TEE/TDM had pointed out the following regarding the relocation of Anargyroi and Akrini in September 2017 amongst other points concerning Akrini, in relation to Article 147 of Law 4495/2017, which supplemented Article 28 of Law 3937/2011:
“…The reference to Akrini is deemed positive in the sense of updating the decision for the relocation of the settlement taken under Law 3937/2011. However, deadlines must be established, within a timeframe that will not affect the urgent relocation procedures for Anargyroi, yet remain commensurate with them. More specifically, an immediate date must be set for the approval of the already submitted draft Presidential Decree at the competent Ministry, and the corresponding fast-track and prescribed procedures applied for Anargyroi must also be followed for Akrini, subsequent to the prior completion of the procedures for Anargyroi.”
To date, an unjustified delay is observed, which essentially constitutes a breach of what has been stated by the competent Ministry, given that a draft Presidential Decree has already been submitted to the competent Ministry by PPC following Article 147 of Law 4495/2017, without any response as to why it is not being approved. It should be noted that the procedures for the relocation of Akrini, in accordance with Article 28 of Law 3937/2011 which remains in force, stipulate that “…they must be completed within a period not exceeding ten (10) years” and that “the cost of transferring and relocating the settlements of Akrini and Anargyroi, as well as the restoration and liberation of the lands of the existing settlements, shall be borne half by PPC S.A. and half by the State Budget, while the compulsory expropriations shall be declared in favour of the Greek State, which will expedite them”.
The competent Ministry is urgently requested to provide an official response detailing the actions that have been taken regarding the relocation of Akrini and what is planned for the implementation of its relocation with a clear timetable. The above must also be carried out through the prescribed procedures of parliamentary scrutiny by our representatives in the Hellenic Parliament.
Otherwise, we are speaking of a deliberate delay and a stalling tactic that reflects poorly on everyone. The state possesses continuity, and decisions and laws are overturned only by decisions and laws. Their non-implementation is unacceptable for a state governed by the rule of law.
We also point out that TEE/TDM, regarding the matter of registering properties in Akrini, is at the disposal of the competent Services, should it be formally requested to do so, to assist with its members in expediting the procedures.
You can view here the current legislation regarding the relocation of Akrini and Anargyroi