Good morning to everyone. Dear friends, today is a very significant day. Every day that the quality of services provided to citizens improves, is a significant day for our country’s administrative system.
The rapid development of the country’s digital restructuring, including upgrades to both infrastructure and digital tools available to citizens, has contributed to the Greek public administration now being ranked among the most digitally advanced in Europe and the world. To such an extent that our digital administration has become an exportable product.
The current and previous governments have made significant progress towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ digital upgrade.
The first and most important step, in my opinion, was the integration of a special page for Diaspora Greeks on gov.gr., so that all Greeks abroad can find the services provided at any time, schedule an appointment, and lay the groundwork for a successful interaction with their Consulate.
Furthermore, there has been a major development, in the decongestion of Consulates and the speedier processing of consular services, culminating in the digital transformation project of consular service procedures. The latter is available to the citizens and will digitally handle all consular matters, eliminating the necessity for physical presence.
Of course, this upgrade has been accompanied by a far stronger influence of Greece and Hellenism on the world stage. Our major initiative in teaching the Greek language, "sta ellinika," our main vehicle for worldwide influence, is now multilingual. Two new languages, French and German, were introduced just a few days ago, ensuring that the Greek language is now available in every Diaspora Greek home and for everyone interested in learning it.
I will spare you the tedious details regarding numerous digital tasks and upgrades we are going to carry out in the Ministry. I believe it is important today to recognize that Greece, the Greek Government, remains on the side of the Greeks, wherever they are in the world.
This is demonstrated by simple things, such as multilingual service provision, upgrade through artificial intelligence, as well as major issues of political participation.
It is a fortunate coincidence that as of today postal voting has become a state law, allowing the universal participation of all Greeks, wherever they are in the world. Of course, our major project, the national strategy for Greeks abroad, meticulously crafted by the competent Deputy Minister, Mr. Kotsiras, who is present today. It was approved yesterday by the Cabinet and will be submitted for public consultation, so that we can have the comments of all stakeholders, our Diaspora, our organisations, all those who wish to have a constant interaction with the homeland. Our goal is for the Greeks abroad strategy to bring all of Hellenism closer to the Metropolitan Center.
Today, I have the great pleasure and honour to welcome Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Papastergiou is a truly multi-faceted personality. Having served as one of the most successful mayors in the country, he focused not only on the day-to-day issues, but also on the major ones, concerning the municipality’s digital restructuring, environmental awareness, and spatial and residential environment enhancement. I have the honour to work with him especially on upgrading digital services provided to Greeks and particularly to Greeks living abroad.
Therefore, with his assistance, initiative, and help, we are presenting a programme today that, in my opinion, epitomizes the expression "the state at the service of the citizen". As you are aware, "mAigov" is an artificial intelligence system that directly interacts with citizens, answering their questions through the software’s embedded artificial intelligence. 1.658 services, integrated into "mAigov", have this type of AI interaction. Over 3,000 administrative procedures have been included into the "Mitos" project. Now, as the responsible Minister and friend, Dimitris Papastergiou, will show you, this system has become multilingual, breaking language barriers in citizen-service communication and addressing citizens’ needs abroad in real time. The service will be provided in all EU languages and Albanian.
This is a very significant day for upgrading services. We will continue to stand by our citizens, because foreign policy is not just about defending national interests in the international arena, but also about supporting Hellenism all over the world, in every corner of the earth.
Thank you very much.
January 26, 2024