Brussels, 24/07/2013 (Agence Europe) -European Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn once again travelled to Greece on Wednesday 24 July. During his meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Minister for Development Costis Hatzidakis the commissioner stressed that the country must continue its efforts to absorb European structural funds under the current planning period and must speed up the drafting of its national strategy for the next planning period, due to begin in 2014.
Greece has made major efforts to absorb the funds allocated to it under the cohesion policy envelope. Currently, the rate of absorption is 67.5%, well above the European average of 55.1%. However, it is vital not to spare any efforts, as the commissioner stressed, because cohesion funds can make a very real contribution to rebalancing the country's economy. In particular, attention in this matter should be paid to the list of 181 priority projects, concerning transport, the land register and waste management. Structural funds can help to fund the fight against illegal dumping, thereby helping to promote tourism and encourage investors, whilst creating jobs. It is also vital to continue the reform of the administrative system, in order to make the country more business friendly and attract investors.
Hahn also told the Greek officials that it is vital for the country to create its national plan for the forthcoming period of the cohesion funds, as quickly as possible. Many member states, he said, have already submitted their preliminary versions, which is not yet the case with Greece, and the final versions are due by the autumn.
The commissioner will return to Greece in November of this year to provide assistance with planning the forthcoming cohesion policy for 2014-2020. (MD/transl.fl)