Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001661/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D), Yannis Maniatis (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D)
The Arta-Karditsa link road is a critical artery for Western Greece, Epirus and Western Thessaly, areas facing severe problems of geographical isolation, demographic decline and economic backwardness. It is considered that the upgrade of this road into a modern and safe motorway featuring sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure will contribute to the revitalisation of the local economy, the strengthening of agri-food production and the stimulation of the return of young people and families to the countryside.
Taking into account the strategic importance of connecting the Ionian Road and the E65 for interregional cohesion, as well as the imperative need for balanced development and the elimination of disparities between regions, in combination with the funding possibilities offered by the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the Cohesion Fund:
- 1.How does the Commission assess the contribution of the upgrade of the Arta-Karditsa road to achieving the EU objectives for sustainable regional development and addressing the desertion of the countryside?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to encourage and support the integration of this project into the appropriate EU funding programmes (TEN-T, RRF, NSRF) and collaborate with the Greek authorities on its development and implementation?
- 3.What initiatives is the Commission planning in order to strengthen infrastructure that combines social cohesion, economic extroversion and green transition in remote and mountainous areas, such as the Acheloos Valley and the mountainous municipalities of Epirus and Thessaly?
Submitted: 24.4.2025