EU Delegation in Athens to Probe Illegal OPEKEPE Subsidies
Athens, May 26 – A delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) arrived in Athens today, Tuesday, May 26, to investigate allegations of illegal subsidies disbursed by the Greek agricultural payments organization, OPEKEPE. The visit, scheduled to conclude on May 28, aims to thoroughly examine the complaints and assess the effectiveness of corrective measures implemented by Greek authorities.
This official visit comes at a critical juncture, with two separate criminal networks in Crete and Thessaloniki having been dismantled within the last 24 hours. These networks are accused of illegally collecting millions of euros in OPEKEPE subsidies, highlighting the urgency and significance of the delegation’s mission.
Meetings with Key Officials and Stakeholders
During their stay, the CONT committee MEPs are slated to hold meetings with a range of Greek officials, including the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, as well as other relevant personnel responsible for agricultural subsidies, public revenue, transparency, and controls. The delegation will also engage with representatives from the agricultural sector, journalists, and other involved parties to gather a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Composition of the Delegation
The delegation is led by Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, Czech Republic) and includes Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany), Lucia Annunziata (Socialists, Italy), and Rasmus Nordqvist (Greens, Denmark). They are accompanied by Greek MEPs Giorgos Αυτιάς (EPP, Greece), Giannis Maniatis (Socialists, Greece), Emmanouil Fragkos (Conservatives, Greece), and Kostas Arvanitis (The Left, Greece).
At the conclusion of their visit, on May 28 at 12:00 PM, the delegation will hold a press conference at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Athens to present their preliminary findings and observations.
Statement from the Head of Delegation
Tomáš Zdechovský emphasized the purpose of the visit, stating, “The European Parliament is coming to Greece to meet with representatives of the Greek government and to discuss the fraud investigation concerning agricultural subsidies, as well as the specific measures Greece plans to take to prevent similar cases from recurring in the future.”
He further elaborated, “Our goal is to openly and seriously evaluate the current state of the investigations and to have a clear discussion about accountability, transparency, and citizens’ trust in the management of European funds. The discussions will also focus on the upcoming drafting of the EU’s long-term budget and how to better protect European money from abuse.”
Background on OPEKEPE Subsidies
OPEKEPE is the Organization for Payments and Control of Community Aid Guidance and Guarantee Funds, responsible for distributing agricultural subsidies from the European Union to Greek farmers. The integrity of these payments is crucial for supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring fair competition within the EU.
The current investigations underscore the ongoing efforts to combat fraud and ensure the proper allocation of European funds. The findings and recommendations of the CONT delegation are expected to play a significant role in shaping future policies and control mechanisms for agricultural subsidies in Greece and across the European Union.
