Two key interventions directly related to payments Farmers highlighted by the Minister of Rural Development and Food Costas Tsiaras In an interview with SKAI.
Specifically, Kostas Tsiaras, regarding the payments of farmers, made it clear that no new extension for the ATAK can be given, and also referred to the OPECEPE Plan, which is being extended until spring, after consulting with the European Commission.
“For ATAK, it cannot be extended, as we will be faced with the inability to pay until 30/10 of the basic aid prerequisite by the European Commission. This will also bring a fine. You may also need money from the state budget if we are not ready. So the producers should run to make their statements, “said Kostas Tsiaras.
As he recalled, a one -month extension was only given for IACS declarations pending with the ATAK, adding that “the prime minister himself has committed himself to a question asked at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition that we would exhaust any means and every possibility, at least to be eligible,”
Referring to the OPEKEPE case, Costas Tsiaras noted that the Financial Police had the lead role in the investigation, with the contribution of AADE, stressing that “it is proof that the money will obviously be returned. This is the big and major political stake. “
At the same time, he made it clear that the imposition of a fine on Greece was related to an administrative procedure and not to the investigation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office:
“The fine concerns an administrative process. Unfortunately, there were omissions that had not been satisfied on the basis of the need to standardize the payment model and obviously has nothing to do with the prosecutor’s office or those who have been dealing with lately. “
In fact, he also raised the issue of payments delays, noting that another day delayed sanctions:
“A payment that had to be made on a specific date coincided with Sunday and was finally made on Monday. This cost us a significant fine, as the European Commission was clear: we should have made sure that the payment was completed on Friday. “
Finally, the Minister of Rural Development and Food revealed that the Action Plan for OPECEPE, which expired in September, in agreement with the EU, is taking a small extension until spring to close all gaps: “There have been several steps and is recognized by the European Commission. For the first time, real cross checks are made to OPECEPE. Today we are talking about real controls, “the minister said.