By Penelope Galliou
Political confrontation with “ping pong” announcements between SYRIZA and ΝΔ and shots from both sides, sparked his visit Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis at his invitation Prince Charles of Walesin the mansion Dumfries Housein Scotland.
During the visit, the Prime Minister took a tour of the historic building and the estate, which has been managed by The Prince’s Foundation since 2007, significant restoration projects in order to preserve the important cultural heritage of the area.
At the center of the meeting with Prince Charles, who once again expresses his interest in Greece, was the holistic strategy implemented by the Prince Foundation for the restoration of the Dumfries mansion and the surrounding estate, the development of teachers , environmental and cultural activities and the promotion of the estate in “Green” landmark which is open to the public throughout the year and offers jobs in the local community.
The confrontation with SYRIZA
The visit of the Prime Minister and the search from the Greek side for ideas on how to develop the Dumfries House for future development of the Tatoi estateprovoked a storm of reactions in the opposition and a war of announcements between SYRIZA and ND.
SYRIZA also raised this issue, in a matter of fierce controversy and with its announcement characterized as “maximum insult to citizens” the acquisition of know-how for the exploitation of the royal estates, pointing out to the Prime Minister that “it would be good to realize that he must act, both at home and abroad, as elected Prime Minister and not as Chief of Staff of GlücksburgThe announcement of the Official Opposition party also refers to the dispute between the Greek state and the former royal family and adds: “Tatoi is the property of the Greek people, who for this reason paid gross compensation to the former royal family, which -as is well known- he had appealed to the European Court against Greece. “The new” unfair “of the Mitsotakis family will not be left unanswered by Greek women and men whenever it dares to set up polls.”
A rebuke that ND hastened to respond with its own announcement accusing SYRIZA of lies and hypocrisy and recalling: “When Mr. Tsipras received Prince Charles in Athens in 2018, he was talking about a ‘landmark visit.’ he takes them seriously. “
A second round of announcements followed with SYRIZA insisting that “The current leadership of ND has reaffirmed that its attachment to Glücksburg is timeless and unwavering” and ND responds that “It takes a great deal of ridiculousness to try to connect the development of the Tatoi estate, to be a place of recreation for the citizens, with a state issue that was finally resolved on the initiative of the founder of New Democracy K. Karamanlis in 1974. SYRIZA proves once again that its ridiculous reserves are inexhaustible ».
Opposing the initiative of the Prime Minister was the KKE which recommended: “if Mr. Mitsotakis really wanted ideas for the Tatoi estate, he did not need to look for them in Scotland and in meetings with princes. years claim the development of the land for the benefit of the people of the whole Basin, along with the restoration and protection of the adjacent forest.All others refer to business exploitation.
The development of Dumfries House
The development of Dumfries House is impressive and constitutes typical example of rebirthguided by cultural heritage.
Dumfries House, is managed by the Prince of Wales Foundation with form of social offer. This means that after its restoration it was returned to the public and many jobs were created.
The house and the estate are listed as important aspects of the Scottish heritage and are now a self-sufficient business, managing to be a magnet for visitors, offering services and providing places for hospitality and events. It also hosts many separate educational centers, which students can visit to learn about topics ranging from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), to agriculture. With an emphasis on connecting with nature, the Prince Foundation welcomes thousands of students to Dumfries each year, offering programs that focus on respect for the natural environment, including lessons in sustainability, food production and gardening.
Tatoi projects and investments
THE government representative During the press conference, he referred to the Prime Minister’s visit to Scotland and referred to the plan and actions that have already been launched by the government for the restoration and promotion of the former Royal Estate of Tatoi. “The budget of the projects executed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in the former Royal Estate of Tatoiou amounts to 75 million euros and comes from various resources from the NSRF, the Recovery Fund and private sponsorships” he said and added “the projects are in development and the time horizon for their implementation is December 31, 2025. For the museological studies, memoranda of cooperation have been signed with the most specialized bodies and with scientists “.
Regarding the issue of uses of the buildings which was a field of controversy for many years between the stakeholders, as Mr. Economou said was resolved with absolute consensus, while in terms of determining the uses “was based on the desired uses of specific buildings and based on the feasibility study It was approved in January 2021. The State restores and manages 32 buildings, while 22 buildings will be given to private investors for development “, he noted.
In addition, buildings leased to private investors for specific uses should have about the same reciprocal equivalent observed and announced that “the establishment of a Special Purpose Company is being prepared to issue the announcements for the individuals. Tatoiou in the form of NPID with the participation in its Administration of representatives of the State, of the Civil Society, but also of individuals “.
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