Rhodope mayors present development priorities to Mitsotakis
The proposals were submitted as part of the Greek government’s “National Strategy for Regional and Local Development – Northern Greece,” discussed at an event held at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Deputy Prime Minister and a government delegation of ministers met with representatives of business and scientific institutions, as well as mayors from Macedonia and Thrace, to discuss regional development priorities.
Komotini Municipality was represented by Municipal Water and Sewerage Company President Kimonas Lechoudis, while the mayors of Maroneia-Sapes, Iasmos and Arriana presented the proposals of their respective municipalities.
Gümülcine focuses on demographics, investment and its regional role
Demographic decline was at the center of Komotini Municipality’s intervention. Lechoudis argued that Rodopi is not simply losing population but, more importantly, young people, professionals and workers who leave the region in search of employment opportunities elsewhere.
He stressed that stable employment is the most important factor in encouraging young people to remain in the region, arguing that infrastructure projects alone cannot reverse the demographic trend without the creation of stable and quality jobs.
The municipality called for a strong and targeted investment incentive framework for Rodopi to attract large and sustainable businesses. Particular emphasis was placed on the Industrial Area of Komotini, whose activity remains limited despite its modern infrastructure and which, according to the municipality, requires substantial revitalization with central government support.
Agriculture, agri-food production and tourism were also identified as key sectors capable of converting Rodopi’s comparative advantages into income and employment.
Maintaining Gümülcine as a regional administrative center
Another major priority was maintaining and strengthening Gümülcine’s role as the administrative center of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The presence of the regional administration, Democritus University of Thrace and major state services was described as an important pillar of the local economy and a factor helping retain human resources in the area.
The municipality warned that weakening Gümülcine’s administrative role could have direct negative consequences for both the economic and demographic future of Rhodope.
Stronger support for Democritus University of Thrace
Democritus University of Thrace was described as a key institution for Gümülcine’s development. The municipality called for further investment in university infrastructure, student welfare, research and stronger links between the university and the local economy.
The objective is to attract students, researchers and professionals while creating more opportunities for them to remain and build careers in Rodopi.
Housing and incentives for young families
The municipality also called for a stable framework to support people who already live in or are considering moving to Thrace.
Its proposals include incentives for first-time homebuyers, more favorable financing for young entrepreneurs and farmers, and stronger support for young families.
In the agricultural sector, the municipality renewed its call for the construction of the Kompsatos Dam, arguing that the project could reduce irrigation costs, protect agricultural land from salinization and increase productivity.
Other priorities include completing land consolidation projects, strengthening agricultural technical services, making better use of rural development programs and addressing salinization in the lowland and coastal areas.
Fanari, Nymfaia and the Egnatia motorway
Tourism-related proposals included upgrading the Nymfaia border crossing and allowing large tourist buses to pass through the crossing in order to facilitate access for visitors from Bulgaria.
The municipality also called for the development of the coastal area, improvements to the Fanari campsite and coastline, and the strengthening of the local port with a view to potentially creating a marina.
The Egnatia motorway was another major issue, with the municipality calling for better maintenance and changes to the toll system, including fewer toll stations and greater emphasis on road safety and infrastructure quality.
Maroneia-Sapes prioritizes road infrastructure
Maroneia-Sapes Mayor Apostolos Ioannou placed particular emphasis on infrastructure and road improvements.
He argued that upgrading municipal roads and implementing major road projects are essential for a large border municipality with numerous settlements, significant agricultural activity and strong tourism potential.
Ioannou stressed that modern and safe infrastructure should not be considered a luxury but a basic requirement for residents’ daily lives and the municipality’s economic development.
“We are here to make demands, to put forward specific projects and to seek specific solutions for our area,” he said.
Yassıköy submits six development proposals
Iasmos Mayor Caner Imam presented a more targeted package of six development initiatives covering both the municipality and Rodopi more broadly.
One proposal calls for the creation of a Beekeeping Park in the fire-affected Polyanthe–Mega Pistou area. The project would aim to support environmental restoration, strengthen beekeeping and connect the activity with agrotourism.
The municipality also proposed the construction of a Municipal Sports Center in Yassıköy, including an indoor gymnasium, as well as a new police headquarters on municipal land.
Affordable housing and a new tourism corridor
One of the most notable proposals is the construction of between 30 and 50 affordable or social housing units, initially intended to accommodate employees of the new Gümülcine Hospital.
According to Imam, the initiative could also help attract and retain younger workers in Rhodope.
The municipality further proposed an integrated tourism development strategy along the Papikio Mountain–Thracian Meteora–Kompsatos–Lake Vistonida corridor.
The plan includes restoring the medieval Kompsatos Bridge, developing tourism routes and promoting alternative forms of tourism.
Finally, Iasmos proposed establishing a Regional Commercial and Freight Center featuring logistics, storage, transshipment and heavy-vehicle parking facilities. The proposal seeks to capitalize on Iasmos’s location near the Egnatia motorway and routes connecting the region with the Greek-Bulgarian border.
Arriana focuses on infrastructure, the local economy and youth retention
Arriana Mayor Erdem Hussein submitted a separate memorandum to the government outlining the needs of the municipality, which has particularly pronounced characteristics as a border area.
The municipality’s proposals focus on improving infrastructure and everyday services, supporting the local economy and creating conditions for sustainable development.
Hussein placed particular emphasis on creating conditions that would allow young people to remain in the area and build their future there.
He stressed that the development of Thrace, particularly its border regions, should remain a consistent government priority backed by concrete interventions and measurable results.
Population retention emerges as a common priority
Despite the different needs of Rodopi’s municipalities, their proposals share a common concern: reversing population decline and reducing the structural disadvantages associated with the region’s border location.
The municipalities argue that creating more jobs, improving infrastructure, expanding housing opportunities and strengthening tourism and local economic activity are essential to retaining the population — particularly younger generations — and securing Rodopi’s long-term development.
