“The fine imposed by the EU on Greece will be covered by the state budget”
The fine of 415m euros imposed by the European Commission in Greece for irregularities and weaknesses on the subsidy mechanism through OPECEPEwill eventually be covered by the state budget, that is, by Greek taxpayers, the Minister of Rural Development said, Costas Tsiarasspeaking to ERTnews.
As the Minister noted, the money will be gradually withheld from future Community aid and because payments to farmers are made in advance by the state, the burden returns to the National Fund.
“This means that the taxpayer finally pays them”he said. At the same time, it heralded the Greek side’s appeal to review the amount and justification of the fine, which concerns weaknesses of the mechanism and not necessarily directly illegal subsidies.
The Minister confirmed that in the case file transmitted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to the Greek Parliament Two former Ministers of Rural Development are mentioned, but he argued that “reading so far does not show anything.”
“We need to look at the case with soberness and institutionality. The government cannot be demonized when people from other parties participate, “he said, responding to opposition voices calling for an Inquiry Committee.
At the same time he left spikes on how the case file is utilized, noting that “Some are rushing to condemn without seeing the evidence.”
Delay payments due to checks
Mr Tsiaras also announced that the payment of aid for organic farming and beekeeping is temporarily postponed, as “checks must be preceded” in order to avoid new irregularities.
“We are building a real control mechanism, not on paper,” he said and heralded the recruitment of 100 scientists through OAED to enhance OPECEPE’s control mechanism. At the same time, Action Plan is being implemented in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate -General for Agriculture, and the Agency has been put under surveillance.