His priorities for the next period, with an emphasis on the issue of citizens’ security, were described by the new Minister of Maritime and Island Policy Vassilis Kikilia, during today’s receipt ceremony by outgoing Minister Christos Stylianidis.

“I am absolutely aware of what I have come. I have come to the country’s big port here will be my home for the next few years“While”My job and my destination is to help to make everyone’s life better and conditions needed to be developmental“He noted.

Referring to security issues, he said it is a top priority issue for the Ministry of Shipping and that everyone should follow it.

“Citizens’ safety, travelers and workers, comes first and please warmly all to discipline this doctrine and the port body will take care of it to be implemented in a hundred percent“Mr Kikilias said, adding that” as our fellow citizens have rights and obligations, so does the Greek state and this should all understand and follow it, otherwise they will find the Ministry of Shipping against them. “

Referring to the development potential of the port of Piraeus, he spoke of big plans, adding that “as projects are being evolved at the airport that provides services to its travelers and respects the travel traffic by ensuring that our services are constantly upgraded, we will be constantly upgrading it to us and we will be in a good way. pointed out.

The new shipping minister also said that along with the private sector and the private initiative for shipping and the Greek government it would be best possible to reduce ferry ticket prices.

“We need to support the islands in order to have a strategic advantage while we give a strategic strategic to the country to travel as many as they can on the barren lines and our acrimonious islands,” he said.

Referring to the Coast Guard, he said that he is putting a “protection shield” in the Aegean and we will not allow the scapegoat to become a goat and criminalize those we ask to save human lives daily at sea.

On the issue of maritime education, he called on all those involved to sit on the dialogue table to determine what is needed and what can be much better.

Indeed, Mr Kikilias said that this is a matter that will not be in the future as maritime education must come to a position it deserves.

“It is a dream of everyone to come to naval education at the levels we want in order to adorn the legacy that our ancestors have given us“He noted.

Outgoing Minister Chr. Stilianidis spoke of a moving day as he surrenders this ministry to worthy hands while at the same time leaving a ministry who felt it as his family.

“There is always no continuity of government and state continuity,” said Mr. Stylianidis, while referring to Greek shipping he said it is our great pride as it plays an important role in international organizations.

“The seagoing shipping is our strongest paper,” he added, referring to an important agreement closed in late November with the EU.

He also stressed that Greek shipping is now leading in IMO while Greece has managed and took first place in this international shipping organization, now being the bridge of talks with European institutions regarding the charity and the green transition of shipping.

Referring to the issue of security, he said that by taking over the Ministry of Shipping in September 2023 he set a clear policy framework: “Security-Restoration-Discard”. In this context, the ministry’s strategic initiatives were designed and implemented by Mr. Stylianidis, adding that modernization and upgrading of the services was a top priority.

He also said that the central goal was to boost security in maritime transport.

“Let me emphasize once again that security issues, especially in ferry, are non -negotiable and there is no room for tolerance. “.

He also referred to the modernization of the Hellenic Coast Guard so that he could face the increasing and complex challenges in the Aegean and elsewhere.

“In the last two years, with hard work and negotiation, with methodical, plan and collective work we have secured and used about 1.7 billion euros from European funds, in particular from the NSRF, to implement important projects.“He stressed.

Mr. Stylianidis also said that priority was given to upgrading the operational capacity of the Hellenic Coast Guard and secured € 215 million through the NSRF for vehicles, floating means and shipping systems.

At the same time, more than 621 million euros were secured by the Fund for new equipment.