Community Presidents oppose Asopos-1A drilling
From a previous meeting of community presidents with Mayor Poulimenos — unrelated to the drilling issue. Enimerosi archive photo
CORFU. Unanimous resolution by the Coordinating Body of Community Presidents of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands — calling on the government not to approve a permit for the drilling project and on the Ionian Islands Regional Authority to take also vote against.
The Coordinating Body of Community Presidents of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands has unanimously expressed its categorical opposition to plans to proceed with the “Asopos-1A” hydrocarbon exploratory drilling project in Block 2 of the Ionian Sea.
The issue was discussed following a briefing by the president of the Othoni Community, as the planned drilling site is, according to the resolution, approximately 22 nautical miles from the island.
The community presidents emphasise that the Ionian Sea is a vital natural and economic resource for local communities, directly linked to tourism, fishing, shipping and quality of life. Particular reference is made to the ecological sensitivity of the wider marine area and to the Natura 2000 protected areas of the Diapontia Islands, SPA GR2230008 and SAC GR2230010.
The resolution also refers to opposition from scientific and environmental organisations during the seismic surveys carried out in 2022. The Coordinating Body considers that the exploratory drilling cannot be treated as an isolated event, but rather as part of a potential sequence running from exploration through to the development and exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits.
It also raises concerns about the economic consequences for island communities, arguing that the potential impact on tourism and fishing has not been adequately assessed, nor has the cost of dealing with and remediating a possible accident.
In their unanimous decision, the community presidents call for the process of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation in the Ionian Sea to be halted and for a “full and specific appropriate assessment of impacts” to be carried out for the two Natura areas of the Diapontia Islands.
They also call on the government not to proceed with licensing the drilling project and on the Ionian Islands Regional Authority to adopt a “clear, public and negative position”.
The resolution concludes by calling on all municipalities in the Ionian Islands to form a common front, seeking formal recognition of the protection of the Ionian Sea, the environment, fisheries, tourism and the sustainability of island communities as a matter of public and national interest.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
