In open meeting of the SY.RIZ.A - Progressive Alliance of Kythera, held on Thursday 12 December at Potamos, the following have emerged serious shortcomings in the island's ferry connections. Citizens and party members submitted proposals and expressed their indignation at the the absence of credible solutions from the government and the municipal authority. The participants denounced the degradation of the Piraeus - Kythera - Antikythera - Crete line, requesting immediate launching of a higher class ship, the upgrading the port of Diakofti and the maintenance of small ports, underlining the the need for all democratic forces to join forces to address the abandonment of the islands. Read the press release:
Press Release, Kythera, Friday 13 December 2024
«Islanders are not second-class citizens’
An open meeting of the SY.RIZ.A - P.S. Kythera O.M. of Kythera was held on Thursday, December 12th at Potamos.The meeting was attended and was attended by citizens from the broader left and progressive area, whom we thank. SY.RIZ.A - P.S. has always supported and continues to support that in a number of issues, solutions can only be given through the rallying of all democratic citizens.
The dominant issue of the meeting was the poor situation of the ferry connections of our islands. The main responsibility lies with the government of the New Democracy, which (with the tolerance of the local authorities) constantly downgrades and refuses to adopt the realistic proposals of citizens and institutional bodies that demand the upgrading of our ferry connections.
After a thorough discussion the O.M. SY.RIZ.A P.S. Kythera decided:
1) It denounces the government for the multiple levels of abandonment of our islands. Coastal transport is a clear proof of the above.
2) Especially the line Piraeus - Kythera - Antikythera - Crete - Gythio is served by a ship which is not suitable. The fact that it is often unable to reach the ports of Diakofti and Antikythera proves the truth of our claims. We recall that the competent Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Stylianides in March 2024 had cited «reasons of fiscal cost» to justify the launching of a category “3” ship for Kythera... The residents of the islands seem to be treated as second class citizens!
3) Unfortunately, the municipal authority of Kythera - Antikythera is a mere observer of the developments despite the fact that the Mayor Mr. Harhalakis is a member of the Council of Shipping Communications.
The O.M. of Kythera of SY.RIZ.A - P.S. demands:
1) The launching of a higher class ship (at least class B’) on the barren line Piraeus - Kythera - Antikythera - Crete - Gythio
2) Provide for the mandatory replacement of a ship during the annual period of immobilisation.
3) To implement an upgrade program for the main port of Diakofti in accordance with the recommendations of the experts.
4) We consider it necessary to take a ministerial decision to use the port of Agia Pelagia as an alternative port when there is an inability to reach the main port.
5) At the same time we demand the maintenance and upgrading of the fishing shelters / small ports (Diakofti, Avlemonas, Agia Pelagia, Ammos Square, Kapsali) with a plan and significant funding.
6) We also ask for a feasibility study to be launched for the construction of a full marina
tourist boats where it is deemed realistic
The Parliamentary Group of SY.RIZ.A - P.S. will be informed about all this and we call on it to take initiatives.
Organization of SY.RIZ.A-P.S. KYTHIRON Members
