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Hellenic Navy vessel to attend opening of Erikousa port

Erikousa
29 Apr 2018 / 08:44

CORFU. A special celebration is being prepared for the opening of Erikousa Port. The Corfu Port Authority (OLKE) President, who had been ‘guardian’ of the ‘orphan’ port, has asked the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff for a Navy vessel to come in order to give the event greater prestige, whilst also placing emphasis on the national importance of the infrastructure at the northwest Greek border.

According to information, OLKE President Spyros Stefanidis has invited the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff himself - Vice Admiral N. Tsounis – to attend. The discussion took place during the Easter period, when the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff was in Corfu. For the same reason the office of the Minister of Defence, Panos Kammenos, was also approached. The only obstacle - but a basic one – to a large Hellenic Navy vessel coming for the opening of Erikousa port at that time (10th June) is the ‘Storm’ exercise that will be taking place in the Aegean, to which a large number of Hellenic Navy vessels are committed.
 
There was an organizational meeting for the opening events on Friday at the Regional Administration offices. The Ionian Islands Region is planning the first event of the year to present the new Erikousa port – ‘Ways of the Sea’ - highlighting the role that the sea has played throughout history in the life and development of the island.
 
The event will take place on 9th and 10th June and will include the following:
 
- Corfu – Erikousa Regatta - Saturday 9th June.
- Open-sea swimming race (approximately 1400m) open to all - Sunday 10th June.
- Photography exhibition, possibly with a short talk, presenting Erikousa’s naval history.
- PORT OPENING with the possible attendance of representatives of European Institutions, the Government, the Regional Administration, the local authorities and other organizations.
- Tour of the new Erikousa Port.
 
The ‘Erikousa Port expansion’ project was included by the Ionian Islands Region in the Ionian Islands Business Plan 2014-2020 with a budget of 7,327,237 Euros. The new port was constructed on the site of the old one, expanding the jetty, constructing land infrastructure and approach roads and creating a harbour basin of 2.6 hectares that can accommodate more than 100 fishing or tourist vessels as well as ferry boats.