Today, Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, convened for his first working meeting with Giorgos Pitsilis, the Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). Accompanied by Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras and General Secretary for Tax Policy Mary Psylla, Mr. Pierrakakis toured the AADE's state-of-the-art operational center, where he received updates on various initiatives from Mr. Pitsilis and the Authority’s general directors. Key topics included improved rates of tax return submissions, the ongoing organizational and digital transformation of AADE, and significant projects such as the new citizens' call center, slated to open by summer 2025.

Following the tour, an internal working session commenced with Mr. Pitsilis. In his opening remarks, Minister Pierrakakis underscored the fight against tax evasion as a top governmental priority.

“The work being accomplished at AADE is commendable. I wish to commend the Governor, Mr. Giorgos Pitsilis, and his team for their significant strides in combating tax evasion. Each day, we are winning the battle against tax evasion through a combination of human effort and advanced technological solutions. AADE employs highly trained personnel alongside cutting-edge tools, including artificial intelligence and a state-of-the-art operational center that stands as a benchmark for Greek public administration. Tax evasion is not merely a loss of revenue; it translates to lost opportunities for our country.

Mr. Governor, I understand that you are projecting 184,000 audits this year. This is a substantial action and sends a decisive message, especially to our law-abiding citizens who often feel a sense of injustice. Tax evasion erodes social equity and deprives critical resources from essential sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Last year, our efforts to reduce tax evasion—spurred by the expansion of electronic transactions and the integration of cash registers with POS systems—yielded over 2 billion euros in revenue. I can assure you that as tax evasion diminishes, so will the tax burden on our citizens. AADE is preparing to roll out several new tools in 2025, including a digital customer database and a digital delivery note. We remain committed to providing the necessary support in this endeavor.”