Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, announced that between €800 million and €1 billion in payments will be distributed to farmers by the end of June, while outlining a broader action plan to support and rebuild the region of Thessaly.
Speaking at the third pre-congress conference of the ruling New Democracy party in Larissa, Hatzidakis highlighted the integration of OPEKEPE into the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) as a structural reform aimed at ensuring fairer distribution of agricultural subsidies.
According to Hatzidakis, Greece will continue to receive the same level of European funding for farm subsidies, but with a redistribution that prioritises genuine producers.
“We want to support real producers. Our answer is yes,” he said, noting that AADE will distribute up to €1 billion in payments to farmers by the end of June.
He acknowledged that delays occurred in 2025 during the transition of OPEKEPE’s responsibilities to AADE, but pointed out that a total of €3.8 billion was ultimately paid to the agriculture and livestock sectors—an increase of 13 percent compared with 2024.
Support and reconstruction in Thessaly
Hatzidakis also outlined the government’s recovery plan for Thessaly, which has faced repeated natural disasters in recent years, including the storms Storm Ianos and Storm Daniel.
He said the government had allocated approximately €2.3 billion for support and reconstruction in the region through state aid, housing assistance, and compensation mechanisms such as ELGA.
Repair works have already been completed at 106 locations on the regional road network, while projects are ongoing at more than 134 additional sites.
Meanwhile, the restoration of the main railway network damaged by Storm Daniel is progressing, with the Athens–Thessaloniki railway line expected to be fully operational by the end of summer.
Major infrastructure projects are also advancing, including the completion of the E65 Motorway and large irrigation works through public-private partnerships, such as the Yperia–Orfana irrigation network and the Tavropos dam.
Water management and agricultural reform
Hatzidakis acknowledged that more could have been done in the past on water management. However, he said the organisational structure of the Thessaly Water Management Organisation (ODYTH) has now been completed, enabling a more coordinated approach to water resources in the region.
Thessaly, along with Crete, the Aegean Islands and Athens, has been identified as one of the country’s four priority areas for water policy.
The government also plans structural reforms in the agricultural sector, including the creation of sustainable farming units through mergers or land consolidation, expanded training for farmers, and incentives for young people to enter the sector.
Hatzidakis stressed that Greek farmers must adapt to climate change and evolving market demands.
“The Greek farmer must become a modern entrepreneur,” he said.
Industry, tourism and economic outlook
Beyond agriculture, Hatzidakis outlined reforms aimed at strengthening Greece’s industrial and services sectors. A new bill from the Ministry of Development is expected in 2026 to simplify licensing procedures for industry, while the national cadastre project will also be completed.
Efforts are also underway to boost exports through initiatives supported by Enterprise Greece and Export Credit Greece.
In tourism, the government plans to finalise a new spatial planning framework and introduce a classification system for tourism facilities based on environmental criteria.
Plans also include concession agreements for smaller regional airports, including Nea Anchialos Airport, as well as the development of regional ports such as Volos Port.
EU negotiations and economic growth
Hatzidakis said these initiatives are also linked to negotiations for the European Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028–2034.
He concluded by highlighting Greece’s economic performance under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noting that the country’s growth rate currently exceeds the European Union average, alongside declining unemployment and rising bank deposits.
