Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday the allocation of 30 million euros for infrastructure upgrades in the northeastern region of Evros, following severe flooding caused by the overflow of the Evros River.

The announcement came during an inspection visit to the border region, where nearly 40,000 acres of land are now submerged in water after days of extreme weather which damaged infrastructure and farmland. Authorities warn that conditions remain critical as water levels continue to rise.

The region has been declared in a state of emergency. Areas affected include Didymoteicho and Alexandroupolis.

The first issue to be addressed, said Mitsotakis, is recovery. The second is ensuring water supply for the summer. In this direction, he said an agreement had been reached with neighboring Bulgaria that provides a four-year window with guaranteed quantities for irrigation.

flood-hit Evros

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during an inspection visit to flood-hit Evros on February 25. Photo: Prime Minister Press Office

“Our task now is to proceed with infrastructure projects – not flood protection, which is a separate matter – to ensure we have sufficient water in the summer and are not fully dependent on river flows,” he added. “We must be independent.”

Mitsotakis was briefed by Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis, as well as the mayors of Soufli, Didymoteicho, and Orestiada.

The prime minister also visited the Kipi Border Station, where expansion and modernization works are underway as part of a broader reform of the border crossing and its connection with Turkey. Projects include new facilities for passport, customs, veterinary and phytosanitary controls, targeted inspection structures, separate parking areas, and distinct traffic flows for commercial and passenger vehicles. Approximately three million people pass through the crossing each year.

Earlier, Mitsotakis met with farmers in Feres to discuss challenges facing the primary sector, which has been affected by drought, wildfires, floods, and animal diseases.