Brussels, 23/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Greek development minister, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, and the commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, have expressed optimism about the progress Greece has made in the absorption of structural funds. According to the Greek minister, however, achieving the European targets will involve running a marathon or even, according to the commissioner, a triathlon. A decisive meeting will take place in two months time, with the European Commission making a comprehensive assessment of the situation.
Latent projects. 2000-2006 programming period projects are still currently being finalised, with the cut-off date set for March this year. There is also a list of the 180 priority projects, reprogrammed and emphasised by the Commission a year and a half ago, as well as the 60-65 “ latent projects”, as described by Hatzidakis. Project leaders have been appointed to oversee the situation and a detailed assessment will be carried out over the next two months. This evaluation will decide whether the projects can be carried out over this programming period or whether, “we decide to stop them and use the money for something else”, explained the commissioner, who reiterated his institution's determination to provide aid whenever it is possible. The Greek minister provided assurances that, “we're working day and night to attain the Commission objectives”. Only 16 projects on the list have been completed and 100 are on track.
With regard to the four major motorway projects whose construction has been suspended, the commissioner and minister assert that progress is being made. According to Hatzidakis, construction could start up again this April. The Greek authorities are significantly increasing their meetings with Commissioners Barnier (internal market), Almunia (competition) and Kallas (transport) on this subject. According to the minister, this will involve taking action to prevent legal problems arising, particularly with regard to respect for state aid rules.
Absorption and SMEs. The optimism displayed particularly involves Greece's rate of absorption, which is now above the European average (46.25% as opposed to 44.9%) (EUROPE 10762). The commissioner asserted that payment orders have already been made for the equivalent of €3.2 billion, 87% of the objective. He declared that, “this is a great success and I really appreciate these efforts”. Aid to SMEs is now being put into practice. The European Investment Bank (EIB) recently transferred funding to a guarantee fund, which is also bolstered by structural funds for facilitating bank loans to SMEs. Hahn explained that, “the next important stage is ensuring that this funding reaches the final beneficiaries”. (MD/trans/fl)