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“This morning the Chancellor Nikos Dendias met with the Secretary of State of the United States, Miguel Pompeo in Thessaloniki. They discussed issues bilateral, regional and international interest with emphasis on the strategic dialogue between Greece and the US, cooperation in defense and energy matters and, of course, developments in the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean ”, underlined government spokesman Stelios Petsas, at the beginning of the briefing of political authors.
“The two ministers issued a joint statement to which I refer you,” he added. He continued: “This afternoon the US Secretary of State will speak at a business conference on energy. He will then go to Chania where he will be received by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at his paternal home. “The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State of the United States will have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics related to developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, defense, security and investment, while tomorrow, among other things, they will visit the American base in Souda “.
He also said that “the visit of the United States Secretary of State, the second visit In just one year, it reflects the key role played by Thessaloniki as a development center for the Balkans and Souda for geostrategic planning in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. “
Petsas also highlighted the visit of the United States Secretary of State, M. Pompeo, who “underlines the strategic relationship revived and highlights the special weight of Greece as a factor of stability and security in the region in general “.
“Our country is better ahead of the pandemic”
Referring to the events on the front of the pandemic, the government spokesman noted that “in recent weeks the pandemic has been increasing in many countries. Greece, thanks to the measures that have been taken so far and thanks to individual responsibility and the collective maturity that the great majority of Greeks have shown and continue to show, presents stabilization in daily cases coronavirus “.
He added that “in last week’s update, it was noted that the comparison with other European countries, with a similar population, shows that our country still manages to cope better with the pandemic than many other countries, both in number of cases and in number of deaths. This can be seen, for example, in yesterday’s statistics published around the world on coronavirus. Specifically, Holland had 2,995 new cases of coronavirus and 8 deaths, Belgium 1,827 cases and 5 deaths, Portugal 665 cases and 9 deaths, while Greece 218 cases and 3 deaths ”.
Mr. Petsas stressed, however, that “the better epidemiological picture in Greece should not lead to complacency, but to surveillance and efforts to improve it. As the pandemic evolves dynamically, so does our strategy against coronavirus. We are already facing a significant increase in cases, but also in intubated cases, especially in Attica and more specifically in the center of Athens. EODYY teams have already started inspections in the neighborhoods of Athens with an epidemiological burden and will continue their work in the coming days.
At the same time, the government is moving use of quarantined hotels In order to receive, with the necessary medical care, citizens, mainly foreigners, who have been infected by the virus, are asymptomatic, but are hospitalized. The transfer of the first of them to a quarantined hotel already begins today, a fact that will release many COVID-19 single beds in a few days. Thus, hospitals will be decongested and the spread of the virus in the community will take hold.
In addition, we are preparing to deal with seasonal viruses, especially influenza, which are expected to affect the healthcare system in the coming months. “
He added that “as of October 15, the vaccination for the flu. It is recalled that in 2018 just over 2 million vaccines were administered. In 2019, after a relevant campaign, more than 3 million were made. This year, 4.2 million vaccines were ordered. Announcements for the vaccination program will be made at 2:00 p.m. by the political direction of the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, the effort to strengthen the NSS continues to resist any pressure from the “double threat”, the coronavirus and the flu. In October the National Health System will acquire another 67 ICU beds from donations, while from December they will begin to 174 ICU beds are added and MAF from the large donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation “.
The government spokesperson made a special reference to the “Joint Ministerial Decision” according to which, in case there are not enough beds in public structures, nursing beds and ICU beds can be made available in private clinics and clinics. . It is emphasized that patients who will be transferred to private ICUs are not charged medical fees and participation in hospitalizations ”.
He stressed: “We know that the battle is difficult. But we can win it. The government is closely monitoring developments and taking the necessary measures for each moment and each region. It goes without saying, however, that no measure can be effective if not it is followed by all. And that is the bet now. “
He clarified that there is no provision imposing a special measure for the age group over 65 years of age.
Measures for victims
In terms of support for those affected by JanosMr. Petsas stated that according to the provisions of the YPOIK bill, among others:
– It is granted one-time grant to affected individuals or legal entities for an amount of 5,000 euros for individuals per dwelling and 8,000 euros per affected business.
– Is given extent of payment of certified debts to the tax administration.
– The deadlines for payment of certificates at the Tax Offices and Debt Control Centers that expire or expire from 9/18/2020 to 3/18/2021. At the same time, for the same period, the collection of overdue debts with the tax administration of the natural and legal persons who have their main residence or establishment in these areas is suspended.
– Suspended until September 30, 2021 any enforcement action on the movable or immovable property of natural or legal persons.
– Businesses and employers affected by Janos, regardless of industry and business activity, have the opportunity to suspend the employment contracts of part or all of their employees, until the damage caused is repaired, but not beyond three months. Employees, whose employment contract is suspended, are entitled to special-purpose compensation, amounting to 534 euros, as well as part of the Christmas gifts.
It is observed that the same bill includes provisions of universal force such as:
– The extension until April 30, 2021 of the reduction in VAT rates. for transportation, coffee and drinks in the restaurant, movie tickets, theater performances and concerts, as well as in the tour package.
– The suspension, for one year, and specifically from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, of the imposition of the rate on pay TV.
The bill also provides for the conditional deduction of advertising expenses from the gross income of companies, increased by 100% for fiscal year 2020 and by 60% for fiscal year 2021.
These are over-depreciations that, according to studies, are expected to help stimulate consumer demand and spending, increase billing and support small and medium-sized businesses, avoid locks and preserve jobs.
Cabinet on Wednesday
Closing the briefing of the political authors, the government representative St. Petsas referred to the prime minister’s program, noting:
“The prime minister will travel tonight to Crete, where for two days he will receive the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Pompeo, in his paternal home and they will have discussions on topics of common interest.”
On Wednesday at 12:00 noon the Cabinet. In the evening, the prime minister will attend a ceremony to illuminate it Acropolis, in which their counterparts from other European countries will participate.
On Thursday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to Brussels to participate in the work of the Extraordinary European Council on EU foreign affairs. including Euro-Turkish relations “.
