ΑΤΗΕΝS – The issue of vaccination of citizens, the vaccination certificate and the new Migration and Asylum Pact dominated the meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Promoting the European way of life Margaritis Schinas on Friday at the Maximos Mansion.

"Yesterday we overcame the barrier of one million doses. Greece is moving relatively faster than many European countries. But what I want to emphasise once again is the organisation of the process, its digital character and the fact that many citizens are very satisfied because they see that a relationship of trust has been built between them and the state. A very difficult mission," the prime minister noted.

"Now, of course, the question is how we will accelerate the process so that we can build a wall of immunity, which will allow us to return to our normality," Mitsotakis stressed and added: "I want to thank the Commission and the president for the fact that it has embraced the idea of a vaccination certificate, as a tool to facilitate free movement within the European Union. When we first raised this issue, we were confident that we would eventually arrive at such a solution, and I am very pleased that the Commission is openly supporting this initiative."

"Now," Mitsotakis added, "we expect the European Commission to be able to pressure all pharmaceutical companies to meet their schedules for the delivery of vaccine doses in the second quarter of 2021, when we estimate that there will be a significant increase in the rate of vaccinations."

On his part, Schinas underlined: "As a Greek Commissioner, Vice President, it is with great joy and pride that I see Greece starring in two areas of work that are crucial for the European response to the pandemic. First, the vaccinations, where yesterday I left deeply impressed by "Prometheus", by the organisation but also by the staff and the vaccinators who were full of enthusiasm for this effort. The second area is the Recovery Fund, where the Greek draft is admittedly a model for many others. And the progress that the country is making on these European work areas is very, very important."

Addressing the prime minister, the Vice President of the European Commission said: "I also note and welcome your personal interest in the certificate. We will present a proposal on March 17, which will be the first step towards a return to mobility but without in any way jeopardising the great sacrifices of Europeans over the last year. We are working on all this range of initiatives that we will be happy to discuss."