"Greece is changing" is the message of the privatizations, in addition to the revenues received by the state, according to the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking at the plenary session of the House of Representatives, for the bill that ratifies the concession contract of Attica Road. 

Greece, he added, "no longer has the statist model but a market economy, which is a prerequisite for growth and social policy. It is not only a method of debt reduction but also an engine of growth. Because with privatisations, instead of problematic situations that end up falling on the heads of citizens and taxpayers, investors come in to better operate the organisations and companies that are privatised."

Mr. Hatzidakis referred to specific examples of privatizations, which are:

• Olympic: "Taxpayers paid 350 million a year, 1 million a day, to maintain the Olympic. 350 million a year, 350 million a month, which is what the state now receives from the two companies operating in the sector, from taxes and insurance contributions. This is the success of the privatisations," the minister said.
• The regional airports. It is not only that the state stopped paying for the maintenance of airports, but we have a more modern image of tourism products," he noted.
• The ports. Were they what the country deserved and what the commercial and maritime world wanted? The port of Piraeus has now reached fourth place in Europe in certain activities. And in Thessaloniki, there is a big difference in turnover and jobs.

Mr. Hatzidakis reiterated that 11 privatisations have been completed since the elections, a record number, with the latest being the privatisation of 10% of the shares of the National Bank of Greece, with a 12-fold oversubscription. "This means that Greece is on the investment map, that there are opportunities for growth, new and better jobs, and prospects for the Greek citizen," he said.

Referring specifically to Attiki Odos, the Minister of National Economy highlighted the key elements of the contract, noting the following:

1. The main points are: "The 3.27 billion euros is the largest ever received by the public sector, and certainly by TAIPED since it was established. Some have raised the question of why the price is not even higher. There was a tender; the highest bidder gave 3.27 billion and the others 2-2.4 billion. If there were such large profits, why did so many Greek and international firms not give more? These theories are very far from reality," Hatzidakis said. He reminded us that in addition to the one-off payment, the concessionaire will pay the state 7.5% of the revenues annually.
2. On the allocation of the financial reward: "The revenues will help to further reduce the debt by almost 1.5 percentage points of GDP, already this year. The debt had exceeded 200% of GDP in 2021 due to the costs of dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. This year it will be 153%, and in 2028 it will be 133%. These are not only our estimates but also those of the EU and the rating agencies. Debt reduction is not just an accounting issue but a signal of credibility and a passport to investment and new and better jobs. It directly affects our everyday lives," the minister said.
3. On the broader significance of the contract: "It is a very large-scale investment that sends a message of confidence in the economy, which reaches the markets and investors internationally. It is a positive message for Greece."
4. On the reduction of tolls from 2.8 to 2.5 euros: "Those who are protesting want it not to be reduced? If you are upset for some reason by the reduction, say it should be increased to 2.8 euros," he said.
5. On the concessionaire's obligations: The contract provides for 380 million euros of investment in the modernisation of the Attica road, measures to deal with emergencies, control by the state to achieve performance indicators, and severe penalties if the concessionaire does not fulfil these obligations. "Consider if there was no continuation of the contract or if we went back to the 'holy' as some people believe the public sector. And we needed the state to manage this project; with the huge success it has handled other projects with all governments."

"I believe in privatization," Hatzidakis concluded, "not just ideologically but because I see that it has a positive effect on the economy. We have learned from our mistakes and from the mistakes of the country. And we are moving forward in a European, modern, and common-sense spirit.