Tsiaras: OPEKEPE will be transferred to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue as fourth directorate

The Greek Payment Authority of Common Agricultural Policy Aid Schemes (OPEKEPE) will be transferred to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) - also known by its Greek acronym AADE - as a fourth directorate and with its own vice governor, underlined Rural Development and Food Minister Kostas Tsiaras in an interview with the radio "Athina 9,84" on Tuesday.
This decision, he stated, is part of the broader effort to transform OPEKEPE, which began in September 2024 in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Agriculture of the European Commission.
The goal is a complete restructuring of the agency and the strengthening of transparency at every stage of its operation. “ Under the direct mandate of the Prime Minister, we launched a transformation process for OPEKEPE. From the very beginning, in agreement with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, we have been developing an action plan for OPEKEPE since last September,” said Tsiaras.
At the same time, he made it clear that the transfer of OPEKEPE to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue "will not change the framework under which the disbursement and allocation of European funds to Greek producers currently operates. I want to ease any concerns in response - there is no reason for such fear to exist. On the contrary, everyone should feel that a very high level of oversight and fairness is being ensured."
He concluded by emphasising that the smooth transition of OPEKEPE to the independent authority is a top priority until the completion of the action plan: "We will make every possible effort to maintain the Agency’s standards up to the moment of its integration into AADE. The action plan will be completed this coming September - and from that point on, the goal is clear: to create an agency that operates with absolute transparency and allocates European funds with absolute fairness."