During a meeting with representatives of Local Government and bodies from Limnos and Agios Efstratios, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presided over discussions during his visit to Myrina at noon.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister stated:
“Madam Mayor, Mr. Mayor, dear Babis, I am very glad to be once again in Lemnos. I come today following some important announcements we made at the Thessaloniki International Fair, which of course also concern your island.

The issue of VAT and the injustice that existed between Lemnos, Agios Efstratios, and Lesvos is now being addressed decisively, with the equalization of the lower VAT rates for all the islands of the Northern and Southern Aegean with populations below 20,000 residents.

And of course, I consider important the initiative we undertook, which concerns the entire country, to abolish within two years the ENFIA property tax for all settlements with fewer than 1,500 residents. This concerns all of Lemnos—with the exception of Myrina—and all of Agios Efstratios.

However, obviously, our support cannot be limited only to a series of general measures. Every time we come with the Minister and Deputy Minister, we want to address the particular needs of each area.

Limnos is an island essentially in transition. Very dependent, and rightly so, on the primary sector, it is now, I think, taking its first steps in emerging as a different kind of tourist destination. I strongly believe in the ability of both Limnos and Agios Efstratios to attract quality tourism, but I believe the “game” will be decided in ensuring tourism with rules, so that the island does not lose its very unique character.

For the primary sector, we had the opportunity to discuss extensively in our previous meetings: the importance we place on the land consolidation project, which is already underway, the need to protect water resources, but also to address immediate livestock needs, including compensation still pending for animal feed.

The issue of the veterinarian was raised strongly, and I had the opportunity, on my way here, to contact the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and ask him—and he committed to doing so immediately—to assign a military veterinarian to Lemnos, who will come right away to cover the island’s needs until the recruitment process we’ve been pursuing for some time is completed, concerning veterinarians in general. A need that affects the entire primary sector across the country.

So, know that we are always here with our ears open to support the local community. For us—and I say this even more for Agios Efstratios, Mr. Mayor—there are no first- and second-class citizens. We want citizens, wherever they are, from the most remote Aegean island to the most mountainous village, to feel they have the same opportunities to access the same quality education and health services. We still have steps to take in this direction.

And of course, let me conclude by saying that first and foremost, we want our frontier citizens in the northeastern Aegean to feel safe. And they have every reason to feel that way. Greece is strong, asserts its rights with confidence, constantly strengthens its Armed Forces, which are closely connected to this region.

So, in this spirit, we will continue, and I look forward to discussing in greater detail the issues on our agenda.

Mayor of Limnos Eleonora Georga said:
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for being close to us.

Lemnos is truly an island on a development trajectory. We are doing great, important work systematically—the Municipality, Local Government, and the private sector.

There is intense investment activity and interest. The backbone of our economy is the primary sector, which we must support in every way. We will also discuss this in detail later, at the meeting.

And of course, there is a turn toward tourism, which we are working on, both Local Government and those active in tourism. We need tourism with rules, because we do not want Lemnos to lose its special characteristics and identity.

As you saw during your walk through the central market, all foreign visitors told you that Limnos is something unique, they used the word ‘unique’, and they keep coming back.

We want to preserve this uniqueness, but also bring it into the market in terms of development, so that young families remain here, young people stay, and fertile ground exists for activity.

There are many issues we must face—which we’ll discuss later—that we must ‘run,’ because on the one hand, we must deal with the daily needs, which are many, and at the same time, meet the demands of development, which is coming, and we must get ahead of it rather than it getting ahead of us.”

Mayor of Agios Efstratios Konstantinos Sinanis added:
“Today our colleague is the host, but we also welcome you here, at the seat of the Regional Unit of Limnos, of which we are a part—as the Metropolitan says, the ‘other lung’ of this Regional Unit.

As the previous speaker said, the primary sector is the main pillar of development and survival of our islands. Livestock farming and fishing are two key areas that must be supported. We must give incentives for people to stay, to raise their children, and ideally, for the children to continue living on the islands.

Mr. Prime Minister, you understand that the biggest problem in the northern and northeastern Aegean islands is the demographic issue. This is something we now put on the table at the start of our discussion. I think there are ideas and proposals that we want you to hear and include in the wider plan to address this problem, so that together, in cooperation, we can find a solution.”

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the fully renovated Archaeological Museum of Lemnos, where he was guided by Pavlos Triantafyllidis, head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesvos. The museum, inaugurated on August 2, adopts a modern museological approach and digital applications, offering a “living” narration of Limnos’ culture and history from prehistory to the Roman period.

Later, Mitsotakis walked through the Myrina market, where he spoke with business owners and residents, and also visited the Lemnos elderly care unit “The Good Samaritan.”