At the workshop titled “Small Ionian Islands: Access, Connectivity, and Quality of Life,” held at the headquarters of the Region of the Ionian Islands in Corfu, Stefanos Gikas participated.
During his speech, Mr. Gikas congratulated the Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands Ioannis Trepeklis for organizing the conference, emphasizing that the discussion is taking place at a particularly important juncture, as the presentation of the European Strategy for Islands and Coastal Communities is expected in Cyprus in a few days.
As he noted, “insularity is now high on the European agenda, a fact that confirms that the specific characteristics of island regions require targeted policies and a clear strategy.”
At the same time, he highlighted the significant contribution of the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy (GSIP) in shaping the Greek proposals submitted to the European Commission, through cooperation with local government, chambers of commerce, the business community, and the academic community.
The Deputy Minister also referred to the establishment of the Governmental Committee on Insularity, by decision of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noting that this is yet another concrete demonstration of the importance the Government attaches to the issues facing insular Greece.
He made special mention of the coastal shipping connections between the islands, noting that the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy places particular emphasis on ferry connections and the interconnectivity of the islands.
He also noted that: “funding for unprofitable routes increased from €90,000,000 in 2019 to €170,000,000 today, while the new tenders provide for four-year contracts.”
Specifically regarding the Ionian Islands, Mr. Gikas presented the public service contracts and funding for unprofitable routes for the period 2025–2029, noting: “It should be noted that the unprofitable routes in the Ionian Sea include: the Patras–Ithaca route, amounting to €14,830,000, the Corfu – Paxos – Lefkada – Meganisi – Ithaca – Kefalonia – Zakynthos, amounting to €4,334,000, the Corfu – Diapontia Islands, amounting to €6,788,000, an additional Corfu – Diapontia Islands route, amounting to €668,000, the Agios Stefanos – Ionian Islands route, amounting to €1,090,000, as well as the Paxi – Antipaxi route, amounting to €440,000. Total, €28,150,000.».
The Deputy Minister placed particular emphasis on the challenges posed by water scarcity, emphasizing that “the General Secretariat for Aegean and Island Policy has conducted a comprehensive assessment of every island in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, identifying needs and priorities, while interventions are being implemented regarding desalination, drilling, reservoirs, network replacements, the installation of water kiosks, and coverage of the energy costs for operating desalination units.”
As he noted, “in recent years, through the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy alone, the following amounts have been allocated for water supply issues on the small Ionian islands: €200,000 to the Diapontia Islands, €450,000 to Paxos, €150,000 to Meganisi, €150,000 in Kastos and Kalamos, while for Ithaca, the interventions amount to €2,000,000.”
At the same time, he referred to the collaboration with Democritus University of Thrace for the study of the water balance of seven (7) small islands, including Paxos.
He made special mention of the major port projects planned for the Ionian Islands, with secured funding and mature studies, which have been incorporated into the Superfund’s Strategic Contracts Unit and are expected to proceed to the next stage of implementation. Specifically, he stated: “We are proceeding with the launch of competitive bidding processes for: the improvement of port infrastructure in Frikes, Ithaca, amounting to €2,000,000, the expansion and improvement of port infrastructure at Agios Stefanos Avliotes in northern Corfu, amounting to €9,000,000, the expansion and improvement of the port of Mathraki, amounting to €16,000,000, the improvement and completion of the port of Othonoi, amounting to €10,000,000, and the improvement of the port of Pessada in Kefalonia, amounting to 4,500,000€.”
Concluding his speech, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy emphasized that “our islands are an asset to our country, not a liability,” while he placed particular emphasis on the need to strengthen the “Right to Stay,” that is, the right of island residents to remain and build their lives in their home regions, with better services, more opportunities, and a higher quality of life.
Finally, he reiterated that the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, through the General Secretariat for Islands and Island Policy (GSIIP), “will continue to stand by island local governments and local communities, consistently serving the goal of social cohesion, sustainable development, and progress in the island regions.”
