PM Mitsotakis at London investment forum: Fiscal stability, productive investments, managing skills and AI are Greece's priorities

22:53 2/12/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in the 3rd Greek Investment Conference in London, held by Morgan Stanley and the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, and held a discussion with Morgan Stanley Vice-President Luigi

Rizzo.

At his introductory statement at the event, Mitsotakis spoke of the progress of the Greek economy, which still lagged behind other countries of similar size (Ireland, Portugal). He attributed that to what he called the political world's "inability to formulate the required consensus for practical steps to modernize the country, (and) the fact that we obviously suffered needlessly during the crisis due to political choices made." The PM expressed the certainty that Greece will be able to make up the lost ground and become a truly European country, leading in sectors where it has "an inherent comparative advantage." As an example of resistance to change before its implementation he gave the newly inaugurated Thessaloniki Metro, "an image of Greece's future, a trajectory we shall remain fully focused on." Mitsotakis said it was important to win the support for change not just of the investment community and large companies, but of the majority of the Greek public, which will reap the benefits of the growth.

Workshop with Blair, Hassabis

PM Mitsotakis outlined the priorities Greece had in the coming years, which he explained: retaining fiscal stability and meeting obligations; using this stable fiscal foundation to continue focusing on productive investments, whether domestic or foreign; and managing skills and technology, while ensuring Greece is at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI). On the latter, he said he participated in a three-hour workshop with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nobel prize winner Demis Hassabis, CEO and cofounder of Google DeepMind, to better understand how to use AI to improve government policies. He also mentioned health services, noting that "health care is, on a social front, my number one priority. I believe that we are now pioneers in seeing health not just through the aspect of therapy of a disease, but through prevention. The prevention policies implemented in Greece today, in terms of preliminary checks, are truly pioneering. There are not that many European countries doing what we are doing."

Mitsotakis denied there will be an extra tax on bank profits, spoke of Greece's efforts to reduce polluting emissions, and underlined the importance of balancing green transition without destroying industry. "I believe the number one priority for the European Commission is to examine how it will reduce the energy cost for industries and consumers. There are ways we can work toward this direction," he underlined. He also spoke of climate change and its destruction, protecting water resources, and prioritizing the protection of human lives above all during extreme weather.

Regional unrest, migration

Speaking of the regional instability, including Ukraine, the Middle East and Syria in particular, and the upcoming Trump government, the premier said that Greece hoped to play a role of stability and influence in developments. The future could bring new opportunities, such as contributing to Ukraine's rebuilding, and connecting with India, a country that offers Greece the greatest opportunities. In addition, Mitsotakis reiterated the need for Europe to build its own defense and build its own defense industry.

Referring to the migration issue, he said that human traffickers should be at the core of a policy, supported by returns of migrants who do not qualify for asylum. "Returns are something that has not been achieved yet. Those whose asylum applications are rejected end up staying in Europe in one way or another, and this is a great problem," the Greek PM said. "This must be a European project. We must leverage European funds. We cannot have, for example, favorable regulations with countries and not use the leverage we have to tell them they have to accept returns." Europe also needs a better and more ambitious agenda on legal migration and working visas, with countries like Egypt, India, and the Philippines, as Greece is doing.

AI and ethics

On AI, Mitsotakis said Greece had just published its strategy for AI compiled by a lsit of Greek specialists and AI from Greece and abroad. What Greece can offer is a large number of AI specialists and innovators abroad who would want to get involved with what is happening back in Greece, where there is an emerging ecosystem of AI tartup businesses and state support, including a digital transformation ministry. "We are claiming one of seven 'AI factories' positions" as a country, the Greek premier said, adding that Greece is building its first Greek supercomputer and has issued tenders that will give it access to key European funding for AI.

"I believe that from the aspect of a milder policy - but again a very important one, given our heritage - should be to become leaders in the space that bridges ethics and AI. We have this additional advantage that we can become the central focus point for such discussions, which are unbelievably interesting, not just at intellectual level, but will one day lead to regulations in terms of protecting us from the negative aspects of AI," PM Mitsotakis underlined.

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