By order of the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis, the General Secretary of Public Property, Naya Kollia, contacted today the Cyclades Prosecutor’s Office and the Naxos Police Directorate in order to carry out re-inspections and extraordinary controls for illegal occupation of the seashore and beach by tourist businesses or individuals on the island.

The order was given on the occasion of complaints according to which, umbrellas and seats that had been installed illegally and removed in the context of the controls carried out in the previous days by the Land Service of Cyclades, were re-placed on beaches after the departure of the inspectors of the Land Service of the Ministry of Finance from the island.

Executives of the Greek Police today, so far, they have carried out checks on ten businesses, confirmed three violations of the legislation on the beach and led the three managers of the businesses to Autoforo.

Violations were detected in the following areas:

– In Agios Arsenios, a catering company had placed 40 umbrellas and 80 sunbeds at a distance of 10 meters from the coastline, occupying an area of ​​180 square meters, without having a beach-use permit.
-In Agia Anna, a tourist company had placed 30 umbrellas and 60 sunbeds at a distance of 2 meters from the coastline, on an area of ​​234 sq.m. also without a beach-use permit.
– In Agios Prokopios, a catering business had installed 12 umbrellas and 24 sunbeds, at a distance of 2 meters from the coastline, on an area of ​​126 square meters, without a permit.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis stated: “Any attempt, in Naxos or anywhere else, to ignore the controls for the arbitrary occupation of the beach will not be tolerated. Those who attempt to play with the law will face the consequences of the law! This already happened in Naxos. Apparently, some people did not realize that the controls – which will continue and intensify – are not done for communication reasons, but for reasons of substance, which are to ensure citizens’ access to the beaches, to preserve the image of Greek tourism and to protect the public interest . The government has the will and power to enforce legality, and will do so wherever necessary. I have stated and I repeat, that we are not going to back down».

(Stock Photo)