“A comprehensive master plan for the port and all port infrastructure is moving forward. I have asked Mr. Harbour Master, Mr. Commander of the 6th P.D.I.L.S. and our forces on the island to move forward with the rest of the port projects as quickly as possible, prioritizing safety and of course, service to our fellow citizens, islanders, and tourists. The image we give to the outside world is very important, but safety is above all,” said the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, during his visit to Mykonos.

Referring to the construction work that is underway in the old port next to the cruise ship, the Minister made it clear that “this construction work cannot be prolonged for a long time, as it was planned until mid-August. In the next 15 days, it will be completed, as I have received assurances. And this is very important in the middle of the tourist season.”

He added: “I will come back to Mykonos together with my colleagues, the Secretary General, Mr Kyriazopoulos and the whole Service, so that we can study step by step all the projects that are pending and co-decide, together with the Region and the Municipal Authority, which is the way they should proceed and also, the prioritization should be based on the extraordinary 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 the tourist traffic. Our islanders and the Cycladic people are renowned for their hospitality. As we all know, millions of people will be passing through the island again. I want this to be done in an orderly, safe, and professional manner and for everyone to have an excellent tourist experience that will make them come back to the island and our islands again and again.”

Mr. Kikilias, after thanking the Municipal Authority, the Vice-Region and his colleagues and Cyclades MPs, Mrs. Monogiou and Mr. Fortoma for their hospitality on the island of Mykonos, stressed that “Mykonos is an island that we recognize as the pinnacle of our tourism effort and our tourism product. And, due to the very high demand for services on the island, we have to move accordingly.”

The Minister, who was accompanied by the Secretary General of Shipping and Ports, Evangelos Kyriazopoulos and the Inspector General of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard, Rear Admiral L.S. Christos Papakonstantinou, visited the Port Authority of Mykonos where he was briefed by the Commander of the 6th PI.L.S., Commodore L.S. Panagiotis Karamitsas and the Harbour Master, Commodore L.Panagiotis Katsaras, for issues related to the activity of the Region and the Port Authority and discussed with the Port Authority’s executives.

Afterwards, Mr. Kikilias went to the Town Hall of the island where he was welcomed by the Members of Parliament of Cyclades, Katerina Monogiou and Philip 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 concerning the local community, the needs and infrastructure of the island.