Greece at OECD, EU Talks
Alternate National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis represented Greece at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on Regional Development Policy in Warsaw, Poland, on May 19–20, and at the EU Informal Ministerial Meeting on cohesion and urban matters, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian
The OECD discussions centered on global challenges such as competitiveness, digital transformation, the green transition, and demographic shifts. Papathanasis outlined Greece's regional development strategies, emphasizing policies to support families, reverse brain drain, and assist the elderly and residents in remote areas. He also presented Greece's national plan to boost birth rates and prevent rural depopulation.
On the sidelines, Papathanasis met with OECD Deputy Secretary General Yoshiki Takeuchi and Centre Director Lamia Kamal-Chaoui. He announced that Greece has commissioned OECD studies on the “blue economy” and post-2027 regional development.
At the EU meeting, Papathanasis emphasized Greece’s tailored regional approach using both cohesion policy funds and national/EU financing tools, and stressed the use of digital technology and AI to support remote communities.
