Dialogue Γίρκι Κατάινεν and Maria Spyraki

Recommendations to the Greek government in order to increase the absorption of funds through the upgrading of services, but also the search of persons who have knowledge of the… good practices, made the Vice-president of the european Commission Γίρκι Κατάινεν in the context of the exchange of views in the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, where were presented and examples for synergies between the European Fund for Strategic Investment (the Juncker plan) and the Structural Funds.
The Vice-president of the european Commission referred specifically to the issue of Greece, noting that the EFSI already financed a private food company, created a platform of financing for innovative firms, and discussions about a platform of financing of tourism infrastructure.
Mr. Κατάινεν answer to a question of the mep of new democracy and EPP Maria Spyraki, with regard to the low absorption rate of the NSRF, according to the latest figures sent to the european Commission the Ministry of Finance.
The whole dialogue between the vice-president of the European Commission Γίρκι Κατάινεν and the mep of new democracy and EPP Maria Spyraki is as follows:
“Mrs. Spyraki is a very good example of Meps who have done a lot in Greece and it is much appreciated. Obviously, you don’t collect dividends if the European Investment Bank sell loans to entrepreneurs, but I’d like to see in all the member states, the citizens to benefit and find a job because we have excellent tools that we could use. And these tools, (the way they do), it is available to all and I hope we can work together on this.
M.Spyraki: thank You, madam President, thank you very much mr. Vice president for your kind words. Of course the EU has to be a communication gap and, thanks to the efforts you try to cover it up.
C.Κατάινεν: What you bring mrs. Spyraki is very important and the truth is that sometimes it’s very worrying for everyone. While there is the intention to provide help and the need for the one who will receive it, something happens in between that makes it almost impossible. Maybe it’s a matter of education/training of people who need to see best practices in other member states and how the effective management of the structural funds.
In Greece there are already two projects, for which I am very happy. One is in the industrial sector in the field of food and the other is a project to support small and medium-sized enterprises. More correctly, there is an agreement between intermediary bodies that will provide funding to a large number of Greek entrepreneurs, and we are working very closely with the Greek banks and with the private sector in order to implement, for example, an investment platform for infrastructure projects in tourism, or anything else you need. Consequently, the results are convincing for the moment, but still need to strengthen the awareness of the public. Every week I find a large number of people who hear for the first time for the European Fund for Strategic Investments. From my previous experience, I have learned that even when you have exhausted the communication of a message and many of you may have heard, it is likely that very few have agreed with you. However it is worth and we must continue to strive. Thank you.”