By Antonis Tsimplakis

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy have progressed in the implementation of water adequacy and desalination projects with an emphasis on the most remote and small islands.

The program includes 103 interventions in 61 island municipalities with funds from the Public Investment Program, within the framework of the Special Action Plan for Water Scarcity for the year 2025.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the General Secretariat for Environment and Water, additional funding of 20 million euros was approved for projects in areas with immediate needs.

It is particularly critical to simplify the licensing of small desalination plants. 35 new units have already been licensed on more than 27 islands, significantly strengthening their water supply systems.

"The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy is implementing a comprehensive plan aimed at the adequacy and quality of water on our islands. With the 103 actions taking place this year in 61 municipalities and the allocation of funds, we are improving water supply conditions, upgrading residents' quality of life and supporting the natural environment of the island nature, which is a comparative advantage of our country," said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias.

300 million euros for the renewal of the coastal shipping fleet

"The government will also continue a 300-million-euro plan with additional resources from the European Investment Bank, so that the coastal shipping fleet is renewed and ships are converted into green ships," the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy said.

Vasilis Kikilias explained that this means that there will be no obligation to pay pollution fees in the EU and therefore "we will be given the opportunity in the coming years to further reduce the prices of coastal shipping tickets."

He clarified that the relevant announcements would be made in the fall, noting that "there will be a call for interest for coastal shipping companies of all types, including open ships, closed-type ships, daily ships, ferry boats, high-speed ships and conventional ships."

Kikilias emphasized that "we must support our tourism in the summer with multiple routes. We must finance barren lines. The government is obliged – and we will do it – to find a way to support this sector as it is part of our island identity. We will be there and we will enable coastal shippers to have a better, renewed, greener, more ecological and safer fleet."