Strasbourg, 12 September 2023 (TDI): The President of the European Union (EU) Ursula von der Leyen and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the recent catastrophic events in Greece.
The European Union is extending a helping hand to Greece as wildfires and floods ravage the nation.
In a compassionate statement, President von der Leyen made promises of substantial aid totalling EUR 2.25 billion. This financial support will come from various funding sources, each with a specific purpose.
Comprehensive financial support
Firstly, the European Union will immediately put unspent cohesion money from the previous period to use, breathing fresh life into Greece’s recovery efforts.
The European Social Fund+ will join the ranks, offering much-needed assistance that will benefit Greek citizens and provide crucial support during this crisis.
Furthermore, the Common Agricultural Policy will play a significant role by tapping into unused funds from the previous Greek rural development program and scrutinising the current Greek CAP strategic plan for additional resources. These funds will help restore the country’s forests and farming infrastructure, which the disasters have severely impacted.
Read Also: Greece requests 3.56 billion euros.
Solidarity is at the heart of the European Union’s mission, and the Commission stands ready to evaluate Greece’s request for support under the Solidarity Fund. This could make up to EUR 400 million available for Greece next year if agreed upon.
Moreover, Greece has the option to explore resources from NextGenerationEU. Flexibility is key here, given the recent revisions to the program. Nevertheless, the European Union is committed to working with Greece to find suitable solutions.
For effective and swift assistance, the European Union will form a dedicated task force. This task force will collaborate closely with the Greek authorities, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.
Additionally, the European Union wants Greece to know it is not alone during this challenging period. The EU is not just here for immediate support; it’s here for the long haul, ready to assist in the reconstruction and recovery efforts ahead.
