Greek PM calls fraud in EU farm subsidies ‘a chronic problem’

AFP | Thessaloniki

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis admitted on Sunday that fraud involving EU agricultural subsidies is a long-standing issue in the country’s farming sector, dating back before his government took office.

Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis stressed, “Our government cannot take all the responsibility,” noting the problem began in 2016, three years before his administration. Greek authorities estimate at least €23 million was wrongly disbursed.

The EU probe is investigating widespread abuse of subsidies managed by OPEKEPE, the government agency that handled over €3 billion annually for 680,000 farmers before it was shut down following raids. Greek authorities reviewed 6,354 recipients and found 1,036 had illegally received €23 million.

Mitsotakis acknowledged his government “did not manage to clean up OPEKEPE,” but said recovery of funds has begun and reforms are underway. Fraudulent claims often involved false declarations of farmland or livestock, with Crete identified as a hotspot.

Despite the scandal, Mitsotakis insisted Greece “has nothing to hide or to fear” from EU investigations, noting such checks occur across member states.