ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday paid a visit to the environment and energy ministry, where he discussed the leading position of energy policies and environmental actions in the Recovery Fund.

The prime minister highlighted the importance of the green economy in the National Recovery Plan and the growth impact of linking the environment with sustainable tourism, agricultural production and culture.

He emphasised Greece's biodiversity and said that many of the ministry's actions will aim at its protection.

"The discussion on the protection of the environment, around the transition to a zero-emissions economy is not a discussion taking place only in order to protect the one and only planet on which we live. It is also happening in order to improve the quality of life of all our fellow citizens," Mitsotakis said.

He pointed out that just over a third of the resources of the Recovery Fund were linked to actions that concern energy and the environment, while the plan drawn up has been well received in Brussels and must now be implemented with speed and efficiency.

"The environment – as we have said many times – has a significant development potential. The new jobs that will be created around the green economy are good quality positions of employment, with good pay and are jobs that will provide many new opportunities to young people, whether they are in Greece or whether they are returning to Greece from abroad," Mitsotakis said.

He pointed to encouraging signs from the electromobility market, saying the government's job was to now support the creation of an overall ecosystem for this, especially by providing charging points in cities, national highways and incentives to people to opt for zero-emission electric vehicles.

Regarding the climate crisis, he welcomed the return of the United States to the Paris Agreement under President Joe Biden, predicting that a new momentum will be formed after the Covid crisis is overcome, throught large-scale international cooperation to face the most critical issues now facing humanity.

"Greece will also play a leading role in this effort, with the environment and energy ministry as its executive arm," the premier added.