“The ongoing negotiations on the European Union’s multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034 will be difficult because there are divergent views. For this reason, it is very important for Greece to maintain a consistent, serious, and credible presence in Brussels. All the more so when it is highly likely that the conclusion of the negotiations will coincide with the Greek presidency, which will also need to play a coordinating role among all European Union member states.”
This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking today at the high-level meeting of the Executive Committee (External Group Meeting) of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) taking place in Rhodes.
Among others, the meeting was attended by the Chair of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, Sari Rautio, and Vice-Chair Juanma Moreno. The host of this important European event is George Hatzimarkos, Regional Governor of the South Aegean, Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), and a member of the EPP Group.
Referring to the progress of the negotiations, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized that“the countries that contribute the most—and oppose an increase in the European budget—are overlooking a fundamental fact: they themselves benefit in many ways. They benefit because a significant portion of the funds returns to their economies—through investments, projects, contracts, and business opportunities across the entire European Union.
And because a more competitive, more resilient, and more autonomous Europe is in our shared strategic interest. The same applies to the relationship between Cohesion Policy and competitiveness. These are not conflicting goals. They are two sides of the same European strategy,”he said.
Regarding funding for our country, he noted:“Based on the European Commission’s proposals, there will be substantial support, which we will negotiate to make even more substantial for Greece. And in this sense, it is important that at the helm of the country is an experienced prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and a New Democracy government that also possesses European expertise.”
He also dismissed as mistaken the perception in Greece that after the Recovery Fund ends, the country will face a fiscal cliff.“We are starting from a baseline, which is the European Commission’s proposal, which amounts to nearly 50 billion euros for Greece, without taking into account the support that will be provided through the new lending instruments modeled on the Recovery Fund, and without taking into account the Competitiveness Fund either,”he said.
Referring specifically to the new Competitiveness Fund with a budget of 410 billion euros, which will be established under the European Union’s next multiannual budget, he noted:“These funds, based on the European Commission’s proposal, are not distributed according to national quotas but on the basis of the credibility and innovation of the programs.
We believe that there should be some sort of combination, so that countries like Greece are not disadvantaged, nor are small and medium-sized enterprises. However, this is a message to all of us that Europe is entering a new era in this regard, seeking to strengthen its competitiveness.”
Regarding the allocation of funds in the next programming period, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized:“There will be support for agriculture. Infrastructure projects will be funded. There will be programs related to social policy, for new hospital facilities, for upgrading university facilities, etc. However, what will be more prominent from now on, both for the regions and for the business community, will be a greater emphasis on innovation and competitiveness. There is consensus on this among all Member States.
And these are proposals included in both the Letta report and the Draghi report, aimed at strengthening the European economy’s position within the difficult and turbulent global landscape that currently exists.”
“In any case,” he emphasized,“we should be moving in this direction. We cannot move forward if we ignore factors such as competitiveness, productivity, or artificial intelligence. The fact that Europe is stepping in to support this effort—which we would have to undertake anyway—is significant, and we must seize the opportunity presented to us.”
The Vice President of the government and of the European People’s Party highlighted the EPP’s role in the conclusion of the negotiations.“The European People’s Party,” he said,“is currently the largest party in the European Union. Nearly half of the prime ministers of the 27 member states of the European Union come from the EPP, and the EPP is involved in 17 governments in one way or another. Consequently, it has a significant say in developments within the European Union and therefore also plays a special role in the negotiations regarding the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework.”
Finally, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized that we must not ignore what European citizens themselves are saying in the European Commission’s consultations.“Citizens are calling for a budget that boosts competitiveness without leaving any region or citizen behind.
A budget that will make Europe stronger geopolitically, but at the same time tangibly improve their standard of living. A budget that guarantees transparency, accountability, and measurable results. In a nutshell: they are calling for a Europe that funds its ambitions without abandoning its principles.”