The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis spoke about the inclusion of the port of Alexandroupolis in the trans-European transport network and the reduction of the fare on Attiki Odos in an interview with Parapolitika 90.1 FM radio station. “Instead of 2.80 euros for travel on Attica odos will be 2.50 euros,” he said.
Concerning Attica odosthe capital’s main bypass road, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation said: “We are one of the few governments and political parties that have not been hiding from the voters. We have also not advocated, as others have done in the past, the ‘I don’t cry’ tactic, but then they introduced tolls, and we never said that the user should not pay for the part of the road that he is entitled to.
“We want to say that tolls should be paid in a rational and fair way. So what have we done? under the new contract, which will come into force in 2024, instead of 2.80, the payment will be set at 2.50 euros.
Karamanlis explained why the decision was made. And secondly, for the simple reason that we understand that in a difficult situation we can make calculated cuts. We have done what is well thought out. In this way, we will also be able to conduct a successful tender.”
Regarding the recent closure of the Athens-Korinthos national road due to falling stones on the roadway in the area of Kakia Skala, Karamanlis recalled that it was the current government that passed the law so that in such cases the investigation would be carried out quickly, he added: “Therefore, a short psalm” Hallelujah “to see who is responsible. And I want to say one more thing: As high as the income of the concessionaires, so the punishment for failure to comply with obligations (for trouble-free operation) will be heavy.”
Regarding the inclusion of Alexandroupoli in the trans-European transport network, Karamanlis reiterated that Greece should finally take advantage of its geographical position, recalling that until three years ago, basic steps were not taken, that is, there was not even a plan to connect the three northern ports (Thessaloniki, Kavala , Alexandroupolis) with a road network. “In Alexandroupoli you will see bulldozers, you will understand that what we say we do in practice,” the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport emphasized, referring primarily to road access to the port.
He recalled that Alexandroupoli has a national dimension with all the projects and agreements that the Prime Minister has achieved by talking about FSRU and important LNG projects. “You understand that Alexandroupoli can play the role of an energy hub,” he added, noting: “Alexandroupoli was a port with limited passenger traffic that did not meet the formal criteria and therefore could not join the trans-European networks, but is finally joining. What is it From a practical point of view, this means that Alexandroupolis can now become a port that meets the requirements, so that we can attract European funds to modernize the port (for some reason, only for the US army. However, the money does not smell.).
“And this inclusion, which is very important, certifies and confirms the decision of the government and the prime minister not to proceed with the concession of the port, but that the state at this stage undertakes to carry out the necessary work and then decide whether to grant this port or not.”
Karamanlis noted that in the future Alexandroupoli could become an alternative route for the Bosphorus, for the transportation of 10% of commercial goods that are currently transported through the straits, as well as for the transportation of NATO and US military equipment, emphasizing the strategic importance of this for our country.
The minister noted that even countries traditionally under Turkish influence, such as Bulgaria, understand how important it is to connect the port of Alexandroupoli with the Black Sea ports by rail. “And this project, which has been discussed since 2018, is now on its way to implementation, and the two countries will carry out all the necessary work so that we can connect the Aegean, Mediterranean, Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupolis ports with the Black Sea ports by rail.”
Answering this question, Karamanlis recalled that the prime minister had clearly stated that elections would be held at the end of the four-year term. Summing up the work of the government, he also recalled that over three years, more than 10 billion euros of projects were put up for tender and contracts worth about five billion euros were signed. “This is a statistic that is not an empty phrase, because wherever you go in Greece, you will see construction sites. Many of the projects that we have discussed over the years are already underway, whether they are road projects, water management projects or “The projects are not focused only on Athens. We attach great importance to the region because we believe that with the help of these projects we will be able to bring entire regions out of isolation,” said the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.
Karamanlis also mentioned the fact that Greece is ending 2022 with a growth rate double the Eurozone average, as well as great news from the Eurogroup, noting that: “We haven’t heard the Eurogroup congratulate the Greek government in years, as this is happening. now”.
Regarding the wiretapping of the opposition, journalists and his subordinates, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport recalled the following: “Neither Kyriakos Mitsotakis, nor the government has ever deceived, saying that there is no wiretapping. What Mr. Mitsotakis did was to take concrete institutional initiatives to stop the phenomenon of so-called malicious surveillance systems for mobile phones”.
But he denounced SYRIZA as a champion of toxicity, noting that there was no evidence linking the prime minister and the government to wiretapping.
Karamanlis said he will also be attending tomorrow’s Antonis Samaras Foundation event because, as he noted: “We are proving in New Democracy that we are all united under the leadership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to fight a very difficult fight in the 2023 elections.” “. He also noted that for many years there was no such unity within the New Democracy.
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