ATHENS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Greece's government presented on Thursday a three-month package of support measures worth 1.1 billion euros (1.2 billion U.S. dollars) to help households and businesses cope with the energy crisis.
"The measures we are announcing today exceed one billion euros and are addressed to 3.2 million citizens," government spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou told journalists.
The total amount of government interventions to support Greek society now stands at four billion euros, he said.
The new package of support measures will include power bill subsidies and a fuel rebate of 22 eurocents per liter for consumption up to 60 liters per month for those with an annual income of up to 30,000 euros.
Taxi drivers, low-income pensioners, and disabled and uninsured elderly people will receive a one-off allowance of 200 euros in April.
The government will also support farmers and stockbreeders by reducing taxes on fertilizers and animal feed.
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated his call for comprehensive policies to address the current challenge on European Union (EU) level.
"For Greece, this test will become another opportunity to overcome our weaknesses and do better," he said. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar) ■
