“As announced by the Prime Minister last week, it is the government’s wish to help Thessaloniki and PAOK team in their great effort to obtain a large, modern football field, which may host international matches and be a jewel of Thessaloniki town.

Just like other FCs in Athens and other Greek regions acquired their own fields, Thessaloniki as well, starting from PAOK team, deserves a large field.

Therefore, as we had discussed in the past with the FC, we had the opportunity to concede the use of an area of 5.2 acres which is property of the National Defence Fund, as well as small areas surrounding the field, for 100 years in return for payment, as provided by the law, so that the construction of the field can proceed.

Finally, this concession was decided to take place without payment, which means that it will be free of charge, for the benefit of PAOK team. This is why we are here today with the Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace Ms Notopoulou and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ms Kollia, and we announced to the Chairman of Amateur PAOK that, following an amendment, we concede this area of 5.2 acres to Amateur PAOK, for its use, but also for all rights that may result from the surrounding areas that have been encroached.

This also facilitates the procedure, which will be completed within the next days, by the end of this month, as far as our part is concerned through the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ms Kollia, so that the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace which is responsible for the overall coordination of all Ministries, may proceed to the remaining legislative measures regarding the regional planning, whenever required by Amateur PAOK.

The situation changes; we are talking about a really large field; we are talking about the possibilities to build the venues that will be proposed by Amateur PAOK and PAOK FC.

I would like to say that I am really happy that today is a new day for the region of Toumpa, for PAOK team, for Thessaloniki, but also for Greece. I hope that such venues, large and modern, will help the development of Greek football, as far as its function and presence in international matches is concerned.

By order of the Prime Minister, the government will fulfil its obligations within the next days. After that, it will depend on the initiative of the PAOK team to proceed to the materialisation.

I am certain that Thessaloniki will soon have its jewel”.