55% of the "AEGIS" program, implemented by the Ministry of Climate Change and Political Affairs, is funded by the European Commission, has already signed contracts with final contractors, or is in the process of doing so.

This is clarified in a joint statement by the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and Environment and Energy to restore the truth, following reports of "delay" in the absorption of resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund on the implementation of fire protection projects.

More specifically, 17.7% of the program that the Fund is implementing has contracts, and 37.6% are in the process of signing final contracts.

For the remaining 45%, the relevant tenders are in the process of being finalised with the evaluation of the tenders submitted.

In total, the Ministry of Climate and Civil Protection has tendered fire fighting and fire protection projects and equipment with a budget of 1.66 billion euros, of which 1.5 billion euros were tendered after July 1, 2023.

In addition, it is emphasized that during the period 2022-2024, in the context of prevention and protection of forest areas, the Ministry of Environment has implemented through TAIPED and DEDDIE a large prevention and fire protection program with resources and the Recovery Fund for the Anti-Nero program, which approaches 476 million euros, of which 243 million euros have already been contracted and disbursed.

In particular, for the areas of Eastern Attica, contracts amounting to €35.8 million have been signed, and interventions have been carried out with forest clearance, the opening of firebreaks, and forest roads in areas of 36,300 hectares.