ATHENS — This year's Greek budget has earmarked additional funds worth 7.5 billion euros for the support of public health, workers, enterprises, unemployed, borrowers and property owners, while funds worth 5.5 billion euros will be also distributed through the Recovery Fund and React-EU, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said on Monday.

In comments made to xrimaonline.gr, Staikouras added that these were essentially the continuation of measures taken in 2020 (totaling 24 billion euros) which will be adjusted and enriched based on the needs created from decision on health protection. He noted that the state will continue supporting those really hit by the impact of the pandemic for as long as it takes.

"During the 10-month battle to deal the unprecedented crisis, the government has proven it operates timely, methodically, dynamically and efficiently to contain the impact of this great ordeal and to be reversible as fast as it can get. In this framework, we planned and activated a series of tools which spread a safety net to households and enterprises making a prudent management of fiscal sources while looking in the post-coronavirus era. We implemented support measures worth 24 billion euros in 2020 and we plan additional state funds worth 7.5 billion euros this year and funds worth 5.5 billion euros from a Recovery Fund and React-EU. This strategy, based on the National Recovery Plan which will be ready in the next few months, will allow us to overcome the financial impact of of the health crisis and to achieve the strong recovery of our economy," Staikouras said.