“Not only did the Prime Minister know the pathogenesis of OPEKEPE, had the political courage and with many assumptions to deal with it. In the days of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 5,000 natural persons were taken to the authorities, many of whom are tried for serious offenses, and even before the European Prosecutor, “Mr Marinakis stressed, stressing the government’s decisive role in revealing and dealing with the scandal.
Shipment to justice and political costs
The government spokesman recalled that even the former president of OPEKEPE was led to the Mitsotakis government, subsidies were blocked and circuits were revealed that was discovered by the agricultural subsidy system. “It is the government that has sent a former president to justice, has sent Centers to Reception to Justice, has blocked subsidies, sent circuits,” he said characteristically, stressing that many executives have already been brought before justice.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Role of Greece
Mr Marinakis explained that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is not only investigating Greece, but in 2021 has received complaints about many EU countries. The investigation concerns systemic phenomena and not only individual incidents, while Greece, as the government assures, is working closely to clarify all cases.
The Simandrakos case and letters in Maximus
Regarding the former OPEKEPE President, Evangelos Simandrakos, Pavlos Marinakis commented that his letters that arrived at Maximus Mansion reveal a truth that is “uncomfortable for the opposition”. As he said, the confrontation between Simandrakos and the then Minister, Lefteris Avgenakis, concerned various issues, but not the VAT. The VAT IDs were led to justice and no subsidies were paid where there were signs of illegality.
Mr Semandrakou’s resignation, according to Mr Marinakis, was due to a lack of understanding with the Minister and the inability to promote the process, not to conceal.
Government’s responsibility and political message
On the issue of responsibilities, the government spokesman acknowledged that, despite the efforts of purification, as a result, the actions were not enough to eliminate all corruption phenomena. “In the scales that one goes and votes, the successes are all for legitimacy, but it is not OPEKEPE,” he honestly stressed, making a clear distinction between the organization’s long -standing pathogens and the government’s initiatives.
For the alleged involvement of Mr Voridis and Avgenakis in the case, Pavlos Marinakis pointed out that the data would be examined, while his personal assessment is that the issue is primarily political and timeless and there seems to be no criminal data. For the deputy ministers, he ruled out any involvement.
The resignations of political rather than legal reasons, the government spokesman noted, stressing that the government’s reaction was immediate.
‘Stolen’ money: Return and fines – taxpayers will not pay
For the big question of the lost and “stolen” money, Mr Marinakis said that two parallel procedures were underway: first, the fine that may be imposed by the European Union and, secondly, the search for the money that was illegally paid. He even assured that Greek taxpayers would not be called upon to pay the cost of this case, although he admitted that there is a possibility of offsetting future agricultural subsidies from Europe.
“Greece will make two moves: We will look to reduce the fine and secondly to prolong its repayment in consultation with Europe in the context of set -off, so as not to show the costs of subsidies. Certainly, Greek taxpayers will not pay for it, “the government spokesman emphasized.
Artificial Intelligence and new mechanism of VAT Audit control
Pavlos Marinakis also revealed that he has begun cooperation between AADE, financial crime, the Ministry of Rural Development and, with the help of artificial intelligence, will scan all the tax IDs that received large sums of subsidies. The government aspires to establish a constant control mechanism and an ongoing research team that will find similar pathogens in the future in time.
At present, however, the exact amount of the money lost or embezzled cannot be determined.
Gerapetritis – Happt and Greek -Turkish meeting
Referring to the meeting of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, with Khalifa Haphtar, the government spokesman stressed that the Turkish Memorandum is “invalid and non -existent”, was fully adopted by the EU, and has no legal effect. Greece, according to Mr Marinakis, remains diplomatically active, without any “isolation” at European or regional level.
The referendum and the anniversary of the referendum
Asked about the immigration, Pavlos Marinakis reiterated that the government would continue to manage the issue with determination, as he did at the Evros and Aegean border.
Finally, on the occasion of the ten -year period from the 2015 referendum, he highlighted Greece’s successes over the last decade: Reduction of unemployment to 7.9% (the lowest percentage of 17 years), creation of over half a million jobs, expanding territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, funds and improved investment climate.