Greek PM Addresses Wildfires, Water Crisis, and Reforms in Weekly Review

In his regular weekly review posted on Facebook on Sunday, July 27, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed a range of urgent challenges and government initiatives, with particular emphasis on the devastating wildfires sweeping across the country.

A central concern in his update was the wave of wildfires that began on Saturday, placing immense strain on Greece’s emergency response infrastructure. Mitsotakis acknowledged the magnitude of the crisis, as state services faced the daunting task of tackling multiple fires simultaneously across the nation.

He expressed deep gratitude to firefighters, volunteers, civil protection units, police, the coast guard, ambulance services, the armed forces, and local authorities for what he described as a “titanic battle” to protect lives and property.

The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to those affected, assuring citizens who have lost homes or property that state support will be provided to aid in their recovery. He also underlined the dual necessity of confronting present crises while building long-term resilience.

Within that framework, Mitsotakis highlighted two major sustainability and environmental initiatives announced earlier in the week. First, the creation of two new National Marine Parks—one in the Ionian Sea and one in the Aegean—spanning a combined 27,500 square kilometers. These parks will be the largest of their kind in the Mediterranean and among the largest in Europe, significantly advancing marine life protection.

With this move, over 35% of Greece’s territorial waters are now designated as protected, achieving the EU’s 2030 biodiversity target ahead of schedule. Additional protected areas are planned throughout the Aegean.

The second initiative focuses on long-term water security. The government has announced a sweeping reform aimed at tackling water scarcity and ensuring water resilience for the next three decades. The comprehensive plan, set to be fully presented in September, underscores water as a constitutionally protected public good.

Mitsotakis also addressed national defense reforms under the “Agenda 2030” modernization program. The plan’s second phase includes restructuring military service, increasing conscript pay, and reorganizing military bases for greater operational efficiency.

Social and educational reforms also featured prominently in the weekly update. The prime minister referred to a new digital platform, prosvasimotita.minscfa.gov.gr, which supports the “Accessibility at Home” program. The initiative provides funding for home, workplace, and communal space modifications to improve quality of life for people with disabilities.

In the education sector, the government is launching 3,448 new Integration Departments across schools nationwide. These units aim to better support students with learning and developmental difficulties, reinforcing the state’s commitment to inclusive education at all levels.

Mitsotakis also announced the legal recognition of the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai under Greek law—a long-awaited move that honors a centuries-old request and safeguards its cultural and spiritual legacy.

Source: Tovima.com