Regional Governor’s statement regarding ‘untouched’ Halikounas beach
The Ionian Islands Regional Authority is calling for Halikounas to be excluded from the “untouched beach” designation.
CORFU. The Regional Authority opposes the designation of the beach as “untouched,” but the final outcome will depend on whether this intervention turns into coordinated pressure and formal claims against the central government.
A resolution approved by the Ionian Islands Regional Council calling for the designation of Halikounas as an “untouched beach” not to apply is described more as a political message than an immediate institutional reversal. The designation is provided for under a recent supplementary decision by the Ministry of Environment.
The resolution was approved at the session on Sunday, May 17, in Cephalonia, following a proposal by the Deputy Regional Governor for Sports, Yiannis Armeniakos. In essence, the Region is calling for a reinstatement of the previous protection regime, noting that the area is already subject to a special environmental status through the Natura network.
Despite the political weight of the decision, the resolution is not binding on the Ministry of Environment and cannot, on its own, overturn the designation. “Untouched beaches” are defined through ministerial decisions as part of a national policy to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems, aiming to limit interventions and organised activities in areas of particular ecological value.
However, the intervention by the Ionian Islands Regional Authority gains significance as an institutional position by local government and may serve as a basis for further political or legal actions. In practice, it creates additional pressure on the Ministry of Environment, while it may also be used in future consultations by local stakeholders, professionals, or regional representatives.
The debate over Halikounas highlights a broader and recurring conflict in Corfu: whether existing protections—such as the Natura status and the ecological importance of the Korission lagoon—are sufficient, or whether stricter measures are needed to preserve the natural landscape.
Whether the resolution will have a substantive impact will depend on whether it is followed by formal interventions to the ministry, documented proposals, or coordinated actions by local bodies. For now, it represents a clear political statement of opposition by the Region to the new environmental regulation affecting one of Corfu’s most emblematic beaches.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
