I will head to the Volos industrial zone to tour two important investment projects that are generating jobs.
The first focuses on repairing Line 1 electric trains in Athens, scheduled to have new, fully refurbished trains by 2026. This work creates many jobs, improving transport options for residents.
Next, I will visit an innovative defense industry facility that has been involved in defense production for years. Few realize that here in Volos, significant components such as Leopard shells and the Patriot missile launch base are manufactured.
Yesterday, we saw the launch of three Belharra frigates, with all set to be delivered by 2026, and plans for a fourth frigate, “Themistocles,” are also in progress.
Our current focus is not just on purchasing weapons systems from abroad, but on ensuring that 25% of our defense production adds Greek value.
This means that the money invested in our national defense should create well-paying jobs within Greece, promoting home-grown expertise and technology that we can export.
These efforts align with our main objective: to provide better wages and more jobs for every Greek citizen.
In the last six years, we have created over 500,000 jobs, reducing unemployment from 17% to 8%. Young people taking university entrance exams now have a greater chance of finding employment without needing to leave the country. The tide has shifted from brain drain to brain gain, with more individuals returning to Greece than those emigrating.
It’s important to counter recent attempts to rewrite this progress. Consider where we were ten years ago in June 2015: banks were closed, pensioners lined outside ATMs, pensions were slashed, and our country was on the brink of bankruptcy.
We have made significant advancements, though there’s still work to do. Mistakes exist, and we will acknowledge and correct them, especially concerning OPEKEPE issues. I made a decisive move: OPEKEPE will transition to the AADE to ensure timely and honest subsidies for farmers and ranchers, eliminating fraud.
These are challenging decisions, but we will persist.
As we approach two years of governance, you have placed your trust in us to govern effectively. With two more years ahead, we aim to accelerate our efforts, and you can be confident that in 2027, the Greek citizens will reaffirm their trust in us.
Thank you for braving the heat today; it’s good to see you.
I must mention the importance of maintaining sound public finances and effectively tackling tax evasion. A month ago, I shared that our financial outcomes for last year exceeded expectations. While many European countries face austerity measures from the European Commission, we are generating surpluses.
How do we redistribute these surpluses? In addition to wage increases, we’re institutionalizing the €250 annual support payment for pensioners every November, reflecting our strong economic position.
Additionally, for renters, we announced plans to refund declared rent to all tenants, providing significant support, especially in urban areas where young families start building their futures.
The Katrougal Law is being updated, positively impacting pensions for the first time.
In September, we will present further announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair concerning the fiscal agenda for 2026.
The initiatives for renters and pensioners are not just for 2026; they are already in place for 2025, exceeding our budget forecasts.
In 2026, we will refocus on assisting those most affected, particularly the middle class. As the economy improves, the benefits should extend to pensioners, workers, and the middle class, ensuring fairness in our treatment of those who labor hard.
I sincerely thank you for being here today. Wishing you all the best with the new Health Centre, and I hope we continue to gather in such positive settings.
Take care, thank you very much.”
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