Greece unveils National Strategic Reference Framework program for 2007-2013

Greece's National Strategic Reference Framework seeks to achieve a balanced development of the country with 82 percent of a Fourth Community Support Framework program focusing on regional projects, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, presenting the National Strategic Reference Framework, the minister said the Fourth Community Support Framework program would total 36.4 billion euros (46.41 billion U.S. dollars), including national participation, of which 42 percent would be earmarked for infrastructure projects, 21 percent for innovation and digital convergence, 14 percent for education, 12 percent for employment and 4.0 percent for healthcare infrastructure projects.

The National Strategic Reference Framework is compatible with a National Reform Program and focuses on innovation, viable infrastructures and upgrading human capital.

Alogoskoufis said the program cut Greece into five geographical regions: Macedonia-Thrace, Pelopenese-Western Greece-Ionian Islands,Thessaly-Central Greece-Epirus, Crete-Aegean Islands, and Attica.

"Our aim is to stop being laggards in the EU and to be among the pioneers, as a successful implementation of the program would raise the country's average living standard and Greece will be disconnected from community funds," Alogoskoufis said.

According to the ministry, the issue was currently discussed between the National Statistics Service and Eurostat.

Source: Xinhua