ABTTF President: “Without concrete economic investments that will create employment opportunities in parallel with resettlement, the economic and social development of the region is not possible. The government previously established the inter-party Commission for the Development of Thrace which adopted its final report in November 2021, but to date there has been no concrete initiative for the economic development of Western Thrace”.
According to a report published on the Makedonikanea.gr website, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is launching a comprehensive development strategy focusing particularly on the Macedonia and Thrace regions following his visits to Ankara and Belgium.
Within the framework of the National Demographic Action Plan, the government is expanding the resettlement program to include the prefectures of Kastoria, Kilkis, Serres, Florina, Pella, Drama, Kozani, and Grevena in order to reverse demographic decline. Accordingly, Greek citizens who settle permanently in these prefectures will receive financial support of €10,000, with the first instalment to be paid before relocation. The program also covers Greek citizens living abroad, remote workers, and retirees. To be eligible for financial support, proof of residence elsewhere for the past five years must be provided.
The government had previously launched a €10,000 incentive program for citizens who permanently settle in the municipalities of Soufli, Orestiada and Didymoteicho in the prefecture of Evros.
‘‘The financial support program launched by the government may partially prevent demographic decline in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. However, without concrete economic investments that will create employment opportunities in parallel with resettlement, the economic and social development of the region is not possible. The government previously established the inter-party Commission for the Development of Thrace which adopted its final report in November 2021, but to date there has been no concrete initiative for the economic development of Western Thrace. Due to the limited employment opportunities in Western Thrace, thousands of people from our community are forced to emigrate every year in search of a better future. Therefore, instead of focusing solely on population growth in the region, the government should implement a comprehensive development plan that benefits everyone living in our region. Otherwise, it inevitably raises questions as to whether the government has another plan behind its efforts to encourage permanent settlement in our region from other parts of the country and abroad’’; said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
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