These aims must be achieved without compromising the effort for the combating of discrimination (equal opportunities) and without harming the environment, its resources and the areas of natural beauty. Efforts should be also made so that these aims do not undermine social cohesion, which is endangered due to the fast paced transition to the new era and the evolution of the sectors towards a new balance.

In that aspect the third Regional Operational Program for Thessaly must have a more "integrated approach" and become focused on sectors demonstrating a significant competitive advantage or sectors facing particular problems, which have not been solved so far. It should also focus on particular geographic zones-poles of attraction, which have also the potential of becoming means of dissemination towards the neighboring regions, so that the final result is characterized by continuous and sustainable growth for the entire region.