Ionian Islands Development Conference: The commitments

“This was a good opportunity for us and the other municipalities in the region to gain some important commitments.” As was stated in the mini cabinet meeting before the prime minister’s speech, all the regional conferences will have been completed by spring, 2018. The government will then ask all the regions to form their conclusions and set up a committee to monitor the fulfilment of the commitments.

The Commitments

In the press conference that Kostas Nikolouzos gave regarding the results of the Development Conference, he first of all referred to what ministers had said. “Firstly, the commitment to fund works was reaffirmed. In the next few days, the 47m Euro water supply project will be announced. The funding of the study for a road axis from north Corfu to the south of Zakynthos is also a project of great strategic importance as it includes roads across the four islands and improving the ports which link the roads.

Four School Units

There was a commitment to funding the Integrated Land Investment (OHE) for Corfu Old Town as well as construction of 4 school units, a sports centre and the restoration of the Municipal Theatre. 50% of expenses will also be funded for the restoration of the Phoenix, the Petsali Mansion and the Dalietou Mansion. The previous decision for the Art Café to be given to the Fund of Archaeological Proceeds (TAPA) no longer stands and there will be a new agreement for it to become the responsibility of the municipality.

As had already been announced, the land section of the port will become the responsibility of the municipality within the next two months and for the period March to October, there will be ferry services between the Ionian Islands.

Regarding the Erimitis investment, both the mayor and the regional governor, Mr. Galiatsatos, expressed their opposition to the Ministry of National Economy and within the government there are still concerns that maybe they are giving the ‘wrong message’ to investors.

Waste Disposal

There was intense discussion at the mini cabinet meeting about the issue of waste disposal. As the mayor said, “The central government consider that we should get real and solve our problem ourselves. They don’t want to even discuss the transportation of waste elsewhere and couldn’t understand the local SYRIZA statements that this was what the central government wanted and that the costs would be paid from the state coffers. Mr. Tsironis and Mr. Kouroublis suggested that we should pay a visit to Amaliada, where they had the same problem for decades – culminating in thousands of tons of rubbish in Pirgos being spread all over the place. The situation was solved when the two towns sat down together and agreed to intermediate management and a landfill to be built at an agreed spot. If we don’t sit down together and find a solution, then the government will have to solve the problem and I don’t think it will be very pleasant.”

Culture Minister Impressed

“The Minister of Culture visited the Fortresses, which she found in very good condition and considered them to be valuable monuments that we should make the most of. We had a conversation about the British Hospital and an exchange of views about what could be done there. One idea was that it could become an international cultural centre. I think that if we handle things properly, there could be funding. We also spoke with Ms. Papanatsiou, the minister, about various public buildings, including the Capodistrias Mansion and we put forward a number of issues relating to the assignment of public property to the municipality, with first and foremost the Asani building, which is next to the Old Town Hall. The building is derelict and we are still trying to identify the owner.”

Management of the Fortresses

“The management of the fortresses is something that needs to be discussed further as the building belongs to the Ministry of Finance. I raised the matter in front of the prime minister, but it needs to be discussed with Mr. Tsakalotos (Finance Minister) how they can collaborate with the Ministry of Culture in the management of the Fortress. The matter needs to be dealt with – we can’t hide from it.”