“Another important piece of news about OPEKEPE and agricultural subsidies that proves that the knife is now going deep into the abusive practices and corruption phenomena of decades. AADE proceeded to checks in 58 KYD throughout the country, i.e. in the centers where farmers submit their applications for compensation from OPEKEPE. Audits revealed tax evasion reaching 100%! I remind you that the checks of the Economic Police have also started and already 22.6 million euros have been attributed for 1,036 violations”, says the Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis in his post on Linkedin.

As Mr. Hatzidakis writes: “We do not deny our responsibilities to OPEKEPE, but we are determined to bring order. And that is why we work every day to move OPEKEPE into an era of transparency and efficiency. That is why Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided the transition of OPEKEPE to AADE. At the same time, an action plan agreed with the Commission is being developed to ensure that the subsidies will be paid normally. While strict cross-checks are now carried out before payments.

The first payments have already been made and a total of 8 payments will be made in October. Then, the basic aid of 2025 will follow after the submission of applications and the necessary checks are completed. The Commission has made it clear, after all, that if we do not comply with European rules, we would risk suspension and new fines. This would be a development primarily detrimental to farmers!”

“We are walking a very difficult path, but we are gradually putting things in order and I believe that we will eventually win this battle as well” concludes the deputy prime minister in his post.