Every corner of Greece is unique, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis said in his interview with the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) released on Sunday, during which he emphasised that water management was crucial.
An active participant in the drafting of the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development, where the government works with local government to jointly shape the National Strategy, he pointe dout that this was inherently interconnected with the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034. Referring to the upcoming, Kontogeorgis singled out water, above all: “Water, drinking and irrigation, its adequacy and common management is the next national issue.”
"The government is working on and advancing a comprehensive plan for water management,” he said in his interview with ANA-MPA, while he also referred to the case regarding the rail accident at Tempi, the government’s goal in the next elections, and finally, about the so-called "systemic and anti-systemic parties.
The following is the full interview given by Kontogeorgis to the ANA-MPA and Nikos Papadimitriou:
Q.: Minister, in the 1980s there was a show on public television, entitled, "Greece is not only Athens". You have put this into practice in recent months, with your visits to every corner of the country. What impressions have you gained? In what way are Greek regions "hurting", but also what prospects exist?
A.: Every place, Mr. Papadimitriou, where we visit and collaborate with representatives of society and the economy, inspires us. And, certainly, there are elements that are troubling - and very troubling, in some cases. If, however, I had to summarise in one word the thought that monopolises our action, in relation to all of this, it is: Greece. But, note, not half of Greece, not even a part of it. I would say Greece in its entirety, in its completeness, in the perfection that can characterise it. It is precisely this thought that obliges us to do for every corner of our country what is right and fair. Strengthening and defending a fundamental right: the right of every citizen, as long as he or she wishes, to remain in the place where they were born. There, to feel and have the same opportunities in order to create and say that they have succeeded. On this path, obviously there are several challenges. There are local issues and long-standing ones. Or else issues that have stagnated and need to be addressed immediately - and that is what we are trying to do. But there are also some issues that I would describe as national now. Where there is no room for partisanship. Issues such as water management and the climate crisis, such as demographics, such as spatial planning, care, concern and policies for mountainous, remote and island areas. Therefore, we are moving in this direction and our goal is to have an overall strategy over time for each region, but also, of course, for the issues that I mentioned to you.
Q.: At the last meeting of the Government Council for Economic Policy we learned that you proposed the interconnection of the new Multiannual Financial Framework with the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development. What can rural residents expect, and with what timetable?
A.: The National Strategy for Regional and Local Development, which is now being jointly developed with first and second-degree local government, is inherently interconnected with the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, as they share common principles and objectives. Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion is a necessary condition for a harmoniously developed, united, competitive and resilient European Union.
Cohesion policy must remain a key priority and be strengthened, as it is a driving force for convergence, resilience and competitiveness. Our country faces particular challenges that coincide with some key priorities of the EU. Defence and security, migration and border management, water management and the climate crisis, demographics and housing. This means additional investment needs that put pressure on our limited national budgetary space. Every euro of Cohesion funds is valuable.
Rural people will be key beneficiaries of this approach as we work to ensure that they receive the support they need as a key component of the European way of life. As our consultation shows, each place is unique and will benefit differently, as a targeted approach is being taken. Addressing the challenges and obstacles of each region but at the same time implementing horizontal policies. For example, a priority is water management and resilience to climate change - critical areas for the sustainability of rural areas and areas affected by water scarcity.
And at this point, Mr. Papadimitriou, allow me to emphasise the following. Water, drinking and irrigation, its adequacy and shared management is the next national issue. It will determine the conditions for the development and evolution of our country and especially the Greek regions in direct connection with the primary sector. The government is working on and advancing a comprehensive plan for water management, administrative organisation and governance, prioritisation of infrastructure and of course the leveraging of the necessary resources for each water district of the country, while significant interventions in this area are already underway in Thessaly, Crete, etc. I want to be clear, however. In this planning, the national and local authorities plan and implement together. Resources and priorities will be harmonised. The management and adequacy of water, the impact on the economy and society and, of course, the correlation of infrastructure with the necessary flood protection that needs to exist due to the climate crisis, have no “colour”, they do not lend themselves to barren confrontations, local competitions and arrangements.
Q.: Last week, the political scene was dominated by the proposal of the main opposition regarding the responsibilities of ministers in the Tempi affair. In its criticism, ND claims that Mr. Androulakis’ PASOK seems to have envied, as it states, SYRIZA and the Polakis doctrine, but also the practices of Papagelopoulos. Could your party cooperate with this PASOK, if the political arithmetic of the next national elections required it?
A.: Our party has consistently maintained a principled stance, clearly distinguishing between policies and criminal responsibilities. The proposal that was put forward for the investigation of former ministers and deputy ministers for serious offences presents weaknesses. What public opinion perceives is that the opposition has been trapped in serving its own rhetoric of exaggeration, which pushes it into an increasingly simplistic stance of sensationalism, not without risks. Tactics that are reminiscent of the most problematic lines of the country's political life need to be abandoned. The productive contribution of all of us is required to uncover the truth with sobriety, instead of recklessly adopting theories.
The prime minister has stated that single-party governments ensure stability and effective governance. The government will enter the battle of the next national elections with this goal and with a full report of work done and a clear plan for the country after 2027, which we believe will be positively evaluated by the citizens. Regarding future collaborations, the citizens will determine the correlations. Our firm position is that the national interest comes first and that it is in the interest of the country to have a substantial opposition. Therefore, we remain open to dialogue, but with the necessary condition of respect for the institutions and the political responsibility that we all must demonstrate.
Q.: In a recent interview of yours, in response to a question about Plefsi Eleftherias, you said that it benefits the government and the country to have a serious opposition. Is the government concerned about a revival of the 2012-2015 climate? Does the increase in the percentages of parties considered anti-systemic in the opinion polls not constitute an indirect admission that the systemic parties, and therefore ND, did something wrong?
A.: Indeed, I have mentioned the value of a serious opposition for the functioning of our democracy. This is my established position and is not related to specific political circumstances.
Regarding your question, it is necessary to make a basic distinction: today's political reality differs substantially from that of the period 2012-2015. At that time, we were experiencing the culmination of an unprecedented economic crisis that spread throughout society, with cracks in the social fabric. That era produced a specific climate and rhetoric. Today, despite the challenges we face and the problems that admittedly exist, we are moving on a trajectory of growth and stability - a fact understood by everyone, even by those who practice ideological criticism.
The rise of political forces that define themselves as “anti-systemic” is a phenomenon observed internationally, not only in Greece. We are following it carefully, especially when it attempts to attack democratic functions. It reminds us of our responsibility to constantly listen to the needs and concerns of citizens, to coordinate with them and to explain with simply but not with populism the political priorities and results of our policies.
I do not believe that the electoral support of certain parties constitutes a linear “condemnation” of the others. I do not interpret politics as a zero-sum game but as a continuous dialogue and adaptation to new facts. Nor do I, of course, ignore that every government has its own wear and tear that it must recognise.
We focus on producing substantial work, on solving chronic problems, and on implementing our commitments so that gradually every region of Greece becomes viable and prosperous. And, since elections are the “mother” of opinion polls, we expect citizens to evaluate our work in them, beyond populism and artificial tensions. I trust and absolutely respect the judgment of the Greek people. Our democracy has proven its resilience in much more difficult conditions.