“I am again in Kozani because I want to hear firsthand the opinions of the new generation about what we are planning in the transition region in western Macedonia, their concerns and the programs they would like us to include in our priorities,” he stressed the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis, in his brief greeting from the platform of the informative conference, on the theme “The young in a new era”, which took place in the large auditorium of the PDM, in the ZEP of Kozani.
Addressing the young audience which consisted mainly of students from the Polytechnic School of the University, Mr. Papathanasis stated that the government’s desire is “to give incentives and opportunities to young people, who are or are not from the region of western Macedonia, so that they can stay here and work in the well-paid jobs that will be created.” He explained that “by the end of next month, the companies whose investment plans are approved will be announced” and estimated that if everything goes well, he hopes that around 3000 jobs will be created.
On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Papathanasis, answering a question about what the government will do regarding the suspension of work that the contracting companies have announced on a number of emblematic projects in the region, such as the Kleisoura tunnel, the day center for the disabled in ZEP Kozani, water supply projects in Kastoria, Florina etc., he noted: “everything has been arranged, the resources have already been sent and the Region of Western Macedonia will immediately pay the contractors”.
According to the regional governor, Giorgos Amanatidis, in the coming days, around 30 million euros will be distributed, so that the contractors of the above projects can continue their work without interruption.
Regarding the investments in hydrogen technologies, which were cut by EYDAM, or aborted, Mr. Papathanasis stated that “the government supports businesses, but there are rules that must be followed.” He also underlined that “we have to follow the European and national rules” in order to support a business, “because if we don’t, the money can be imputed and paid by the Greek public”. He also noted that “we are very careful when managing public and European money that comes from the Greek European taxpayers”.
The commander of the Special Service for Just Development Transition (EYDAM), Pelopidas Kalliris, emphasized that “from the new year, the implementation of the investment plans that are now being evaluated by the EY of the DAM will begin”, underlining that “western Macedonia is changing its production model” .
During the conference, the Fair Development Transition program was presented by EYDAM officials, while a representative of the Active Youth Group of Florina addressed the event. The Group, in the last three years, has developed information initiatives for the green transition of the region in schools, the university and gathering places of the new generation.
The conference was attended by ND MPs, Stathis Konstantinidis and Michalis Papadopoulos, the mayors of Kozani, Yiannis Kokkaliaris and Amyntaio, Yiannis Liasis, as well as the rector of the University of Western Macedonia, Theodoros Theodoulidis.
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