The announcement on Tuesday that up-until-now Central Macedonia governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas will be Greece’s representative on the new EU Commission and hold the sustainable transport and tourism portfolio generated welcome reactions on the part of the government hours later, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressing satisfaction over the responsibilities handed to the former.
Tzitzikostas hails from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and once vied against Mitsotakis for the conservative party’s leadership.
Mitsotakis said Tzitzikostas’ assumption of the tourism portfolio is a major success for the country, as the Commission has finally allocated the sector the significance it deserves. Mitsotakis said a Greece is a pioneer in sustainable tourism and will contribute proposals and initiatives.
The Greek premier added that the sustainable transport portfolio highlights the country’s geopolitical position amid trade, energy and transportation networks.
On his part, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis echoed the prime minister’s statements about the portfolio awarded to the Greek representative, highlighting the country’s geopolitical significance and its strategic position between Europe, the Mideast, the Black Sea and North Africa.
He also said Tzitzikostas’ responsibilities on the Commission includes major projects and sizable Community funding, such as 26 billion euros earmarked over the 2021-2027 period alone for transports.
