The immediate completion of the environmental licensing for the Ptolemaida - Xino Nero road axis so that the tendering of the project can subsequently proceed was announced by the Vice President of the government Kostis Hatzidakis during his visit this morning to Florina, as part of a tour of Western Macedonia. Kostis Hatzidakis was also informed about the progress of the most important infrastructure projects and the private investments being implemented in the area.
More specifically, regarding the Ptolemaida - Xino Nero road axis, a project with a budget of 113 million euros, the Vice President of the Government stressed:
“The government has decided to move forward with an important, major project, the Ptolemaida - Xino Nero axis, which has a budget of 113 million euros, plus VAT. For this project, a decision has been taken by the Competent Interministerial Committee, over which I personally preside, and it is also a project that the Prime Minister spoke about when he recently visited the area. I want to tell you today that the project will proceed without delay.
We are waiting for the environmental licensing of the seventh junction to be finalized and I believe that in a few months we will be in a position for the procedures for the tendering of this project to begin. In general, we are trying not to make promises but to speak through actions. This is what citizens want throughout Greece and I believe this is what the citizens of Western Macedonia especially want and deserve”.
Earlier, Kostis Hatzidakis visited the advanced composite materials industry B&T Composites in Florina, which employs 55 workers and exports 98% of its production. The company produces carbon fiber and fiberglass components for industrial, aerospace, defense, maritime and energy applications and has received investment support through the Just Development Transition Program for the installation of a new robotic line that was completed at the beginning of 2026.
In his statements, the Vice President of the Government stressed: “I had the pleasure of visiting a very innovative business, not only by local or Greek standards, but by European standards, B&T Composites. Which I think should make us proud because it is at the cutting edge of new technologies and is an almost exclusively export-oriented business. I am certain that if it continues on the same path it can not only keep young scientists here in Florina but also bring scientists from other regions of the country”.
Kostis Hatzidakis also visited the Florina swimming pool, a project which, although completed in 2006, had not been put into operation due to ownership issues, the resolution of which was set in motion in 2019 – 2020. He was also informed about the progress of construction of the water supply and natural gas networks in the city of Florina.
As he stated on the matter: “We visited the swimming pool in Florina, which is a project that has been through a lot. Fortunately, however, it is finally being wrapped up and I can finally say that it will be delivered to the citizens and the young people in the coming months. I was pleased to learn of positive developments regarding the water supply projects in Florina as well as the connection of Florina to natural gas.
Especially with the natural gas connection, there are still other things that remain to be done, but it is a very important initiative of the government. Equally important is the initiative for the projects related to the ski center to move forward”.
“In the summer when I had come again, I presented 16 projects that have progressed in recent years and another 16 projects and initiatives that will be completed in the coming months by the end of the year”, concluded the Vice President of the Government. “In Western Macedonia beats the heart of Greece. We are therefore determined, not with words but with actions, to give priority to the Region of Western Macedonia”.