Determined to have no tolerance to phenomena mismanagement in OPECEPENor did the cover of those responsible, whatever they are responsible, said the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras, in an interview with SKAI and journalists, Vassilis Chiotis and Noti Papadopoulos.
Mr Tsiaras pointed out that the question in question comes from the past, but stressing that the need for cleansing in OPEKEPE had been recognized since the first day of taking his duties: “The first bet I set, and I said it publicly, was to resolve OPECEPE. To become a transparent, reliable organization that will manage European resources with absolute justice. And that is why we have changed management, in order to bring people with institutional burden and unacceptable prestige – even a former judicial officer. “
He noted that the previous OPECEPE administration had made significant effort, but now there was a need for a new era. “With clean solutions and complete accountability.” That is why, he added, the administration of the agency was taken over by a former judge, Nikos Salatas.
OPECEPE, according to Kostas Tsiaras, manages more than 3 billion per year, of which about 2.4 billion euros are distributed to about 660,000 beneficiaries. As he pointed out: “Any blockage of OPEKEPE would mean suspension of payment. And that would not be a political problem, but a social bomb. “
That is why – as he pointed out – it requires complete seriousness and calmness to protect both the reputation of the body and the confidence of the producers.
“We also need to protect the people who work in OPECEPE and have nothing to do with what is said. We cannot let the public debate generalize, to affect deprivations. “, emphasized.
Absolute cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Commission – “To finish with the shadows »
Mr Tsiaras stressed that there is complete cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the European Commission and in particular with the Directorate -General for Agriculture, which has approved Action Plan of the Agency.
“There is no shadow, no hidden agenda. We work together with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Everything pending must be clear. This is the question – to finish one good with the past, let’s not let anything hover, ” said and added that “Nothing was hidden under the carpet. On the contrary, we have fully opened the data, worked with the European Commission and the Public Prosecutor to clarify everything – and reach the end of this route without any pending. “
Answering the question of whether he is willing to reach the end, even if he should “fall heads”, the minister said: “Absolutely! We are obliged to proceed with complete cleansing. This is not just my decision. It is a clear command of the Prime Minister on my face: not to stay in the dark. “
“Every producer will know what he is entitled to – end in doubts”
Asked what will happen to cases where irregularities have been identified, he said the money should be returned to the Agency but stressed that the final decision would be made by Justice.
The minister reiterated his commitment to a new era of transparency in the organization. “Every producer will know what he is entitled to. How much he receives. Why. Basic reinforcement, connected, ecological shapes – everything will be clear. And there will be not a single point of dispute ‘, He stressed.
Completing the interview, Mr. Tsiaras stood in the general stake: “OPEKEPE is at a turning point. I fully understand the shock caused by recent revelations. But this is exactly the moment when we all need to show calm, seriousness and determination. Because what is at stake is the credibility of an institution-pillar for the Greek agricultural economy. “