Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transportation Christos Staikouras recently outlined the ministry’s priorities, projects, and plans aimed at sustainable development, job creation, and supporting social cohesion in Greece.
Speaking at the 26th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum in New York, Minister Staikouras highlighted eight key priorities designed to enhance transport connectivity and infrastructure resilience, with the ultimate goal of strengthening Greece’s regional, geopolitical, and economic role.
8 priorities
The key priorities of the Greek Ministry for Infrastructure and Transportation are as follows:
– Implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects
– Development of flood prevention and irrigation systems
– Maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure
– Reform of the Greek rail system
– Renewal of the public bus fleet
– Promotion of electromobility
– Enhancement of road safety across Greece
– Securing funding for all the above initiatives
Photo source: Transport Ministry
“The Greek economy is being upgraded, becoming stronger, and demonstrating remarkable resilience,” Staikouras said during his keynote address at the forum. “Despite the positive outlook and promising prospects of the Greek economy, we must remain cautious and proactive in our decisions, as the broader environment shows signs of instability and uncertainty.”
He also acknowledged the achievements made in Greece, attributing them to “the long-standing sacrifices of the Greek society, combined with the prudent fiscal policies of the past five years, the successful management of successive external crises, and political stability.”
Major infrastructure projects underway
Staikouras provided an overview of the significant infrastructure projects currently underway in Greece, including:
– The road connection from Aktio to Amvrakia
– The main road axis on the island of Lesvos
– A major section of the Central Greece highway (E-65)
“The new Attica Highway Concession Agreement has been signed and the highway continues to operate smoothly under the new concessionaire,” the minister noted.
He also highlighted that the Thessaloniki Metro, the most emblematic urban project of the last decade, has been put into operation. “The expansion of the metro to Kalamaria is expected to be completed by the end of 2025,” he informed.
Minister Staikouras further referred to the following upcoming projects:
– The Patra – Pyrgos highway, set to be completed by 2025
– The rapid progress of the Thessaloniki Flyover
– The signing of the contract for the road axis from Ioannina to Kakavia, which is expected next week
– The construction of the airport in Kastelli on the island of Crete, which is 40 percent complete, and the advancement of the Cretan Northern Highway
– Ongoing works, studies, and expropriation procedures for the Chania – Heraklion subproject, with contract documents to be finalized in the next 50 days
The Patra – Pyrgos highway. Photo source: Olympia Odos
Investment in public transport and railways
The minister also provided updates on key projects in public transport and railway infrastructure:
– The addition of 270 new vehicles, primarily electric buses, to the public transport system of Athens, with a total of 950 expected by July 2025
– Greece’s participation in new railway corridors, such as the “3 Seas” (Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea) and “Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean” corridors
– The implementation of an Action Plan on Railway Safety and Interoperability, in collaboration with the European Commission
– The signing of contracts or tenders for flood-prevention projects in Messinia, Etoloakarnania, Lesvos, Rethymno and Attica
Funding sources for infrastructure projects
Minister Staikouras concluded his presentation by outlining the funding sources for these projects:
– National and co-financed funds from the new programming period
– The Recovery and Resilience Fund, including the redistribution of available sources
– The EU Solidarity Fund for restoring areas affected by natural disasters
– The “Connecting Europe Facility,” specifically for modernizing the railway network
– Loans from the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank
– Support from a healthier and more stable banking sector, bolstered over the past five years
– Leverage of fiscal space created through prudent budgeting in the past five years
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