The economic outlook and stability, incentives and the feeling of security, are among the government’s priorities for curbing the demographic issue and the return of young people who left in the previous years of the crisis, according to the brief statement of the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Sophia Zaharakisat the second East Macedonia & Thrace Forum, organized in Alexandroupolis, by City Hub Events.

Mrs. Zaharaki, in the context of the creation of the National Demographic Action Plan, noted that special emphasis will be placed on supporting regions with special demographic needs, such as the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

He also emphasized that with the exception of the South Aegean Region, Crete and Attica, which gather tourist interest, all the other regions show a decrease. In particular, he said that in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace during the last census, the ELSTAT registered 562,201 permanent residents, a number reduced by 7.6% compared to 2011. The Regional Unit of Drama shows the greatest population loss with -11.8% while the P.E. Xanthi is theoretically at a better level, as it falls by only -2.7%.

Mrs. Zaharaki, repeated that for the National Demographic Action Planwhich will be delivered to the prime minister in May, has begun an extensive consultation with local government, regions, the church, agencies and parties, as its implementation requires the maximum mobilization of political and social forces.

As he said, in the previous days he had been in Komotini, which was declared the first National Youth Capital for the current year, giving the trigger in order to give hope and optimism to the youth of the region and incentives, with the integrated political interventions, to stay in their place and avoid internal migration.

Mrs. Zaharaki, speaking about the issue of young people who left during the years of the economic crisis, said that of the 580,000, 40% have returned in recent years, as they notice that their country now has an economic perspective and stability. As he noted, the Ministry of Finance has given tax incentives, the Ministry of Labor is developing employment programs, while there is also a demand for jobs with high qualifications and good wages, but he emphasized that even more effort is needed.

Also, the minister briefly referred to all the initiatives of the government and especially of the ministry she heads, pointing out the increase in places in nurseries, which now cover all needs, the full coverage of applications for the disabled, the expansion of KDAP, the expansion the nine-month maternity leave for both farmers and fathers, but also the recent intervention with the increase of the birth allowance for the first child from 2,000 to 2,400 euros and up to 1,500 euros.

In addition, he noted the interventions made by the government and the ministry for the housing of new families, mentioning, among other things, the “Spiti My” programs and the doubling of the “Social Housing for Vulnerable Groups” budget, as well as the Renovate-Rent “, for houses that have been closed in recent years.