For the scandal of OPECEPE and for the transmitted case file to the House for their Maki Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakistalked to his TV SKAI Friday morning (20/6) The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras.

“Whether it’s a scandal I think is a conversation that has been going on for a very long time. Lately, there has been a great effort to change all this data and finally find a solution to pathogens, which for many reasons have not been addressed. ” He first mentioned. “Why is the European Public Prosecutor’s deal? Because we are talking about EU interests and resources and money that the EU gives its member states. Of course, this need is created, because there were probably issues and issues in the whole process that had not been addressed in the past. “

Mr Tsiaras clarified that the issue of fines imposed on administrative failures is a completely different matter than all that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently being stated and currently presenting.

“We have to clear this. Unfortunately, in all this public debate there is some way a confusion over these two issues. The fines are a timeless omissions process that exists from the recommendation of OPEKEPE for reasons we know, such as that the pastures could not be completed, as well as on issues of control procedures, on issues that have not been effectively addressed in the past. “

“The issue of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, on the other hand, concerns something completely different: how some people may have gotten illegal money they are not entitled to. And there is the difference between these two cases. We need to understand that they are not confused. “

As for the fine, he commented that it is not imposed for the first time in Greece, as it is “ordinary practices within the EU. “

‘The flow of money for producers should not be interrupted’

At the same time, the minister also referred to the action plan For OPEKEPE. “From 11/9 of 2024 we implement a plan for OPECEPE in agreement with the Directorate -General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, trying to address all these issues that are pathogens in its operation. I think it has also been signed in its final phase the hiring of 100 people in OPECEPE. We are trying to complete the special grazing plans that have not been completed for more than 10 years“

“The prerequisite for OPEKEPE to face one of its greatest pathogens, which are the pasture maps, is to have a land registry. OPECEPE’s information system was one of the big issues. The point is that OPEKEPE at the moment with an international competition and with a contractor cooperative of companies has an essential technical adviser who can and gives answers to these issues. ”

Indeed, as he said, the government is willing to do anything for transparency, while at the same time saying that all this time there had to be steps, but due to weaknesses and overall omissions. He also stressed that the flow of money for producers should not be interrupted

“There is no risk for agricultural aid right now. It’s something that has been dealt with anyway in the past. “

“Tempi did not create the political evolution that some wanted”

Finally, in response to Nikos Androulakiswho invited him to resign from the minister, Mr. Tsiaras commented:

“Mr. Androulakis must refer to the time of the PASOK governments and must see what was happening there. He should also refer to his closest people in relation to what participation may have been on all these issues and the formation of issues. I don’t want to say anything else. We must at some point be responsible for a top issue. “

“I understand that the Tempe case did not create the political evolution that some wanted. We have serious issues to deal with ‘, ended up.