Topsidis: €76 million in projects set to boost development in Rhodope
“Through €76 million in projects and initiatives over two years across all sectors, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is creating new development opportunities for the Regional Unit of Rhodope,” said Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis during the presentation of the Local Development Plan for Rhodope in Gümülcine (Komotini). The event, titled “We Discuss, We Decide, We Move Forward Together for Rhodope”, was coordinated by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanos Kontogeorgis and attended by key government officials, including Deputy Ministers of Agriculture, Health, and Development, secretaries-general for higher education, culture, tourism, environmental planning, and the director of the Manpower Employment Organization.
Welcoming the government delegation, Topsidis emphasized the “close and substantial cooperation with the government,” noting that “regional development is not just a goal, but a daily commitment.” He added, “Through concrete projects, the use of every available funding tool, and partnerships with municipalities and local stakeholders, we are creating real opportunities for the citizens of Rhodope. We believe that Greece’s future is built in the regions, and we demonstrate this through action, investing in infrastructure, social programs, and sustainable development.”
Deputy Regional Governor of Rhodope Emmanouil Tapatzas highlighted the area’s “strong comparative advantages and significant development potential,” adding that “with targeted interventions by the Region and support from the State, we can overcome challenges and improve conditions for residents. We hope today’s visit will translate into tangible benefits for the local community and economy.”
The event also featured speeches from MPs, local government representatives, chambers of commerce, and social and economic organizations, emphasizing regional needs and growth prospects. Among those present were MPs Evripidis Stylianidis and Ozgur Ferhat, municipal officials including the President of the Gümülcine (Komotini) Water Authority Kimonas Lehoudis, and the mayors of Kozlukebir (Arriana), Şapçı-Maronya (Maroneia-Sapes), and Yassıköy (Iasmos).
Closing the event, Deputy Minister Kontogeorgis stressed the government’s key message: “We approach a region with great potential but real challenges with respect. Our goal is to remove obstacles and ensure that the benefits of development reach every corner of the country. Regional and local development is a national priority, and we advance with planning, cooperation, and consistency so that no area is left behind.”
