The 2030 regional development plan for the Ionian Islands includes over 260 projects budgeted at 1.3 billion euros, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in Corfu on Wednesday.
He noted that funds for the program will come from the EU’s NSRF, the Public Investments Program, the ‘Antonis Tritsis’ program and the Recovery Fund.
“Island policy was at the center of our government’s priorities. If we achieved a lot, we can achieve a lot more from now on,” Mitsotakis said.
Naming some of the projects included in the plan, Mitsotakis mentioned road infrastructure (particularly the Argostoli-Poros section on Cephalonia, and the submarine power cable of Lefkada), the major issue of managing house waste, the ongoing repairs from storms damage, and the investments in works to prevent further damage from weather phenomena. He also highlighted the three new airports on Corfu, Cephalonia, and Zakynthos.
The premier referred to the impressive number of tourist arrivals but warned that the country also needed to invest in protecting its cultural heritage, highlighting especially the old town of Corfu, a living monument. He said he was not happy with the delays in work on the Achilleion mansion, the former summer residence of royals, but delays would be fixed.
“The Ionian Islands led the tourism revival in 2022 and will do so in 2023 as well,” Mitsotakis said, adding that the revenues from tourism allowed Greece to fund a series of policies including those in education. “You were fortunate in having a strong university and hospitals whose problems we managed to resolve, despite the diffciulties. The total reform of the National Health System is a great personal challenge for me over the next four-year term,” he added.
Details of the regional plan for the Ionian Islands were presented by the ministers accompanying Mitsotakis to Corfu, including those in the sectors of shipping, infrastructure & transport, culture, health, the environment, and others.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
