The development perspective of Attica as a modern European metropolitan region was the subject of the top working meeting of the Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias with the Deputy Director General of DG Regio Nicola de Michelis, which took place recently at the Regional Headquarters, in the presence of the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Athens Yannis Bratakou and other institutional bodies.

At the heart of the discussion were the implementation of major infrastructure projects throughout the Basin, the effective utilization of community resources in this direction, but also the continuation of the good cooperation of the Region with the community institutions to leverage new financial tools that will contribute to the development course of Attica.

“In the Region of Attica, we will not stop claiming the resources, for the projects that will change the quality in the daily life of the citizens, not only in the immediate future, but also for the next generations” emphasized Mr. Hardalias and added: “In these negotiations, we join as a partner with high prestige and credibility. With a clear program, clear objectives, specific timetables and a holistic strategy, we are regaining the trust of our European partners and building a new relationship on solid foundations, which is the foundation for the future of our metropolitan Region.

The Regional Governor of Attica reiterated the commitment that he will be constantly in the field for all major issues concerning the daily life of the citizens. “The Local Government, by its nature, knows better than anyone, the problems of the citizens, their anxieties, the issues that need immediate resolution and the bureaucratic delays that hold us back. The local governments throughout the country, we are the ones who daily come into contact with the common people and try to provide solutions wherever we can”, he said characteristically.

The District Governor informed Mr. Michelis for the progress of the implementation of the “Aenaon” Metropolitan Park in Falirikos Ormos, the largest and most emblematic urban regeneration project that has been implemented in Greece, which is the culmination of the efforts of the regional authority for the rapid and substantial absorption of community funds, such as he said characteristically. It is recalled that for this project, which was taken over by the new regional administration on the verge of disengagement, with the actions of Mr. Hardalia secured financing of 370 million euros from the Commission, as announced by the responsible European Commissioner Eliza Ferreira on October 29.

The reference of the Regional Governor to the planning for the implementation of 54 large anti-flood projects with guaranteed funding within the next four years in the most vulnerable parts of the Basin, with the aim of drastically reducing the risk from the consequences of the climate crisis, was special, underlining that he recently submitted to the European Committee of the Regions proposal for the creation of a European Prevention Fund to deal with the consequences of the climate crisis. “The Regions can and should be a key driver of development for all EU member states. And the Region of Attica in the coming years will be a protagonist in this direction as well” said Mr. Hardalias, expressing his thanks to the management of DG Regio for the perfect cooperation and practical contribution to the implementation of major projects in Attica.

“You thanked us for our contribution to Faliriko. Rather, we should thank you, because with your own systematic work in this program, we succeeded and had important tangible results” was the comment of Mr. Nicola de Michelis in the update on the ongoing projects in Attica.

As he underlined, it is also his belief that the European self-governing organizations need to be further involved in the planning and development of development policies, expressing the hope that the necessary institutional reforms in this direction will be carried out soon. Yes, Mr. Michelis characteristically noted that he intends to submit a proposal to DG Regio for the establishment of a working group that will deal with the metropolitan management of the major issues that concern the daily life of the European citizen, in which, as he pointed out, he will request the participation of the Attica Region as key partner, because of the challenges that its administration has successfully faced.

The meeting was attended by the President of the Regional Union of Municipalities of Attica and Mayor of Galatsi Giorgos Markopoulos, the Special Secretary of the Attica Region Elena Rapti, the Managing Director of EYDAP Haris Sahinis, the Managing Director of New Metropolitan Attica Giorgos Kormas, the Head of the Special Program Management Service “Attica” Dimitris Drossis and the Head of Unit 1 Angelos Spiliotis, the Vice-President of the Regional Research and Innovation Council of Attica – Professor of Analytical Chemistry of EKPA Nikos Thomaidis, while on behalf of DG Regio, the deputy head of the G3 Group Panagiotis Pantazatos and the service officers Eleni Banavas attended Konstantinos Niafas, Eva Kazila and Nasos Sofos.