New projects worth 500 million euros will start very soon in the areas of Thessaly that have been affected by the catastrophic floods, funded by the Recovery Fund.

This was stated by the Deputy Minister of National Economy, Nikos Papathanasis, in response to a topical question by PASOK-KINAL MP, Pavlos Geroulanos, regarding the “Directions for the Review of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan».

“Greece is a champion in the absorption of resources in Europe. But there are resources that could not be absorbed and are coming now, and what we are primarily interested in is what resources will go to the affected areas and how much they will relieve them. Very fast works must be done there. New projects worth 500 million euros will be made in the Thessaly region, financed by the Recovery Fund“, said Mr. Papathanasis characteristically.

From his side, the MP of PASOK-KINAL, Pavlos Geroulanosspoke of “lack of information to the Parliament from the government about the exact content of the Review regarding the axes that are being abandoned, the new ones that are being added and with what amounts they will be financed, what is the additional funding for the means of fixed orbit, and where exactly will the additional five billion be directed euros in loans requested by our country».

He also emphasized that it is “completely unclear the term flexibility and elasticity“, while emphasizing the need for an immediate review of the country’s production model.

“Yes there is new money. Greece, with its request, managed to get another 795 million euros, in the framework of the program for energy use and support of energy activities”, said Mr. Papathanasis and added: “In its request, it also managed to request another five billion euros, which essentially go to businesses. Small and medium enterprises have 45% of these loans. At the same time, we requested and it will come from the Solidarity Fund, when the damages are recorded, an amount of approximately 400 million euros for the Solidarity part, within the Solidarity Fund, while there is also another amount which we will get from the European Support Program”.

He also added that “7.5 billion euros in loans have been contracted which go to the Greek economy”.

“All these efforts of the government brought the investment grade. But we have to be careful because there will be an evaluation again in October and November so we have to be firm because the investment level means that it will bring other investment activity, it will bring new jobs for young people and new ones so that they can stay in their areas“, emphasized the Deputy Minister of National Economy.

“The question that all Greek men and women have is one: Will you understand how wrong we are going in the development of the country today? How wrong is the development for the few, that ignores climate change that ignores key issues such as health and reconstruction of the countryside which was nowhere while we have huge opportunities with Greek products? You have a great opportunity. Revise the country’s production model now or spend on relief “pass” only. You have a dilemma in a nutshell. Will you buy fish again or finally learn to fish?“, objected Mr. Geroulanos for his part.

“The government, with very immediate actions, started the procedures. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after his request for a review, succeeded, through negotiation, and we received flexibility in the use of European resources so that they can be used directly for the relief of our fellow citizens. Resources that will go directly into the national economy and above all will support the effort of our country for the investment level but above all so that it can have the power to support Greek households and businesses“, replied Mr. Papathanasis and added:

“Therefore, this is what the Greek government has achieved, and much faster than any other government. We have now managed to reopen the review chapter which closed for all countries on 31 August 2023. The review is now open and we can put another 500 million euros into projects for the affected areas».

As the Deputy Minister of National Economy pointed out, “the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in essence implements approximately 30 billion resources and with this revision request it rises to the amount of 36 billion euros adding another five billion euros in resources».

He also emphasized that “to the very sensitive issues of health, a total of two billion euros will be allocated, which will go through the Public Investment Program and finance 11 actions of the Ministry of Health, 44 projects and 310 sub-projects».

“No axis was removed in the revision. What has been done is, without canceling the projects, projects that could not be accommodated until August 2026 have been transferred to the NSRF or national resources.

You realize that it would be crazy to hold on to projects that we would ultimately not be able to complete by August 2026 and thus not get the money from Europe. Therefore, what we have done is to add 250 million for fireproof zones to the Anti Nero Program program and this amount now reaches 400 million euros which also concerns the Evros and is of great importance, we are adding seismic checks for public buildings – something that it is very necessary and we need to open this debate on public buildings – we are adding a program for smart bridges, which we will look at in the context of the Review and the right that we got, and at the same time a housing program for young people of 200 million . euro“, underlined Mr. Papathanasis.

“What the country needs now is a plan and reallocation of funds. Now is the high time, after this huge disaster that the country has suffered, for the government to change its attitude. To make growth for the many and not the kind of growth that helps a few big businessmen. You have a great opportunity to review how you are doing so far. Don’t miss her“, Mr. Geroulanos emphasized for his part.