For example, the deregulation of mass layoffs,
the abolition of employment protection, the tax
immunity of corporate profits and wealth, the pro-
tection of large businesses from their small and
medium-sized competitors, have in recent years
been dubbed as “reforms” in Greece. I would say,
though, that they are actually counter-reforms.
For us, social welfare is the decrease of social
inequality, the fair redistribution of wealth, every-
one’s right to a decent and stable job and, of
course, a sustainable social state.
And to this end we must utilise the country’s huge
potential. We must utilise Greece’s productive
capacity, employing all available means and set-
ting ambitious, albeit feasible targets.
I would say that it would be worth setting the year
2021 as the symbolic horizon of this strategy, the
aim of which is to fully restore Greece to normali-
ty, not only in regard to growth indicators, but also
in regard to social indicators.
And this can only be achieved through a compre-
hensive growth plan.
Which will utilise the huge potential and great
competitive advantages of our country.
Which will invest in knowledge, new technologies,
innovation, human capital, since I believe that
these are our comparative advantages.
Despite losing so much ground in all these years
of the crisis, Greece is still a country with great
capabilities, which must be put to good use.
These capabilities stem, first of all, from our geo-
graphical location, as well as our people.
Greece lies on a special geostrategic spot,
among three continents. It is by nature, I would
say, located in a key position on the global map.
Trade with Greece
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However, they have already been overtaken by
reality.
Because what we really need is not to make the
statistics look more optimistic.
What we really need is to make the prospect of
growth be felt by most of the society; to translate
it into stable and decently paid employment and
social security.
Therefore, we must open the consultation on the
next day of the economy and, I would say, the
next day of the country. And that is the purpose of
the current cabinet meeting.
Above all, we must answer the fundamental ques-
tion:
Which production model, which growth model will
we use to build the future?
The same distorted model that led us to the cri-
sis?
A growth model that was primarily based on
domestic debt and private consumption?
And was mainly characterised by a lack of trans-
parency in regard to public contracts and the tax
immunity of the financially powerful?
Obviously, we cannot wish to return to that. To
return, that is, to the year 2009.
Our goal should be convergence with developed
economies; and, of course, to improve our coun-
try’s position in the international division of labour.
This should be a standing goal.
In order, however, to achieve these goals we
need multifaceted and radical reforms.
But the Greek people, who continuously hear lots
of talk about reform, should know that not all
reforms are the same. Nor all those who use the
term “reform” mean the same thing.
