ATHENS – “The prevention of future pandemics must be our first priority,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in a video message at the CEPI World Summit on Pandemic Preparedness. “We can not afford to lose more lives. People can never experience fear and uncertainty again.”

“The previous period has transformed our lives,” Dendias stressed and added: “The need for a coordinated global reaction is more obvious than ever. The production and fair distribution of vaccines is – and should be – our main goal.”

The minister pointed out that Greece has done everything it can to contribute to this collective effort by donating more than 7 million doses, either bilaterally or through COVAX, while it has provided 3.0 million euros to strengthen the activities of COVAX.

“This is a tangible proof of Greece’s solidarity. It is also a means to build bridges and create the conditions for people to come closer.”

Dendias also referred to his recent trip to Senegal, where he visited the Dakar Pasteur Institute and was briefed on the possibilities of producing vaccines. “It simply came to our notice then. These are signs that we are moving in the right direction, but we need to do more to prepare for the future.”

The foreign minister also stressed the crucial role that CEPI plays in tackling the pandemic.

“Greece is proud to have contributed to the goals of the Coalition with a donation of 1.5 million euros,” he noted.

“We support the five-year plan of the Coalition to accelerate the development of vaccines, as well as the possibility of fair and equal access to them,” Dendias concluded.