Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his weekly social media post, addressed the decision to dissolve OPEKEPE amid the scandal involving the misuse of European Union agricultural subsidies.

“This past week was defined by a critical decision: the dissolution of OPEKEPE and the integration of its responsibilities and personnel into the AADE. The goal is to establish a unified, transparent, and efficient system for managing agricultural payments and subsidies,” Mitsotakis said, comparing the situation to a Gordian knot that must be cut.

He acknowledged that the existing system had become plagued by inefficiency and misuse.

“The current system has allowed poor practices, delays, and abuses to flourish, issues that reflect poorly on everyone involved. We must acknowledge that despite our efforts, these dysfunctions were not addressed effectively.”

The Prime Minister stated that the full integration of OPEKEPE into AADE will be completed by the second half of 2026, with EU subsidies to farmers not interrupted during this transition.

At the same time, the government is working closely with European authorities to investigate cases of fraudulent claims involving EU agricultural funds.

“We owe it to the hardworking farmers who operate with integrity. We owe it to the country,” Mitsotakis concluded.

Last week, the government announced it would dissolve the agency and transfer its responsibilities to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), following years of corruption scandals and EU investigations.

Earlier this month, on May 19, prosecutors from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), accompanied by 20 officers from the Hellenic Police’s anti-corruption unit, raided OPEKEPE’s headquarters. Authorities said they uncovered an extensive scheme involving fictitious pastureland claims used to illegally obtain EU funds.

Source: Ekathimerini.com