Commissioner Hahn visits Larissa

European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn on Thursday stated from the city of Larissa in central Greece that future investments in the country should be well-targeted, especially in two vital sectors - energy and SMEs, “the backbone of the economy and the generators of job positions”.

The European Commissioner visited the Regional Authority of Thessaly in the context of his tour of the 13 regions in the country to ensure the effective utilization of structural resources, which are the main sources of public investments in the country, commenting that Greece shows signs of recovery.

As regards the country's regional authorities, he said that their role was crucial to Greece's recovery and, referring to the Region of Thessaly, expressed satisfaction about the absorption rate of community funds.

On the new programming period, he underlined that in 2014-2020 Greece will receive 15.5 billion euros in funds that will have to be used correctly in support of the real economy.

The EU Commissioner noted that there is progress in the Greek economy, adding that everybody in Europe knows that the Greek people are shouldering a big burden.

Hahn visited projects co-financed by the NSRF and local businesses, as well as archaeological sites and a technological educational institute.

Later he arrived in the city of Volos, also in central Greece, where on Friday morning he will meet with representatives of the Association of Industries in Thessaly and Central Greece.