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EU can cofinance 95 percent of reconstruction work in fire stricken areas

"We stand side by side with the Greek people in such difficult moments. We have a permanent dialogue with the Greek authorities and, through the services of the DG Regio, we provide the necessary assistance in order to speed up the procedure for accessing the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF)," said Corina Cretu, EU Commisioner for Regional Policy.

"Currently, the Greek authorities make an estimate of the damage caused by fires, on the basis of which they will send the application for EUSF to the European Commission. As soon as the necessary conditions for accessing this fund are met, we are ready to do everything possible to pay an advance as quickly as possible," she said in a statement.

"Moreover, once the requirements for acessing the EUSF are met, there is also the possibility for Greece to benefit from a 95% co-financing rate for reconstruction work financed through Cohesion Policy. And, last but not least, as I have already written to Prime Minister Tsipras and Minister Haritsis, both myself and my services are prepared to change the operational programs dedicated to Greece under the Cohesion Policy, based on a request from the Greek authorities. This will enable us to redirect European funds and to relaunch economic activity in affected areas," she added.