Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed the gratitude of the Greek people for the invaluable work carried out at Mount Athos during his two-day visit to the Athonite State. He announced a financial aid package of €100 million from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESPA) to support the Holy Mountain.
Speaking with deep respect and emotion, Mitsotakis stated, ‘It is with great joy that I meet you again in the heart of Athonite monasticism. I express the gratitude of our people for the immense work you carry out. This is a place I have visited many times as a citizen, as a party leader, and now as Prime Minister. In a world that often seems to lose its direction, Mount Athos serves as a moral compass. For us Greeks, it has always been a place of inner peace, reflection, and hope.’
He continued, ‘I bring a message not only as Prime Minister but also as a simple pilgrim: significant financial support for the Holy Mountain amounting to €100 million euros until 2030. This funding will assist in the restoration of monasteries after recent earthquakes, the preservation of cultural treasures, and addressing modern challenges such as regional security and electrical interconnection. The government will stand by you, just as we stand by all Christians in the Middle East who face difficult trials. Supporting the spirituality offered by the Garden of the Mother of God is not only a duty—it is also a personal need,’ he concluded.