In the course of the major projects, issues concerning the railway network, the FlyOver and electrification were mentioned by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, at the 9th Delphi Economic Forum. According to what was stated by Mr. Staikouras, who also sent a message to continue the FlyOver, the E65 highway will be delivered in the next two weeks. Also, the operation of the Thessaloniki metro is now a matter of months.

In particular, regarding the image of the major projects that are underway, the minister recalled that “at the end of January, we handed over a major axis, Aktio-Ambrakia” and added: “It was a government commitment that was carried out and the inauguration took place in the presence of prime minister. It follows in the next two weeks the E65, which will be delivered in its entirety up to Kalambaka, and the metro in Thessaloniki, which will be delivered in November 2024. We prove our credibility in what we say. In addition, the Patras-Pyrgos highway will also be completed in the summer of 2025, with approximately 80% of the project completed by the end of 2024. I have therefore spoken to you about 4 major projects which, to a large extent, will be completed in 2024. Next to the major projects there are also many smaller projects, which are successively delivered to the Greek society and which help a lot in the everyday life of the citizen, such as for example the pedestrian bridge in Caress”.

Regarding the timely implementation of the projects, Mr. Staikouras pointed out that important steps have been taken.

Regarding the issues that arise while waiting for the final decision of the Council of Ministers on the FlyOver in Thessaloniki, the minister said that “we must deal with them by fully respecting the right that citizens have to appeal, as well as any decisions of the Greek Justice. Therefore, we are better preparing the file, which we will support in the next period of time covering as a State the anxieties and concerns expressed by the decision of the CoE”.

Referring to the OSE, the minister pointed out: “In the next two years we will complete the creation process of a new railway operator, under which ERGOSE and an important part of GIAOSE will be located. In addition, we have submitted important requests to the European Commission in order to obtain the necessary resources for the upgrade of the Greek railway, as well as its expansion, making use of the European corridorsso that Greece becomes a logistic hub springboard its ports which are a huge comparative advantage in combination with their connection to the railway network”.

“Therefore, we must make use of IdomeniPromachona and Ormenio which are the borders of Greece, in terms of the railway network and our connection with Europe, and to secure more resources – not only at the national level – for its upgrade”, said the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.

Regarding urban transport, Mr. Staikouras pointed out that 250 electric buses will run on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki in the coming weeks, in which 300 natural gas buses will be added to the Athens fleet, 12 and 18 meters, until the end of 2025. In addition, “we are launching a tender for another 750 buses in order to upgrade the service to the citizens”.

Regarding electrification, Mr. Staikouras pointed out that we have 4 programs that are running at the moment. “Moving Electric 2” for I.X. vehicles, a program for taxis, “Charging Everywhere” to boost charging stations, as well as a smaller, “but extremely interesting” program in Astypalaia to make all travel by electric vehicles.