“European People’s Party and New Democracy we continue strong”. With these words – and using Greek to say the word “we continue”, the president of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weberclosed the event with a theme “The Road to Recovery”co-organized by ND and ELK, in Athens.

Earlier, Mr. Weber referred to various financial figures, such as hers reducing unemployment and increasing investment.

Greece achieved a true economic miracle

In an aversion to his speech, the president of the EPP addressing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, he said: “Kyriakos, Greece achieved a true economic miracle under your leadership.”

As for the topic discussion “The role of regional and local authorities in the design and implementation of the Recovery Plan”which was held, as part of the event, interventions were made by the secretary of the Political Committee of the New Democracy, Maria Syregela, the minister of the interior, Niki Kerameos, the minister of territorial affairs, Aris Skertsos and the regional governor of Central Macedonia, the first vice-president of the European Committee of the Regions, member of the EPP in the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

“The coronavirus pandemic caused many problems and difficulties. The recovery plan started with 800 billion Kathorstiki was the contribution of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who raised the issue of European borrowing”, said, among other things, Mrs Syregela, while adding: “This plan is an important tool for all the member states. The role of the local government is also important.”

For her part, Mrs. Kerameos noted that “We have a unique opportunity, through the Recovery Fund, to take the country further. The Fund’s resources can benefit even the last corner of Greece. We need to list everyone’s responsibilities. And let’s all agree on what is the best division of responsibilities to get all the projects done.

Also, the Minister of the Interior emphasized that “there must be sound motivation and only one goal: How we will make the life of the citizen better. We are helpers in the important work carried out by the local government”.

The Minister of State, Akis Schertsosstated, among other things, that “The main thing is that in order to get money from the European Union you have to implement specific reforms and investments. Commitments undertaken by the country to make the economy more productive and the state more efficient. At the same time, however, you should not only make investments, but also reforms, because in this way the economic efficiency of the available resources increases. Since Greece became a member of the EU, tens of millions have fallen. Despite all this, however, it remained for years in a very low position in terms of indicators of economic convergence with the rest of Europe, both nationally and regionally. The proper governance of these programs, the measurement of results and a political and economic vision were missing, which we restored from 2019. We said that Greece must become a more export-oriented economy, with a better business environment and fiscal responsibility. Not to generate debts, but surpluses and to do a responsible and correct fiscal management, to follow the green transition and to integrate more renewable energy sources. All this was reflected in the actions of the Recovery Fund”.

Finally, Mr. Tzitzikostas characterized the key role of regions and municipalities, while he emphasized, among other things: “When the Recovery Fund started, they did not put regions and municipalities at the same table, but left them out. Nothing like that happened here. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the team that surrounds him, correctly decided to put the regions and municipalities in this effort.”