The European Commission is threatening to freeze monthly and interim payments, giving Greece a deadline until October 2 to submit a new framework for agricultural subsidies. Notably, the Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development points out in a letter -brought to light by SKAI- that Greece’s proposed plan so far “is insufficient to remedy the deficiencies” and does not comply with European regulations. Meanwhile, the October 2 deadline was confirmed by Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, speaking to SKAI 100.3. According to Mr. Tsiaras, the country is coordinated with the Commission regarding the integration of OPEKEPE into AADE and emphasized that the necessary steps continue to be taken to ensure European funds are not at risk.
Read: Tsiaras: We must keep agriculture at the core of the European plan
Commission: The letter in detail
Specifically, the Commission’s letter states: “Following analysis of the action plan and supplementary information provided by the Greek authorities in your letter of June 2, 2025, DG AGRI is of the opinion that the plan, as currently proposed, is insufficient to remedy the deficiencies and therefore does not comply with the provisions of Article 29(1) of Regulation (EU) 2022/129. DG AGRI’s observations per action and sub-action are listed in the annex. In relation to the points mentioned in the annex, your country’s authorities are called upon to modify and strengthen their action plan in a way that ensures all actions are sufficiently detailed and address the issues identified. According to Article 29(3) of Regulation (EU) 2022/128, your country’s authorities must submit an updated action plan within 2 months of receiving this letter in Greek.
Regarding points not mentioned in this document, DG AGRI considers that the described actions, if implemented, should address the relevant potential serious deficiencies. It is noted that national authorities bear responsibility for preparing and implementing action plans. DG AGRI will naturally remain at your disposal to provide support and assistance to your country’s authorities in view of submitting an action plan that will effectively and efficiently address the issues mentioned above. It is reminded that, according to Article 42(2) of Regulation (EU) No. 2116/2021, if a Member State does not submit an action plan referred to in paragraph 1 of that article, the Commission may issue implementing acts to suspend the monthly payments referred to in Article 21(3) or the interim payments referred to in Article 32 of the same regulation.”
