Cooperation agreement signed to boost development in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
A cooperation memorandum aimed at strengthening regional development was signed on March 14, 2026, in Thessaloniki between Christodoulos Topsidis, Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and Dimitrios Galamatis, Secretary General of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace.
The memorandum aims to enhance cooperation between the two institutions within their respective competencies to promote regional development, with a focus on competitiveness, productivity and employment across Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
The agreement seeks to formalize and deepen the existing collaboration between the regional administration and the decentralized state authority. It will facilitate timely information sharing, coordinated decision-making and the establishment of common policy priorities and action plans.
Both institutions will also provide mutual support in the preparation and implementation of regional development strategies.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The memorandum outlines several priority areas for joint action, including:
- Management of natural disasters and civil emergency planning
- Environmental protection and waste management
- Promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency during the energy transition
- Strengthening the agri-food sector and expanding organic farming while connecting producers with markets
- Protection and management of regional water systems
- Upgrading existing border crossing points and constructing new land border stations
- Resolving property status issues and upgrading public buildings used by both institutions
- Coordinated use of national and European funding to support entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development
- Maintenance responsibilities for regional road networks
- Development of a hydrometeorological monitoring network to improve flood protection
- Strengthening quality assurance systems in public infrastructure projects
Officials Emphasize Regional Development
Governor Christodoulos Topsidis highlighted that cooperation between state institutions is essential for the region’s growth.
He stated that the memorandum would improve coordination in critical sectors such as environmental protection, disaster management, agri-food development and the effective use of available resources to benefit the region’s economy and society.
Secretary General Dimitrios Galamatis also emphasized that the agreement aims to further strengthen the already close collaboration between the two institutions in order to advance development policies and projects benefiting residents of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
He noted that the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace, as the local administrative arm of the Greek government, will support regional authorities in implementing development initiatives and improving citizens’ daily lives.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Theodoros Markopoulos, Deputy Regional Governor of Kavala.
