The delivery of the Thessaloniki metro is expected on November 30, according to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, who, as he pointed out, has already sent an invitation to all his EU colleagues.

“I have already sent an invitation to all my fellow EU Transport Ministers to be here on November 30 at the inauguration of the Thessaloniki Metro, for which nothing has changed and we are going to accurately deliver Macedonia’s asset to its citizens” , emphasized Mr. Christos Staikouras, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, during the discussion held in the framework of the Southeast Europe Connectivity Forum II, which takes place on October 22 and 23, 2024 at the Makedonia Palace Hotel.

Mr. Staikouras, referring to Thessaloniki, noted that the new transportation map will be announced in the next few days, while he emphasized that great importance is attached to the expansion of the Metro in Kalamaria progressing within the planned timetables. In fact, he underlined that during the 15 months that he has been at the head of the ministry, any commitments announced are implemented and he specifically mentioned the construction of the FlyOver.

Mr. Staikouras described the project as emblematic in which approximately 300 workers with 70 vehicles are intensively employed and although there have been unfavorable conditions in the daily life of the people of Thessaloniki, we can now say that we are in a better place, but this does not mean that we should not run with faster rates.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, answering the relevant questions of Mr. Fotis Fotinos, journalist of Metaforespress.gr, referred to the road and railway projects that are running for the interconnection of Greece with the rest of the neighboring countries.

According to Mr. Staikouras, the ministry and the government attach great importance both to the creation of new projects and to the maintenance of existing networks. In fact, he emphasized that among the projects running with priority is the new Greece-Turkey bridge, saying that “for our part, we have advanced enough and in 2025 we will be ready to proceed with its implementation”.

The minister made a special reference to the ring road of Alexandroupolis, saying that it will essentially connect the port of the city with Egnatia Odos, and by the end of 2024 we will be able to have completed half of it and complete it within the next year”.

He referred to the two PPP projects run by the ministry, which are the Drama – Amphipolis and Edessa road, for which he noted that they have a special structure in the tenders, we are in the second phase and in 2025 we aim to start them with a completion horizon of 3.5 to 4 years. Also, emphasizing the securing of funding, he mentioned the Ioannina – Kakavia road.

Regarding the railway projects, Mr. Staikouras pointed out the importance that the government attaches to the maintenance of the existing network, but also to the construction of new projects that will strengthen the country’s connectivity. He also announced that at the end of November he will meet with the Minister of Transport of North Macedonia in Belgrade, and in this meeting the Serbian and Hungarian sides will participate, highlighting the EU’s intention to develop connectivity in the region.

He also reminded that Serbia is inaugurating the connection with Hungary. Referring to the projects that are running within the Greek territory for the railway, he underlined that they are running with secured financing and amount to 11.7 billion euros. Among them is the operation of the Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli line in the next period, but without passengers.

Mr. Staikouras from the stage of the conference referred to the government’s intention to create the new OSE, which as he said will have ERGOSE under it, and by the end of 2024 the plan will be completed, while the tender for the manager for the new operator. He was also categorical, stressing that in the seven months since the planning for the new OSE has been announced, there has been no opposing opinion. He noted that in planning there is a broad concept of accountability, which for us, as he emphasized, is very important.

In terms of the railway, Mr. Staikouras noted the intention to advance the suburban train in western Thessaloniki, as, as he said, the population has grown strongly and it is necessary.