Water utilities
A stable regulatory regime is key for allowing much needed investment in the water networks and to protect consumers in terms of pricing policies. The Government will, with EU technical assistance, launch by [May 2016] the actions needed to implement fully the regulatory framework for water utilities based on the methodology completed by the Special Secretariat of Water (SSW) in 2014 taking into account the current legal framework. SSW will launch in April 2016, with the support of technical assistance, a system of regular collection of information, starting with [10] key data, to be further expanded in the medium term. The complete system will be audited by one of the international engineering consultancies and will be in place by December 2016. SSW will require the two major water companies to prepare business plans, including for investments and key capital projects for the next 5 years, by November 2016; reputable and independent external advisors should be used to help them compile such plans; SSW will finalise with the support of technical assistance the charging rules for water services taking into account the methodology completed by the SSW in 2014 [September 2016 with some intermediate target in April 2016];
Transport and logistics
On transport, the authorities will by [December 2016] adopt a general transport master plan for Greece covering all transport modes (road, railways, maritime, air and multi-modal, including logistics aspects) and will seek technical assistance for its implementation (key deliverable). On logistics, the authorities will implement by June 2016 the logistics law (key deliverable), and will adopt by September 2016 the logistics strategy with a time-bound action plan.
The authorities will complete by [June 2016] the merging into group functions of OASA – Transport for Athens of procurement and HR departments of OSY and STASY.
In support of this reform agenda on network industries, the authorities intend to use technical assistance as needed, including on the strengthening of regulators and on transport and logistics and on the strengthening of regulators (for the latter, see section 5.4).
A stable regulatory regime is key for allowing much needed investment in the water networks and to protect consumers in terms of pricing policies. The Government will, with EU technical assistance, launch by December 2015 the actions needed to implement fully the regulatory framework for water utilities based on the methodology completed by the Special Secretariat of Water in 2014 taking into account the current legal framework; it will also aim to enhance and strengthen further the water regulator in order to enable it to take needed independent regulatory decisions (June 2016, key deliverable).
Transport and logistics
On transport and logistics, the authorities will by June 2016 adopt a general transport and logistics master plan for Greece covering all transport modes (road, railways, maritime, air and multi-modal) and a time-bound action plan for the logistics strategy, as well as implementing legislation of the logistics law (key deliverable). On maritime transport, by October 2015, the Government will align the manning requirements for domestic services with the one for international lines, while respecting best-practice safe manning principles, and adopt the legislative changes.
The Port regulator will become fully operational by June 2016. The Government will adopt the Presidential Decree setting out the operational structures of the regulator by October 2015 (key deliverable). The Government will seek technical assistance to define the tasks of the port regulator, the role of the port authorities, and to prepare its internal regulations and needed laws to be adopted by March 2016 in order to ensure its full functionality.
In support of this reform agenda on network industries, the authorities intend to use technical assistance as needed, including on the strengthening of regulators and on logistics.