"A tough year has become part of the past but an even tougher year is on its way. The Greek people are paying a heavy price for decades of mismanagement and sins. For the greed and imperfections of the global economic system, for the weaknesses of Europe and for the mistakes and blithe lack of concern on the part of the country's political world, part of which I too am part of," Republic President Karolos Papoulias underlined on Friday in his New Year's message.
Papoulias stated that he shares the anguish of the people who "became poorer and sink into insecurity", adding that "I can see the dead end with which the young generation is faced inheriting a huge debt from the older generations. I feel the rage and social injustice, the collective demand for the exemplary punishment of those who became rich through illegal means and for the arrest of those responsible for the grey economy."
"The state has an obligation to impose effective regulations to force the tax dodgers to pay their dues and declare their assets," the president underlined.
He also stated that his thoughts go out to fellow citizens who are the most in need: the ill, the lonely, the indigent; stressing that the preservation of social cohesion is a must.
"Regardless of how multifaceted our problems are in our neighborhood, our country, on the European and international level, regardless of how complex needed answers are, the government should remember that social cohesion is impossible without social justice, particularly in the crisis we are going through," he pointed out.
"We should keep in mind that we are a country with history that has displayed endurance in even rougher seas. I send my heartfelt wishes to our merchant seamen traveling across the globe; to our soldiers serving on the borders; to the Diaspora Greeks, to all those who cannot be with their loved ones today. I deeply wish that 2011 will be a year with fewer trials in store for our country. I wish you all a good year," the president's message concluded.
ANA
