The MEP and secretary of the new party «Cosmos» made an inspection by boat in the area together with the candidates for the European Parliament Christina Efthymiatou, Beatrice Semakoula and Evdokia Tsagli.
During the autopsy, Petros Kokkalis underlined that these practices constitute an extreme environmental risk for Laconia, including a Natura2000 site, fishing, tourism, as well as the biodiversity of the area. At the same time, he pointed out that this practice raises major questions both about the necessity of being carried out in international waters (uncontrolled) and about the origin of these fuels.
He explained that these large oil tankers stay for days at the 6 nautical mile limit from the coast in order to avoid both cargo inspection and docking fees. He stressed that this activity had intensified following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the international restrictions imposed on the Putin regime by the European Union.
Mr. Kokkalis held the Greek government accountable, accusing it of baptizing smuggling as «common practice internationally» and refusing to take action, while recalling that in a relevant question submitted to the European Commission during his term in the European Parliament, the European Commissioner for the Environment replied that «Member States may adopt additional or stricter legislation, provided that the legislation is compatible with EU and international law», which Greece refuses to do, unlike Spain which has taken concrete measures to tackle smuggling. Read below the text of the post:
«Apocalypse to avoid «apocalypse» images. Unfortunately, once again profit comes before people and nature. The daily oil transfusions that take place in the Laconian Gulf bring billions into foreign pockets but at the same time a huge danger for our precious land. The slightest mistake can bring a disaster that will persist in the long term and affect the Peloponnese in multiple negative ways. We courageously highlight the huge problem, draw your attention, and ask you to act collectively. We will not wait for crocodile tears while disclaiming responsibility under the pretext of some «human error», presenting it as a random event. The mistake will happen, we just don't know when, so we must act effectively today to protect tomorrow, our people, our home.».
@evdokeah Revelation to avoid images of «apocalypse». Unfortunately, once again profit comes before people and nature. The daily oil transfusions that take place in the Laconian Gulf bring billions into foreign pockets but at the same time a huge danger for our precious land. The slightest mistake can bring a disaster that will persist in the long term and affect the Peloponnese in multiple negative ways. We courageously highlight the huge problem, draw your attention, and ask you to act collectively. We will not wait for crocodile tears while disclaiming responsibility under the pretext of some «human error», presenting it as a random event. The mistake will happen, we just don't know when, so we must act effectively today to protect tomorrow, our people, our home. #peloponnese #greece #ellada #lakonia #savetheplanet ♬ original sound - Evdokia a.k.a Eve
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