“A comprehensive master plan for the port and all port infrastructure is progressing. I asked the Harbour Master, the Commander of the 6th PE.DILS and our forces on the island to proceed quickly with the remaining port projects, prioritizing safety and, of course, serving our fellow citizens, islanders, and tourists. The image we present to the outside world is very important, but safety is above all,” stated the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, during his visit to Mykonos.
Referring to the construction work underway in the old port next to the cruise ship, the Minister clarified that “This construction work cannot be prolonged indefinitely, as planned until mid-August. It will be completed in the next 15 days, as I received the relevant assurances. And this is very important in the midst of the tourist season.”
And he added: “I will return to Mykonos together with my colleagues, the Secretary General, Mr. Kyriazopoulos and the entire Service, so that we can study step by step all the projects that are pending and decide, together with the Region and the Municipal Authority, what will be the way they should proceed and also, the prioritization should be done based on the emergency and prioritization and always in the autumn, winter and spring months. I would not like to see open projects in the summer in Mykonos, with all this tourist traffic. Our islanders and the Cycladic people are famous for their hospitality. As is known, millions of people will pass through the island again. I want this to be done in an orderly, safe, professional manner and for everyone to have an excellent tourist experience that will make them return to the island and our islands again and again.”
Mr. Kikilias, after thanking the Municipal Authority, the Vice-Region and his colleagues and Members of Parliament of Cyclades, Mrs. Monogiou and Mr. Fortomas for the hospitality on the island of Mykonos, stressed that “Mykonos is an island that we recognize as the crown of our tourism effort and our tourism product. And obviously, due to the very high demand for services on the island, we must act accordingly”.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Secretary General of Shipping and Ports, Evangelos Kyriazopoulos and the Inspector General of the Hellenic Maritime Administration – Hellenic Maritime Administration, Rear Admiral Christos Papakonstantinou, visited the Mykonos Port Authority where he was informed by the Commander of the 6th Hellenic Maritime Administration, Admiral L.S. Panagiotis Karamitsas and the Port Commander, Lieutenant Commander L.S. Panagiotis Katsaras, on issues related to the activity of the Region and the Port Authority and discussed with the Port Authority executives.
Then, Mr. Kikilias went to the island’s Town Hall where he was welcomed by the Cyclades MPs, Katerina Monogiou and Philippos Fortomas, as well as the Mayor of Mykonos, Christos Veronis, and a meeting was held with the participation of representatives of the local government and local authorities on issues and questions related to the local community, the needs and the infrastructure of the island.
