'Global vaccination is the primary goal' said the Greek Prime Minister to former Australian politician Matthias Cormann, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Following their meeting yesterday in Athens at a joint press conference, the Greek PM congratulated Cormann in his new role and reaffirmed his support for the new Secretary-General whist also acknowledging he hails from a country with a large and flourishing Greek population.
"The OECD mission is now becoming more complex, as the latest global financial crisis was followed by the coronavirus pandemic and its multifaceted consequences.
"It simply could not be a return to pre-covid situation. Global recovery must be combined with reducing inequality and increasing solidarity with the primary goal of global vaccination. And of course by stimulating work in all countries and tackling the global challenge of climate change," said Mitsotakis.
Mitsotakis also spoke of a "huge step towards a new structure in taxation that was achieved just yesterday", explaining that "Greece supported it from the beginning as a condition for sustainable development is to remain part of the wealth in the countries produced. This is a victory for Economic Diplomacy and the vision of a more balanced development that has involved more than 130 countries," he said.
In return Cormann thanked the Greek Prime Minister and acknowledged his government’s success in implementing structural reforms and in dealing with the pandemic, adding that the government in Greece has done an excellent job”.
"The OECD has very good cooperation with the Greek government. We are impressed with the results of the reforms. We are very optimistic about the course of the Greek economy.
"We believe that the Greek government has done a very good job," he said, referring to the "profound transformation of the Greek economy into a modern, digital, green economy that will give people many opportunities in the years to come." said Cormann.
Cormann served as Australia’s Minister for Finance from 2013 to 2020 and as Minister for the Public Service from 2018 to 2019 as Minister for the Public Service. He also served as Special Minister of State from 2015 to 2016, 2017 to 2018 and since 2019. Corman assumed his new role as Secretary-General of the OECD after being nominated for the role by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
WATCH THE FULL PRESSER HERE
