In a statement, the leader of the municipal political group «All Together – Kythira – Antikythira,» Zacharias Souris, highlighted the crucial importance of the project to extend the runway at Kythira Airport, accusing the municipal authorities of inaction. As noted, the project was set to be removed from the 2025 budget during yesterday’s meeting of the Attica Regional Council, but the decision was reversed following pressure.
Mr. Souris emphasized that the reversal by Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias was the result of strong reactions from his own political faction, as well as the stance taken by institutional representatives and regional councilors. At the same time, he highlighted that a key prerequisite for the project’s reinstatement is a decision by the Kythira Municipal Council—something which, he argues, has not yet occurred due to the municipal administration’s inaction. Below is Mr. Souris’s statement:
Statement by Zacharias Souris, Leader of the «All Together – Kythira – Antikythira» Municipal Party»
«We’re Taking Action on the Kythira Airport – The Municipal Government Has Been Slow to Act»
Our political group, «All Together, Kythira-Antikythira,» welcomes the reversal by Regional Governor Mr.Chardalias, who has committed to reinstating the project to extend the runway at Kythira Airport under certain conditions. A key condition and request from the regional governor is that the Kythira-Antikythira Municipal Council formally request this through a resolution!
With this request, the regional governor is calling out the mayor of Kythira, whom he «points to» as the one responsible… In short, the regional governor is telling us that for the project to be included in the 2025 budget, the Municipality of Kythira must request it, something it has not done so far, even though the Regional Governor and the Mayor clearly communicate regularly…
Yesterday’s developments at the Attica Regional Council reveal the municipal government’s inaction regarding a project of crucial importance to our island. Yesterday, the Attica Regional Council was set to vote on the 2025 budget—with the Kythira Airport project left out! It wasn’t until yesterday morning that the mayor «woke up» and tried to salvage the situation…
Our political group also commends the resolute stance taken by the institutional representatives of Kythira (including CERIGO), as well as the regional councilors and political groups who strongly supported this request. The Regional Governor would not have backtracked if we had not reacted strongly!
<Of course, the question of «on whose initiative the project was initially delisted» remains unanswered. Although the regional governor was asked directly whether the project was removed from the list on his own initiative or that of the mayor of Kythira, he did not answer…
Our party states that it will not allow a project that is crucial to the region’s development to remain «stalled.» We will closely monitor the situation and keep all stakeholders informed of developments.
From now on, our party will take on an even more active role:
We will immediately submit a specific proposal on this matter to the City Council, asking all political groups to vote in favor of it.
I will contact the Mayor of Kythira immediately to request an emergency meeting of the City Council so that decisions can be made to ensure the project continues.
The issue of the airport concerns the future of Kythira and its people. There is no room for further delays, excuses, or evasions. Our region needs responsible and decisive policies.
Starting today, we are taking on the responsibility of bringing this project back into the spotlight and making sure no opportunity is missed.
Press Office
«ALL TOGETHER KYTHERA - ANTI-KYTHERA»
