EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn: Regions must focus on 'smart specialization'

EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn stressed the need for "smart specialisation" at a press conference in Ioannina on Tuesday.

Hahn, who is paying a two-day visit to the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina, met with manufacturing organizations and the prefect of Epirus Alexandros Kachrimanis. The visit is part of a tour of several Greek cities to promote information on better absorption of the new EU structural funds for 2014-2020.

"Our goal is to promote the economy, and the investment plans of the prefectures should reflect that goal", Hahn said. "What we ask from the prefectures is to follow a strategy for 'smart specialization', which can lead to programmes for tourism, agricultural food sector, even health," he added.

The EU Commissioner also stressed the need for infrastructural works and proper use of funds for better results.

According to the Commissioner, EU is planning to double the funds, from 70 billion to at least 140 billion, for the period 2014-2020, in order to boost the economy in the prefectures.

At a seperate event in Corfu late on Monday, the Commissioner stressed the need for "developing an entrepreneurial spirit, proposing solutions to ensure the creditworthiness of businesses, and finding alternative ways of management, aimed at economic recovery and fighting unemployment."