With its focus turned to the regional development, the government is moving forward, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis‘ goal is to quietly but steadily advance projects and implement initiatives throughout the country, so that the regions gradually converge with the national average in many sectors. In recent months, according to relevant briefings, more than 300 new projects and actions have been launched, based on local development plans.
Specifically regarding Macedonia, Mr. Mitsotakis will travel to Thessaloniki at the end of August, one week before the Thessaloniki International Fair, and will make a special presentation about these projects. The National Strategy for Local and Regional Development will be presented in a few months by the Prime Minister, with oversight and coordination responsibilities assigned to Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, who has toured all of Greece over the past two years – and not alone: For each regional unit, a working group has been formed with representatives from the government presidency, the region, municipalities, local MPs, scientific bodies and chambers of commerce.
The plan being implemented operates on two strategic axes: local planning per prefecture and how national policies connect with the regions – for example, addressing water scarcity or strengthening public universities.
Last Thursday, characteristically, the Demographic Development program was implemented in the municipalities of Soufli, Didymoteicho and Orestiada in the Regional Unit of Evros. This planning is also connected to the new programming period of the NSRF and the Commission’s budget for the 2028-2034 period, as many projects need time to mature and be ready to be integrated into European funding programs. Parapolitika presents indicatively 25 major projects being implemented outside Attica Prefecture, which the Maximos Mansion ideally wants to be completed before the end of the year or, at the latest, in early 2026.
The government’s fast track plan for the country
1. Development of “Gonou” Camp: Development, licensing, construction, operation, exploitation and maintenance of a business park on the property of the former “Gonou” Camp of GAIAOSE. The development concerns an area of 672 acres, occupying a strategic position at the western entrance of Thessaloniki, close to important road, rail and coastal transport hubs.
2. Vonitsa-Lefkada road axis: This is the 16 km project that remains for the direct connection of Lefkada with the Aktio-Amvrakia road axis and consequently the safe and rapid road connection of the island with the Ionia Highway.
3. Upgrade of Alexandroupolis port infrastructure: The first task concerns the restoration of depths in the harbor basin and navigation channel, with a total length of 3.5 kilometers, and the second involves the construction of a 1,500-meter road axis that will connect the port’s new commercial pier with the new ring road, which is already under construction.
4. Renovation of Orestiada and Dikaia Health Centers: This is the energy upgrade and renovation project at the Health Centers in Dikaia, Evros and Orestiada.
5. Urgent comprehensive flood protection for Mantoudi: The works refer to stormwater management due to the overflow of the Kirea river and seasonal torrents, which are located outside the urban complex and flood the neighboring areas of Mantoudi causing enormous damage.
6. Restoration of the entire hydrological network in the Municipalities of Lamia, Makrakomi and Domokos, as well as the corresponding road network under the responsibility of the Regional Unit of Fthiotida, in areas affected by the destructive cyclone “Ianos”.
7. Construction of a new kindergarten at “Katechaki” Camp in Rhodes (95 ADTE).
8. Construction of a new specialized metal maintenance-storage building for the SmhEA department in Maritsas, Rhodes.
9. Construction of a complex of 13 apartments at “Menoudakou” Camp, in the Kalloni area of Lesvos.
10. Construction of a complex of 13 apartments at “Kountouriotis” Camp, in the Myrina area of Lemnos.
11. Construction of an apartment complex at “Dimitriou Chiou” Camp in the Municipal Unit of Karlovasi, Samos.
12. Construction of a new correctional facility in Megalopolis, as a step in the broader plan to create new prisons and decongest existing ones.
13. Road connection to the new Children’s Hospital in the Filyro area of Thessaloniki. The project concerns the construction and improvement of the road connection to the new Children’s Hospital in the Filyro area of Thessaloniki, 4.51 km long, as well as the accompanying infrastructure works necessary for the hospital’s operation.
14. Restoration of damage caused by storms “Daniel” and “Elias” to the road network, under the maintenance responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, in the Regions of Thessaly and Central Greece.
15. Upgrade of the existing Thessaloniki-Promachon railway line (Mouries-Promachon section) for electrification installation.
16. Upgrade of the existing double railway line in the SKA-Oinoe section and Aliartou railway station.
17. Installation of a new remote-controlled signaling system, ETCS 1, for the SKA-Kiato double railway line.
18. Restoration of the Garden of Heroes in the sacred city of Messolonghi. In 2026 Greece will celebrate 200 years since the Exodus of Messolonghi, one of the most tragic events that determined the course of the Greek Revolution, and this is one of the projects the government wants completed before next year.
19. Organization and preparation of re-exhibition of the Archaeological Museum of Rodopi.
20. Restoration of the palace of Aigai. This is a new intervention, which will include the construction of two ramps-platforms, one for visitor access through the propylon and one for viewing the mosaics south of the palace.
21. Tourist boat anchorage in Vasiliki, Lefkada, a project that includes anchorage protection works, 100 berthing positions, 4 anchorage service buildings and landscaping of the surrounding area.
22. Nea Mesimvria-Evzones/Gevgelija pipeline and metering station. The project aims to interconnect the natural gas systems of Greece and North Macedonia, with the goal of diversifying natural gas supply sources to North Macedonia, as today the supply of this market depends exclusively on the interconnection with Bulgaria.
23. Purchase of Hellenic Open University property in Patras and its development. The property will house a library, information center, multipurpose space and various areas for educational and cultural activities.
24. Upgrade, improvement and modernization of Kalavryta Ski Center facilities. The interventions aim to develop tourism and consequently the general local economy and promote the wider area, by improving the quality of services provided and attracting tourists.
25. General Hospital-Health Center of Naxos-extension. Addition of a new wing to increase medical offices, creation of doctors’ dormitories, modernization-renovation of interior spaces
Published in Parapolitika newspaper
