What does the Deputy Minister of Foreign Minister say about the Tempe case and PASOK’s proposal and the government’s goal in the next election
“Every place is unique,” in other words, every corner of our country is unique, the Deputy Minister points out by the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgisin his interview with the Athens -Macedonian News Agency.
In his opinion, our interlocutor is actively involved in drawing up the national strategy for regional and local development. Together with the government and local government, they co-amate about the national strategy, which, he notes, is inherently interconnected with the new multi-year budgetary framework 2028-2034. Referring to the new national challenges, climate crisis, demographic, spatial planning, etc., the Deputy Minister than the Prime Minister focuses more on water management: “Water, drinking and irrigation, adequacy and joint management is the next national issue.”he points out and adds that “the government is processing and proceeding with a comprehensive planning for water management”.
In his interview with RES-EIA, Th. Kontogeorgis also speaks also For the Tempe case and PASOK’s proposal for the government’s goal in the next election, finally, for the so -called systemic and anti -systemic parties.
Following is the entire interview of Mr Kontogeorgis, at the Athens -Macedonian News Agency and Nikos Papadimitriou:
Q: Mr Minister, in the 1980s there was a broadcast on public television, entitled “Greece is not just Athens”. You have done this … Act in recent months, with your visits to every corner of the country. What impressions have you got? Where does the Greek region hurt, but also what prospects are there?
A: Every place, Mr. Papadimitriou, who visits and work together with the representatives of society and the economy, inspires us. And, of course, there are elements that concern -and very much, in some cases. But if I had to concentrate a little bit of the thought that monopolizes our action, in relation to all this, is: Greece. But, notice, not half Greece, not a part of it. I would say, Greece in its entirety, its fullness, the perfection that can characterize it. And, it is precisely this thought, which obliges us to do for every corner of our country which is right and fair. Strengthening and defending a fundamental right: the right of every citizen, as long as he wishes, to remain in the place where he was born. There he feel and have the same opportunities to create and say that he did. On this route, obviously the challenges are enough. There are local issues and time. Or, other issues that stagnate and which are in need of immediate treatment -as we try to do. But there are also some issues that I would describe nationally. That do not fit colors. Such as water management and climate crisis, such as demographic, such as spatial planning, concern, care and policies for mountainous, remote and island areas. So we go on this axis and our goal is to have a comprehensive strategy over time for every area but, of course, the issues I have mentioned.
Q: In the last meeting of the Government Economic Policy Council we learn that you have suggested the interconnection of the new perennial fiscal framework with the national strategy for regional and local development. What do the inhabitants of the countryside expect, and with what timetable?
A: The National Strategy for Regional and Local Development, now co-ordinated with the first and second grade local government, is inherently interconnected with the new perennial fiscal framework 2028-2034, as they share common principles and goals. Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion is a prerequisite for a harmoniously developed, united, competitive and durable European Union.
Cohesion policy must remain a key priority and enhance, as it is a driving force for convergence, durability and competitiveness. Our country is facing particular challenges that coincide with some of the key EU priorities. Defense and security, migration and border management, water management and climate crisis, demographic and housing. They therefore imply additional investment needs that are pushing our limited national fiscal space. Every euro of cohesion funds is valuable.
The inhabitants of the countryside will be the central beneficiaries of this approach, as we work to ensure that they receive the support they need as a key component of European lifestyle. As highlighted by the consultation we do, each place is unique and will benefit differently, as it is a targeted addressing the challenges and obstacles of each region but at the same time implementing horizontal policies. For example, the priority is water management and climate change resistance – critical areas for the viability of the countryside and areas affected by water scarcity.
And at this point, Mr. Papadimitriou, let me emphasize the following. Water, drinking and irrigation, adequacy and joint management is the next national issue. It will determine the conditions for the development and development of our country and especially the Greek region in direct relevance to the primary sector. The government is processing and proceeding with a comprehensive planning for water management, administrative organization and governance, prioritizing infrastructure and, of course, leverage the resources necessary for each aqueous district of the country, while there are already significant interventions in this area in Thessaly, Crete and others. But I want to be clear. In this design, national with local authorities are planning and implementing together. Resources and priorities will be harmonized. Water management and adequacy, the impact on the economy and society, and of course the association of infrastructure with the necessary flood protection that needs to exist due to climate crisis, have no “color”, are not offered for barren controversy, local competitions and arrangements.
Q: Last week, the opposition’s proposal for ministerial responsibilities in the Tempe case dominated the political scene. In its criticism, the ND argues that PASOK of Mr. Androulakis seems to have envied, as he says, SYRIZA and the doctrine of Polakis, as well as Papagelopoulos’ practices. Could your party work with this PASOK if the political arithmetic of the next national elections required it?
A: Our lineup has been in a timely attitude of authorities, clearly distinguishing policies from criminal responsibilities. The proposal made to investigate severe offenses against former ministers and deputy ministers is showing weaknesses. What public opinion is gaining is that the opposition has been trapped to serve its own exaggeration rhetoric, which drives it into an increasingly simplistic impression attitude, not without danger. Tactics need to be abandoned reminiscent of the most problematic lines of the political life of the place. It is necessary to produce all of us to reveal the truth with soberness, rather than adopting the theories.
The prime minister has said that the one -party governments provide stability and effective governance. The government will enter the battle of the next national elections with this goal and with full projects and a clear plan for the country after 2027, which we believe will be positively valued by citizens. In terms of future partnerships, citizens will determine the correlations. It is our firm position that the national interest is in the past and that it is in the interest of the country to have an essential opposition. Therefore, we remain open to dialogue, but with a prerequisite for respecting the institutions and political responsibility we all have to display.
Q: In your recent interview, in a question about Freedom Freedom, you said it is a profit for the government and the country to have a serious opposition. Is the government worried about a climate revival 2012 – 2015? Does the poll increase in rates considered as anti -systemic parties is not an indirect assumption that systemic parties, so the ND, did something wrong?
A: Indeed, I have mentioned the value of a serious opposition to the functioning of our Republic. This is my firm position and is not related to specific political circumstances.
As for your question, it is necessary to make a basic separation: today’s political reality is virtually different from that of the 2012-2015 period. Then we experienced the culmination of an unprecedented economic crisis that was spread throughout society, with faults in the social fabric. At that time it produced a specific climate and rhetoric. Today, despite the challenges we face and the problems that are admittedly exist, we are moving into a path of growth and stability – a fact perceived by everyone, even by the ideological criticism.
The rise of political forces that identify themselves as “anti -systemic” is a phenomenon that is internationally observed, not only in Greece. We watch her carefully, especially when she attempts to offend democratic functions. It reminds us of our responsibility to listen to the needs and concerns of the citizens, to coordinate with them and to explain with popularity but not populism the political priorities and results of our policies.
I do not think that the poll reinforcement of certain parties is a linear “condemnation” of others. I do not interpret politics as a game of zero sum but as a constant dialogue and adaptation to the new data. Nor do I ignore that every government has a deterioration that it has to recognize.
We focus on the production of meaningful project, the solving of chronic problems, and the implementation of our commitments so that every region of Greece will gradually become viable and prosperous. And, since the elections are the “mother” of polls, we expect these citizens to evaluate our work, beyond populism and artificial tensions. I trust and respect the crisis of the Greek people. Democracy has proven its resistance to much more difficult conditions.