The increase in Frontex air assets in Crete, the availability of two large Heron drones, capable of operating in all 12 nautical miles in western Libya, and the reinforcement of the Crete port authorities with 33 additional permanent positions, announced the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, after a series of meetings held in Chania, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Sevi Voloudakis, and the head of the Coast Guard-Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral L.Σ., Christos Kontoruchas.
Regarding the port projects, Kikilias stressed the importance of the approval of the master plan for the port of Souda. The plan provides for projects to expand and improve the operation of the port, with a total budget of 25 million euros. These interventions, the minister noted, will enhance the capacity and efficiency of the port, which is a key gateway for transport, shipping and marine tourism for Crete.
He stressed that “the strengthening and overall growth of the country’s GDP, like the primary sector, depends on how we operate. So I want – above all – security in our ports and in shipping. We are ready, this year too, to receive a lot of people during the tourist season, which is no longer limited to the summer months, but extends over a longer period of time. We will show the same concern for water sports, as well as for small boats used either by tourists or locals, such as yachts.”
Regarding migration, Mr. Kikilias stressed that “modern smugglers and networks have targeted Crete from the other side of Libya, and we must do all that we have to do in order to be able to meet the challenges of the next day,”
The minister, as part of his tour of Crete, visited the Chania Port Authority in the morning, where, after being welcomed by the port director, Commander L.S. Kokologiannakis Evangelos, went to the Merchant Marine Academy (AEN) Chania, holding successive meetings with all the executives of the Port Authority, while the Minister was also toured the facilities of the AEN.
Then he went to the Regional Unit of Chania where he held a meeting with the participation of members of the prefecture, the deputy regional governor Nikolaos Kalogeris, the mayor, Panagiotis Simandirakis, the president of the Port Fund, Dimitrios Virirakis, the regional police chief in Crete, Lieutenant General Georgios Doukis and the police director of Chania, Brigadier General Kanello Nikolaos. The Minister was thoroughly briefed on the migration issue in the region, as well as on issues concerning the local community, the needs and infrastructure of the island.
Finally, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy visited the temporary accommodation structure for migrants in Ayia, Chania.
