ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday took part in an online meeting of the heads of state and government in the Smart Covid-19 Management Group. According to government sources, the country leaders exchanged views on the state of the pandemic in their countries, the progress of national vaccination campaigns and the Digital Green Certificate of vaccination that will facilitate cross-border travel on a European level.

Mitsotakis presented the actions taken by Greece for a controlled and gradual resumption of economic and social activity, such as opening the retail sector using the click-away and click-in-shop methods, the reopening of the food and drinks service sectors in outdoor spaces, and the successful rollout of self-tests that has enhanced Greece's ability to identify Covid-29 cases in good time.

The prime minister expressed optimism about the coming summer, noting that many Europeans want to travel, while adding that Greece already has the experience gained during the previous summer when it received visitors from abroad with safety.

The leaders emphasised the importance of the vaccine rollout and the need to convince those that are hesitant to get vaccinated, while exchanging views on a careful reopening of activities that is underway in their respective countries.

Those participating in the meeting included Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.