Further to the well-justified interest shown by the citizens in the progress of the works of THESSALONIKI METRO, ATTIKO METRO issued a detailed announcement in order to clarify that the construction of the Project continues and to provide explanations for the most frequent technical issues raised in the public dialogue.
The purpose of this press release is to inform the public on other non-technical aspects of the project:
- ATTIKO METRO reiterates its absolute will and its full commitment for the realization of THESSALONIKI METRO. It is a national project. It will relieve the city and will provide sustainable growth.
ATTIKO METRO honors its commitments and proves so through its acts. It has fulfilled its financial obligations towards the Contractor. It has secured all funds required by the Project until its completion. ATTIKO METRO acts in advance, so that there is no budget overrun. It provides its consent and knows how to communicate and cooperate with all agencies involved.
ATTIKO METRO requests both basic parties engaged in the project – the Municipality of Thessaloniki, being the city representative, and the Contractor – to act and behave accordingly. - The issue of the archaeological excavations that constitute the basic cause for the Project delay is not something that we experience for the first time. During the construction of the ATHENS METRO the respective archaeological excavations in the historic center of Athens lasted 10 years, from 1992 up to 2002. Nonetheless, the Project was progressing in other areas.
Archaeological excavations are beneficial for us all. They are far from being considered as a burden or an obstacle. On the occasion of the project construction, we discover our History. The archaeological finds make us all proud and it is our joint responsibility to safeguard and reveal them. No one is entitled to monopolize national pride and love for our country. - In the framework of such a complex, systemic and large-scale Project, it is expected for the Contracting J/V and the city’s local authorities to have different views and it is only natural that conflicting interests and proposals are brought forward. No one is going to impose their positions on the others and the disagreements are part of the Project. What matters most and what is healthy is to find ways to resolve the differences in order to keep the Project going.
ATTIKO METRO fully accepted the dispute resolution process, which consists in referring the disputes to the responsible Courts, a process that ensures fairness, legality and continuation of the works.
ATTIKO METRO exhibited the same spirit of cooperation with Thessaloniki Municipality during the attempt to find a commonly accepted solution to the issue related to the extraction and placing back the Archaeological Finds within VENIZELOU Station. Given that the dispute resolution methods are accepted by all parties and do not constitute grounds for delaying the Project works, it is therefore meaningless to invoke these disputes, an act which is to the detriment of the progress of the Project and the city. - ATTIKO METRO, the Contractor and all city and State authorities ought to look again into the problems and consider the disruption they represent for certain groups of professions and citizens harmed by the lingering worksite installations. Within the next month, ATTIKO METRO shall present -at its own initiative- specific proposals to the involved authorities.
The Metro system in Thessaloniki shall be finally constructed because the public interest dictates it and common logic demands it. For ATTIKO METRO, this Project is not just a part of its responsibilities as representative of the Greek State, but it is also an opportunity to highlight the social responsibility of the company and an example of common understanding and cooperation for the sake of the public interest.
