The Prime Minister called 20 August 2022 a historic day for Greece and the Greeks Kyriakos Mitsotakisnoting that in the most formal way the country is leaving the regime Extended European supervision. “Thus, a twelve-year cycle ends, which brought pain to citizens, stagnation in the economy and a split in society. In order for a new, clear horizon of development, unity and prosperity to appear for all,” he said in his message.

“Today’s developments mark the end of the Memorandums and everything that was imposed in their name: back-breaking taxes and cuts in wages and pensions. Bank checks and pledge of state property. The degradation of national defense, public education and health. But also the marginalization of Greece’s position in Europe and in the world. All this, fortunately, belongs to the past,” he stressed and added that “the wounds that have opened in the core of our society over these 12 years also belong to the past: fanaticism, fires, violence, but also tragic deaths, such as those of Marfin. Blind survey of institutions. Squares above and below, where lies grew next to the poison of the Golden Dawn. Then followed four years of demagogy that cost $100 billion and brought the country to the brink. It took hard fighting with populism to keep the country on the European path.”

He emphasized that only those who do not forget find the strength to move forward. “That is why we must learn from recent experience. From years of inter-party responsibility that led to Memorandums with losses beyond our strength. Policies that exacerbated their consequences. But also from manipulations that prevented the speedy exit from the supervision of our international partners, ”he added.

Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that “Greece today is a different Greece. This indicates high growth and a significant fall in unemployment,” while he reiterated that “the restructuring of the country was neither clear nor easy. Moreover, this was achieved against the backdrop of successive tests. He also noted that “exemption from heightened oversight means greater national freedom in our economic choice. But not a return to the mistakes that led to the painful memorial adventure.”

“August 20, 2022 is a historic day for Greece and the Greeks: in the most official way, our country is withdrawing from the enhanced European surveillance regime. Thus ends a twelve-year cycle that has brought pain to the townspeople, stagnation in the economy and a split in society. But so that a new, clear horizon of development, unity and prosperity opens up for everyone.

Today’s developments mark the end of the Memorandums and everything that was imposed in their name: back-breaking taxes and cuts in wages and pensions. Bank checks and pledge of state property. The degradation of national defense, public education and health. But also the marginalization of Greece’s position in Europe and in the world. All this, fortunately, is in the past.

The wounds that have opened in the trunk of our society over these 12 years are also in the past: fanaticism, fires, violence, but also tragic deaths, like those of Marfin. Blind survey of institutions. Squares above and below, where lies grew next to the poison of the Golden Dawn. Then followed four years of demagogy that cost $100 billion and brought the country to the brink. It took hard fighting with populism to keep the country on a European trajectory.

Only those who do not forget find the strength to move forward. That is why we must learn from recent experience. From years of inter-party responsibility that led to Memorandums with losses beyond our strength. Policies that exacerbated their consequences. But also from manipulations that prevented the speedy exit from the supervision of our international partners.

Greece today is a different Greece. It is showing strong growth and a significant decline in unemployment, which is already down 3 points from last year and 5 points from 2019. At the same time, its citizens are now exempt or exempt from many of the taxes imposed during the Stone Age. Everyone pays less dues and almost everyone pays less ENFIA. The minimum wage was increased by 63 euros. And the weakest are the targets.

I repeat that the reintegration of the country was neither easy to understand nor easy. Moreover, this was achieved against the backdrop of a series of challenges: from the invasion of migrants on the Ebro and the permanent aggression of neighbors to the global pandemic and the “explosion” of energy and inflation from the war in Ukraine. Permanent fronts, for which the state has already allocated 50 billion.

And yet, in an unstable world, our country is moving confidently, consistently and effectively. Strengthening our armed forces with modern means and our diplomacy with dynamic initiatives. Put public education and health care on a new footing. Increasing collective income due to the rapid development of the economy. Turn Greece into a vast construction site with hundreds of large and small projects. And digitize the state to such an extent that we forget what our life was like before gov.gr.

Relief from heightened oversight means greater leeway at the national level over our economic choices. But not a return to the mistakes that led to the painful adventure of memory. After all, what I mentioned above is due precisely to a balanced policy that exhausts the fiscal space, but does not deplete it. Measured measures that increase the overall wealth for the benefit of the whole society.

We move forward without forgetting. Because we now know that lower taxes lead to growth and investment in new jobs. We know that Europe has the appearance not only of control, but also of solidarity, strengthening the position of the country. And finally, economic independence goes hand in hand with national independence, just as the progress of the state can be translated into support and benefit for every Greek house.

Thus, the last three years in practice correspond to the lessons of the last 12 years. It shows how to never, never return to what we used to live. This forms our self-consciousness. And he urges us to go along with the weapons of truth and realistic solutions, not lies and easy denials. A course that may hide errors, but certainly will not be a wrong course!

In the previous difficult years, our people suffered a lot. But it also proved a lot. Thanks to his own sacrifices, the country quickly got back on its feet. Suffering has become a lesson in mature responsibility in our political attitudes. And when it was necessary, Greek men and women trusted the state and responsible forces and entered into an alliance with them in the face of common threats. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Tomorrow can and should be fairer, with greater opportunities for all. In order not to experience the brain drain of youth again, so that women live and work safely and with equal rights, so that the disabled and every weak person feel the care of the state, in a country of guaranteed rights and well-paid work, open education and decent health. We can do it.

Today, the government, even before the end of its first four-year term, is writing off loans for a multi-year trial. So let’s turn them into a prologue to a new exciting journey. With investment grade recovery as the first step and the National Recovery Plan as the permanent compass that will build a strong, modern and self-sustaining Greece. With stability, continuity and consistency.”