The battle for relief is being won
The opposition is criticizing the action you are taking to help the fire victims. Do you believe that you have exhausted all possibilities? I believe that in such extreme cases, in conditions that stretch social cohesion to the limits, that call for humanity and solidarity, the State must be generous. The measures we have taken, and those that will follow within the context of a comprehensive reconstruction program in the affected areas, will not only relieve the suffering of our fellow human beings, will not only help local communities stand on their own feet once more, but – and this is the greatest challenge which I believe that we will rise to – they will also facilitate the strong sustainable development of these regions. Are you satisfied with the pace at which these measures are being carried out? You are well aware that I am placing special emphasis on the need to carry out these measures immediately, letting it be known to all concerned that they are urgent, and that bureaucratic obstacles must be overcome so that without delay, the State’s assistance can reach those who are in need. It appears that we are winning this battle, not as a government but as a society in general. Suffice it to say that in the two first days alone, over 20,000 people received compensation payments. That has never happened before. And I must tell you that we are trying out a new model, a new relationship between the State and its citizens. In allowing a person to obtain the payments and benefits on presentation of a simple sworn and signed statement, we are getting the message across that we trust citizens to be honest. On their part, people are seeing that the State is solving a vital problem immediately. That is something new. It is an important change, a new beginning. I must tell you that I have been particularly moved – as I believe everyone is – by the public’s response to the effort to relieve suffering and begin reconstruction. At difficult times we Greeks have always pulled together and shown our decency. This is a dual message – first of all that people are convinced that their help will be appreciated and that it will go where it is needed. They see their fellow countrymen getting immediate relief. They see that in the special Solidarity Fund we have set up are people who are respected in society and who are a guarantee that the money collected will be used in the best way possible. Secondly, such a moving response is a powerful expression of solidarity and unity. The people, once more, are showing their maturity and showing how all of the country’s political forces should be behaving, united in the face of major issues, in the only way that is effective. That is a message to which we should all be listening. Let me take this opportunity to thank our partners in the European Union and other countries who responded at once to our appeal and helped us fight the fires. Once more we have seen that the European Union, over and above anything else, is indeed built on the principles of solidarity and cooperation.
