CONSTANTINE AN. TASSOULAS: Minister, happy new year. A good year for you means, in practical terms, that you have a voted budget in your hands to implement, with positively ambitious forecasts for the economy in 2026, you have a National Development Plan ahead of you. You hold the Presidency of the Eurogroup, and I believe that next Monday will be your debut as President of this important mechanism of the European Union.
I invited you to talk about the prospects for the Greek economy, about large-scale and medium-scale figures and above all about the impact of this economic development on society, the impact on citizens.
When your election to the Eurogroup was announced, I felt the need to congratulate you. This is not only a personal success, Minister, it is also a success for Greece, for the Greek people themselves, who, through their sacrifices and patience, have contributed decisively to achieving economic recovery and to aspire to achieve A Investment -Grade in 2026. And if we recall where we were a few years ago, this can certainly only be regarded as a success.
Therefore, I welcome you and wish you every success in your dual role for our country, our economy and our society.
KYRIAKOS PIERRAKAKIS: Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, Mr President. Allow me, in turn, to extend my very best wishes for 2026. Warm wishes for good health and strength, so that we may be able to rise to all the challenges that lie ahead of us.
Indeed, this coming Monday, my colleagues and I are preparing for the Eurogroup meeting, which will convene for the first time with its new composition, under the Greek Presidency.
The challenges we face at the European level primarily, are numerous. There is a series of issues which, provided that the right decisions are taken, can strengthen Europe’s leading role. From the Savings and Investments Union to the consolidation of the Single Market. All these elements, taken together, benefit all Member States — and, naturally, Greece as well.
What I can tell you is that our country, as you rightly noted, now carries increased weight and enhanced credibility when it comes to decision-making at the European level. This is a reflection of the efforts and sacrifices of the Greek people, as well as of the tangible progress achieved by the Greek economy in recent years: from the restoration of investment-grade status to the very strong growth rates we expect in 2026, as well as the rapid and substantial reduction of public debt, which has also played a decisive role.
I am therefore pleased that I will have the opportunity to brief you on all the key challenges and objectives ahead for the Greek economy in 2026 — on strengthening growth, on how we will support the disposable income of Greek citizens, and on how economic growth can meaningfully reach every household.
Let me note that the forecast based on the 2026 budget data stands at approximately 2.4%. At the same time, we have a series of important policy priorities: combating tax evasion, attracting foreign investment, and leveraging public assets.
I am thus glad to have the opportunity to inform you on all these matters, and I believe we have every reason to be optimistic about a positive year ahead.
