Greece’s prime minister puts the Türkiye–Libya memorandum and deterrence at the centre of his Sunday review, alongside fuel subsidies, cheaper agricultural diesel, home renovation grants and the new frigate Nearchos.
“The illegal Türkiye–Libya memorandum cannot erase the rights of our islands.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis opens his Sunday review of November 1 with a clear message on defending Greece’s sovereign rights, linking foreign policy and military deterrence with citizens’ security and the country’s economic prospects.
Returning from New York, where he chaired the United Nations Security Council meeting on maritime security, the prime minister presents Greece’s international engagement as a foundation for stability at home.
His post also covers support for households and farmers, checks on state investment aid, marine protection and the strengthening of the Hellenic Navy.
“Behind the lines on maps are people”
Revisiting his intervention at the UN, Mitsotakis places particular emphasis on the communities living on Greece’s islands.
“For a country like ours, with Greece’s history and geography, peace and respect for international law are prerequisites for making progress and planning our lives with confidence and opportunity,” he writes.
On the Türkiye–Libya memorandum, he stresses:
“Behind the lines on maps are people, living communities, history and a future. Our responsibility is to defend them with consistency, strong deterrent capabilities, alliances and well-founded arguments, always on the basis of international law.”
The passage brings together the principal elements of the government’s approach: international partnerships, stronger defence capabilities and diplomatic engagement, while keeping channels of communication open.
“With confidence, without grandstanding. With determination, without closing the door to dialogue,” he adds.
Fuel subsidies extended until November 15
Turning to household costs, Mitsotakis says fuel subsidies are being extended until November 15.
He lists support of 20 euro cents per litre for heating oil, 15 cents for diesel and 10 cents for petrol.
The measures address spending that directly affects household budgets, transport and business operations, as demand for heating increases with the arrival of November.
Agricultural diesel: Relief directly at the pump
The prime minister highlights the new agricultural diesel purchasing system, which, according to his post, takes effect on November 1.
“From today, our farmers can buy cheaper diesel directly at the pump, without waiting for a tax refund,” he says.
The benefit reaches 50.84 euro cents per litre, using a digital voucher issued through the Independent Authority for Public Revenue’s myDiesel application. Eligible quantities are also increasing by 50% compared with last year.
The practical change concerns farmers’ cash flow: relief is applied at the time of purchase, reducing the need to pay the tax upfront and wait for reimbursement.
Mitsotakis also refers to a political agreement on the new Common Agricultural Policy, highlighting greater support for young and small-scale producers and more flexibility for Greece’s agricultural needs. He notes, however, that negotiations over funding are continuing.
Home renovation grants covering up to 95%
On housing, he announces the opening of applications for the Home Renovation programme, aimed at low- and middle-income households.
According to the figures he provides, subsidies cover 70% to 95% of eligible costs, with support reaching €36,000, plus up to €2,500 for supporting services.
The first phase concerns vacant properties, allowing them to return to use either by their owners or through rental. A subsequent phase is intended to include occupied homes.
Applications are submitted through anakainisi.tee.gov.gr until January 11, 2027, after a Property Eligibility Certificate has first been secured, the prime minister explains.
More than €323 million linked to unfinished investments
The review also outlines the results of Development Ministry checks covering 572 investment projects.
Mitsotakis says more than €323 million in state aid is being recovered following the removal of 141 unfinished projects from the support framework established under the 2016 Development Law.
Checks are also continuing into projects covered by earlier development laws.
The reference emphasises the need to monitor public funding and recover aid when investment commitments are not fulfilled.
Marine parks and protection for Gyaros
On environmental policy, the prime minister sets out the next steps for Greece’s new marine parks.
Following the submission to the Council of State of the presidential decree for the Southern Cyclades National Marine Park, he says the Special Environmental Study has been approved for 22 Natura 2000 sites in the Ionian Sea, stretching from Othonoi and Corfu to Zakynthos and the Strofades.
The next step is a presidential decree establishing protection rules while taking local communities’ needs into account.
The objective remains to protect more than 30% of Greek seas before 2030. Meanwhile, the Gyaros Management Plan is entering implementation, with measures covering marine life, the Mediterranean monk seal and managed access to the island.
Medical evacuations and workplace protection
Mitsotakis also discusses work to restore the operation of helipads on Erikoussa and Othonoi, in the Diapontian Islands.
On Erikoussa, 80% of the work has been completed, he says, while improvements are continuing on Othonoi.
“For the residents of these small frontier islands, a functioning helipad means greater security and, above all, the possibility of an immediate medical evacuation when every minute counts,” he stresses.
On workplace safety, he presents a new presidential decree introducing stricter limits on exposure to hazardous chemicals.
It provides for lower permitted exposure to lead and introduces limits for diisocyanates for the first time, alongside stronger medical monitoring and digital inspection tools.
The Greek flag raised on Nearchos
The prime minister offers a particularly enthusiastic reference to the raising of the Greek flag aboard Nearchos, the Hellenic Navy’s second FDI frigate, in France on Friday.
“Nothing but pride!” he writes, adding that Formion follows in December and Themistocles subsequently.
He connects the development with the October 28 military parade in Thessaloniki and the crowds who queued to visit the frigate Kimon:
“Respect for the ‘No’ of 1940 is also expressed this way today: through a strong Greece that safeguards its borders and peace.”
Thessaloniki’s landmarks and contemporary design
The post closes with Thessaloniki and the new lighting of the White Tower, made possible by a donation from METLEN.
The Heptapyrgion and sections of the Byzantine Walls are scheduled to follow by January 2027, according to the prime minister.
He also highlights the first Design Dialogue Days, organised through the DNA Thessaloniki initiative, featuring an outdoor exhibition in Aristotelous Square and displays in 30 shop windows across the historic centre, with free admission until the following Sunday.
“Two different initiatives showing how beautifully a city can combine its history with contemporary creativity. Have a good Sunday!” Mitsotakis concludes.
Source: pagenews.gr