The Prime Minister stated that he was satisfied with the opportunity given to him to communicate with Rethymno’s agencies and also with the very detailed presentation by ministers on the projects and the development course of the prefecture. As he said speaking at an event on “National Strategy for Regional and Local Development. We discuss, we decide, we move forward, together for Rethymno”: “I think it sums up the excellent level of cooperation that we have developed in Crete, between the central government, the first and second level self-government, the region, the municipalities. A cooperation that we seek to develop in every region of our country. It is the 8th regional plan that we are presenting in the country and the specificity of this process lies in three words, which I attach great importance to. Prioritization, planning and accountability’.

Prioritization as explained by the prime minister who: “it has to do with the fact that, through this live fermentation with the local communities, we also understand what are the projects that we need to propose, mature and finance. As you know very well that needs and expectations are always endless. Programming that has to do with the fact that we now know and it is worth wandering around the erga.gov.gr platform to find that, for the first time, we have as a central government in cooperation with the local government, a comprehensive repository of projects. To see who is the implementing body, what is the funding, where are they at, so that we can serve what we call accountability. But let’s also clarify between ourselves, who does what and that we speak a language of truth”.

In this way, said the prime minister, “relationships of trust, solid, are built over time and when we have such meetings that some people ask us, what about elections?” We tell them no, but the presentation of the projects, because ultimately we will be judged at the national, regional and local level in the elections”. And he made it clear that these will take place in the spring of 2027. That is why this accountability is of great importance to us, Kyriakos Mitsotakis told us, who also praised the attitude of the regional governor of Crete for the cooperation he has with both the government and all the mayors of Crete.

“We are here with an important government echelon, we are here to listen mainly to the mayors because we know the value of large projects of national scope that are very important for the island. We want to understand to understand the proposals” and as he said, as a Cretan he knows the place very well and from what he remembers he wonders what has become important and great in Crete over the years. “The Cretans know the answer best. Projects with a scope and a budget of billions, for the first time, were launched and are being implemented by the government of the New Democracy, with great effort, great effort. Projects with huge energy consumption to secure the resources from the Recovery Fund that we managed to secure 900 million and that someone negotiated and someone distributed them. Crete has significant development potential, it is the third region in the country and for years it was far behind in critical projects”.

Speaking about BOAK, the prime minister said that it is a very complex project. “At this time there are open construction sites between Chania and Hersonissos in Heraklion and in these three months we will finally sign the Chania-Heraklion-Hersonissos connection. We are talking about a project of great importance and great cost. Crete by analogy absorbs by far the largest percentage of all regions in terms of public and European resources. Not because I am Cretan and want to help my country, but because it really deserved it. He was left behind, with the responsibilities of others that I don’t want to go back to. Now we’re running to make up for lost ground.”

Speaking about the issues of road safety, the Prime Minister said that with the signing of the contract concerning Chania to Hersonissos and Chania Kissamos, there will be interventions so that, “on this old and damaged road, we can ensure almost zero fatal accidents, with the suggestions of police, about which are the most dangerous spots”.

He also made an appeal to self-government and agencies saying: “no matter what the state does, it is not possible for people, young children, to be lost from brain injuries, because they are not wearing a helmet. For God, it’s not a punitive issue, it’s not about increasing the fine or taking the motorbike. This is not possible, Greece is currently falling short of the European average in head injuries related to bicycles, because we do not wear helmets as we should. We are appealing, we will do what we have to do and I look at the mayors, especially in the mountainous massif, who are taking cars, tractors and motorbikes from young children. Back off please for God’s sake, we can’t do it all by ourselves as a central authority.”