Response to the proposals of PASOK and SYRIZA- New Left to set up a preliminary committee on the OPECEPE case was given by Deputy Minister of Rural Development Lefteris Avgenakis, referring to “indefiniteness”, “generalizations” and “lack of data”.

Mr Avgenakis attributed the movements of the opposition parties to “small -party exploitation” and pointed out that “nothing has committed” in the performance of his duties.

Referring to the former president of OPEKEPE, Evangelos Simandrakos, he noted that the reference to 6,000 “committed” VAT is inaccurate, as the actual number is 16,560. He also stressed that the owners of the VAT IDs are farmers and farmers with families who should not remain hostage if they meet the conditions.

The deputy minister welcomed the New Democracy’s proposal to set up an Inquiry Committee that would investigate the case in depth from 1998 until today, while reserved to present complete details during the debate in the House of Representatives.

In detail his answer

“I carefully read the two proposals of the PASOK and SYRIZA opposition parties – New Left to set up a preliminary committee.

From their simple and only bona fide reading, one immediately finds the uncertainty, the easy generalization and the absence of evidence of evidence of a criminal offense.

I find that the need for a small party exploitation of the OPEKEPE issue prevents them from recognizing that I have not committed in the performance of my duties.

It is noteworthy that they are constantly relying on former OPEKEP president Evangelos Simandrakos, who claims to be pressured to release 6,000 “committed” VAT IDs while the actual number was 16,560 VAT.

The VAT IDs are not mere numbers but farmers, farmers with families, who, after being checked (as the OPECEPE administration, should not remain hostage, to be paid if they are legally entitled to it or to be brought to justice.

The New Democracy is rightly proposing the establishment of an Inquiry Committee to investigate all aspects of the issue from 1998 until today, with the aim of seeking the truth and resolving the organization.

I reserve to expose detailed evidence and facts during the debate in the plenary session. “