Tsipras calls for stronger incentives and major investments in Thrace
Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called for a different development model for Thrace and the wider Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, emphasizing stronger economic incentives, major investments, decentralization and measures to keep young people in the region.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, September 9, during the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, Tsipras outlined his proposals for the economic and productive restructuring of Thrace and the wider Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region.
Responding to a question from Paratiritis tis Thrakis, Tsipras said his new political initiative would focus on the region’s particular geographical and national importance while introducing targeted economic and investment incentives capable of changing its current productive profile.
He argued that Thrace should not attract attention only when national security issues, migration flows or discussions concerning the Muslim minority arise.
Regarding the minority, Tsipras stressed that minority citizens should be able to live in their homeland “with equal rights like all Greek citizens.” He also described the political confrontation surrounding the minority during the 2023 election campaign as “unacceptable,” arguing that it harmed both the minority and national interests.
DEFENSE INDUSTRY CLUSTER PROPOSED FOR EASTERN MACEDONIA AND THRACE
Tsipras placed Eastern Macedonia and Thrace within his party’s proposal for a “polycentric development” model for Greece.
Asked about the proposal to establish a special defense-industry zone in the region, he said the plan would provide incentives for private investment, with particular emphasis on activities connected to the defense industry.
According to Tsipras, the sector could develop a significant presence in manufacturing and the secondary sector of the regional economy.
He linked the proposal to the planned National Convergence Fund as well as European financing instruments such as the SAFE program.
The objective, he explained, would be to establish a cluster of private companies operating around the defense industry, encouraging businesses to establish operations in the region and create new production capacity and jobs.
Tsipras also criticized the government’s defense policy in recent years, arguing that despite significant defense spending, comparable resources had not been directed toward Greece’s domestic defense industry.
TSIPRAS SAYS CURRENT INCENTIVES ARE NOT ENOUGH
The former prime minister also focused on development incentives for Evros and Thrace as a whole.
He argued that incentives introduced by the government for Evros had failed to generate the expected level of interest and said their effectiveness should therefore be reviewed.
“More substantial incentives are required,” Tsipras said, connecting the issue to a broader decentralization policy.
Describing Thrace as a border region, he argued that individual incentives alone would not be sufficient. Instead, he called for “bold decisions” and medium- to long-term investments capable of fundamentally transforming the region’s economic profile.
