The handover ceremony was held today between the late Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Giannis Pappa and the new Deputy Minister Stefano Ghika.

After the handover ceremony was completed, the late Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Yiannis Pappas, said the following:

“I wish a good term and every success to the new Deputy Minister Stefanos Ghikas, who besides being a friend and a good colleague, is elected in Corfu, an island region and we have had excellent communication and cooperation all these months. I also wish the new government a good and productive tenure.

I would like to thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for the honor he did me, giving me the opportunity to offer to our islands and defend the interests and fair demands of our islanders. During my tenure at the Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy, I tried to highlight more, through the institution of “Regional Dialogues”, which my colleagues and I inspired, issues of insularity faced by residents on all islands.

I am proud that we have provided a permanent solution to the housing problem of the L.S. executives. – EL.AKT in rural Kastelorizo, paving the way for similar future interventions. At the same time, we launched the search for solutions for the major issue of water scarcity in the island country.

As an islander and Dodecanese, I will continue to honor the trust of my fellow citizens, who kept the ND standing and showed it as the first force in the recent European elections, offering with all my strength.

Subsequently, the new Deputy Minister of Shipping & Insular Policy, Stefanos Gikas, made the following statement:

“I thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the bottom of my heart for the honor of appointing me Deputy Minister of Shipping & Insular Policy.

I will do my best to promote the government’s work regarding insularity, the small islands, the larger islands, the needs of our Aegean and Ionian islands.

Today I take over the baton from a very active political figure, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Yiannis Pappa, who leaves an important legacy and to whom I wish health and good personal success.

The Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy is critical for our Homeland, critical for our islands and in this context, with the very good cooperation with the acclaimed Minister Christos Stylianidis, we will try to implement the government program to the best possible extent.

Once again, I would like to thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and of course – in a more personal tone – the citizens of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands who, with their votes, have made me a Member of Parliament for many years, and I am here today.

Thank you.”